WO2023191637A1

WO2023191637A1 - Locking device, system and tool

Info

Publication number: WO2023191637A1
Application number: PCT/NO2023/050067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terje Scheen
Original assignee: Viking Arm AS
Priority date: 2022-04-01
Filing date: 2023-03-24
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: NO20220401A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device comprising an body element comprising a thoroughgoing bore along a longitudinal axis adapted to receive a longitudinal shaft orientated along the axis, the element further comprises a pairs of elongated orifices, wherein the elongated orifices are inclined in relation to the axis, wherein each elongated orifices comprises a top end and a bottom end.

Description

Title: Locking device, system and tool

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device and system, and more specifically the invention relates to a one-way movement preventer for a tool and a jacking tool comprising a locking device.

Background of the invention

[0002] In the field of hand held tool, such as jacking tools, a caulking gun is well known in the tool industry and has been on the market for several decades. They include a pumping or jacking mechanism for example described in US 4009804. This mechanism is cheap and easy to produce and has minimal friction under operation.

[0003] In the building industry the need for a combination of holding and levelling of objects like doors, windows or beams is often encountered. A toe jack may be used for this purpose, but is only found in heavy duty versions. A toe jack is usually a jack with two fixed outer feet and a middle foot that can be jacked in an upward and sometimes downward direction.

[0004] Most of the known of the jacking tools functions with gripping plates tilted to create one or several notches that bite into a shaft to provide a lifting, or jacking, force. This is a simple solution that works from light loads, however, with greater loads several problems arises, such as the notches, and thus the plates can dig into the shaft. This might seize the tool or damage the shaft. To use such a tool with high loads may also causes the jacking tool to fail, as the holding power is limited, causing the load to drop. Document NO 343787 B1 discloses a hand held jacking tool and document NO 345405 B1 disclose a lowering mechanism for a hand held jacking tool. Other jacking tool solutions are disclosed in documents US 2010276090 A1 , US 4084792 A, US 5622355 A, US 1516616 A.

[0005] Document GB 2181405 A discloses a jacking device for hospital beds, wherein the jacking device is disclosed with a pair wedge units in different combinations. I one embodiment it is disclosed a hospital bed jack comprising an element 44 comprising a thoroughgoing bore 52 adapted to receive a longitudinal shaft 42 orientated along an axis, wherein the thoroughgoing bore 52 comprises an inclined surface with one cylinder 56 situated between the inclined surface and the shaft 42, the cylinder 56 being slidably positioned in the bore 52 and adapted to move a distance between the top end and bottom end of the single inclined surface. The downside of this jack is that it is not intended for hand held use, and can only function if kept in its upright alignment, as the cylinder 56 has no way of working if the jack is for instance upside down.

[0006] Document GB 218812 A discloses a jack having a locking mechanism to prevent the dropping of the loaded hoisting rod 3, comprising a conical cavity 13 arranged in the head of the vertical casing 1 , said conical cavity having convex ribs 13a) against which bear the concave surfaces of friction rollers (14) (See figs. 3 and 6). [0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a locking device that can lock to a shaft in one way of travel, at great loads, and release from the shaft easily. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a smooth contact surface between the device and a shaft to not damage the shaft and still achieve great holding or locking power.

[0008] It is a further aim of the invention to provide a tool that can jack or move greater loads that known solutions and provide safe operation and ease of use, one that can be released from its locked state independent on the loads acting.

[0009] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a force transferring mechanism for a tool that can handle the increased capacity of the gripping mechanism.

Summary of the invention

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved with a locking device comprising an body element comprising a thoroughgoing bore along a longitudinal axis adapted to receive a longitudinal shaft orientated along the axis, the element further comprises a pairs of elongated orifices, wherein the elongated orifices are inclined in relation to the axis, wherein each elongated orifices comprises a top end and a bottom end. The top of the end of the orifices are closer to the axis than the bottom end and wherein each elongated orifice are situated on the element further comprises two cylinders, each cylinder being slidably positioned in respective orifice, wherein the each cylinder is adapted to slide between the top end and bottom end of respective orifices. The element may comprise spring elements to pretension the cylinders upwards in the respective orifice and a lever hinged to the element and two push pieces, each push piece being situated between the hinged lever or parts thereof and a cylinder.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the hinged lever is adapted to move the locking device between an intervening state, and a one way stopping state, wherein the lever comprises a protruding part adapted to be manipulated by a user.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the lever is hinged around a hinge to at a top part of element.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the hinged lever is pretensioned by a spring.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the elongated orifices are inclined by and angle a in relation to the axis.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the elongated orifices are straight or curved with respect to their elongation.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the cylinders are elongated cylinder rods with a length in an axis perpendicular to the axis. [0017] In a further embodiment, the spring elements may be fastened or supported to the element in a first end and fastened or supported to respective cylinders in a second end.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the tension elements are spring elements is one or more of the following: extension spring, torsion springs, volute springs, flat spring, gas spring, air spring, spiral spring, a leaf spring, a resilient element capable of retaining its initial shape after being deformed.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a system comprising a stopper device and a longitudinal shaft, wherein the shaft is situated in the thoroughgoing bore of the stopper device, wherein the stopper device comprises at least two states, a intervening state, wherein the two cylinders are at, or close to, the top end of the elongated orifices and wherein the two cylinders are in contact with the shaft on opposite sides, and an freed state wherein two cylinders are at, or close to, the bottom end of the elongated orifices, and are not in contact with the shaft.

[0020] In an embodiment, the locking device can move upwards along the shaft in an intervening state, but will lock to the shat when forced downwards in relation to the shaft.

[0021] In an embodiment, the cylinders are pretensioned by a spring element in the intervening state.

[0022] In an embodiment the lever is operable to select the state of the system, whereby the lever, when manipulated by a user, the lever displaces the push pieces, and the push pieces displaces or dislodges the cylinders from their top end position where they contact the shaft to a position further down in the orifices where the cylinders are not in contact with the shaft, and; when the lever is not manipulated by a user, the lever is pretension away from the push pieces and the system is in the intervening state.

[0023] In an embodiment the shaft comprises two opposite facing flat sides adapted to contact the cylinders, each cylinder contacting on a flat side.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a jacking tool comprising the device, or ther system. The the jacking tool comprises a jacking frame adapted to receive a shaft running through the jacking frame along a longitudinal axis, an operating handle pivotally connected to the jacking frame via a jacking hinge, and a jacking pretension mean, situated between the jacking frame and the locking device, pretensioning the locking device in a position wherein the push pieces of the locking device is in contact with a part of the jacking frame. The transfer mechanism transferring movement from the operating handle to the locking device or parts thereof, wherein the locking device is movably situated inside, or at least party inside, the jacking frame between an upper and lower part of the frame, with the shaft adapted to going through the bore and the jacking frame, thereby aligning the shaft, upper and lower holes of the shaft and the bore of the device along the axis.

[0025] In an embodiment, the tool further comprises a bore in an upper part of the frame and a bore in the lower part of the frame adapted to receive the shaft inside the aligned holes or bores.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the tool comprises a lowering and holding mechanism.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the tool further comprises an handle extension protruding the jacking frame above the operating handle.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the jacking tool further comprises a second locking device situated in the opposite direction relative to the first locking device adapted to open and lock in opposite directions in relation to the first locking device, wherein both the first and second locking device is situated inside, or at least party inside or outside, the jacking frame, between, in, or over an upper or lower part of the frame, with the shaft adapted to be situated inside the bore of both locking devices and the jacking frame, thereby aligning the shaft, upper and lower holes of the shaft and the bores of the devices along the axis.

Brief description of the figures

[0029] These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings.

Figure 1 shows the locking device on a shaft

Figure 2 shows the enclosing element of the device

Figure 3 shows a close up of the locking device

Figure 5 shows a close up side of the locking device

Figure 6 shows a sectional cut through one cylinder of the device

Figure 7 shows a jacking tool with a locking device

Figure 8 shows a close up of a jacking frame with a locking device

Figure 8a and 8b shows a jacking tool with a locking device in two different states Figure 9 shows the locking device on a shaft

Figure 10a and 10b shows a lowering and holding mechanism in a side view and slanted view.

Detailed description of the invention

[0030] The following description will use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ’’upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. A central axis of through the device and system is defined to run vertically through a central axis of the device. The longitudinal direction is defined as the direction along the central axis. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting. Like numerals on different drawings describe the same feature. Numerals with apostrophe represents an additional feature represented by the same numeral, for instance the number 15 will represent one or the first of multiple or all of the multiples, and the numeral 15’ represents an additional or a further of the same feature, like a second or multiple of the same feature.

[0031] The invention concerns a device that, when placed on a shaft 2, will be prevented from moving in one direction, by the internal mechanism clamping or locking to the shaft 2. and which will move when manipulated by a user or external force, in the opposite direction, as the internal mechanism will release from the shaft 2, and as such is disclosed a one way stopper device. As seen fin fig, 1 the stopper device A locking device 1 comprising an element 4 comprising a thoroughgoing bore 10 along a longitudinal axis X adapted to receive a longitudinal shaft 2 orientated along the axis X. The element 4 may be a body, frame, bracket or housing in a rigid material such as metal, composite or the like. The element may further comprise a tool protrusion 11 such as a protruding intervening member protruding from the element 4, adapted to support or intervene an external element and load, and thus function as a tool.

[0032] As seen in Fig. 2, the element 4 further comprises a pairs of elongated orifices 5a, 5b, wherein the elongated orifices 5a, 5b are inclined in relation to the axis X, wherein each elongated orifices 5a, 5b comprising a top end and a bottom end. The elongated orifices 5a, 5b may be inclined by and angle a in relation to the axis X, wherein a may be from 1 to 30 degrees. The top end is situation closer to the axis X than the bottom end, such that if the elongated orifices 5a, 5b are situated on each side of the axis X, the distance between the elongated orifices 5a, 5b will be closer to each other at the top end, or close to the top end, than at the bottom end, or close to the bottom end. In the figures the elongation orifices 5a, 5b indicates that the orifices 5a, 5b are significantly higher (along the axis X) than they are wide (perpendicular to the axis x), however, they may only be slightly higher in the axis X direction in relation to the direction in the perpendicular to the axis X, allowing for the slightest movement that will release the cylinders 6a, 6b from the shaft. The orifices 5a, 5b may be thoroughgoing the entire element 4, or they may be cut outs on an inside wall or portion of the element 4, as seen in Fig. 4, such that they comprises two tracks supporting the cylinders 6a, 6b on each end of the cylinders 6a, 6b. Thus, the two cylinders 6a, 6b, are glidably and movably supported in the orifices 5a, 5b with are one cylinder per orifices, wherein each cylinder being slidably positioned in respective orifice 5a, 5b. By glidably and movably supported it should be understood that the cylinders can move within the borders of the orifices. The cylinders 6a, 6b are movable and glidably in a direction perpendicular to their length directing. The respective cylinders 6a, 6b are supported and contained by a perimeter, edge or cut out section of the orifice 5a, 5b in the element 4. Each cylinder 6a, 6b is adapted to slide between the top end and bottom end of respective orifices 5a, 5b, and may be situated and moved to at any place along the length of orifices 5a, 5b. In an embodiment of the invention, the orifices 5a, 5b are four cutouts, two for each orifice, in the inner side of a wall or part of the element 4 such that each end or edge of a cylinders 6a, 6b are supported in the cut outs. Thus, a cylinder may be supported at each end by cutouts of the element 4, or supported inside a partly or fully thoroughgoing orifice in the element 4.

[0033] As seen in fig 2 and 3, the element 4 may comprises spring elements 7a, 7b to pretension the cylinders 6a, 6b upwards in the respective orifice 5a, 5b, such that the cylinders 6a, 6b are pretension in a state or location where they are closer together than, or as close together as, the width of the shaft 2.

[0034] As seen in figure 3, the invention may comprises a lever 3 hinged to the element 4 and two push pieces 8a, 8b, each push piece 8a, 8b being situated between the hinged lever 3 or parts thereof and a cylinder 6a, 6b. Each push piece 8a, 8b may protrude a distance beyond the perimeter, or boundary, of the element 4. The hinged lever 3 is adapted to move the locking device 1 , or locking device, between an intervening state, and a one way locking state, wherein the lever 3 comprises a protruding part, adapted to be manipulated by a user. The lever 3 is hinged around a hinge 9 close to, or at the top part of element 4 and pretensioned in a positioned by a second spring 28. It should be understand that the lever 3 may be hinged to the element 4 at other suitable locations or indirectly through protrusions or the like.

[0035] The elongated orifices 5a, 5b may have different shapes, such that a middle line through running in the middle of the orifices in its lengthwise direction, may be straight or curved with respect to their elongation. In Fig. 3 the orifices 5a, 5b are slightly concave with respect to the axis X.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, the cylinders 6a, 6b are elongated rods, such as cylinders or bars, with a length in an axis perpendicular to the axis X. In other non-illustrated embodiments they may comprise a side facing the shaft 2 that is flat. As seen in Fig. 3, the spring elements 7a, 7b may be fastened or supported to the element 4 in a first end and fastened or supported to respective cylinders in a second end. In fig 4, the spring elements 7a, 7b are supported on a bottom portion of the element 4. The tension elements may be any type of spring elements such as one or more of the following: extension spring, torsion springs, volute springs, flat spring, gas spring, air spring, spiral spring, a leaf spring, a resilient element capable of retaining its initial shape after being deformed.

[0037] The invention also relates to a system comprising the stopper device 1 , as disclosed herein, and a longitudinal shaft 2, wherein the shaft 2 is situated in the thoroughgoing bore 10 of the locking device 1. As the locking device 1 will lock to the shaft 2 when manipulate, or forced, in one direction, and releases from the shaft 2 when manipulate, or forced, in an opposite direction, the system may comprise a lever 3 to initiate different states of the device and system. Thus, the system may comprise at least two states, an intervening state, wherein the two cylinders 6a, 6b are at, or close to, the top end of the elongated orifices 5a, 5b and wherein the two cylinders 6a, 6b are in contact with the shaft 2 on opposite sides. [0038] In the intervening state, the lever 3 is pretension in a position wherein the lever does not displace the push pieces 8a, 8b to an extent where they displace the cylinders 6a, 6b to not contact the shaft 2. Thus the lever 3 is not manipulated by a user and the cylinders 6a, 6b are at a position wherein they contact the shaft 2, which is close to the top or at the top, of the orifices 5a, 5b. In this state, the cylinders 6a, 6b will contact the shaft 2, and due to friction will prevent movement between the device and the shaft in a first directing. If the device is forced downwards, the cylinders 6a, 6b will be forced inwards towards the shaft 2 by the inclination of the orifices 5a, 5b. The more force applied downwards on the device 1 , the more force will be applied from the cylinders 6a, 6b to the shaft 2, and the more the cylinders will heft and lock to the shaft 2, as the cylinders 6a, 6b will be forced inwards.

[0039] Furthermore, in the intervening state, if a force is applied to the device 1 in a second direction along the axis x, opposite the first direction, which will be upwards in the figures, the heft and friction between the cylinders 6a, 6b and the shaft 2 will move the cylinders slightly downwards in the orifices 5a, 5b and thus simultaneously outwards from the shaft 2, due to the inclination or shape of the orifices 5a, 5b, until they releases the shaft 2. Thereby freeing the clamping or stopping power on the shaft 2, and the device 1 can move upwards on the shaft 2. The spring element 7a, 7b will displace the cylinders 6a, 6b back to a position within the orifices 5a, 5b such that the cylinders 6a, 6b contact the shaft 2 when the movement of the device 1 in relation to the shaft 2, is stopped. The gripping and releasing of the shaft will still occur if the spring elements are not present, however, it may be advantageous for the invention so the device 1 and system can be used in all orientations without the cylinders 6a, 6b falling to an undesirable position when not contacting and hefting to the shaft 2. In the embodiment comprising the spring elements 7a, 7b, the cylinders, and thus the device 1 , will be pretensioned in an intervening state. In the intervening state, the locking device 1 can move upwards along the shaft 2, but will lock to the shaft 2 when forced downwards in relation to the shaft 2.

[0040] The second state may be a freed state wherein two cylinders 6a, 6b are at, or close to, the bottom end of the elongated orifices 5a, 5b, and are not in contact with the shaft 2.

[0041] In the freed state, the cylinders 6a, 6b are displaced by an external force, downwards in the orifices 5a, 5b such that the cylinders 6a, 6b are also moved vertically away from the shaft 2, and thus will release from the shaft 2. The external force will counteract the pretensioning of the spring elements 7a, 7b and cylinders 6a, 6b. As the cylinders 6a, 6b are hold away from the shaft 2, the device is free to move both upwards and downwards along the axis X in relation to the shaft, without the device locking to the shaft 2. To set the device in the freed state, a user can manipulate the lever 3, and thus apply an external force via the lever 3. When manipulated by a user, the lever 3 displaces the push pieces 8a, 8b, and the push pieces 8a, 8b displaces or dislodges the cylinders 6a, 6b from their top end, where they contact the shaft 2, to a position further down in the orifices 5a, 5b, where the cylinders 6a, 6b are not in contact with the shaft 2. When the lever is manipulated, the cylinders 6a, 6b are applied counteracting forces from the push pieces 8a, 8b and the spring elements 7a, 7b, from counteracting directions, and will be in a suspended and stable position. To ensure heft and friction between the cylinders 6a, 6b and the shaft 2, that shaft may comprise two opposite facing flat sides adapted to contact the cylinders 6a, 6b. In a non-illustrated embodiment the cylinders may not be cylinders, but other friction elements, such as rods, brackets or other means with a surface that corresponds to the surface of the shaft 2. However, as two facilitate a user friendly and easy separation of the friction elements 6a, 6b, it is advantages that they do not seize to the shaft 2 in a non-reversible manner, and thus, the term cylinders are used as preferred elements herein, however, it should be understood that the term should not be limited by its name.

[0042] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the locking device 1 is comprised in jacking tool 13 comprising a lowering and holding mechanism 12. The jacking tool 13 comprises a jacking frame 14, a shaft 2 running through the jacking frame 14, and a caulking gun jacking mechanism. In this embodiment, the locking device 1 forms part of the jacking mechanism, such that the jacking mechanism comprises a locking device 1 as herein disclosed, an operating handle 19 pivotally connected to the jacking frame 14 via a jacking hinge 22 and a jacking pretension mean 23. The jacking frame 14 may further comprise a holding extension 27 protruding the jacking frame 14 above the operating handle 19.

Wherein the jacking frame 14 may comprise an upper and lower hole or bore aligned around a longitudinal axis X, wherein the shaft 2 is adapted to be placed inside the aligned holes or bores, thereby running through the jacking frame 14. The locking device 1 is located inside the jacking frame 14, or within boundaries of the jacking frame 14, between the upper and lower holes, with the shaft 2 going through the bore 10, thereby aligning the shaft 2, the upper and lower holes of the jacking shaft and the bore 10 of the device 1 along the axis x. Located between the jacking frame 14, above the lower bore, and the underside of the device 1 is a jacking pretension mean 23, such as a spring or the like. The jacking pretension mean 23 pretensions the device 1 a predetermined distance away from the device 1 .

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the locking device 1 and shaft 2 forms part of the jacking tool 13, wherein the previously mentioned states, characteristics and features of both the locking device 1 and system comprising the locking device 1 and the shaft 2 is part of the invention.

[0044] As seen in fig 7, the operating handle 19 comprises a handle part protruding away from the frame and shaft, and is hinged to the jacking frame and a push part 26 on the opposite side of the hinge 22 from the handle, protruding a distance inside the jacking frame 14, wherein the push part 26 of the operating handle 19 is in contact with a transfer mechanism 24 transferring movement from the operating handle 19 to the locking device 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer mechanism 24 contacts the device 1 at the tool protrusion. In the illustrated embodiment the transfer mechanism 24 comprises a hydraulic transfer mechanism comprising a first fluid filled cylinder 29 in fluid connection with a second fluid filled cylinder 30. The radius of the first hydraulic cylinder 29 is smaller than the second hydraulic cylinder 30, and wherein a first piston is at least partly inside, and adapted to the first cylinder, and wherein a second piston is at least partly inside and adapted to the second cylinder. The first and second piston being movably displaceable inside respective cylinders adapted to displaceable fluid inside the cylinders, such that the displacement of one piston displaces the other piston. To achieve this the two fluid filed cylinders can be in fluid communication. As the first piston is displaced a distance when manipulated by push part 26, the piston also displaced an amount of fluid, pushing said fluid into the second cylinder. As the second cylinder and piston 30 has a greater radius than the first cylinder and piston 29, the second piston will be displaced, or moved, a shorter distance than the first piston, thereby amplifying the force. Said principal is explained by the equation = - , with A1 = cross section are of the first cylinder 29, A2 = cross section are of the second cylinder 30. F1 = force input on the first cylinder, A2 = force output from the second cylinder. With the pressure in the fluid being equal

Fl F2 in the two cylinders such that — = — , giving F2>F1 when A2>A1 . Thus, the hydraulic transfer mechanism is adapted to greatly multiply the force a user can input through the handle, increasing the force beyond the leverage achieved by the pivotal operating handle and push part, and exert said force on the locking device 1 , thereby allowing a user to jack up heavy loads.

[0045] In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the transfer mechanism 24 can be an mechanical connection rod or the like, directly or indirectly transferring the movement of the push part to the locking device 1 such that it is the leverage achieved by the pivotal operating handle and push part, that increased the force applied on the locking device 1 .

[0046] When the operating handle 19 is operated by a user, and the handle is rotated up, the push part presses down on the locking device 1 , thereby engaging the one way locking mechanism of the device 1 , and as the device 1 locks to the shaft 2, the jacking frame 14 moves upwards along the shaft 2. In the illustrated embodiment of figure 6, the jacking tool 13 comprises legs fastened the jacking frame and legs fastened to the shaft 2, wherein the jacking action of the handle 19 causes the shaft 2 to move downward through the jacking frame 3.

[0047] Figure 8a and 8b illustrates the jacking tool 14 in two different states, in fig 8a the handle 19 is in the initial resting position whereby the transferring mechanism 24 does not push down on the locking device 1 . In this state, the jacking pretension mean 23 pushes the device 1 upwards along the shaft 2 and also inside the jacking frame 14 to a position wherein the a part of the push piece(s) 8 protruding up from the element 4 of the device 1 interacts with an surface of the jacking frame 14, thus activating the push piece(s) 8 by pressing them down into the device 1 , thereby releasing the cylinders 7 from a gripping state. Thus, in this state, the device 1 is free to move both up and down the shaft 2. In this state, the lowering and holding mechanism 12 can either hold or release the shaft, as explained herein.

[0048] In figure 8b the handle 19 is activated, such as being pushed by a user towards the holding extension 27 of the jacking frame 14, and the rotation of the handle 19 around hinge 22 forces the transferring mechanism 24 to push down on the device 1 or parts thereof. Initially, as the device 1 is being pushed downwards along the shaft 2 and inside the jacking frame 14, the device 1 is spaced away from an underside of the upper part of the jacking frame 14, and the push piece(s) 8 are freed and returned to their initial pretension state. The cylinders 7 of the device 1 , is in their then in their pretension state due to the spring elements 7 and are contacting the shaft 2. As the device 1 is further forced downwards from the transferring mechanism 24, the spring elements 7 locks to the shaft 2 due to the inclined orifices 5. As the device 1 locks to the shaft 2, the device 1 and the shaft 2 can no longer move in relation to each other, and the jacking frame 14 thereby moves upwards in relation to the device 1 and the shaft 2, thus causing a jacking motion of the jacking tool 13.

[0049] When the handle 19 is released thereafter, the transferring mechanism 24 will regress its movement on the device 1 and release the contact from the device 1 , thereby allowing the jacking pretension mean 23 to push the device 1 upwards in relation to the shaft 2, or the shaft 2 downwards, and the cylinders 6 will release from the shaft 2 when the force is reversed. Whereby the device 1 is returned to its pretension position within the frame 14 and the a part of the push piece(s) 8 protruding up from the element 4 of the device 1 interacts with an surface of the jacking frame 14, thus activating the push piece(s) 8 by pressing them down into the device 1 , thereby releasing the cylinders 7 from a gripping state. The jacking tool 14 is thereby once in a state for consecutive jacking motions.

[0050] When the locking device 1 is placed inside the jacking frame 14, it may be favorable for the push piece(s) 8 to protrude up from the element 4 without the lever 3 on top. In fig 9, a locking device 1 is illustrated with the push piece(s) 8 protruding up from the element 4 of the locking device 1 . The shaft 2 is situated through the bore 10 and a tool protrusion protrudes from the element 4. Four spring elements 7 pushes the cylinders into an intervening state where they contacts the shaft 2 on two opposing sides. By pushing down the push piece(s) 8, the cylinders 6 will be push a distance downwards, and due to the alignment of the inclined orifices 5, slightly ajar from their contacting position, thus releasing all friction and clamping between the cylinders 6 and the shaft 2.

[0051 ] On top of the jacking frame 14, the jacking tool 13 comprises and lowering and holding mechanism, as seen in fig 7. The lowering and holding mechanism is illustrated in detail in fig. 10a and 9b. The lowering and holding mechanism 12 comprises at least one holding plate(s) 15, 15’, 15” comprising a hole adapted for the shaft 2, being biased towards a gripping state, and a lowering plate 16 on top of the holding plate(s) 15 being parallel to the holding plate(s) 15 when not activated, a operable pushing lever 17 for activating the lowering plate 16 when pushed downwards, a hinge attachment 18 connecting the pushing lever 17 to the lowering plate 16 at a rear end towards an operating handle 19, a pivot structure 24 connected to the holding plate(s) 15 a distance backward from the hinge attachment 18, wherein the pushing lever 17 is pivoting around the pivot structure 24 for activating the lowering plate16. A biasing means 20, such as a M shaped leaf spring holds the lowering plate 16 in place by means of a holding structure 21 in the lower part of the spring 20, shaped as a hole, through which the holding plate(s) 15 will fit and biasing at least the front side of the lowering plate 16 towards the holding plate(s) 15. Wherein pushing the pushing lever 17 downwards causes the lowering plate 16 to grip the shaft 2 during the resulting upward movement and pushing the holding plate(s) 15 downwards and loosening it from the shaft 2 and moving the jacking frame 14 down along the shaft 2 a distance until the grip of the lowering plate 16 stops further downward movement and when the pushing lever 17 is released, the holding plate(s) 15 regains its grip from the lowering plate 16 and the jacking frame 14 is left in its lower position. The lowering and holding mechanism 12 may further comprise a release lever 25, which is an extension of the holding plate(s) 15, which will tilt the holding plate(s) 15 in relation to the shaft 2 when pushed, and release the grip from the holding plate(s) 15.

[0052] The purpose of the lowering and holding mechanism 12 is both to hold the jacking frame 14 in place, when the pressure of the operating handle 19 is released, thereby releasing the grip provide by the locking device 1 , and to lower the jacking frame 14 in a controlled manner when a load is applied to the jacking frame 14 or parts thereof.

[0053] In another embodiment of the invention, the jacking tool 13 can comprise two locking devices 1 placed in opposite directions inside or in the jacking frame 14 with the shaft 2 running through both devices and the jacking frame 14, such that the first locking device 1 locks when forced in a first direction, and the second device locks when forced in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second locking device may also be situated above the jacking frame 14, and the first locking device 1 inside the jacking frame, wherein the second jacking frame may comprise a lever to alter the state of the device, as previously disclosed for the locking device 1 . The second locking device may therefore comprise all features of the locking device 1 as disclosed herein. In this way an additional, or second, locking devices 1 can be used instead of the lowering and holding mechanism 12 as previously disclosed. The second locking device may be identical to the first device 1 , and may comprise the same technical features as the first device 1 , as previously disclosed herein. In this way, the second locking device may grip and lock to the shaft 2 when the handle 19 is released, and the jacking pretension mean 23 pushes the first locking device 1 upwards, thus releasing the grip from the cylinders 6a, 6b on the shaft 2. When the first locking device 1 releases, the second locking device will move slight downwards, thus engaging the cylinders of the second locking device with the shaft 2. The second locking device will be locked to the shaft 2 until the handle 19 is moved, and the transfer mechanism 24 forces the first locking device 1 downwards, which will lock the first locking device 1 to the shaft 2 and thus move the jacking frame 14 upwards along the shaft 2. As this upwards movement starts, the second locking device will be released from its locking hold on the shaft 2. The second locking device can be released from locking by manipulation of the push pieces, either by a lever or by another mean, and the entire jacking tool 14 can be lowered in relation to the shaft 2. [0054] The jacking tool 13 may comprise one or multiple feet or tool protrusions, and the shaft may comprise one or multiple feet or tool protrusions, such that relative movement between the jacking tool 13 and the shaft 2 translates to relative movement of the feet or tool protrusions of the jacking tool 13 and shaft 2.

[0055] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

Reference numerals

1 Device

2 Shaft

3 Lever

4 Element

5 Orifice

6 Cylinder, friction element

7 Spring element

8 Push piece, push rod

9 Hinge

10 Bore

11 Tool protrusion

12 Lowering and holding mechanism

13 Jacking tool

14 Jacking frame

15 Holding plate(s)

16 Lowering plate

17 Pushing lever

18 Hinge attachment

19 Operating handle

20 Second pretension mean, spring

21 Holding structure

22 jacking hinge

23 jacking pretension mean, spring

24 Pivot structure

25 Release lever

26 Push part

27 Holding extension of the jacking frame

28 Spring for lever

29 First hydraulic cylinder and piston

30 Second hydraulic cylinder and piston

Claims

1 . A locking device (1 ) comprising an element (4) comprising a thoroughgoing bore (10) along a longitudinal axis X adapted to receive a longitudinal shaft (2) orientated along the axis X, the element (4) further comprises a pairs of elongated orifices (5a, 5b), wherein the elongated orifices (5a, 5b) are inclined in relation to the axis X, wherein each elongated orifices (5a, 5b, 5a’, 5b’) comprises a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is situation closer to the axis X than the bottom end and wherein each elongated orifice (5a, 5b) situated on the element (4) further comprises two cylinders (6a, 6b), each cylinder being slidably positioned in respective orifice (5a, 5b), wherein the each cylinder (6a, 6b) is adapted to move a distance between the top end and bottom end of respective orifices (5a, 5b), wherein the device is characterized by the element (4) further comprises spring elements (7a, 7b) to pretension the cylinders (6a, 6b) upwards in the respective orifice (5a, 5b), and wherein the element (4) further comprises a lever (3) hinged to the element (4) and two push pieces (8a, 8b), each push piece ( 8a, 8b) being situated between the hinged lever (3) or parts thereof and a cylinder (6a, 6b).

2. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the hinged lever (3) is adapted to move the locking device (1 ) between an intervening state, and a one way stopping state, wherein the lever

(3) comprises a protruding part adapted to be manipulated by a user.

3. The locking device (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the lever (3) is hinged around a hinge (9) to at a top part of element (4).

4. The locking device (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hinged lever (3) is pretensioned by a spring (28).

5. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the elongated orifices (5a, 5b) are inclined by and angle a in relation to the axis X.

6. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the elongated orifices (5a, 5b) are straight or curved with respect to their elongation.

7. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the cylinders (6a, 6b) are elongated cylinder rods with a length in an axis perpendicular to the axis X.

8. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein spring elements (7a, 7b) may be fastened or supported to the element

(4) in a first end and fastened or supported to respective cylinders in a second end.

9. The locking device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the tension elements are spring elements is one or more of the following: extension spring, torsion springs, volute springs, flat spring, gas spring, air spring, spiral spring, a leaf spring, a resilient element capable of retaining its initial shape after being deformed.

10. A system comprising a stopper device (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1-9 and a longitudinal shaft (2), wherein the shaft (2) is situated in the thoroughgoing bore (10) of the stopper device (1 ), wherein the stopper device

(1 ) comprises at least two states, a intervening state, wherein the two cylinders (6a, 6b) are at, or close to, the top end of the elongated orifices (5a, 5b) and wherein the two cylinders (6a, 6b) are in contact with the shaft (2) on opposite sides, and an freed state wherein two cylinders (6a, 6b) are at, or close to, the bottom end of the elongated orifices (5a, 5b), and are not in contact with the shaft (2).

11 . The system according to claim 10, wherein in the intervening state, the locking device (1 ) can move upwards along the shaft (2), but will lock to the shat (2) when forced downwards in relation to the shaft (2).

12. The system according to claim 10 or 113, wherein the cylinders are pretensioned in an intervening state.

13. The system according to any one of the claims 10-12, wherein the lever (3) is operable to select the state of the system, whereby the lever (3), when manipulated by a user, the lever displaces the push pieces (8a, 8b), and the push pieces (8a, 8b) displaces or dislodges the cylinders (6a, 6b) from their top end position where they contact the shaft (2) to a position further down in the orifices (5a, 5b) where the cylinders (6a, 6b) are not in contact with the shaft (2), and; when the lever (3) is not manipulated by a user, the lever is pretension away from the push pieces (8a, 8b) and the system is in the intervening state.

14. The system according to any one of the claims 10-13, wherein the shaft

(2) comprises two opposite facing flat sides adapted to contact the cylinders (6a, 6b), each cylinder contacting on a flat side.

15. A jacking tool 13 comprising the device according to any one of the claims 1 - 9, or a system according to any one of the claims 10-14, the jacking tool (13) comprises:

- a jacking frame (14) adapted to receive a shaft (2) running through the jacking frame (14) along a longitudinal axis,

-an operating handle (19) pivotally connected to the jacking frame (14) via a jacking hinge (22), and

- a jacking pretension mean (23), situated between the jacking frame (14) and the locking device (1 ), pretensioning the locking device (1 ) in a position wherein the push pieces (8a, 8b) of the locking device (1 ) is in contact with a part of the jacking frame (14)

- a transfer mechanism (24) transferring movement from the operating handle (19) to the locking device (1 ) or parts thereof, wherein the locking device (1 ) is movably situated inside, or at least party inside, the jacking frame (14) between an upper and lower part of the frame (14) , with the shaft (2) adapted to going through the bore (10) and the jacking frame (14), thereby aligning the shaft (2), upper and lower holes of the shaft (2) and the bore (10) of the device (1 ) along the axis X.

16. The jacking tool according to claim 15, wherein the tool further comprises a bore in an upper part of the frame (14) and a bore in the lower part of the frame (14) adapted to receive the shaft (2) inside the aligned holes or bores.

17. The jacking tool according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the tool further comprises a lowering and holding mechanism (12).

18. The jacking tool according to any one of the claims 15-17, wherein the tool further comprises an handle extension (27) protruding the jacking frame (14) above the operating handle (19).

19. The jacking tool according to any one of the claims 15, 16 or 18, wherein the jacking tool (13) further comprises a second locking device situated in the opposite direction relative to the first locking device (1 ) adapted to open and lock in opposite directions relative to the first locking device (1 ), wherein both the first and second locking device is situated inside, or at least party inside or outside, the jacking frame (14), between, or in, or over an upper or lower part of the frame (14), with the shaft (2) adapted to be situated inside the bore (10) of both locking devices and the jacking frame (14), thereby aligning the shaft (2), upper and lower holes of the shaft (2) and the bores of the devices (1 ) along the axis X.