EP1034895A1 - Method of placing resiliant rings and tools therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an implementing equipment for fixing an elastic clamp band (1) to the lugs (5) particularly adapted, for example, for recurrent mounting of a flexible connection pipe (12) on a pipe system (13). The invention is characterised in that it comprises an automatic dispenser (2) of clamp bands (1) arranged to position each clamp band (1) such that its two lugs are externally accessible to be seized by the grips (9, 52, 103) of a hand tool for extracting and fixing (8, 50, 100) which are brought together to compress the lugs (5) of the clamp band (1) by external actuating means (11) separately controlled, the tool (8, 50, 100) comprising means for bringing together the grips (9, 52, 103) freely and reversibly when the external actuating means (11) are activated and means for releasing them instantly or gradually at the desired moment with an external control (14, 123).

Description

The invention relates to a method of fitting necklaces ear bands particularly suitable for chains mounting products such as hoses especially in the automobile sector ; the invention also relates to tools implementing the method.

The invention relates to necklaces which are conventionally made from a strip of strip shaped in a generally circular ring. The ring in question is likely to deform by spacing of its two ends which creates a couple of elastic return used as tightening; among these types of necklaces we will focus more specifically on those whose the two ends of the spring band come overlap; a median cut of the collar band extends a few centimeters at one end to form a passage for the other which is decreased in width to coincide with said passage. Both ends of the band are provided with an ear obtained by simple rectangular folding of its external parts towards the outside of the collar of such so that, thanks to a clamp provided with jaws, one can easily bring the two control ears together, i.e. enlarge the diameter of the collar providing when releases them, the elastic return torque necessary for tightening, for example of a hose on a pipe.

There are many tools for mounting and disassembly of such collars but they are very generally handled by hand and autonomous; these tools must be small and particularly light to respond effectively to rates required on current production lines.

Still other problems arise for these tools which require the manipulator to produce for each elastic collar fitted, the energy required to their extension at least, even if they use systems with lever greatly facilitating this operation, as it is for example taught in French patent FR-96/16083.

We therefore understand all the advantages of a motorized device to replace the user to prestress the elastic collars before laying, without giving up the advantage of small size of a strictly fitting tool manual and autonomous allowing rapid positioning and precise in an environment with very low accessibility.

a) mise en place des mors de l'outil sur les oreilles d'un premier collier mis à bonne disposition dans le distributeur,

b) pré-serrage des mors de l'outil en appui sur les oreilles dudit collier l'amenant en position d'ouverture grâce à des moyens d'actionnement mécanisés,

c) auto-maintien des mors en position de pré-serrage grâce à des moyens internes à l'outil,

d) extraction du distributeur dudit premier collier maintenu ouvert par l'outil à main et mise en bonne position automatique d'un deuxième collier en attente d'une nouvelle extraction,

e) positionnement du collier ouvert autour de la durite,

f) relâchement du serrage des mors de l'outil qui est muni à cet effet de moyens de commande pour fermer le collier sur la durite, et provoquer son serrage sur la canalisation, et dégager l'outil pour une nouvelle opération.

In this regard, and in accordance with the present invention, it is proposed for the installation of elastic collars with ears particularly suitable for repetitive mounting of the hoses on a pipe, a remarkable method in that from a distributor of collars associated with a hand-held and autonomous tool forming together the tool for fitting the collars, said tool being conventionally provided with two jaws shaped for gripping and bringing the ears of a collar closer together with a view to its opening, the succession of following steps :

a) placing the jaws of the tool on the ears of a first collar made available in the dispenser,

b) pre-tightening of the jaws of the tool bearing on the ears of said collar bringing it into the open position by means of mechanized actuation means,

c) self-maintenance of the jaws in the pre-tightening position by means internal to the tool,

d) extraction of the dispenser from said first collar kept open by the hand tool and automatic positioning of a second collar awaiting a new extraction,

e) positioning of the open collar around the hose,

f) loosening of the clamping of the jaws of the tool which is provided for this purpose with control means for closing the collar on the hose, and causing its clamping on the pipe, and releasing the tool for a new operation.

We understand all the interest of such a process dispensing the user from producing the energy necessary to the prestressing of the elastic collars before laying on the piping which is operated by an external device which can be controlled automatically or manually by the operator himself.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the operation of preloading of the collars made inside the dispenser, eliminating the danger of ejection nuisance and breakage commonly seen with tools handbags when inserting necklaces between their jaws.

According to another object of the invention, a hand tool for extraction and installation particularly suitable for implementing the method described above. According to a first variant, such a tool comprises two bit facing, shaped to fit the ears of a elastic collar and arranged at the end of two branches articulated to be able to deploy in V in order to cooperate with the stationary collar distributor equipped with its pre-compression system as we said; in this first variant, the installation tool is provided with a blocking allowing free and automatic operation of the mechanism with a view to reconciling bit to load a necklace and on the contrary, prohibiting reverse movement except when actuating a command provided for this effect to automatically spread the movable jaws. According to this first variant, the release device jaws which will be specified later does not know any progressiveness so that the positioning of the collar is extremely brief, which can lead in some situations with a lack of precision in its positioning on the clamping area. This is the reason two other variants of the laying that can implement the process according to the invention which allows a more gradual relaxation of bit when mounting the collar on the hoses.

Thus, according to other variants of the installation tool, it now includes two branches, one of their ends, jaws and one joint to the other to open freely under the action of the load of the collar from a close position or the jaws maintain compression of the collar to a position deployed in V allowing the jaws to engage or to be disengage from the ears of the collar when it is respectively waiting on the fixed distributor, or unloaded after its installation on the hose, cooperating with means so that when said branches are mounted by sliding their articulated ends along their longitudinal axis inside and in abutment at bottom of a case, only the jaws emerge from the mouthpiece of said case with which the branches cooperate to be kept in close position and stabilized by braking means and vice versa, when said branches are gradually slid outwards under the commanded action of the load of the collar up to a stopper close to the mouth of the case, they are deploy in V thanks to an elastic member repelling them mutually.

We can well understand the decisive advantage brought by these new installation tool variants in which the slackening of the jaws is done gradually, either in a second variant, by a controlled decline of the tool allowing the progressive opening of both arms and so the loosening of the collar which, moreover, is necessarily in rear support on the pipe for resist the withdrawal effort (which excludes any deviation from lateral position of the collar along the hose at the time of its mounting), or in a third variant in advantageously using the external edges of the branches of said tool, which are used as a smooth track or partially notched to provide under the load of a compressed collar, free guide and sliding on a branch and free or braking guidance on the other branch through a mechanism of controlled regulation so that the set of two branches starting from their innermost position in abutment rear, where the collar is fully compressed, deploys gradually outward through gradual action and controlled on said mechanism.

On the other hand, being observed that the laying of a collar on a pipe is done most of the time in congested environments (assembly line of vehicles), we realized that to mount a collar on a hose, we only very rarely had enough room to make a tilted withdrawal and even perpendicular to the pipeline bearing necessary to properly use the tool deposit.

To overcome this major drawback that we can meet in the first two variants it was proposed according to an essential characteristic of the third variant, to associate on the branches of the tool rotating jaws so that you can at least tilt the tool when it is removed to unload the collars; he it goes without saying that such a situation can only be resolved by the gradual control of the extension of the branches thanks to the release mechanism provided for in the third variant.

• les figures 1 à 4 représentent schématiquement les quatre étapes principales du procédé pour la pose d'un collier élastique pour la fixation d'une durite sur une canalisation à partir d'un distributeur de colliers,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues schématiques partielles en élévation (fig. 5) et de dessus (fig. 6), du système de chargement et de pré-serrage d'un outil manuel de pose à partir du distributeur de colliers,
• la figure 7 représente en vue de dessus et en coupe médiane la cinématique des principaux éléments constituant la première variante de l'outil manuel pour l'extraction et la pose des colliers élastiques entre une position de repos en traits pleins et une position d'extraction des colliers en traits pointillés,
• la figure 8 correspond à une coupe suivant la ligne VIII/VIII de la figure 7 montrant la cinématique des pièces dans un plan perpendiculaire à celui de la figure 7,
• les figures 9 et 10 représentent en coupe transversale médiane, respectivement en vue de côté (figure 9) et en vue de dessus (fig. 10), un outil d'extraction et de pose conforme à l'invention, selon cette première variante,
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XI-XI de la figure 10.
• la figure 12 est une représentation en perspective d'un outil de pose conforme à l'invention, selon une deuxième variante, les branches déployées en position d'attente pour l'extraction d'un collier,
• la figure 13 est une vue isométrique du mécanisme interne de l'outil de la figure 1 déterminant son fonctionnement,
• la figure 14 est une vue en coupe de l'outil de la figure 1 suivant l'axe de symétrie passant par le plan de ses branches,
• la figure 15 est une vue identique à la vue précédente sur laquelle les branches sont représentées en position de travail à l'intérieur de l'outil.
• la figure 16 est une vue en coupe de la figure précédente passant par le plan de symétrie perpendiculaire au plan des branches,
• les figures 17 et 18 sont des représentations en perspective d'un distributeur automatique de colliers utilisable en coopération avec cette deuxième variante d'outil en position initiale (fig. 6) et en position finale avant extraction(fig. 7),
• la figure 19 est un exemple d'application de pose d'un collier sur une durite au moyen de l'outil conforme à la deuxième variante dans sa position de travail,
• la figure 20 est une représentation identique à la précédente, l'outil étant en position finale de recul juste avant son dégagement des oreilles du collier.
• la figure 21 est une vue éclatée de la troisième variante d'un outil de pose conforme à l'invention représenté en perspective et montrant toutes les pièces de la variante en position relative,
• la figure 22 est une représentation en élévation et en coupe médiane d'une première configuration de l'outil conforme à cette troisième variante dans laquelle la régulation du mécanisme de relâchement est obtenue par un patin,
• la figure 23 est une représentation en élévation et en coupe médiane d'une deuxième configuration de l'outil conforme à la troisième variante dans laquelle la régulation est ici obtenue par une molette,
• la figure 24 représente l'outil de pose de la figure précédente en vue de dessus,
• la figure 25 est une vue en coupe transversale à plus grande échelle de la molette de régulation de l'outil représenté aux figures 23 et 24 coopérant avec une portion de branche crantée, en position excentrée de blocage,
• la figure 26 est une vue en coupe transversale de la molette représentée à la figure 25 en position centrée de blocage,
• la figure 27 est une représentation en élévation et en coupe médiane de l'outil portant un collier, tel que représenté aux figures 23 et 24, mais en position de déchargement intermédiaire,
• la figure 28 est une représentation de l'outil précédent en position finale après avoir déchargé et libéré le collier,
• les figures 29 et 30 sont des représentations schématiques partielles à plus grande échelle du système de régulation par molette de l'outil de pose dans sa troisième variante,
• la figure 31 est une représentation partielle et à échelle plus grande de la partie correspondant à l'organe de régulation dans le plan de coupe XI/XI de la figure 29,
• la figure 32 est une représentation en perspective partielle de l'extrémité de la palette commandant le système de régulation de l'outil des figures 21 à 31, montrant l'organe de réglage du galet excentré coopérant avec la branche crantée de l'outil,
• la figure 33 est une vue en perspective et à plus grande échelle de l'organe de réglage du galet équipant le dispositif de régulation dans la configuration à molette,
• les figures 34 et 35 sont une représentation schématique des mors rotatifs équipant les têtes des branches de l'outil de pose selon la troisième variante montrant respectivement selon une vue isométrique de face, le mors aligné (fig. 34) et incliné vers la droite (fig. 35),
• la figure 36 est une représentation en élévation et en coupe médiane du mors équipant la tête de la branche crantée de l'outil dans sa troisième variante,

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly from the description of a tool implementing the method according to the invention given by way of nonlimiting example of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:

• FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically represent the four main stages of the method for fitting an elastic collar for fixing a hose to a pipe from a collar distributor,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial schematic views in elevation (FIG. 5) and from above (FIG. 6), of the system for loading and pre-tightening a manual tool for installation from the collars distributor,
• FIG. 7 represents in top view and in median section the kinematics of the main elements constituting the first variant of the manual tool for the extraction and the fitting of the elastic collars between a rest position in solid lines and an extraction position necklaces in dotted lines,
• FIG. 8 corresponds to a section along line VIII / VIII of FIG. 7 showing the kinematics of the parts in a plane perpendicular to that of FIG. 7,
• FIGS. 9 and 10 show in median cross-section, respectively in side view (FIG. 9) and in plan view (FIG. 10), an extraction and laying tool according to the invention, according to this first variant,
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line XI-XI of FIG. 10.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective representation of a fitting tool according to the invention, according to a second variant, the branches deployed in the waiting position for the extraction of a collar,
• FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the internal mechanism of the tool of FIG. 1 determining its operation,
• FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1 along the axis of symmetry passing through the plane of its branches,
• Figure 15 is a view identical to the previous view in which the branches are shown in the working position inside the tool.
• FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the previous figure passing through the plane of symmetry perpendicular to the plane of the branches,
• FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective representations of an automatic collar dispenser that can be used in cooperation with this second variant of tool in the initial position (FIG. 6) and in the final position before extraction (FIG. 7),
• FIG. 19 is an example of an application for fitting a collar to a hose using the tool according to the second variant in its working position,
• Figure 20 is a representation identical to the previous one, the tool being in the final recoil position just before its release from the ears of the collar.
• FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the third variant of a fitting tool according to the invention shown in perspective and showing all the parts of the variant in relative position,
• FIG. 22 is a representation in elevation and in median section of a first configuration of the tool in accordance with this third variant in which the regulation of the release mechanism is obtained by a pad,
• FIG. 23 is a representation in elevation and in median section of a second configuration of the tool in accordance with the third variant in which the regulation is here obtained by a wheel,
• FIG. 24 represents the installation tool of the previous figure in top view,
• FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale of the regulation wheel of the tool shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 cooperating with a portion of notched branch, in the eccentric locking position,
• FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the thumb wheel shown in FIG. 25 in the centered locking position,
• FIG. 27 is a representation in elevation and in median section of the tool carrying a collar, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, but in the intermediate unloading position,
• FIG. 28 is a representation of the preceding tool in the final position after having unloaded and released the collar,
• FIGS. 29 and 30 are partial diagrammatic representations on a larger scale of the regulation system using the setting wheel of the setting tool in its third variant,
• FIG. 31 is a partial representation on a larger scale of the part corresponding to the regulating member in the section plane XI / XI of FIG. 29,
• FIG. 32 is a partial perspective representation of the end of the pallet controlling the tool regulation system of FIGS. 21 to 31, showing the adjusting member of the eccentric roller cooperating with the notched branch of the tool,
• FIG. 33 is a perspective view on a larger scale of the roller adjustment member fitted to the regulation device in the wheel configuration,
• FIGS. 34 and 35 are a schematic representation of the rotary jaws equipping the heads of the branches of the setting tool according to the third variant showing respectively in an isometric front view, the jaw aligned (fig. 34) and inclined towards the right ( fig. 35),
• FIG. 36 is a representation in elevation and in median section of the jaw equipping the head of the notched branch of the tool in its third variant,

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the method of fitting elastic collars 1 in accordance with the invention includes a necklace dispenser 2 allowing as illustrated in Figure 1, to stack the necklaces 1 on their edge, along a column vertical 3 having substantially the external dimensions of the closed collar, and having a front opening 4 of dimension strictly greater than the spacing of the members opening elastic collars 1 called later "ears" 5.

The vertical column 3 opens in its part lower 6 on a case 7 of slightly height greater than the width of the band of the collars 1; the lateral cutout 4 allows to clear, by guiding them, the control ears 5 of the collars 1 which are distributed by gravity one by one, as will be indicated below, at as and when they are extracted from the housing 7 by means a hand tool 8; the latter is equipped with two jaws 9 mounted at the ends of two branches 10 which will, before extraction by the user, close to each other by two compression shoes 11 arranged on the side and other of the same branches 10 and which are animated with a lateral movement towards each other, as shown in the Figure 2 advantageously by a mechanical device motorized, controlled automatically or step by step by the user.

When the branches 10 of the tool 8 have been mechanically close together, thus causing the opening of the collar 1 by bringing its two ears 5 closer together, it is then possible, as will be said later in the description, to remove the tool / clamp assembly in this position as shown in figure 3.

The user can then very precisely position the collar 1 using tool 8, on a hose 12 previously installed on a pipe 13 for example of a motor vehicle.

Finally, once positioned, the elastic collar 1 must be released by tool 8 so that it resumes its original diameter and thus counter-tighten the hose 12 on pipe 13. To do this, tool 8 is fitted with a release mechanism, several of which variants will be described later.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6 it will now be detailed a particular structure of the mechanism distribution of elastic collars 1 in accordance with the invention.

The elastic collars 1 stacked on edge in the column 3 of the distributor 2 constitute a supply automatic collars arriving in the housing 7, by example, placed on a support table near the place of job ; the collar 1 at the bottom of column 3 in the housing 7 is therefore in the waiting position for a extraction by tool 8; naturally the necklace 1 previous will be maintained by a blocking system retractable 16 successively erased to allow the lowering of the collar awaiting extraction.

In accordance with Figure 6 showing a top view the positioning of the collar 1 at the time of its arrival in the housing 7 of the dispenser 2 just before setting place of the tool 8 for its extraction, the mechanism first includes two clogs positioning 17 coming to be housed on either side of ears 5 of the collar 1 pending, so as to block the collar 1 in this position (in strong lines on the fig. 6); at this moment, we can introduce the branches 10 of tool 8 (not shown) so as to make coincide the jaws 9 respectively on the ears 5 of the necklace 1 pending. Tool 8 abuts on the shoes 17 which hold the collar 1 in position and is laterally guided on the two shoes 11 which will serve later to move towards each other, the two ears 5 in order to widen the collar 1 (position in dashed in fig. 6). According to the process, as soon as the jaws 9 are in a good position around the ears 5, the shoes 11 are automatically or by command manual, close to each other, according to the arrows F2 in FIG. 6; in the event of a trip automatic, the hooves 11 can be motorized controlled by branch position sensors 10 of tool 8 or by pressure sensors when these same branches are in contact with the faces of compression of the hooves 11. Once the branches mechanically carried out by the shoes 11, the collar 1 is then in the open position and it is proceeded to the removal, not only of the hooves 11 but also shoes 17 in order to release (inversion of movements F1 and F2) the opening of the housing 7 and thus extract without difficulty the preloaded collar 1.

As will be described in its various variants which follow, tool 8 is designed to maintain compression ears 5 of the collar 1 thus prestressed, throughout transport from distributor 2 to the installation site of the collar 1.

It goes without saying that other provisions could be adopted especially for the configuration of the dispenser 2 according to the invention; we can indeed separate the necklaces distributor function from the function pre-tightening obtained by bringing the shoes 11 closer together thanks to mechanical means, for example motorized. We can by example imagine extracting the collars using tool 8 whose jaws would be adapted for a simple snap-on on the ears 5 in the rest position, the tool and the necklace can then be presented in a post to follow, allowing pre-tightening, i.e. the prestressing of the elastic collar 1, following the the process remains the same.

It will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11 a first variant of a hand tool 8, the mechanism allows the implementation of the process according to the invention.

The kinematics of this mechanism is specially shown in Figures 7 and 8 showing respectively the tool 8 in the rest position, in solid lines, and in clamping position shown in dotted lines on Figures 7 and 8; for understanding, references linked to the components of the tool will be awarded when we refer to these same elements in position of job.

The tool 8 allowing the extraction and the fitting of an elastic collar 1 from the housing 7 of a dispenser 2 comprises a head 20 from which emerges the two branches 10 supporting the two jaws 9 conventionally shaped to adapt to the particular shape of the ears of band collars 1 on the market, a body 21 accommodating the mechanism for releasing the branches 10, finally a handle 22 for gripping by the user; according to a preferred configuration of this tool 8, the head 20, the body 21 and the handle 22 have a generally cylindrical shape and are stacked on the same longitudinal axis XX '. The two branches 10 of length a are articulated in scissors around an axis 23 integral with the head 20 of the tool 8; the two branches 10 are extended beyond the articulation 23 over a length b according to a given ratio R = a / b which depends not only on the size of the collars 1 that are used but also on the general geometry of the 'tool; this ratio is easily determined by a person skilled in the art during the development of the tool. At each of the ends of the arms 10 opposite the jaw 9, a link 24 is articulated, the length of which again depends on the general geometry of the tool which will be easily determined by a person skilled in the art; the free ends of the two rods are joined and articulated around the same axis 25 secured to a yoke 26 connected in a manner which will be specified below to a rod 27 which can move along the axis XX 'inside of the tool 8, guided by a longitudinal channel 28 provided in the center of the body 21; the rod 27 is also secured to the yoke 26 in an upper cavity 29 of the body 21 leading to a cavity 30 inside the head 20 of sufficient size to allow the lateral extension of the ends of the branches of length b of the branches 10 when these deploy around their articulation 23; the rod 27 extends itself towards the handle 22 to come into elastic abutment 31 on a member, such as a helical spring 32 for example, which tends to push said rod 27 longitudinally towards the head 20 of the tool 8, thus tending to separate the jaws 9 as will be explained below; a blocking system is also associated with the rod 27 to freely and automatically authorize its linear movement along XX 'when the jaws 9 come close, that is to say when the rod compresses the elastic member 32, and, at on the contrary, prohibit its reverse movement, except by actuating a control 14 provided for this purpose to automatically separate the jaws 9, in the gripping position of a collar 1 waiting in the distributor 2.

With reference to FIG. 7, the general kinematics of the tool 8 in accordance with this first variant will now be specified: by the external action of the shoes 11 of the distributor 2 according to the arrows F2 of the drawing, the branches 10 articulated at point 23 move simultaneously according to the arrows F3 thereby causing a displacement F4 of their branches of length b , the four elements of the branches then take the configuration in thin dashed lines in the figure and it is clear that the articulation 25 of the two links 24 undergoes in this movement an offset in the axis XX 'of the tool towards its rear part, that is to say towards the handle (arrow F5). This decline in the joint 25 causes a shift towards the rear of the yoke 26 and therefore a decline in the rod 27 which thus compresses the spring 32 bearing on the end 33 of the handle 22 of the tool 8. A at this time it is important to block the arms 10 in their tightening position allowing, as we have seen, the extraction and installation of elastic collars 1 preloaded. This blocking is obtained by a blocking system which prohibits the reverse movement of the rod 27, that is to say to go up towards the head 20 of the tool 8. To do this and as a general principle, the system of blocking of the rod 27 is obtained by giving said rod an adequate axial taper of increasing section from the yoke 26 to the elastic stop 31 coming to collaborate with a conical key 35 of adequate conicity with an axis perpendicular to that of the rod 27 and being able to move axially from top to bottom (FIG. 8) by an action of the control 14 and from bottom to top (by the reaction of an elastic member 36, in principle a helical spring), said key 35 being arranged in a well 37 to come constantly into friction with the conical part of the rod 27 so that its smallest section being at the top (fig. 8), that is to say on the side opposite the spring 36 pushing the key 35 towards the top, it does not constitute a f kidney blocking when the rod 27 moves towards the rear of the tool by compressing the spring 32, -that is to say ultimately when the jaws 9 are brought together, and on the contrary, provides sufficient friction to prevent the reverse movement of the rod 27 urged both by the clamping force of the prestressed collar 1 and by the return force of the spring 32 which it compresses.

According to a preferred configuration of the blocking which has just been described, the taper of the rod 27 results from a dish machined along one of its generators, at least over an effective length corresponding to its axial displacement during maximum jaw travel free 9, along a machining slope in the radial direction providing a progressive ramp 40 capable of cooperating with the conical key 35, the slope of the ramp 40 being precisely calculated to obtain a relative slip with the key 35 in one direction and a blocking in the other in depending on the mechanical characteristics of the tool 8 and necklaces 1. Similarly and according to another variant preferred of the invention, the conical key 35 is of the type cylindrical cutaway key known as "bicycle key", the upper end of which is smaller section, opposite the return spring 36 bearing on the internal wall of the body 21 of the tool, opens freely outside the body in order to be accessible by pressing the user down (fig. 8 or fig. 11) when it wishes to release the tool 8 from the collar 1 correctly positioned on the hose, a trigger command 14 advantageously relieving stress necessary to repel said key 35.

We will now detail the combined action of the rod 27 and key 35: when rod 27 moves back towards the tool handle when pre-tightening the branches 10, it can be seen in FIG. 7 that the ramp 40 goes from a position in strong lines to a 40 'position in dotted, thus clearing in the well 37 guiding the key 35 if it did not move, a space, corresponding to the radial difference α between the two positions, that naturally the key 35 comes immediately fill up by following arrow F6 in figure 8 thanks to its return spring 36 and its upward stroke is then limited only by the sufficient inclination of the cutaway. We understand then that this new position is irreversible, that is to say that the rod 27 does not can go further because it should then push back towards the bottom key 35, but this movement is impossible because it causes friction which is much higher back-up efforts; naturally the slopes of the key and the ramp 40 of the rod 27 are calculated in result. Ultimately, the key 35 plays the role a corner to block the front translation of the rod 27. Only vertical and transverse pressure from the top to the bottom on the key 35 in the opposite direction to the arrow F6 in FIG. 8 will again be able to release a space α immediately causing release of the rod 27 which can thus go up towards the head 20 and open by the effect of the connecting rods and the chisel, the branches of the jaws 9 which put the tool in the rest position ready for a new collar extraction in the dispenser 2. According to a preferred embodiment, provision is made for right of the key 35 a trigger 14 secured to the body 21 of the tool providing a support lever for the release command.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10, it will now be describes several executions of the tool 8 in accordance with its first variant. According to a first execution, the head 20 of tool 8 can be fully rotated on itself around the longitudinal axis XX 'thus allowing rotate in all directions of space the plane containing the two branches 10 supporting the jaws 9. This perfecting the tool is particularly advantageous to avoid any contortion of the hand of the user both at the time of extracting the collars that at the time of their positioning.

The rotation of the head 20 around itself the axis XX ', around a circular rail 41 at the end of the body 21 of the tool, is made possible by mounting particular of the yoke 26 which is naturally driven by the rotation of the head 20 at the same time as the branches 10, around the head 42 of rod 27 which cannot undergo no rotation on its own due to its ramp 40 which must remain vis-à-vis the ramp of the key 35; such an arrangement is for example obtained by the collaboration of a flared stem head 42 to provide a shoulder coming to cooperate with a housing provided at the base of the yoke 26 just surrounding the head 42 of the rod in such a way that it ensures mutual rotation of two pieces but that it prohibits any translation axial.

According to another important execution in this first variant, the branches 10 of the tool 8 supporting the jaws 9 can be inclined at an angle varying from 0 to 90 ° to the plane they determine when they are straight according for example to Figures 9 and 10 drawings. It goes without saying that the inclination of the branches 10 can be finalized at construction of tool 8 or, according to a conventional construction that is well known to the skilled person, can be adjusted to will by the user from a vertical position of Figures 9 and 10 to a 90 ° end position allowing lateral gripping of elastic collars. Naturally, the single or variable inclination of the branches 10 can be associated with the rotary head 20 described in the previous execution to form a particularly universal tooling.

According to a secondary characteristic, it is possible to adjust the thrust on the rod 27 by the spring 32 causing the jaws 9 to relax in order to put the tool 8 in the gripping or rest position; for it the axial adjustment of the stop 31 mounted at the end of the rod 27 thanks to a cup 43 positionable by a nut 44 cooperating with the end of the rod 27, threaded for this purpose.

According to a second variant, the autonomous installation tool 50 according to the invention which will now be described in reference to FIGS. 12 to 20 implements all of the steps in the assisted fitting process for elastic collars described above. For a good understanding of the parts and parts of parts cited in the following description and which are already used in the first variant will referenced in the same way.

As in the first variant, the tool 50 cooperates with a distributor 2 of collars 1, arranged at a fixed station to preload them, i.e. open them, bringing their controls together, ears 5, at by means of two compression shoes 11 animated by a lateral movement towards each other by a device mechanical advantageously, but not necessarily, motorized can be controlled automatically or suddenly by kick by the user himself.

An example of a distributor 2 fitted with clogs motorized and automatically controlled compression cooperation with hand tool 50 is shown in Figures 17 and 18 attached; its operation will be detailed later.

With reference to Figures 12 to 16 it will now be describes the installation tool 50: this comprises two normally identical branches 51 provided with one of their jaw ends 52 mounted facing each other to be able to fit on the ears 5 of an elastic collar classic; by their other end the branches 51 are articulated with each other in the plane it forms along an axis 53 which is perpendicular to it to open freely between a close position putting the jaws 52 in the open position of the collar 1, up to a deployed position in V, positioning the same jaws for engage or disengage from the ears 5 of the collar 1 respectively waiting on dispenser 2 or unloaded after installation; as shown in figure 13, the axis of articulation 53 of the two branches 51 is mounted at sliding along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of branches 51 inside a case 54, shaped externally to serve as a grip the tool 50 and internally, so that when the branches 51 are inside said case 54 and in stop at the bottom of the same case, only the jaws 52 emerge from the mouth 55 of the case 54 over a distance shown in Figures 15 and 16, sufficient to maintain the ears of a necklace 1 in good position; at this moment the branches 51 are in close position against the internal side walls of the case 54; tool 50 is in an autonomous position of consistent work, as it will be said later, to extract a collar 1 from the distributor 2 bring it on a hose in its open position to proceed to its positioning on a front pipe loosening of the collar; in this regard, and vice versa when the branches 51 of the tool 50 are slid towards outside the case 54 to a stop 56 close to the mouth 55 of the case, they are then in the deployed position in V as shown in section on FIG. 14, thanks to an elastic member 57 the pushing each other against the side walls internal of the case 54 which has for this purpose at least one widening 58 of its mouth 55.

According to an essential characteristic of the present variant, the articulated branches 51 each have along their outer edge 59 at least a succession of three facets 60,61,62 plane and perpendicular to the plane of the branches 51 when they are deployed, connecting along a convex profile as shown on the left branch of Figures 12 and 13 in particular; a first facet 60 extends from the jaw 52 inside the branch 51 to flare outwards over a distance corresponding to the part remaining external when the branches 51 are in abutment inside the case 54 as shown in Figures 15 and 16; a second facet 61 is connected to the first at an angle bringing it into a parallel or slightly reentrant position relative to the vertical plane of symmetry of the V of the branches 51 over a distance a which will be specified below; finally the third facet 62 is connected to the second at an inclination inwardly sloping in the direction of the hinge axis 53. Skids 63 of maximum width a are mounted on pivots 64 perpendicular to the plane of the branches of on either side of the internal side walls of the enlarged part 58 of the mouth 55 of the case 54 to come collaborate with the second and third facets 61 and 62 of the branches, respectively to first create sufficient braking of the branches 51 when these are in abutment inside the case 54 and therefore stressed to the maximum by the elastic load of the open collar which therefore tends to push them out of the case, and a on the other hand, to facilitate the extraction of the branches 51 from the case 54 at the time of the removal of the collar 1 on the hose 12 by balancing and making progressive the deployment of said branches 51.

According to a last characteristic of the tool 50, we provides a notch 65 on the lower part of the third facet 62 of each branch 51, allowing each shoe 63 to come to be embedded in the branch 51 corresponding to the moment when the articulation axis 53 of deployed branches come into abutment 56 on the side of the mouth 55, creating a sudden additional opening of the same branches 51; at this time, the jaws 52 are located totally free from the ears 5 of the collar 1 totally discharged on the hose 12 which allows the resumption of tool 50 for a new operation towards the distributor 2. Furthermore, the embedding of the pads 63 in the notches 65 constitute a fleeting position waiting for branches 51 which benefit in a way from a opening stability with regard to stresses on the tool for example, when putting in place in dispenser 2 as will be said more far.

We will now describe an alternative embodiment of the tool mechanism 50 with reference to FIG. 13. The two arms 51 machined from special steel for shape the jaws 52 and the different facets 60,61,62 as well as the notch 65 according to the characteristics detailed above, are hinged together to deploy in V thanks to a pivot 53 perpendicular to the plane branches and protruding on either side of this plane to serve as sliding lugs between two lights 66 superimposed extending in the axis of symmetry of the tool over a distance between a lower stop 67 corresponding to the position of the tool when its branches 51 are brought together inside the case 54 and an upper stop 56 corresponding to the position of the branches fully deployed in V as it was said upper ; naturally the axis 53 of articulation of branches slides without play between these two stops 56.67.

The two lights 66 are made on two pieces metal 68 advantageously identical and shaped general of T, cut from sheet metal to form the framework of the internal mechanism of the tool 50. Between the transverse parts of the T of parts 68, are mounted on pivots 64, two pads 63 so that the latter can oscillate freely on either side of facets 62 of the external edge 59 of each branch 51 which are constantly held in position against said pads 63 thanks to a pair of spiral springs 57 mounted in suitable accommodation just above the hinge pin 53. The two parts 68 are held one above the other by the two axes of articulation 64 of the skids 63, serving as a spacer in the part upper of the T and by a spacer of the same type 69 provided at the lower end of parts 68.

Thanks to this extremely simple mechanism, it is easy to get both positions functional branches 51, either deployed in V such as shown in figure 13, be tightened in pushing on the branches 51 to move the axis articulation 53 towards the lower stop 67 with the consequence of bringing the two branches 51 around the pads 63 contributing to maintaining the closed position as already explained. Finally we plan two shells 70 advantageously identical and made of a material plastic, to fit around the two pieces T 68 and fix with screws 71 in bores threaded 72 advantageously provided on said parts 68.

With reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, we will explain now the particular functioning of the tool in accordance with the second variant in cooperation with the distributor 2, for tightening a hose 12 on a pipe 13.

With reference to FIG. 17, the branches 51 of the tool 50, are in the deployed position, that is to say in the position of extraction of the collars on the platform 80 from distributor 2. Tool 50 comes into distributor by a transverse movement P (fig. 18) around the ears 5 of the collar 1 pending in the internal case, in such a way that the jaws 52 of the tool come to the contact of the two compression shoes 11 automatically actuated by two cylinders 81 arranged opposite and preferably activated as soon as the tool 50 is in good place ; it goes without saying that the distributor 2 could be constituted by different means than those presented Figures 17 and 18; in particular, the cylinders 81 actuating the shoes 11, could be replaced by a manual mechanism to multiply an action of the foot or of the user's hand in an environment where it would be difficult to bring a source of compressed air through example; Similarly, a reserve of necklaces is here provided. that we stack on column 3 of distributor 2 but we could transform this device for more hardware simple in which the collars 1 would be arranged one to one, directly on the internal housing of the distributor 2 in good place to be caught between the jaws 52 of the tool 50, as has already been said.

When the shoes 11 have been actuated in the direction of the arrows F2 in FIG. 17, the tool 50, of which the branches 51 have been brought together according to the arrows F3 of Figure 17, are found in the position of the figure 18, it is enough for the operator to push back towards the inside of the distributor 2 (according to arrow P, fig. 18), the handle of the tool 50 so that the branches 51 penetrate inside and bottom of case 54 as it was explained above; it will be noted that the guide pads 63 and braking branches 51 are naturally ineffective at that time, since the two branches have been brought together, that is to say disengaged from the notch 65. Thus when the handle of the tool 50 has been completely pushed back onto platform 80 (figure 18), these actuating means of the dispenser 2 and in especially the cylinders, are then released and the shoes 11 removed from the jaws 52 which remain in position tightened, that is to say in the open position for the collar 1 since at this time, the branches 51 to inside the case 54, are again in close contact with the pads 63 which, thanks to the convexity of the branches, are directly in contact with facet 61, this which provides sufficient braking to oppose the effort created by the compression of the collar which tends to repel outward branches of the tool 50; it is then in the position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Naturally, the reverse movement along F2 (fig. 8) of the cylinders 81 to release the shoes 11 on each side of the jaw 52, is preferably controlled by sensors position as soon as the tool 50, and more specifically its case 54, are in a good position on the platform 80. We will also note here, as in the variant previous, that in the event of the collar breaking at the time of its compression, there is no danger to the user since the ejections of collars or parts of collars are done inside dispenser 2.

Naturally since the shoes 11 are removed, it suffices to extract according to the arrow T (figure 18), the tool-clamp assembly which can then be transported from dispenser 2 to the installation site since this set is completely autonomous. In accordance in Figure 19, the tool-clamp assembly is arranged around of the hose 12 pre-fit on the pipe 13, and we see that it is easy to position the collar 1 to the location provided by the manufacturer taking into account the small size of the tool 50. When the collar 1 is prominently, then simply remove, following the arrow R of FIG. 20, the handle 54 of the tool 50, in bearing on the collar 1 which is necessarily against hose 12 and which therefore can no longer move sideways during the unloading operation what constitutes progress compared to the tool previous. The recoil of the handle 54 is also carried out very gradually thanks to the situation of the skates 63 which slide along the branches 51 from the facet 61 of braking in the closed position to the end of the inclined facet 62 ensuring the progressiveness of the recoil; here again, when the skates describing the facet inclined 62 arrive at the level of the notch 65, it then creates a sudden opening of the branches 51 releasing definitely the ears 5 of the necklace 1 remained in good place on the pipeline.

It goes without saying that the branches 51, which are in straight principle, can take in cases curvatures to facilitate the installation of necklaces 1; there is nothing to prevent the party end of branches 51 can be tilted or tilted between 0 and 90 ° relative to the plane defined by them when they are straight, without the functioning of tool 50 is not affected.

It will now be described with reference to Figures 21 to 40, a third variant of a tool extraction and installation 100 using all of the steps in the assisted fitting process for elastic collars according to the invention. For a good understanding, parts and parts of parts cited in the description which follows and which were known in the previous variants will be referenced in the same way.

As before, the tool 100 cooperates with a distributor 2 of elastic collars 1 arranged at a station fixed to pre-compress the collars 1, i.e. open by bringing their control elements called together ears 5 by means of two pressers or clogs compression 11 with lateral movement one towards the other by a mechanical device, advantageously but not necessarily, motorized, capable of being piloted automatically or piecemeal by the user.

Referring to Figure 21, the tool 100 includes two more branches 101 and 102 provided with one of their ends, called branch heads, of jaws 103 comprising means which will be detailed below to adapt to the ears 5 of an elastic collar 1; by their other end, branches 101 and 102 are articulated one with each other in the plane they form, thanks to a axis 53 which is perpendicular to it to open freely under the action of the load of the collar 1, from a close position where the jaws 103 maintain the compression of the collar, to a deployed position in V allowing said jaws either to engage or to disengage the ears 5 from the collar 1, depending on whether the latter is respectively waiting on the fixed distributor 2 or unloaded after its installation on a hose 12; different means which will be detailed later, are provided so that when branches 101 and 102 are mounted by sliding their articulated ends along their longitudinal axis inside and in abutment 105 at the bottom of a case 104, only the jaws 103 emerge from the mouth of said case with which the branches cooperate to be maintained as shown on Figures 22 and 23, in the close-up and stabilized position by means of braking which will be described later and conversely, when said branches are gradually sliding outwards under the action commanded and controlled from the charge of the collar up to a stop 106 close to the mouth of the case 104, they deploy in a V shape thanks to an elastic member 57 repelling each other.

According to a characteristic configuration of this variant of the tool, the sliding means longitudinal of the two branches 101 and 102 inside the case 104 are secured on one side by the sliding of the hinge pin 53 between two opposite grooves 107 for example hollowed out in the internal wall of the case 104 and it is advantageous to have at the ends of the axis of articulation 53 of the ball bearings 108 ensuring a better cooperation with the guide grooves 107; of the other side, branches 101 and 102 are guided in sliding by two stops which are positioned transversely to the mouth of the case 104 on the one hand and other branches 101, 102 whose external edges 109 and 110 respectively are machined to constitute for one 102, a smooth track and for the other 101, a track at least partially notched, providing under load of a compressed collar, free and sliding guidance on the branch 102 and free or braking guidance on the branch 101 through a regulatory mechanism ordered (a preferred variant will be detailed more with reference to Figures 29 and 30), whereby the two branches 101 and 102, starting from their most internal stop 105 at the rear end of the grooves 107 in which the collar 1 is fully compressed, is gradually expand outward until the hinge pin 53 comes into abutment 106, at the other end of grooves 107 on the mouth side and located at a good distance in front of the transverse stops, limiting the opening angle of the branches in V to a value sufficient to allow the ears 5 to be released collar 1, when this is in place on the hose.

As in the previous variants, the branches 101 and 102 equipping the tool 100 are machined to from a steel plate in the general shape shown in the figures; it goes without saying that dimensions, length, width and thickness will be easily calculated by a person skilled in the art to ensure the holding installation tool mechanics taking into account the ranges of necklaces which will be fitted using the tool; so the external songs 109 and 110 of the branches coincide in principle with the thickness of each branch.

Referring to Figures 22, 23, 27 to 31, the stops transverse cooperating with said external edges are constituted, for branch 102 of which the external edge 110 is machined smooth, by a smooth roller 111 rotating freely around an axis perpendicular 112 to the plane of the branches and secured to the body of the tool thus providing the branch 102 a free guide during its sliding. Concerning the other branch 101, called thereafter notched branch, and according to a first configuration shown in Figure 22 of the drawings, the stop transverse cooperating with the outer edge 109 at least partially notched, is constituted by a fixed shoe 113, secured to the tool body at substantially the same level that the smooth roller 111 forming the other transverse stop and coming into contact with the notched track 109 for act as a brake on the natural tendency of branches to extend outwards when they are subject to the load of a pre-compressed collar such as shown for example in the middle position on the figure 27. The pad 113 is made of a material elastic, for example an elastomer mounted in a slight rear bias on a pin 114 perpendicular to the plane branches to come into elastic support on the part notched of the branch 101 thanks to an adjustment shim 115.

According to a second preferred configuration of the invention, the transverse stop cooperating with the notched edge 109 of the corresponding branch 101 is, with reference to FIGS. 23 to 31, constituted by a wheel, or toothed wheel 116, located above the notched branch 101 and coplanar therewith, of axis O perpendicular to the direction of movement A (fig. 26) of said branch. The thumbwheel 116 comprises a toothed crown 117 having at its periphery, a regular alternation of teeth 117 a separated by hollows 117 b . The pitch of the teeth 117 a of the toothed crown 117 is equal to the pitch of the teeth 101 b of the notched branch 101 and the teeth 117 a of the toothed crown 117 are engaged, in the lower part of said crown 117 with the teeth 101 a of the notched branch 1 as it appears in Figures 25 and 26. The ring gear 117 has a coaxial bore 118 which is crossed by a fixed support shaft 119 of axis O ₁ parallel to the axis O. The support shaft 119 has a fixed diameter smaller than that of the bore 118 of the thumb wheel 116 so that there is a radial clearance between the internal surface of the bore 118 and the external surface of the shaft 119, this clearance, which could be left free in theory, being, in the present embodiment, filled with an element of elastic material advantageously an elastomer, as will be said later. Therefore, the ring gear 117 can move transversely, relative to the fixed central support shaft 119, over a short distance (O, O ₁ ).

We will now explain the operation of the blocking / unblocking device of the branches of the tool provided with a thumb wheel 116 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. In FIG. 25, the device is in the blocking position in which the crown toothed 117 is eccentric with respect to the fixed support shaft 119. In this case, the notched branch 101 is subjected to a force F directed upwards, that is to say towards the axis O ₁ of the shaft support 119 resulting from the loading of the pre-compressed collar 1, so that this notched branch 101 has been moved in the high position and that it exerts a pressure on the toothed crown 117. As a result of this pressure, the toothed crown 117 is pushed upwards and the internal surface of its bore 118 is applied against the lower generatrix of the fixed support shaft 119 to which it is tangent. In this position, the axis O of the thumb wheel 116 is at a certain distance above the axis O ₁ of the shaft 119 due to the displacement of the notched branch 101 and of the toothed crown 117 upwards. , until this crown 117 is supported on the shaft 119; the top of tooth 101 a of the notched branch 101 which is engaged in the lower recess 117 b of the ring gear 117, is then located inside the pitch circle P of the teeth 117 a , shown in phantom on figures 25 and 26, so that the two teeth 117 of the gear ring 117 that happen to be the lowest blocked in the two neighboring hollow 101 b corresponding to the notched leg 101. This results in a mutual locking of the notched branch 101 and the wheel 2 with the consequence of immobilization of the notched branch 101.

On the other hand, when the force F ceases to be exerted on the notched branch 101, that is to say when the rocking mechanism is actuated which will be explained below and which is shown diagrammatically in Figures 29 and 30, the branch 101 then returns to a low arrow H position (fig. 26) in which the tops of its teeth 101 a are located outside the pitch circle P so that the teeth 117 a of the toothed crown 117 are no longer locked in the notches 101 b of the notched branch 101. The thumb wheel 116 can then rotate freely in both directions of the arrow B (fig. 26) by floating around the fixed shaft 119 in a substantially centered position and the notched branch 101 can then move freely in translation in the direction of arrow A (fig. 6).

According to a particular characteristic in this variant, we have seen that the radial clearance between the bore 118 of the ring gear 117 and the shaft 119 is advantageously filled with an elastic ring 121 (Figure 31) for example made of elastomer, which is sufficiently compressible to allow transverse offset wheel 116 required relative to shaft 119.

When the notched branch 101 comes into pressure on the wheel 116, by exerting the force F (fig. 25) there is crushing of the elastic ring 121 and we find the deadlock situation. On the contrary, as soon as the pressure of the branch 101 weakens or cancels, the wheel 116 self-centers immediately which avoids the effects of "train" of a idler gear, (the toothed crown 117), at timing of teeth engagement / disengagement (vibration, noise, etc.) and provides faster operation and more precise when the device is used in such a way very repetitive or gradual, (blocking / unblocking corresponding each time to a tooth of the dial 117).

According to a secondary characteristic of the invention, the ring gear 117 of the dial 116 is associated with two side cheeks 122 bored, forming together a housing suitable for receiving, by the bore, the elastic ring 121 mounted on the support shaft 119 fixed to the case 104, the diameter of the cheek bore 122 being calculated, at a minimum, to obtain sufficient displacement to create the blocking effect and, at most, to limit the crushing of the ring 121 and thus avoid its deterioration, during heavy load resulting from the use of large necklaces 1.

We will now describe, with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31, the rocking mechanism usable in both of the configurations of transverse stops, previously described, whether with a shoe 113 (fig. 22) or with a thumb wheel 116 (fig. 23). To this end, a trigger 123 hinged directly or indirectly to the case 104 along a pin 124 of axis parallel to the axis of the transverse stops 113,116, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the branches 101,102 as shown in the FIG. 29, drives a roller 125 mounted on a shaft 126 with an axis parallel to the axis of the journal 124 and positioned between the latter and the control handle 123 a of the trigger 123. According to this configuration (FIG. 29), the roller 125 only comes to rest on the notched area 109 of the corresponding branch 101; thus, as long as the trigger 123 is not actuated by pressing on the handle 123 a , the roller 125 has no effect on the branch 101 which remains braked on the transverse stops 113,116 due to the force F resulting from charging the collar 1 pre-compressed.

Referring to Figure 30, when the user press the trigger handle 123 (arrow G), the roller 125 moves in the same way, rotating around axis 124 of the trigger, which repels the branch notched 101 towards the other branch 102 in such a way that the notched area 109 of the branch 101 is offset by shoe 113 in the first variant or toothing 117 of the wheel 116 in the other variant; we then understand the branch 101 can slide freely forward under the effect of the load of the pre-compressed collar tending to To discharge ; as soon as we release the trigger 123, we finds a blocking position against the pad 113 or the dial 116 and so on for control step by step or gradually, the deployment of branches 101,102, i.e. the unloading operation of the collar 1 around a hose 12.

According to a secondary characteristic attached to this third variant of the positioning tool, the external edge 109 of the notched branch 101 comprises over its entire useful sliding length, that is to say the length of the edge capable of entering contact with the transverse stop 113 or 116, a notched area 109 a and at least one smooth co-lateral area, preferably two 109 b , 109 c , coming from either side of the notched area on which, or on which comes to bear at least part of the smooth tread 127 (fig. 31) of the control roller 125 which can thus roll freely on the said smooth area (s) 109 b , 109 c while exerting a force R (fig. 30 ) tending to push the branch 101 towards the branch 102, thereby releasing the deployment of the same branches.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the roller 125 is provided on a part of its peripheral strip, with a ring 128 made of flexible and elastic material, for example made of elastomer, with an external diameter larger than that of the tread 127 of the roller thus providing a damping effect in the first control phase, when the trigger 123 is actuated, by creating an elastic support of said ring 128 on the notched area 109 a of the corresponding branch 101, making its sound more progressive and more flexible passage from the braked position (fig. 29) to a free deployment position (fig. 30).

According to an even more advantageous embodiment, the roller 125 consists of two metal cheeks 129 joined on either side of an elastomer ring 128 mounted on the same shaft 126, of larger diameter and thickness identical to the width of the notched area 109 a extending over the central area of the outer edge 109 of the notched branch 101, framed on the left and on the right by two smooth treads 109 b and 109 c which come to the right of the smooth tread 127 of each cheek 129 of the roller 125, to transmit the force R (fig. 30) to the branch 101.

According to another secondary characteristic of this variant, the height of the teeth 101 a of the notched area 109 a on the outer edge 109 of the corresponding branch 101 increases regularly from the head of this branch 101 to its end close to the joint 53 without changing the general shape of the toothing so as not to modify its relationship with the toothing 117 of the dial 116 in particular; it has therefore been imagined to machine the smooth areas 109 b and 109 c of the external edge 109 of the notched branch 101 so as to give them a progressive inflection from the head to the other end close to the joint. In this way, the grip of the teeth, in particular in the damping ring 128 of the roller 125 equipping the rocking mechanism, is all the more important as the deployment of the branches towards the outside is large; it is in fact at this instant that the speed of extraction of the branches is the greatest and this is the reason for which a progressive damper has been sought.

In addition to the progressive rearward inflection of the smooth rolling areas 109 b and 109 c of the external edge 109, provision has been made to mount the two cheeks 129 framing the elastomer ring 128 to form the roller 125 together on a shaft 126, the bearing 130 of which is in line with the ring 128 is eccentric in accordance with FIG. 33; on either side of the eccentric bearing 130, the bearing surfaces 131 intended to receive the two cheeks 129 are identical and centered on the axis of the shaft 126. Insofar as the cheeks 129 and the ring elastomer 128 can rotate freely on the shaft 126, it is understood that by a rotation of the latter along its axis, the cheeks 129 do not undergo any radial displacement, while the ring 128 moves gradually radially in the plane of the branches as a function of the eccentricity which is given to the range 130. Thus, by successive angular indexings provided by a simple member 132 (fig. 32 and 33) coming to be embedded in a housing 133 of the case 104 (fig . 21 and 31), do we obtain a shift of the damping ring 128 relative to the treads 127 of the roller which have not moved, which amounts to increasing the height of the elastic mass capable of cooperating with the teeth 101 a of the notched area 109 of the branch 101; as can be seen in FIG. 32, the roller 125 mounted at the end of the trigger 123 does indeed have an eccentric central zone corresponding to the ring 128 framed by two coaxial zones corresponding to the two cheeks 129 providing support on the smooth zones 109 b and 109 c of branch 101; we understand that to vary the height of the elastic band of the roller 125, it suffices to rotate the member 132, as shown in FIG. 32, by a simple square which fits into a homothetic housing 133 provided for this effect in a corresponding part of the case 104. According to a particular embodiment, the trigger 123 carrying the shaft 126 and the roller 125, is mounted on its axis 124 by means of two nozzles 134 open upwards which are fitted by the underside around said axis 124 so that the trigger 123 is held at its end by the two hooks 134 and supported by the roller 125 on the edge 109 of the notched branch 101 by the embedding of the adjustment member 132 of the eccentric shaft 126 in the housing 133 of the case 104. It is very simple to modify the setting of the eccentricity of the shaft 126 by releasing the nozzles 134 from the axis 124 and pulling outwards trigger 123 to exit member 132 d e his accommodation 133 and give him a different indexing. Incidentally, one can provide indexing marks by drawing notches 135 on the member 132 which remain visible above the tool once the trigger 123 mounted.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, with reference to FIGS. 34, 35 and 36, each head of the branches 101 and 102 comprises a rotary jaw 103 which can be oriented in a plane perpendicular to the plane of branches along an axis zz 'passing through the two heads in the median plane of the branches, which allows the installation of necklaces 1 in almost any position the tool 100 depending, as we said, on the size of the mounting area. Indeed, by combining the possibility of rotation of the tool, around the collar, with the possible inclination provided by the rotation of the jaws 103 as just said, tool 100 can be steered in all directions of space for the same position final of a necklace 1.

According to a first particular characteristic of bit, the bit 103 of one of the branches 101 has a lug 137 which appears in the figures of the sectional tool and in particular in FIGS. 27 and 28, extending perpendicularly towards the jaw of the other branch 102 which is provided with a corresponding housing 138, in such a way that lug 137 exactly matches housing 138 when the two jaws 103 are brought together, as shown for example in Figures 22 and 23. Thus, when a collar 1 is preloaded on installation tool 100, branches 101 and 102 are close together and it is possible to give the necklace 1 an inclination which can vary appreciably more or minus 90 ° on either side of the median plane of the tool for find the most suitable installation position. It is obviously at this time that it is necessary to secure the operation of rotating the pre-compressed collar between the bit of the fitting tool: the pin 137 cooperation with the housing 138 making the two jaws 103 integral in their rotation, the collar 1 can no longer be expelled jaws by an untoward twist of said collar.

According to another particularly characteristic advantageous linked to jaws 103, these are equipped with a automatic recall mechanism, shown in Figures 34 and 35, towards a rest position corresponding to a aligned grip of the necklaces, as soon as the branches are discharged. This jaw recall mechanism 103 from a angular position of their median axis xx 'to the left or to right of the median longitudinal axis of the heads yy ', from plus 90 ° to the rest position where the axis xx 'coincides with the axis yy ', consists of an elastomer rod 140 advantageously cylindrical and maintained when it is at rest, in the axis yy 'of the heads, fixed on one side and sliding on the other, inside a clevis 141 integral with the head and passing through the rotation shaft 142 the jaw when in the rest position, i.e. when the axis xx 'and aligned with the axis yy' of the head; this mounting of the rod 140 across the shaft 142 of the jaw advantageously provides not only the maintenance of said bit on the head of the branches as shown in section on Figure 36, but also the elastic return effect angular resulting from the transverse twist to the left or to the right of the elastomer rod 140 deformed by the shaft of rotation 142, as shown in FIG. 35; a recess 143 in the yoke 141 of the head and surrounding the rotation shaft 142 is provided to absorb the deformations of the elastomeric rod 140 when it is twisted.

Incidentally, the assembly of the jaws 103 with reminder automatic on branch heads is extremely simple: the rotation shaft 142 of the jaw is centered in the clevis 141 of the head and aligned with it so that the elastomeric rod 140 can be introduced through a hole extending axially from the distal end of the head towards the branch and in such a way that the rod 140 comes go through a radial tunnel through the shaft 142 to to be finally counter-blocked by a simple ball 144 arranged before mounting in the yoke141; a 145 plate is provided to lock the rod 140 on the ball 144 as well as the entire head by the sole means of a screw 146 (fig. 36).

According to a preferred construction of the tool 100, with reference to Figure 21, the case 104 is constituted by two shells 104 advantageously identical, in plastic material shaped externally to serve as a gripping member to the tool 100 ; the two shells 104 a are fixed opposite one another by screws 147, 148 and 149 as well as by the axis 124 advantageously used for the rotation of the trigger 123, so as to be able to grip on the one hand the two branches 101 and 102, being arranged on either side of the plane formed by said branches, a longitudinal groove 107 being formed on the internal face of each shell to accommodate the ends of the joint 53 of the branches advantageously equipped with ball bearings 108 in order to ensure their sliding between the front 106 and rear 105 ends of said grooves 107 serving as stops, and to grip on the other hand a metal cage 150 comprising two flanges 150 a and 150 b advantageously identical and mounted opposite , at equal distance thanks to intermediate spacers 151 taken between the screws 147, 148 and 149; this cage 150 thus delimits the mouth of the case 104 crossed by the two branches and supports all the fixed or rotating stops 111, 113, 116 against which bear the external edges 110, 109 of the branches as well as the elements forming the mechanism rocking.

Finally and according to another secondary characteristic of the variant tending to facilitate the sliding of the branches 101 and 102 in the transverse direction relative to the plane which they form in all situations where the branches are subjected to a left or right lateral force; to limit friction at the mouth of the case 104 and more particularly against the flanges 150 a , these are hollowed out so as to be able to receive a guide member 152 which bears on the lateral faces of the branches 101 and 102. L 'guide member, as shown in Figure 21 may be a plate 152 taken from a low friction material, for example silicone, embedded in the two side flanges 150 a of the cage 150, slightly projecting in direction lateral faces of branches 101 and 102.

According to another embodiment, the guide member can be made up of one or more rollers with a parallel axis (not shown in the figures), fixed in the thickness lateral flanges of the metal cage 150 to come resting on the lateral faces of the branches in a generator perpendicular to the direction of their sliding.

Tool 100 as just described in its different configurations, can be used according to Figures 17 to 20 which detail the operation general of the installation tool 50 corresponding to the variant previous in cooperation with distributor 2 for tighten a hose 12 on a line 13 by means of a band collar 1.

Of course, the improved tool 100 makes it possible to in addition a total control of the discharge of the collar 1, and even in a very crowded environment.

Claims (37)

Method for fitting an elastic collar (1) with ears (5) particularly suitable for example for repetitive mounting of hoses (12) on a pipe (13) characterized in that, from a distributor (2) of necklaces (1) associated with a hand tool (8) and autonomous which is provided with two jaws (9) for the grip and the bringing together of the ears (5) of the collar with a view to its opening, the succession of following steps : a) positioning of the jaws (9) of the tool on the ears (5) of a first collar (1) made available in the distributor (2), b) pre-tightening of the jaws (9) of the tool bearing on the ears (5) of said collar (1) bringing it into the open position by mechanized actuating means (11), c) self-holding of the jaws in the pre-tightening position by means internal (27,35) of the tool (8), d) extraction of the distributor (2) from said first collar kept open by the hand tool (8) and automatic positioning of a second collar (1) awaiting a new extraction, e) positioning of the collar (1) open around the hose (12), f) loosening of the clamping of the jaws (9) of the tool (8), which is provided for this purpose with control means (14) to close the collar (1) on the hose (12) and cause it to be clamped on the pipe (13) and finally release the tool (8) for a new operation. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the mechanized actuating means (11) are arranged on either side of the ears (5) of the collar (1) in the extraction position so that its opening during the pre -clamping takes place inside the distributor (2) thereby constituting a protective envelope in the event of untimely ejection or fracture of the collar (1) during the setting and extraction operations. Tools for fitting an elastic collar (1) with ears (5) particularly suitable for example for the repetitive mounting of a hose (12) on a pipe (13) implementing the method according to one or the other of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises an automatic distributor (2) of collars (1) arranged to position each collar (1) so that its two ears (5) are accessible from the outside for be gripped by the jaws (9,52,103) of a manual extraction and fitting tool (8,50,100), the connection of which to compress the ears (5) of the collar (1) is obtained by external actuation means (11) separately controlled, the tool (8,50,100) comprising means for authorizing the free and non-reversible approach of the jaws (9,52,103) towards each other when the external actuation means (11) are solicited and means to release them directly or gradually at the desired time, if necessary haunted by an external control (14,123). Tool according to Claim 3, characterized in that the distributor (2) comprises at least one column (3) for stacking on edge a series of elastic collars (1) of a chosen size, opening at its lower end (6 ) on a case (7) of height slightly greater than the width of the band of collars (1), the column (3) having a lateral cutout (4) capable of releasing, by guiding them, the control ears (5) of a collar (1) when it descends from the column (3) by gravity towards the housing (7) in position to facilitate their insertion between the jaws (9,52,103) of the tool (8,50,100). Tool according to claim 4 characterized in that the housing (7) of the distributor (2) is provided, on either side of the ears (5) of the collar (1) awaiting extraction and their facing, of two mobile compression shoes (11) which can move towards one another and vice versa thanks to conventional mechanical drive means which are advantageously motorized, to compress the jaws (9,52,103) of the tool (8,50,100) as soon as they are positioned around the ears (5), automatically or by the specific command of the user. Tool according to any one of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that the shape and the material of the housing (7) of the dispenser (2) are provided to resist untimely ejection of a collar when it is opened or projections in same collar fracture. Tooling according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the manual extraction and fitting tool (8) comprises two jaws (9) facing each other, shaped to adapt to the ears (5) of a elastic clamp (1), disposed at one of the ends of two arms (10) length has articulated scissors about an axis (23) integral with the head (20) of the tool (8), the other end of each branch located at a distance b from the other side of the articulation axis (23) in a ratio R = a / b depending on the size of the collars and the general geometry of the tool, being each articulated at the end of a link, the other of which is articulated around the same axis (25) secured to a yoke (26) which causes linear displacement, along the longitudinal axis XX 'of the tool, an internal rod (27) which is secured to it on one side and comes into elastic abutment (31) on the other on a member (32) tending to push it longitudinally towards the head (20) of the tool (8) and therefore to separate the jaws by the play of the articulations of the rods and the branches, a blocking system being also associated with the rod (27) to freely and automatically authorize its linear movement when the jaws approach, -that is to say when the rod compresses the elastic member (32) -, and prohibit its reverse movement except by actuating a control (14) provided for this purpose to automatically remove the bit (9). Tooling according to Claim 7, characterized in that the system for locking the rod (27) with controlled reversibility is obtained by the cooperation between the rod having, along its axis, an adequate taper of increasing section from the yoke (26) to the stop. elastic (31) and a conical key (35) of adequate conicity, with an axis perpendicular to that of the rod (27) which can move axially from top to bottom by an action of the control (14) and from bottom to top by the reaction of an elastic member (36), and arranged in a well (37) to come constantly into friction with the conical part of the rod (27) so that, its smallest section being at the top, it that is to say on the side opposite the elastic member pushing the key, it does not constitute a blocking brake when the rod (27) moves towards its elastic member (32), that is to say during the approximation jaws (9) and, on the contrary, provides sufficient friction p or prevent the reverse movement of the rod (27) urged both by the clamping force of the collar (1) and the restoring force of the elastic member (32) which it compresses. Tooling according to claim 8 characterized in that the taper of the rod (27) results from a plate (40) machined along one of its generatrices at least over an effective length corresponding to its axial displacement during the maximum movement of the free jaws (9), with a machining slope in the radial direction providing a progressive ramp capable of cooperating with the conical key (35), the slope of the ramp being precisely calculated to obtain relative sliding with the key (35) in one direction and blocking in the other depending on the mechanical characteristics of the tool (8) and the collars (1). Tool according to Claim 8, characterized in that the key (35) is a cylindrical key with cut sides known as a "bicycle key", the upper end of which is of smaller section opposite a return spring (36) s '' pressing on the internal wall of the body (21) of the tool, opens freely outside the body to be accessible by a pressure of the user downwards when he wishes to release the tool (8) collar (1) positioned, a control trigger (14) which can advantageously increase the effort required to push said key (35). Tooling according to any one of Claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the head (20) of the extraction tool (8) comprises means for completely pivoting on itself around the longitudinal axis XX 'of the tool for pivoting in space the plane containing the two branches (10) supporting the jaws (9). Tooling according to claims 7 and 11 characterized in that the yoke (26) of articulation of the links (24) is secured in translation at the end of the rod (27) by means of a known assembly ensuring between the yoke and said rod freedom of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod (27). Tool according to Claim 7, characterized in that the branches (10) supporting the jaws (9) can be inclined or tiltable from zero to 90 ° relative to the plane which they determine when they are straight. Tooling according to claim 7 characterized in that the thrust on the rod (27) for the relaxation of the jaws (9) is adjustable thanks to the axial displacement of the stop (31) mounted at the end of the rod (27) coming to the contact of the elastic member which can be a helical spring (32) bearing on one side on the internal end of the handle (22) and on the other on a cup (43) positionable by a nut (44) cooperating with the end of the rod (27), threaded for this purpose. Tooling according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the extraction and laying tool (50,100) comprises two branches (51,101-102) provided, at one of their ends with the jaws (52,103) and one joint (53) to the other to open freely under the action of the load of the collar (1) from a close position or the jaws (52,103) maintain the compression of the collar (1) to a deployed position in V allowing the jaws to engage or disengage from the ears (5) of the collar (1) when the latter is respectively on standby on the fixed distributor (2) or discharged after its installation on the hose (12 ), cooperating with means so that, when said branches are mounted by sliding their ends articulated along their longitudinal axis inside and in abutment (67,105) at the bottom of a case (54,104), only the jaws (52,103) emerge from the mouth of said case with which the branches cooperate in. ur to be kept in the close position and stabilized by braking means and vice versa, when said branches are progressively sliding outwards under the commanded action of the load of the collar (1) up to a stop (56,106) close to the mouth of the case, they deploy in a V shape thanks to an elastic member (57) repelling each other. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulated branches (51) of the installation tool (50) each have along their external edge (59) at least a succession of three facets (60,61,62) perpendicular in the plane of the branches (51) connecting along a convex profile, a first facet (60) starting from the attachment of the jaw (52) to flare outwards over a distance corresponding to the emerged part when the branches (51 ) are in abutment (67) inside the case (54), a second facet (61) connected to the first at an angle bringing it into a parallel or slightly reentrant position relative to the plane of symmetry of the V of branches (51) over a distance a and a third facet (62), connected to the second and inclined inwards in a gentle slope towards the axis of articulation (53) and in that the pads (63) of maximum width a are mounted on pivot (64) on either side of by internal lateral faces of the enlarged part (58) of the mouth (55) of the case (54) to collaborate with the second and third facets (61, 62) of the branches, respectively to create sufficient braking of the branches ( 51) when these are in abutment (67) inside the case (54) and urged by the load of the collar which then tends to push them outwards, and facilitate the extraction of the branches (51 ) out of the case (54) when fitting the collar (1) on the hose (12) by balancing and making their deployment progressive. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a notch (65) is provided on the lower part of the third facet (62) of each branch (51) of the tool allowing each shoe (63) to be embedded in the branch (51) corresponding to the moment when the articulation axis (53) of the deployed branches come into abutment (56) on the side of the mouth (55) creating a sudden opening overhang to allow the disengagement of the jaws ( 52) of the collar (1) discharged and to constitute a fleeting position for waiting for the branches (51). Tool according to any one of claims 15 to 17 characterized in that the external part of the branches (51) supporting the jaws (52) can be inclined or tiltable from zero to 90 ° relative to the plane which they determine when they are straight. Tool according to claim 15 characterized in that the means for longitudinal sliding of the two branches of the setting tool (100) inside the case (104) are provided on one side by the sliding of the axis articulation (53) between two opposite grooves (107) for example hollowed out in the internal wall of the case (104), ball bearings (108) which can advantageously equip the ends of said axis on either side of the branches (101,102) to better cooperate with said grooves (107) and on the other, by two fixed (113) or rotating (111,116) stops positioned transversely to the mouth of the case on either side of the branches ( 101,102) whose external edges (109,110) form for one (102) a smooth track and for the other (101) an at least partially notched track providing, under the load of a compressed collar (1), a guide, free and sliding on one branch (102) and free or braking guidance on the other branch (101) , by means of a regulation mechanism controlled so that the assembly of the two branches starting from their internal position in rear stop (105) of the grooves (107) in which the collar (1) is fully compressed, deploys gradually outward by the gradual and controlled action on said regulation mechanism until the hinge pin (53) comes into abutment before (106) at the other end of the grooves (107), side of the mouth and located at a good distance in front of the transverse stops (111,113,116) to limit the angle of opening of the branches to a value sufficient to allow the release of the ears (5) of the collar (1), when is discharged. Tooling according to claim 19 characterized in that the tool regulation mechanism (100) is formed by a fixed transverse stop (113) or rotary stop (116) coming permanently, fleetingly or successively bearing on the external edge (109) at least partially notched with a branch (101), called a notched branch, to form a friction zone capable of opposing the deployment of the branches (101,102) under the action of the load of the collar (1), a roller (125) freely rotating around a shaft (126) perpendicular to the plane of the branches, can be brought from the outside into contact with the edge (109) of the notched branch (101), for example by a conventional mechanism with rocks around a pivot (124), with an axis parallel to that of the roller (125) integral with the case (104) and controlled by an external trigger (123), making it possible to push said notched branch (101) towards the other (102) just enough to limit or eliminate contact between the teeth (101 a ) d e the branch (101) and the corresponding transverse stop (113,116), which then authorizes a resumption of the deployment of the branches. Tooling according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the external edge (109) of the notched branch (101) comprises, over its entire useful sliding length in contact with the transverse stop (113,116), a notched zone (109 a ) and at at least one smooth lateral zone (109 b , 109 c ) on which comes to bear at least one smooth tread 127 of the control roller (125) which can thus roll freely while pressing on the branch (101). Tool according to any one of claims 20 or 21 characterized in that the roller (125) is provided on a part of its peripheral strip (127) with a ring made of a flexible and elastic material, for example an elastomer, of diameter external larger than that of the tread (127) of the roller providing a damping effect in the first control phase by elastic support on the notched zone (109 a ) of the corresponding branch, which makes its passage progressive and more flexible from the braked position to a free deployment position. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the roller (125) consists of two identical metal cheeks (129) joined on either side of an elastomer ring (128) mounted on the same shaft (126), moreover large diameter and thickness identical to the width of the notched area (109 a ), extending over a central area of the outer edge (109) of the notched branch (101), framed on the left and on the right by two bands of bearing (109 b , 109 c ) smooth coming to the right of the tread (127) smooth of each cheek (129) of the roller (125). Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two cheeks (129) and the elastomer ring (128) which they frame, rotate freely on the shaft (126), the bearing (130) of which ring (128) is eccentric, a conventional mechanism for indexing the angular position of said shaft allowing a variation of the useful height of the elastic mass coming into contact with the notched area (109 a ) of the corresponding branch (101), cheeks which rotate on the non-eccentric bearings of the shaft (126) not consequently undergoing any radial displacement during the angular indexing of said shaft (126). Tool according to any one of claims 20 to 24 characterized in that the fixed transverse stop of the regulation mechanism is a shoe (113) made of elastomer or the like, secured to the case (104), coming to collaborate with the teeth (101 a ) of the external edge (109) of the notched branch (101) by simple compression resulting from the load of the collar (1). Tool according to any one of Claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the rotary transverse stop of the regulating mechanism is constituted by a toothed wheel (116), otherwise called knurl, in engagement, in a zone of contact, with the notches ( 101 b ) of the external edge (109) of the notched branch (101), having a coaxial bore (118) and the teeth (117 a ) of which have a pitch equal to that of the teeth (101 a ) of the branch (101) , and a fixed support shaft (119) around which the toothed wheel (116) is rotatably mounted, this fixed support shaft (119) having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the bore of the wheel (116) in such a way that as a result of the radial clearance thus formed, the wheel (116) can move radially between a substantially centered unblocking position wherein the tips of the teeth (101 a) of the notched leg (101) which are closest to the wheel (116), are located outside the pri circle mitive P of the teeth (117 a ) of the wheel (116) and the notched branch (101) can then move freely, and an eccentric locking position, when the notched branch (101) exerts on the wheel (116) a force F resulting from the load of the pre-compressed collar (1), force directed towards the axis O ₁ of the fixed support shaft (119), position in which the top of a tooth (101 a ) of the notched branch ( 101) is located between two teeth (117 a ) of the toothed wheel (116), inside the pitch circle P, so that the notched branch (101) and the wheel (116) are mutually blocked, thus causing the immediate deployment of the branches (101,102) except by actuating the rocking mechanism to push the notched branch (101) into a position in which the tops of its teeth (101 a ) are located outside the pitch circle P , the teeth (117 a ) of the thumb wheel (116) then no longer being blocked in the notches (101 b ) of the notched branch (101). Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, between the toothed part of the thumbwheel (116) and its shaft (119), a ring (121) of elastic material, for example an elastomer, is interposed, ensuring by compression of the notched branch (101) resulting from the load on the collar (1), the decentering sufficient to cause the sliding of said branch to stop, and conversely the almost immediate refocusing of the toothing (117) on the shaft (119), as soon as the 'we activate the rocking mechanism. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the toothed crown (117) of the thumb wheel (116) is associated with two side cheeks (122) bored together forming a housing capable of receiving, by the bore, the elastic ring (121 ), mounted on the support shaft (119) fixed to the case (104), the diameter of the cheek bore (122) being calculated, at a minimum, to obtain sufficient displacement to create the blocking effect and , to the maximum, to limit the crushing of the ring (121) and therefore avoid its deterioration during a heavy load caused by the largest collars. Tool according to any one of Claims 22 to 28, characterized in that the height of the teeth (101 a ) of the notched area (109 a ) on the external edge (109) of the corresponding branch (101) increases regularly from the head branch (101) to its end close to the articulation (53), by the progressive inflection of the smooth bearing region (s) (109 b , 109 c ) of the external edge (109) of the notched branch ( 101). Tooling according to any one of Claims 19 to 29, characterized in that each head of the branches (101,102) comprises a jaw (103) rotatable along an axis zz 'passing through two heads in the median plane of the branches. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the jaw (103) of one branch (101) comprises a lug (137) extending perpendicularly towards the jaw of the other branch (102) which is provided with a housing ( 138) corresponding, so that the lug (137) exactly matches the housing (138) when the two jaws (103) are brought together. Tool according to any one of claims 30 or 31 characterized in that the jaws (103) are equipped with an automatic return mechanism towards a rest position corresponding to an aligned grip of the collars (1), as soon as the branches are discharged. Tool according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the automatic return mechanism of each jaw (103) from an angular position to the left or right of not more than 90 ° to its rest position, consists of an elastomer rod (140) kept at rest in the axis yy 'of the branch head fixed on one side and sliding on the other inside a yoke (141) secured to the head and passing through the rotation shaft (142) of the jaw in the rest position, that is to say aligned with the head, providing both the maintenance of said jaw and the angular return effect resulting from its transverse torsion to the left or to the right. Tool according to any one of claims 19 to 33 characterized in that the case (104) of the tool consists of two shells (104 a ) advantageously identical in a plastic material shaped externally to serve as a gripping member to the tool (100), fixed opposite one another to grip on the one hand the two branches (101, 102) on either side of the plane which they form, a longitudinal groove (107) on the internal face of each shell being designed to receive the ends of their articulation axis (53) which are advantageously equipped with ball bearings (108) to ensure their sliding between the front (106) and rear (105) ends of the grooves ( 107) serving as stops and, on the other hand, a metal cage (150), delimiting the mouth of the case (104) crossed by the two branches, which supports the fixed or rotating stops (111,113,116) against which s' support smooth external edges and / or tr aités (110,109) of said branches and the rocking mechanism. Tool according to any one of claims 19 to 34 characterized in that a guide member (152) bearing on the lateral faces of the branches, is disposed at the mouth of the case (104) to limit friction transverse in the sliding of the branches (101 and 102). Tool according to claims 34 and 35 characterized in that the guide member is a plate (152) of a material with a low coefficient of friction, for example silicone, embedded in the two lateral flanges (150 a ) of the metal cage (150) slightly protruding towards the lateral faces of the branches. Tooling according to claims 34 and 35 characterized in that the guide member consists of one or more rollers with a parallel axis, fixed in the thickness of the lateral flanges of the metal cage (150) to come to bear on the faces lateral branches following a generatrix perpendicular to the direction of their sliding.

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