GB2289498A

GB2289498A - Clamping device for clamping flax

Info

Publication number: GB2289498A
Application number: GB9509998A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Didier Douchy; Marcel Denoo
Original assignee: JACQUES EN ERIC DOUCHY NAAMLOZ
Current assignee: JACQUES EN ERIC DOUCHY NAAMLOZ
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-05-17
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-17
Also published as: ITTO950118V0; GB9509998D0; GB2289498B; FR2720081A1; ITTO950118U1; IT235862Y1; BE1008383A5; FR2720081B3

Abstract

Clamping device for clamping flax, containing a base plate (7) and a pressure plate (8) in between which the flax can be clamped and locking means (9) which make it possible to press the above-mentioned plates (7) and (9) tightly together, characterized in that the locking means (9) contain a lock (26) on both ends of the pressure plate (8) which is freely hinge-mounted around a pivot (25), whereby this lock has a hook (29) at the bottom and a lever arm (30) at the top which is placed between a stop (35) and an elastic element (34) which functions as a spring, whereas the base plate (7) is provided on two ends with a coupling element (27) over which the above-mentioned hook (29) of a lock (26) hooks in the closed position of the clamping device. An actuator (17) moves the pressure plate (8) and actuators (37) can unlock the hooks (29). <IMAGE>

Description

Clamsing devlce for clamplng flax.

The present invention concerns a clamping device for clamping flax which contains a base plate and a pressure plate in between which the flax can be clamped and locking means which make it possible to press the abovementioned plates tightly together.

As is known, the flax is subjected to a number of successive treatments after the harvest.

One of these treatments consists in what is called the hackling of the flax which is clamped to this aim between two plates which allow for the flax to be guided along a comb so as to comb it and disentangle the flax fibres.

A clamping device of the above-mentioned type is described in FR-A-462.508. In this clamping device stands a tongue on both ends of the base plate which is provided with an opening in which fits a lock which mounted on the pressure plate in a sliding manner. When the clamping device is in closed position, the locks stick in the openings, whereby they can protrude outside the clamping device, which is inconvenient. The distance between the base plate and the pressure plate depends on the amount of flax put between the plates. The good working order of the clamping device can be impeded by dust.

A clamping device is known from FR-A-452.675 whereby the base plate is provided with standing hooks on its ends, whereas two levers are mounted on the pressure plate which, in closed position of the clamping device, can be put or maintained in a position by moveable elements in which they work in conjunction with the hooks on the base plate to keep the clamping device in closed position.

Dust can easily disturb the good working order of this clamping device.

Also, the present invention concerns a clamping device for clamping flax which is relevant to the abovementioned and other disadvantages of the known clamping devices and which is very reliable and has an excellent capacity for flax.

To this end, in a clamping device for clamping flax the locking means on both ends of the pressure plate contain a lock which is freely hinge-mounted around a pivot, whereby this lock has a hook at the bottom and a lever arm at the top which is placed between a stop and an elastic element which functions as a spring, whereas the base plate is provided on two ends with a coupling element over which the above-mentioned hook of a lock hooks in the closed position of the clamping device.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiment of a clamping device according to the invention for clamping flax is described, as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a device for hackling flaw whereby use is made of a clamping device according to the invention; figure 2 shows a section according to line II-II in figure 1; figures 3 to 7 show views similar to those in figure 2, but for other positions of the clamping device; figures 8 and 9 show sections according to line VIII-VIII and IX-IX respectively in figure 4.

As is schematically represented in figure 1, a device for hackling flax consists for example of a horizontal conveyor belt 1 onto which are fixed several clamping devices 2 according to the invention, at preferably equal distances among themselves, whereby these clamping devices 2 have as an aim to fasten and move flax fibres 3, in particular along a comb device 4 which is schematically represented by a comb 5 in figure 1 and in relation to a station 6 which makes it possible to successively close, respectively open the clamping devices 2.

The device according to figure 1 is meant to schematically represent a hackle device. As is known, such a hackle device will in reality be mainly composed of two hackle fields placed next to one another, in other words two vertically placed endless belts with pins upon them, whereby clamping devices 2 according to the invention can be successively led between these hackle fields placed next to one another in order to hackle the flax.

A clamping device 2 for fastening an amount of flax fibres 3 mainly consists of two plates 7-8 which can be brought towards one another in the station 6, removed from one another respectively, and which are provided with locking means 9.

As is represented in the figures 1 to 7, the plates 7-8 are preferably made rectangular and they are each placed horizontally on top of one another in this embodiment.

For clarity's sake, we will always refer to a base plate 7 and a pressure plate 8 hereafter.

Every base plate 7 can work in conjunction with a solid frame 10 which is provided with an actual support 11 under the conveyor belt 1.

The base plates 7 are each provided, at their top sides 12, with a number of unevennesses 13 in the shape of bulges, in particular a number of rods 7 welded parallel on the base plate 7.

The above-mentioned pressure plate 8 is provided on its lower side 14 with a layer of elastic material 15 such as natural or synthetic rubber, foam rubber or such, for example cellular polymer polyurethane or in other words also a foam rubber with a closed cellular structure, whereby the thickness of the layer 15 is preferably larger than or equal to the height of the unevennesses 13 on the base plate 7.

Naturally, the layer of elastic material 15 can be provided on the base plate 7 according to a variant, whereby the unevennesses 13 are provided on the pressure plate 8 in this case.

According to yet another embodiment, a layer of elastic material 15 could be provided both on the base plate 7 and on the pressure plate 8, whereby of course no unevennesses 13 are provided in this case.

The above-mentioned station 6 mainly consists of a pressure cylinder 16 which is fixed above the pressure plate 8 on the frame 10, whereby this pressure cylinder 16 can press the pressure plate 8 with much force against the base plate 7 by means of a piston rod 17.

At the end of the piston rod 17 is provided a U-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 upon which are fixed vertical supporting plates 19-20, for example by means of welding.

On the top side of the pressure plate 8 is fixed a Ushaped profile 21, for example also by means of welding, which forms a reinforcement for the pressure plate 8 and upon which the supporting plates 19-20 can act.

The above-mentioned locking means 9 consist of two mechanisms 22-23 which are situated at the far ends of the pressure plate 8, whereby each mechanism 22-23 consists of a support 24 in which is fixed a pivot 25 upon which is provided a lock 26 in a freely swinging manner.

The locks 26 can either cooperate with coupling elements 27 provided at the ends of the base plate 7 when the locking device 2 is in closed position as represented in figure 4, or they can lie against a stop 28 fixed on the base plate 7 as represented in figure 3.

Each lock 26 has a hook 29 at the bottom and is provided with a lever arm 30 at the top which has a protrusion 31.

As represented in figure 9, the support 24 consists of two parallel walls 32-33 which are connected to the pressure plate 8 and in which the above-mentioned horizontal pivot 25 is provided.

Between these walls 32-33 is provided an elastic element 34, for example made of rubber, designed to exert a permanent pressure force against the lock 26 concerned, one and other such that the lever arm of this lock is always pushed towards a stop 35, whereby this stop 35 consists of a pin which is also provided between the above-mentioned walls 32-33.

Above the protrusion 31 of each lock 26 is provided a pressure cylinder 36 with a piston rod 37 which is fixed on a supporting plate 19, 20 respectively.

Further, the station 6 is also provided with means 38 which make it possible to move the pressure plate 8 upwards.

These means 38 mainly consist of an, in this case doubleacting pressure cylinder 39 fixed on the cross-sectional profile 18, with piston rods 40-41 which go through the supporting plates 19, 20 respectively.

Every piston rod 40-41 is provided at its free end 42-43 with an L-shaped element 44-45 which can cooperate with a pin 46 which is also fixed between the above-mentioned walls 32-33 of the support 24.

It is clear that a clamping device is obtained in this way whereby the base plate 7 and the pressure plate 8 always remain parallel to one another, so that a very regular fastening of the flax is obtained and whereby said flax is always fastened symmetrically between the plates, which is important when the flax goes between vertical so-called hackle fields.

The working of a device as described above is very simple and as follows, whereby in the following description, in view of the simplicity of the drawings, no flax is provided in the clamping device 2 which is situated under the station 6.

As represented in figure 1, there is a clamping device according to the invention in opened position in the station 6, whereas the other clamping devices are in closed position.

The aim hereby is to place the flax 3 in the opened clamping device 2.

In this position, the piston rod 17 is in its highest position and means 38 make sure that the L-shaped elements 44-45 act under the pins 46, as a result of which the pressure plate 8 together with the bolts 26 are maintained in a topmost position, as represented in the figures 1 and 2.

After the flax 3 has been partly provided on the plate 7, the pressure cylinder 16 will be activated, as a result of which the pressure cylinder 8 is moved downward.

The flax 3 is hereby clamped under high pressure between the plates 7 and 8, whereby the cooperation between the layer of elastic material 15 on the pressure plate 8 and the unevennesses 13 on the base plate 7 makes sure that the flax 3 is firmly clamped, so that a very effective resistance is obtained against relative shifts between the flax 3 and the clamping device 2.

During the downward movement of the pressure plate 8, the lower parts of the locks 26 will at a given moment make contact with the stops 28 on the base plate 7, whereby the lower end of the locks 26 ends up on the coupling elements 27 and whereby the elastic material 34 makes sure that the locks 26 remain in this position, so that, without any extra pressure of the piston rod 17, the device remains in this open intermediate position (see figure 3). This so-called open intermediate position is mainly designed to draw the flax through after it has been hackled on one side, so as to be able to hackle the other end on the one hand, and so as to be able to the hackle the part of the flax which was initially clamped between the plates 7-8 on the other hand. Moreover, this open intermediate position is designed to finally remove the entirely hackled flax from the clamp 2.

When the piston rod 17 is pushed further out, due to the bevels at the free lower ends of the hooks 29, the latter will be pushed out over the elements 27, against the action of the resilient materials 34, until they reach a position where the hooks 29 grasp over the coupling elements 27, as represented in figure 4.

In this condition, the flax 3 is situated under high pressure between the base plate 7 and the pressure plate 8, a condition which is maintained as long as the flax is hackled or combed.

Subsequently, as represented in figure 6, the piston rods 40-41 are drawn in, so that the L-shaped elements 44-45 are released from the pins 46, one and other such that, because the piston rod 17 is drawn in, the plates 19-20 with the parts fixed upon it are released from the clamping device 2, as represented in figure 7.

The thus closed clamping device 2 can subsequently be moved via the conveyor belt 1 to the comb device 4.

When the flax is combed and the clamping device 2 is again put under the station 6, the piston rod 17 will be pushed out again, so that the supporting plates 19-20 again make contact with the top side of the pressure plate 8, after which the piston rods 40 and 41 are pushed out, such that the L-shaped elements again engage under the pins 46, after which the piston rods 37 are pushed out, with as a consequence that the locks 26 will be tilted such that the hooks 29 are released from the elements 27, as represented in figure 5.

As the supporting plates 19-20 are moved downward, the pressure plate 8 will be pushed somewhat further down in order to reduce the friction between the elements 27 and the hooks 29 of the locks 26, one and other such that the locks 26 can be opened, by means of the cylinders 36, with a relatively small force.

Subsequently, the drawing in again of the piston rod 17 has for a result that the pressure plate 8 is moved upward with the locks 26, as represented in figure 2, which makes it possible to put new flax to be hackled in the clamping device after the hackled flax has been removed.

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described as an example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a clamping device according to the invention can be made in various forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims.

1. Clamping device for clamping flax, containing a base plate (7) and a pressure plate (8) in between which the flax can be clamped and locking means (9) which make it possible to press the above-mentioned plates (7) and (8) tightly together, characterized in that the locking means (9) contain a lock (26) on both ends of the pressure plate (8) which is freely hinge-mounted around a pivot (25), whereby this lock has a hook (29) at the bottom and a lever arm (30) at the top which is placed between a stop (35) and an elastic element (34) which functions as a spring, whereas the base plate (7) is provided on two ends with a coupling element (27) over which the abovementioned hook (29) of a lock (26) hooks in the closed position of the-clamping device.

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (27) is situated in the path of the hook (29) of a lock (26) during the closing and in that the pressure plate (8) can be placed with the hooks (29) on the coupling elements (27) in an intermediate position situated between the open and the closed position.

3. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that on both ends of the base plate (7) is provided a stop (28) against which lies the hook (29) of a lock (26) in the above-mentioned intermediate position of the clamping device.

4. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plates consisting of the base plate (7) and the pressure plate (8) is provided on its side turned towards the other plate with unevennesses (13).

5. Clamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that the unevennesses (13) consist of rods.

6. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plates consisting of the base plate (7), and at the side turned towards the other plate, is provided with a layer of elastic material (15).

7. Clamping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the layer of elastic material (15) consists of foam rubber with a closed cellular structure.

8. Clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that the layer of elastic material (15) is a cellular polymer polyurethane.

9. Clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a device to open, respectively close the above-mentioned base plate (7) and pressure plate (8) which contains a pressure cylinder (16) whose piston rod (17) can act on the pressure plate (8) by means of supporting plates (19) and (20).

10. Clamping device according to claim 9, characterized in that on each supporting plate (19) and (20) is fixed a pressure cylinder (36) whose piston rod (37) is positioned such that it can act on the top end, in particular the protrusion (31) of a lock (26).

11. Clamping device according to claim 9, characterized in that a pressure cylinder (38) is connected to the supporting plates (19-20), via a cross-sectional profile (18), whose piston rods (40) and (41) have L-shaped elements (44-45) at their free ends (42-43) which can cooperate with pins (46) provided on the pressure plate (8).

12. Clamping device for clamping flax, substantially as herein described with reference to, or with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.