Chain lock for use in mining and / or conveying technology

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chain lock (1) for use in mining or conveying technology, the chain lock comprising two lock halves (2, 3) designed as shackle elements which are C-shaped as seen in a side view, which can be plugged one inside the other in the longitudinal direction thereof by way of limbs, and which can be locked together by a locking means that extends through the limbs. The limbs are circular in cross section at mutually abutting faces of two limb parts.

Description

[0001] Chain lock for use in mining or conveyor technology

[0002] The present invention relates to a chain lock for use in mining or conveyor technology according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Chain connecting links are used primarily for high-performance round steel chains, such as those used in underground mining. It is well known that disassembly of flat and Kenter-type chain connecting links according to DIN 22258-1 and DIN 22258-2 can be difficult after use because the long roll pin rusts into the hole that runs diagonally in the plane of the chain link and passes through the opposite legs of the two link halves and the web. In addition, the roll pin, as well as the web located between the link halves, is subjected to shear stress by the load on the two link halves of the chain connecting link, which makes driving the roll pin out of the long hole even more difficult. In addition, a long mandrel is required to drive out the roll pin. This mandrel is exposed to strong bending stresses during the driving-out process, which it can only withstand to a limited extent.

[0004] The Kenter lock known from DE-PS 201 224 has been further developed in a wide variety of designs. In the further development according to DE 90 10 317 U, a chain connecting link was proposed, particularly for high-performance round steel chains, in which a locking ball is used as the locking element. This ball can be fixed in its locked position by a roll pin driven in transversely to the plane of the chain link. A relatively short roll pin can be used which, even if it should rust solid in the hole in the web, can easily be driven out of the web to the other side using a correspondingly rigid short mandrel. This simplifies both assembly and disassembly. The disadvantages, however, are the increased manufacturing effort and the fact that the locking ball requires an additional component, which increases the variety of parts.This disadvantage also applies to the chain connecting link disclosed in DE 196 52 262 C2, which uses separate locking elements instead of the locking ball, connected to each other via a pivot pin penetrating the web component. By pivoting through 90°, the locking elements engage guide surfaces on the legs of the link brackets, thus preventing the web component from falling out of the chain connecting link. The ring element is secured in position by a locking pin driven parallel to the pivot axis.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 20 2006 016 032 U1 discloses a chain connecting link in which two link brackets connected by their legs are locked by a bar inserted transversely between the legs of the link brackets. Depending on the dimensions of the chain, these and the link brackets can weigh up to several dozen kilograms, so that both during assembly and disassembly of the chain connecting link, the chain connecting link, along with the chain extending from the chain connecting link on both sides, must be lifted and rotated so that the bar can be driven out. A similar chain lock is also known from DE 20 2012 103 455 U1.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 004 266 A1 discloses a chain lock in which C-shaped shackle elements are pushed into one another longitudinally. A center piece is inserted between the shackle elements, and locking means for locking the chain lock are inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to increase the breaking strength of chain locks known from the prior art while using an easy-to-use assembly and locking technology.

[0008] The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention with the chain lock according to the invention having the features in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The chain lock is particularly intended for use in mining or conveyor technology. It has two lock halves, which are designed as C-shaped shackle bodies when viewed from the side. In the longitudinal direction of the chain lock or in a longitudinal direction of the respective lock half, the lock halves interlock with their C-shaped legs. In particular, the legs are designed to be complementary or corresponding to one another. A locking element is then inserted that passes through the legs. This extends in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction or to a longitudinal direction of the chain. The chain lock is then locked by the locking element.

[0010] According to the invention, the chain lock is now characterized in that the legs are circular in cross-section at the abutting surfaces of two leg parts. The abutting parts of the legs thus have an arcuate or rounded profile in their cross-section, whereby the cross-section then also runs transversely to the longitudinal direction or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain. Circular in the sense of the invention does not necessarily mean circular, but can also have a round or arcuate profile, thus a varying radius. In particular, these circular contact surfaces are produced by circular milling, i.e., round milling. The abutting surfaces or touching surfaces of two leg parts are thus larger in terms of their available contact area than straight-line surfaces. This increases the breaking strength of the chain lock according to the invention.A surface normal of the circular surfaces is preferably always perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The curvature of the circular surfaces thus runs around the longitudinal direction or a longitudinal axis of the legs.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, one leg of a C-shaped lock half is designed as a web-like extension and the second leg as a fork-shaped extension. The lock halves are essentially designed such that two lock halves are arranged point-symmetrically such that the web-like extension of the first lock half engages with the fork-like extension of the second lock half and the fork-like extension of the first lock half engages with the web-like extension of the second lock half. The circular surfaces are in particular designed to correspond or complement each other. In particular, in the web-like extension, an upper side and a lower side are designed to run circularly. On the fork-like extension, the two inner sides are then also designed to be circular, complementary to the circular surfaces of the web-like extension.An outer side of the fork-shaped extension of a lock half can also be circular, but can also be flat.

[0012] In an advantageous development of the invention, a step can be formed on the web-shaped extension and on the fork-shaped extension in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the longitudinal section. The transitions to the step, the end side of the web-shaped extension, and the valley side of the fork-shaped extension are rounded or formed with a radius in the longitudinal section.

[0013] The locking element is particularly designed as a pin or a bolt. Particularly preferably, two bolts are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction. The bolts themselves are spaced parallel to one another. The bolts extend through the legs and, in particular, also through the center piece. A clamping sleeve or other securing means can be used to secure the bolts themselves. For this purpose, the pins, in particular, have a circumferential groove. By inserting the clamping sleeve into the center piece, the clamping sleeve can engage at least partially in the groove.

[0014] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are illustrated in the schematic figures. These serve to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a chain lock according to the invention in perspective view,

[0016] Figure 2 the chain lock in side view,

[0017] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a lock half,

[0018] Figure 4 the lock half in front view,

[0019] Figure 5 is a sectional view along section line BB of Figure 2 and

[0020] Figure 6 is a sectional view along section line CC of Figure 2.

[0021] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0022] Figures 1 and 2 show a chain lock in perspective and side views. The chain lock 1 has two lock halves 2, 3, which in this case are arranged point-symmetrically. Each lock half 2, 3 is designed as a C-shaped shackle body. The C-shaped shackle body each has webs extending in the longitudinal direction. Each lock half 2, 3 has a web, which is designed as a web-shaped extension 4, and a fork-shaped extension 5. The fork-shaped extension 5 engages around the web-shaped extension 4. The lock halves 2, 3 are thus locked in the longitudinal direction or pushed into one another. For locking, locking means in the form of pins 6 are inserted into the legs or extensions 4, 5 of the legs. The pins 6 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a center piece 7 is inserted. The middle piece 7 also has a receptacle for a clamping sleeve 8.The pins 6 each have a circumferential groove 9. The clamping sleeve 8 engages at least partially in the groove 9, so that the pins 6 are fixed in position transversely to the longitudinal direction.

[0023] The basic concept of the invention is now illustrated in Figure 3 and in particular Figure 4, which is an end view of Figure 3. An outer and inner lateral surface or contact surface 10, 11 of the web-shaped extension 4 runs circularly in its cross-section. Thus, an arcuate or circular profile is formed. In contrast, an inner and an outward-facing surface 12, 13 of the fork-shaped extension 5 also runs circularly, i.e. arcuate. Compared to a flat or level surface, the contact surface of the web-shaped extension 4 and the fork-shaped extension 5 is thus enlarged in cross-section, which according to the invention leads to a greater breaking force. A stepped shoulder 14 is formed in the longitudinal direction. The stepped shoulder 14 itself has a radius or arcuate profile, which is shown in particular in Figure 2.In particular, according to Figure 4 it is evident that the manufactured surfaces are formed by circular milling.

[0024] Figures 5 and 6 each show cutting lines along lines BB and CC in Figure 2. Here it is shown that due to the step shoulder 14 along cutting line BB and cutting line CC, different radii are formed in the circular contact surface.

[0025] The stepped shoulder 14 ensures a favorable distribution of the load within the web- or fork-shaped contour of the legs. The different radii of the circular milling allow for better absorption of transverse forces acting on the lock. Reference symbol:

[0026] 1 - Chain lock

[0027] 2 - Half of the castle

[0028] 3 - Castle Quarters

[0029] 4 - bridge-like process

[0030] 5 - forked process

[0031] 6 - Locking element / pin

[0032] 7 - Middle piece

[0033] 8 - Clamping sleeve

[0034] 9 - Groove

[0035] 10 - external contact surface to 4

[0036] 11 - internal contact surface to 4

[0037] 12 - inward-facing surface to 5

[0038] 13 - outward facing surface to 5

[0039] 14 - Step landing

[0040] L - longitudinal direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Chain lock (1) for use in mining or conveyor technology, comprising two lock halves (2, 3) which are designed as a C-shaped shackle body in side view, which can be plugged into one another with legs in their longitudinal direction (L) and can be locked together by a locking means passing through the legs, characterized in that the legs are circular in their cross section on mutually abutting surfaces of two leg parts.

2. Chain lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means passes through the legs transversely to a chain longitudinal direction.

3. Chain lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a center piece (7) is inserted into the lock halves (2, 3) which are brought into engagement with one another, the center piece (7) being penetrated by the locking means.

4. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs have a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the chain.

5. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one leg of a lock half has a web-shaped extension (4) running in the longitudinal direction and a second leg of this lock half (2) has a fork-shaped extension (5), such that the lock halves (2, 3) are arranged point-symmetrically and the web-shaped extension (4) of one lock half (3) engages in the fork-shaped extension (5) of the other lock half.

6. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one shoulder is formed on the web-shaped extension (4) and / or the fork-shaped extension (5) in the longitudinal direction.

7. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means is formed by at least one pin (6), preferably two pins are inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction, passing through the legs and in particular passing through the middle piece (7).

8. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping sleeve (8) is inserted into the middle piece (7), wherein the clamping sleeve (8) locks the pins (6), in particular engages in a groove running around the pins (6).

9. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web-shaped extension (4) is formed in a circular cross-section on an upper side and a lower side in sections.

10. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fork-shaped extension (5) is formed in its cross-section on the inner surfaces (12) in a circular manner in sections.

11. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web-shaped extension (4) is rounded at its end in the longitudinal direction in longitudinal section.

12. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web-shaped extension (4) and the fork-shaped extension (5) are rounded in the longitudinal direction (L) at a respective step shoulder (14).

13. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the two leg parts runs transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) or to a chain longitudinal direction.

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