FR2761951A1 - Wire circlip - Google Patents

Abstract

The wire circlip (1) comprises tensioner with a head (6) able to freely rotate on the lug (3) of a screw (2) for holding the wire at the crossing point of the strands surrounding the object to be tightened. A nut (4) has a cavity (5) which clamps and holds one end of a pre-shaped collar. When the screw is rotated it moves the nut relative to the head along an axis identical to that of the wire free branch.

Description

 The present invention is in the field of strapping and ligating systems.

It uses a strapping device based on metallic wires formed in a loop, and mainly comprises an apparatus for tensioning said metallic loop. The tension is adjusted with precision and intensity by means of a screw jack, resting on the object to be tied at the point of intersection of the branches of wire binding the objects, and pulling on the strands free of wire in the axis of the screw.

 In the current situation, the tube strapping devices comprise on the one hand the clamps in the form of perforated metal bands, the tension of which is ensured by an endless screwdriver with the screwdriver until the desired tightening. On the other hand, strapping devices based on metal wires are already known and use for their tightening either a screw on which the turns of the wire are wound (Patent FR 1 543 373), or a tensioning device to spring base (Patent FR 2 166 595).

 This last patent describes necklaces made of metallic wire lined so as to present a loop, then formed in a noose by passing through the loop the free ends of the metallic wire. The wire is then stretched and folded to secure it.

 These devices do not allow fine adjustment of the tension exerted on the metal wire, and the reproducibility of the tension obtained during the life of the tensor or from one device to another is random, in that it depends directly on the spring stiffness coefficient, which can vary from one device to another, and which changes significantly with the aging of the spring. Finally, they are of relatively large size related to the tension force of the spring, depending on its size.

 The present invention therefore intends to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new device for tensioning a metal wire strapping collar, the tension of which is ensured by a screw jack.

 According to a second object of the invention, the size of the system is reduced compared to the known prior devices.

 The great simplicity of manufacturing and mounting the device constitutes a third object of the invention, thus allowing savings on the mounting of the systems.

 The device object of the present invention is therefore an object ligation system by strand of wire surrounding the set of objects to be tied, characterized in that it comprises a first means for holding the wire, at the point of intersection of the strands surrounding the objects to be tied, applied against the group of objects to be tied, a second means for gripping the free ends of the wire, and a screw whose rotation causes a movement of separation of the gripping means relative to the first means of maintenance along an axis substantially identical to that of the free branch of the wire.

 It is understood that thanks to this arrangement, the tightening of the screw will allow both precise adjustment and intense tensioning of the wire to be tied, in accordance with the aims of the invention.

 According to a preferred implementation, the device is characterized in that the strand of wire is formed in a noose at one end, surrounding the set of objects to be tied up, in that the first means of holding the wire is applied to the end of said wire which forms a noose against the group of objects to be tied, and in that the second means for gripping the wire is made integral with said wire at a point in the free branch of the wire allowing the tightening of the noose.

 It is clear that then by pulling on the free end of the wire, one will cause the tightening of the slip knot, according to the force desired by the adjustment of the traction screw, then that it will suffice to fix the wire in the stretched position at the point of the noose.

 The description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting, allows a better understanding of the advantages, aims and characteristics of the invention.

 Figure 1 shows all the elements of the mini-tensor device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 details a top view.

 FIG. 3 shows the wire retaining nut in front view, as well as the arrangement of the wire intended to form a collar, and its placement in the mini-tensor.

 Figure 4 shows a variant of mini-tensioner with knurled screw, as well as the possible models of collar head.

FIG. 5 represents a ligator according to another variant,
FIG. 6 shows the shape of the wire in a use of this ligator for a double collar.

 Figure 7 shows the shape of the wire for use as a simple necklace.

 FIG. 8 describes yet another variant of the device according to the invention, for the production of simple collars.

 Figure 9 shows the shape of the wire for this collar case.

 FIG. 10, finally, illustrates the shape of the ligature wire, once this is completed, for the variants with two loops or a single loop.

 As shown in a preferred arrangement in FIG. 1, the mini-tensor constitutes a collar-tensor system assembly allowing the fitting of a collar, the tensor system possibly being consumable, and discarded at the end of the operation. This set consists of the following elements. First, a welded collar (1) preformed into typically metallic rigid wire (steel, stainless steel), the crimpable part of which has been annealed. A conventional wire with a diameter of 1.2 mm is possible for this use. This wire will constitute the final ligature intended to remain in place on the part to be ligated. In its initial form, it consists approximately of two loops, one of which has passed through the other, as can be seen in FIG. 3, so as to create a slip knot suitable for allowing the tensioning of the wire.

 The device then comprises a tensioning system comprising a metal screw of known type (2), the end of which is machined to present a stud (3), said screw being intended to ensure the tensioning of the collar to ensure a resistant ligature. This screw can be made of steel, length 40 to 45 mm for a core diameter of 5 mm and have a hexagonal screwing head suitable for both screwing and tightening with a flat wrench. According to a preferred embodiment presented in FIG. 1, the screw (2) will have a head (9) provided with a screwing handle of known type, such as a butterfly wrench. This variant eliminates any need for an external tool for tightening the wire.

 On the screw is mounted a nut (4) having a crimpable recess (5) trapping one end of the preformed collar (7). This nut cooperates in the tensioning of the wire. It also allows the collar to be held during the tilting of the tool ensuring the crimping which fixes the binding in the desired tension position. This nut is made of metal from a parallelepiped plate formed by conventional methods, and includes both a tapped hole of diameter suitable for the passage of the screw and a "W" recess partially surrounding this tapped hole, for example 2 mm deep and 1.5 mm wide. The crimping of the metal wire can be carried out by any known means. By way of nonlimiting example, a subjection to the nut can be carried out by soldering with tin .

 Finally, a head (6) able to rotate freely on the stud (3) of the screw (2) completes the device. It is held in place on the screw by a small stud at the end of the screw intended to be matted to cause blocking of the head, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. This bizarre head comes to adapt to the other end of the collar (8) and allows the device to rotate around the end (8) of the collar during the final fixing of the ligature. This element can be made of brass and have an approximately triangular profile, with for example a length of 15 mm for a thickness at the point of passage of the wire of 2 mm and screw side of 5 mm.

 Depending on the type of ligature to be made, devices of the same type can be produced by simply modifying the scale factor, the diameter of the wire and that of the tightening screw to be adapted to the force which must be exerted on the wire after Tightening.

 FIG. 3 shows the preferred form of recess of the nut (4), the flat "V" arrangement of which facilitates gripping the wire and keeping it in the recess. Furthermore, this arrangement offers the main advantage of positioning the axis of the screw in the plane formed by the two force recovery wires and therefore of reducing the tension force on the axis of the screw, thus avoiding any transverse force applied to the screw. It is possible to use the device with wire not preformed in a loop, with the fitting of a device for fixing the two ends of the wire on the nut after they have passed through a wire guide formed in said nut.

 An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 4. It allows work on a simple collar (1) whose slip knot can be performed in any conventional way, such as twisted loop, loop welded or formed by forging, as seen in Figure 4 below. We recognize in the tool according to this implementation a wire tensioning screw (2), a knurled nut (4) whose movement generates the wire tension (1), and a head (6) of hardened steel for example, resting on the part to be tied. This specific implementation includes a particular device for gripping the wire. The wire (1) passes inside the tool, and the body (11) of the gripping system. A helical spring (14) pushes against the wire two half-keys (13) conical on the outside, and striated on the inner face to ensure friction against the wire allowing its traction. A plug (12) welded to the body (11) of the gripping system keeps the device in place. It is understood that here again, by the action of the knurled nut, the longitudinal displacement of the wire is caused and therefore the clamping of the collar by traction. A helical return spring (10) allows the gripper body to be returned to the lower position before mounting another collar. The adaptation of this tool to a motorized source of rotation at the level of the knurled nut (4) is clearly achievable, thus making it possible to use an external source of torque, for cases of significant required traction, for example for wires. large diameter.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. This device, still based on the adjustment of the tension by screw, firstly comprises a body (21) for example made of metal, of long shape adapted to allow:
the passage on the one hand of a tension adjusting screw (27), which may possibly include a knurled head (28);
on the other hand the passage of a pin (29A, 29B, 29C) supported on one end of the ligature wire;
finally gripping means (25) of the free ends of the wire to cooperate in exerting this tension.

In the arrangement presented here, the body (21) has a length of 90 mm for a variable section depending on the position along the tool. It has at its end located towards the tension adjustment screw a tapped hole (22) allowing the passage of said screw (27). In the middle part, and as can be seen in section B, the body is formed on two sides (30) simply transmitting the mechanical clamping forces. In part (23) located towards the element to be ligated, the body has a section conforming to the section
A, essentially rectangular, with a rectangular recess (24) allowing the passage of a pin (29A, 29B, 29C), as well as the location of two gripping corners (25), with a spring for holding these corners in position, and fixing points of plates (26), for example metallic, holding the corners and the springs.

 The pins (29A, 29B, 29C) are made of metal (for example stainless steel of conventional type). In our example, they are approximately 100 mm long. Their section is for example rectangular, of dimensions adapted to pass through the recess in the body at the level of section A (23). The three pins have an identical rear part allowing contact and transmission of the thrust exerted by the screw. The front part of the first pin (29A) is of approximately rectangular shape having a recess adapted to the passage of the ligature wire. The function of this first spindle is to tension and crimp double collars. The passage of the wire to be tied is possibly arranged in a very flat "V" shape to facilitate centering of said wire, when the latter is preformed into a "V \ / 'on the spindle. The second pin (29B) is of essentially similar shape that of the first pin, but its function is simply to preform the double collar into "W".

The third pin (29C) is suitable for tensioning and crimping simple collars. It consists of two quarter circles separated by a square recess, which can have a side dimension equal to 4 times the diameter of the wire to be tied. The function of this recess is to facilitate the location of the crimp. A recess corresponding to the passage of the wire to be tied is made in the two quarter circles to ensure the positioning and guiding of the wire. These pins are interchangeable in the ligator.

 FIG. 6 shows the shape of the wire in the case of a double collar, once preformed, for example by the use of the second pin (29B). FIG. 7 shows the shape of the wire in the case of a simple collar, before tensioning and crimping.

 FIG. 8 describes yet another alternative embodiment of a ligator for a single loop collar, characterized by a different arrangement of the ligating wire, which surrounds the tool. The tensioning is again carried out by the action of the knurled screw, and the fixing of the collar in this state of tension is ensured by the use of an auxiliary gripping tool, of the conventional type known to those skilled in the art , not completely shown here, but whose function is to ensure a twist maintaining the wire before cutting it. FIG. 9 clearly shows the arrangement of the wire for this type of tool, said wire preferably being preformed in a welded loop.

The implementation of the device according to the variant with two metal loops using a mini-tensor is very simple and is carried out as follows. First, the user passes the collar made of annealed metal wire, typically 1.2 mm in diameter, in a double loop around the part to be tied. Then the head of the minitensor is placed in abutment on the end of the external loop, the other end of the wire (internal loop) remaining integral with a recess made in the nut of the minitensor. The latter is then tensioned by actuating the screw by the use of a conventional screwdriver. When the tightening tension is sufficient in the specific application considered, the cylinder + tensioned wire assembly is moved approximately 1800 around the wire segment taken in the cylinder head, so that the strands of wire thus bent freeze the metal loops in the chosen tension position. The cylinder is then removed by simply cutting the strands of wire located between the cylinder head and the nut. The ends of the wire secured to the piece to be strapped are finally put against the crimping to avoid
risk of injury to users. Depending on the implementations, the jack can be
reusable with other metal strands, or disposable and supplied to the user as an element integral with the wire strand already formed in a loop.

 In the variant of the device comprising a simple collar and a central passage of the wire in the tool, the procedure is very simple and consists simply in surrounding the object to be tied up in a thread knot, then in inserting the wire in the tool and actuate the knurled nut until the thread tension is satisfactory. The tool is then tilted 1800 above its noose point, so as to create a crimp, then is cut and folded along the tied piece.

 FIG. 10 shows the state of the wire after binding in the variants with one or two loops of wire, in accordance with the embodiment which has just been described.

 In a variant of the device using a three-pronged ligator, it is possible either to make simple collars, or to make double collars. The operating modes are as follows.

 For a double collar, the first phase consists in preforming a double collar.

To do this we use the pin (3B). The aim is to bend a metallic wire typically 1.2 mm in diameter in an approximately "W" shape so that it adapts to the spindle (3A). For this purpose, the wire is cut to a length adapted to the ligature to be produced, then is folded symmetrically, the two branches are then engaged in the prehensive head of the ligator. This ligator is then put under tension, then the base of the "U" is matted to give it the desired shape of "\ / \ / '.

 The second phase of the use is very close to the use of the mini-tensor, namely the surrounding of the piece to be tied taking care to pass the two ends of the wire inside the "W ', then the gripping of these two ends in the head of the ligator, tension on demand using the knurled screw, tilting the ligator 180 ", cutting the metal wires, and matting the metal wires against crimping.

 The installation of a simple collar using the same ligaturer requires the following stages: cutting of a metal wire to the necessary length, engagement of an end in the prehensive head, folding of the wire to marry the free head of the spindle (3C) and of the object then engagement of the second end in the prehensive head, tensioning on demand, pivoting of the ligator, sectioning of the wires and masting according to the mode already described above.

 In the variant of the device according to FIG. 8, intended for the production of simple collars, the implementation comprises the following steps: surrounding the part or group of parts to be tied up by the preformed wire in a loop; then passage of the wire traction zone in the recess of the tool; then tightening the knurled screw until the desired tensile force on the wire is obtained; then take the tool head in an auxiliary tool such as conventional pliers and twist to create a crimping of the wire. the wire is then cut flush with the twist thus created, and folded over the assembly to be tied to avoid injury.

 It should be noted that in the description, the gripping means (4) consists of parts made rough at the level of the wire to be gripped, and includes means adapted to ensure that the wire remains pressed against these parts.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, but on the contrary extends to improvements and modifications within the reach of ordinary skill in the art. It is clear, for example, that the mini-tensor device can be made reusable by letting the user pass a metal loop through the recess (5) by itself and thus remains in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. Likewise,
The adaptation to a non-disposable tool of a wire reservoir of appropriate size is in accordance with the spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

 1. System for ligating an object by strand of wire surrounding the set of objects to be ligated, characterized in that it comprises a first means (6) for holding the wire, at the point of crossing of the strands surrounding the objects to be tie, applied against the group of objects to be tied, a second means (4) for gripping the free ends of the wire, and a screw (2) whose rotation causes a movement of separation of the grip means (4) relative to the first means (6) for holding along an axis substantially identical to that of the free branch of the wire.  2. Object ligature system according to claim 1, characterized in that the strand of wire is formed in a noose at one end, surrounding the set of objects to be ligated, in that the first means (6) of holding the wire is applied to the end (8) of said wire which forms a noose against the group of objects to be tied, and in that the second means (4) for gripping the wire is made integral with said wire at a point ( 7) of the free branch of the wire allowing the tightening of the slip knot.  3. Device according to the first claim, characterized in that the thread tensioning screw is provided with a knurled head or an operating key allowing it to be tightened manually by the user.  4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (4) for gripping the wire is produced in the form of a mobile device along the screw (2) for clamping and the movement of which is slaved to that of said screw.  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the gripping means (4) is produced in the form of a tensioning nut mounted on the clamping screw and comprising a recess allowing the passage of the ligature wire.  6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping screw is provided with a stud allowing the maintenance on an axis of a bearing head on the wire at the ligature.  7. Device according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the nut has a recess intended for the passage of the wire substantially in the form of '1 / "perpendicular to the plane formed by the two strands of the ligature wire arriving at said nut, allowing the centering of the tension forces in the axis of the screw.  8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a ligature wire preformed in a loop and welded, made integral with the mini-tensor at the nut (4) for tensioning.  9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gripping means (4) consists of parts made rough at the level of the wire to be gripped, and in that it comprises means adapted to ensure the holding the wire against these parts.  10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the bearing head on the wire at the ligature is produced in the form of an interchangeable pin, slaved along a longitudinal axis to the ligator, and adapted to the ligature of single or double collars.