Cable conveyor belt connection device with cable locking element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable locking element (50) for fixing to at least a portion (40) of at least one cable (4), the locking element (50) comprising at least one support (51) on a first side and one support (52) on a second side opposite to the first side, the supports (51, 52) being configured to clamp at least a portion of the cable, the supports (51, 52) each having at least one groove (71, 72) together defining at least a portion of a through cavity (70), the through cavity (70) being used to receive at least a portion (40) of the cable (4), the cable (4) passing through the locking element (50) between an inlet (50A) and an outlet (50A) aligned according to a reference axis (X), the locking element (50) comprising: The locking element (50) is characterized in that the cavity (70) of the portion (40) accommodating the cable includes a widened middle portion (73), which is located between the inlet opening (50A) and the outlet opening (50B) portions and is radially widened relative to the inlet opening portion (50A) and the outlet opening portion (50B), and the locking element (50) includes at least one anchoring member (80), which is configured to at least partially occupy a portion (40) of the widened middle portion (42) of the cavity (70), which is located in a position aligned with the inlet opening and the outlet opening (50A, 50B) so as to locally produce a radial deformation (45) of the cross-section of the portion (40) of the cable (40).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The invention more particularly relates to a cable locking element for securing to at least a portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising two supports configured to surround a portion of the cable and lock it. Background Art

[0003] Many solutions for fixing elements to cables or for locally connecting several cables together are known from the prior art. For example, cable clamps are often used to connect two parts of several different cables (usually two), or to connect two parts of the same cable, for example to form a closed loop with the corresponding cables. Fasteners are also used to dock individual parts of cables, for example to fix accessories, and this configuration usually depends on the desired use. For example, in this case, it can be a handle for holding the cable to ensure its handling.

[0004] These fasteners are configured to clamp at least a portion of each cable between two supports constrained to one another by clamping means such as bolts.

[0005] A disadvantage of these fasteners is that, in some uses, excessive longitudinal tensile stress on the cable may cause the cable to slip relative to the fastener support. In such cases, it is known to dimension the fastener to ensure sufficient clamping of one or more cables to prevent relative sliding along the cable once tension is applied. This type of dimensioning often results in a number of problems with the design being incompatible with certain applications. For example, in the application of a conveyor belt joint reinforced with a cable armature, a cable joint of reduced size and high strength is desired.

[0006] It is also possible to configure the contact surfaces of the supports so that they have some relief or significant roughness to increase friction and thus adhesion between the clamping interface of the cable and the fastener support. However, in practice, such a configuration may cause faster local degradation of the cable at the fastener, which is particularly problematic for certain uses that seek to improve the quality of fastening while minimizing maintenance operations for replacing the cable. Furthermore, these configurations do not address the problem of the bulk of the fastener, which depends on the desired application.

[0007] Also in some applications, the attachment of one or more cables requires the preparation of the cable portion or portions to be attached, which can be time consuming and cumbersome. In the field of connecting the ends of conveyor belts reinforced with cable reinforcements, it is generally necessary to mobilize qualified personnel to perform cable stripping operations near the ends of the conveyor belt to be connected, which is very time consuming to implement. In addition, once the joint is achieved, the joined cables must be embedded in the constituent material of the belt body, which is a flexible and elastic material, such as a synthetic material such as vulcanized rubber or polyurethane, and vulcanized to complete the joint.

[0008] The implementation of these steps is particularly limited. First, the operations are numerous and require long maintenance times, more than a day, or even several days. In addition, the operating conditions of the conveyor belts are very harsh and 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, and everyone must be qualified. In addition, these joints require work on very long lengths, usually between 5 and 10 meters. Since the vulcanization operation must be completed in one step along the entire length of the joint, it is necessary to have a vulcanizing press on site, usually at the location where the joint is to be repaired, and adapted to the length of the joint. The time and costs involved are very high.

[0009] Therefore, there is a great need for those skilled in the art to obtain more effective solutions than those proposed in the prior art, in order to realize a cable locking element for fastening to at least one portion of at least one cable, which cable locking element is particularly strong and of small dimensions and preferably incorporates an improved connection of the two ends of a conveyor belt of the type having a body made of flexible material in which a reinforcement containing the cable is housed. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a solution that solves some or all of these technical problems, and in particular to propose a solution that has improved tensile strength characteristics, ensures locking of the fastener to the cable while reducing the risk of premature wear of the cable, and has relatively small dimensions.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a cable locking element for fixing to at least a portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising at least one support on a first side and one support on a second side opposite to the first side, the supports being configured to surround at least a portion of the cable, each support having at least one groove which together define at least a portion of a through cavity for receiving at least a portion of the cable passing through the locking element between an inlet opening and an outlet opening aligned according to a reference axis, the locking element being characterized in that the cavity of its portion receiving the cable comprises a widened middle portion, located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening portions, which is radially widened relative to the inlet opening portions and the outlet opening portions, the locking element comprising at least one anchoring member configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened middle portion of the cavity located aligned with the inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to locally produce a radial deformation of the cross-section of the cable portion.

[0012] By such a combination of features, one or more cable portions are enclosed between the supports and, for a given cable portion, a radial deformation of the cross section of the given cable portion can be locally produced by introducing an anchoring member. This deformation can then locally increase the size of the cable deformed by the anchoring member, which is contained in the widened area of ​​the middle portion, which itself is axially framed by two reduced portions, one towards the inlet opening and the other towards the outlet opening of the cable. The opening portions each form a part of the cavity that is open towards the relevant opening of the locking element or at its side. In the locked position of the cable portion in the locking element, the cable itself participates in the locking and, due to its radial deformation and therefore due to its size, comes to bear against these reduced portions and locks between the inlet and outlet opening portions.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the locking element comprises at least one clamping device for providing clamping of the two supports relative to each other. Preferably, the clamping device comprises at least one screw and / or one stud and / or one rivet and / or one crimp. In general, the clamping device may be removable, in particular in the case of screws and studs.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the locking element is configured to surround 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 device comprises an anchoring member, so that the anchoring member participates in the clamping of the two supports relative to each other. In this way, the overall size of the locking element is minimized by providing the functions of clamping and anchoring with a single device.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the support is formed as a single piece. In such a configuration, a portion of the cable is obtained which is continuously surrounded by the support. In this case, the support can be discontinuous and, for example, distributed over at least two areas facing each other, or connected together to form a circumferential clamp.

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

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

[0019] In one embodiment, the portion of the cable comprises a structure of the type comprising wires, the anchoring member comprises a distal end opposite the head, which is provided with a tip in order to at least partially penetrate the cable by separating the wires of the cable structure. The use of the tip facilitates the introduction of the anchoring member through the corresponding portion of the cable without the use of specific tools. Depending on the configuration of the locking element, the tip can be processed after the anchoring member is positioned, for example bent or cut.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least one of the two supports comprises at least one through hole opening into the widened middle portion of the cavity to allow the anchoring member to penetrate the widened middle portion of the cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first of the two supports comprises at least one first interface, such as a recess or a countersunk hole, suitable for accommodating the head of the anchoring member, and the second of the two supports comprises at least one second interface, with which the anchoring portion of the anchoring member, such as a thread, is suitable for cooperating. Of course, these first and second interfaces are suitable for the associated anchoring member. This feature is even more advantageous when the anchoring member forms or constitutes the clamping device itself, the interface making it possible to ensure good retention of the anchoring member and the clamping device.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the inlet opening and / or the outlet opening part locally has a cross-sectional contraction, preferably configured so that the diameter of the contraction is strictly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical sheath of the cable. This feature is used to ensure that a portion of the cable is clamped at the entrance and exit of the locking element through the opening portion. This cross-sectional contraction can be continuous or discontinuous around the circumference of the cylindrical sheath of the cable. For example, this discontinuity can be formed by at least one tooth that can penetrate a given cable portion, or even a circumferentially continuous tooth. The contraction can be continuous, which is formed by, for example, a flange or flange portion extending circumferentially relative to the cable portion. This contraction can also be formed by a connector that will locally cover a portion of the cable portion in the cavity, for example at the entrance and / or exit, or at a portion of its entrance and / or exit.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the widened middle portion of the cavity has a radial widening in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the stem of the anchoring member, which stem is configured to pass the cable. This axis preferably corresponds to the axis of insertion of the anchoring member through the cavity, preferably through the widened middle portion. The radial widening is preferably greater than or equal to 10% of the cable diameter, more preferably greater than or equal to 25%, and preferably less than or equal to 50% of the cable diameter, more preferably less than 40%, relative to either side of the cavity.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the inlet opening 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 widened middle 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 in that it comprises at least a first and a second locking element having all or part of the above-described features, the first and second locking elements being connected to each other by an assembly device.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first locking element and the second locking element are coupled in pairs so as to each form a support for a third locking element having all or some of the features of the locking element as described above. Preferably, in this case, the assembly device comprises one or more clamping devices to ensure that the two supports are clamped relative to each other. In this case, the clamping device may also comprise or consist of an anchoring member.

[0027] According to one embodiment, an assembly of at least two cable locking elements is used to connect at least a first end and a second end of at least one cable, the assembly device connecting a plurality of locking elements in series, at least one of the locking elements being configured to be fastened to one of the two ends and at least another locking element being configured to be fastened to the other of the two ends. Preferably, the assembly device in this case comprises at least one connecting cable.

[0028] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a joining device of at least one conveyor belt type extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a body made of a flexible material, in which a reinforcement member comprising cables extending at least partially axially is accommodated, the joining device being used to connect at least a first and a second aligned end of a conveyor belt, the joining device being notable in that it comprises at least one locking element assembly having all or part of the above-mentioned features and being used to be attached to the first end and the second end of the conveyor belt to connect at least some of the reinforcement cables of the first end of the conveyor belt with at least some of the reinforcement cables of the second end of the conveyor belt.

[0029] In other words, the invention also relates to a joining device having at least one conveyor belt of the type extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a body made of flexible material, in which a reinforcement member comprising reinforcing cables extending at least partially axially is accommodated, the joining device being used to connect at least a first and a second end of the conveyor belt, the joining device being characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly of at least two locking elements connected to each other by assembly means, the assembly means comprising at least one connecting cable, the assembly being used to attach to the first and the second end of the conveyor belt in order to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end of the conveyor belt with at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end of the conveyor belt, each cable locking element comprising at least two The invention relates to a cable locking element comprising: a pair of opposing supports configured to surround at least a portion of an associated one of the reinforcing cables and the connecting cables, each support having at least one groove, which together define at least a portion of a through cavity for receiving at least a portion of an associated cable passing through the locking element between an inlet opening and an outlet opening aligned according to a reference axis, the cavity comprising a widened middle portion between the inlet opening and the outlet opening portions, radially widened relative to the inlet opening portions and the outlet opening portions, the locking element comprising at least one anchoring member configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened middle portion of the cavity, which portion is located at the aligned position of the inlet and outlet openings, thereby locally generating a radial deformation of the cross-section of an associated cable portion. According to an embodiment, some or all of the cable locking elements have some or all of the above-mentioned features.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the joining device includes at least two joining plates, each joining plate is configured to cover a separate side of the end of the conveyor belt, so that the end of the conveyor belt is arranged between the two joining plates, and the joining plates are fastened together by fasteners, which pass through the joining plates, one end of the conveyor belt and the other joining plates in sequence, and each joining plate is made of a flexible and elastic material and includes an assembly of locking elements as described above, preferably, the assembly of locking elements is at least partially embedded in the flexible and elastic material of the corresponding joining plate.

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

[0032] - an upper longitudinal assembly consisting of at least two upper locking elements of the locking elements, connected together by an upper connecting cable of the connecting cable, so as to span across the two ends of the reinforcing cables to be connected, and

[0033] - a lower longitudinal assembly consisting of at least two lower locking elements of the locking elements, connected together by a lower connecting cable of the connecting cable, so as to span across the two ends of the reinforcing cables to be connected,

[0034] The upper locking element of the upper longitudinal component is formed to be assembled with the lower locking element of the lower longitudinal component to form a joint assembly and to surround at least some of the reinforcing cables at the first end of the conveyor belt and at least some of the reinforcing cables at the second end of the conveyor belt. The joint device preferably includes a plurality of joint assemblies, which are arranged parallel to each other and are configured to be evenly distributed at the joint.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the assembly means consist of fasteners arranged to pass through one joining plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt and then through the other joining plate, respectively.

[0036] According to one embodiment, in the closed position of the reinforcement cables at the first and second end, the reinforcement cables are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal reference axis of the locked connection cable part with the respective locking element.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the support portion of the locking element is configured to surround at least a portion of a first cable from the reinforcement cable and the connecting cable, and the locking element comprises a groove defining at least a portion of a through cavity for accommodating a second cable from the reinforcement cable and the connecting cable, the through cavity having two axial end openings.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the fasteners each comprise a head and an anchoring portion, the engaging plate having at least a first interface for cooperating with the head of the fastener and / or a second interface for cooperating with the anchoring portion of the fastener, the engaging plates being arranged to cooperate with each other. Preferably, the first and second interfaces are carried by a locking element of at least one component housed in the respective engaging plate.

[0039] According to one embodiment, each locking element makes it possible to fix two by two three different cable portions extending longitudinally substantially in parallel, wherein two reinforcing cables forming a central cable of the connecting cable passing longitudinally through the locking element and blocked by the anchoring member are configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the respective middle portion.

[0040] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a conveyor belt joint extending along a longitudinal axis, the joint comprising a body made of a flexible material, in which a reinforcement member comprising cables extending at least partially axially is accommodated, the conveyor belt having a first and a second end connected together by a joint device, the joint being characterized in that the joint device comprises a component of at least one locking element having all or part of the above-mentioned features and attached to the first end and the second end of the joint device, thereby connecting at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end of the conveyor belt.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the joint comprises at least one locking element assembly, preferably a plurality of locking elements, connecting all the reinforcing cables of the first end of the conveyor belt to all the reinforcing cables of the second end 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 to at least one adjacent assembly, the axial offset preferably being greater than or equal to the axial length of the locking element.

[0043] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for producing a conveyor belt joint as described above, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

[0044] - peeling off the upper and lower parts of the conveyor belt body at the first and second ends of the conveyor belt;

[0045] - placing at least one locking element assembly so as to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end of the conveyor belt.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the production method comprises at least one step of placing at least two joining plates, each joining plate covering a separate side of the first end and the second end of the conveyor belt, so that the first end and the second end of the conveyor belt are arranged between the two joining plates, the joining plates are preferably formed of a vulcanizable material, and the step of placing the joining plates is preferably carried out simultaneously with the step of placing at least one locking element assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

[0049] [ Figure 2 ]: a perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment as seen from below;

[0050] [ Figure 3 ]: a horizontal cross-sectional view from above of an assembly according to a first embodiment;

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

[0052] [ Figure 5 ]: a cut-away side view of the same assembly according to the first embodiment;

[0053] [ Figure 6]: An exploded perspective view of a portion of a conveyor belt joint including a joint element assembly according to a first embodiment;

[0054] [ Figure 7 ]: A perspective view of a conveyor belt joint in an engaged position according to a first embodiment;

[0055] [ Figure 8 ]: an exploded isometric view of a conveyor belt joint including a joint element assembly according to the same first embodiment;

[0056] [ Fig. 9 ]: A top perspective view of a locking element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] [ Fig.10 ]: A perspective view from below of the locking element according to the second embodiment;

[0058] [ Fig.11 ]: Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of

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

[0060] [ Fig.13 ]: A view of a portion of a locking element according to a second embodiment;

[0061] [ Fig.14 ]: A top perspective view of a locking element according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] [ Fig.15 ]: A cross-sectional view of a locking element according to a third embodiment;

[0063] [ Fig.16 ]: A view of a portion of a locking element according to a third embodiment;

[0064] [ Fig.17 ]: A view of a portion of a conveyor belt joint including a locking element according to a third embodiment;

[0065] For purposes of clarity, the same or similar elements are represented by the same reference numbers throughout the drawings.

[0066] In the specification and claims, for purposes of clarity, reference will be made to X, Y, Z or X', Y', Z', the terms longitudinal, transverse and vertical being used on a non-limiting basis, the trihedron being shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] refer to Figure 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, which show an assembly 150 of two locking elements 50 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0068] The assembly 150 shown comprises two locking elements 50 for a cable 4, a first upper locking element 50 and a second lower locking element 50, vertically superimposed. Each locking element 50 for a cable 4 ensures its locking relative to a portion 40 of the cable 4. Preferably, the locking elements 50 are formed or made of a metal material. To ensure this fastening, each locking element 50 comprises a body traversed by a cavity 70, configured to receive at least a portion 40 of the cable 4, the cavity 70 passing through the body from one side to the other between an inlet 50A on one side and an outlet 50B on the other side, these openings being aligned relative to a longitudinal reference axis X.

[0069] The cavity 70 is configured to surround the portion 40 of the cable 4 along all or part of its length. To this end, typically, the locking element 50 comprises at least one support 51 on a first side and a support 52 on a second side opposite to the first side, the supports 51, 52 being configured to surround at least a portion 40 of the cable 4. Each support 51, 52 has a groove 71, 72 which together delimits at least a portion of the cavity 70 and accommodates the portion 40 of the cable 4. In this embodiment, the body of the locking element 50 through which the cavity 70 passes from the inlet 50A to the outlet 50B is an integral part, so that the supports 51, 52 are formed together as one piece. The cavity 70 is therefore here axially longitudinally open at the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B, the cavity 70 being radially closed by the supports 51, 52, so that the grooves 71, 72 are in contact to form a closed contour around the portion 40 of the cable 4.

[0070] The cavity 70 of each of the two locking elements 50 accommodating the portion 40 of the cable 4 comprises a widened middle or central portion 73, which is arranged between the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B and is radially widened relative to the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B. The widened middle portion 73 is arranged to be aligned with the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B, i.e., it is located on the longitudinal reference axis X, here centered on this axis X, but the widened middle portion 73 can optionally be offset from the center. The opening portion forms a generally longitudinal extension of the cavity 70, which is open relative to the locking element 50 through the associated inlet 50A, outlet 50B.

[0071] Each locking element 50 is provided with at least one anchoring member 80 configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 so as to locally produce a deformation 45 of the cross section of the portion 40 of the cable 4 along at least one radial component. Figure 4As can be seen in Figure 7 , the anchoring member 80 is here formed by a rectilinear rod, wherein a portion of the rod, namely the rod portion 83, penetrates the widened middle portion 73. When the portion 40 of the cable 4 is housed in the cavity 70, the rod partially penetrates the cavity 70, here preferably radially with respect to the longitudinal reference axis X. The cable 4 comprises a structure with a core 41 surrounded by strands 42, each strand 42 and the core 41 consisting of wires 43. The rod of the anchoring member 80 penetrates the cable 4, locally separating a portion of the wires 43 of the structure of the cable 4 from another portion, the wires 43 of these two portions being spaced outwardly relative to the anchoring member 80, producing a local expansion, i.e. an increase in the gauge of the portion 40 of the corresponding cable 4.

[0072] This expansion extends along a substantially radial component and in two opposite directions relative to the substantially cylindrical sheath of the cable 4, namely along a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis A of the stem of the anchoring member 80, thereby causing a transverse deformation 45 of the initially cylindrical portion 40 of the cable 4, in one direction and in another, substantially along the transverse axis Y'. Each locking element 50 is configured so that, once the anchoring member 80 is positioned, this deformation 45 comes into contact with and abuts against at least a portion of the inner wall of the widened intermediate portion 73 defining the cavity 70.

[0073] Insertion of the rod into the cable is facilitated when the anchoring member 80 comprises a distal end 82 opposite the head 81, the distal end 82 being provided with a tip 820 so as to at least partially penetrate the cable 4 by gradually separating the wires 43 from the structure of the cable 4. The tip 820 is preferably rounded to allow the wires 43 to be separated from the structure without affecting their structural integrity. The radius of curvature of the rounding is then selected to facilitate the separation of the wires 43 without damaging them.

[0074] In order to allow the placement of this rod, one of the two supports 51, 52, which is accessible from the outside, comprises a through hole 53 which opens into the widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 to allow the first rod 801 to be engaged therein and thus to allow said rod 801 to be translated therein into the widened middle portion 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), in order to receive and retain the tip 820 of the second rod 802. This second hole 53' is arranged radially opposite the through hole 53 with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the cable 4. The rods, the first rod 801, the second rod 802, are held integral with the locking element 50 by shrink-fitting into each of the two holes 53, 53' continuously in the insertion direction during their positioning. Since the holes 53, 53' integrally receive the rods 801, 802 forming the anchoring member 80 therein, the hole 53 forms a first interface 510 capable of receiving the head 81 of the anchoring member 80, and the hole 53' forms a second interface 520, which can then cooperate with the anchoring portion 84 of the anchoring member 80. In this embodiment, the two rods 801, 802 form a separate anchoring member 80 for each of the locking elements 50 considered, but it is alternatively conceivable that the same rod is common to two locking elements 50 superimposed vertically.

[0075] The cavity 70 that houses the portion 40 of the cable 4 has, at its ends, near each inlet 50A and outlet 50B, a shape defining a cylindrical sheath configured to cooperate with the cylindrical sheath of the cable 4. The supports 51, 52 are formed in one piece and completely surround the portion 40 of the cable 4, the longitudinal ends of the cavity 70 being formed by a cylindrical portion that forms an opening portion and is complementary to this cable 4, or whose diameter is even slightly smaller to allow a slight clamping, thereby increasing the friction between the cable 4 and the corresponding grooves 71, 72 of the cavity 70. In this configuration, the cable 4 is sufficiently enclosed so as not to be loosely, but also not too tightly, arranged in the cavity 70, thereby allowing the cable 4 to be inserted into said cavity 70 by a manual operation performed by an operator, preferably without the aid of any specific tool. Additional clamping means 60 may be provided to ensure the clamping of the two supports 51, 52 relative to each other. In this example, a bead 60 is provided at each of the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B, obtained by stamping one of the supports on the outer surface, thereby producing a deformation of the protruding material at the corresponding grooves 71, 72 in the cavity 70, in particular as Figure 5 Of course, depending on the configuration of the locking element 50, any type of crimping may be used to form the clamping device.

[0076] The cylindrical ends or openings of the cavity 70 are open axially to the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B. Each of the openings is formed along a length l. 50A and I 50B axially extending, each having a length less than or equal to the axial length L of the widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 73 .

[0077] For example, in Figure 3As can be seen in the figure, the widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 has a radial widening 75 extending substantially along a plane P orthogonal to the axis A of the stem 83 of the anchoring member 80, the stem 83 being arranged to pass through the cable 4. This lateral widening 75 of the cavity is preferably greater than or equal to 10%, more preferably greater than or equal to 25%, and preferably less than or equal to 50%, more preferably less than 40%, on each side relative to the cavity 70 of the diameter D of the cable 4 (see for example Figure 3 ). For example, for a cable 4 with a diameter of 5 mm, passed approximately in the middle by a stem 83 with a diameter of 3 mm, the cable 4 will have a protrusion on either side of the stem 83, which is generally directed transversely in one direction and in another direction relative to the longitudinal reference axis X of the cavity 70. The widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 is then configured to have a transverse widening 75 configured to accommodate this protrusion therein and having a dimension on either side of the axis A corresponding to 30% of the diameter D of the cable 4.

[0078] In such a configuration, each locking element 50 makes it possible to keep a portion of the cable locked, thanks on the one hand to the local friction between the locking element 50 and the portion 40 of the cable 4, in particular the friction achieved by the complementary clamping means 60 between the supports 51, 52, 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 portion 73, which is arranged between the two portions of the smaller portion of the cavity 70, which locks the cable 4 in translation in the axial direction.

[0079] As mentioned above, this first embodiment shows an assembly 150 provided with two cable locking elements 50 assembled vertically along a vertical axis Z: a ​​first, upper locking element 50 configured to be connected with a second, lower locking element 50 by means of a fastener 110 .

[0080] The pair of lower and upper locking devices 50 are configured to enclose at least one other cable portion 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4', between them. Figures 1 to 6 In this way, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form a clamping jaw configured to enclose the two cables 4 ′ in the internal space 151 of the assembly 150. In a configuration not specifically shown in these figures, it should be noted that within the meaning of the invention, such a clamping jaw can form the supports 51, 52 of the same locking element 50: in this case, the two supports 51, 52 are not formed in one piece, but in two separate parts, and the fastener 110 then constitutes the clamping device 60.

[0081] The cavities 70 of each locking element 50 are positioned in the assembled position of the first and second lower locking elements and the upper locking element 50 so as to be substantially parallel and in particular symmetrical with respect to the clamping plane Ps. These cavities 70 of each of the lower clamping elements 50 and the upper clamping elements 50 are aligned and positioned in a vertical plane, parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the two locking parts 40 of the cable 4 and perpendicular to the clamping plane Ps. The two cables 4' enclosed 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 parts 40 of the cable 4 locked by the respective locking element 50, and parallel to the associated lower and upper connecting cables.

[0082] The two cables 4' enclosed by the jaws 50 of the assembly 150 are offset from the center relative to the above-mentioned vertical plane and are symmetrically positioned relative to the vertical plane. The lower locking element and the upper locking element 50 each have a groove 171 on the inner side facing the internal space 151, each groove 171 accommodating one of the supported cables 4'. The groove is associated with a pair of grooves in each of the lower locking element and the upper locking element 50. The paired grooves 171 are vertically aligned or superimposed and together define at least a portion of the through cavity 170 for receiving the corresponding portion of the cable 4' passing through the assembly 150 between the two axial openings. Thus, two cavities 170 are formed between the jaws, forming an interface to enclose the corresponding cable portion 4'. Likewise, in a configuration not shown in these figures, each of the two cavities 170 can, in one embodiment, form a cavity that also has a widened middle portion in the sense of the present invention.

[0083] The lower locking element 50 and the upper locking element 50 each have, on the inside, a projection 172 which is substantially aligned with the corresponding cavity 70 facing the interior space and which extends substantially longitudinally between the two inlets 50A and the outlet 50B. This makes it possible to provide an additional thickness to allow a sufficient amount of material to receive the end of the anchoring member 80 and ensure its anchoring, thereby ensuring that the size of the hole 53 'is able to ensure a proper support of the end of the rod 83. Such a projection 172 can usually be located just in line with the widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70, without having to extend longitudinally. However, in the case of such a jaw, the longitudinally extending projection 172 makes it possible to define at least a portion of the groove, in this case two grooves on the lateral sides.

[0084] The hole 53' forms a second interface 520 for each of the two locking elements 50, with which the anchoring portion 84 of the anchoring member 80 is adapted to cooperate and receive the end of the rod 83, the hole 53' having an edge that transitions to the widened portion 73 in the middle of the cavity 70. This transition edge is configured to have a rounding over its entire circumference. In this way, when the portion 40 of the cable 4 is pressed against the groove 72 of the inner support 52, which is the support located inside the locking element 50 forming the jaws, i.e. the inner support closest to the internal space 151, when the anchoring member 80 is inserted, the cable 4 is radially pressed against the cavity 70, in particular against the inner wall of the widened middle portion 73, and is in contact with this rounding rather than with the sharp circumferential edge, thereby limiting its wear.

[0085] like Figure 6 , 7 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, locking elements 50 are used in combination to form a specific assembly. In particular, these locking elements 50 are used as part of the joint 10 of the conveyor belt 1. Such a conveyor belt 1 is particularly used in mines, quarries and other places where they are subjected to severe working conditions and high internal stresses.

[0086] The conveyor belt 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X' which corresponds approximately to its direction of travel along the conveyor. The conveyor belt 1 comprises a body 2 formed of a flexible material, such as a vulcanizable elastomer or a synthetic material, and reinforced with a reinforcement 3 comprising a cable 4', such as made of steel, embedded in the body 2. The forces to which the conveyor belt 1 is subjected are mainly longitudinal, and therefore the cable 4' is arranged in an axially extending manner in the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 and performs traction operations during 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 the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 extend through the conveyor belt 1 and are connected together by a joining device 100, which provides a joint 10 between the two ends 11, 12. In the joined position, the end 11 and the second end 12 are vertically aligned, and the first end edge 11' and the second end edge 12' are longitudinally opposite, preferably abutting. It should be noted in practice that, depending on the purpose of the quarry or other place of use, given the distance for conveying different materials or different products, a plurality of longitudinal conveyor belt portions can be connected by the joining device 100 to form a single conveyor belt 1.

[0088] The ends 11, 12 are configured so that in the engagement position, the thickness of the engagement portion 10 at the engagement device 100 is equal to the thickness of the conveyor belt 1. In this way, the use of the engagement device 100 does not produce local overthickness at its ends 11, 12, the thickness being constant. This feature is particularly important for avoiding premature wear due to the passage of scrapers on the conveyor belt. In order to meet this constraint, the first end 11 and the second end 12 are thinned, in particular after having been stripped by a stripping operation, to ensure the placement of the engagement device 100. The stripping preferably extends in thickness to the cable 4', i.e., to a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the cable 4'.

[0089] The conveyor belt 1 houses a reinforced cable 4' in its body 2. The conveyor belt 1 is constructed to comprise, in the direction of its thickness e, a substantially central ply 1A which integrates the cable 4' and is vertically inserted between two outer plies of flexible material of the body 2 without reinforcements 3, i.e.: the upper and lower parts of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0090] Each cable 4' of the conveyor belt 1 continues longitudinally in the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 to a respective end portion where the loose cut end of each cable 4' is located. The ends 11, 12 are formed in the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt by a central layer 1A, which is bonded to the cables, and by the stripping or peeling of the outer layers, i.e. the lower and upper layers of material, which are usually located above the rest of the conveyor belt outside the joint 10, on either side of the central layer 1A. The thickness of the ends 11, 12 corresponds to the thickness of the central layer 1A obtained after the stripping operation and is preferably equal to the average diameter of the cables 4' or to the diameter of the cables 4' of the largest dimension. Therefore, in this embodiment, complete stripping of each cable is not necessary, i.e. it is not necessary to completely remove all the material of the body 2 surrounding the cables 4', in particular it is not necessary to remove the material of the body 2 between the cables 4'.

[0091] The joining device 100 provides a connection between two longitudinally aligned ends 11, 12, which here comprises a first end 11 and a second end 12 on the same side of the conveyor belt 1, and two joining plates 101, 102, each of which is sized to cover all or part of the width of the conveyor belt 1, and preferably covers the entire width of the conveyor belt 1. The joining plates 101, 102 include a lower joining plate 101 spanning across the first and second ends 11, 12 below and a joining plate 102 spanning across the first and second ends 11, 12 above to cover their upper parts. These joining plates 101, 102 each have a thickness complementary to the corresponding end, which is configured to together fill the material gaps created during the stripping step in order to thin the first and second ends 11, 12. In this way, after joining, the flushness of the joint 10 with the lower surface 1 ″ and the upper surface 1 ′ of the conveyor belt 1, i.e. a constant thickness e of the conveyor belt 1, is obtained without undulations. As already mentioned above, such a feature prevents premature wear due to the use of a scraper (not shown) which is located in the path of the conveyed material and is configured to scrape the upper surface 1 ′ of the conveyor belt 1.

[0092] The first and second ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 are vertically sandwiched or enclosed between two joining plates 101, 102, each of which forms a material bridge between the first and second ends 11, 12. These joining plates 101, 102 are made of a flexible and elastic material, such as vulcanized rubber, or a synthetic material such as polyurethane. This is preferably the same flexible material as the material constituting the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0093] According to the present invention, the joining device 100 includes an assembly 150 of at least one locking element 50, which is attached to the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the conveyor belt 1, thereby connecting at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the first end 11 of the conveyor belt 1 with at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the second end 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0094] In order to ensure that the two ends of the conveyor belt 1 are connected together, the locking elements 50 are connected together in various ways.

[0095] The locking elements 50 are assembled vertically in pairs, such that for each assembly 150, a first upper locking element 50 is configured to be connected to a second lower locking element 50 by a fastener 110, such as a pair of lower and upper locking devices 50 configured to surround at least one cable 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4'. As described above in conjunction with the previous figures, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form a clamping jaw configured to surround at least a portion of a cable 4'.

[0096] Furthermore, a plurality of upper locking elements 50 are also longitudinally connected together by means of cables 4, which form a connecting cable for the joint 10 and pass through the cavity 70 of each of said upper locking elements 50. Similarly, a plurality of lower locking elements 50 are also longitudinally connected together by means of connecting cables 4, which pass through the cavity 70 of each of said lower locking elements 50. In the case of a joint 10 at the ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 reinforced by cables 4', a plurality of longitudinal axial assemblies 150 of locking elements 50 can be used, which are connected together by means of connecting or splicing cables 4, which span across the ends of the cables 4' to be connected of the conveyor belt 1. In this embodiment, the longitudinal assemblies 150 of several upper locking elements 50 are connected with complementary lower longitudinal assemblies 150, thereby forming a plurality of jaws surrounding one of the cable ends 4' and a plurality of jaws surrounding the other of the cable ends 4', thereby forming a connection.

[0097] A joint assembly 150' of a plurality of pairs of lower locking means and upper locking means 50 as described above is obtained, the plurality of pairs of locking means being sequentially longitudinally connected to the lower locking elements 50 by the lower cables 4, and sequentially longitudinally connected to the upper locking elements 50 by the upper cables 4. This joint assembly is divided into two detachable parts, specifically an upper part and a lower part.

[0098] By applying the construction to the joint 10 of the conveyor belt 1, and by arranging a plurality of such joint assemblies 150' arranged in parallel with each other and evenly distributed on the joint 10, it is possible to ensure the joint of the two end portions of the conveyor belt 1 by connecting each cable end 4' of the first end 11 to another cable end 4' of the second end 12. In this embodiment, the joint assembly 150' is integrated into the joint plates 101, 102, and the locking element 50 is embedded in the soft elastic material such as vulcanized rubber forming the associated joint plates 101, 102. The upper part of the joint assembly 150' of a single joint device 100 (the upper locking element 50 and the upper connecting cable 4) is indeed easy to integrate into the constituent material of the upper joint plate 102, and the lower part of the joint assembly 150 of a single connecting device 100 (the lower locking element 50 and the lower connecting cable 4) is indeed easy to integrate into the constituent material of the lower joint plate 101.

[0099] Alternatively, they can be attached to these first and second ends 11, 12 and then covered with a joining plate. However, such an embodiment exhibits less flexibility and results in a greater thickness of the joint thus made.

[0100] The fastening of the joining plates (lower part 101 and upper part 102) is performed by a fastener 110 (for example a nut fastener) comprising a rod. The fastener 110 passes through the thickness in sequence: the first of the two joining plates 101 or 102, then one of the two ends 11 or 12, and finally the second of the two joining plates 101 or 102. In this embodiment, the fastener 110 is a screw, each screw comprising a head 111 and an anchoring portion 112 provided with a thread, and the joining plates 101, 102 comprise a first interface 113 for cooperating with the head 111 of the fastener 110 and / or a second interface 114, the second interface 114 being for cooperating with the anchoring portion 112 of the fastener 110. The first interface 113 and the second interface 1114 are carried by a locking element 50 integrated in the joining plates 101, 102. Thus, in this embodiment, the fastener 110 plays a dual role, ensuring, on the one hand, the fastening of the joining plates 101, 102 and the end 11 or 12 to each other, and, on the other hand, the connection of the pair of locking elements 50 forming the jaws to surround one or more portions of the cable 4'. In a particular configuration not shown here, the fastener 110 can also form the clamping means 60 of the locking elements 50, which will be formed by the combination of a pair of superimposed lower and upper locking elements 50, when each locking element 50 forming one of the jaws forms or constitutes a support 51, 52 with one or more cavities 170 as described above, making it possible to accommodate in the cavity a deformation of one of the cables 4' of the respective end 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1. Even a configuration is possible, in which the lower and upper locking elements 50, 50, with such cavities 170, surround two cables, without necessarily having a third central cable, then the jaws are only the supports 51, 52 of the same locking elements 50, without these constituting the locking elements 50 themselves.

[0101] The first interfaces 113 each comprise a recess capable of housing the head 111 of one of the fasteners 110. The second interface 114 comprises a cylindrical tubular portion 116, the inner cylindrical surface of which is capable of cooperating with the anchoring portion 112 of the fastener 110 thanks to a thread complementary thereto.

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

[0103] Each of the lower locking element 50 and the upper locking element 50 of the assembly 150 comprises two transversely extending wings 54 configured to rest on one side and on the other side against an adjacent connecting cable 4 of an adjacent assembly 150. Preferably, the support at least partially surrounds a portion of the outer surface of the cable in order to obtain stability and minimize any wear at the interface with the cable 4'.

[0104] Since the joining plates 101, 102 come from both sides of the ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt, which consist of a central layer 1A with integrated cables 4', it is not necessary to completely strip all the cables 4' of the ends 11, 12. The connection is made by performing the following steps:

[0105] - peeling off the upper and lower parts of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 at the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the conveyor belt 1;

[0106] - placing two joining plates 101, 102, each of which covers a separate side of the first and second ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1, so that the first and second ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 are arranged between the two joining plates 101, 102;

[0107] - during this step of placing the joining plates 101, 102, the joining assembly 150' is placed simultaneously by connecting in pairs the locking elements 50 forming the upper part of the upper jaw with the locking elements 50 forming the lower part of the lower jaw, so as to connect the reinforcing thread 4' of the first end 11 to the reinforcing thread 4' of the second end 12;

[0108] - The connection is secured by positioning fasteners 110 to fasten each pair of lower and upper locking elements 50 together.

[0109] Preferably, the lower locking elements 50 and the upper locking elements 50 are configured to be arranged in a substantially staggered manner. In this way, they are not all aligned transversely to the transverse axis Y' of the conveyor belt 1 .

[0110] The joining assemblies 150' are also positioned so that each reinforcing cable 4' of the first end 11 or the second end 12 is connected by one of the joining assemblies 150', where the reinforcing cable 4' is adjacent to the first side, and is connected by another joining assembly 150', where the reinforcing cable 4' is adjacent to the second side opposite the first side.

[0111] Figures 9 to 13A locking element 50 according to a second embodiment is shown. This locking element 50, made of metal, makes it possible to fasten three different cable strands or parts of cables, two of which are locked by anchoring members 80 configured to at least partially occupy a part of the respective middle portion 73. Of the three cables, the locking element has a central cable 4″ and two side cables 4.

[0112] The center cable 4" passes 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. The center hole opening on either side of the locking element 50 can be cylindrical (see Fig.11 ) or different, e.g. oval (see Fig.12 ), but other shapes are of course possible (rectangular, etc.). Both transverse cables 4 pass through the locking element 50, each corresponding portion 40 of the cable 4 being accommodated in a separate cavity 70. The three portions of the cables 4, 4" extend longitudinally two by two, usually in a parallel manner.

[0113] Similar to the first embodiment, the body of the locking element 50 passes from the inlet 50A to the other outlet 50B for each of the two cavities 70, which are configured to receive a portion of the cable. The body of the locking element 50 is formed by an integrally formed part, so that the supports 51, 52 are integrally formed. Each of these cavities 70 is similar to the cavities described with reference to the first embodiment. Therefore, each of the two cavities 70 of one of the parts 40 of the cable 4 includes a widened middle or central portion 73, which is arranged between the corresponding inlet 50A and outlet 50B and is aligned with the corresponding inlet 50A and outlet 50B. The widened middle portion 73 of each of the two cavities 70 is longitudinally offset, that is, they are not aligned along an axis Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X. This is to allow a smaller overall size, but also allows an optimized position of the anchoring member 80, as will be discussed below.

[0114] The anchoring member 80 is here a stud. The stud 80 has a general "U" shape before being fastened to the conveyor belt. The stud 80 is formed by a one-piece rod, i.e. formed in one piece and preferably made of metal. The head 81 of the stud 80 is formed by the central part of a generally rectilinear one-piece rod, which is inserted between two transverse rod parts, each of which forms a rod portion 83, which is configured to pass through one of the two parts 40 of the cable 4 respectively to be locked. Each rod connected to the head 81 by an elbow itself forms an anchoring member 80 to penetrate one of the two widened middle parts 73 to produce a deformation 45 of each of the two corresponding parts 40 of the cable 4 and thus lock them, as in the first embodiment.

[0115] The stem 83 of the stem 80 has at its end a tip 820 extending away from the head 81 to facilitate their insertion through each of the two widened intermediate portions 73 , thus penetrating perpendicularly through the body of the locking element 50 through its thickness.

[0116] On the outer side of the locking element 50 on the side of the first support 51 forming the top support, the locking element 50 has a first interface 510, such as a groove, for complementarily accommodating all or part of the head 81 of the cleat 80. On the other outer side of the locking element 50 on the side of the second support 52 forming the top support, the locking element 50 has a second interface 520, such as one or two grooves for accommodating all or part of the tip 820 of the cleat 80, which is bent or folded under the locking element 50 after insertion to lock the fastening of the installed clamping plate 80, thereby ensuring that it will not come loose during the use of the conveyor belt 1. Therefore, the bent tips 820 of the cleat 80 each form an anchoring portion 84 of the anchoring member 80, ensuring the anchoring of the cleat 80 to the locking element 50 by preventing its removal and locking its assembly.

[0117] While the stem 83 penetrates vertically into one of the two parts 40 of the cable 4 to be locked, the head 81 extends along the transverse member to connect the two cables 4, but at an angle, i.e. with a certain inclination relative to the transverse axis, also indicating a longitudinal offset of the widened middle portion 73 of each of the two cavities. In addition to the increased volume, it is obvious from such a configuration that when tension is applied to the two individual cables 4 in which the cleat 80 is anchored, this results in a rotational force of the cleat 80 about the vertical axis, which will have the effect of further limiting the outward deformation of the cables, better locking the cables 4.

[0118] The widened intermediate portion 73 of each of the two cavities 70 is inserted axially between two substantially cylindrical portions complementary to the cylindrical sheath of the corresponding cable portion, or even slightly smaller, these cylindrical portions forming an opening portion, each of which is axially open from the inlet 50A to the outlet 50B. The cross-sectional dimensions of the widened portion of each widened intermediate portion 73 are greater than those of the cylindrical portion constituting it. This increase in size or widening extends at least partially transversely relative to the locking element 50, namely along a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the relative longitudinal axis X and to the vertical axis A of the rod of the anchoring member 80, thereby generating a transverse deformation 45 of the initial cylindrical portion of the portion 40 of the cable 4, which transverse deformation is generally along one direction and another direction of this transverse axis Y. 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 also comprises clamping means 60 for clamping the two supports 51, 52 to each other. Since these supports 51, 52 are formed in one piece here, it is facilitated to crimp along all or part of the cylindrical end of each cavity 70. This crimping is visible from the outside by the impression 61, here a crimping, left on the locking element 50 after the clamping operation.

[0120] A set of such locking elements 50 can be used, for example, to form a joint assembly that participates in connecting the ends of a conveyor belt. In this case, the central cable 4" is preferably a connecting cable, along which a plurality of locking elements are successively fastened to form a longitudinal assembly. An assembly of such locking elements 50 (not shown) is in this case configured to be attached in a manner spanning the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the conveyor belt 1 so as to connect at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the first end 11 of the conveyor belt 1 to at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the second end 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0121] In such a configuration, the central cable 4" of each locking element spans the first and second ends 11, 12, and the two transverse cables 4 are reinforcing cables 4' of one of the two ends 11, 12 on one side longitudinally of the assembly and reinforcing cables 4' of the other of the two ends 11, 12 on the other side longitudinally of the assembly.

[0122] However, making such a joint requires completely stripping the parts of the reinforcing cables constituting the ends 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1. Once the cables are connected, the joint can be vulcanized, thereby remodeling the body of the conveyor belt 1 around the reinforcement rebuilt by the joint. It should be noted that vulcanization can also be replaced, preferably by using two joint plates 101, 102 and / or using a casting resin. These alternatives make it possible to avoid a long and complicated vulcanization step.

[0123] To facilitate the positioning of the locking elements 50, they can be designed in two distinct parts, forming each of the two lower and upper supports 51, 52, such as jaws. To ensure the centering of the two grooves 71, 72 of each of the supports 51, 52, additional connecting elements can be provided, such as an articulation between the two supports, to ensure perfect overlap of the supports and facilitate positioning around the corresponding cable portion.

[0124] Figures 14 to 17 A locking element 50 according to a third embodiment is shown, which differs essentially from the second embodiment in that it does not have a central cable 4″ and that the two cavities 70 each housing a cable communicate with one another to provide a single widened middle portion 73. The locking element 50 has the form of an integral sleeve, i.e. the supports 51, 52 are also formed in one piece, but it ensures that the two parts 40 of the cable 4 are locked in the same cavity 70.

[0125] In such a configuration, the inlet 50A and the outlet 50B also communicate with each other. These inlet 50A and outlet 50B are longitudinally aligned with each other according to a reference axis X and have a shape substantially complementary to that of the two cables, which are crimped in a manner similar to that of the second embodiment.

[0126] The widened middle portion 73 has a widening 75 centered relative to the cavity, and thanks to the insertion of an anchoring member 80 through its structure, each of the cables 4 can extend into this space complementary to the local deformation or expansion of the specifications of the corresponding cable portion 4. The anchoring member 80 is a cleat similar to that described in connection with the second embodiment. In this example, since the widened middle portion 73 is common to two cables 4, the widening 75 of the cavity 70 provides a given cable 4 on the side of the cavity opposite to the other cable 4. For cables 4 of diameter 8 mm, each cable 4 passes substantially in the middle through a stem 83 of diameter 2.9 mm, and each cable 4 will have a protrusion on either side of the stem 83, which is generally directed transversely relative to the longitudinal reference axis X of the cavity 70 in one direction and in the other. The widened middle portion 73 of the cavity 70 is then configured with a transverse widening 75 configured to accommodate therein a projection of one cable on one side and a projection of another cable on the other side, each projection 75 having a corresponding size to about 18% of the diameter D of the corresponding cable 4 .

[0127] The stud 80 has a head 81 extending at an angle, i.e. with an inclination relative to the axis of the cable, which also means that the projections of the two cables are longitudinally offset relative to each other. The projection of one cable is located on one side of the transverse widening 75 of the widened middle portion 73, while on the opposite side, the projection points towards the other cable or even touches and rests against it.

[0128] A group of such locking elements 50 can be used, for example, to form a joint assembly involved in the joint of the end of a conveyor belt. In this case, of the two cables locked by each locking element 50, one of the two cables is one of the reinforcing cables 4 of one of the two ends 11, 12, and the other of the two locked cables is the reinforcing cable 4' of the other of the two ends 11, 12. In this embodiment, no connecting cable is used to bridge the two ends 11, 12, so that the reinforcing cables of the ends 11, 12 completely stripped are wound in the joint 10. In addition, this occurs in an alternating manner and is parallel to each other. The locking elements 50 are then alternately arranged in an offset manner relative to each other within the entanglement range of the cable portion 4', and the locking elements 50 connect the cables two by two and preferably every two cables are spaced apart. 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 ends 11, 12, the joint can be vulcanized so as to re-form the conveyor belt body 1 around the reinforcement rebuilt by the joint.

[0129] Naturally, the present invention has been described above by way of example. It should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to implement various alternative embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0130] For example, it will be appreciated that other fasteners, clamps or anchoring members, such as screws, may be used to perform the same function. In addition, the vertical orientation of the fasteners and / or clamps and / or anchoring members may be different.

[0131] Furthermore, described with respect to the figures is an anchoring member 80 formed by a rectilinear rod, a portion of which, namely the rod portion 83, penetrates the widened middle portion 73 and partially passes through the cavity 70 in a radial direction relative to the axis X, while it passes through the cable portion 40 to produce a deformation when a portion 40 of the cable 4 is housed in the cavity 70. In another configuration, it is conceivable that this deformation is produced without passing through the cable. In this case, the rod can be rectilinear, for example with a circular or rectangular cross section, and can be provided with a tip 820 having a beveled edge that, when inserted, allows the portion 40 of the cable 4 to move locally to produce a deformation 45.

[0132] With respect to conveyor belts, the longitudinal direction is, by convention and for the sake of convenience and clarity disclosed throughout the description, the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and the same applies to the coupling device under consideration as it is to be mounted on the conveyor belt. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so defined, irrespective of the dimensions of the coupling device under consideration alone.

[0133] In a particular configuration not shown in the figures, the supports are not necessarily integral, so that all or part of the cavity can be formed by at least one connected portion. For example, the first parts of the two supports, whether they are integral or not, can have or define a first through hole, which has a cylindrical jacket and therefore has a constant diameter, and can be provided by fitting in the through hole with complementary end pieces to be placed at the longitudinal ends of this first through hole, these end pieces each having or defining a second through hole, which defines the inlet and outlet and the inlet and outlet portions. The widened intermediate portion will then be defined longitudinally between the end pieces and will have an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the first hole.

[0134] The support can surround the cable section directly as shown or also indirectly. This can be the case, for example, if an intermediate piece, for example made of plastic, is placed between the groove of the at least one metal support and the receiving cable section. Such a plastic part can be used as a consumable to maintain the wear of the locking element and at the same time the friction coefficient can be changed. The connected part can change with wear.

[0135] The connecting and / or reinforcing cables may also comprise only strands, without necessarily a core. Generally speaking, they comprise a bundle of twisted wires. Preferably, the cables are metallic, ie made of metal wires.

[0136] It is emphasized that all features which are obvious to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the appended claims, even if they are specifically described individually and in any way only in combination with other specific features, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, as long as this is not explicitly excluded and the technical circumstances do not make such a combination impossible or meaningless.

Claims

1. A joining device (100) for at least one conveyor belt (1), the at least one conveyor belt extending along a longitudinal axis (X') and comprising a body (2) made of a flexible material, a reinforcement (3) comprising an at least partially axially extending reinforcement cable (4') being housed inside the body (2), the joining device (100) being used to connect at least a first end (11) and a second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1), the joining device (100) being characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly (150) consisting of at least two locking elements (50), the at least two locking elements (50) being connected to each other by assembly, the assembly device comprising at least one connecting cable (4, 4"), the assembly (150) being used to be attached to the first end (11) and the second end (12) of the conveyor belt in order to connect at least a portion of the reinforcement cable (4') of the first end (11) of the conveyor belt (1) to at least a portion of the reinforcement cable (4') of the second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1), The locking element (50) of each cable comprises at least two opposing supports (51, 52) configured to surround at least a portion of a related cable among the reinforcing cable (4') and the connecting cable (4, 4"), the supports (51, 52) each having at least one groove (71, 72) together defining at least a portion of a through cavity (70) for receiving at least a portion (40) of the related cable (4), the cable (4) passing through the locking element (50) between an inlet (50A) and an outlet (50B) aligned according to a reference axis (X), the cavity (70) has a widened middle portion (73) between the inlet (50A) and outlet (50B) opening portions, the widened middle portion (73) widening radially relative to the inlet (50A) and the outlet (50B), the locking element (50) includes at least one anchoring member (80), the anchoring member (80) is configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened middle portion (73) of the cavity (70), the cavity (70) is aligned with the inlet (50A) and the outlet (50B) and is positioned so as to locally produce a radial deformation (45) of the cross-section of the portion (40) of the associated cable.

2. The joining device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises at least two joining plates (101, 102), the joining plates (101, 102) being configured to cover a single side of each end (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1), so that the ends (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) are respectively arranged between the two joining plates (101, 102), the joining plates (101, 102) being fixed together by fasteners (110), the fasteners (110) being passed through one joining plate, one end of the conveyor belt (1), and then through the other joining plate in sequence, each joining plate (101, 102) being made of a flexible and elastic material and comprising an assembly (150) of locking elements.

3. The joining device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The assembly (150) of locking elements is at least partially embedded in the flexible and resilient material of the respective engagement plate (101, 102).

4. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The joining device comprises at least: - an upper longitudinal assembly (150) consisting of at least two upper locking elements (50) of the locking elements (50), connected together by an upper connecting cable of the connecting cable to span across the two ends of the reinforcing cable (4') to be connected, and - a lower longitudinal assembly (150) consisting of at least two lower locking elements (50) of the locking elements, connected together by a lower connecting cable of the connecting cable to span across the two ends of the reinforcing cable (4') to be connected, The upper locking element of the upper longitudinal component is formed to be assembled with the lower locking element of the lower longitudinal component by forming a joint component (150') together, and to surround at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the first end (11) of the conveyor belt (1) and at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

5. The joining device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The joining device (100) comprises a plurality of joining assemblies (150'), wherein the plurality of joining assemblies (150') are arranged in parallel with each other and are configured to be evenly distributed on the joining portion (10).

6. The joining device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: Some engaging means are constituted by some fasteners (110) arranged to pass through one engaging plate, one end of the conveyor belt (1) and then through the other engaging plate in sequence.

7. The joining device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the closed position of the reinforcement cables (4') at the first end (11) and the second end (12), the reinforcement cables (4') are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal reference axis (X) of the portion (40) of the connection cable (4), the connection cable (4) being locked with its corresponding locking element (50).

8. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, characterized in that: The support members (51, 52) of the locking element (50) are configured to surround at least a portion of a first cable among the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, and the locking element (50) includes a groove (171) defining at least a portion of a through cavity (170) for receiving a second cable from the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, the through cavity having two axial end openings.

9. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, characterized in that: All or part of the locking element (50) comprises at least one clamping device (60) to ensure the clamping of the two supports (51, 52) relative to each other.

10. The joining device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that The clamping device (60) comprises at least one screw and / or stud and / or rivet and / or crimp.

11. The joining device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that The clamping device (60) comprises an anchoring member (80) such that the anchoring member (80) participates in the clamping of the two supports (51, 52) relative to each other.

12. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10 and 11, characterized in that The supports (51, 52) of at least some of the locking elements are formed in one piece.

13. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10 and 11, characterized in that The anchoring member (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprises a stem (83) configured to pass through the portion (40) of the cable (4).

14. The joining device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that The anchoring member (80) comprises at least one stud and / or a screw and / or a rivet and / or a pin.

15. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11 and 14, characterized in that The portion (40) of the associated cable comprises a structure containing a wire (43), and the anchoring member (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprises a distal end (82) opposite the head (81), the distal end (82) being provided with a tip (820) so as to at least partially penetrate the associated cable by separating the wire (43) from the associated cable structure.

16. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11 and 14, characterized in that At least one of the two supports (51, 52) of at least some of the locking elements comprises at least one through hole (53) opening into the widened middle portion (73) of the cavity (70) to allow the anchoring member (80) to penetrate the widened middle portion (73) of the cavity (70).

17. The joining device (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that The first of the two supports (51, 52) includes at least one first interface (510), and the first interface (510) can accommodate the head (81) of one of the anchoring members (80), and the second of the two supports (51, 52) includes at least one second interface (520), and the anchoring part (84) of the anchoring member can cooperate with the second interface (520).

18. The joining device (100) according to claim 17, characterized in that The first interface comprises a recessed or countersunk hole and the anchoring portion (84) comprises a threaded hole.

19. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11, 14, 17 and 18, characterized in that The inlet (50A) and / or the outlet (50B) of at least some of the locking elements locally have a cross-sectional constriction.

20. The joining device (100) according to claim 19, characterized in that The diameter (d) of the cross-sectional constriction is strictly smaller than the diameter (D) of the cylindrical sheath of the associated cable (4).

21. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 and 20, characterized in that The widened middle portion (73) of the cavity (70) of at least some of the locking elements has a radial widening (75) in a plane (P) orthogonal to the axis (A) of the stem (83) of the anchoring member (80), the stem (83) being configured to pass through the associated cable, on either side relative to the cavity (70).

22. The joining device (100) according to claim 21, characterized in that The radial widening portion (75) is greater than or equal to 10% of the diameter (D) of the relevant cable and less than or equal to 50% of the diameter (D) of the relevant cable.

23. The joining device (100) according to claim 22, characterized in that The radial widening portion (75) is greater than or equal to 25% of the diameter (D) of the relevant cable and less than 40% of the diameter (D) of the relevant cable.

24. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 23, characterized in that The inlet (50A) and outlet (50B) of at least some of the cavities (70) that receive the locking elements of the cables have a shape that partially defines a cylindrical sheath that is configured to mate with a cylindrical sheath of an associated cable, the inlet (50A) and outlet (50B) of the cavity (70) each extending along a length (I 50A ,I 50B ) axial extension, length (I 50A ,I 50B ) is greater than or equal to the axial length (L) of the widened middle portion (73) of the cavity (70). 73 ).

25. The joining device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each locking element is capable of ensuring the fastening of three different cable portions extending longitudinally two by two in a substantially parallel manner, wherein a central cable (4") forming a connecting cable passes longitudinally through the locking element (50) and two reinforcing cables (4') blocked by the anchoring member (80) are configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the respective intermediate portion (73).

26. A joint (10) of a conveyor belt (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (X'), the conveyor belt comprising a main body (2) made of a flexible material, a reinforcement member (3) comprising a reinforcing cable (4') extending at least partially axially contained inside the main body (2), the conveyor belt (1) comprising a first end (11) and a second end (12) connected together by a joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 25, at least one component (150) attached to the first end (11) and the second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1) to connect at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the first end (11) of the conveyor belt (1) to at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

27. A method for producing a joint (10) according to claim 26, characterized in that It at least includes the following steps: - peeling off the upper and lower parts of the body (2) of the conveyor belt at the first end (11) and the second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1); - an assembly (150) for placing at least one locking element (50) in order to connect at least a portion of the reinforcing cables (4') of a first end (11) of a conveyor belt (1) to at least a portion of the reinforcing cables (4') of a second end (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that It comprises at least one step of placing at least two joining plates (101, 102), each joining plate covering a separate side of a first end and a second end (11, 12) of a conveyor belt (1), so that the first end and the second end (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) are arranged between the two joining plates (101, 102).

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The joining plates (101, 102) are formed of a vulcanizable material.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The step of placing the joining plates (101, 102) is performed simultaneously with the step of placing at least one component (150) of the locking element (50).

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