Component of lifting, lashing or anchoring technology, in particular shackles, for outdoor or offshore applications

Abstract

Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology for outdoor or offshore applications, in particular in the form of a shackle, with an opening (3) formed by a base body (2) which has at least one closable passage (4), with a closing element (5) by which the passage (4) is closed in a closed position (78), with a lock (6) by which the closing element (5) is rotatable relative to the base body (2) in the closed position (78) and secured against opening of the passage (4), and with a locking mechanism (7) which is automatically activated in the closed position (78), by which the lock (6) is blocked in the closed position (78) and which has a gripping element (9) designed to be operated manually without tools for releasing the locking mechanism (7), wherein an indicator element (20) which is visible from outside the component (1) when the locking mechanism (7) is activated and concealed when the locking mechanism (7) is not activated,and / or an indicator element (20) is provided which is visible from outside the component (1) when the locking mechanism (7) is not activated and is concealed when the locking mechanism (7) is activated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component of lifting, lashing or anchoring technology for outdoor or offshore applications, in particular in shackle form.

[0002] US 7 540 140 B1, US 5 046 881 A, DE 28 08 800 A1 and US 2005 / 0 276 658 A1 each disclose a component of lifting, lashing or rigging technology.

[0003] Outdoor and offshore applications include, for example, use on ships, underwater, in port facilities, in military operations, in the mountains, or during rescue missions. The components used in these applications must be able to withstand considerable loads and, at the same time, be easy to use even under harsh environmental conditions.

[0004] The invention solves these requirements by providing the aforementioned component with an opening formed by a base body, which has at least one closable passage, with a closing element by which the passage is closed in a closed position, with a lock by which the closing element is rotatable relative to the base body in the closed position and secured against opening the passage, and with a locking mechanism that is automatically activated in the closed position, by which the lock is blocked in the closed position and which has a gripping element designed to be operated manually without tools for releasing the locking mechanism, and wherein an indicator element, which is visible from outside the component when the locking mechanism is activated and concealed when the locking mechanism is not activated, and / or an indicator element,which is provided for, being visible from outside the component when the locking mechanism is not activated and concealed when the locking mechanism is activated.

[0005] In the component according to the invention, the rotatable mounting of the locking element relative to the base body reduces its wear. Furthermore, the closure is relieved of stress. The locking element can yield to torsional stress through rotation without requiring support within the closure. The indicator element signals that the component has reached the closed position, that the locking element is secured within the closure, and that the closure is locked by the locking mechanism. Alternatively, two indicator elements can be provided, of which only one is visible when the closed position has not yet been reached, and only the other when the closed position has been reached.

[0006] The locking mechanism secures the closing element in the closed position, ensuring the opening is securely sealed. The locking mechanism locks the closure, preventing accidental release. To allow for easy manual release of the locking mechanism even under adverse conditions, the gripping element is designed to be operated without tools. The automatic activation of the locking mechanism in the closed position eliminates the need for operator intervention, simplifying handling.

[0007] The invention can be further improved by the following embodiments, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be combined independently of one another.

[0008] Alternatively, two indicator organs may be provided, of which only one is visible when the closing position has not yet been reached, and only the other when the closing position has been reached.

[0009] The visibility of the indicator element can be easily increased if it protrudes from its surroundings in the visible state. In particular, the indicator element can protrude along a longitudinal axis of the locking element (for example, the longitudinal axis of the locking bolt in the case of a locking bolt) and / or in the direction in which the locking element is inserted into the base body. Preferably, the indicator element is arranged on a side of the base body facing away from the opening. Both of the above measures independently ensure that the indicator element cannot be damaged by components that are suspended in the opening.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the indicator element can be located on the locking element or the gripping element. In this embodiment, the indicator element directly reflects the position of the locking element or the gripping element. In particular, the indicator element can be located in a section of the locking element that, in the closed position, is within the lock and / or the locking mechanism. Alternatively, an indicator element can also be arranged on a head of the locking element. The lock and locking mechanism can be rotationally fixed in the closed position.

[0011] The locking mechanism is preferably designed such that it can only be activated in the closed position, and in particular in a single predetermined position of the lock. This ensures that the lock is not prematurely locked before the fully closed position is reached, and that the locking element is not only incompletely secured in the closed position.

[0012] The locking mechanism can have at least two locking elements that interlock with each other, with the indicator element being connected to one of the locking elements in a way that transmits movement. In this configuration, the indicator element indicates the position of the locking element to which it is connected. The at least two locking elements are positively guided relative to each other in one direction of actuation.

[0013] The indicator element can be materially bonded to one of the barrier elements in a structurally simple variant, particularly monolithically, for example by primary forming or forming. If the indicator element is a separate part, a positive-locking connection between the indicator element and one of the barrier elements can also be provided.

[0014] In a further embodiment, a cover element movable relative to the indicator element, in particular a cover element movable in overlap with the indicator element, can be provided, which can be connected to one of the locking elements in a way that transmits movement. The cover element can be movably arranged on the base body between a release position and a cover position, depending on the relative position of the locking elements. In the cover position, the cover element then covers the indicator element, so that the indicator element is not visible from the outside. In the release position, the indicator element and the cover element are moved relative to each other out of overlap, preferably against the action of a locking spring, so that the indicator element is visible from the outside.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cover element can be ring-shaped and the indicator element pin-shaped, with the indicator element located inside the cover element. A relative movement between the ring-shaped cover element and the pin-shaped indicator element allows the indicator element to be covered or uncovered. The ring shape of the cover element ensures that, during a relative movement of the cover element to the indicator element, the indicator element can be concealed in any rotational covering position of the cover element and is only visible from the outside in the uncovered position.

[0016] The cover element can be bonded to one of the locking elements, in particular monolithically, for example by primary forming or deformation. The locking element can also be attached to the cover element by a fastening means, for example at least one screw or at least one rivet.

[0017] The indicator element can be coupled to one locking element of the locking mechanism and the cover element to the other, so that the relative position of the locking elements to each other is automatically transferred to the relative position of the cover element to the indicator element.

[0018] Furthermore, either the indicator element can be located on the locking element and the cover element on the gripping element, or the indicator element on the gripping element and the cover element on the locking element. Both configurations are particularly useful when the gripping element is connected to a locking element of the locking mechanism, so that the position of the gripping element is representative of the position of the locking element connected to the gripping element. The indicator element and cover element then reflect the relative position of the gripping element to the locking element.

[0019] Regardless of whether an indicator element or a cover element or both are provided, various designs and arrangements of the locking elements of the locking mechanism are possible.

[0020] The locking element can thus have a locking element on its end face, in particular on its end face that points in the direction in which the locking element is inserted into the base body.

[0021] At least one of the locking elements can be spring-loaded by a safety spring, so that the automatic activation of the locking mechanism is enabled by the action of the safety spring.

[0022] The locking mechanism can be designed as a latching arrangement that automatically engages in the closed position, preferably only in the closed position, and prevents operation of the lock. In such a design, the locking elements can, for example, be configured as a latching projection and a latching receptacle, with the latching projection preferably being deflectable against the action of a locking spring.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking elements, for example the detent projection and the detent receptacle, only engage with each other at a predetermined relative position, so that activation of the locking mechanism outside the closed position, as explained above, is excluded.

[0024] The closure can, in particular, have locking elements that can be rotatably engaged with one another on the locking mechanism and on a receptacle for the locking mechanism that is rotatably mounted on the base body. When engaged, the locking elements hold the locking mechanism firmly in the receptacle. The locking elements can, for example, form an internal and an external thread, or a bayonet fitting. Such a closure can be operated by a rotary motion.

[0025] The rotating mounting of the receiver in the base body reduces wear on the locking mechanism. Furthermore, the rotating arrangement of the receiver, and especially the entire lock, on the base body prevents the lock from being subjected to stress and opening when the locking mechanism is subjected to rotational force.

[0026] In such a design of the closure, according to an advantageous embodiment, the locking elements of the locking mechanism can engage or latch with each other only in preferably a single predetermined position of the closure, in order to prevent activation of the locking mechanism if the closed position is not fully reached. This predetermined position can be a predetermined relative rotational position, a predetermined depth, for example, screw-in depth, or a combination of both.

[0027] To prevent the simultaneous, unintentional release of the locking mechanism and the lock, it is advantageous if the locking mechanism is released by a movement in a different direction than the lock. It is particularly advantageous if the lock can be released by a rotational movement and the locking mechanism by a preferably primarily translational movement perpendicular to the rotational movement. This measure requires two different movements to remove the locking element, thus providing a particularly high level of security against accidental removal.

[0028] Such a predetermined position can be achieved, for example, by a thread that is interrupted at a point on its circumference, the interruption of the thread forming a detent recess for a detent projection. In such a design, the detent projection can only engage with the recess if, in addition to the predetermined rotational position, a specific screw-in depth has also been reached. If the screw-in depth has not yet been reached, the detent projection does not engage in the recess, but preferably remains in contact with the thread face.

[0029] If an indicator element is provided in such a design, it can be coupled to the detent projection in a movement-transmitting manner, so that it indicates its detent and thus the closed position.

[0030] When the locking mechanism is activated, the relative mobility of the locking elements or of the receiver and locking mechanism may be blocked, at least in the opposite direction to the actuation of the lock, so that the lock cannot be released.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, the receptacle can be arranged as a separate part in a through-hole for the locking element. For example, if the component of the lifting, lashing, or securing device is a shackle or a shackle-shaped component with two brackets defining the opening, into the ends of which the locking element is inserted in an insertion direction, the receptacle can preferably be rotatably mounted on one of these brackets.

[0032] In one embodiment, the receptacle can extend the through-hole, preferably in the through-hole direction pointing away from the opening of the base body, thereby creating a larger contact surface for the locking element. The larger contact surface results in lower surface pressure and consequently higher wear resistance and load-bearing capacity of the component.

[0033] The receptacle can be equipped with positive locking elements for tools and for manual gripping, for example, with a polygonal outer contour. The receptacle can be designed as a tubular or nut-shaped hollow body. Furthermore, the receptacle can be provided with an internal thread for screwing in the locking element. The receptacle can also be cap-shaped, so that it at least partially closes the through-hole.

[0034] The gripping element serves to release the locking mechanism, allowing the lock to be operated again. The gripping element is preferably mounted to rotate relative to the base body, and the locking mechanism can be rigidly coupled to the lock in the direction of rotation, so that the lock and locking mechanism can rotate together as a single unit. This measure ensures that the locking mechanism remains free of force even under torsional stress on the locking element and does not wear out or fail under excessive stress on the locking element.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the gripping element can be movably mounted in the receptacle relative to it, in particular in a linear or pivotable manner. This embodiment leads to a structurally simple solution, as the gripping element rotates integrally with the receptacle and the closure. Preferably, the direction in which the gripping element is actuated is decoupled from the direction in which the closure is actuated. For example, if the closure is actuated by a rotary movement, the gripping element is preferably moved translationally in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, i.e., perpendicular to the rotary movement of the closure, or vice versa, to release the closure lock.

[0036] Direct actuation of the locking mechanism by the gripping element is possible if, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping element is monolithically connected to a locking element of the locking mechanism.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, the gripping element can form a closing cover for a receiving opening of the base body and / or the receiving element, so that contamination is kept away from the receiving element or the receiving opening.

[0038] The gripping element may have an opening through which the indicator element protrudes. If the gripping element also serves as the cover for the indicator element, the opening may be surrounded by a projecting ring that covers the indicator element when in the cover position.

[0039] For easier handling, the gripping element can have two diametrically opposed handling surfaces, allowing it to be grasped with one hand using a pincer grip. The handling surfaces can be located on a circumferential surface of the receptacle. The gripping element can be spring-loaded, so that it can only be actuated against the force of the spring. If the gripping element also serves as a detent element for the locking mechanism, this spring can simultaneously be used to engage the locking mechanism in the closed position.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the gripping element itself can be structurally integrated with the locking spring, thus reducing the number of necessary parts. The locking spring can then be actuated directly. Such an embodiment can be realized using a leaf spring, one end of which is attached to the receptacle and the other end of which, for ergonomic reasons, is preferably bent to act as the locking spring and serves as the gripping element, protruding from the receptacle.

[0041] To further reduce the number of parts, the locking spring itself can also serve as the cover. The locking spring can have a disc-shaped section with an opening for the indicator. As long as the locking spring is deflected and the closed position is not reliably reached, the disc-shaped section covers the indicator.

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the component can be provided with a locking mechanism that secures the locking element to the base body when the opening is open. The locking mechanism can only be overcome by applying additional force, thus ensuring that the locking element is held securely in place when the opening is open. Of course, a latching mechanism can also be provided instead of the locking mechanism. While this provides greater security for the locking element, it also results in more complex operation, which is particularly disadvantageous when the opening of the base body needs to be closed quickly with one hand.

[0043] The safety lock prevents the locking mechanism from falling off the base when the lock is open. Especially in outdoor and offshore applications, where lifting, lashing, or anchoring components are often used at great heights above the ground, such as on masts or cranes, a falling locking mechanism can cause serious injuries to personnel on the ground.

[0044] The locking mechanism can have a spring that at least partially encloses the locking element and a groove into which the spring engages. The spring can, for example, be fixed to the base body or locking element and have a polygonal outline with a smaller clear opening than the locking element or the through-hole. The groove can be located on the locking element, for example, in the case of a locking bolt, less than one diameter away from a locking element of the locking element, such as an external thread.

[0045] If the component is a shackle or a shackle-like component with two loops through which the locking element must be inserted, the locking mechanism is located on one loop and the closure on the other loop, according to a further advantageous embodiment.

[0046] The component of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology in a configuration described above can also be designed as an integral part of another device of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology, such as shorteners or tensioners.

[0047] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. For the sake of simplicity, elements that correspond to each other in terms of function and / or structure are designated with the same reference numerals in the figures and in the following description of the exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the subsequent exemplary embodiments always focus only on the differences from the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0048] In accordance with the above explanations regarding the individual, each advantageous, embodiments, the different features of the individual embodiments can be combined. Likewise, in accordance with the above explanations, individual features can be omitted, provided that the advantage associated with that feature is not essential.

[0049] They show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment in a schematic, perspective exploded view; Fig. 2 a closing element of the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective representation; Fig. 3 a gripping element of the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective representation; Fig. 4 the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective representation of an opening; Fig. 5 the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective view shortly before reaching a closed position; Fig. 6 a detail of the Fig. 5; Fig. 7 the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective view in the closed position; Fig. 8 a detail of the Fig. 7; Fig. 9 the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a schematic sectional view of the closed position; Fig. 10 Another embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view of an open position; Fig. 11 the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 10 in a schematic perspective representation of the closed position; Fig. 12 a detail of the Fig. 11; Fig. 13 a further embodiment of the invention in a schematic representation of the closed position; Fig. 14 a further embodiment of the invention in a schematic, perspective exploded view; Fig. 15 a detail of the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 14 in a schematic perspective representation; Fig. 16 another embodiment of a component of lifting, lashing or rigging technology.

[0050] Fig. Figure 1 shows, in a schematic exploded view, an exemplary component of a possible embodiment of a component 1 according to the invention for lifting, lashing, or rigging technology. The component 1 is used for lifting loads, for lashing loads to be transported, or for rigging lifting equipment in outdoor and offshore applications, as explained above.

[0051] Component 1 has a base body 2 that forms an opening 3. A load, lifting device, or rigging sling can be inserted into the opening 3.

[0052] The opening 3 has at least one passage 4 through which the lifting, lashing, or rigging device (not shown) can be inserted into the opening 3. The passage 4 can be securely closed by a closing element 5. When the opening 3 or the passage 4 is securely closed, the closing element 5 is in a closed position (not shown).

[0053] To secure the locking element 5 in the closed position, a lock 6 and a locking mechanism 7 are provided.

[0054] The locking mechanism 6 secures the locking element 5 in the closed position, so that it cannot fall off even under load.

[0055] In order to keep the closure 6 free of force when torsional or rotational forces 8 act on the locking element 5, and in order to wear the locking element 5 evenly over its entire circumference during operation, the locking element 5 is rotatably held in the closed position relative to the base body 2 by the closure 6.

[0056] The locking mechanism 7 is automatically activated when the locking element 5 reaches the closed position. The locking mechanism 7 blocks the lock 6 and prevents it from being operated.

[0057] To open the closure 6, the locking mechanism 7 must first be actuated. To ensure that this is easily achievable for operators, even under typical outdoor or offshore environmental conditions, for example while wearing gloves, a manually operable gripping element 9 is provided. Actuating the gripping element 9 releases the locking mechanism 7, and after the closure is opened, the closing element 5 can be moved out of the opening 4 to release the opening 3.

[0058] This is merely an example in Fig. Figure 1 shows a shackle-shaped component 1. In such a shackle-shaped component 1, two brackets 10 encompass the opening 3 on two opposite sides 11, 12 of the opening 3. The passage 4 is located, for example, at the ends of the brackets 10, where preferably two aligned through-holes 13, 14 are located, into which the locking element 5, which is usually bolt-shaped in a shackle-shaped component 1, is inserted to close the passage 4. The locking element 5 can also penetrate the brackets 10 at a location other than their ends.

[0059] Component 1 can have an indicator element 20, which is either visible from outside component 1 when the locking mechanism 7 is activated and concealed when the locking mechanism 7 is not activated, or visible from outside component 1 when the locking mechanism 7 is not activated and concealed when the locking mechanism 7 is activated. The indicator element 20 thus allows a user to immediately recognize whether the locking element 5 is correctly in the closed position, either because the indicator element 20 is not visible or, alternatively, because the indicator element 20 is visible.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. In this example, the indicator element 20 is a pin 21 located on an end face 22 of the bolt-shaped locking element 5. More generally, the indicator element 20 can project from the locking element 5 in the direction of a longitudinal axis 23 of the locking element 5 and can have any base shape.

[0061] The indicator element 20 does not necessarily have to be located on the closing element 5 or coupled to it in a motion-transmitting manner, but can also, for example, be located on the gripping element 9 or coupled to it in a motion-transmitting manner. Two indicator elements 20 may also be present (not shown), one of which is visible only before the closing position is reached and the other only after the closing position has been reached.

[0062] To achieve automatic activation of the locking mechanism 7 in the closed position in a simple technical manner, the locking mechanism 7 can have a latching device with two interlocking locking elements. The locking elements 24, 25 preferably only engage when the locking element 5 is in the closed position. The indicator element 20 can be connected to one of the locking elements 24, 25 in a motion-transmitting manner, in particular by means of a material bond formed by primary forming or deformation, integrally connected to one of the locking elements 24, 25.

[0063] If two indicator organs 20 are present, each of the locking elements 24, 25 can be connected to one indicator organ in a motion-transmitting and / or integral manner.

[0064] At the in Fig. In the component 1 shown in Figure 1, one locking element 24 is a sector-shaped recess 26 in a circumferential surface of the locking element 5. The pin-shaped indicator element 20 is monolithically connected to the end face 22 of the locking element 5 and is thus fixed in position relative to the locking element 24. The indicator element 20 therefore indicates the position of the locking element 24. In this embodiment, the other locking element 25 is located directly on the gripping element 9, as will be explained below.

[0065] To ensure that the indicator element 20 is visible either only in the closed position or only outside the closed position, a stationary, but preferably a movable, cover element 27 can be provided, which can also be connected to one of the locking elements 24, 25 in a way that transmits movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover element 27 is annular, with the indicator element 20 projecting through the central opening 28 of the annular cover element 27. The indicator element 20 and the cover element 27 are movable relative to each other, so that the cover element 27 can be brought into complete overlap with the indicator element 20 depending on the relative position of the locking elements 24, 25. If the pin 21 is completely covered by the cover element 27, it is not visible.

[0066] The indicator element 20 can be provided with a marking 29 that differs in color from its surroundings, so that the indicator element 20, when released by the cover element 27, is more clearly visible even from a distance. The marking 29 can be in the form of a separate sleeve 30 and / or by a coating.

[0067] The covering element 27 can, as Fig. Figure 1 shows that the gripping element 9 or the locking element 25 can be monolithically connected by primary forming or reshaping. A motion-transmitting coupling between the gripping element 9, the locking element 25, and the cover element 27 via coupling links (not shown) is also possible instead of a monolithic design.

[0068] The arrangement described above is reversible: Either, as shown, the indicator element 20 is located on the closing element 5 and the cover element 27 on the gripping element 9, or the indicator element 20 is located on the gripping element 9 and the cover element 27 is located on the closing element 5.

[0069] The closure 6 has locking elements 35, 36 that can be rotatably engaged. One locking element 35, for example in the form of an external thread 37, is located on the closing element 5. The other locking element 36, for example in the form of an internal thread 38, is located on a receptacle 39, which is preferably rotatably mounted on the base body 2. The receptacle 39 may be partially located in a through-hole 14, in particular on the side of the through-hole facing away from the opening 3 or the passage 4.

[0070] If the receptacle 39 extends the through-hole 14, a larger bearing surface is created for the locking element 5, thus reducing the surface pressure between the locking element 5 and the base body 2 under high loads acting on the locking element 5. The receptacle 39 can, as Fig. Figure 1 shows that the receptacle 39 is designed in a sleeve- or nut-shaped manner and, in the assembled state, projects away from or protrudes from the base body 2. At one end, the receptacle 39 can have positive locking elements 40 on its outer circumference, which enable handling, in particular rotation of the receptacle by means of a tool or by hand.

[0071] The gripping element 9 is guided in the receptacle 39 for linear movement, preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary motion used to actuate the closure 6. Two diametrically opposed handling surfaces 41 of the gripping element 9 are preferably located on the outside of a circumferential surface 42 of the receptacle 39, preferably in the area of ​​the positive locking elements 40, and are accessible from the outside. The receptacle 39 may have projections or ribs on at least one side of the gripping element 9 to protect it. Due to the position of the handling surfaces 41 in the area of ​​the positive locking elements 40, simultaneous movement of the gripping element 9, and thus of the locking element 25 connected to the gripping element 9, and rotation of the receptacle 39 to actuate the closure element 36 are possible with only one hand. Thus, the closure lock 7 and the closure 6 can be actuated simultaneously with only one hand.

[0072] The gripping element 9 forms a closing cover which, in this case together with the pin 21 protruding through the central opening 28, closes the through-hole 14 and the extension of the through-hole 14 formed by the interior 43 of the receptacle 39.

[0073] The gripping element 9 is pressed into a rest position by a locking spring 44, in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 in the direction of the opening 3 or the passage 4. Two arms 46 of the gripping element 9, guided in slots 45 of the receptacle 39, with handling surfaces 41 at their outer ends, form the guide for the gripping element 9. The gripping element 9 is movable relative to the receptacle 39 along the longitudinal axis 23 of the closing element 5, i.e., in and against its insertion direction. In the direction away from the opening 3, the force of the retaining spring 44 must be overcome. The retaining spring 44 can be a corrugated ring spring 51, which is supported on its side opposite the gripping element 9 by a support ring 48. The gripping element 9, the retaining spring 44, and the support ring 48 are secured in the receptacle 39 by means of a snap ring or circlip 49a.

[0074] The receptacle 39 itself is rotatably secured in the base body 2 or its through-hole 14 by means of a further snap ring or circlip 49b.

[0075] The component 1 can also have a safety lock 50 that holds the locking element 5 in an open position, with the passage 4 fully released, on the base body 2 in a captive manner.

[0076] The safety lock 50 can be overcome by applying increased force and merely represents a kind of friction-fit intermediate detent to prevent the locking element 5 from falling off the base body 2 when the closure 6 is open. It facilitates the handling of component 1 because the locking element 5 does not need to be held or secured by the user when the passage 4 is open.

[0077] The locking mechanism 50 has a ring spring 51, which is attached, for example, to the base body 2, in the through-hole 13, or to a ring collar 52 extending the through-hole 13 outwards, away from the passage 4. The ring collar 52 can be, as shown, an integral part of the base body 2 or a separate part attached to the base body 2. The ring spring 51 has an approximately polygonal outer circumference with a clear width that is smaller than the section of the locking element 5 that is to be inserted through the through-hole 13 when moving into the closed position. A groove 53 can be provided on the locking element 5, into which the ring spring 5 snaps.The groove 53 is preferably located at a distance 54 from the end 55 of the locking element 5, which corresponds to the distance between the ring spring 51 and the passage 4, so that when the safety lock 50 is engaged, neither the end 55 of the locking element 5 nor the indicator element 20 protrudes from the through-hole 13 into the opening 3.

[0078] Thus, when a lifting, slinging or lashing device (not shown) is inserted into the opening 3 through the passage 4, it cannot touch, get stuck on or damage the end 55 of the closing element 5 or the indicator element 20.

[0079] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of a locking element 5, here in the form of a locking bolt 60.

[0080] The locking element 5 is provided with a locking element 35 in the form of an external thread 37 in a region 61, for example, the end 55. The external thread 37 has a smaller outer diameter than the rest of the locking element 5, which is shown here only as an example of a circular cylindrical body 63. At the end 64 of the locking element opposite the end 55, there is a head 65, the circumferential surface of which is provided with positive locking and gripping elements 66 in order to be able to fix or rotate the head 65 both with tools and by hand.

[0081] The locking element 35 projects from the body 63, forming a flange shoulder, and extends to the end face 22. Instead of an external thread 37, a bayonet fitting or another locking element 35 that can be produced by rotation may also be provided. The locking element 36 on the base body is designed to be complementary to the locking element 35.

[0082] In area 61, the locking element 24 of the locking mechanism 7 is also arranged, which is provided as a recess 26, preferably sector-shaped, in a circumferential surface 67 and / or an end face 22 of the locking element 35. The recess 26 serves to receive a preferably spring-loaded detent projection (not shown), which engages in the recess 26 at a predetermined screw-in depth and / or a predetermined relative rotational position of the locking element 5.

[0083] It is advantageous if, when using threaded locking elements 35, 36, the thread chamfer is located at a predetermined angular position relative to the recess 26, so that the same relationship always exists between the screw-in depth and the rotational position of the locking element.

[0084] The pin-shaped indicator element 20 extends from the front surface 22 of the closure element 35 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 23 of the closing element 5.

[0085] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a gripping element 9, with the side facing the opening 3 or the closing element 5 visible. On this side is the locking element 25, designed as a detent projection 70, which is configured to engage in the recess 26 on the closing element 5. The locking element 25 is designed to be complementary to the locking element 24, so that both allow as little play as possible when engaged with each other. The locking element 25 can therefore be designed as a sector-shaped projection.

[0086] When screwing the locking element 5 into the receptacle 39 ( Fig. 1) The recess 26 rotates relative to the detent projection 70. The gripping element 5 is in the slots 45 due to the arms 46 ( Fig. 1) non-rotatable and only in the direction of the longitudinal axis 23 ( Fig. 1) relative to the recording 39 ( Fig. 1) Displaceable. When the end face 22 of the locking element 35 is turned into the receptacle 39 during the turning of the locking element 5 ( Fig. 1) when the gripping element 9 is pressed against the detent projection 70, it is forced against the action of the locking spring 44 ( Fig. 1) along the longitudinal axis 23 ( Fig. 1) in the direction away from passage 4 ( Fig. 1) deflected in a straight line together with the axial movement of the locking element 5. At the moment when the recess 26 ( Fig. 2) and the detent projection 70 align with each other, the detent projection 70 snaps into the recess 26 and the locking mechanism 7 ( Fig. 1) is activated. The lock 6 can no longer be actuated because the relative rotational movement between the receptacle 39 and the locking element 5 is blocked by the engagement of the locking elements 24, 25. The height 71 of the detent projection 70 is dimensioned such that detent engagement is not possible before a predetermined screw-in depth is reached. Preferably, the height 71 is at most one pitch of the external thread 37 on the locking body.

[0087] The following is based on the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 9 explains the function of component 1 in more detail. For the sake of clarity, the basic body 2 is only shown in outline with dashed lines in these figures, and the receptacle 39 is omitted. Furthermore, some of the rings located beyond the gripping element 9, as viewed from the opening 4, have been omitted.

[0088] Fig. Figure 4 shows the open position 75, in which the locking element 5 fully releases the passage 4 and is preferably held by the safety lock 50. In the open position 75, the locking element 5 preferably does not protrude into the passage 4, so that nothing can become caught on the locking element 5 when objects are inserted through the passage 4.

[0089] If, starting from the open position 75, the passage 4 is to be closed with the closing element 5, the closing element 5 is first pushed into the passage 4 from the open position 75. The holding force of the safety lock 50 must first be overcome. This force is dimensioned so that it can be overcome manually, for example by a user pressing or striking the head 65 with the palm of their hand in the insertion direction 47.

[0090] The through-hole 13, which holds the locking element 5 in the open position 75, has relatively tight tolerances relative to the locking element 5, so that the latter is guided with minimal play in its longitudinal axis 23, allowing for rotational and sliding movement. Therefore, the user does not need to align the locking element 5 to insert it into the through-hole 14 opposite the opening 4. This happens automatically due to the tight tolerances and the alignment of the through-hole 13 with the opposite through-hole 14.

[0091] When the locking element 5 is inserted into the through-hole 14, the locking elements 35, 36 meet ( Fig. 1) initially against each other, without being engaged with each other. Subsequently, the closure 6 can be actuated, for example, by screwing the locking element 5 into the receptacle 39 in the illustrated embodiment, if the closure elements 35, 36 are threaded. The passage 4 is then already closed, but the closed position has not yet been reached because neither the closure 6 is closed nor the locking mechanism 7 is activated. This state is in Fig. 5 and in detail in Fig. Figure 6 shows that the locking elements 24, 25 of the locking mechanism 7 do not yet need to touch each other in this position.

[0092] When the external thread 37 and the internal thread 38 meet, they engage with each other only when the rotatable receptacle 39 and the locking element 5 are in a predetermined angular position relative to each other, due to the predetermined angle of the thread chamfer. The following is merely an example showing that the closed position is reached after two revolutions.

[0093] Preferably, the detent projection 70 is spaced one thread pitch from the front end of the threaded section in the screw-in direction when the locking elements 35, 36 are just engaging. The locking element 5 is screwed one turn into the receptacle 39 before the end face 22 of the locking element 35 and the detent projection 71 touch. Preferably, in this case, the recess 26 has just passed the detent projection 71. During the further rotation, the end face 22 of the locking element 35 is screwed in against the action of the retaining spring 44. After the height 71 ( Fig. 3) the detent projection 70 has a thread pitch, the detent projection 70 snaps into the recess 26 after another complete turn. Now the closed position is reached.

[0094] Of course, with modified thread profiles and a correspondingly changed height of the detent projection compared to the exemplary embodiment, more or fewer turns, or even a non-integer number of turns of the lock, may be necessary to activate the locking mechanism.

[0095] Until the closed position is reached, the indicator element 20 is concealed by the cover element 27, which here is formed by the gripping element 9. When the locking elements 35, 36 just engage with each other, the indicator element, the pin 21, is not yet, or only partially, immersed in the gripping element 9 and remains covered. As the screw is tightened further, the pin 21 penetrates deeper into the central opening 28 of the cover element 27, but is not visible because it is covered, for example, by an annular bead or a collar 76 of the gripping element 9. The height 77 of the cover element 27 from the detent projection 70 to the end of the annular bead 76 is preferably less than the distance from the base of the recess 26 to the end of the pin 21. Thus, the pin 21 remains covered as long as the end face 22 of the locking element 35 presses against the detent projection 70.When the locking projection 70 snaps into the recess 26 via the retaining spring 44, the pin 21 protrudes with its free end from the cover element 27 and is visible from the outside. The marking 29 is also visible. For example, the pin 21 may be marked with a green marking 29 which, when visible, signals to a user that the closed position is correctly assumed because the lock 6 and locking mechanism 7 are engaged.

[0096] The closing position 78 is in Fig. 7 and in detail in Fig. 8 can be seen. As explained, the locking elements 35, 36 are fully engaged, for example by the external thread 37 and the internal thread 38 being screwed together over two turns, and because the locking mechanism 7 is activated by the locking elements 24, 25 being engaged together.

[0097] Indicator organ 20 is visible from the outside. This is, on average, again in Fig. 9 to recognize.

[0098] For further security, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the locking mechanism 50, via a further groove 80 near the head 75, holds the locking element 5 in the closed position 78 in addition to the locking mechanism 6. This reduces any axial play of the locking element 5.

[0099] It can be seen in Fig. 9 also that, due to the ring 52 attached to the outside of the through-hole 13 and the receptacle 39 attached to the outside of the through-hole 14, the through-holes 13, 14 can provide large support surfaces 81 that can bear high loads at low surface pressures.

[0100] To open the passage 4, the gripping element 9 is grasped at the opposing handling surfaces 41 and moved away from the base body 2 along the longitudinal axis of the locking element 23 against the action of the locking spring 44. The locking elements 24, 25 are thus disengaged and the locking mechanism 7 is deactivated. The user can now rotate the receptacle 39 in one movement by hand over the handling surfaces 41, while simultaneously holding the head 65 of the locking element with the other hand. This releases the closure 6. Once the closure 6 is fully released, the user can pull out the locking element 5 until it is held in the open position 75 by the safety catch 50.

[0101] Another embodiment of a component 1 according to the invention is described in the Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. Figure 12 shows this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the embodiment mentioned above in that the indicator element 20 is not arranged on the side of the receptacle 39 or the closure 6 or the locking mechanism 7, but rather at the end of the locking element 5 facing away from the closure element 35, for example, on a circumferential surface in the area of ​​the head 65. The indicator element 20 is a clearly colored, preferably ring-shaped marking 29, preferably directly below the head 65, which remains visible until the locking element 5 is fully inserted into the through-hole 13 and thus the closed position 78 ( Fig. 11, Fig. 12) is reached. In such a case, the marking 29 is, for example, red to signal the hazardous condition to a user as long as it is visible. This design of an indicator element can be combined with the design of the indicator element of the previous embodiment to indicate both the unused closed position 78 and the closed position 78 from the outside.

[0102] In contrast to the previous embodiment, in this embodiment the receptacle 39 is cap-shaped, and the gripping element 9 does not form a closing cover. Rather, the receptacle 39 itself closes at least part of the through-hole 14 or its extension in the form of the interior 43 of the receptacle 39.

[0103] The recess 26 is not sector-shaped but slot-shaped, and the locking projection 70 is rib-shaped. Otherwise, the function and structure of component 1 are the same as in the previous embodiment.

[0104] Instead of the variant shown so far, in which the gripping element 9 is inserted into the receptacle 39 from the outside, the gripping element 9 can also be inserted from the other side of the receptacle 39, the side facing the base body 2. In such a case, the receptacle 39 can be completely closed, which leads to better encapsulation of the interior 43.

[0105] In Fig. Figure 13 shows a third embodiment of a component 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the indicator element 20 is movable, preferably under spring tension, and is received in the locking element 5. A pin 21 is pressed out of the end face 22 by a spring 90. The indicator element 20 simultaneously serves as a locking element 25 by forming a spring-loaded detent projection that engages in a recess on the receiving side as soon as the closed position is reached. For this purpose, the receiving 39 is provided with a cover-shaped detent plate 91, in which the locking element 25 is positioned at a predetermined angular position relative to the threaded lead-in by means of an opening.

[0106] The locking plate 91 also serves as a cover 27, which prevents the indicator 20 from being visible from the outside as long as the closed position 78 has not been reached.

[0107] When the thread is tightened before reaching the closed position, the indicator element 20 is initially spaced apart from the receptacle 39 during the first relative rotation between the locking element 5 and the receptacle 39. Only shortly after the first rotation, when the indicator element 20 has moved past the recess of the detent plate 91, does it bear against the detent plate 91. As the locking element 5 is tightened further, the indicator element 20 is pressed into the locking element 5 against the force of the spring 90 until it reaches the opening 92 and automatically protrudes through the opening under the force of the spring 90. Now the locking mechanism 7 is activated and the indicator element 20 is visible from the outside. The indicator element 20 is thus simultaneously the locking element 25 or the detent projection 70, which engages in the opening 92, which serves as the locking element 24 or recess 26.

[0108] To release the locking mechanism 7, the indicator element 20 is pressed in and the locking element 5 is unscrewed from the receptacle 39.

[0109] The Fig. 14 and Fig. Figure 15 shows a further embodiment of a component 1 according to the invention.

[0110] The design of the locking element 5 essentially corresponds to the design of the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1. In contrast to this embodiment, in the embodiment of the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 the recess 26 serving as a locking element 24 is not provided with a pie-shaped or triangular base, but with a rectangular base.

[0111] Furthermore, the marking 29 in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 is designed as a colored ring which is inserted into a corresponding groove 93 of the indicator organ 20, which is also designed here as a pin 21. The marking 29 can, for example, be a colored rubber or plastic ring.

[0112] Another difference in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. The difference in embodiment 14 compared to the preceding embodiments is that the functions of the locking spring 44 and the gripping element 9 are now combined in a single component. For this purpose, the locking spring 44 is designed as a leaf spring to which a plate-shaped section 94, serving as the gripping element 9, is attached. The section 94 projects laterally from the receptacle 39 so that it can be grasped and deflected by hand. The section 94 is formed by a part 96, which simultaneously serves as a locking element 25 or detent projection 70. The locking spring 44 can be manufactured as a stamped and bent part from a sheet, for example, a spring steel sheet. The part 96 can be attached to the locking spring by means of a fastener 97, for example, a rivet or a screw. Welding, soldering, and / or clamping of the part 96 in the pocket 95 is also possible. Only one positive-locking connection is shown by way of example.

[0113] The retaining spring 44 is pivotably attached to the receptacle 39 at a mounting point 98. This attachment can also be effected by fasteners such as a screw or a rivet and / or by material-fit or form-fit connections. The mounting point 98 can be formed in a further tab 99, in particular one bent over the circumferential surface 42 of the receptacle 39. The tab 99 can be opposite the tab 94.

[0114] Furthermore, the retaining spring 44 can simultaneously serve as a covering element 27, which, as in the preceding embodiments, covers the marking 29 until the in Fig. The closing position 78 shown in section 15 has been reached.

[0115] The locking spring 44 can have an opening 28 through which the marking 29 is guided on its way from the open to the closed position. The opening 28 can be formed in an annular or disc-shaped central section 100 of the locking spring 44. The central section 100 can be inserted into the receptacle 39 from the side opposite the opening 4.

[0116] The receptacle 39 can be provided with a collar 101 to protect the retaining spring 44, which is accessible from the outside and closes the receptacle 39 on the side facing away from the passage 4. The collar includes at least one recess 102 through which the gripping element 9 projects from the circumferential surface 42 of the receptacle 39.

[0117] An end face of the collar 101 is preferably chamfered so that it becomes higher towards the point where the locking spring 44 is deflected most strongly when the gripping element 9 is actuated. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 corresponds to the position of the gripping element 9. Due to the increasing height of the collar, the safety spring 44 remains protected even when it is deflected.

[0118] In the Fig. In the closed position 78 shown in Figure 15, part 96 protrudes into the recess 26 and secures the lock 6. To release the lock, the locking spring 44 is deflected by moving the gripping element 9 away from the opening 4 until part 96 releases the recess 26.

[0119] To prevent the locking spring 44 from being deflected excessively when the locking mechanism is released or during operation in the closed position, and thus from plastically deforming, wearing out, or breaking, a stop 103 is provided in the area of ​​the recess 102. The stop 103 limits the deflection of the gripping element 9. The stop 103 can, for example, be in the form of a deformation at the end of the recess 102 facing away from the base body 2 and prevent the gripping element 9 from being moved out of the receptacle 39.

[0120] To securely close the passage 4, the locking bolt is first screwed into the receptacle 39, as in the preceding embodiments. The external and internal threads 37, 38 are provided with interfaces whose positions are predetermined relative to the position of the locking elements 24, 25, as in the other embodiments. This ensures that the locking mechanism 7 is only activated after a certain screw-in depth.

[0121] Before part 96 snaps into the receptacle 26 and secures the breech 6, the retaining spring 44 is pushed away from the receptacle 39 by the end face of the locking bolt 5, so that it covers the mark 29. Only when the positive locking of the breech stop 7 is achieved and the retaining spring 44 rests against the end face 22 of the locking bolt 5, thus reliably reaching the closed position 78, does the retaining spring reveal the mark 29.

[0122] Other variants of component 1 are possible. For example, instead of the axial orientation of the indicator element 20, which also serves as a locking element of the locking mechanism 7, a radial orientation can be chosen, in which the opening 92 is located on the circumferential surface 42 of the receptacle 39 and the indicator element 20 is received in a radial bore of the locking element 5.

[0123] If, in the embodiments described above, a rotatable mounting of the locking element 5 in the closed position is not required, the receptacle 39 can always be either rigidly connected to the base body 2, for example by welding, or monolithically integrated into the base body 2. In this embodiment, care should be taken to ensure that the lock 6 and the locking mechanism 7 allow sufficient radial play so that they remain free of force when the locking element 5 is subjected to a load, by the locking element 2 resting in the through-holes 13 or 14.

[0124] Fig. Figure 16 shows such a rigid variant of component 1 based on the embodiment of the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. Reference sign 1 component 2 basic shapes 3 Opening 4 passages 5 Locking mechanism 6 Closure 7 Locking mechanism 8 Torsional force 9 grasping organ 10 hangers 11, 12 opposite sides of the opening 13, 14 through-holes 20 indicator organ 21 pen 22 Front surface 23 Longitudinal axis of the closing mechanism 24, 25 locking elements 26 recess 27 Covering element 28 Opening the cover 29 Mark 30 separate sleeves 35, 36 locking elements 37 external threads 38 internal threads 39th entry 40 positive locking elements 41 handling area 42 Circumferential area of ​​the recording 43 Interior of the recording 44 locking spring 45 slots 46 outriggers 47 Direction of insertion 48 Support ring 49a, 49b Seeger rings 50 safety locks 51 ring spring 52 Ring collar 53 Nut 54 Distance between the end of the locking element and the groove 55 End of the locking mechanism 60 locking bolts 61 Area of ​​the locking bolt 62 Outer diameter of the external thread 63 Body of the sphincter 64 other end of the locking mechanism 65 head 66 positive locking / gripping elements on the head 67 Circumferential area of ​​the locking element 70 Rastvorsprung 71 Height of the resting ledge 75 Disclosure 76 ring-shaped bead 77 Height 78 Closing position 80 more nuts 81 Wing surfaces of the through-holes 90 spring for indicator organ 91 Grid plate 92 Opening 93 Nut in the indicator organ 94 tab-shaped section Part 96 on the formation of a resting projection 97 Fasteners 98 Mounting point 99 more tabs 100 Central Section 101 collars 102 Collar cutout 103 attacks

Claims

[1] Component (1) of lifting, lashing or rigging equipment for outdoor or offshore applications, in particular in the form of a shackle, comprising an opening (3) formed by a base body (2) which has at least one closable passage (4), a closing element (5) by which the passage (4) is closed in a closed position (78), a locking mechanism (6) by which the closing element (5) is rotatable relative to the base body (2) in the closed position (78) and secured against opening the passage (4), and a locking mechanism (7) which is automatically activated in the closed position (78), by which the locking mechanism (6) is blocked in the closed position (78) and which has a gripping element (9) designed to be operated manually without tools for releasing the locking mechanism (7), wherein an indicator element (20) which is visible from outside the component (1) when the locking mechanism (7) is activated and when the locking mechanism (7) is not activated hiddenand / or an indicator element (20) is provided which is visible from outside the component (1) when the locking mechanism (7) is not activated and is concealed when the locking mechanism (7) is activated. [2] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (7) has two locking elements (24, 25) that interlock with each other and the indicator element (20) is connected to one of the locking elements (24, 25) in a way that transmits movement. [3] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to claim 2, wherein the indicator element (20) is materially bonded to one of the locking elements (24, 25). [4] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cover element (27) is provided which is movable relative to the indicator element (20) in overlap with the indicator element (20) and which is connected to one of the locking elements (24, 25) in a movement-transmitting manner. [5] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to claim 4, wherein the cover element (27) is materially bonded to one of the locking elements (24, 25). [6] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to one of claims 1 to 3 and claim 4 or 5, wherein the indicator element (20) and the cover element (27) are rotatable relative to the base body (2) in the closed position (78). [7] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or fastening technology according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the closure (6) has locking elements (35, 36) rotatably engaged with each other on the closing element (5) and a receptacle (39) rotatably held on the base body (2) for the closing element (5). [8] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle (39) is designed in a nut-like shape. [9] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the gripping element (9) is rotatably mounted relative to the base body (2). [10] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the gripping element (9) is movably held in the receptacle (39) relative to it. [11] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or rigging technology according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gripping element (9) and a locking spring (44) of the locking mechanism (7) are monolithically combined. [12] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or fastening technology according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the locking mechanism (7) activates automatically only in a predetermined position of the lock (6). [13] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or fastening technology according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the closure (6) can be actuated by a rotary movement and the locking mechanism (7) is designed to be releasable perpendicular to this rotary movement. [14] Component (1) of the lifting, lashing or fastening technology according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a safety lock (50) is provided by which the locking element (5) is secured to the base body (2) when the passage (4) is open.

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