EP3381860B1 - Lifting ring for handling moulds - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the handling of molds, for the manufacture of parts by injection of plastic or Zamac and more generally to the handling of loads.

It also relates to improvements made in this area.

The molds are widely used in industry: they allow the production of molded plastic parts (shields, dashboards ...) in large series: They are mounted in installations which ensure the injection of material into the mold.

Such molds must sometimes be replaced by other molds. Their handling is specific and regulated: indeed, the weight and size of such molds make it difficult to move.

To allow the handling of such molds, installations have been invented implementing bridges on which move mobile equipment to which the molds are connected via lifting sling systems. To attach the lifting slings to the mold to be moved, the mold is fitted with several lifting rings at different places in the mold. Once the rings fixed to the mold and the slings fixed to the rings, the lifting and the movement of the mold are controlled by means of mobile equipment.

The invention relates in particular to lifting rings.

Known lifting rings comprise a stirrup forming a hooking loop defining a passage for receiving a lifting member and a screw fixing member, to which the stirrup is connected, as well as a temporary locking tool for linking in rotation. 'caliper and the fixing member and, in an unlocked position, allow movement of the stirrup relative to said fixing member.

We know the document WO 2015022368 such a lifting ring. It has the following particularity: the temporary locking tool blocks the passage defined in the hanging loop so that, when the lifting ring is not used, it is not possible to insert a lifting such as a hook, shackle or the like. This avoids any risk of using the lifting ring for lifting a load on which it is fixed as long as the movement of the stirrup, relative to the fixing member, is not authorized.

The patent application EP 0 654 611 also describes a lifting ring which comprises means for connecting the stirrup in rotation to the fixing member temporarily. These means remain linked to the stirrup. A drawback of such a solution is that the rotational connection between the stirrup and the fixing member can be kept if care is not taken to release the connecting means. As a result, there is a risk of handling loads unintentionally, with the consequences that this may have for the safety of the load and the personnel.

A drawback of the aforementioned lifting rings is also linked to the fact that the lifting ring remains protruding above the surface of the load in the unlocked position: it encumbers a certain space which can be inconvenient.

The invention aims to overcome this drawback while offering a technical solution which avoids using tools to screw the fixing member onto the load (or the mold).

• un étrier formant une boucle d'accrochage définissant un passage pour recevoir un organe de levage,
• un organe de fixation à vis, auquel est raccordé l'étrier, l'organe de fixation présentant un premier axe et l'étrier étant monté mobile par rapport à l'organe de fixation,
• et un outil de verrouillage temporaire pour, dans une position verrouillée, lier en rotation l'étrier et l'organe de fixation et, dans une position déverrouillée, autoriser un mouvement de l'étrier par rapport audit organe de fixation.

Conformément à l'invention, l'outil de verrouillage temporaire comporte :

• ∘ au moins un élément saillant vers l'intérieur de l'étrier, au voisinage du passage, suivant une direction perpendiculaire audit premier axe,
• ∘ et au moins un logement ménagé dans une tête que comporte ledit organe de fixation, ledit logement étant apte à accueillir ledit au moins un élément saillant.

De plus, l'étrier est monté pivotant sur ledit organe de fixation autour d'un second axe qui est perpendiculaire audit premier axe. Enfin, l'étrier est monté mobile en translation par rapport au dit organe de fixation suivant une direction parallèle audit premier axe, pour permettre l'insertion dudit au moins un élément saillant dans ledit logement d'accueil en position verrouillée et le dégagement dudit au moins un élément saillant dudit logement d'accueil en position déverrouillée.To this end, it offers a lifting ring for handling a mold, comprising:

• a stirrup forming a hooking loop defining a passage for receiving a lifting member,
• a screw fixing member, to which the stirrup is connected, the fixing member having a first axis and the stirrup being mounted movable relative to the fixing member,
• and a temporary locking tool for, in a locked position, to rotate the stirrup and the fixing member and, in an unlocked position, to allow movement of the stirrup relative to said fixing member.

According to the invention, the temporary locking tool comprises:

• ∘ at least one element projecting towards the inside of the stirrup, in the vicinity of the passage, in a direction perpendicular to said first axis,
• ∘ and at least one housing formed in a head that comprises said fixing member, said housing being capable of accommodating said at least one projecting element.

In addition, the stirrup is pivotally mounted on said fixing member about a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis. Finally, the stirrup is mounted movable in translation relative to said fixing member in a direction parallel to said first axis, to allow the insertion of said at least one projecting element in said reception housing in the locked position and the disengagement of said au at least one protruding element of said reception housing in the unlocked position.

Thus produced, the stirrup is authorized to pivot around an axis parallel to the surface of the mold on which the fixing member is screwed, which allows the lifting ring to lie down and not be bulky. In addition, the temporary locking tool, comprising at least one projecting element inside the stirrup near the passage, can easily be released or engaged in the housing provided in the fixing member, to engage with the fixing member and ensuring a locking of the position of the stirrup relative to the fixing member, making them integral in rotation. In this way, the stirrup serves as a tool for screwing the fixing member.

• ledit outil de verrouillage temporaire peut comporter un plot saillant en forme de tige,
• ledit outil de verrouillage temporaire peut comporter deux plots saillants internes à la boucle formée par l'étrier qui s'alignent suivant une direction perpendiculaire audit premier axe et en ce que la tête d'organe de fixation comporte deux logements d'accueil, chacun des logements d'accueil étant conçu pour recevoir un plot,
• ledit au moins un élément saillant peut être réalisé en une seule pièce avec l'étrier,
• ledit au moins un élément saillant peut être réalisé indépendamment de l'étrier et il est rapporté sur l'étrier,
• l'organe de fixation peut comporter deux bras symétriques saillants radialement de ladite tête, diamétralement opposés et l'étrier peut comporter deux ouvertures oblongues traversantes réalisées aux extrémités de l'étrier, chacune des extrémités de l'étrier étant emmanchée autour d'un bras passant à travers une ouverture traversante,
• l'étrier peut présenter une forme de U sensiblement arrondie,
• l'étrier peut présenter une forme géométrique qui comporte des tronçons droits adjacents les uns des autres.

The invention may also include the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

• said temporary locking tool may include a protruding stud in the form of a rod,
• said temporary locking tool may comprise two salient studs internal to the loop formed by the stirrup which align in a direction perpendicular to said first axis and in that the fastener head comprises two receiving housings, each of reception accommodation being designed to receive a stud,
• said at least one projecting element can be produced in one piece with the stirrup,
• said at least one projecting element can be produced independently of the stirrup and it is attached to the stirrup,
• the fixing member may comprise two symmetrical arms projecting radially from said head, diametrically opposite and the stirrup may comprise two oblong through openings made at the ends of the stirrup, each end of the stirrup being fitted around an arm passing through a through opening,
• the stirrup may have a substantially rounded U shape,
• the stirrup can have a geometric shape which includes straight sections adjacent to each other.

• La figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un anneau de levage conforme à l'invention montrant l'étrier de l'anneau de levage en position engagée ;
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté de l'anneau de levage de la figure 1 montrant l'étrier de l'anneau de levage en position dégagée ;
• La figure 3 est une vue de côté de l'étrier seul ;
• La figure 4 est une coupe suivant le plan IV-IV de la figure 3 illustrant l'étrier seul ;
• Et la figure 5 est une vue de dessus de l'organe de fixation seul.

To be able to be carried out, the invention is set out in a sufficiently clear and complete manner in the following description which is, in addition, accompanied by drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a side view of a lifting ring according to the invention showing the stirrup of the lifting ring in the engaged position;
• The figure 2 is a side view of the lifting ring of the figure 1 showing the stirrup of the lifting ring in the released position;
• The figure 3 is a side view of the stirrup alone;
• The figure 4 is a section along plane IV-IV of the figure 3 illustrating the caliper alone;
• And the figure 5 is a top view of the fixing member alone.

In the following description, the terms "lower", "upper", "high", "low" etc ... are used with reference to the drawings for greater ease of understanding. They should not be understood as being limitations on the scope of the invention.

The figures, which will be described, illustrate a single embodiment. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to this single embodiment and that variations in shapes or designs could be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The lifting ring 1 according to the invention comprises in particular a stirrup 1 which is more particularly represented on the figures 3 and 4 .

The stirrup 1 of this example has a substantially rounded shape which is formed by a tube 10 bent to form a U.

The ends 11 and 12 of the stirrup 1 are substantially U-shaped oriented towards the inside of the stirrup, produced by an opening 13 of the tube 10. A through opening 14, of oblong shape, is produced in each of the ends 11 and 12. The elongated shape of the openings extends in a direction parallel to the branches 15 of the stirrup 1.

Thus produced, the stirrup 1 forms a hooking loop defining a passage 16 for receiving a lifting member (not shown): it can be a hook, a sling, etc.

According to the invention, the lifting ring comprises a screw fixing member 2: it is more particularly shown on the figures 1, 2 and 5 .

The screw fixing member 2 comprises a head 20 and a threaded fixing body 21.

The head 20 and the body 21 are each of substantially cylindrical shape and are coaxial (see first axis Z). The body 21 has a diameter smaller than that of the head 20 so that there is a shoulder 22 between the head 20 and the body 21.

The body 21 is threaded to fix the fixing member by screwing the body 21 into a tapped hole, of adequate dimensions, produced in a mold or in any other load to be handled.

The screwing is complete when the shoulder 22 abuts the surface of the mold (or of the load) to be handled.

The head 20 of the fixing member 2 also comprises two arms 23 and 24 which extend radially and symmetrically on either side of the axis Z (diametrically opposite).

Each arm 23 and 24 has a respective end 25 and 26 in which a radial groove 27 and 28 respectively has been dug (see figure 5 especially).

The radial grooves 27 and 28 are designed to receive the edge of the through opening 14, formed in the ends 11 and 12 of the stirrup so that the stirrup 1 is thus connected to the fixing member by screws 2.

It is also understood that the stirrup 1 is thus mounted movable relative to the stirrup since the ends 11 and 12 of the stirrup can pivot around the axis Z2 of the arms 23 and 24 around which they are fitted.

It will be noted that the axis Z2 of the arms 23 and 24 is perpendicular to the axis Z, the arms 23 and 24 being radial to the head 20.

• d'une position debout (montrée sur les figures 1 et 2) suivant laquelle l'étrier est orienté parallèlement à l'axe Z de l'organe de fixation 2,
• à une position couchée (non montrée sur les figures) suivant laquelle l'étrier 1 est rabattu vers la surface du moule et peu encombrante.

This pivoting of the stirrup, relative to the fixing member, allows the stirrup to pass:

• from a standing position (shown on Figures 1 and 2 ) along which the stirrup is oriented parallel to the axis Z of the fixing member 2,
• in a lying position (not shown in the figures) according to which the stirrup 1 is folded down towards the surface of the mold and takes up little space.

• une position haute (figure 2) suivant laquelle une partie inférieure 17 du bord de l'ouverture traversante 14 se trouve engagée dans le sillon 27 ou 28,
• et une position basse (figure 1) suivant laquelle une partie supérieure 18 du bord de l'ouverture traversante 14 se trouve engagée dans le sillon 27 ou 28.

In addition, the oblong shape of the through opening 14 allows vertical translation of the stirrup between:

• a high position ( figure 2 ) according to which a lower part 17 of the edge of the through opening 14 is engaged in the groove 27 or 28,
• and a low position ( figure 1 ) according to which an upper part 18 of the edge of the through opening 14 is engaged in the groove 27 or 28.

Thus produced, the lifting ring is designed so that the stirrup is mounted movable in displacement relative to the fixing member in a direction which is parallel to the axis Z of the fixing member.

According to the invention, the lifting ring comprises a temporary locking tool for the position of the stirrup 1 relative to the fixing member. This allows the stirrup to be temporarily used as a tool for screwing the fixing member 2 into the threaded hole of the mold (or of the load).

The locking tool is produced, in the context of this embodiment, by two studs 30 which are each cylinder-shaped, the axes of which are perpendicular to the axis Z of the fixing member (or perpendicular to the orientation branches 15 of the stirrup). The studs can be of square or round section.

The studs 30 are made projecting from the branches 15 of the stirrup towards the inside of the latter, so that the studs 30 are located in the vicinity of the passage 16.

More specifically, the studs 30 are provided projecting towards the inside of the stirrup 1 in the lower part of the passage 16, near the head 20 of the fixing member 2.

To ensure temporary solidarity from the position of the stirrup 1 to the position of the fixing member 2, the latter comprises two reception housings 31 (see figure 5 ).

The reception housings 31 are made by two cavities of shape complementary to the external shape of the studs 30, so that the studs 30 are inserted without play in the housings 31. The cavities are made in a top wall 29 of the head 20 of the fixing member. The top wall 29 has a domed shape.

When they are inserted into the housings 31, the studs 30 are in a locked position (see figure 1 ) which allows to link in rotation the stirrup and the fixing member 2.

When they are released from the housings 31, the studs 30 are in an unlocked position (see figure 2 ) which allows the movement of the stirrup 1 relative to the fixing member 2.

The vertical movement of the stirrup 1 (that is to say the movement in the direction of the axis Z of the fixing member) allows the engagement or disengagement of the studs of the reception housings 31.

In the context of this embodiment, the studs 30 are made in one piece with the stirrup.

It should however be understood that this could be otherwise without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the studs 30 could be produced independently of the stirrup and attached to the stirrup 1 after completion of the latter.

Reference will now be made to an embodiment of the lifting ring according to the invention.

A mold (not shown) or a load must be moved from one place to another: the first step is to fix the lifting ring on the mold.

To do this, the threaded body 21 of the fixing member is positioned at the entrance to the threaded hole of the mold designed to receive the lifting ring.

The stirrup 1 is locked in position on the fixing member 2 by orienting the stirrup 1 parallel to the axis Z of the fixing member 2, then the studs 30 of the stirrup are inserted into the housings of reception 31 of the head 20 of the fixing member 2.

The caliper is then used as a tool for screwing the body 21 of the fixing member 2 into the mold.

When the shoulder 22 abuts the surface of the mold, the lifting ring, according to the invention, is correctly screwed.

It is then possible to release the stirrup 1 by releasing the studs 30 from the reception housings 31. In this way, the stirrup can be positioned in the lying position (not shown).

One can also maintain in a vertical position the stirrup 1 while keeping the studs 30 engaged in the housings 31: in this way, one can easily pass a lifting member (not shown) in the passage 16, for example slings or a hook.

When the lifting member lifts the mold or the load, it then exerts an upward force on the stirrup 1 by pulling on it, which disengages the studs 30 from the housings 31: in this way, automatic unlocking is ensured. the stirrup relative to the fixing member when the mold (or the load) is handled. Security is thus ensured and the fixing member cannot unscrew inadvertently during handling.

We understand from the above, how the lifting ring, according to the invention, ensures the screwing of the fixing member without having to provide any special tool (thanks to the studs 30 and the housings 31) .

We also understand, from the above, how the lifting ring can adopt a space-saving shape when the stirrup is in the supine position (thanks to the possible pivoting movement of the stirrup, relative to the fixing member, around an axis perpendicular to the Z axis of the fixing member).

It should however be understood that the invention is not specifically limited to the embodiment which has just been presented: for example, the stirrup could have a completely different shape.

The stirrup could have a more geometric shape with straight adjacent sections, for example a U shape whose two branches 15 would be connected to an upper branch by forming a right angle with it.

There could also be provided a stirrup with a geometric shape comprising four adjacent straight parts, forming a V in the upper part of the stirrup, or else comprising five adjacent straight parts, or six, or seven etc.

Also, in the embodiment described and illustrated, two protruding studs have been provided: an embodiment comprising only one protruding stud could be provided. The protruding stud could be made protruding on one side of the U formed by the stirrup. It could also be formed by a cross which joins the two branches of the U of the stirrup and the reception housing could be made by a groove arranged along a diameter of the top wall 29 of the head of the fixing member 2 .

Claims (8)

1. Lifting ring for the handling of a mould comprising:

   - A bracket (1) forming a hanging loop creating a gateway (16) through which a lifting element can be passed,

   - A screw fixing element (2) to which the bracket (1) is connected, the fixing elements (2) presenting a first axis (Z) and the bracket (1) being assembled in a mobile position compared with the fixing element (2),

   - And a temporary locking tool (30, 31) to link the bracket (1) and the fixing element (2) in rotation in a locked position and, in an unlocked position, to allow the bracket (1) to move against said fixing element (2),

   Characterised in that the temporary locking tool (30, 31) comprises:

   • At least one element (30) projecting towards the inside of the bracket (1) in the region of the gateway (16) following a perpendicular direction to said first axis (Z)

   • And at least one housing (31) located inside a head (20) comprised within said fixing element (2), said housing (31) being capable of accommodating at least one projecting element (30) and

   Characterised in that the bracket (1),

   - Is pivotally mounted on said fixing element (2) around a second axis (Z2) which is perpendicular to said first axis (Z) and

   - Is mounted mobile in translation compared with said fixing element (2) in parallel to said first axis (Z) to allow the insertion of said projecting element (30) in said housing (31) in a locked position and the release of said projecting element (30) from said housing (31) in an unlocked position.
2. Lifting ring according to claim 1, characterised in that said temporary locking tool (30) comprises a projecting pin (30) in the form of a rod.
3. Lifting ring according to claim 1, characterised in that said temporary locking tool (30) comprises two internal projecting pins (30) which are aligned in a perpendicular direction to said first axis (Z) and that the head (20) of the fixing element comprises two housings (31), each housing (31) being designed for the insertion of a pin (30).
4. Lifting ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one projecting element (30) is made in one piece with the bracket (1).
5. Lifting ring according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said at least one projecting element (30) is made independently from the bracket (1) and is added to the bracket (1).
6. Lifting ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing element (2) comprises two symmetrical arms (23, 24) which project radially from said head (20) in diametrically opposing directions and in that the bracket (1) comprises two oblong transverse openings (14) created at the ends (11, 12) of the bracket (1), each end (11, 12) of the bracket (1) being fitted around an arm (23, 24) passing through an oblong transverse opening (14).
7. Lifting ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracket (1) presents a particularly rounded U shape.
8. Lifting ring according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the bracket (1) presents a geometric shape which comprises straight sections adjacent to one another.

Images