FR2718362A1 - Removable grip device for an artificial climbing wall. - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable gripping device comprises a body 12 of circular section, adjustable in rotation inside an opening 14 made in a panel 16 of the wall. The body 12 has a shoulder 24 having a first bearing surface 26 cooperating with a flange 28 of the panel 16, and a second positioning surface 30 located at the periphery of the anterior face 18. The fixing of the body 12 is provided by two assembly tabs 34, 36, 38 each comprising a retaining lug 40 intended to engage in a notch 32 made in the second surface 30, so as to exert, in the locked position, a pressure force on the shoulder 24 without the screw 42 passing through the clamping zone arranged between the first bearing surface 26 and the flange 28. This results in rapid adjustment of the angular position of the socket. Application: Artificial climbing walls.

Description

-1

  REMOVABLE GRIP DEVICE FOR A WALL

CLIMBING ARTIFICIAL.

  The invention relates to a removable gripping device for an artificial climbing wall comprising: - a body of cylindrical section and adjustable in rotation inside an opening of conjugate shape made in a wall panel, - gripping means distributed over the front face of the body, - and fixing means capable of occupying a locked position and an unlocked position respectively to lock and unlock the body in a predetermined angular position. According to a known grip device described in document FR-A 2580183, the removable grip is constituted by a circular piece engaged in axial sliding and rotation inside a hole in the wall. The part is immobilized at the desired depth and orientation by means of a screw having a central actuation head, and an opposite end cooperating with an expandable ring compressed by a tightening nut. The central positioning of the actuation head hinders the implementation of the sculpture of the sockets

  grip on the front side of the part.

  Certain other known circular sockets with central fixing are either devoid of any means for blocking the rotation of the body inside the orifice of the wall, or equipped with an auxiliary stop member mounted eccentrically on the rear face of the body to immobilize the socket

  in rotation after tightening the screw.

  Another disadvantage of a circular socket for a thin panel wall often requires the prior installation in the opening of a metal base for the reception and support of the socket. Each socket is assigned a specific base, having a diameter and a depth of predetermined values. The use of such a base for each socket complicates the architecture of the wall

  and increases the cost of installation.

  Document FR-A 2627988 by the applicant discloses a fixing system for thin walls in which the installation of the assembly screws requires the presence of several holes at the periphery of each circular socket, and the passage of the screws to through the clamping area on the edge of the panel. The manufacture of such a socket is complicated, and its adjustment in rotation is only possible after a complete unscrewing of the screws. The socket is completely released during the angular adjustment operation, which becomes delicate in certain areas of the wall, in particular in

the overhanging parts.

  The object of the invention is to improve the fixing and the angular adjustment system of a

  removable circular socket for a climbing wall.

  The gripping device according to the invention is characterized in that the body comprises a shoulder having a first bearing surface cooperating with a flange of the panel, and a second positioning surface located at the periphery of the front face, and that the fixing means are housed in at least one opening in the panel to exert, in the locked position, a pressure force on the second positioning surface, without passing through the clamping zone arranged between the

  first bearing surface and the rim.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the second positioning surface is discontinuous by comprising a succession of radial notches cooperating with the fixing means, said notches being distributed at angular intervals

  regular at the periphery of the body.

  Each fixing means comprises an assembly tab, disposed on the side of the front face of the panel, and being composed of: - a retaining lug intended to engage in a notch when the body is in a predetermined angular position , - and a fixing screw passing through said orifice to cooperate with a nut located on the face

back of the panel.

  It is particularly advantageous to equip the second positioning surface with visualization marks to facilitate the setting operations of the taps, and to reduce the total intervention time on a complete track according to

the difficulty sought.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the body comprises means for unlocking the first bearing surface allowing axial displacement in limited translation, and the projection of the front face when actuating the means for fixing the locked position to the unlocked position. The body is captive during its rotational movement towards the chosen angular position. It is also possible to use a second continuous positioning surface to allow the body to be locked in one position

any angle.

  According to another embodiment, each fixing means is formed by a screw having an anchoring head coming directly into engagement with the second positioning surface in said

locked position.

  Rolling means, in particular ball or roller means can be arranged between the rim and the first bearing surface to reduce the frictional forces during the adjustment in rotation of the body after loosening the fixing means towards the

unlocked position.

  According to another embodiment, the release of the socket can take place by means of an actuator

  electric, in particular an electromagnet.

  Other advantages and features will emerge

  of the following description of different

  embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an elevational view of the plug device according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows a sectional view along line 2- 2 of Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a partial sectional view of another type of screw fixing; - Figure 4 is an identical view to Figure 3 of an alternative embodiment; - Figures 5 to 8 show sectional views of another method of attachment equipped with different types of rolling members; - Figure 9 shows a view identical to Figure 4 of a fixing device controlled by an electromagnet, the latter being shown in the inactive position of blocking the socket; - Figure 10 is an identical view to Figure 9 in the active position of the corresponding electromagnet

when the plug is released.

  Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a gripping device 10 for an artificial climbing wall, is formed by a body 12 of cylindrical section capable of being inserted into an opening 14 of conjugate shape formed in the wall. The plug 10 is manufactured by a molding operation of a predetermined material, in particular based on cement or

synthetic resin.

  The climbing wall consists of a panel 16 with a flat surface made of rigid material, in particular concrete or wood, having a lower thickness.

  at the depth of the body 12 of the socket 10.

  The front face 18 of the body 12 is substantially in the plane of the visible external surface of the panel 16 when the socket 10 is

embedded in the opening 14.

  The first central part of the front face 18 is provided with gripping means 22 formed by

  hollow or relief molded sculptures.

  The body 12 of the gripping device 10 is equipped with a shoulder 24 having a first frustoconical bearing surface 26 abutting against a flange 28 of conjugate shape. The rim 28 is arranged in the panel 16 coaxially around

opening 14.

  The shoulder 24 has a second positioning surface 30 located, visibly, on the periphery of the front face 18, and comprising a succession of radial notches 32 cooperating with the fixing means 34, 36. The notches 32 are distributed with regular angular offsets around the second positioning surface 30 to allow adjustment

  angle of the gripping device 10.

  The fixing means 34, 36 are identical, and are two in number, diametrically opposite,

  according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

  Each fixing means 34, 36 comprises an assembly tab 38 having a retaining lug 40 intended to engage in a notch 32 in a predetermined angular position of the body 12. The assembly tab 38 is associated with a screw. fixing 42 passing through an orifice 44 of the panel 16 for

cooperate with a nut 46.

  The orifice 44 is spaced radially from the rim 28, and the tightening action of the screw 42 presses the lug 40 against the shoulder 24 to ensure the blocking of the first bearing surface 26

frustoconical against the rim 28.

  The depth of the notches 32 is constant along the second positioning surface 30, and corresponds substantially to the thickness of the retaining lug 40. The other part of the assembly tab 38 is housed with a slight play in a rectangular groove 47 arranged in the panel 16 to the right of

orifice 44.

  The screw 42 is advantageously provided with a countersunk head 48 embedded in a hole of conjugate shape of the tab 38. The embedding of the fixing means 34, 36 in the grooves 46 and corresponding notches 32, avoids any protruding part. The fixing screw 42 of each assembly tab 38 does not pass through the tightening zone defined by the first bearing surface 26 of the shoulder 24 on

the rim 28.

  The manual adjustment of the gripping device 10 in a predetermined angular position takes place after a loosening action of the screw 42 of each assembly tab 38 to reveal sufficient axial play between the second positioning surface 30 of the shoulder 24 and the retaining lug. The presence of this play allows a first translational movement of the body 12 towards the front, ensuring the unlocking of the first bearing surface 26, followed by a second movement in limited rotation inside the opening 14 up to 'to one

  predetermined angular position.

  Then simply tighten the screws 42 to immobilize the gripping device 10 in the selected position. This adjustment operation is quick and the nut 46 remains permanently engaged with the threaded part of the screw 42, which makes the body 12 captive. Any fall of the gripping device 10, or of the fixing means 34, 36 can thus be avoided during the adjustment in rotation. Visualization marks (not shown) can be affixed on the bottom of the different

  notches 32 to facilitate the adjustment operation.

  It is then possible for each type of grip 10 to define and record a full range of climbing routes depending on the difficulty sought. The visualization marks can be constituted by figures or indices of

all kinds, with or without color.

  According to a variant (not shown), the periphery of the gripping device 10 is devoid of positioning notches 32. The retaining lug 40 is then slightly projecting from the front face 18. This arrangement allows adjustment in continuous rotation, the socket 10 being able to be blocked.

  in any angular position.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two other embodiments using other fixing means that do not require any assembly tab 38. The role of blocking the gripping device 10 is provided by the

fixing screw head.

  In FIG. 3, the orifice 44 of the panel 16 is traversed by a screw 50 having a domed head 52 partially bearing on the second positioning surface 30 of the shoulder 24. The end of the shoulder 24 is located flush with the threaded rod of the screw 50. Such mounting of the screw 50 in the peripheral interface allows the use of

standard cylindrical sockets.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the orifice 44 serves for the passage of a screw 54, the countersunk head 56 of which lies in the plane of the front face 18 of the socket 10. The frustoconical bearing surface of the head 56 comes directly into engagement with a conjugate oblique face of the shoulder 24 to block the body 12 inside the opening 14 in a

  predetermined angular position.

  In the two fixing modes of Figures 3 and 4, the end of the screw 50, 54 opposite the head 54, 56 cooperates with a nut 56 and interposition

a washer 58.

  The outlet adjustment system according to the figures

  3 and 4 is similar to that described above.

  The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 make use of auxiliary rolling means 60 making it possible to reduce the frictional forces during

  adjustment in rotation of the gripping device 10.

  In FIG. 5, the rolling means 60 comprise a ring of oblique rollers 62 cooperating with the first frustoconical bearing surface 26 of the shoulder 24. The ring of rollers 62 is secured to the rim 28 of the panel 16. With reference to FIG. 6, the rollers 64 extend in an axial interval between two respective parallel faces of the shoulder 24 and of the flange 28. In FIG. 7, the rollers 64 are replaced by a ball bearing 66 having a

  annular cage located in the axial gap 68.

  According to FIG. 8, the rolling means 60 comprise a ball bearing 70 situated in a radial gap 72 between two parallel faces

  respective of panel 16 and body 12.

  The reaction of the rolling members 60 after the loosening action of the screws 42 requires a moderate actuating force to rotate the body 12 towards the chosen angular position. Tightening the screws 42 at the end of the adjustment causes the roller bearings 62, 64 or the ball bearings 66, 70 to lock to immobilize the body 12 in

translation and rotation.

  According to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, a control electromagnet 74 is used to

  ensure the release of the plug device 10.

  The electromagnet 74 has a fixed magnetic circuit 76 in the shape of a U, and a movable frame 78, made of ferromagnetic material, to which an operating rod 80 is secured. Opposite the armature 78, the rod 80 is equipped with a retaining head 82 intended to cooperate with the shoulder 24 of the body 12. An excitation coil 84 is wound on the magnetic circuit 76, and is electrically connected

  to a current source 86 via an electric switch 88. The switch 88 can

  be controlled by a simple push button or by a bistable control mechanism. A return spring biases the armature 78 towards a separated inactive position, in which the retaining head

  blocks the body 12 in the opening of the panel 16.

  The excitation of the coil 84 occurs after the closing of the switch 88, and causes the attraction of the armature 78 to an active position pressing against the pole faces of the magnetic circuit 76. The simultaneous displacement of the rod 80 causes the projecting head of

  retainer 82 for unlocking the socket 10.

  It is then possible by manual action to rotate the body 12 in another angular position. To re-lock socket 10 in this new position, simply open the switch

  88 to interrupt the supply of the coil 84.

  The armature 78 is brought back by the action of the return spring 90 to the inactive position apart, and the retaining head 82 automatically returns to bear on the shoulder 24 to immobilize the body 12 in

locked position.

  The electromagnet 74 can be replaced by any other

  electric actuator for releasing the rod 80.

Claims (10)

  1. Removable gripping device for an artificial climbing wall, comprising: - a body (12) of cylindrical section and adjustable in rotation inside an opening (14) of conjugate shape made in a panel 16 of the wall , - gripping means (22) distributed over the front face (18) of the body (12), - and fixing means (34, 36) capable of occupying a locked position and an unlocked position respectively for locking and unlocking the body (12) in a predetermined angular position, characterized in that the body (12) has a shoulder (24) having a first bearing surface (26) cooperating with a flange (28) of the panel (16), and a second positioning surface (30) located on the periphery of the front face (18), and that the fixing means (34, 36) are housed in at least one orifice (44) of the panel (16) to exert, in the locked position, a pressure force on the second posi surface actuation (30), without crossing the clamping zone arranged between the first bearing surface (26) and the flange (28).   2. A gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second positioning surface (30) is discontinuous by comprising a succession of radial notches (32) cooperating with the fixing means (34, 36), said notches being distributed at angular intervals   regular at the periphery of the body (12).   3. A gripping device according to claim 2, characterized in that each fixing means (34, 36) comprises an assembly tab (38), disposed on the side of the front face of the panel (16), and being composed: - a retaining lug (40) intended to engage in a notch (32) when the body (12) is in a predetermined angular position, - and a fixing screw (42) passing through said orifice ( 44) to cooperate with a nut (46) located   on the rear face of the panel (16).   4. Gripping device according to claim 3, characterized in that the depth of each notch (32) corresponds substantially to the thickness of the retaining lug (40), and that the other part of the assembly tab (38) is integrated into a groove (47) conjugated with the front face of the panel (16).   5. A gripping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second positioning surface (30) is equipped with display marks adapted to the angular adjustment of the body (12) in the opening (14).   6. A gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (12) comprises means for unlocking the first bearing surface (26) allowing an axial withdrawal movement in limited translation after actuation of the means of fixing (34,36) from the locked position to the unlocked position.   7. A gripping device according to claim i or 6, characterized in that the second positioning surface (30) is continuous to allow adjustment of the body (12) in any angular position. 8. A gripping device according to claim 2 or 7, characterized in that each fixing means (34, 36) is formed by a screw (50, 54) having a head (52, 56) for anchoring coming directly into engagement with the second positioning surface (30) in said locked position. 9. Gripping device according to one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that   rolling means (60), in particular ball (66,70) or roller (62, 64) are arranged between the flange (28) and the first bearing surface (26) to reduce the frictional forces during the adjustment in rotation of the body (12) after an action of loosening the fixing means (34, 36) towards the unlocked position.   10. Device according to one of the   claims i to 9, characterized in that each   fixing means (34, 36) comprises an operating rod (80) secured to a movable armature (78) of an electromagnet (74), which comprises: - a fixed magnetic circuit (76) associated with a coil ( 84) electrically connected to a current source (86) by means of a switch (88), the excitation of the coil (84) causing the attraction of the armature (78) to an active position, corresponding when the rod (80) passes to the unlocked position, - and a return spring (90) urging the armature (78) to an inactive position after the supply of the coil (84) is interrupted, causing the return automatic rod (80) to the locked position.