EP1885926B1 - Device for connecting cords - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for releasably connecting strings, which has a sleeve-like first retaining element for a first string and a bolt-like second retaining element for a second string, wherein the second retaining element insertable into the first retaining element and both for connecting and for releasing the two holding elements in an axial direction is movable.

A generic device for releasably connecting strings is for example from the DE 197 56 598 A1 the applicant known. The device described in this patent application is provided in particular for connecting the cords and the harness cords of the weaving harness of a jacquard machine. Since such Jacquard machines must be able to connect cords within a very short time and separate again from each other, was sought for solutions that allow a corresponding connection or disconnection in the simplest possible way and with ease of use. It offers from the DE 197 56 598 A1 known solution in particular the ability to make the connection and disconnection by only a single operation, namely a compression of the two holding elements in the axial direction.

For this purpose, the known solution has various actuating and latching means which, in cooperation with a plurality of guide means in a stop position of the second holding element for connecting or releasing, cause a relative movement of the first and second holding elements in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. At the end of the compression process of both elements thus a relative rotation of the two holding elements is performed about the longitudinal axis, by which the locking between the two holding elements is initiated or released again. By this particular measure a relatively simple handling of the connecting device is ensured, which in particular makes it possible to make the connection or release of strings also automated.

A disadvantage of the known from the prior art device for releasably connecting strings, however, is that the individual elements of the Device are constructed relatively complex. In particular, in addition to the first holding element and the second holding element, a third element in the form of a so-called sliding part is provided, which cooperates in a special way with the two holding elements to initiate the desired relative movement, which is required for locking or releasing the locking. Due to the requirement of a third component, however, the device is relatively complex and thus costly in their production. In addition, the handling of the device is difficult, the more components it has.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a novel or improved device for releasably connecting strings, in which the disadvantages or limitations described in connection with the prior art are avoided.

The object is achieved by a device for releasably connecting strings, which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is based on a special embodiment of the bolt-like second holding element. According to the invention it is provided that this is designed as a one-piece component, which has a first, so-called. Actuating parts, and a second, so-called. Detent parts having area, both areas are interconnected. By means of this embodiment of the second retaining element according to the invention, it is now possible to dispense with the sliding part which is still required in the prior art. Instead, all elements or components which effect the particular movement between the first and the second holding element with one another for latching or releasing the latch, are arranged on one of the two holding elements. The inventive device for releasably connecting strings accordingly consists exclusively of two separate elements or components, which on the one hand brings advantages in the production and on the other hand advantages in the handling of the device.

According to the invention, a device for releasably connecting strings is proposed, which has a sleeve-like first retaining element for a first string and a bolt-like second retaining element for a second string, wherein the second retaining element inserted into the first retaining element and for connecting and detaching the two holding elements in an axial direction is movable and wherein the second holding element actuating and locking parts, which in Collaboration with located on the first holding element guiding and locking parts in a stop position of the second holding element for connecting or releasing cause a relative movement of the first and the second holding element in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. According to the invention, the second holding element is configured as a one-piece component with a first region having the latching parts and a second region having the actuating parts.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two areas of the second holding element are arranged one behind the other as seen in the axial direction. In order to be able to perform the desired relative rotation of the second holding element relative to the first holding element, it is provided according to a particularly preferred embodiment that both areas of the second holding element are flexibly connected to each other. For this purpose, the two regions are connected to each other via a connection region, which is designed such that a relative movement of the two regions in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction is made possible. This particular type of embodiment of the second holding element makes it possible to perform the already known from the prior art operations for locking or releasing the locking. The fact that now a flexible connection between the two areas of the second holding element is created, the latching and Ausrast movements described later snap-rotary movements can be completed without the use of a third component would be required. The second holding element can be configured in one piece despite everything, since there is always the possibility to design the connection area in a corresponding manner, that the flexible connection is ensured. For this purpose, for example, the connection area could be suitably dimensioned. Another possibility would be to use a special material for this connection area which has the required flexibility. For example, in this case, the second holding element could be produced in a multi-component injection molding process. In any case, the solution of the invention has significant advantages over previously used devices, since only two different components must be manufactured and handled, which is cheaper and easier.

Further dependent claims relate to specific embodiments of the different actuating, latching and guide parts. These can in particular have specially designed run-on slopes or surfaces in order to initiate the required movements between the two holding elements.

Another development of the present invention relates to a measure by which the axial centering of the second holding element is ensured during insertion into the first holding element. For this purpose, the first holding element has a bottom-side depression, which cooperates with a conical tip at the front end of the second holding element. In this way, it is ensured that, in principle, there is a suitable alignment of the various latching, actuating and guide parts. This ensures that the various elements also interact as intended.

Figur 1

die perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Halteelements einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum lösbaren Verbinden von Schnüren;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines zweiten Halteelements der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Figuren 3a und 3b

den Vorgang des Zusammenfügens der beiden Haltelemente;

Figur 4

das hülsenartige erste Halteelement im seitlichen Schnitt;

Figur 5

eine Darstellung der an dem ersten Halteelement vorgesehenen Führungs- und Rastteile;

Figuren 6a und 6b

Schnitte I-I und II-II der Darstellung in Figur 4;

Figur 7

eine seitliche Ansicht des bolzenartigen zweiten Halteelements;

Figur 8

eine Darstellung der an dem zweiten Halteelement vorgesehenen Betätigungs- und Rastteile;

Figuren 9a und 9b

Schnitte III-III und IV-IV der Darstellung in Figur 7;

Figuren 10a - 10h

die einzelnen Schritte beim Verrasten der beiden Halteelemente miteinander;

Figuren 11a - 11h

die einzelnen Schritte beim Lösen der Verrastung der beiden Halteelemente;

Figuren 12a - 12c

Schnittdarstellungen verschiedener Phasen beim Zusammenfügen bzw. Lösen der beiden Halteelemente und

Figur 13

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

the perspective view of a first holding element of a device according to the invention for releasably connecting strings;

FIG. 2

a perspective view of a second holding element of the device according to the invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b

the process of joining the two holding elements;

FIG. 4

the sleeve-like first holding element in the lateral section;

FIG. 5

an illustration of the provided on the first holding element guide and locking parts;

Figures 6a and 6b

Sections II and II-II of the illustration in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7

a side view of the bolt-like second retaining element;

FIG. 8

an illustration of the provided on the second holding element actuating and locking parts;

FIGS. 9a and 9b

Sections III-III and IV-IV of the illustration in FIG. 7 ;

FIGS. 10a-10h

the individual steps when locking the two holding elements together;

FIGS. 11a-11h

the individual steps in releasing the locking of the two holding elements;

FIGS. 12a-12c

Sectional views of different phases when joining or releasing the two holding elements and

FIG. 13

A second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

The Figures 1, 2, 3a and 3b first show the general structure of the connecting device according to the invention or the elements used for this purpose. According to the illustrations, the device has two holding elements provided with the reference numerals 1 and 2, wherein a first holding element 1 is designed in the form of a sleeve, while on the other hand a second holding element 2 is designed as a bolt. Both holding elements 1 and 2 have at each of an end-side end portion 11 and 7, a conical taper for attaching one or more cords, as shown in the illustrations in the FIGS. 3a and 3b can be removed. By locking the two holding elements 1 and 2 together, these strings can therefore be connected to each other. This makes it possible, in particular, to connect the so-called harness cords of a jacquard machine, which is a frequently occurring activity in the maintenance of such machines. The ability to connect and disconnect the cords in a simple and quick way, thus significantly easing the overall operations of maintenance personnel for such a machine.

The two holding elements 1 and 2 are designed such that the connection of these or the release of the interconnected elements 1, 2 can be done in a simple manner. In particular, only a single action is required for the connection or the release, namely a compression of both elements in the axial direction. This is achieved by a special embodiment of the two elements, which will be explained below.

First, based on the FIGS. 1 and 4 - 6 the structure of the first, sleeve-like retaining element 1 will be explained.

Like the sectional view in FIG. 4 can be removed, the first support member 1 over a certain length on a cylindrical cavity 12, which is provided for receiving the second bolt-like support member 2 is. This cylinder-like cavity 12 is in its end facing the conical end 11 in a slightly narrower sized cavity 13, wherein the transition is achieved by a subsequent to the bottom side of the cavity 12 conical portion 13 a. As will be explained later, this embodiment, in cooperation with a centering part of the second holding element 2, achieves that an axial centering of the second holding element 2 takes place in the first holding element 1.

The latching or releasing the latching between the two holding elements 1 and 2 is achieved, inter alia, by guiding and locking parts, which are arranged within the cylindrical cavity 12. First latching parts 15 are arranged in the input region of the sleeve, whereas the guide parts 20 are arranged in the bottom region of the hollow space 12. The embodiment of both the locking parts 15 and the guide members 20 may in particular the illustration in FIG. 5 as well as the two sectional views of the Figures 6a and 6b be removed.

In total, four locking parts 15 and four guide members 20 are provided, which are arranged distributed over the inner circumference of the sleeve. It is important that each one locking part 15 is arranged exactly above a guide member 20.

Both the latching parts 15 and the guide parts 20 are formed by protruding from the wall of the sleeve 1 in the interior 12 pins which at its upper end two laterally to the longitudinal center axis - for example, at an angle of approximately 45 ° - sloping guide surfaces 16a, 16b or 20a, 20b have. On the underside of the locking parts 15, a further guide surface 17 is also formed, which in turn extends in relation to the axial direction of the locking parts 15 in an oblique plane.

The configuration of the second holding element 2 can in particular the representations in the Figures 2 and 7 - 9 be removed.

This is - as already mentioned - executed in the form of a bolt which is insertable into the cavity 12 of the first support member 1. At its front tip, the second holding element 2 has a conical taper 5 which, upon insertion of the bolt into the sleeve, comes into contact with the conical region 13a of the first holding element 1 and thereby causes self-centering of the second holding element 2 in the first holding element 1.

The latching and releasing of the two holding elements 1, 2 is effected by locking parts 30 and actuating parts 35 located on the second holding element 2, which interact in a special way with the guide parts 20 and latching parts 15 of the first holding element 1. The particular embodiment of the locking parts 30 and actuators 35 may in particular the representations of Figures 8, 9a and 9b be removed.

According to these representations, the latching parts 30 are each formed by a shorter side part 31 and a longer side part 32, which are connected to each other on its underside by an obliquely to the axial direction of the support member 2 extending guide surface 33. Between both side parts 31 and 32, which at their upper ends in each case parallel to the guide surface 33 extending chamfers 31a and 32a, thus an open towards the top recess 30a is formed. As FIG. 9a can be removed, four locking parts 30 are arranged distributed on the outside of the second support member 2.

Below the locking parts 30 actuating parts 35 are arranged, which in turn are designed as protruding pins to the outside. At their lower sides, the actuating members 35 each have two laterally inclined to the longitudinal central axis guide surfaces 35a and 35b, on their upper sides is a single, again obliquely inclined to the longitudinal central axis guide surface 36 is provided. According to the representations of Figures 8, 9a and 9b eight actuating members 35 are arranged distributed over the circumference of the second holding member 2, which - in contrast to the guide and locking parts 15, 20 of the first holding element - not directly below the side parts 31 and 32 of the locking members 30, but instead slightly offset thereto are.

A particularly important feature of the second retaining element 2, however, is that the arrangement of the locking parts 30 and actuating parts 35 to each other is not completely rigid, but instead has at least a slight flexibility. As the illustration in FIG. 7 can be removed, namely, the second holding elements 2 is divided into two areas 3 and 4, wherein the locking parts 30 are arranged on the first region 3 and the actuating members 35 on the second region 4. Both regions 3 and 4 are connected to one another via a connection region 6, wherein this connection region 6 is designed such that a relative movement of the two regions 3 and 4 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is made possible. This can be achieved, for example, by a corresponding shaping for the connection region 6. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible for this connection region 6 a flexible material use. Despite everything, the second holding element 2 is designed in one piece, which can be achieved, for example, that this is produced in a so-called multi-component injection molding process, in which case a somewhat more flexible material is selected for the formation of the transition region 6.

The interaction of the guide, actuating and locking parts 15, 20, 30 and 35 for connecting the two holding elements 1 and 2 with each other or for releasing the connection can FIGS. 10a-h or 11a-h. The FIGS. 10a-h show the individual phases of the assignment of the different parts to each other during the process of locking, while the FIGS. 11a-h show the individual phases when releasing the locking. It should be noted in this context that the dimensions of the holding elements 1 and 2 and the guide, actuating and locking parts 15, 20, 30 and 35 is selected such that the cavity 12 can completely accommodate the second holding member 2, however, seen in cross section there is an overlap of the guiding and locking parts 15, 20 projecting towards the inside with the latching and actuating parts 30, 35 projecting outwards. This allows the various elements to interact as described below.

The following is to be based on the FIGS. 10a-h the locking of the device according to the invention will be explained.

FIG. 10a shows the arrangement of the latching and guide parts 15, 20 of the first holding element 1 with respect to the latching and actuating parts 30, 35 of the second holding element 2 in an initial stage of the latching. Shown is a state in which the second retaining element 2 has already been introduced so far into the first retaining element 1, that the actuating parts 35 come with their lower ends in abutment against the guide members 20. The corresponding alignment of the actuating members 35 on the guide members 20 is achieved in that the gap between the locking members 15 of the first support member 1 is dimensioned such that the locking members 30 of the second support member 2 are guided in a defined arrangement by these clearances. This has the consequence that the guide surfaces 20a and 35a of the guide and operating parts 20, 35 come into abutment against each other.

Now, if the two holding elements 1, 2 further pressed against each other, as symbolically represented by the arrows, this leads to the fact that due to the guide surfaces 20a and 35a, the operating parts 35 are deflected to the side (in the illustration to the left), as the representation in FIG. 10b withdrawn can be. This deflection takes place up to a stage in which a guide part 20 projects into the intermediate space between two adjacent actuating parts 35. It is essential that initially only the actuating members 35 are deflected laterally, but not the locking members 30 of the second support member 2, since they are still with their side members 31, 32 in abutment with the locking members 15. The deflection of only the operating parts 35 is made possible by the flexible connection 6 between the two areas 3 and 4 of the second holding element 2, as previously explained.

Only when the second retaining element 2 has been pressed down so far that the locking parts 30 are completely below the locking parts 15, as in FIG. 10c or the corresponding situation FIG. 12b is shown, the latching parts 30 due to the generated in the transitional 6 by the previous relative rotation of the two areas 3 and 4 mechanical tension the lateral deflection to understand, resulting in the arrangement according to FIG. 10d leads.

At this time, the two holding elements 1 and 2 are in a stop position and are no longer pressed into each other. Instead, they are now being pulled apart at short notice. In this case, first the upper guide surfaces 31a of the side parts 31 of the latching parts 30 now come into abutment against the lower guide surfaces 17 of the latching parts 15, as shown in FIG FIG. 10e is shown. This has the consequence that due to these guide surfaces now the locking parts 30 laterally (in turn, to the left) are deflected so that the locking parts 15 of the first support member 1 can engage in the recess 30a of the locking members 30 of the second support member 2. There are now so first the locking parts 30 deflected laterally, the actuating members 35 understand this distraction as soon as they are completely above the guide members 20. Ultimately, this has the consequence that the locking parts 15, 30 completely engage with each other, as in FIG. 10h respectively. Fig. 12c is shown. This will be locked together by the short-term pressing together and then pulling the two holding elements 1 and 2 together.

To release the locking essentially the same movements are performed. First, according to the representations 11a-11d, the two holding elements 1 and 2 are pushed into each other up to the stop position, wherein due to the orientation of the latching, actuating and guide parts 15, 20, 30, 35, the actuating parts 35 are deflected laterally ( Figures 11a and 11b ) and - as soon as the locking parts 35 are removed from the engagement of the locking parts 15 were - these also understand this movement ( Figures 11c and 11d ) The representation in Fig. 12a corresponds to the initial stage of Verrastungs solution according to Fig. 11a ,

Now, if the two holding elements 1 and 2 pulled apart, so the locking parts 30 are deflected due to the guide surfaces 17 and 32a of the locking parts 30 and 30 so that they completely get out of engagement of the locking parts 15 and transferred into the spaces between the locking parts 15. This lateral deflection is made up at a later time by the operating parts 35, until finally the arrangement according to Figure 11h is reached, which is the starting position of FIG. 10a equivalent. The various parts of the holding elements 1 and 2 are completely out of engagement, so that the two holding elements 1, 2 can now be detached from each other.

Overall, therefore, a locking of the two holding elements 1 and 2 or a release of the latch can always be achieved by the same operation, namely a nesting of the two parts and a subsequent pulling apart. Both the latching and the release of the latching thus take place in the context of a snap-rotary movement, which brings a simplification in the handling of the device according to the invention. Of particular importance here is that only an axial actuation of the two holding elements is required, so that the latching or releasing the latch can also be carried out automatically or mechanically.

A particular advantage of the device according to the invention consists in the fact that the device consists exclusively of two elements, which must be moved to each other. This is made possible by the above-described flexible arrangement of the actuating and locking parts of the second holding element to each other, which allows the required relative to the locking and releasing the locking relative movement of the various elements to each other. The fact that the device as a whole consists of only two separate elements, brings with it additional advantages in the handling of the device with it. In particular, an actuation of only two components in an automated manner is again significantly easier to implement than was possible in the prior art in which three components were to be handled. The production of the entire device is simplified by reducing the number of components to be manufactured.

An alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention is finally in FIG. 13 shown. In this case, the first holding element 101 on its underside a hook 102, which can be used for example for hanging several cords. This hook 102 can optionally be opened or closed, so that, for example, can be done easily hooking additional harness cords. However, the holding elements 2 and 101 are again constructed in the manner already explained above. In particular, these in turn have the specially designed guide, actuating and locking parts, wherein the actuating and locking parts of the second holding element are arranged in two different areas, which are connected to each other in a flexible manner.

Claims (9)

1. Device for the detachable joining of strings, with a sleeve-type first holding element (1) for a first string and a bolt-type second holding element (2) for a second string, wherein the second holding element (2) is insertable into the first holding element (1) and is moveable in an axial direction "A" for the joining and detaching of the two holding elements (1, 2),
   wherein the second holding element (2) comprises latching parts (30) and actuation parts (35), which cooperate with latching parts (15) and guiding parts (20) at the first holding element (1) to induce, in a latching position of the second holding element (2), a relative movement of the first and the second holding element (1, 2) in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction "A" for the joining and detaching, characterized in that
   the second holding element (2) is formed as an integral part with a first region (3) comprising the latching parts (30) and with a second region (4) comprising the actuation parts (35), wherein the two regions (3, 4) of the second holding element (2) are joined with each other via a connecting region (6), which is formed in a manner that a relative movement of the two regions (3, 4) in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction "A" is made possible.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two regions (3, 4) of the second holding element (2) are arranged one after the other in the axial direction "A".
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two regions (3, 4) are flexibly joined to each other.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting region (6) of the second holding element (2) consists of a different material than the remaining regions (3, 4).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second holding element (2) is produced according to the multi-component injection molding process.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first holding element (1) comprises a recess (13) at the bottom side and in that a conical tip (5) is arranged at the front end of the second holding element (2) for the axial centering of the second holding element (2) in the first holding element.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hook (102) for the hinging of strings to be joined is arranged at at least one of the holding elements (1, 2).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching parts (15, 30) of the two holding elements (1, 2) are respective formed as protrusions and are hooked to each other in a joining position of the holding elements (1, 2).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a substantially round cross section, wherein the relative motion between the two holding elements (1, 2) in the axial direction "A" is substantially a rotational movement.

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