GB2610402A

GB2610402A - Locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2610402A
Application number: GB2112516.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Macken Robert; Giles Clay-Michael Matthew; Goldsworthy Steven
Original assignee: ZIP CLIP Ltd
Current assignee: ZIP CLIP Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-02
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2023-03-08
Also published as: GB202112516D0

Abstract

A locking device comprises first and second locking wedges 22, 22’ located in first and second channels 18, 18’ and biased towards a first end 14 by first and second springs 24, 24’. In use a first end (40, fig 6A) of a wire rope (38) pushes the wedge 22 towards a second end 16 thereby allowing the rope (38) to pass through channel 18. Any attempt to force wire rope (38) in the opposing direction from second end 16 to first end 14 of body 12, will force locking wedge 22 into tighter frictional fit between wire rope (38) and the interior surface of first elongate channel 18 so that the rope cannot be withdrawn. A second end (42) is passed through apertures (52) in a component (50), e.g. a panel, shuttering, mesh etc, before passing the rope (38) through the second channel 18’. Application of force to ends (40, 42) in a direction away from the first end 14 will tighten the rope around the items to be secured together and they will be held in secure engagement with one another.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a locking device for securing two items together. In particular, the present invention relates to a locking device for holding a wire extended under tension around or through two or more items to secure the two or more items together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Securing devices are well known in the art for holding one item in place relative to another. Some securing devices involve penetration of the items being secured in place, for example using a system of nuts and bolts, or a padlock-type arrangement. However, it is often desirable to secure two or more items together without incurring any damage to the items themselves. Conventional solutions to this include tying items together using ropes, cables, cable ties, metal ties or similar. Other solutions involve the provision of connectors designed to operate with the specific items to be connected. This is particularly common with respect to fittings used with prefabricated flat packed furniture and the like.

However, when securing items of significant size and/or weight, or which will be used to support other heavy structures, for example in the construction industry, it is important to be able to reliably secure items together without the securing means failing under the forces subsequently applied to them, particularly where safety of people in the immediate vicinity may be compromised should the securing means fail. Further, in such situations, it is clearly undesirable for the securing means to be readily releasable. However, it may be advantageous if the securing means can be removed again without damage, for example, where the items being secured form part of a temporary structure, such as a temporary building structure or concrete forming shuttering panels or wire mesh grid panels or the like. Once released, it is desirable that the securing means is undamaged and can be re-used.

There is therefore a need for a multi-purpose, reliable, strong locking means that can secure 25 items in place relative to one another, is not readily releasable, but which can be removed if/when required, for example to facilitate dismantling of a temporary structure and is then available for re-use, if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a locking device comprising: a a body having a first end and a second end distal to the first end, the body defining a first channel therethrough and a second channel therethrough, the first and second channels being located adjacent one another; b a first locking wedge located within the first elongate channel and provided with a first gripping surface, the first locking wedge being biased in a direction towards the first end, wherein the first gripping surface extends partially across the first elongate channel such that the width of the first elongate channel at the first locking wedge narrows in a direction towards the second end; and c. a second locking wedge located within the second elongate channel and provided with a second gripping surface, the second locking wedge being biased in a direction towards the first end, wherein the second gripping surface extends partially across the second elongate channel such that the width of the second elongate channel at the second locking wedge narrows in a direction towards the second end; wherein each of the first and second gripping wedges are slidable within the respective first and second channels between a first configuration in which the respective first and second gripping wedges are held under bias adjacent the first end, and a second configuration in which the respective first and second gipping wedges are movable under force in a direction towards the second end.

Thus, the width at specific points within each of the first and second elongate channels varies in dependence upon on the position of the first and second gripping wedges within the respective elongate channels.

In use, a cable, such as a wire rope, is passed through the elongate channels, the cable being dimensioned to allow its passage through respective elongate channels and be a snug fit between the gripping wedge and the inner wall of the channel. Thus, as one end of the cable is drawn through the elongate channel from the first end to the second end of the body, the end of the cable frictionally engages with the gripping surface of the gripping wedge. As the cable is then drawn through the elongate channel, the cable draws the gripping wedge through the elongate channel against the bias towards the second end of the body. Once the gripping wedge has moved within the channel as far as it can, the cable is then drawn past the gripping wedge. However, the gripping wedge cannot return to its original position as it is now held under friction and force within the channel between the passing cable and the inner walls of the elongate channel. This has the further consequence that the cable cannot then be withdrawn back through the channel from the second end to the first end as a portion of the gripping surface is engaged with the cable and the gripping wedge is held in place against the bias. Thus, the locking device of the present invention allows movement of a cable through each elongate channel in a single direction only.

In one embodiment, the first and second gripping wedges are independently slidable within respective first and second elongate channels. However, it is to be appreciated that the first and second gripping wedges may be connected to one another and move within the respective first and second elongate channels in tandem with one another. However, such an arrangement would require that opposing ends of the cable are inserted through respective elongate channels at the same time.

In a further embodiment, the first and second locking wedges are held under bias by respective first and second springs. However, it is to be appreciate that this is just one example of a biasing mechanism that may be used. Alternative biasing mechanisms such as, but not restricted to, resiliently deformable elements, magnetic arrangements and the like may be used in addition to, or instead of, biasing springs.

In a further embodiment, the first gripping surface is located distal to the second elongate channel and the second gripping surface is located distal to the first elongate channel. In other words, the first and second gripping wedges are arranged in the respective first and second elongate channels as mirror images of one another. This is a particularly stable arrangement as it locates the two gripping wedges centrally within the locking device. This facilitates ease of manufacture as well as contributing to the resilience of the locking device as the moveable gripping wedges are well protected from potential damage. However, it is to be appreciated that the alternative arrangement where the first gripping surface is located proximal to the second elongate channel and the second gripping surface is located proximal to the first elongate channel i.e., where the two gripping surfaces are angled towards one another, is possible and would still permit the desired functioning of the locking device.

In a further embodiment, the body is provided with first and second elongate apertures adjacent to and aligned with respective first and second channels. Such apertures link the interior of the respective elongate channel with the exterior of the body of the locking device.

In a further embodiment, the first locking wedge has a first pin mounted thereon, the first pin extending through the first elongate aperture, and the second locking wedge has a second pin mounted thereon, the second pin extending through the second elongate aperture.

Preferably, when the first and second locking wedges are held under bias towards the first 5 end, the respective first and second pins are located at the end of the respective first and second apertures proximal to the first end.

More preferably, the first and second locking wedges slide within respective first and second elongate channels in a direction from the first end to the second end, the respective first and second pins slide within the respective first and second apertures in a direction towards the 10 second end.

In one embodiment, as the first and/or second locking wedge(s) slide under force in a direction towards the second end, the respective first and/or second pin(s) slide within the aperture in a direction towards the second end.

Thus, as the gripping wedges move within the respective elongate channels, the pin attached to the gripping wedge will slide within the respective aperture. This provides one mechanism by which the movement of the gripping wedge within the respective elongate channel can be restricted. The movement of the gripping wedge under bias towards the first end of the body is restricted when the pin abuts the end of the aperture proximal to the first end. Further, the movement of the gripping wedge under force against the bias towards the second end of the body is restricted when the pin abuts the end of the aperture proximal the second end of the body. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the respective locking wedges are retained within and guided through the channel when moved under force against the bias towards the second end of the body.

The pins are located in such a manner as to retain the wedges in place after assembly.

However, it is be appreciated that, as the pins protrude from the body, they can be manually moved within the aperture to adjust the position of the wedge within the locking device channel whilst compressing the spring. It is to be noted that once the wedges are under tension i.e. engaged with the wire rope, there is no way of manually adjusting the device further. In order to reuse the pins for adjustment, the tension must first be removed.

Further, it is to be appreciated that other retention means may be used instead of, or in addition to, the pin and aperture arrangement described herein. For example, an arrangement of abutments may be provided within the channel to restrict movement of the gripping wedge within an elongate channel towards the first and second ends of the elongate channel.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a securing system comprising: i) a locking device according to a first aspect of the present invention; and ii) an elongate wire rope cable having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongate cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross-sectional diameter of the respective first and second elongate channels.

The elongate wire rope cable should be a specific diameter dimensioned correspond and interact with the wedges when forced between the smallest distance between the gripping 10 wedge and the interior walls of the elongate channel.

It is important that the elongate cable comprises an elongate wire rope cable, such as steel wire rope. The hardness of the wire rope cable is necessary to the functionality and performance of the locking device. Any material other than steel wire rope cable will compress and deform, rather than embed into the body and engage with the wedge during the locking process.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of securing a first item to an adjacent second item, the method comprising the steps of: i) providing a securing system in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention; ii) extending the first end of the elongate wire rope cable through the first elongate channel in a direction from the first end to the second end of the body; iii) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable around the first item or through an aperture in the first item; iv) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable from the first item around the second item or through an aperture in the second item; v) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable from the second item through the second channel in a direction from the first end to the second end of the body; and vi) pulling the first and second ends of the elongate wire rope cable in a direction away from the body to apply tension to the elongate wire rope cable and hold the first and second items securely in place relative to one another.

The locking device allows only one-way passage of the elongate wire rope cable through the first and second elongate channels from the first end to the second end of the body. Thus, once the elongate wire rope cable has been pulled through the first and second elongate channels, it remains in place as it cannot withdraw back through the first and second elongate channels to loosen the tension through the elongate wire rope cable. Thus, once in place, the locking device provides a reliable and secure means of holding the first and second items together.

In one embodiment, the first item may be released from the second item by cutting the loop of elongate wire rope cable extending from the first side of the body. Although the locking device cannot be released for re-use without damaging the elongate wire rope cable, it can be desirable to remove the locking device where the items being secured to one another relate to temporary structure. After the elongate wire rope cable has been cut and the locking device released, the two portions of cut elongate wire rope cable can simply be drawn through the respective elongate channels in a direction towards the second end of the body. Once the elongate wire rope cable has been fully withdrawn from the respective elongate channels, the elongate wire rope cable is no longer applying a force to the gripping wedge, and the gripping wedge will return under bias to a position proximal to the first end of the body with the pin abutting the end of the aperture closest to the first end of the body. If desired, the locking device may then be re-used together with fresh elongate wire rope cable as previously described.

Items secured in place relative to one another using the locking device may comprise temporary building structures or concrete forming shuttering panels or stabilisation wire mesh grid panels. Alternatively, the locking device may be used to reliably secure items of a more permanent nature, as the locking device is strong and durable enough for use over a longer-term.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective partially cut-away view of an embodiment of a locking device in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away front view of the locking device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the locking device of figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the locking device of figure 1; Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the locking device of figure 1; Figures 6A and 63 are partial cross-sectional views of the locking device of figure 1 showing the wire cable being introduced into one of the elongate channels and the gripping wedge in the fully biased position; Figures 7A and 73 are partial cross-sectional views of the locking device of figures 6A and 6B showing the wire cable passing through one of the elongate channels and the gripping wedge moving through the elongate channel against the bias; Figures 8A and 83 are partial cross-sectional views of the locking device of figures 6A and 63 showing the wire cable extending fully through one of the elongate channels and 10 the gripping wedge in position against the bias under friction and force fit between the wire cable and the inner walls of the elongate channel.

Figure 9 shows the locking device of figure 1 in use to secure structures of a temporary building structure to one another; Figures 10A and 10B show the locking device of figure 1 in use to secure shuttering 15 elements to one another for forming concrete structures; and Figure 11 shows the locking device of figure 1 in use to secure adjacent wire mesh grids to one another to form a stabilisation grid for the retention of unstable land masses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Locking device 10 comprises a body 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16 opposing the first end 14. Body 10 defines a first elongate channel 18 therethrough and a second elongate channel 18' therethrough. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the two channels are adjacent to one another and extend from the first end 14 towards the second end 16.

Locking device 10 further comprises a first locking wedge 22 located within the first elongate 25 channel 18. A biasing means in the form of spring 24 extends within first elongate channel 18.

A second locking wedge 22' is located within the second elongate channel 18' and a biasing means in the form of spring 24' extends within second elongate channel 18'.

Description of the mechanism of locking device 10 will now be described with reference to the first elongate channel 18 and first locking wedge 22 for the purposes of clarity. However, it is to be appreciated that second elongate channel 18' and second locking wedge 22' are a mirror image of first elongate channel 18 and first locking wedge 22 and operate in the same manner.

First locking wedge 22 is provided with a first gripping surface 26 extending partially through and partially across first elongate channel 18 from the first end 14 towards the second end 16 of body 12, such that the width of the first elongate channel 18 at the first locking wedge 22 narrows in a direction towards the second end 16 of body 12. First locking wedge 22 is located adjacent spring 24 between one end 28 of spring 24 and the first end 14 of body 12.

Body 10 is further provided with elongate apertures 30, 30', each elongate aperture 30, 30' having a first end 31, 31' proximal to the first end 14 of body 12, and a second end 33, 33' proximal to the second end 16 of body 12. Each elongate aperture 30, 30' provides an open passage from the exterior of body 10 into respective first and second elongate channels 18, 18', Each aperture 30, 30' is aligned with respective first and second elongate channels 18, 18' and extends between the first and second ends 14, 16 of body 12.

Locking wedge 22 has a pin 32 extending therefrom in a direction transverse to first elongate channel 18. Pin 32 is movable within first elongate aperture 30 as locking wedge 22 slides within first elongate channel 18. Movement of locking wedge 22 is restricted in the direction towards the first end 14 of body 12 when pin 32 abuts first end 31 of respective elongate aperture 30.

Locking wedge 22 is slidable within elongate channel 18 towards second end 16 of body 12 on application of force to locking wedge 22 in a direction against the bias. Movement of locking wedge 22 is restricted in the direction towards the second end 16 of body 12 when a portion of gripping surface 26 of locking wedge 22 is forced into frictional engagement with wire rope 38 under force against the bias of spring 24.

Pin 32 serves not only to limit the movement of locking wedge 22 in a direction towards the first end 14 of body 12, it also serves to retain the locking wedge 22 in line with spring 24 in first elongate channel 18 to ensure the smooth movement of locking wedge 22 within first elongate channel 22 under force against the bias in a direction towards second end 16 of body 12.

The operation of locking device 10 will now be described with respect to figures 6A to 8B which demonstrate the passing of a wire rope 38 through locking device 10.

In figures 6A and 6B, a first end 40 of wire rope 38 is inserted into first elongate channel 18. First locking wedge is located within the first elongate channel 18 towards the first end 14 of 5 body 12 under bias from spring 24. Once within first elongate channel 18, first end 40 of wire rope 38 abuts first gripping surface 26 of first locking wedge 22.

As shown in figures 7A and 7B, as wire rope 38 is pushed through first elongate channel 18, first locking wedge 22 is pushed under force in a direction against the spring bias, towards the second end 16 of body 12. At the same time, pin 32 slides within elongate aperture 30 in a direction towards the second end 16 of body 12 and spring 24 becomes more compressed. As the locking wedge 22 is pushed through first elongate channel 18, a portion 41 of gripping surface 26 becomes frictionally engaged with wire rope 38 and the locking wedge becomes held in place under force and friction between wire rope 38 and the interior walls of first elongate channel 18. In this configuration, wire rope 38 can still be drawn through first elongate channel 18 in a direction away from first end 14 of body 12. As force is applied to wire rope 38, wire rope 38 can continue to slide past portion 41 of gripping surface 26 in a direction away from first end 14 of body 12.

Continued applied force to wire rope 38 will allow first end 40 of wire rope 38 to pass through and emerge from first elongate channel 18, as shown in figures 8A and 8B.

However, one pushed through first elongate channel 22 in a direction from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of body 12, any attempt to force wire rope 38 in the opposing direction from second end 16 to first end 14 of body 12, will force locking wedge 22 into fighter frictional fit between wire rope 38 and the interior surface of first elongate channel 18. Thus, movement of locking wedge 22 and wire rope 38 back towards first end 14 of body 12 is prevented.

In this way, first elongate channel 18 allows passage of wire rope 38 in a single direction only from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of body 12.

Once first end 40 of wire rope 38 has been passed through first elongate channel 18, the second end 42 (not shown in Figures 6A to 8B) of wire rope 38 can be passed around or through apertures in each of the items to be secured together, before second end 42 of wire rope 38 is passed through second elongate channel 18' in a direction from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of body 12, in the same manner as previously described with respect to first end 40 of wire rope 38 passing through first elongate channel 18. Once passed through second elongate channel 18', second end 42 of wire rope 38 cannot be withdrawn back through second elongate channel 18' again. Application of force to first and second ends 40, 42 of wire rope 38 in a direction away from the first end 14 of body 12 will tighten the wire rope around the items to be secured together and they will be held in secure engagement with one another due to the locking device preventing return travel of the wire rope 38 back through the first and elongate channels 18, 18' in body 12.

Figure 9 shows the locking device 10 being applied to secure adjacent components 50, 60 of a temporary building structure together. One end 40 of wire rope 38 is fed through first elongate channel 18 (as described above). Second end 42 of wire rope 38 is passed through aperture 52 in component 50 and subsequently through aperture 62 in component 60 before being drawn through second elongate aperture 18' in body 12 in a direction from the first end 14 to the second end 16. Ends 40,42 of wire rope 38 are then tightened to securely hold components 50 and 60 in close engagement with one another. As can be seen in enlarged sections A and B, adjacent components can be secured in the same and/or transverse plane relative to one another, as required.

Another example of how the locking device 10 of the present application can be applied is provided in figure 10, which shows locking device 10 securing multiple forming panels 70 together to install concrete shuttering prior to concrete pouring. Adjacent forming panels 70 are provided with aligned apertures 72, 72' through which wire rope 38 extends. Once locking device is installed (as described above) and wire rope 38 tightened under force in a direction away from first end 14 of body 12, adjacent forming panels 70 are held in secure and close engagement to provide a strong shuttering structure.

Once the locking devices 10 are secured in place when used with temporary structures, it is 25 to be appreciated that the only way to subsequently remove them again is to cut the portion of wire rope 38 extending from the locking device 10.

A further example of the use of the locking devices 10 of the present invention is provided in figure 11, which shows locking devices 10 being used to secure adjacent stabilisation wire mesh grid components 80. A first end 40 of wire rope 38 is extended through first elongate aperture 18 as described above, and then second end 42 of wire rope 38 is passed around adjacent portions of mesh grid components 80 before being passed through second elongate channel 18' as described above. Once tightened under force, wire rope 38 will securely hold adjacent wire mesh grids 80 together. Once assembled, the wire mesh grid structure will be strong enough for use in the retention of land masses and areas vulnerable to landslip and/or rockslides.

It is to be appreciated that, although the locking device 10 described herein is described with reference to secure engagement of adjacent items in industrial settings where strength and security of engagement is paramount, the locking device 10 of the present invention could as equally be applied in holding together adjacent items in less industrial applications. For example, the locking device 10 could be applied in non-industrial settings such as for securing expensive retail items to prevent theft such as displayed bicycles, or to secure scaffolding to ensure worker safety. There is even a potential application to secure shipping 10 containers to ensure that the contents are not tampered with during transit.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A locking device comprising: a a body having a first end and a second end distal to the first end, the body defining a first channel therethrough and a second channel therethrough, the first and second channels being located adjacent one another; b a first locking wedge located within the first elongate channel and provided with a first gripping surface, the first locking wedge being biased in a direction towards the first end, wherein the first gripping surface extends partially across the first elongate channel such that the width of the first elongate channel at the first locking wedge narrows in a direction towards the second end; c. a second locking wedge located within the second elongate channel and provided with a second gripping surface, the second locking wedge being biased in a direction towards the first end, wherein the second gripping surface extends partially across the second elongate channel such that the width of the second elongate channel at the second locking wedge narrows in a direction towards the second end; and wherein each of the first and second gripping wedges are slidable within the respective first and second elongate channels between a first configuration in which the respective first and second gripping wedges are held under bias adjacent the first end, and a second configuration in which the respective first and second gipping wedges are moveable under force in a direction towards the second end.
2. A locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping wedges are independently slidable within respective first and second elongate channels.
3. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second locking wedges are held under bias by respective first and second springs.
4. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first gripping surface is located distal to the second channel and the second gripping surface is located distal to the first channel.
A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is provided with first and second elongate apertures adjacent to and aligned with respective first and second channels.
6 A locking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first locking wedge has a first pin mounted thereon, the first pin extending through the first elongate aperture, and the second locking wedge has a second pin mounted thereon, the second pin extending through the second elongate aperture.
7 A locking device as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the first and second locking wedges are under bias towards the first end, the respective first and second pins are located at the end of the respective first and second apertures proximal to the first end.
8 A locking device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein when the first and second locking wedges slide within respective first and second elongate channels in a direction from the first end to the second end, the respective first and second pins slide within the respective first and second apertures in a direction towards the second end.
9 A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein as the first and/or second locking wedge(s) slide under force in a direction towards the second end, the respective first and/or second pin(s) slide within the aperture in a direction towards the second end.
10. A securing system comprising: i) a locking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9; and ii) an elongate wire rope cable having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongate wire rope cable having a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross-sectional diameter of the respective first and second elongate channels.
11. A method of securing a first item to an adjacent second item, the method comprising the steps of: i) providing a securing system as claimed in claim 10; ii) extending the first end of the elongate wire rope cable through the first elongate channel in a direction from the first end to the second end of the body; H) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable around the first item or through an aperture in the first item; iv) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable from the first item around the second item or through an aperture in the second item; v) extending the second end of the elongate wire rope cable from the second item through the second channel in a direction from the first end to the second end of the body; and vi) pulling the first and second ends of the elongate wire rope cable in a direction away from the body to apply tension to the cable and hold the first and second items securely in place relative to one another.
12. A method of securing a first item to an adjacent second item to one another as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first item may be released from the second item by cutting the elongate wire rope cable extending between the first and second elongate channels.
13. A method of securing a first item to an adjacent second item to one another as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the first and second items comprise temporary building structures or concrete forming shuttering panels or stabilisation wire mesh grid panels.