FR2784086A1 - Self locking gripper for handling sheet metal coils has yoke with crossed pivoted arms mounted on spaced pivots - Google Patents

Abstract

The self locking gripper for handling sheet metal coils has a support yoke (4) with a suspension spigot (10) and two curved gripper arms (2,3), the free ends of which contact the sides of the metal coil. At least one of the arms is pivoted to the yoke and the arms cross between their pivot points for self locking.

Description

The present invention relates to a device

  self-gripping gripper for handling loads.

  Self-tightening gripper devices are already known which use the weight of the load to be maneuvered in order to tighten it. These devices are for the most part in the form of a clamp comprising at least two arms articulated to each other, one of the ends of each of which is secured to a lifting means while the other is intended to come laterally into contact with

the load to be seized.

  These devices have the main disadvantage of not being easy to handle for their

  set up on the load to be seized.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback by proposing a gripper device of simple design, the handling of which for placing it on the load to be grasped can be carried out with one hand. The gripper device which is the subject of the present invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises a support having a means of attachment to a lifting means, and to which are secured two bent arms whose free ends are intended to come into abutment the sides of the load to be handled, at least one of said arms being mounted in free pivoting by one of

its ends on said support.

  According to an additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the two arms are mounted in free pivoting on the support by one of their ends on separate pivots, and so that they intersect. According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the two arms are linked in

displacement.

  The two arms are articulated on the support by one of their ends each on a pivot, and they cross at the level of the median region of said support, one of said arms having a lug engaged in a lumen

  oblong in the other arm.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, it is equipped with a means

  allowing the arms to be spread with one hand.

  According to a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention at least one of the arms is provided with a lever which extends outwards near its elbow, while the other arm is provided with a lever which extends in its extension on the side of its end

  pivoting substantially parallel to the other lever and

  above it, the approximation of said levers

  allowing the spacing of said arms.

  According to another particular embodiment of the device according to the invention at least one of the arms, pivotally mounted, comprises a lever making it possible, by a thrust directed upwards on said lever, to spread

said arms.

  According to another particular embodiment of the device according to the invention at least one of the arms, mounted pivotally, comprises, at its pivoting end, a lever whose free end extends beyond the other arm, and which allows, by a push directed downwards on

  said lever, to cause the separation of said arms.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, it comprises a means for locking the arms when the latter are in the position of

tightening of the load to be handled.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the locking means comprises means capable of coming, by tilting, to bear against the arms when the device is lifted, said tilting being controlled by a movement of the hooking means, which is movable by sliding in the direction

lifting.

  The advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the

  description which follows and which relates to the appended drawing,

  which represents several non-limiting embodiments. In the accompanying drawing: - Figure 1 shows a schematic elevational view of a first embodiment of the device

gripper according to the invention.

  - Figure 2 shows a partial schematic view in elevation of a second embodiment of the

same device.

  - Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention equipped with a maneuvering means. - Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the same device equipped with a maneuvering means

different design.

  - Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, shown in Figure 1, and equipped with a maneuvering means. - Figures 6 and 7 show partial schematic elevational views of a device according to the invention equipped with a locking means, in two

different positions.

  Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that in a first embodiment, the gripper device according to the invention comprises a support 1 of substantially triangular shape, having upper means 10 for hooking to a lifting means , not shown,

  and below two bent arms 2 and 3.

  The arm 2 is fixedly secured to the support 1, its free end portion 20 extends on the side opposite to the means, parallel to the median axis XX 'of the support 1 passing

by means 10.

  The support 1 comprises a pivot 11 on which the arm 3 is articulated by gravity, which can move

  in a plane parallel to that containing the arm 2.

  Each of the arms 2 and 3 is provided at its free end, on the internal side, with a gripping element, respectively 21 and 31, substantially in the shape of a finger which can be with a pointed or flat end. Of course, other forms of the gripping elements 21 and 31 are

achievable.

  FIG. 1 also shows a mass M intended to be manipulated by the gripper device. In practice, the gripper device is placed above the mass M, the gripping element 21 of the arm 2 is brought into contact, laterally, with the mass M while the arm 3, previously held apart, is released from so that its gripping element 31 comes into contact with the mass M, on the side opposite to that against which

  the gripping element 21 is applied.

  When lifting the gripper device, the arm 3 locks onto the mass M which can thus be

lift and manipulated.

  The gripper device according to the invention is easy to handle, it can only be held for one

  single hand by one of the arms 2 and 3 for example.

  Note that the pivot 11 can occupy different positions on the support 1 relative to the axis XX ', depending on the width of the mass M and the location of the center of gravity thereof. The position which provides the best grip is that which is represented, namely at the junction of the arm 2 and the support 1, and more precisely in a region situated on the side of the fixed arm 2, beyond the axis XX 'which goes through the

  center of gravity of the gripper device.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that in a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises a support 4 also having a means 40 for hooking to a lifting means, and on which are articulated by two bent arms 5 and 6,

  by means of pivots 41 and 42 respectively.

  The arms 5 and 6 are bent substantially in the shape of an L, they thus each each have a straight part, respectively 50 and 60, the end of which is crossed by the pivot, respectively 41 and 42, and a straight part, respectively 51 and 61 , making a substantially right angle with the other, and the free end of which comprises a gripping element,

52 and 62 respectively.

  The rectilinear parts 50 and 60 of the arms, respectively 5 and 6, intersect at the level of the median axis YY 'of the support, and each intersects the pivot axis of

  the other, which requires a special construction.

  Thus the support 4 consists of two parallel flanges 43, only one of which is shown, connected to one another and

  each carrying one of the pivots 41 and 42.

  On the other hand, the arms 5 and 6 are linked to each other by means of a lug 53 projecting laterally from the straight part 50 of the arm 5 in the region of crossing of the latter with the rectilinear part of the arm 6, and engaged in an oblong lumen 63

  practiced in the latter in the longitudinal direction.

  The arms 5 and 6 are thus linked in movement, the pivoting of one causing the pivoting of the other, and

symmetrically.

  In practice, the gripper device is brought above the mass M to be handled, the arms 5 and 6 are separated and placed on either side of the mass M, then released, the lifting of the gripper device ensuring the locking of arms 5 and 6 on mass M under the weight

of it.

  This gripper device, like the first embodiment, is easy to use, it can be handled with one hand by holding it by one of the arms 5 and 6, however, as can be seen on Figures 3, 4 and 5, the gripper device according to

  the invention can be equipped with a maneuvering means.

  Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the arms 5 and 6 are each provided with a lever, respectively 54 and 64, constituted by an extension projecting upwards from the rectilinear part, respectively and 60. A push H directed upwards, exerted on one of the levers 54 or 64, or simultaneously on both

  allows the spacing of arms 5 and 6.

  It should be noted that the gripper device may have only one lever 54 or 64, and also that the attachment of the lever (s), 54 and / or 64, may be carried out in another location than at the level of the swiveling straight part, 50, 60, the configuration

  shown corresponding to that of less bulk.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that, according to a variant, the rectilinear parts 50 and 60 of the arms, respectively 5 and 6, each have, at their pivoting end, a lever, respectively 55 and, which extends substantially in the extension of the rectilinear part and the free end of which extends beyond the other arm. Under the effect of a downward push B exerted on one or the other of the levers 55 and 65 with one hand, the arms 5 and 6 move apart to allow the

gripping a load.

  It will be noted that a thrust exerted simultaneously on the two levers 54 and 64, or 55 and 65, allows

to balance efforts.

  It will also be noted that the operating means represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be used on a gripping device according to the first embodiment with a single mobile arm, the latter

  comprising the operating lever.

  It will also be noted that the gripper device

  may have only one lever 55 or 65.

  If we now refer to FIG. 5, we can see the first embodiment of the device according to the invention is provided with an operating means which consists of two levers 22 and 32, integral with the arms, respectively 2 and 3. The lever 22 extends perpendicular to the end portion 20 of the arm 2 near the elbow thereof, while the lever 32 in

  the extension of arm 3 at the pivoting end thereof

  ci, and substantially parallel to the lever 22. By bringing the levers 22 and 32 together, the spacing is caused

arms 5 and 6.

  It will be noted that this operating means can also equip a device according to the invention, manufactured according to the second embodiment, where the two arms are pivoting. In addition, for security reasons, it may be necessary to lock the position of the arms 5 and 6 when they have gripped the mass M, so the gripper device according to the invention may include a locking means such as that shown in Figures 6 and 7. The attachment means 40, which consists of a ring, is integral with a rod 44 slidably mounted, in a limited manner, along the axis YY, between the two flanges 43, of which only one is shown, and recalled towards the arms 5 and 6 by means of a spring 45. On the other hand, the rod 44 has at its end opposite to that secured to the ring 40, two stops 46 which are extend

laterally.

  On the other hand, each of the flanges 43 includes a pivot 47 disposed above the pivot 41, or 42, and on which is pivotally mounted a part 48, including the two end parts, which extend on either side. other of the pivot axis, are capable of coming into contact for one of a stop 46, and for the other of the part 50 of the arm 5 or of the part 60 of the arm 6 depending on the part 48 considered. As can be seen in Figure 6, when lifting the gripper by pulling on the ring 40, the arms 5 and 6 pivot by gravity and close on the mass, not shown, and the rod 44 slides by compressing the spring 45, while the stops 46 pivot the parts 48 which block the arms 5 and 6. The release is performed when the traction stops on the ring 40, that is to say when the load is no longer lifted and it rests on a support, the spring 45 pushes the rod 44 so that the stops 46 no longer constrain the parts 48 which can pivot and thus

free arms 5 and 6.

  Note that the device according to the invention equipped with a locking means as shown in Figures 6 and 7, can be provided with a maneuvering means

  such as those shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Claims (8)

  1) Self-gripping gripper device for handling loads, characterized in that it comprises a support (1; 4) having a means of attachment (10; 40) to a lifting means, and to which two are secured bent arms (2, 3; 5, 6) whose free ends are intended to come into abutment against the sides of the load (M) to be handled, at least one of said arms (2, 3; 5, 6) being mounted in free pivoting by one of its ends on said support (1; 4).   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two arms (5, 6) are mounted in free pivoting on the support (4) by one of their ends on separate pivots (41, 42), and way that they cross.   3) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the support (4) comprises two parallel flanges connected to one another and each carrying one of the arms. 4) Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the two arms (5, 6) are linked on the move.   ) Device according to claims 4,   characterized in that one of the arms (5, 6) comprises, at the level of the crossing zone of these, a finger (53) engaged in an oblong opening (63) formed in the other arm. 6) Device according to any one of   claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a   means for locking the arms (5, 6) when they are   in the clamping position of the load (M) to be handled.   7) Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means comprises means (48) able to come, by tilting, bear against the arms (5, 6) when the device is lifted, said tilting being controlled by a displacement of the attachment means (40, 44), which is movable in sliding in the direction of lifting.   8) Device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that it comprises   a maneuvering means (54, 64; 55; 65; 22, 32) allowing, with one hand, to spread the arms (2, 3; 5,   6) to position them on the load (M) to be handled.   9) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the arms (5, 6) is provided with a lever (22, 32) which extends outwards near its elbow, while the the other arm is provided with a lever (22, 32) which extends in its extension on the side of its pivoting end substantially parallel to and above the other lever, the bringing together of said levers (22, 32) allowing the spacing of said arms (5, 6). ) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the arms (5, 6), mounted pivotally, comprises a lever (54, 64) allowing, by a thrust directed upwards on said lever (54 , 64), to separate said arms (5, 6).   11) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the arms (5, 6), pivotally mounted, comprises, at its pivoting end, a lever (55, 65) whose free end s' extends beyond the other arm, and which allows, by a push directed downwards on said lever (55, 65), to cause the spacing of said arms (5, 6).