Cable conveyor belt junction device supplied with cable locking elements

Abstract

Cable conveyor belt junction device supplied with cable locking elements. The present invention relates to a cable locking element (50) intended to be clamped onto at least one portion (40) of at least one cable (4), the locking element (50) comprising at least one support (51) on a first side and a support (52) on a second side opposite the first side, the supports (51, 52) being configured to clamp at least the portion of the cable, the supports (51, 52) each having at least one groove (71, 72) together defining at least part of a passage cavity (70) to receive at least the portion (40) of the cable (4) passing through the locking element (50) between an entry opening (50A) and an exit opening (50B) aligned according to a reference axis (X), the locking element (50) being characterized in that the cavity (70) receiving the portion (40) of the cable comprising an enlarged intermediate part. (73),between the inlet opening portions (50A) and the outlet opening portion (50B), radially enlarged relative to the inlet opening portion (50A) and the outlet opening portion (50B), the locking element (50) comprising at least one anchoring member (80) configured to occupy at least partially a portion (40) of the enlarged intermediate part (42) of the cavity (70) situated in alignment with the inlet and outlet openings (50A, 50B), so as to locally create a radial deformation (45) of the section of the portion (40) of the cable (40).

Description

1 / 39 “CABLE CONVEYOR BELT JOINT DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH CABLE LOCKING ELEMENTS” TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention generally relates to the technical field of locking elements for at least one cable, such as cable clamps or cable locks.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a cable locking element intended to be attached to at least a portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising two supports configured to enclose the portion of the cable, locking it. PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

[0003] Numerous solutions are known from the prior art for attaching an element to a cable or locally connecting several cables. A cable clamp, for example, is generally used to join two portions of several distinct cables, usually two, or to join two parts of the same cable, for example, to make a closed loop with the corresponding cable. Fasteners are also used to fit onto a single portion of a cable, for example, to attach an accessory, such a configuration generally depending on the intended use. For example, in this case, it might be a handle for gripping a cable to ensure its handling.

[0004] These fasteners are configured to clamp at least part of each of the cables between two supports, which are constrained from each other by a clamping means, such as a dowel.

[0005] One disadvantage of these fasteners is that, in some applications, excessive longitudinal tensile stress on the cable can cause the cable to slip relative to the fastener supports. In this case, it is necessary to dimension the fastener to ensure sufficient clamping of one or more cables to prevent their relative slippage along the cable. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 113 / 167 2 / 39 times subjected to tensile forces. This type of dimensioning generally leads to the design of bulky solutions that are incompatible with certain applications. An example of an application that requires a small-sized, high-strength cable joint is the joining of conveyor belts reinforced with a cable armor.

[0006] It would also be possible to configure the contact surfaces of said supports so that they have some significant relief or roughness to increase the frictional forces and thus the adhesion between the cable and the clamping interface of the fastener supports. However, in practice, such configurations tend to degrade the cable more quickly locally on the fastener, which is particularly problematic for certain uses where the aim is to improve fastening quality while minimizing maintenance operations to replace a cable. Furthermore, these configurations do not solve the problem of fastener volume depending on the desired application.

[0007] Also in some applications, securing one or more cables requires preparing one or more cable sections to be secured, which can be time-consuming and tedious. In the field of splices between two ends of a conveyor belt reinforced with cable reinforcement, it is generally necessary to mobilize skilled personnel to perform cable stripping operations near the ends of the conveyor belt to be connected, which is very time-consuming to implement. Furthermore, once the splicing is done, the joined cables must then be embedded in the constituent material of the belt body and a vulcanization operation is performed to finalize the splicing, this constituent material being a flexible and elastic material, for example made of vulcanized rubber or a synthetic material such as polyurethane.

[0008] Implementing these steps is particularly restrictive. Firstly, the multiplicity of operations requires a very long maintenance time, more than a day, even several days. Furthermore Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 114 / 167 3 / 39 of this, the very harsh operating conditions of the conveyor belt require careful work on the joints, which can only be done by highly qualified specialists. Due to the maintenance time, several shifts of people are needed, each of whom must be qualified. Furthermore, these joints require work to be carried out over a very long length, usually between 5 and 10 meters. As the vulcanization operation must be performed in a single step along the entire length of the joint, it is necessary to have a vulcanization press on site, usually at the location where the joint is to be repaired, and adapt it to the length of the joint. The time and cost involved are very high.

[0009] Thus, there is a significant need for one skilled in the art to arrive at a more effective solution than those proposed in the prior art to obtain a cable locking element that is intended to be fastened to at least a portion of at least one cable, is particularly strong and of reduced dimensions, and preferably participates in an improved junction of two ends of a conveyor belt of the type that has a body made of flexible material within which is housed a reinforcement consisting of cables. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to propose a solution that addresses some or all of these technical problems and, in particular, to propose a solution that has improved tensile strength characteristics, ensures the fastener locks onto the cable and reduces the risk of premature cable wear and has a relatively small size.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a cable locking element intended to be fastened to at least a portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising at least one support on a first side and a support on a second side opposite the first side, the supports being configured to enclose at least the portion of the cable, each of the supports having at least one groove, Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 115 / 167 4 / 39 defining together at least part of a passage cavity to receive at least the portion of the cable that passes through the locking element between an entry opening and an exit opening aligned according to a reference axis, the locking element being characterized by the cavity that receives the portion of the cable comprising an enlarged intermediate part, between the entry opening and exit opening portions, enlarged radially relative to the entry opening portion and the exit opening portion, the locking element comprising at least one anchoring member configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the enlarged intermediate part of the cavity situated in alignment with the entry and exit openings, so as to locally create a radial deformation of the section of the cable portion.

[0012] With this combination of features, one or more cable portions are wrapped between the supports and, for a given cable portion, it is possible to locally create a radial deformation of the section of the given cable portion by introducing the anchoring element. This deformation can then locally increase the gauge of the cable deformed by the anchoring member that is contained in the enlarged area of ​​the intermediate part, which is itself axially framed by two portions of reduced section, one towards the cable entry opening and the other towards the cable exit opening. The opening portions each form a portion of the cavity opening towards, or on the side of, the associated opening of the locking element.In a locked position of the cable portion in the locking element, the cable itself participates in the locking and, due to its radial deformation and consequently due to its size, comes against these reduced sections and becomes locked between the entry and exit opening portions.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the locking element comprises at least one clamping means for providing a fastening of the two supports to each other. Preferably, the clamping means comprise at least one screw and / or a hook and / or a Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 116 / 167 5 / 39 rivet and / or a crimping tool. Generally, the clamping means may be removable (or the clamping means may be removable), which is the particular case for the screw and the hook.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the locking element is configured to engage at least a first portion and a second portion of the same cable or of two separate cables.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the clamping means comprise the anchoring element such that the anchoring element participates in clamping the two supports to each other. In this way, the overall size of the locking element is minimized by providing both clamping and anchoring functions by means of a single means.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the supports are formed as a single piece. In such a configuration, a portion of cable is obtained that is continuously surrounded by the supports. In this case, the supports may be discontinuous and distributed over at least two zones facing each other, for example, or connected to each other to form a circumferential clamping.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the anchoring member comprises a rod portion configured to penetrate the cable portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the anchoring member preferably comprises at least one hook and / or screw and / or rivet and / or pin.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cable portion comprises a wire-type structure, the anchoring member comprising a distal end, opposite a head, provided with a tip so as to penetrate at least partially into the cable separating the wires from the cable structure. The use of a tip facilitates the introduction of the anchoring member through the corresponding portion of the Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 117 / 167 6 / 39 cable, without the need for specific tools. This end can be machined, for example bent, or cut after the anchor member is positioned, depending on the configuration of the locking element.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first two supports comprises at least one through-hole opening in the enlarged intermediate part of the cavity to allow the anchoring member to penetrate the enlarged intermediate part of the cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first of the two supports comprises at least one first interface, for example, a depression or countersink, suitable for accommodating a head of one of the anchor members, and wherein a second of the two supports comprises at least one second interface with which an anchor section of said anchor member, for example, a thread, is capable of cooperating. Obviously, these first and second interfaces are adapted to the associated anchor member. This feature is all the more advantageous as the anchor member forms, or constitutes, the clamping means itself, the interfaces allowing to ensure good retention of the anchor element and the clamping means.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the entry and / or opening portion has locally a sectional narrowing, preferably configured so that this narrowing has a diameter strictly smaller than the diameter of a cylindrical cable sheath. This feature is intended to ensure clamping of the cable portion at the entry and exit of the locking element through the opening portions. Such sectional narrowing may be continuous or discontinuous around the circumference of the cylindrical cable sheath. Such discontinuity may be formed, for example, by at least one tooth, or even a circumferential succession of teeth, capable of penetrating the given cable portion. A narrowing may be continuous where it is formed, for example, by a flange or flange portion that extends circumferentially in relation to said flange. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 118 / 167 7 / 39 portion of cable. Such narrowing can also be formed by a connected piece that would locally cover a part of the cable portion in the cavity, for example, in the inlet and / or outlet openings, or in portions of the inlet and / or outlet openings thereof.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the enlarged intermediate portion of the cavity has a radial enlargement in a plane orthogonal to an axis of a portion of the anchor member's rod configured to penetrate the cable. This axis preferably corresponds to the insertion axis of the anchor member through the cavity, preferably through the enlarged intermediate portion. The radial enlargement is preferably greater than or equal to 10%, more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of a cable diameter and preferably less than or equal to 50%, more preferably less than 40% of the cable diameter, on both sides relative to the cavity.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the inlet and outlet opening portions of the cable receiving cavity have a shape that partially defines a cylindrical sheath configured to cooperate with a cylindrical sheath of the cable. Preferably, in this case, the inlet and outlet opening portions of the cavity each extend axially along a length greater than or equal to the axial length of the enlarged intermediate portion of the cavity.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to an assembly of at least two cable locking elements, characterized by comprising at least one first and one second locking element with all or some of the features described above, the first and second locking elements being connected to each other by means of an assembly.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first and second locking elements are coupled in pairs so that each form supports a third locking element having all or some of the Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 119 / 167 8 / 39 characteristics of a locking element as described above. Preferably, in this case, the mounting means comprise one or more clamping means to ensure clamping of these two supports to each other. In this case, the clamping means may also comprise or consist of the anchoring element.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the assembly of at least two cable locking elements is intended to join at least one first end portion and a second end portion of at least one cable, the assembly means successively connecting a plurality of locking elements, at least one of the locking elements being configured to be attached to one of the two end portions and at least one other of the locking elements being configured to be attached to the other of the two end portions. Preferably, the assembly means in this case comprise at least one connecting cable.

[0028] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a joining device for at least one conveyor belt of the type extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a body made of flexible material within which is accommodated a reinforcement comprising cables extending at least partly axially, the joining device being intended to connect at least one first and one second aligned end portion of the conveyor belt, the joining device being notable for comprising at least one assembly of locking elements having all or some of the characteristics described above and intended to be fixed to the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt, so as to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt with at least some of the reinforcement cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0029] In other words, the invention also Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 120 / 167 9 / 39 refers to a joining device for at least one conveyor belt of the type extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a body made of flexible material within which is accommodated a reinforcement comprising reinforcing cables extending at least partly axially, the joining device being intended to connect at least a first and a second end portion of the conveyor belt, the joining device being characterized by comprising at least one assembly of at least two locking elements connected to each other by mounting means, the mounting means comprising at least one connecting cable, the assembly being intended to be fixed to the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt,so as to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt with at least some of the reinforcement cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt, each cable locking element comprising at least two opposing supports configured to enclose at least the portion of an associated reinforcement cable and the connecting cable, each of the supports having at least one groove together defining at least a portion of a passage cavity to receive at least the portion of the associated cable that passes through the locking element between an inlet opening and an outlet opening aligned according to a reference axis, the cavity comprising an enlarged intermediate portion between the inlet and outlet opening portions, enlarged radially relative to the inlet opening portion and the outlet opening portion,The locking element comprising at least one anchoring member configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the enlarged intermediate part of the cavity situated in alignment with the inlet and outlet openings, so as to locally create a radial deformation of the cross-section of the associated cable portion. According to one embodiment, some or all of the cable locking elements have some or all of the above features. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 121 / 167 10 / 39

[0030] According to one embodiment, the joining device comprises at least two joining plates configured so that each covers a separate side of the conveyor belt end portions, such that the conveyor belt end portions are disposed between the two joining plates, the joining plates being fastened together by fastening means arranged to pass respectively through one joining plate, one of the conveyor belt ends and then the other joining plate, each joining plate being made of a flexible and resilient material and comprising the locking element assemblies as described above, preferably embedded at least partially in the flexible and resilient material of the corresponding joining plate.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the joining device comprises at least:

[0032] - a longitudinal top assembly of at least two upper locking elements of the locking elements, connected to each other by an upper connecting cable of the connecting cables to pass through both ends of said reinforcing cables to be connected, and

[0033] - a lower longitudinal assembly of at least two lower locking elements of the locking elements, connected to each other by a lower connecting cable of the connecting cables to pass through both ends of said reinforcement cables to be connected,

[0034] the upper locking elements of the upper longitudinal assembly being shaped to be assembled with the lower locking elements of the lower longitudinal assembly, together forming a junction assembly and to enclose at least some of the reinforcing cords of the first end portion of the conveyor belt and at least some of the reinforcing cords of the second end portion of Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 122 / 167 11 / 39 end of the conveyor belt, the joining device preferably comprising a plurality of joining assemblies arranged in parallel to each other and configured to be evenly distributed across the joint.

[0035] According to one embodiment, some of the mounting means consist of some of the fasteners, which are arranged to pass respectively through a junction plate, one end of the conveyor belt and then the other junction plate.

[0036] According to one embodiment, in an enclosed position of the first end portion and second end portion reinforcement cables, the reinforcement cables are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal reference axis of the connecting cable portions locked with their corresponding locking element.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the support parts of the locking element are configured to enclose at least the portion of a first cable of the reinforcement cables and the connecting cable, the locking element comprising a groove that defines at least part of a passage cavity to receive a second cable of the reinforcement cables and the connecting cable, the passage cavity having two axial end openings.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the fasteners each comprise a head and an anchoring section, the junction plates having at least first interfaces to cooperate with the heads of the fasteners and / or second interfaces to cooperate with the anchoring sections of the fasteners, the junction plates being arranged to couple with one another. Preferably, the first and second interfaces are carried by locking elements of at least one of the assemblies accommodated in the corresponding junction plate.

[0039] According to one embodiment, each locking element allows three different cable portions to be secured. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 123 / 167 12 / 39 extend longitudinally, generally in parallel in pairs, of which a central cable forming a connecting cable passes longitudinally through the locking element, and two reinforcing cables to be locked by an anchorage member are configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the corresponding intermediate part.

[0040] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a conveyor belt joint extending along a longitudinal axis comprising a body made of flexible material within which is accommodated a reinforcement comprising cables extending at least partly axially, the conveyor belt having first and second end portions connected to each other by a joining device, the joint being characterized by the joining device comprising at least one assembly of locking elements having all or some of the features described above and fixed to the first end portion and to the second end portion of the conveyor belt, so as to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcement cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the joint comprises at least one assembly of locking elements, preferably a plurality, connecting all the reinforcement cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to all the reinforcement cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the joint comprises a plurality of axially aligned locking element assemblies, each assembly having an axial offset of at least one adjacent assembly, the axial offset preferably being greater than or equal to the axial length of a locking element.

[0043] According to another aspect, the invention Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 124 / 167 13 / 39 also refers to a method for producing a conveyor belt joint as described above, characterized by comprising at least the following steps:

[0044] - strip an upper and a lower part of the conveyor belt body at the first end portion and at the second end portion of the conveyor belt;

[0045] - place at least one assembly of locking elements so as to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcement cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the production method comprises at least one step of placing at least two junction plates, each covering a separate side of the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt, such that the first and second end portions of said conveyor belt are disposed between the two junction plates, the junction plates preferably being formed of a vulcanizable material, the step of placing the junction plates preferably being concomitant with the step of placing at least one locking element assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate:

[0048] [FIG. 1]: an isometric view of an assembly of two locking elements according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0049] [FIG. 2]: a bottom perspective view of the assembly according to this first embodiment;

[0050] [FIG. 3]: a cross-sectional view Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 125 / 167 14 / 39 horizontal from the top of this assembly according to this first modality;

[0051] [FIG. 4]: a cross-sectional view of the same assembly according to this first embodiment;

[0052] [FIG. 5]: a side view in section of the same assembly according to this first embodiment;

[0053] [FIG. 6]: an exploded isometric view of a part of a conveyor belt joint comprising assemblies of joint elements according to this first embodiment;

[0054] [FIG. 7]: an isometric view of this conveyor belt joint according to this first embodiment, in a joint position;

[0055] [FIG. 8]: an exploded isometric view of a conveyor belt joint comprising assemblies of joint elements according to this same first embodiment;

[0056] [FIG. 9]: an isometric top view of a locking element according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0057] [FIG. 10]: an isometric view from below of the locking element according to this second embodiment;

[0058] [FIG. 11]: a cross-sectional view of figure 9;

[0059] [FIG. 12]: a cross-sectional view of a locking element according to a variant;

[0060] [FIG. 13]: a view of a part of the locking element according to this second embodiment;

[0061] [FIG. 14]: an isometric top view of a locking element according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0062] [FIG. 15]: a cross-sectional view of the locking element according to this third embodiment;

[0063] [FIG. 16]: a view of a portion of the locking element according to this third embodiment; Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 126 / 167 15 / 39

[0064] [FIG. 17]: a view of a part of a conveyor belt joint comprising locking elements according to this third embodiment;

[0065] For clarity, identical or similar elements are indicated by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0066] In the descriptive report and claims, for the sake of clarity, the terminology longitudinal, transversal and vertical will be adopted in a non-limiting manner with reference to the X, Y, Z or X', Y', Z' trihedrons shown in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A MODALITY

[0067] With reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the figures illustrate an assembly 150 of two locking elements 50 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0068] The illustrated assembly 150 comprises two locking elements 50 for cables 4, a first upper locking element 50 and a second lower locking element 50, which are vertically superimposed. Each locking element 50 for a cable 4 ensures its locking in relation to a portion 40 of a cable 4. Preferably, the locking elements 50 are formed, or made, of metallic material (or metallic materials). To ensure this locking, each locking element 50 comprises a body passing through a cavity 70 configured to receive at least the portion 40 of the cable 4, the cavity 70 passing through the body from one side to the other between an entry opening 50A on one side, and an exit opening 50B on the other side, these openings being aligned according to a longitudinal reference axis X.

[0069] The cavity 70 is configured to enclose portion 40 of cable 4 along all or part of its length. To this end, and in general, the locking element 50 comprises at least one support 51 on a first side and a support 52 on a second side opposite to Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 127 / 167 16 / 39 first side, the supports 51, 52 being configured to enclose at least portion 40 of cable 4. Each of the supports 51, 52 has a groove 71, 72 jointly delimiting at least part of the cavity 70 and accommodating portion 40 of cable 4. In this embodiment, the body of the locking element 50 through which the cavity 70 passes from one opening 50A to the other 50B is a monobloc part, so that the supports 51, 52 are formed together in a single piece. The cavity 70 is thus, in this document, axially open longitudinally at the inlet openings 50A and the outlet openings 50B, the cavity 70 being radially closed by the supports 51, 52 so that the grooves 71, 72 meet to form a closed contour surrounding portion 40 of cable 4.

[0070] The cavity 70 of each of the two locking elements 50 that receives the portion 40 of the cable 4 comprises an enlarged intermediate or central part 73, which is disposed between the inlet opening portions 50A and the outlet opening portions 50B, enlarged radially in relation to the inlet opening portion 50A and in relation to the outlet opening portion 50B. This enlarged intermediate part 73 is disposed in alignment with the inlet opening portion 50A and the outlet opening portion 50B, that is, said enlarged intermediate part 73 lies on the longitudinal reference axis X, in this document centered on this axis X, but may optionally be off-center. The opening portions generally form portions that extend longitudinally from the cavity 70 that open in relation to the locking element 50 through the associated opening 50A, 50B.

[0071] Each locking element 50 is provided with at least one anchoring member 80 configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70, so as to locally create a deformation 45 of the section of the portion 40 of the cable 4 along at least one radial component. As can be seen, for example, in figure 4, the anchoring member 80 is formed in this document Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 128 / 167 17 / 39 by a straight rod with a portion 83 of the rod 80 penetrating the enlarged intermediate part 73. When a portion 40 of the cable 4 is housed in the cavity 70, this rod 80 passes through it locally, preferably, in this document, radially in relation to the longitudinal reference axis X. The cable 4 comprises a structure having a core 41 surrounded by wires 42, each of the wires 42 and the core 41 consisting of wires 43. The rod of the anchoring member 80, upon penetrating the cable 4, locally separates a part of the wires 43 of the cable 4 structure from another part, these two parts of the wires 43 being externally spaced in relation to the anchoring member 80, creating locally a swelling, that is, an increase in the gauge of the corresponding portion 40 of the cable 4.

[0072] This swelling extends relative to a substantially cylindrical sheath of cable 4 along a generally radial component and in two opposite directions, that is, along a transverse axis Y, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to a vertical axis A of the anchor member rod 80, thus creating a transverse deformation 45 of the initially cylindrical section 40 of cable 4 generally along this transverse axis Y', in one direction and the other. Each of the locking elements 50 is configured so that this deformation 45, once the anchor member 80 is positioned, contacts and rests on at least part of the inner walls that define the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70.

[0073] This insertion of the rod 80 into the cable is facilitated when the anchoring member 80 comprises a distal end 82, opposite a head 81, provided with a tip 820 so as to penetrate at least partially into the cable 4, progressively separating the wires 43 from the cable structure 4. This tip 820 is preferably rounded so as to allow the wires 43 to be separated from the structure without affecting its structural integrity. A radius of curvature of the rounding is then chosen so as to facilitate the separation of the wires 43 without damaging them. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 129 / 167 18 / 39

[0074] In order to allow the placement of this rod 80, one of the two supports 51, 52 accessible from the outside comprises a through hole 53 which opens in the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 to allow the engagement of a first rod 801, and thus allow the first rod 801 to penetrate, in this document, in translation, into the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 (see figure 4). The other of the two supports 51, 52 also comprises a second hole 53', for example, a through hole as shown, but not necessarily a through hole, to receive the tip 820 of a second rod 802 and retain it. This second hole 53' is positioned opposite the through hole 53, radially in relation to the longitudinal axis X of cable 4. The rod 80, 801, 802 is retained integrally with the locking element 50 being fitted into each of the two holes 53, 53' successively in the direction of insertion during its positioning.Since holes 53, 53' fully house the rod 801, 802 forming, in this document, the anchoring member 80, hole 53 forms a first interface 510 capable of housing the head 81 of the anchoring member 80 and hole 53' forms a second interface 520 with which it is capable of cooperating with an anchoring section 84 of said anchoring member 80. In this embodiment, the two rods 801, 802 form separate anchoring members 80 for each of the locking elements 50 under consideration, but, alternatively, it can be provided that the same rod is common to the two vertically superimposed locking elements 50.

[0075] The cavity 70 that receives portion 40 of the cable has, at its ends, in the vicinity of each of the inlet openings 50A and outlet openings 50B, a shape that defines a cylindrical sheath configured to cooperate with a cylindrical sheath of said cable 4. The supports 51, 52 being formed in one piece and completely surrounding portion 40 of cable 4, the longitudinal ends of the cavity 70 are formed by cylindrical portions that form the opening portions and that are complementary to this cable 4, or even of diameter Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 130 / 167 19 / 39 slightly smaller so as to allow light clamping, increasing the frictional forces between cable 4 and the corresponding groove 71, 72 of cavity 70. In this configuration, cable 4 is sufficiently wrapped so as not to be loosely disposed in cavity 70, but not too tightly, so as to allow cable 4 to be inserted through said cavity 70 by a manual operation performed by an operator, preferably without the aid of any specific tooling. Additional clamping means 60 may be provided to ensure clamping of the two supports 51, 52 to each other. In this example, a crimp 60 is provided in each of the entry and exit openings 50A, 50B, the crimp being obtained by stamping one of the supports on an external surface, creating a protruding material deformation within cavity 70, in the corresponding groove 71, 72, as can be seen in particular in figure 5. Obviously, any type of crimping can be used to form a clamping means according to the configuration of the locking element 50.

[0076] These cylindrical end portions of cavity 70, or opening portions, open axially to the inlet and outlet openings 50A, 50B. These opening portions each extend axially along a length I5oa and Isob, each of which is less than or equal to the axial length L73 of the enlarged intermediate portion 73 of cavity 70.

[0077] As can be seen, for example, in Figure 3, the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 has a radial enlargement 75 that generally extends along a plane P orthogonal to the axis A of the rod portion 83 of the anchor member 80 configured to penetrate the cable 4. This transverse enlargement 75 of the cavity is preferably greater than or equal to 10%, more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of a cable diameter D 4 and preferably less than or equal to 50%, more preferably less than 40% of the cable diameter D 4, on each side relative to the cavity 70 (see, for example, Figure 3). For example, for a Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 131 / 167 20 / 39 cable 4 of 5 mm diameter, passed substantially in the middle by a rod 83 of 3 mm diameter, cable 4 will have a protrusion on both sides of rod 83, this protrusion being directed generally transversely in relation to the longitudinal reference axis X of cavity 70, in one direction and the other. The enlarged intermediate part 73 of cavity 70 is then configured to have a transverse enlargement 75 configured to accommodate this protrusion and to have a dimension corresponding to 30% of the diameter D of cable 4 on both sides of axis A.

[0078] In such a configuration, each of the locking elements 50 allows a portion of cable to be held locked thanks, on the one hand, to the frictional forces of the locking element 50 locally with the portion 40 of the cable 4, in particular between the supports 51, 52 completed by the complementary clamping means 60 and, on the other hand, to the deformation 45 of the portion 40 of the cable 4 ensured by the anchoring member 80. This deformation 45 of the cable is made possible by the internal widening 75 of the cavity 70 at the level of the portion of the widened intermediate part 73 disposed between two portions of smaller sections of the cavity 70 that lock the cable 4 in axial translation.

[0079] As discussed above, this first embodiment illustrates an assembly 150 provided with two cable locking elements 50 mounted vertically along a vertical Z axis: a first upper locking element 50 is configured to couple with a second lower locking element 50, connected to each other by fasteners 110.

[0080] This pair of lower and upper locking means 50 is configured to enclose between them at least one other portion of cable 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4', as illustrated in figures 1 to 6. In this way, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form clamping claws configured to enclose these two cables 4' in an interior space 151 of the assembly 150. In a configuration not particularly illustrated in these figures, it should be noted Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 132 / 167 21 / 39 that such clamping claws can form supports 51, 52 of the same locking element 50 within the meaning of the present invention: in this case, the two supports 51, 52 are not formed in one piece, but in two separate parts and the fasteners 110 then constitute clamping means 60.

[0081] The cavities 70 of each of the locking elements 50 are positioned, in an assembled position of the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50, so as to be substantially parallel and, in particular, symmetrical with respect to a clamping plane Ps. These cavities 70 of each of the lower and upper clamping elements 50 are positioned aligned in a vertical plane, parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the two locked portions 40 of the cables 4 and perpendicular to the clamping plane Ps. The two cables 4' wrapped between the two lower and upper locking elements 50 are arranged parallel to each other, parallel to the longitudinal reference axis X of the two portions 40 of the cables 4 locked with their corresponding locking element 50 and parallel to the lower and upper connecting cables.

[0082] The two 4' cables enclosed by the 50 clamps of the assembly 150 are off-center with respect to the aforementioned vertical plane and positioned symmetrically with respect to this vertical plane. The lower and upper locking elements 50 each have, on their inner side directed towards the inner space 151, a groove 171 each, receiving one of the 4' cables in support. The grooves are associated in pairs of one groove each of the lower and upper locking elements 50. The grooves 171 in the pair are vertically aligned or overlapping and together define at least part of a passage cavity 170 to receive the corresponding portion of the 4' cable that passes through the assembly 150 between two axially open openings. Thus, two cavities 170 are formed between the clamps forming an interface to enclose the corresponding 4' cable portions. Again, in a configuration not shown in these Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 133 / 167 22 / 39 figures, each of the two cavities 170 can form in one embodiment a cavity also having an enlarged intermediate part in the direction of the invention.

[0083] The lower and upper locking elements each have, on their inner side, a protrusion 172 facing the inner space located substantially in line, vertically, with the corresponding cavity 70 and extending substantially longitudinally between the two inlet and outlet openings 50A, 50B. This makes it possible to provide an excess thickness allowing a sufficient amount of material to receive one end of the anchoring member 80 and ensure its anchoring, in this document to ensure a hole 53' dimensioned to guarantee the proper locking of the end of the rod 83. Such protrusion 172 may, in general, be located exactly in line with the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 without necessarily extending longitudinally.However, in the case of such a claw, a protrusion 172 that continues longitudinally allows delimiting at least part of a groove, in this case the two grooves on each side transversely.

[0084] Hole 53' that forms the second interface 520 of each of the two locking elements 50 with which an anchoring section 84 of said anchoring member 80 is adapted to cooperate and receive the tip 520 of the rod 83 has a transition edge to the enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70. This transition edge is configured so as to have a rounding throughout its circumference. In this way, when the portion 40 of the cable 4 is pressed against the groove 72 of the internal support 52, which is the support located on the inner side of the locking element 50 forming a claw, that is, closer to the internal space 151, when the anchoring member 80 is inserted, the cable 4 is pressed radially against the cavity 70, in particular against the inner wall in the enlarged intermediate part 73, and comes into contact with this rounding and not with a sharp circumferential edge, thus limiting its wear. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 134 / 167 23 / 39

[0085] As illustrated in figures 6, 7 and 8, the locking elements 50 are used in combination to form a specific assembly. In particular, these locking elements 50 are used as part of a joint 10 of a conveyor belt 1. These conveyor belts 1 are used in particular in mines, quarries and other locations where they are subjected to severe working conditions and high internal stresses.

[0086] The conveyor belt 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X' generally corresponding to its direction of movement along a conveyor. The conveyor belt 1 comprises a body 2 formed of a flexible material such as a vulcanizable elastomer, or a synthetic material, reinforced with a reinforcement 3 comprising cables 4', for example of steel, embedded in the body 2. The forces absorbed by the conveyor belt 1 are mainly longitudinal, so the cables 4' are arranged in the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 in such a way that they extend axially and work in tension during the use of said conveyor belt 1.

[0087] The conveyor belt 1 comprises a first end edge 11' and a second end edge 12', from which a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12 extend through the conveyor belt 1 and are connected to each other by a joining device 100 providing the junction 10 between the two end portions 11, 12. In the junction position, the end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 are vertically aligned, with the first end edge 11' and the second end edge 12' longitudinally opposite, preferably touching. It should be noted in practice that, given the distances to transport different materials or different products according to the uses in quarries or other places of use, a single conveyor belt 1 may be formed by joining several longitudinal parts of the conveyor belt connected by a device of Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 135 / 167 24 / 39 joins 100.

[0088] The end portions 11, 12 are configured so that, at the junction position, the junction 10 in the junction device 100 is equal in thickness to the conveyor belt 1. In this way, the use of the junction device 100 does not create a local excess thickness at its ends 11, 12, the thickness being constant. This feature is particularly important to avoid premature wear due to the passage of scrapers on the conveyor. In order to satisfy this restriction, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 are thinned, in particular after being stripped by a stripping operation, to ensure the placement of the junction device 100. This stripping preferably extends in thickness to the cables 4', that is, to a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the cables 4'.

[0089] The conveyor belt 1 houses the reinforcing cables 4' in its body 2. The conveyor belt 1 is structured so as to comprise, in terms of its thickness and, a substantially central layer 1A which incorporates the cables 4' and which is vertically interposed between two outer layers of flexible material of the body 2 without reinforcement 3, namely: an upper part and a lower part of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0090] Each of the 4' cables of conveyor belt 1 extends longitudinally in the body 2 of conveyor belt 1 continuously in the corresponding end portion where the loose and cut end of each 4' cable is located. The end portions 11, 12 are formed, in the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt, from the central layer 1A integrating the cables and stripped of the outer layers, that is, stripped of the lower and upper layers of material normally located on the rest of the conveyor belt outside the junction 10, on both sides of the central layer 1A. The thickness of the end portions 11, 12 corresponds to the thickness of the central layer 1A obtained after the stripping operation and is preferably Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 136 / 167 25 / 39 equals an average diameter of the 4' cables or the diameter of the largest 4' cable. A perfect stripping of each cable corresponding to the complete removal of all the body 2 material surrounding the 4' cables, and in particular the body 2 material between the 4' cables, is therefore not necessary in this embodiment.

[0091] The joining device 100 that provides the joining between the two longitudinally aligned end portions 11, 12 comprises in this document two joining plates 101, 102, each dimensioned to cover, in whole or in part of the width of the conveyor belt 1 and preferably in the whole width, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 on the same side of the conveyor belt 1. The joining plates 101, 102 comprise a lower joining plate 101 that passes under the first and second end portions 11, 12 and an upper joining plate 102 positioned over the first and second end portions 11, 12 so as to cover them.These junction plates 101, 102 each have a thickness complementary to that of the corresponding end portion, configured to jointly fill the material void produced during the stripping stage, with the aim of thinning the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12. Thus, after joining, a leveling of the junction 10 with the lower 1'' and upper 1' surfaces of the conveyor belt 1 is obtained, that is, a constant, level thickness of the conveyor belt 1 is achieved. As mentioned above, this feature makes it possible to avoid premature wear due to the use of scrapers (not shown) located in the path of the transported materials and configured to scrape the upper surface 1' of the conveyor belt 1.

[0092] The first and second end portions 11, 12 of said conveyor belt 1 are gripped, or wrapped, vertically between the two junction plates 101, 102, each creating a material bridge between the first and second ends 11, Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 137 / 167 26 / 39 12. These junction plates 101, 102 are made of a flexible and elastic material, for example vulcanized rubber, or a synthetic material such as polyurethane. This is preferably the same flexible material that constitutes the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0093] According to the invention, the joining device 100 comprises at least one assembly 150 of locking elements 50 fixed to the first end portion 11 and to the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1, so as to connect at least part of the reinforcement cables 4' of the first end portion 11 of the conveyor belt 1 with at least part of the reinforcement cables 4' of the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0094] To ensure that the two end portions of conveyor belt 1 are joined, the locking elements 50 are connected to each other in various ways.

[0095] The locking elements 50 are mounted vertically, in pairs, so that for each assembly 150 a first upper locking element 50 is configured to couple with a second lower locking element 50, connected to each other by fasteners 110, such pair of lower and upper locking means 50 being configured to enclose at least one cable 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4'. As described previously in conjunction with the preceding figures, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form clamping jaws configured to enclose at least a portion of the cable 4'.

[0096] In addition, a plurality of upper locking elements 50 are also longitudinally connected by a cable 4 that forms a connecting cable for the junction 10 and passes through a cavity 70 of each of the so-called upper locking elements 50. Similarly, a plurality of lower locking elements 50 are also longitudinally connected by a connecting cable 4 that passes Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 138 / 167 27 / 39 through a cavity 70 of each of said lower locking elements 50. In the context of a junction 10 of the end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1, reinforced by cables 4', a longitudinally axial assembly 150 of a plurality of locking elements 50 connected to each other by a connecting or junction cable 4 that passes through the two ends of said cables 4' to be connected to the conveyor belt 1 may be used. In this embodiment, a longitudinal assembly 150 of several upper locking elements 50 is coupled to a complementary lower longitudinal assembly 150, thus forming a plurality of claws that encircle one end of the cable 4' and another plurality of claws that encircle the other end of the cable 4', thus forming a connection.

[0097] A junction assembly 150' of a plurality of pairs of lower and upper locking means 50 as described above is obtained, said pairs of locking means being connected longitudinally, by a lower cable 4 successively connecting the lower locking elements 50 and, by an upper cable 4, successively connecting the upper locking elements 50. Such a junction assembly is divided into two removable parts, specifically an upper part and a lower part.

[0098] By applying a configuration to the junction 10 of a conveyor belt 1, and multiplying such junction assemblies 150' arranged parallel to each other and evenly distributed over the junction 10, it is then possible to secure the junction of the two end portions of the conveyor belt 1 by connecting each cable end 4' of the first end portion 11 to the other cable end 4' of the second end portion 12. In this embodiment, the junction assemblies 150' are integrated into the junction plates 101, 102, with the locking elements 50 being embedded in the soft and resilient material, such as vulcanized rubber, forming the associated junction plate 101, 102. The upper portions of the junction assemblies 150' of a single junction device 100 (elements of Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 139 / 167 28 / 39 upper locking elements 50 and upper connecting cables 4) are in fact easily integrated into the constituent material of the upper junction plate 102 and the lower portions of the junction assemblies 150' of a single junction device 100 (lower locking elements 50 and lower connecting cables 4) are in fact easily integrated into the constituent material of the lower junction plate 101.

[0099] Alternatively, they can be fixed to these first and second end portions 11, 12 and then covered with a junction plate. However, this method offers less flexibility and requires a greater thickness of the joint thus produced.

[0100] The fastening of the junction plates, lower 101 and above 102, is carried out by fasteners 110 comprising a rod, such as screw-nut fasteners. The fasteners 110 pass through the thickness and successively: a first of the two junction plates 101 or 102, then one of the two end portions 11 or 12 and lastly the second of the two junction plates 101 or 102. In this embodiment, the fasteners 110 are screws comprising, each comprising a head 111 and an anchoring section 112 provided with a thread, the junction plates 101, 102 comprising first interfaces 113 to cooperate with the heads 111 of the fasteners 110 and / or second interfaces 114 to cooperate with the anchoring sections 112 of the fasteners 110. The first and second interfaces 113, 114 are carried by the locking elements 50 integrated into the junction plates 101, 102.Thus, in this embodiment, the fasteners 110 have a dual function to ensure, on the one hand, the fastening of the junction plates 101, 102 to each other with the end portions 11 or 12 and, on the other hand, to ensure the connection of a pair of locking elements 50 forming claws to enclose one or more portions of cables 4'. In a particular configuration not illustrated in this document, the fasteners 110 can also form a clamping means 60 of a locking element 50 that would be formed by the combination of one. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 140 / 167 29 / 39 pair of overlapping lower and upper locking elements 50 where each locking element 50 forming one of the claws forms, or constitutes, supports 51, 52 as described above with one or more cavities 170 making it possible to accommodate in them a deformation of one of the cables 4' of the corresponding end portion 11, 12 of a conveyor belt 1. Such a configuration is also possible even if the lower and upper locking elements 50 with such cavities 170 enclose two cables, without necessarily a third central cable being present, the claws then being only supports 51, 52 of the same locking element 50, without these supports constituting locking elements 50 per se.

[0101] The first interfaces 113 each comprise a depression capable of accommodating a head 111 of one of the fasteners 110. The second interfaces 114 comprise a cylindrical tubular part 116, whose internal cylindrical surface is capable of cooperating with the anchoring section 112 of the fasteners 110, thanks, in this document, to a threading complementary to the threading of the anchoring section 112.

[0102] The fasteners 110 are arranged so as to pass through the cables 4' of the corresponding cable 4' of the associated end portion 11 or 12. Each pair of lower and upper locking means 50 has two screw-type fasteners 110 that pass through each of the cavities 170 of the assembly and the cable 4' housed therein. The fasteners are offset from a transverse axis Y' that passes through the anchoring member 80 so as not to be transversely aligned, one of the two fasteners 100 being offset by one step towards the front, the other being offset by one step towards the rear. In this way, the transverse gauge of the locking and / or mounting element can be reduced.

[0103] Each of the lower and upper locking elements 50 of the assemblies 150 comprises two transversely extending wings 54, which are configured to rest against adjacent connecting cables 4 of adjacent assemblies 150 on either side. From Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 141 / 167 30 / 39 preference, this support at least partially surrounds a portion of the cable's outer surface in order to gain stability and minimize any wear at the interface with the 4' cable.

[0104] As the junction plates 101, 102 come from both sides of the end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt consisting of the central layer 1A which integrates the cables 4', it is not necessary to perfectly strip all the cables 4' from the end portions 11, 12. The junction is made by implementing the following steps:

[0105] - strip an upper and a lower part of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 at the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1;

[0106] - place the two junction plates 101, 102, each covering a separate side of the first and second end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1, so that the first and second end portions 11, 12 of said conveyor belt 1 are disposed between the two junction plates 101, 102;

[0107] - during this stage of placing the junction plates 101, 102, the junction assemblies 150' are placed simultaneously by coupling, in pairs, the upper locking elements 50 forming an upper claw with the lower locking elements 50 forming a lower claw, so as to connect the reinforcement cables 4' of the first end portion 11 to the reinforcement cables 4' of the second end portion 12;

[0108] - secure the joint by positioning the fasteners 110 to hold each pair of lower and upper locking elements 50 together.

[0109] Preferably, the pairs of lower and upper locking elements 50 are configured so that they are generally arranged in a staggered manner. In this way, they are not all aligned transversely to the transverse axis Y' of the conveyor belt 1. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 142 / 167 31 / 39

[0110] The 150' junction assemblies are also positioned so that each 4' reinforcement cable of the first end portion 11 or the second end portion 12 is connected by one of the 150' junction assemblies, with the 4' reinforcement cable adjacent to a first side and by another of the 150' junction assemblies, with the 4' reinforcement cable adjacent to a second side, opposite the first side.

[0111] Figures 9 to 13 illustrate a locking element 50 according to a second embodiment. This locking element 50, made of metal, allows the fastening of three different cable strands or cable portions, of which two cables are locked by an anchoring member 80 configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the corresponding intermediate part 73. Among these three cables, the locking element has a central cable 4'' and two lateral cables 4.

[0112] The central cable 4'' runs longitudinally through the locking element 50 and is permanently fixed in the hole through which it passes by any means, such as gluing, welding or even molding the metal locking element 50 directly to the cable. This central hole opening on each side of the locking element 50 can be cylindrical (see figure 11) or different, for example, ovoid (see figure 12), but other shapes are obviously possible (oblong etc.). The two lateral cables 4 each pass through the locking element 50, each corresponding portion 40 of the cable 4 being housed in a separate cavity 70. These three parts of the cable 4, 4'' extend longitudinally generally in a parallel manner two by two.

[0113] Similar to the first embodiment, the body of the locking element 50 is passed through an inlet opening 50A to the other outlet opening 50B for each of the two cavities 70 configured to receive a portion of cable. The body of the locking element 50 is formed from a single piece, so that the supports 51, 52 are integrally formed. Each of these cavities 70 Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 143 / 167 32 / 39 is similar to that described with reference to the first embodiment. Thus, each of the two cavities 70 that receive one of the portions 40 of the cables 4 comprises an enlarged intermediate or central part 73, which is disposed between and in alignment with the corresponding inlet openings 50A and outlet openings 50B. The enlarged intermediate parts 73 of each of the two cavities 70 are offset longitudinally, i.e., they are not aligned along a Y-axis transverse to the longitudinal X-axis. This is to allow for a smaller overall size, but also to allow for an optimized position of the anchoring member 80, as will be discussed below.

[0114] The anchoring member 80 is, in this document, a hook. The hook 80 has a general “U” shape before being attached to the conveyor belt. A hook 80 is formed from a monobloc rod, that is, formed in one piece and preferably made of metal. The head 81 of the hook 80 is formed from a substantially straight central part of the monobloc rod, which is interposed between two lateral parts of the rod, each forming a portion of the rod 83 configured to penetrate one of the two portions 40 of the cables 4 to be locked. Each rod connected to the head 81 by an elbow shape, itself an anchoring member 80 to penetrate one of the two enlarged intermediate parts 73 to create the deformation 45 of each of the two corresponding parts 40 of the cables 4 and thus lock them, as in the first embodiment.

[0115] Portions 83 of the rods 80 have tips 820 at their ends that extend away from the head 81 to facilitate their insertion through each of the two enlarged intermediate parts 73, to pass through the body of the locking element 50 vertically through its thickness.

[0116] On an outer side of the locking element 50 on the side of a first support 51 forming an upper support, the locking element 50 has a first interface 510, such as Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 144 / 167 33 / 39 a groove, for additional accommodation of all or part of the head 81 of the hook 80. On another external side of the locking element 50 on the side of a second support 52 forming an upper support, the locking element 50 has a second interface 520 such as one or two grooves to accommodate all or part of the ends 820 of the hook 80 which are bent or curved under the locking element 50 after being inserted to lock the hook 80 once installed and thus ensure that it does not come loose during the use of the conveyor belt 1. The bent ends 820 of the hook 80 thus each form an anchoring section 84 of said anchoring member 80 ensuring the anchoring of said clamp 80 to the locking element 50 making it possible to prevent its removal and lock its assembly.

[0117] While the rod portions 83 penetrate vertically into one of the two portions 40 of the cables 4 to be locked, the head 81 extends along a transverse component to connect the two cables 4, but at an angle, i.e., with a certain inclination relative to the transverse axis, also demonstrating that the enlarged intermediate parts 73 of each of the two cavities are displaced longitudinally. In addition to gaining in volume, it is evident from such a configuration that, when tensile forces are applied to the two separate cables 4 in which the hook 80 is anchored, this results in a rotational force of the hook 80 around a vertical axis, which would have the effect of further restricting the outward deformation of the cable, further locking the cables 4.

[0118] The enlarged intermediate portions 73 of each of the two cavities 70 are interposed axially between two generally cylindrical portions complementary to the cylindrical sheath of the corresponding cable portion, or even slightly smaller, these cylindrical portions forming opening portions, each opening axially into the inlet opening 50A and respectively into the outlet opening 50B. An enlarged section of each enlarged intermediate portion 73 has a dimension of Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 145 / 167 34 / 39 cross-section larger than that of the cylindrical portions framing it. This increase in size, or widening, extends at least partially transversely in relation to the locking element 50, that is, along the transverse axis Y perpendicular to the associated longitudinal axis X and to a vertical axis A of the anchoring element rod 80, thus creating a transverse deformation 45 of the initially cylindrical section of the cable portion 40 generally along this transverse axis Y, in both directions. It should be noted that in some possible variants, the axis A may not be vertical.

[0119] In this second embodiment, the locking element 50 further comprises stapling means 60 for fastening the two supports 51,52 to each other. As these supports 51,52 are formed, in this document, in a single piece, it is convenient to proceed with a crimp along all or part of the cylindrical end portions of each of the cavities 70. This crimping is visible from the outside by an impression 61 left on the locking element 50 after the stapling operation, in this document crimping.

[0120] A set of such locking elements can be used, for example, to form a junction assembly that participates in the joining of end portions of a conveyor belt. The central cable 4'' is in this case preferably a connecting cable along which a plurality of locking elements are successively attached, forming a longitudinal assembly. Such an assembly (not shown) of locking elements 50 is configured in this case to be fixed in a manner traversing the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1, so as to connect at least part of the 4' reinforcing cables of the first end portion 11 of the conveyor belt 1 with at least part of the 4' reinforcing cables of the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0121] In such a configuration, the 4'' central cable of each Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 146 / 167 35 / 39 locking element passes through the first and second end portions 11, 12 and the two side cables 4 are, on one side longitudinally of the assembly, a reinforcing cable 4' of one of the two end portions 11, 12 and, on the other side longitudinally of the assembly, a reinforcing cable 4' of the other of the two end portions 11, 12.

[0122] However, making such a joint requires the complete stripping of the reinforcing cable portions that constitute the end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1. Once the cables have been connected, it is possible to vulcanize the joint to reform the body of the conveyor belt 1 around the reinforcement rebuilt by the joint. It should be noted that vulcanization can also preferably be replaced by the use of two junction plates 101, 102 and / or the use of a fused resin. These alternatives allow avoiding a long and complex vulcanization step.

[0123] To facilitate the positioning of the locking elements 50, they can be designed in two distinct parts, each forming one of the two lower and upper supports 51, 52, like claws. To ensure the centering of the two grooves 71, 72 of each of the supports 51, 52, an additional connecting element can be provided, for example, a joint between the two supports, ensuring a perfect overlap of the supports and facilitating positioning around the corresponding cable sections.

[0124] Figures 14 to 17 illustrate a locking element 50 according to a third embodiment which differs essentially from the second embodiment by not having a central cable 4'' and by the two cavities 70, each receiving a cable, communicating in such a way as to provide a single enlarged intermediate part 73. The locking element 50 has the form of a monobloc sleeve, that is, the supports 51, 52 are also formed in one piece, but it allows guaranteeing the locking of two portions 40 of the cable (or cables) 4 in the same cavity 70.

[0125] In such a configuration, the entry openings Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 147 / 167 36 / 39 50A and output 50B also communicate with each other. These 50A input and 50B output openings are longitudinally aligned with each other according to the X-axis reference, and have a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the two cables, which are crimped in a manner similar to the second method.

[0126] The enlarged intermediate part 73 has an enlargement 75 centered in relation to the cavity allowing each of the cables 4 to extend, due to the insertion of the anchoring member 80 through its structure, in this space complementary to the local deformation or swelling of the gauge of the corresponding cable portion 4. The anchoring member 80 is a hook similar to that described in conjunction with the second embodiment. In this example, since the enlarged intermediate part 73 is common to both cables 4, the enlargement 75 of the cavity 70 is provided for a given cable 4 on the side of the cavity opposite to the other cable 4. For cables 4 with a diameter of 8 mm, each substantially passed in the middle by a rod 83 with a diameter of 2.9 mm, each cable 4 will have a protrusion on each side of the rod 83, this protrusion being directed generally transversely in relation to the longitudinal reference axis X of the cavity 70, in one direction and the other.The enlarged intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 is then configured to have a transverse enlargement 75 configured to accommodate therein the protrusion of one cable on one side and the protrusion of the other cable on the other side, each protrusion 75 having a dimension corresponding to approximately 18% of the diameter D of the corresponding cable 4.

[0127] Hook 80 has a head 81 that extends at an angle, that is, with an inclination relative to the axes of the cables, also demonstrating that the protrusions of the two cables are longitudinally displaced relative to each other. The protrusion of one cable is located on one side in the transverse widening 75 of the enlarged intermediate part 73 and, on the opposite side, the protrusion is directed towards the other cable, Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 148 / 167 37 / 39 or even makes contact and rests on it.

[0128] A set of such locking elements can be used, for example, to form a junction assembly involved in joining end portions of a conveyor belt. In this case, of the two cables locked by each locking element 50, one of the two is one of the reinforcement cables 4 of one of the two end portions 11, 12 and the other of the two locked cables is a reinforcement cable 4' of the other of the two end portions 11, 12. In this embodiment, no connecting cables are used crossing the two end portions 11, 12, so that the reinforcement cables of the perfectly stripped end portions 11, 12 become entangled at the junction 10. Moreover, this occurs in an alternating and parallel manner to each other.The locking elements 50 are then arranged alternately and offset from each other along the length of the tangle of cable portions 4', the locking elements 50 connecting the cables two by two and preferably spaced every two cables. Each pair of cables is preferably fastened together by at least three, preferably at least five, locking elements 50. Once the cables have been connected at the end portions 11, 12, the joint can then be vulcanized so as to reform the conveyor belt body 1 around the reinforcement reconstructed by the joint.

[0129] Naturally, the invention is described above as an example. It is understood that one skilled in the art is capable of carrying out various alternative embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0130] For example, it is understood that other fasteners, clamping means or anchoring members, such as screws, may be used to perform the same function. In addition, the vertical orientations of the fasteners and / or clamping means and / or anchoring members may be different.

[0131] In addition, it is described in relation to the figures Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 149 / 167 38 / 39 an anchoring member 80 formed by a straight rod, a portion 83 of said rod 80 penetrating the enlarged intermediate part 73 and passing locally through the cavity 70 radially with respect to the X axis while simultaneously passing through the cable portion 40 to create the deformation when a portion 40 of the cable 4 is housed in the cavity 70. In another configuration, it can be provided that this deformation is created without passing through the cable. In this case, the rod may be straight, with a circular or rectangular cross-section, for example, and may be provided with a chamfered edge tip 820 which, when inserted, allows the cable portion 40 to be moved locally to create the deformation 45.

[0132] With regard to a conveyor belt, the longitudinal direction is, by convention and for convenience and clarity of disclosure throughout this descriptive report, the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and applies equally to the considered joining device since this must be mounted on the conveyor belt. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thus defined, regardless of the dimensions of the joining device considered individually.

[0133] In a particular configuration, not shown in the figures, the supports are not necessarily monobloc, so that all or part of the cavity may be formed by at least one connected part. For example, a first part of two supports, whether monobloc or not, may have or delimit a first through hole with a cylindrical lining, therefore of constant diameter, and complementary terminals may be provided to be placed at the longitudinal ends of this first through hole cooperating in the same, each of these end pieces having or delimiting a second through hole defining the inlet and outlet openings, as well as the inlet and outlet portions. The enlarged intermediate part would then be defined longitudinally between said end pieces and would have an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the first hole. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 150 / 167 39 / 39

[0134] The supports can enclose the cable portion(s) directly as seen in the figures or also enclose the cable portion(s) indirectly. This is the case, for example, if an intermediate piece, for example made of plastic, is placed between the groove of at least one of the metal supports and receives the cable portion. Such a plastic part can be used as a consumable to preserve the wear of the locking element, while at the same time allowing variation of the coefficient of friction. The connected part can be changed as it wears.

[0135] The connecting and / or reinforcing cable (or cables) may also consist (or consist) of just strands, without necessarily comprising a core. Generally, they comprise bundles of twisted wires. Preferably, the cables are metallic, i.e., made of metallic wires.

[0136] It is noted that all features, as is evident to one skilled in the art from this descriptive report, the drawings and the attached claims, even if specifically described only in conjunction with other specified features, either individually or in any combinations, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed in this document, provided that this has not been expressly excluded and provided that technical circumstances do not render such combinations impossible or meaningless. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 151 / 167

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1. A joining device (100), for at least one conveyor belt (1) of the type extending along a longitudinal axis (X') and comprising a body (2) made of flexible material within which a reinforcement (3) comprising reinforcing cables (4') extending at least partly axially is accommodated, the joining device (100) being intended to connect at least a first (11) and a second (12) end portion of the conveyor belt (1), wherein the joining device (100) is characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly (150) of at least two locking elements (50) connected together by assembly, the assembly comprising at least one connecting cable (4, 4''), the assembly (150) being intended to be fixed to the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt,so as to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) with at least some of the reinforcement cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1), each cable locking element (50) comprising at least two opposing supports (51, 52) configured to enclose at least the portion of an associated cable between the reinforcement cables (4') and the connecting cable (4, 4''), each support (51, 52) having at least one groove (71, 72) together defining at least a part of a passage cavity (70) to receive at least the portion (40) of the associated cable (4) passing through the locking element (50) between an inlet opening (50A) and an outlet opening (50B) aligned according to a reference axis (X), the cavity (70) having an enlarged intermediate part (73), between the inlet (50A) and outlet opening portions (50B),radially enlarged in relation to the inlet opening portion (50A) and the outlet opening portion (50B), the locking element (50) comprising at least one anchoring member (80) configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the enlarged intermediate part (73) of the cavity (70) located in alignment with the inlet and outlet openings (50A, 50B), so as to locally create a radial deformation (45) of the cross-section of the associated cable portion (40).

2. Joining device (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two joining plates (101, 102) configured to cover a separate side of each of the end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) such that the end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) are each disposed between the two joining plates (101, 102), the joining plates (101, 102) being fastened together by fasteners (110) arranged to pass respectively through one joining plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt (1) and then the other joining plate, each joining plate (101, 102) being made of a flexible and elastic material and comprising the sets (150) of locking elements, preferably embedded at least partially in the flexible and elastic material of the corresponding joining plate (101, 102).

3. Joining device (100), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the joining device comprises at least: - an upper longitudinal assembly (150) of at least two upper locking elements (50) between the locking elements (50), connected together by an upper connecting cable between the connecting cables to pass through the two ends of said reinforcing cables (4') to be connected, and - a lower longitudinal assembly (150) of at least two lower locking elements (50) between the locking elements, connected together by a lower connecting cable between the connecting cables to pass through the two ends of said reinforcing cables (4') to be connected, Petition 870220099484, of 10 / 27 / 2022, p.153 / 167 3 / 7 the upper locking elements of the upper longitudinal assembly being shaped to be assembled with the lower locking elements of the lower longitudinal assembly forming together a junction assembly (150') and to enclose at least part of the reinforcement cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) and at least part of the reinforcement cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1), the junction device (100) preferably comprising a plurality of junction assemblies (150') arranged parallel to each other and configured to be evenly distributed over the junction (10).

4. Joining device (100), according to claim 3, characterized in that some of the mounting means are constituted by some of the fasteners (110), which are arranged to pass respectively through a joining plate, one end of the conveyor belt (1) and then the other joining plate.

5. Joining device (100), according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in a closed position of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12), the reinforcing cables (4') are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal reference axis (X) of the portions (40) of the connecting cables (4) locked with their corresponding locking element (50).

6. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting parts (51, 52) of the locking element (50) are configured to enclose at least the portion of a first cable between the reinforcement cables and the connecting cable, the locking element (50) comprising a groove (171) defining at least part of a passage cavity (170) for receiving a second cable from the reinforcement cables and the connecting cable, the passage cavity having two axial end openings. Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 154 / 167 4 / 7 7. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of the locking elements (50) comprise at least one clamping means (60) for securing the clamping of the two supports (51, 52) to each other, the clamping means (60) preferably comprising at least one screw and / or hook and / or rivet and / or crimping tool.

8. Joining device (100), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamping means (60) comprise the anchoring element (80) such that the anchoring element (80) participates in clamping the two supports (51,52) relative to each other.

9. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (51, 52) of at least some of the locking elements are formed in one piece.

10. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring member (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprises a rod portion (83) configured to penetrate the cable portion (40), the anchoring member (80) preferably comprising at least one hook and / or a screw and / or a rivet and / or a pin.

11. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portion (40) of the associated cable comprises a structure of the type comprising wires (43), the anchoring member (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprising a distal end (82), opposite a head (81), provided with a tip (820) so as to penetrate at least in part into the associated cable, separating the wires (43) from the structure of the associated cable.

12. Joining device (100), according to any Petition 870220099484, of 10 / 27 / 2022, p. 155 / 167 5 / 7 one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one first of the two supports (51,52) of at least some of the locking elements comprises at least one through hole opening (53) in the enlarged intermediate part (73) of the cavity (70) to allow the anchoring member (80) to penetrate the enlarged intermediate part (73) of the cavity (70).

13. Joining device (100), according to claim 12, characterized in that the first of the two supports (51, 52) comprises at least one first interface (510), for example a depression or countersink, capable of accommodating a head (81) of one of the anchor members (80), and wherein a second of the two supports (51, 52) comprises at least one second interface (520) with which an anchor section (84) of said anchor member, for example a threaded hole, is capable of cooperating.

14. Junction device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening (50A) and / or outlet opening (50B) portions of at least some of the locking elements have locally a sectional narrowing, preferably configured such that this narrowing has a diameter (d) strictly smaller than the diameter (D) of a cylindrical sheath of the associated cable (4).

15. Joining device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enlarged intermediate part (73) of the cavity (70) of at least some of the locking elements has a radial enlargement (75) in a plane (P) orthogonal to an axis (A) of a rod portion (83) of the anchoring member (80) configured to penetrate the associated cable, the radial enlargement (75) being preferably greater than or equal to 10%, more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of a diameter (D) of the associated cable, and preferably less than or equal to 50%, more preferably less than 40% of the diameter (D) of the associated cable, on both sides relative to the cavity (70).

16. Junction device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet and outlet opening portions (50A, 50B) of the cavity (70) of at least some of the cable receiving locking elements have a shape partially defining a cylindrical sheath configured to cooperate with a cylindrical sheath of the associated cable, each of the inlet and outlet opening portions (50A, 50B) of the cavity (70) extending axially along a length (I50A, I5ob) greater than or equal to the axial length (L73) of the enlarged intermediate portion (73) of the cavity (70).

17. Joining device (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that each locking element allows securing the fastening of three different cable portions extending longitudinally in a generally parallel manner in pairs, of which a central cable (4'') forming a connecting cable passes through the locking element (50) longitudinally and two reinforcing cables (4') to be locked by an anchoring member (80) are configured to occupy at least partially a portion of the corresponding intermediate part (73).

18. A junction (10) of a conveyor belt (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (X'), characterized in that it comprises a body (2) made of flexible material within which a reinforcement (3) comprising reinforcing cables (4') extending at least partly axially is housed, the conveyor belt (1) comprising a first (11) and a second (12) end portion connected together by a junction device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, with at least one assembly (150) fixed to the first end portion (11) and to the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1), so as to connect at least part of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) with Petition 870220099484, of 10 / 27 / 2022, p. 157 / 167 7 / 7 at least part of the reinforcement cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

19. Method of producing a junction (10) of a conveyor belt (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - stripping an upper part and a lower part of the conveyor belt body (2) at the first end portion (11) and at the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1); - placing at least one assembly (150) of locking elements (50) so as to connect at least part of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) to at least part of the reinforcing cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

20. Production method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one step of placing at least two junction plates (101, 102), each covering a separate side of the first and second end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) such that the first and second end portions (11, 12) of said conveyor belt (1) are disposed between the two junction plates (101, 102), the junction plates (101, 102) preferably being formed of vulcanizable material, the step of placing the junction plates (101, 102) preferably being concomitant with the step of placing at least one assembly (150) of locking elements (50). Petition 870220099484, dated 10 / 27 / 2022, pp. 158 / 167

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