Clamping device for clamping doors of vehicular transport containers, and vehicular transport container incorporating said clamping device

The clamping device with a hooking assembly addresses the challenge of uncontrolled door opening by using a main and auxiliary hook to manage gasket elasticity, enabling easy and safe door operation.

EP4640983A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-10-29B T E SPA
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2025164013
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-04-24
Filing Date
2025-03-17
Publication Date
2025-10-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing clamping devices for vehicular transport containers face difficulties in achieving easy and controlled opening and closing of doors, particularly due to the squashing of elastomer gaskets causing friction and uncontrolled opening, posing a risk of injury.

Method used

A clamping device with a hooking assembly, including a main hook and an auxiliary hook, that allows for an ajar condition to temporarily hold the clamping pin, facilitating easy closure and controlled opening by managing the elastic thrust of the gasket during the closing process.

Benefits of technology

The device enables easy and controlled operation of doors, preventing accidental opening and reducing the risk of injury by managing the elastic reaction of the gasket, ensuring safe and reliable door management.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The clamping device (1) comprises a hooking assembly, a clamping pin (7) and a command lever mechanism (8) operable to move said hooking assembly (1) between a closed and an open condition. The hooking assembly (6) comprises a main hook (9) hinged to a first frame (4) and having a first end (9a) connected to the command lever mechanism (8) and a second end (9b) engageable with the clamping pin (7) in the closed condition. An auxiliary hook (10) hinged to the main hook (9) is movable upon action of the main hook (9) and / or an interaction with said clamping pin (7). hooking assembly. In an ajar condition of the hooking assembly (6), the auxiliary hook (10) holds the clamping pin (7) so as to keep the door (P) close to the outlet opening (3).
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device for clamping doors of vehicular transport containers.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a vehicular transport container equipped with such a clamping device.

[0003] For the purposes of this description, "vehicular transport container" or more simply "container" means a parallelepiped box-shaped structure suitable for installation on the chassis of an industrial vehicle used for the transport of goods or materials. For example, typical containers are those made according to the ISO standard.

[0004] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly aimed at the waste disposal sector, for example the separate collection of waste with the aid of roll-off containers equipped with a compacting assembly. However, various intended uses cannot be ruled out.

[0005] For waste collection purposes, it is known to use vehicles equipped with a compacting assembly that is suitable for receiving waste, directly introduced or emptied from respective skip containers, to transfer them to a defined storage environment inside a container.

[0006] It is equally well known to use compaction groups on roll-off containers which, positioned in ecological islands or at other collection sites, are suitable for receiving waste delivered by citizens and / or by personnel in charge of the collection service. The compacting assembly, with the aid of a pressure blade normally moved by hydraulic actuators around its own oscillation axis located above, is designed to act on the waste accumulated on the bottom of a transfer chamber located at the front end of the container itself, to push it into a storage compartment where the waste is compacted so as to increase the loading capacity. Once filled, the container lends itself to being hoisted onto the chassis of a vehicle or trailer for the purpose of transporting the waste to other treatment sites.

[0007] The waste accumulated in the storage compartment is typically discharged through an exit opening which is normally closed by a door. Generally, the door has at least one wing that is hinged, e.g. along one vertical side of its perimeter development, to a corresponding side of the box that delimits the storage compartment. Clamping devices operate along a side opposite the hinged side of the wing, to hold it in the closed configuration.

[0008] Depending on the type of use and the users' requests, the door can be realised in different forms, which comprise at least two basic embodiment solutions. A first embodiment solution involves the presence of at least one wing hinged along one vertical side of its perimeter development, to a corresponding side of the containment box that delimits the container storage compartment. Clamping devices operate along a side opposite the hinged side of the wing, to hold it in the closed configuration. A second embodiment solution involves the door wing being hinged around a horizontal axis along an upper side of its perimeter development to a corresponding upper side of the containment box. In this case, the clamping devices can operate along the vertical sides and / or near the lower horizontal side of the perimeter development of the wing.

[0009] In order to prevent the uncontrolled escape of leachate or other liquid substances accumulated with the waste, a robust elastomer gasket is normally attached to the door wing. When the door is closed, this gasket must necessarily be compressed between the door and a perimeter frame delimiting the outlet opening.

[0010] At the state of the art, obtaining the wing closure appears to be a rather difficult operation. The Applicant has found that these difficulties are at least partly attributable to the fact that the squashing of the gasket between the wing and the opening frame opposes the approach of the wing, making the final step of the closing movement difficult. The terminal step of the closing movement is further hindered by significant friction and rubbing between the gasket and the metal stop parts.

[0011] It was also found that the state of compression of the gasket in the closing configuration tends to cause the wing to open abruptly and uncontrollably when the clamping device is actuated to allow it to open, posing a danger of injury to the operator and / or other persons present in the areas close to the door.

[0012] The technical task of the present invention is therefore that of providing a clamping device and a vehicular transport container capable of overcoming the drawbacks emerging from the prior art.

[0013] More specifically, one object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device and a vehicular transport container that allow for easier opening and closing of the door.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device and a vehicular transport container that enable a controlled opening of the door in order to avoid injuries.

[0015] The specified technical task and purposes are substantially achieved by a clamping device and / or a vehicular transport container comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the following claims.

[0016] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0017] In particular, one aspect of the invention concerns a clamping device for clamping doors of vehicular transport containers comprising at least one hooking assembly, at least one clamping pin and a command lever mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the hooking assembly and the clamping pin are respectively engaged along a first frame and a second frame hinged to the first frame. Preferably, the command lever mechanism is operable to move the hooking assembly between a closed and an open condition.

[0019] Preferably, in the closed condition the hooking assembly engages the clamping pin while the second frame operates pushing on the first frame. Preferably, in the open condition, the clamping pin is disengaged from the hooking assembly, while the second frame is moved away from the first frame.

[0020] Preferably, the hooking assembly comprises a main hook hinged to the first frame and having a first end connected to the command lever mechanism and a second end engageable with the clamping pin at least in the closed condition, and an auxiliary hook hinged to the main hook and movable at least upon action of a movement of the main hook and / or an interaction of the auxiliary hook with the clamping pin.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the hooking assembly also defines, between the closed condition and the open condition, an ajar condition wherein the auxiliary hook holds the clamping pin so as to keep the door close to the outlet opening.

[0022] Advantageously, the ajar condition of the hooking assembly allows for an easy closing of the opening by means of the door. In fact, the auxiliary hook temporarily holds the door while the main hook moves to engage the clamping pin. This avoids accidental disengagement of the clamping pin and the consequent uncontrolled opening of the door, in the terminal steps towards the closed condition. i.e. towards the closed configuration, even when the squashing of the gaskets usually interposed between the first and second frames produces an elastic thrust that would tend to open the door.

[0023] Advantageously, the ajar condition of the hooking assembly also allows for a controlled opening of the door, so as to limit the risk of damage and / or injury.

[0024] In at least one convenient embodiment, the invention also comprises one or more of the following preferred features.

[0025] Preferably, the second end of the main hook comprises a ramp configured to engage the clamping pin when the hooking assembly is in the ajar condition.

[0026] Preferably, the second end comprises an engagement seat configured to hold the clamping pin when the hooking assembly is in the closed condition.

[0027] Preferably, the engagement seat is interposed between the ramp and the first end.

[0028] Preferably, the auxiliary hook has a distal end defining a first ramp that is slidably engageable by the clamping pin during a reciprocal approach of the first frame and the second frame.

[0029] Preferably, the auxiliary hook has a holding seat configured to accommodate the clamping pin in the ajar condition.

[0030] Preferably, the holding seat is interposed between the first ramp and a proximal end hinged to the main hook.

[0031] Preferably, the holding seat has an arcuate development.

[0032] Preferably, the holding seat extends along an arc of a circle circumscribing the clamping pin engaged with it in the ajar condition by an arc of at least 90°.

[0033] Preferably, the distal end also defines a second ramp that is incident to the first ramp and can be engaged by the clamping pin during a reciprocal movement of the first and second frame.

[0034] Preferably, the second ramp is interposed between the holding seat and the first ramp.

[0035] Preferably, the auxiliary hook comprises at one proximal end hinged to the main hook a first arm extending away from the proximal end.

[0036] Preferably, the main hook comprises a push member configured to intercept the first arm in order to realise a movement of the auxiliary hook jointly with a switching of the hooking assembly towards the closed condition.

[0037] Preferably, the auxiliary hook also comprises, at the proximal end, a second arm extending away from the proximal end, and configured to interfere with an end-stop element carried by the first frame jointly with a switching of the hooking assembly to the open condition.

[0038] Preferably, the clamping device also comprises a return spring with one end connected to the auxiliary hook to return the second arm towards the end-stop element.

[0039] Preferably, the clamping assembly also comprises a support element integral to the first frame and having an edge parallel to a movement plane of the clamping pin with respect to the first frame.

[0040] Preferably, the clamping device comprises additional hooks hinged along the first frame, operatively engageable with respective additional clamping pins engaged to the second frame.

[0041] Preferably, each additional hook has a first end connected to the command lever mechanism and a second end engageable with a respective additional clamping pin.

[0042] Preferably, the hooking assembly is engaged in a median portion of the first frame interposed between two additional hooks, and the clamping pin is engaged along a median portion of the second frame interposed between two additional clamping pins.

[0043] Preferably, said first frame and second frame are in turn integral to a container box and a door respectively, or vice versa.

[0044] Preferably, the containment box is essentially parallelepiped and has at least one outlet opening delimited by the first frame.

[0045] Preferably, the door is delimited by the second frame and is movable between a closed configuration, an open configuration and an ajar configuration.

[0046] Preferably, the closed condition of the hooking assembly corresponds to the closed configuration of the door.

[0047] Preferably, in the closed configuration the door occludes the outlet opening.

[0048] Preferably, in the closed configuration the second frame acts pushing on the first frame so that it occludes the opening with the door.

[0049] Preferably, the open condition of the hooking assembly corresponds to the open configuration of the door.

[0050] Preferably, in the open configuration the door does not occlude the outlet opening.

[0051] Preferably, in the open configuration the second frame is moved away from the first frame.

[0052] Preferably, the ajar condition of the hooking assembly corresponds to the ajar configuration of the door.

[0053] Preferably, the ajar configuration is defined between the closed and the open configuration.

[0054] Preferably, in the ajar configuration the door is close to the outlet opening. Preferably, in the ajar configuration the second frame is near the first frame.

[0055] Preferably, in the ajar configuration the main hook is disengaged from the clamping pin.

[0056] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of an embodiment of a clamping device and a vehicular transport container in accordance with the present invention.

[0057] Such a description will be set forth herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for merely indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, wherein: figure 1 is an interrupted schematic side view showing an end portion of a container subject matter of the present invention; figures 2-9 are schematic representations of a clamping device of the present invention in different configurations of use; figures 2A-9A highlight details of figures 2-9 on an enlarged scale.

[0058] With reference to the attached figures, 1 denotes a clamping device for clamping doors "P" of containers "C" for vehicular transport, which, for simplicity of description, will be referred to below as clamping device 1. The container "C" comprises a substantially parallelepiped containment box 2 i.e. with at least one storage compartment inside. The storage compartment is delimited by a pair of vertical walls and a pair of horizontal walls extending parallel to a longitudinal direction from an open wall.

[0059] Near the open wall, the containment box 2 has at least one outlet opening 3 perimetrically delimited by a first frame 4, which lies substantially in a closed plane orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal development of the containment box 2.

[0060] Along the perimeter development of the outlet opening 3, i.e. the first frame 4, an upper horizontal segment, a lower horizontal segment, and two vertical segments (one of which is visible in the attached figures and marked with reference 4a) can be identified.

[0061] The container "C" also comprises a door "P" delimited by a second frame 5 (or perimeter frame) whose development substantially coincides with that of the first frame 4.

[0062] The second frame 5 is rotatably hinged to the first frame 4, along a reciprocal hinging side, which is not visible in the attached drawings as it is opposite to the one depicted. Consequently, the door "P" is rotatably constrained with respect to the containment box 2 and movable between a closed and an open configuration.

[0063] In the closed configuration, the second frame 5 operates pushing against the first frame 4 so as to occlude the outlet opening 3 with the door "P" itself.

[0064] In the open configuration, the second frame 5 is moved away from the first frame 4. Therefore, in the open configuration, the door "P" does not occlude the outlet opening 3.

[0065] The door "P" is also positionable in an ajar configuration defined between the closed configuration and the open configuration, in which the door "P" and the second frame 5 are placed next to the first frame 4 near the outlet opening 3.

[0066] Preferably, and as depicted in the attached figures, there is also a gasket "G" operatively interposed between the first frame 4 and the second frame 5.

[0067] The gasket "G" can be fixed on the first frame 4 or on the second frame 5. Alternatively, the gasket "G" can be made in several segments, fixed to the first frame 4 and the second frame 5 respectively.

[0068] The gasket "G", when the door "P" is in the closed configuration, is elastically compressed between the first frame 4 and the second frame 5.

[0069] The gasket "G", when the door "P" is in the ajar configuration, is partially elastically compressed between the first frame 4 and the second frame 5, at least near the mutual hinging side between the second frame 5 and the first frame 4.

[0070] During a transition from the open to the closed configuration, the gasket "G" opposes an elastic reaction to the movement of thaw door "P" towards the closed configuration, pushing it towards the open position.

[0071] The clamping device 1 comprises at least one hooking assembly 6 engaged along the first frame 4, integral to the containment box 2 of the container "C". In the attached figures, the hooking assembly 6 is engaged along the vertical segment 4a of the first frame 4, preferably in a median portion thereof.

[0072] The clamping device 1 also comprises at least one clamping pin 7 engaged along the second frame 5, integral to the door "P" hinged to the containment box 2. In the attached figures, the clamping pin 7 is engaged along a vertical segment 5a of the second frame 5, preferably in a median portion thereof.

[0073] In a possible implementation variant, the positions of hooking assembly 6 and clamping pin 7 can be reciprocally reversed, i.e. with the hooking assembly 6 carried by the door "P" and the clamping pin 7 integral to containment box 2.

[0074] The clamping device 1 also comprises a command lever mechanism 8 operable to move the hooking assembly 6 between a closed and an open condition, corresponding to the closed and open configuration of the door "P" respectively.

[0075] As will be better described later, the hooking assembly 6 is also engageable with clamping pin 7 in an ajar condition, coinciding with the ajar configuration of the door "P".

[0076] The hooking assembly 6 comprises a main hook 9 and an auxiliary hook 10.

[0077] In the ajar condition, the auxiliary hook 10 holds the clamping pin 7 so as to keep the door "P" close to the outlet opening 3, with the second frame 5 close to the first frame 4.

[0078] With reference to the attached figures, the main hook 9 is hinged to the first frame 4 rotatably around its own hinge axis "X", and has a first end 9a connected, preferably hinged, to the command lever mechanism 8 and a second end 9b engageable with the clamping pin 7.

[0079] Preferably, the perimeter development of the main hook 9 defines, close to the second end 9b, a ramp 9c, configured to engage the clamping pin 7 when the hooking assembly 6 is in the ajar condition.

[0080] Between the ramp 9c and the first end 9a, an engagement seat 9d is preferably interposed, configured to hold the clamping pin 7 when the hooking assembly 6 is in the closed condition.

[0081] Preferably, the auxiliary hook 10 is hinged to the main hook 9 concentrically to the hinge axis "X", and movable upon effect of the movement of the main hook 9 and / or an interaction of the auxiliary hook 10 itself with the clamping pin 7.

[0082] Preferably, the auxiliary hook 10 has a distal end 10a and a proximal end 10b, at which the same auxiliary hook is hinged to the main hook 9.

[0083] The perimeter development of the auxiliary hook defines, close to the distal end 10a, a first ramp 10c slidably engageable by the clamping pin 7 when, during a transition from the open to the closed configuration of the door "P", a reciprocal approach between the first frame 4 and the second frame 5 occurs.

[0084] A holding seat 10d, configured to accommodate the clamping pin 7 in the ajar condition of the hooking assembly 6, is interposed between the proximal end 10b and the first ramp 10c, preferably abutting the latter.

[0085] The holding seat 10d conveniently has an arched development, preferably according to an arc of a circle circumscribing the clamping pin 7 engaged with it, as visible for example in figure 7A, according to an arc of at least 90°. Thus the development of the holding seat 10d reaches, and preferably passes through, a movement plane "K" of the clamping pin 7, containing a geometric axis "Z" of the latter. In this circumstance, the holding seat 10d lends itself to effectively holding the clamping pin 7 in the ajar condition, without the elastic reaction exerted by the partially compressed gasket G causing undesirable rotation of the auxiliary hooking element 10 about its hinge axis "X".

[0086] Preferably, the distal end 10a also defines a second ramp 10e, incident to the first ramp 10c. The second ramp 10e, interposed between the holding seat 10d and the first ramp 10c, is slidably engaged by the clamping pin 7 when, during the translation of the door "P" from the ajar configuration towards the open configuration, a reciprocal movement occurs between the first frame 4 and the second frame 5.

[0087] The auxiliary hook 10 may further comprise, in the proximal end 10b hinged to the main hook 9, a first arm 11a having an elongated shape moving away from the proximal end 10b and extending substantially radially away from the hinging axis X.

[0088] A push member 12 integral to the main hook 9 lends itself to intercepting the first arm 11a to impose a movement on the auxiliary hook 10 jointly with switching the hooking assembly 6 towards the closed condition. In other words, the push member 12 is mobile with the main hook 9 and, during such movement, interferes with the first arm 11a causing the auxiliary hook 10 to move. In particular, as can be seen by comparing figures 9, 9A with figures 1, 2 and 2A, a clockwise rotational movement of the main hook 9 towards the closed condition results in a similar rotational movement of the auxiliary hook 10, thanks to the interference of the push member 12 intercepting the first arm 11a.

[0089] A return spring 14, having one end connected to the auxiliary hook 10, acts on the latter by elastically counteracting the action of the push member 12.

[0090] In the proximal end 10b, a second arm 11b can also be arranged, extending away from the same proximal end, essentially radially away from the hinging axis "X". An end-stop element 13, engaged along the first frame 4, lends itself to interfering with the second arm 11b to stop the rotation induced at the auxiliary hook 10 by the return spring 14.

[0091] In the open condition of the hooking assembly 6, the return spring 14 therefore holds the second arm 11b abutting against the end-stop element 13, so that the auxiliary hook 10 maintains a suitable position to interact properly with the clamping pin 7 when the door "P" is approached to the ajar configuration from the open configuration.

[0092] Preferably, and as depicted in the accompanying figures, the hooking assembly 6 further comprises a support element 15 integral to the first frame 4 and having an upper edge parallel to a movement plane of the clamping pin 7 during the movement of the door between the closed and the open configuration (and vice versa). The upper edge of the support element 15 has a rectilinear (or substantially rectilinear) shape and defines an obligatory path for the clamping pin 7, at least with regard to the route travelled by it in the transition from the closed to the ajar configuration and vice versa.

[0093] The clamping device 1 may also comprise additional hooks 16 hinged along the first frame 4, cooperating with respective additional clamping pins 17 engaged to the second frame 5.

[0094] More particularly, in the attached figures there are provided a first and a second additional hook 16 engaged respectively in an upper portion and a lower portion of the vertical segment 4a of the first frame 4, cooperating with a first and a second additional clamping pin 17 engaged respectively in an upper portion and a lower portion of the vertical segment 5a of the second frame 5. The hooking assembly 6 is therefore engaged along a median portion of the first frame 4 interposed between the first and second additional hooks 16, and the clamping pin 7 is engaged along a median portion of the second frame 5 interposed between the first and second additional clamping pins 17.

[0095] Each additional hook 16 has a first end 16a connected to the command lever mechanism 8 and a second end 16b engageable with the respective clamping pin 17 at least in the closed configuration. The additional hooks 16 are therefore activatable by the command lever mechanism 8, to engage with the respective additional clamping pins 17 in order to achieve a more controlled and firm closure of the door "P".

[0096] With reference to the attached figures, in the closed condition (figures 1, 2 and 2A) the main hook 9 is engaged with the clamping pin 7 while the additional hooks 16 are engaged with the respective additional clamping pins 17. The clamping pin 7 is engaged in the engagement seat 9d and is held between the main hook 9 and the support element 15. In such a configuration, the action of the push member 12 on the first arm 11a keeps the auxiliary hook 10 rotated with its distal end 10a lowered with respect to the clamping pin 7 and disengaged from it, counteracting the action of the return spring 14.

[0097] By actuating the command lever mechanism 8, the main hook 9 and the additional hooks 16 are simultaneously rotated anticlockwise with reference to the figures. The second end 9b of the main hook is raised disengaging the engagement seat 9d from the clamping pin 7. The elastic action exerted by the gasket "G" causes the door to move away from the closed configuration towards the ajar configuration. The clamping pin 7 consequently starts to slide along the support element 15 while the auxiliary hook 10, recalled by the return spring 14, follows the rotation of the main hook 9 around the pivot axis "X". As illustrated in figures 3, 3A the clamping pin 7 disengaged from the engagement seat 9d comes into contact with the ramp 9c of the main hook 9, which holds it adequately so as to prevent a sudden movement of the door "P" towards the open configuration. At the same time, the clamping pin 7 slides along the second ramp 10e of the auxiliary hook 10 so as to impose its slight angular rotation in the opposite direction to the rotation of the main hook 9, or at least stop its rotation imposed by the return spring 14.

[0098] The command lever mechanism 8 continues its action of opening the hooking assembly 6 leading to a further lifting of the main hook 9 until complete disengagement of the clamping pin 7 (figures 4, 4A), which conveniently occurs after, following the gradual movement of the door "P" away from the closed configuration, the gasket "G" has completely or largely exhausted its elastic action on the door itself. In other words, during the opening of the hooking assembly 6, the clamping pin 7 is slowed down so that it cannot suddenly disengage when the gasket "G" is strongly compressed, causing damages due to a sudden and uncontrolled opening of the door "P". figures 5, 5A, 6 and 6A show the complete opening of the hooking assembly 6 and the distancing of the clamping pin 7. In the open condition, the action of the end-stop element 13 against the second arm 11b stops the rotation of the auxiliary hook 10 with the distal end 10a in substantial alignment with the upper edge of the support element 15.

[0099] During a transition from the open to the closed configuration of the door "P", the clamping pin 7 encounters the auxiliary hook 10 at the first ramp 10c and, sliding on the latter, causes a lowering of the distal end 10a by overcoming the action of the return spring 14. When the clamping pin 7 passes beyond the first ramp and arrives close to the holding seat 10d, the rotation of the auxiliary hook 10 caused by the return spring 14 causes the holding seat and the clamping pin to engage with each other (figures 7, 7A). In this situation, the auxiliary hook 10 lends itself to effectively holding the clamping pin 7 and the door "P" in the ajar configuration, even in the presence of high elastic thrust forces exerted by the gasket "G", partially compressed between the first frame and the second frame 5.

[0100] At this point, by operating the command lever mechanism 8 the main hook 9 starts its descent towards the clamping pin 7 (figure 8, 8A). During this descent, the push member 12 comes into contact with the first arm 11a of the auxiliary hook 10 thus permitting a subsequent dragging of the auxiliary hook 10 in an angular rotation synchronous with that induced to the main hook 9. figures 9 and 9A depict a situation where the main hook 9a engages the clamping pin 7 while the auxiliary hook 10 disengages the clamping pin itself. In this situation, the ramp 9c acts against the clamping pin 7 so as to hold door "P" in the ajar configuration, despite the disengagement of auxiliary hook 10, so as to avoid an undesired disengagement of clamping pin 7 and a consequent sudden movement of the door "P" towards the open configuration, as a result of the elastic thrust exerted by the gasket "G".

[0101] The action of the ramp 9c on the clamping pin, during a subsequent continuation of the rotation of the main hook 9, causes a further approach of the door "P" to the containment box 2, until the closing configuration is reached with the engagement of the clamping pin itself in the engagement seat 9d as illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 2A.

[0102] Advantageously, the clamping device 1 allows an easy closing of the outlet opening 3 by means of the door "P". In particular, hooking assembly 6 acts on the clamping pin 7 so that the door "P" cannot move away from outlet opening 3 when in the ajar configuration.

[0103] Advantageously, the clamping device 1 allows for a controlled opening of the door "P", thus facilitating manoeuvring and limiting the risk of accidents. In particular, at the moment of opening, the hooking assembly 6 acts on the clamping pin 7 so as to slow down its movement towards the ajar condition, while the compression and consequent elastic reaction exerted by the gasket "G" are gradually reduced, so as to prevent the door "P" from moving too quickly away from the outlet opening 3. The main hook 9 and auxiliary hook 10 also intercept and lock the clamping pin 7 when the door "P" is moved from the open configuration to the ajar configuration, preventing unwanted distancing towards the open configuration.

Claims

1. Clamping device (1) for clamping doors (P) of vehicular transport containers (C) comprising: - at least one hooking assembly (6) that can be engaged along a first frame (4); - at least one clamping pin (7) which can be engaged along a second frame (5) hinged to the first frame; - a command lever mechanism (8) operable to move said hooking assembly (1) between a closed condition, wherein the hooking assembly (6) engages the clamping pin (7) for holding the second frame (5) pushing against the first frame (4), and an open condition wherein the clamping pin (7) is disengaged from the hooking assembly (6) and the second frame (5) is moved away from the first frame (4), wherein said hooking assembly (6) comprises: a main hook (9) rotatable about its own hinging axis (X) and having a first end (9a) connected to said command lever mechanism (8) and a second end (9b) engageable with the clamping pin (7) at least in the closed condition; an auxiliary hook (10) hinged to said main hook (9) and movable at least upon action of a movement of said main hook (9) and / or an interaction of the auxiliary hook (10) with said clamping pin (7); said hooking assembly (6) further defining, between said closed condition and said open condition, an ajar condition wherein the auxiliary hook (10) holds the clamping pin (7) so as to keep the second frame (5) close to the first frame (4).

2. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second end (9b) of the main hook (9) comprises a ramp (9c), configured to engage said clamping pin (7) when said hooking assembly (6) is in the ajar condition, and an engagement seat (9d), interposed between said ramp (9c) and said first end (9a), configured to hold said clamping pin (7) when said hooking assembly (6) is in the closed condition.

3. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said auxiliary hook (10) has a distal end (10a) defining a first ramp (10c) slidably engageable by the clamping pin (7) during a mutual approach of said first frame (4) and second frame (5), and a holding seat (10d), interposed between said first ramp (10c) and a proximal end (10b) hinged relative to said main hook (9) and configured to accommodate said clamping pin (7) in the ajar condition.

4. Clamping device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said distal end (10a) further defines a second ramp (10e), interposed between said holding seat (10d) and said first ramp (10c), incident with respect to said first ramp (10c), and slidably engageable by the clamping pin (7) during a mutual moving away of said first frame (4) and second frame (5).

5. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said auxiliary hook (10) comprises, at a proximal end (10b) hinged with respect to the main hook (9), a first arm (11a) extending away from said proximal end (10b), and wherein said main hook (9) comprises a push member (12) configured to intercept said first arm (11a) to move said auxiliary hook (10) jointly with a switching of the hooking assembly (1) towards the closed condition.

6. Clamping device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said auxiliary hook (10) further comprises, in said proximal end (10b), a second arm (11b) extending away from said proximal end (10b), and configured to interfere with an end-stop element (13) carried by the first frame (4) jointly with a switching of the hooking assembly (1) towards the open condition.

7. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a return spring (14) having one end connected to said auxiliary hook (10) to return the second arm (11b) towards the end-stop element (13).

8. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said hooking assembly (6) further comprises a support element (15) integral to the first frame (4) and having an edge parallel to a movement plane of the clamping pin (7) with respect to the first frame (4).

9. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising additional hooks (16) hinged along said first frame (4), operatively engageable with respective additional clamping pins (17) engaged to said second frame (5).

10. Clamping device (1) according to claim 9, wherein each additional hook (16) has a first end (16a) connected to said command lever mechanism (8) and a second end (16b) engageable with a respective additional clamping pin (7).

11. Clamping device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said hooking assembly (6) is engaged along a median portion of the first frame (4) interposed between two of said additional hooks (16), and said clamping pin (7) is engaged along a median portion of the second frame (5) interposed between two of said additional clamping pins (17).

12. Vehicular transport container (C), comprising: - a substantially parallelepiped containment box (2) having at least one outlet opening (3); - at least a door (P) hinged to the containment box (2); and - a clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first frame (4) and second frame (5) delimit respectively the outlet opening (3) and the door (P), or vice versa, wherein the door is movable between a closed configuration wherein the second frame (5) acts pushing against the first frame (4) so as to occlude said outlet opening (3) with said door (P), an open configuration wherein the second frame (5) is moved away from the first frame (4), and an ajar configuration defined between said closed configuration and said open configuration, wherein said door (P) is near said opening (3).

13. Container (C) according to claim 12, further comprising a gasket (G) operatively interposed between said first frame (4) and said second frame (5), said gasket (G) being: - elastically compressed between said first frame (4) and said second frame (5) when said hooking assembly (6) is in the closed condition; - partially elastically compressed between said first frame (4) and said second frame (5) when said hooking assembly (6) is in the ajar condition.

Citation Information

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