EP2886164A1 - Clamping device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (10), comprising a guide track (12) running along a guide direction (F) for guiding a cable element (100) through the clamping device, with at least one clamping body (14, 16) movably mounted in the guide track (12). for clamping the cable element (100) in the guide track, when this is pulled against the guide direction (F) by the guide track (12), at least one biasing element (18), by its biasing force of the clamping body (14, 16) from a release position into a An actuating mechanism (30) for adjusting the clamping body (14, 16) from the clamping position to the release position with two operating portions (32, 34), the for actuating the actuating mechanism by compressive force (X) are movable towards each other.

Description

The invention relates to a clamping device with a guideway extending along a guide direction for guiding a cable element through the clamping device, at least one clamping body movably mounted in the guideway for clamping the rope element in the guideway, if this is pulled against the guide direction by the guideway, and at least one Biasing element, through the biasing force of the clamping body is urged from a release position into a clamping position in which it narrows the guideway more than in the release position.

Both in climbing sport as well as for industrial applications, the climber can secure a rope, which runs between him and a second security person or a fixed point, or he can hook for example by means of a carabiner to a permanently installed rope element. The fixed cable element can along a rock wall, a building, on a mast or the like. be misplaced. The latter method of securing is generally used in fixed rope climbing in mountain sports, which have permanently laid wire ropes on which the climber can hook by means of a carabiner. In the context of the present invention, rope element is generally a rope-like element such as a natural fiber or synthetic fiber rope, a wire rope, a chain, a Cable, a rope, a cord o. The like understood, which is suitable for guiding through a carabiner opening.

To secure the climber on a via ferrata you need a via ferrata set, which regularly has two carabiners, a shock absorber and a binding device. Both carabiners of the set are always hooked into the rope element. At each anchoring of the rope element then first one, then the other carabiner of the set must be umgehängt so that the climber is secured at any time on at least one carabiner. Nevertheless, in case of a fall, the climber usually falls over several meters unobstructed down despite securing, because the anchorages are several meters apart. Therefore, falls on via ferrata should be avoided at all costs.

On roofs, masts and the like you secure yourself by means of a rope safety system, which is firmly connected to the building or the structure. Sliding systems for horizontal or slightly inclined surfaces as well as fixed rope clamps for vertical or steep structures are used here.

To safely climb a mountain wall or building wall, it is essential to reattach the carabiners behind each anchorage to reduce the fall path in the event of a fall. The fall paths can nevertheless be considerable. Rebuilding the karabiner behind each anchorage takes time, so a climber who uses a conventional via ferrata set-up properly slows down considerably faster than a climber who does not hitch up behind any anchorage.

In order to provide a climbing protection device which allows a safer climbing, therefore, a clamping device was provided as in the document WO 2010/142690 is described. This clamp replaces one of the carbines of the traditional via ferrata set.

In this clamping device, two clamping bodies protrude laterally into a guide track in which the cable element is guided. The guideway has a wedge-shaped Inner profile, which tapers along a central axis of the cable element, wherein the clamping body are mounted in the guide track so movable that they can assume a clamping position in which the clamping body between an inner wall of the guide rail and the cable element are clamped. Thus, a relative movement between the cable element and the guideway is prevented due to the jammed clamping body in one direction, while it is released in the other direction.

The direction in which a rope element can be pulled through the guideway, without any jamming of the rope element, is hereinafter referred to as the guiding direction. The clamping device can be pulled when climbing in a climbing direction along the cable element, wherein the climbing direction of the guide direction is opposite (here is not drawn on the cable element, but on the clamping device held thereon). When the cable element is pulled against the guide direction by the clamping device, the clamping body are guided by the wedge-shaped region of the guide track in the radial direction to the middle of the rope, that the guide track is narrowed, so that the clamping body are pressed against the cable element. Further pulling of the cable by the clamping device against the guide direction is thus prevented.

By the action of a biasing element, the clamping bodies are urged in the direction of the center of the cable element, so that the clamping body at all times abut the outside of the cable element. This has the consequence that the clamping effect in the event of a crash engages directly. However, when the clamping device is taken from the rope element during climbing prior to anchoring and after anchorage is to be put back on the cable element, it is necessary to move the clamping body against the action of this biasing member radially outward, so that the constriction caused by the clamping body the guideway is lifted. Only then is it possible to remove the clamping device from the rope and put it on another area of the rope. A position in which the clamping bodies are so far away from a center of the guideway that the cable element can be easily inserted into the guideway is referred to below as the release position. Adjusting the clamping position in the release position is in the publication WO 2010/142690 A1 described clamping device laboriously, since this requires a complex mechanism must be operated. Possibly. the climber shy away from the effort associated with moving the clamping device at seemingly simple climbing sites, which can lead to dangerous situations and climbing accidents.

In view of the described problems, it is the object of the present invention to provide a climbing device for use in climbing, which offers a high fall protection with a good ease of use and ease of use.

This object is achieved by a development of the clamping device described above, which is characterized essentially by an actuating mechanism for adjusting the clamping body from the clamping position to the release position with two operating portions which are movable towards each other for actuating the actuating mechanism by pressing force.

In other words, the clamping body can be adjusted from a clamping position narrowing the guideway into a release position which releases the guideway for insertion of the rope element, in that two actuating sections of an actuating mechanism are moved toward one another. Preferably, the one operating section is moved towards the guide track starting from one side of the guide track and the second actuating section moves toward the guide track starting from the opposite side of the guide track.

The invention is based on the knowledge that in the document WO 2010/142690 A1 described rotary-push mechanism for adjusting in the release position is not optimally adapted to the anatomy of a human hand. The simplest and most comfortable hand movement, which can apply a considerable amount of force quickly and easily, is a pressure movement between the thumb and the residual fingers of one hand. The thumb can operate in the clamping device according to the invention, the first actuating element, while the residual finger or the index finger, the second actuating element can be actuated, wherein the actuating portions are moved towards each other by the thus acting counter-pressure forces, whereby the actuating portion is actuated.

In other words, the two actuating portions are coupled by means of the actuating mechanism to the at least one clamping body such that a movement of the actuating portions toward one another displaces the clamping body from the clamping position into the release position, in which it narrows the guideway less strongly. For this purpose, the actuating mechanism may comprise various types of force deflection mechanisms, of which a force deflection mechanism will be described below by way of example.

With regard to a good backup when climbing, it has proven to be advantageous that when releasing the previously actuated operating sections in the release position of the clamping body is pushed back by the action of the biasing member back into the clamping position in which he narrows the guideway back more. Conversely, when adjusting the clamping body in the release position by the action of the compressive force on the actuating portions, the biasing member is biased reinforced, so that when releasing the operating portions can be made an automatic return to the clamping position by the action of the biasing member.

With regard to a particularly comfortable operation of the actuating portions, it has proven to be expedient that the actuating portions are each parts of a lever, wherein the two levers are preferably pivotable about transversely, in particular approximately perpendicular to the guide direction axes of rotation. The levers may extend in the unactuated state substantially parallel to the guide direction laterally next to the guideway, wherein they are arranged on opposite sides of the guideway. The pivoting of the lever can take place in such a way that a rear end of the lever which has the actuating portion is pivoted onto the guide track. In the release position, the levers then run at an angle to the guideway.

In this case, the two levers can be arranged substantially symmetrically about the guide track and each have at a front end the axis of rotation and at a rear end of the actuating portion. The actuating portion may be an outer surface of the lever facing away from the guideway, wherein the outer surfaces are particularly well grasped by the fingers of a hand and can be moved towards each other. Parts of the inner surfaces of the lever can strike each in the release position on an outer wall of the guideway. The user is directly displayed in this way that the release position is reached and the cable element can now be placed in the released guideway. The front ends of the levers can each be attached to a base part of the clamping device via a pivot pin or the like, so that a pivoting of the levers relative to the guide track is possible.

A better clamping effect can be achieved by two movable in the guideway clamp body, between which the cable element can be clamped in the clamping position, and which are each arranged closer in the clamping position in the middle of the guideway than in the release position. The middle of the guideway corresponds essentially to the center of the guided in the guideway rope element. Upon actuation of the actuating sections, the two clamping bodies can be moved in such a way that they move away from the center of the guide track and thereby increase the clear width of the guide track.

The clamping action can be further improved in that the clamping body in the clamping position abut against opposite side walls of the guide track, wherein the side walls gradually diverge in the guide direction. In other words, the side walls of the guideway can form a wedge-like or gradually widening profile. In the clamping position, when the cable element is pulled against the guide direction by the guide track, this leads to the clamping of the clamping body between each of the cable element and the associated side wall, whereby the clamping action is made possible.

The movement guidance of the clamping body can be effected in that each of the clamping body is guided in a guide groove extending along the guide direction, wherein the guide grooves extending from a clamping portion in which the clamping body are guided in the clamping position to a release portion in which the clamping body in the release position are guided, wherein the two release portions are spaced from each other further than the two clamping portions. When the two actuating sections are actuated, the two clamping bodies can be guided along the guide grooves, in each case, from the clamping sections into the release sections which are further apart, so that a narrowing of the guide track is released. The guide grooves may be arranged in a plate-like bottom surface of the guideway substantially symmetrical to the center of the guideway, wherein the two clamping body can protrude starting from the respective guide groove in the interior of the guideway. The closest mutual distance of the two clamping sections perpendicular to the guide direction can be less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.6 cm, while the widest mutual distance of the two release sections can be more than 2 cm, preferably more than 3 cm.

With regard to a good clamping action between the clamping bodies, which at the same time enables a quick adjustment into the release position, it has proved expedient that an angle between the clamping sections of the guide grooves and the guide direction is in each case smaller than 30 °, preferably smaller than 15 °, but preferably greater than 5 °, while an angle between the release portions of the guide and the guide direction is greater than 30 °, preferably greater than 60 °. In the area of the clamping sections, the guide grooves in the guide direction can be removed at an acute angle of less than 30 ° from the center of the guide track. This small angle leads in the unactuated state at any time to a close concern of the clamping body on the cable element guided therebetween, even if act through the cable element transversely directed forces on the clamping body. An angle greater than 5 ° is useful so that the clamping body approach the cable element in its movement against the guide direction. In the area of the release sections, the angle between guide groove and guide direction can gradually increase up to more than 30 °, preferably more than 60 °. This causes that on actuation the operating portions of the clamping body last quickly remove each other in the radial direction, so that the cable element can be easily inserted therebetween.

According to a further aspect of the invention is to be reliably prevented that an unintentional force on only one of the actuating portions displaces the clamping body in the release position. An unintentional release of the cable element could cause the clamping action is no longer sufficiently fast attacks, or in extreme cases even to a drop of the clamping device from the rope and thus to a loss of security. Such unintentional force is, for example, possible if the clamping device is accidentally pressed while pulling along the cable element against the rock wall or the like.

A securing mechanism according to the invention provides that the clamping bodies are adjustable from the clamping position to the release position by an essentially identical pressure force on the two actuating sections, while on the other hand the actuating mechanism is characterized by greatly differing pressure forces on the two actuating sections, in particular in one Compressive force on only one of the two operating sections, in a blocking position is adjustable, in which a further movement of the two operating sections is blocked to each other. It is virtually ruled out that both operating sections are inadvertently actuated essentially with an equal compressive force in the amount, so that the risk of unintentional adjustment into the release position is minimized according to the invention.

When the magnitude of the compressive forces acting on the two actuating portions is identical or substantially identical (with the compressive forces in the opposite direction), the two actuating portions are movable towards each other, thereby moving the clamping bodies to the release position. "Essentially identical" may include cases where the magnitude of the force varies by +/- 30% or +/- 50%. However, if the amounts of force differ even more, and in particular when only one of the actuating portions a compressive force acts, the actuating mechanism in a blocking position out in which further movement of the operating portions is blocked from each other. Then also an increase of the unilaterally (asymmetrically) acting pressure forces does not cause the clamping body to move into the release position. Rather, the clamp body remain in the clamping position.

Such a blocking position can be realized according to the invention by two guide tracks, each with a substantially parallel to the guide track extending release track, run into the guide elements guided therein when adjusting in the release position, and each having a branching off barrier track, in which the guide elements when adjusting in the Restrict locking position. The locking tracks do not run essentially parallel to the guide track, but transversely thereto, preferably starting from the release track in the direction of the guide track. The guide tracks and the guide elements guided therein are each assigned to one of the two actuating sections, wherein the joint actuation of the two actuating sections with essentially the same compressive force leads to a run-in of the guide elements into the release tracks. The release tracks are sufficiently long so that the guide elements guided therein reach a front end of the release track at the earliest when the clamping bodies are arranged in the release position. In an asymmetrical, especially in a single-sided force on the operating sections that the actuating portion associated guide element, which acts on the smaller or no force, pressed by the one-sided load to the inner edge of the guide track, so that the guide element ultimately in the locking track enters. The locking track is short so that the guide element guided therein already reaches a front end of the locking track when the clamping bodies are still arranged in the clamping position and not yet in the release position.

Preferably, the guide tracks are introduced into the rear portions of the lever having the actuating portions. The guided in the guide tracks guide elements may be guide pins and / or guide pins, which are forcibly guided at a pivoting of the lever along the guide tracks, so that they coupled thereto via articulated struts carriage along to shift the direction of leadership. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the lever with guide tracks introduced therein as well as the symmetrical arrangement of the struts with guide elements attached thereto around the guide track, the pressure force of the climber acting transversely to the guide track can be deflected into a thrust force directed in the direction of the guide track, which shifts the slide ,

In other words, the actuating mechanism may comprise a force deflection mechanism which transmits the compressive force acting on the two actuating sections when actuated transversely to the guide direction onto a carriage such that the carriage with the clamping body coupled thereto is movable in the guide direction. As a result, can be moved in the direction of the guideway by the pressing force of the climber, which is laterally directed to the guideway.

The carriage may be arranged on a rail in such a way that it is positively guided in the guide direction upon actuation of the actuating sections along the rail. The coupled thereto clamping body, which are guided in the guide grooves, are moved away from each other during a movement in the guide direction by the increasing distance between the guide grooves when they are pushed by the carriage in the guide direction.

In order to enable this radially directed movement of the clamping body, the clamping device may have two guided by the carriage in the guide direction and each having a side wall of the guideway enclosing holding parts, to each of which one of the clamping body is attached. The holding members may be disposed between front and rear abutment surfaces of the carriage so as to follow only movement of the carriage in and against the guiding direction while their movement is released transversely to the guiding direction. Since the holding parts engage around the side walls of the guideway, they follow the radial course of the side walls during a movement in the axial direction, the course of the side walls of the guideway corresponding to the course of the two guide grooves.

The biasing member for returning the clamp body to the clamped position may be a spring member such as a coil spring mounted on the carriage and on a base portion of the clamp device. Due to the bias of the spring element of the carriage can be pulled against the guide direction, which in turn leads to the coupled to the carriage clamp body are guided against the guide direction in the clamping portions of the guide grooves in which they narrow the guideway, and what the other causes the operating portions to be urged outwardly away from the track to an unactuated condition.

With regard to a simple insertion of the rope element in the guideway, it has proven to be expedient that the guideway has a unilaterally open profile such as a U-shaped or a C-shaped profile. The rope element can then be inserted into the guideway via the open profile side. A bottom wall of the guide track may have the rail for guiding the carriage along the guide track on the side facing away from the guide track.

In order to prevent the clamping device from accidentally falling off the cable element, a cover element may be provided for at least partially closing the open profile side in the clamping position and for releasing the open profile side in the release position. The cover element covers the open side in the clamping position at least so far that the cable element can not be removed via the open profile side. For this purpose, a rod-shaped or rod-shaped cover element may be sufficient that the guide track at least partially spans in the transverse direction, so that the guide track is at least partially closed. Preferably, however, the cover element is plate-shaped.

With regard to a user-friendly handling of the clamping device, it has been found to be advantageous that the cover element is directly or indirectly coupled to the clamping body and is movable together with this by actuation of the two operating sections. A Aufeinanderzubewegung the two operating sections causes so on the one hand, an adjustment of the clamping body in the release position and on the other hand, a release of the open side of the guideway. In the release position, the rope element can thus easily from the guideway are taken, while it is particularly securely received in the clamping position in the preferably all-round closed guideway.

Preferably, at least two cover elements, each preferably in the form of a plate, are provided, of which each cover element is coupled to a clamping body, and which preferably overlap one another at least partially in the clamping position. Both the clamping body and the cover elements are moved by the actuation of the actuating portions radially outwardly away from the center of the guideway and release the guideway. In the unactuated state, the first cover element covers the open profile side of the guideway, starting from a first side at least partially, while the second cover element covers the open profile side of the guideway, starting from a second side at least partially. Since the cover elements overlap at least partially, the open side of the guideway is completely covered. If the cover elements are each formed in the form of a plate extending in the axial direction, the guide track in the clamping position becomes an annular closed, tubular guide channel in which the cable element is received in a particularly secure manner.

Alternatively or additionally, the clamping body may be selected from a body from the group consisting of spherical clamping bodies, cylindrical clamping bodies, parallelepipedal clamping bodies, pyramidal clamping bodies, polygonal clamping bodies and roller-shaped clamping bodies.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping body is substantially cylindrical with at least one flattened area, a corrugated area, a notch and / or a groove. As a result, the cable element can be clamped firmly between two clamping bodies.

Preferably, the clamping device has a receiving device, in particular an opening formed in a base body for a tether. The clamp body can then be easily attached to a conventional via ferrata set.

The invention further relates to a method for securing an object, in particular a person, to a cable element with a clamping device according to the invention, characterized by the following steps: inserting the cable element into the guide track after adjusting the clamping body in the release position by actuation of the actuating sections, adjusting the clamping body in the clamping position by releasing the operating sections, guiding the cable element along the guideway.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung mit abgenommener Deckplatte,
• Fig. 2 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung von vorne,
• Fig. 3 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung von der Seite,
• Fig. 4 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung von unten,
• Fig. 5 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung von oben,
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht, die die erfindungsgemäße Klemmvorrichtung von unten zeigt, während sie an einem Seilelement gehalten ist,
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht, die die erfindungsgemäße Klemmvorrichtung von oben zeigt, während sie an einem Seilelement gehalten ist,
• Fig. 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht, die die erfindungsgemäße Klemmvorrichtung von unten zeigt, während sie das Seilelement in der Freigabestellung freigibt,
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht, die die erfindungsgemäße Klemmvorrichtung von oben zeigt, während sie das Seilelement in der Freigabestellung freigibt,
• Fig. 10 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Freigabestellung von oben,
• Fig. 11 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Freigabestellung von unten,
• Fig. 12 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Sperrstellung von oben
• Fig. 13 eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Sperrstellung von unten
• Fig. 14 eine durchscheinende Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Sperrstellung von oben, und
• Fig. 15 eine durchscheinende Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in der Sperrstellung von unten.

In the following description, the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, to which reference is expressly made with regard to details essential to the invention. In the drawing shows:

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of a clamping device according to the invention with removed cover plate,
• Fig. 2 a view of the clamping device according to the invention from the front,
• Fig. 3 a view of the clamping device according to the invention from the side,
• Fig. 4 a view of the clamping device according to the invention from below,
• Fig. 5 a view of the clamping device according to the invention from above,
• Fig. 6 a perspective view showing the clamping device according to the invention from below, while it is held on a cable element,
• Fig. 7 3 is a perspective view showing the clamping device according to the invention from above, while it is held on a cable element,
• Fig. 8 a perspective view showing the clamping device according to the invention from below while it releases the cable element in the release position,
• Fig. 9 a perspective view showing the clamping device according to the invention from above, while releasing the cable element in the release position,
• Fig. 10 a view of the clamping device according to the invention in the release position from above,
• Fig. 11 a view of the clamping device according to the invention in the release position from below,
• Fig. 12 a view of the clamping device according to the invention in the blocking position from above
• Fig. 13 a view of the clamping device according to the invention in the locked position from below
• Fig. 14 a translucent view of the clamping device according to the invention in the blocking position from above, and
• Fig. 15 a translucent view of the clamping device according to the invention in the locked position from below.

Fig. 1 shows a clamping device 10 according to the invention in a perspective view from above. An optional protective cover 70 is shown in a detached condition so that the view of an actuating mechanism 30 and a biasing member 18 in the form of a spring is released.

The clamping device 10 has a guideway 12 extending along a guide direction F for receiving a cable element 100. The recorded in the guideway 12 rope element 100 is in the FIGS. 6 and 7 shown. In the guide direction F, the cable element 100 can be pulled through the guideway, without it being clamped by arranged in the guideway 12 clamping body 14, 16. However, if the cable element 100 is pulled against the guide direction F, the clamp Clamping body 14, 16, the rope element fixed, so that a further relative movement of the clamping device relative to the cable element 100 is prevented.

The central axis along which the guideway 12 extends is also referred to as the axial direction, while a direction perpendicular thereto is referred to as the radial direction. Fig. 2 shows a view from the front into the guideway 12 inside. As in Fig. 2 is particularly clearly shown, the two clamping body 14, 16 are arranged for clamping the cable element 100 in the guideway 12 and narrow it. The cable element 100 is passed between the two clamping bodies 14, 16. Reference numerals 14, 16 in FIG Fig. 1 do not show the clamp body itself, but merely indicate the positions from which, starting the clamp body 14, 16 in a clamping position down into the guideway 12 protrude.

The two clamping bodies 14, 16 are substantially cylindrical and have a corrugated surface, so that a cable element 100 can be clamped particularly well between them. An upper region of the clamping body 14, 16 is guided in each case in a guide groove 20, 22, wherein the guide grooves are formed in a bottom wall of the guide track 12.

The course of the guide grooves 20, 22 is particularly clear in the FIGS. 4 and 5 They each have a clamping section 23, to which a release section 24 adjoins in the guide direction F. The release portions 24 of the two guide grooves 20, 22 are in a lateral direction, which in Fig. 4 This results in that the clear width of the guideway 12 is greatly narrowed when the two clamping bodies 14, 16 are guided in the clamping portions 23, while increasing the clear width of the guideway is when the two clamp body 14, 16 are guided in the release portions. The two clamping bodies 14, 16 are moved by the clamping sections 23 into the release sections 24, so that the clamping device 10 can be removed from the cable element 100 before anchoring and can be placed on the cable element 100 again after anchoring. The guide grooves 20, 22 extend symmetrically about the center M of the guideway 12.

The clamping portions 23 each enclose an angle α of about 10 ° with respect to the guide direction F, so that the distance between the clamping portions in the guide direction increases only slowly, while the release portions 24 enclose an angle β of more than 50 ° with the guide direction, so that the distance between the guide portions in the guide direction increases rapidly.

The side walls 37 of the guideway 12 run laterally outside the guide grooves 20, 22. These side walls 37 correspond in their course to the course of the guide grooves 20, 22. In other words, the side walls 37 gradually diverge in the guide direction F, so that the guideway 12 in the guide direction F gradually widened gradually. In the event of a crash of the climber, when the cable element 100 moves against the guide direction F by the clamping device, so that the clamping body are moved in the direction of the clamping portions 23, the two clamping body 14, 16 between the side walls 37 of the guide track 12 and the cable element 100 clamped and press from both sides firmly against the intervening rope element 100. A further movement of the clamping device 10 relative to the cable element 10 is prevented by this clamping action.

The biasing member 18 in the form of a spring is mounted on the clamping device 10, that by its action, the clamping body 14, 16 are pulled into the clamping position in which they narrow the guideway 12 further than in the in the FIGS. 8 to 11 shown release position.

For this purpose, the biasing member 18 is coupled on the one hand to a carriage 33, to which in turn the clamping body 14, 16 are coupled, and on the other hand, coupled to the outside of the bottom wall of the guide track 12, so that the biasing member 18, the carriage 33 against the guide direction urges, whereby the clamping body in the direction of the clamping portions 23 of the guide grooves 20, 22 are urged.

The clamping device 10 according to the invention further comprises the actuating mechanism 30 with two operating portions 32, 34 which is actuated by the user of the clamping device 10 for adjusting the clamping body 14, 16 in the release position. In the FIGS. 1 to 7 the actuating mechanism 30 is shown in the de-energized state while in the FIGS. 8 to 11 is shown in the actuated state in which the clamping body 14, 16 are arranged in the release position.

For actuation, the two actuating portions 32, 34 are moved towards each other by a pressing force of the user. The direction of this pressure force is in the FIGS. 4 and 5 denoted by X.

The actuating portions 32, 34 are arranged at the rear ends of levers 36, 38, wherein the two levers are mounted via a perpendicular to the guide direction F extending axis of rotation 39 relative to the guide track 12 pivotally mounted on both sides of the guide track 12. Outwardly facing surfaces of the levers 36, 38 form the actuating portions 32, 34, which can be easily grasped by hand and pressed in the direction of the guide track 12. In the unactuated state, the two levers 36, 38 extend substantially parallel to the guide track 12 with the central axis M of the guide track as the axis of symmetry. This symmetrical arrangement of the levers about the guideway 12 is in the FIGS. 4 and 5 shown particularly clearly. The pivot axes 39 pivotally secure the levers to the track 12, with the trailing ends of the levers 36, 38 moving toward each other when the levers are pivoted in the direction of the track 12.

Furthermore, the clamping device 10 according to the invention has a force deflection mechanism 31, by which the pressure forces X of the user acting transversely to the guide track 12 on the actuation sections 32, 34 are deflected in such a way that the carriage 33 is actuated upon actuation of the actuation sections 32, 34 in the guide direction F, and by which the operating portions 32, 34 are moved away from each other by the bias of the biasing member 18 back to the starting position when the operating portions 32, 34 are released. For this purpose are several pivotally interconnected and arranged obliquely opposite to the guide direction F and the extension direction of the lever struts 41, which can push the carriage 33 in the guide direction. Important here is the symmetrical arrangement of the struts 41 about the guide track 12 as the axis of symmetry, so that the transverse directed to the guide direction force components acting on the struts 41 on the carriage 33, compensate each other, while directed along the guide direction F force components, acting on the struts 41 on the carriage 33, complement each other to a resultant pushing force on the carriage 33. The carriage 33 can be guided along a linearly extending rail 43, which is arranged in an outer surface of the bottom wall of the guide track 12.

The Kraftumlenkmechanismus 31 has on each side of the guide track on a guide track 26 in which a guide member 29 is guided. Via the guide elements 29 that are movably mounted in the guide tracks 26, the rear parts of the levers 36, 38, which have the actuating sections 32, 34, are coupled to the struts 41. The levers facing the ends of the struts 41 may be received between two plate-shaped protruding from the rear ends of the lever in the direction of the guide rail 12 protruding.

The guide tracks 26 each have a preferably parallel to the guide track 12 extending release track 27 and a transverse thereto and branching off barrier track 28. When the two actuating portions 32, 34 are actuated with a substantially identical compressive force X, the guide elements 29 guided in the guide tracks 26 each press with substantially equal force against the radially outer edge of the guide tracks 26, so that the guide elements 29 move during the movement of the guide elements Operating portions 32, 34 are guided towards each other along the along the guideway 12 extending release tracks 27. The release tracks 27 are so long in the axial direction that the guide elements 29 reach their end at the earliest when the levers are pivoted so far inwards that the clamping bodies are arranged in the release position.

The release position is particularly clear in the FIGS. 8 to 11 The actuating sections 32, 34 are moved toward one another and the levers are pivoted far inwards so that the guide elements 29 abut against the front ends of the release tracks 27. At the same time the carriage 33 and thus also the clamping body 14, 16 are moved far to the right in the guide direction F. The clamping body 14, 16 are arranged in the release portions 24 of the guide grooves 20, 22, where they are far away from each other and the guideway 12 release. The open guideway, which is ready for insertion of the cable element 100, is particularly evident in FIG Fig. 11 shown, which shows the clamping device 10 in the release position from below.

When only one of the operating portions 32 is subjected to a pressing force X, the guide member 29 on the opposite side of the guide track 12 is not pressed against the outer edge of the guide track 26. Rather, the guide element 29, which is assigned to the non-actuated actuating portion 34, runs in the radially inwardly branching off and in the axial direction shorter locking track 28 a. The guide member 29 strikes already at the end of the locking track 27, when the levers 36, 38 are not fully pivoted inwards. At this time, the carriage 33 has not yet moved completely to the right and the clamping body 14, 16 narrow the clear width of the guideway yet. This blocking position is in the FIGS. 12 to 15 shown. By this locking mechanism is prevented that only one-sided or a strong asymmetric operation offset the clamping device in the release position.

In the FIGS. 6 and 8th is particularly clearly shown that the guideway 12 is formed in the form of a profile open on one side 50. About the open profile side 52, the cable element 100 can be inserted into the guideway 12 when the clamping device 100 is in the release position. In contrast, the open profile side 52 is covered in the clamping position of two plate-like cover elements 54, 55 which overlap at least partially (see Fig. 6 ). The cover elements 54, 55 are coupled to the clamping body 14, 16 so that they move together with them in the release direction and at the same time radially outward or counter to the release direction and at the same time radially inward. The Cover elements may alternatively bar-shaped, rod-shaped o. The like. Be formed, provided that they close the open profile side 52 of the guideway 12 so far in the unactuated state that guided in the guideway rope element 100 can not get over the open profile side of the guideway 12.

According to the invention causes an actuation of the two actuating portions 32, 34 so not only a movement of the clamping body in the guideway in a release position, but also a movement of the cover members 54, 55 in a release position in which they release the open profile side 52 of the guideway. Conversely, the biasing member 18 urges not only the clamp body 14, 16 in the clamping position in the unactuated state, but also the cover members 54, 55 in a closed position in which they cover the open profile side of the guideway and prevent falling of the clamping device of the cable element 100.

The simultaneous movement of the cover elements 54, 55 and the clamping body 14, 16 is effected in that the cover elements and the clamping body are respectively arranged on holding parts 35 which surround the side walls 37 of the guideway 12 and each between two laterally projecting abutment surfaces 45 of the carriage 33 are arranged so that they follow a movement of the carriage 33 in and against the guide direction F, while their movement is released transversely to the guide direction (see. Figures 5 and 10 ), so that they can follow the course of the side walls 37 and the guide grooves 20, 22 in the radial direction. The clamping bodies 14, 16 may extend from the cover plate of the holding elements 35 through the guide track 12, while at the lower ends of the clamping bodies 14, 16 the cover elements 54, 55 may be fastened. A side wall of the holding parts 35 may extend along an outer side of the side wall 37 of the guideway 12, so that the side wall 37 of the guideway 12 is received between the side wall of the holding part 35 and the clamping body 14, 16.

With the described clamping device according to the invention, a person can secure himself to a cable element by performing the following steps: Inserting the cable element 100 into the guide track 12 after adjusting the clamping body in the release position by actuation of the actuating portions, adjusting the clamping body in the clamping position by letting go of the operating sections, guiding the cable element along the guideway. The clamping device can be pulled against the guide direction along a cable element, while the cable element is clamped when pulled in the opposite direction between the clamping body.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 10 clamping device
• 12 guideway
• 14 first clamp body
• 16 second clamping body
• 18 biasing element
• 20 first guide groove
• 22 second guide groove
• 23 clamping sections
• 24 release sections
• 26 guide tracks
• 27 release tracks
• 28 locking tracks
• 29 guide elements
• 30 actuating mechanism
• 31 force deflection mechanism
• 32 first operating section
• 33 sleds
• 34 second operating section
• 35 holding parts
• 36 first lever
• 37 side wall of the guideway
• 38 second lever
• 39 axis of rotation
• 41 struts
• 43 Rail for guiding the carriage
• 45 contact surfaces of the carriage
• 50 C-shaped profile
• 52 open profile page
• 54 first cover element
• 55 second cover element
• 60 recording device
• 70 protective cover
• 100 rope element
• F guiding direction
• M middle of the guideway
• X pressure forces

Claims (16)

Clamping device (10), comprising: a guideway (12) extending along a guiding direction (F) for guiding a rope element (100) through the clamping device, at least one clamping body (14, 16) movably mounted in the guide track (12) for clamping the cable element (100) in the guide track when it is pulled against the guide direction (F) by the guide track (12), at least one biasing element (18), by the biasing force of the clamping body (14, 16) is urged from a release position into a clamping position in which it narrows the guideway (12) more than in the release position, marked by an operating mechanism (30) for adjusting the clamp body (14, 16) from the clamping position to the release position with two operating portions (32, 34) movable towards each other for actuating the operating mechanism by pressing force (X). Clamping device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating sections (32, 34) are each parts of a lever (36, 38), wherein the two levers (36, 38) preferably have axes of rotation (39) extending transversely, in particular approximately perpendicularly to the guide direction ) are pivotable. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two levers (36, 38) are arranged substantially symmetrically about the guide track (12), and in each case at a front end the axis of rotation (39) and at a rear end the actuating section (32, 34). exhibit. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two in the guide track (12) movably mounted clamping body (14, 16), between which the cable element (100) can be clamped in the clamping position, and each closer in the clamping position in the middle (M ) of the guideway (12) are arranged as in the release position. Clamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping bodies (14, 16) each in a along the guide direction (F) extending guide groove (20, 22) are guided, wherein the guide grooves (20, 22) starting from a clamping portion (23) in which the clamping body (14, 16) are guided in the clamping position, to a release portion (24) extend, in which the clamping body are guided in the release position, wherein the two release portions are further spaced from each other than the two clamping portions. Clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that an angle (α) between the clamping portions (23) of the guide grooves and the guide direction (F) is in each case smaller than 30 °, preferably smaller than 10 °, while an angle (β) between the Release portions (24) of the guide grooves and the guide direction (F) is greater than 30 °, preferably greater than 60 °. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating mechanism (30) at a pressure force on only one of the two actuating portions and / or by differing pressure forces (X) on the two actuating portions (32, 34) adjustable into a blocking position is, in which a movement of the two operating portions is blocked to each other. Clamping device according to claim 7, characterized by two guide tracks (26) each having a release track (27) extending substantially along the guide track (12) into which guided guide elements (29) run when being adjusted to the release position, and each branching off one of them Barrier track (28), where in the Locking position at least one guide element in one of the locking tracks (28) is arranged. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating mechanism (30) comprises a Kraftumlenkmechanismus (31) acting on the two actuating portions (32, 34) when actuated transversely to the guide direction (F) compressive force (X) such on a carriage (33) transmits that the carriage (33) with the clamping body (14, 16) coupled thereto in the guide direction (F) is movable. Clamping device according to claim 9, characterized by two of the carriage (33) along the guide direction (F) guided and in each case a side wall (37) of the guide track (12) embracing holding parts (35) each having at least one clamping body (14, 16). Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide track has a (12) unilaterally open profile such as a U-shaped or a C-shaped profile (50) for inserting the cable element (100) in the guide track (12) over the having open profile side (52). Clamping device according to claim 11, characterized by at least one cover element (54, 55) for at least partially closing the open profile side (52) in the clamping position and for releasing the open profile side (52) in the release position. Clamping device according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one cover element (54, 55) is directly or indirectly coupled to the clamping body (14, 16) and is movable together with this by actuation of the two actuating portions (32, 34) Clamping device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by two preferably each in the form of a plate formed cover elements (54, 55), of which each cover element is attached to a clamping body (14, 16), and preferably overlap each other in the clamping position at least partially. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping body (14, 16) of a body selected from the group consisting of spherical clamping bodies, cylindrical clamping bodies, cuboid clamping bodies, pyramidal clamping bodies, polygonal clamping bodies and roller-shaped clamping bodies is selected. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a holding device (60) for a tether, preferably in the form of a passage opening.

Images