EP0505295A1 - Fixing and clamping device for cylindrical objects and process for fixing and clamping said objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a device for holding and clamping cylindrical objects, consisting of a stirrup part (1) and of two jaws (2) comprising two branches (7) and (8), each jaw (2) being linked to the stirrup part (1) by a shaft (3) and pivoting around this shaft from an open position to a closed position under the action of the weight of the object, the jaws being shaped in such a way that each jaw (2) comes into contact with the external surface of the cylindrical object in at least two points each located on a different branch of the said jaw. This device is particularly suitable for storing and transporting cylindrical objects, in particular reels of sheet-like materials.

Description

The present invention relates to devices for holding and clamping cylindrical objects and their use for the storage and transport of said objects and in particular coils of sheet material or son.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the expression “cylindrical object” designates any object having a volume delimited by a closed or open, curved surface of revolution, of circular, semi-circular, elliptical or polygonal section (square, rectangular section , trapezoidal, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal for example), said object being able to be of solid or hollow section and having a dimension substantially greater than one or the other two. The expression "sheet material" means, in accordance with the present invention, any material taken in the form of a flexible expanse in one piece, which can be wound on itself in rolls or reels whatever their nature and thickness, the latter being however small compared to the other two dimensions and in particular compared to the length; they may be films of thermoplastics, metals, continuous webs of paper, strips of woven or non-woven textiles.

The storage and handling of cylindrical objects and in particular coils or rolls of sheet material wound on mandrels poses a problem each time it is a question of ensuring both their maintenance during storage and / or transport. and easy and quick handling. Indeed, it is necessary to block any movement of these objects during their storage or transport, at their place of production or use, or from the place of production to the place of use. Various devices have been proposed which allow this blocking function to be ensured during transport. However, these devices do not allow easy manipulation of the objects thus blocked. For example, in US Pat. No. 4,033,455, a container has been proposed for storing and transporting reels of plastic sheets or films wound on a mandrel in which a plurality of reels are held parallel to each other. by fixing means arranged in the opposite walls of the container in contact with the ends of the mandrels of the coils; one of the walls has a plurality of conical protrusions penetrating into one of the ends of the hollow mandrels while the other end of the mandrels enters holes provided in the opposite wall. In a system of this type, the coils are placed vertically by threading the mandrels on the cones of the first wall, then the opposite wall is arranged on the other end of the mandrels and fixed to the other walls of the container. Such a device is opposed to the easy handling of the coils. Indeed, on the one hand the gripping of each of the coils involves the prior disassembly of one of the retaining walls and on the other hand, the necessarily vertical position of the coils makes it difficult to remove them using mechanical devices, for example by means of a forklift. Finally, such a device is difficult to use in the case of rollers or coils of large dimensions. A similar device has been described in European patent application EP-A-0.067.656; it has the same drawbacks as that previously commented on.

The present invention proposes to provide a solution to the problem posed by the storage of cylindrical objects and their easy handling.

More specifically, the primary objective of the present invention is to ensure effective blocking of the longitudinal, transverse and rotational movements of cylindrical objects and in particular of coils of sheet material during their transport.

A second objective of the present invention is to ensure easy manipulation of the cylindrical objects from their blocking system.

A third objective of the present invention lies in the fact of ensuring the easy handling and blocking of cylindrical objects while respecting their integrity, in particular when it is a question of fragile objects (hollow cardboard tubes for example) or having a fragile surface.

These objectives, and others which will emerge from the description of the present invention, have been achieved by using a clamping device which constitutes a first object of the present invention.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a device for holding and clamping cylindrical objects characterized in that it is constituted by a stirrup and two jaws comprising two branches, each jaw being connected to the stirrup by an axis and pivoting about this axis by a position open to a closed position under the action of the weight of the object, the jaws being shaped so that each jaw comes into contact with the external surface of the cylindrical object at at least two points each located on a branch different from said jaw.

The invention and its operation will be better understood on reading the description below made with reference to the attached figures, produced without a determined scale and given by way of examples.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a clamping and holding device according to the invention in the open position.

2 shows a side view of a device according to Figure 1 in the closed position on a cylindrical object of any section.

3 shows a sectional view of the device according to Figure 1 showing a first method of assembling the stirrup and the jaws.

FIG. 4 represents an alternative method of assembling the stirrup and the jaws.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the closed position on a cylindrical object of circular section, the jaws of which are shaped to partially match the external surface of the object by a plurality of contact points .

Figure 6 and its three sectional views along ABCD, EE and FF respectively shows a variant of the embodiment according to Figure 5, according to which the jaws are provided with studs.

Figures 7 and 8 show a sectional view of a device whose jaws are provided with studs and illustrate two methods of assembling the studs to the jaws.

FIG. 9 represents a perspective view of a device for clamping and holding a cylindrical object comprising two caliper-jaw assemblies according to FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 represents a device for clamping and holding cylindrical objects comprising a stirrup (1) supporting two opposite jaws (2) pivoting about an axis (3).

The stirrup (1) can be made of any material by machining, cutting, molding, thermoforming or stamping; it may be made of metal (sheet metal, cast iron, angles of variable section) or of plastic material, loaded or not, reinforced or not, for example by glass or carbon fibers). Its shape is not critical and can deviate appreciably from that shown in FIG. 1. In general, the stirrup (1) comprises a horizontal part (4) and two substantially vertical parts (5) whose height does not is not critical. The axis (3) is placed on the vertical parts (5) of the stirrup (1) at a sufficient height so that the cylindrical object does not rest on the upper surface (6) of the horizontal part of the 'caliper (1) when the jaws are in the closed position. It would not, however, depart from the scope of the invention by eliminating the substantially vertical parts (5) of the stirrup (1) and by arranging the horizontal part (4) so that the jaws (2) can pivot around the axis (3). The distance d separating the internal faces of the vertical parts (5) depends on the section of the cylindrical object and more precisely on the length of the projection p on a horizontal plane of the section of the cylindrical object by a vertical plane defined by the jaws ; d must be greater than p.

Each jaw (2) comprises, on either side of the axis of rotation (3) two branches (7) and (8) giving it the general shape of a crescent more or less closed depending on the shape of the object and the length of the projection p of its section. The branches of the same jaw can have the same or different length and the jaws facing each other can have branches of the same or different length depending on the shape of the section of the object. Preferably, the two jaws are substantially symmetrical. There is no critical maximum length of the upper branches (7); it is generally determined on the basis of practical considerations. The minimum length of the branches (7) is chosen so as to obtain the blocking of the object and to favor the opening of the jaws during the withdrawal of the cylindrical object. In general, a length of the branches (7) close to that for which the distance d1 of the ends (9) of the branches (7) of the jaws (2) in the closed position is less than the projection p makes it possible to achieve such a result.

The length of the lower branches (8) of the jaws also depends on the length of the projection p of the section of the object cylindrical. It is chosen so as to ensure the free pivoting of the jaws during the positioning of the object, by providing between their opposite ends (10) a sufficient space. According to an alternative embodiment, the ends (10) of the branches (8) may include indentations allowing their training; in this case, their adjustment must be carried out so that the operation of the gear does not disturb the rotation of the jaws.

The general shape of the internal surface (11) of each jaw which can be considered as the object / jaw contact surface, depends on the shape of the cylindrical object. Preferably, the profile given to the internal surface (11) of the jaws is chosen so that in the closed position, they conform at least in part to the outline of the object. The internal surfaces (11) of the jaws can be smooth or rough or provided with teeth, grooves of various shapes. The jaws (2) can also be made of all machined, cut, molded, thermoformed or stamped materials. Metals or thermoplastics or crosslinked resins may be used, possibly containing glass or carbon fibers. The choice of material obviously depends on the weight and volume of the cylindrical object. For example, cast aluminum is used. It is also possible to place on the internal surface (11) of the metal jaws a coating of a resilient material (natural or synthetic rubber for example) or a thermoplastic material (polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates) with low slip, ensuring good tightening of the object without causing deterioration of its surface when the latter is fragile and must be preserved from any scratch (for example polished cylinders). The width of the branches of the jaws and their thickness are not critical and depend to a large extent on the volume and / or the weight of the object to be maintained.

The clamping device according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous by its operating mode. Indeed, the closing of the jaws and the tightening of the object are ensured by the action of the weight of the latter on the horizontal branches of the jaws during its introduction. The opening of the jaws and the release of the object are easily carried out by lifting the latter by any suitable means; during this lifting, the passage of the cylindrical object between the ends of the rising branches of the jaws causes their tilting in the direction A indicated in Figure 2 by arrows. One could, without departing from the scope of the present invention, favor this tilting and ensure that the jaws (2) are kept in the open position by any suitable means. By way of nonlimiting example, one could create a restoring force less than the weight of the object by means of a spring working in traction on the branches (7) of the jaws (2) when these are in the closed position. . We could also put in place under each of the branches (8) a spring working in compression and exerting a force greater than the weight of the jaw and less than the weight of the object. Another particularly simple means consists in making the rising branches (7) so that they act as a counterweight to the weight of the horizontal branches (8). We could also use a pneumatic device.

The axis (3) can be integral with the jaws (2) and pivot in a bearing formed in the stirrup (1) or vice versa; it can also be independent of the stirrup and the jaws and placed in bearings arranged in the jaws and the stirrup. In all cases, its retention in place can be ensured by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as pins, stop rings for example.

The method of assembling the stirrup (1) with the jaws (2) can take various forms illustrated without limitation by Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows a sectional view along AA ′ of the device according to the figure 1 in which the jaws (2) are mounted on the outer face (12) of the stirrup (1). According to Figure 4, the rising parts (5) of the bracket (1) has a housing (13) in which the jaws (2) are put in place.

It may be advantageous to provide the stirrup (1) with stops limiting the pivoting of the jaws (2) to the opening by blocking of the branches (7) so as to communicate to them a position allowing the easy installation of a new object. It may prove useful, in certain cases, to limit the pivoting of the jaws (2) to the closing by fitting stops acting on the branches (8). Such stops are unnecessary in the assembly variant according to Figure 4 in which the legs (8) of the jaws (2) come into contact with the horizontal part of the stirrup (1).

FIG. 5 illustrates a different embodiment of the device according to FIG. 1, according to which the stirrup (1) has a cradle shape and the jaws (2) have a profile of the internal face of the branches (7) and (8) particularly well suited for clamping and holding cylindrical objects of circular section because it allows the jaws to partially match the external surface of said objects.

According to a variant of the present invention represented by FIG. 6, the jaws can come into contact with the cylindrical surface by means of studs or rollers which will be designated hereinafter by the single term studs for reasons of convenience.

The number of studs, their dimensions and their shape depends to a large extent on the shape and volume of the cylindrical object. Preferably, each jaw has at least two studs. The latter can be cylindrical, conical, spherical, cylindroconical, prismatic, rhombohedral, parallelepipedic, pyramidal, dihedral, toric, etc. Although the shape of the studs is not critical, it is preferred for practical reasons to use cylindrical or conical studs. They can be fixed or mobile (they are then pebbles); in the latter case, the rollers have the possibility of pivoting about an axis substantially perpendicular to the jaw which carries them. The fixing of the fixed studs to the jaw can be carried out by any suitable means (screws, bolts, rivets, welding, gluing for example). It would be possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to associate on each jaw (2) fixed studs and rollers, the latter being preferably placed at the end of the branches (7) to facilitate introduction and removing the object.

The pads can be made of any material, for example metal, wood, thermoplastic material (polyamides, polyesters, polypropylene) hard or resilient (rubber) sliding or anti-sliding or by the association of different materials for example metal and material thermoplastic. Their surface in contact with the cylindrical object can be smooth or rough (presence of streaks, grooves, etc.). The choice of material and surface type of the studs depends to a large extent on the shape and surface properties of the cylindrical object.

The studs can be placed on the side (s) of the jaws according to two preferred arrangements. According to a first variant, the studs can be arranged projecting relative to the internal edge of the jaws; in this case, the jaws in the closed position do not come into direct contact with the cylindrical object. According to a second alternative embodiment, the studs are arranged set back relative to the internal edge of the jaws (2). In such a case, the cylindrical object in contact with the studs by its periphery can also come by longitudinal sliding in contact by its end with the jaws which then play the role of a stop plate. Such an arrangement ensures the blocking of the object in the lateral direction and in the axial direction. This embodiment is preferred. The studs are preferably arranged on the jaws (2) so as to come into contact with the upper surface (6) of the horizontal part of the stirrup (1), which has the effect of releasing the stud fixing bolts. or the axes of the rollers and the axes (3) of the jaws of the action of the weight of the object. In the case of rollers, this contact blocks their rotation and, consequently, that of the cylindrical object.

FIG. 6 illustrates, without limitation, such an embodiment in the case of a device according to the invention used for clamping a hollow cylindrical object of circular section. In FIG. 6, the jaws (2) shown in the closed position bear on one of their faces a plurality of cylindrical studs (14), (15), (16), (17) of circular section fixed using a screw (18) and constituted by a metal core (19) surrounded by a polyamide sheath (20) press fit on the core (19). Each of the jaws (2) carries the studs (14) to (17) arranged back with respect to their internal edge so as to leave between the studs and said edges a stop zone (21) against which can be supported longitudinally the end of the cylindrical object (22). On each of the jaws (2), the three studs (15) to (17) are arranged so as to touch tangentially and the fourth is arranged at the end of the jaw (14). The cylinder (22) comes into tangential contact with the studs at 23, 23 ′, 23˝, 23 ‴. The use of a resilient material makes it possible to increase the contact surface between the cylinder and the studs and consequently to decrease the pressure exerted by the latter on the material constituting the cylinder.

The studs (15) to (17) do not have to be in tengential contact and one could without inconvenience leave between them a more or less important space. In the same way, the studs (14) to (17) can be distributed at substantially identical intervals over the jaws (2); however, the grouping of the studs (15) to (17) on the lower part of the jaws (2) ensures a better distribution of the stress exerted by the weight of the object and such an arrangement is preferred. The cradle shape of the stirrup (1) adopted on the variant according to Figure (6) is particularly advantageous from this point of view. Indeed, the studs (16) and (17) come into contact at (24) and (24 ') with a concave shoulder arranged in the horizontal part of the stirrup (1), when the jaws are closed. The rising part (25) of the stirrup (1) is preferably made so that its end (26) acts as a stop for the stud (16) when the jaw (2) opens, which avoids the complete tilting of the latter. In difficult cases, the use of rollers facilitates the engagement and removal of the cylindrical object.

The surface delimited by the studs (14) to (17) is substantially equal to the section of the cylindrical object, when the studs are made of metal; when the studs are made of resilient material, this surface may be slightly less than the section of the object.

One could, without departing from the scope of the present invention, obtain a longitudinal blocking of the cylindrical object, by placing on a lateral face of the jaws (2) a stop plate or cheek protruding from the internal edge of the jaw.

The assembly of the studs with the jaws (2) can be carried out according to various modes and is not critical. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, without limitation, two methods of assembling the studs to the jaws.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the jaw (2) provided with a stud (14). According to this method of assembly, the stud (14) is placed in a housing (27) arranged in the thickness of the jaw (2) so as to protrude from the internal edge (28) of the jaw and the stud is held in place by a screw (18).

FIG. 8 illustrates another method of assembling a stud (14) and a jaw (2) shown in section. According to this variant, a housing (29) has been arranged in the thickness of the jaw (2) and the stud (14) has been fixed on the part (30) of the jaw so as to be set back relative to the internal edge (28) of the jaw. The protruding jaw part (31) then acts as a stop plate for the end of the cylindrical object.

To hold cylindrical objects, one or more caliper / jaw assemblies can be associated with an appropriate support. The present invention therefore has as a second object a device for holding and clamping cylindrical objects, characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly constituted by a stirrup forming a fixing seat and two jaws pivoting under the action of the weight of the object as described above, fixed to a support by any suitable means.

For the maintenance of cylindrical objects having a relatively small length with respect to their section, a single set of jaws / stirrup fixed by the latter to an adequate support can be used. On the contrary, in the case where the cylindrical object has a significant length vis-à-vis its section, it is preferable to use the combination of at least two caliper / jaw assemblies with an appropriate support.

The number of stirrup / jaw assemblies associated in such a device varies as a function of the length and weight of the cylindrical objects, or as a function of the storage mode. Thus, for the same cylindrical object, the holding device can comprise two or more than two caliper / jaw assemblies, for example three or four, which can be identical or different depending on whether the section of the object varies or does not vary according to its length. For example, if it is desired to store objects of single circular section such as pipes, the stirrup / jaw assemblies can have an identical arrangement and dimensions. However, to avoid any longitudinal movement of the object, the stirrup / jaw assemblies placed at its ends can be arranged so as to block the longitudinal movement of the object, for example in accordance with FIGS. 6 and 8, while the (or the) assemblies arranged along the cylinder cannot include such an arrangement. According to another variant, the holding device can be equipped with a number of caliper / jaw assemblies sufficient to ensure the maintenance of several cylindrical objects arranged parallel to each other and / or in line one behind the other. In the latter case, the same caliper / jaw assembly can ensure the maintenance of two consecutive cylindrical objects by an arrangement specially designed for this purpose. It is possible, for example, to use a caliper / jaw assembly for which the jaws carry on each face a set of studs (14) to (17) set back with respect to the internal edge of the jaws (2) as shown in figure 6.

Whatever the number of stirrup / jaw assemblies cooperating to maintain a cylindrical object, these assemblies can be independent or according to a different embodiment, all the jaws acting on either side of the object may be integral with the same support, the ends of which are connected to two terminal stirrups In such a case, the studs of each jaw could be replaced by bars of similar design, for example metal bar sheathed with a resilient material, uniting two successive jaws .

The supports for the caliper / jaw assemblies can be of various designs. We can, for example, use wooden or metal trays, metal or wooden pallets arranged to allow their handling by forklifts, frames in metal angles of varied section, square or rectangular. Each support can be provided with four or more than four fixed or removable uprights allowing them to be stacked on top of each other and / or feet.

The devices according to the invention are suitable for clamping cylindrical objects of varied nature. Mention may be made, without implied limitation, of full or hollow cylinders of circular, square, hexagonal cross-section made of metal or plastic, wooden balls, concrete, wooden or metal posts. They are particularly suitable for the storage and transport of cylindrical objects of circular section such as rolls of polished or unpolished metal or ceramic provided with a rotation hub or spools of threads or of a wound sheet material on a solid or hollow mandrel of length equal to or preferably greater than the width of the material. From this point of view, the devices according to the present invention are very particularly suitable for clamping and holding reels of films of thermoplastic material (polyester, polyolefins, cellulosic films, polyvinyl chloride for example) and cylinders in mirror polished metal or ceramic used in plastic filming processes.

The use of the devices described above for holding cylindrical objects constitutes a third object of the present invention. It proves to be particularly advantageous because it does not require any particular manipulation to ensure the closing or opening of the jaws, which are carried out by the simple action on said jaws of the weight of the object or of its movement. The claimed devices also allow easy lifting of objects by means of the gripping members of load handling devices such as the spurs of a forklift or of manipulator arms. In the case of hollow objects, such as the mandrels of coils of sheet material, these members can be introduced into the object and thus avoid contact with said materials. In the latter case, the use of two caliper / jaw assemblies makes it possible to block the coil only on the parts of the mandrel free of sheet material. The same device can then be used for the storage of coils and empty cores if their weight is sufficient.

Claims (32)

1 / Device for holding and clamping cylindrical objects, characterized in that it is constituted by a stirrup (1) and two jaws (2) comprising two branches (7) and (8), each jaw (2) being connected to the stirrup (1) by an axis (3) and pivoting around this axis from an open position to a closed position under the action of the weight of the object, the jaws being shaped so that each jaw (2) comes into contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical object at at least two points each located on a different branch of said jaw. 2 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two jaws are substantially symmetrical. 3 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the facing contact surfaces (11) of the jaws (2) are shaped to match at least partially the outer surface of the cylindrical object. 4 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact surfaces (11) of the jaws are smooth. 5 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact surfaces (11) of the jaws are rough. 6 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact surface (11) of the jaws are provided with a coating of resilient material. 7 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact surfaces (11) of the jaws are provided with a coating of low-slip material. 8 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the jaws are held in the open position by means exerting a force on said jaws. 9 / Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the means creating the holding force of the jaws in the open position is a spring working in compression placed between the branch (8) substantially horizontal of the jaw and the stirrup and exerting on said branch a force greater than the weight of the jaw and less than the weight of the object. 10 / Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the means creating the holding force of the jaws in the open position is a spring working in traction placed between the upper part of the rising branch (7) of the jaws and the stirrup and exerting on said branch (7) a restoring force less than the weight of the object. 11 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each jaw (2) is provided with a plurality of studs (14) intended to ensure contact with the surface of the cylindrical object. 12 / Device according to claim 11, characterized in that each jaw (2) has at least 2 studs (14). 13 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the studs (14) are of cylindrical shape. 14 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the pads (14) are fixed. 15 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the studs (14) rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the jaw. 16 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the studs (14) are made of metal and / or of thermoplastic material. 17 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the studs (14) are arranged in excess relative to the internal edge of the jaw (2) which carries them. 18 / Device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the studs (14) are arranged recessed relative to the internal edge of the jaw (2) which carries them. 19 / Device for holding and clamping cylindrical objects, characterized in that it comprises at least one caliper / jaw assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 fixed to a support by any suitable means. 20 / Device according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises at least two caliper / jaw assemblies fixed in parallel on a support. 21 / Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the caliper / jaw assemblies have substantially the same dimensions and the same arrangement. 22 / Device according to any one of claims 20 to 21, characterized in that the jaws of the different caliper / jaw assemblies holding the same cylindrical object are independent of each other. 23 / Device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the jaws of the different caliper / jaw assemblies ensuring the maintenance of the same object and located on the same side of said object are integral with the same support linked to stirrups by an axis around which it pivots. 24 / Device according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the support of the different caliper / jaw assemblies is a metal angle frame. 25 / Device according to any one of claims 19 to 24 according to which the support frame is provided with feet. 26 / Device according to any one of claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the support frame is provided with removable or not uprights allowing the stacking of several frames. 27 / A method of holding and clamping cylindrical objects allowing their storage and / or transport, characterized in that said objects are introduced between the jaws of a device according to any one of claims 19 to 26. 28 / A method according to claim 27, characterized in that the cylindrical object is hollow. 29 / A method according to any one of claims 27 and 28, characterized in that the cylindrical object has a circular section. 30 / A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the cylindrical object is a coil of web material wound on a mandrel of length greater than the width of said material. 31 / A method according to claim 30, characterized in that the material is a film of thermoplastic material. 32 / A method according to claim 31, characterized in that the film material is a polyester film.

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