Cable conveyor belt joining device provided with cable locking elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable locking element (50) intended to be fixed to at least a portion (40) of at least one cable (4), the locking element (50) comprising at least one support (51) on a first side and one support (52) on a second side opposite the first side, the supports (51, 52) being configured to clamp at least a portion of the cable, the supports (51, 52) each having at least one groove (71, 72) and a small number of through cavities (70) for receiving at least a portion (40) of the cable (4) passing through the locking element (50) between an inlet opening (50A) and an outlet opening (50B) aligned according to a reference axis (X). The locking element (50) is characterized in that the cavity (70) for receiving the cable portion (40) has an enlarged intermediate portion (73) between the entrance opening (50A) and the exit opening (50B) that extends radially relative to the entrance opening portion (50A) and the exit opening portion (50B), and the locking element (50) has at least one anchor member (80) configured to at least partially occupy a portion (42) of the enlarged intermediate portion (42) of the cavity (70) that is aligned with the entrance and exit openings (50A, 50B) so as to locally cause a radial deformation (45) of the section of the cable (40).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The present invention more particularly relates to a cable locking element intended to be fixed to at least one portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising two supports configured to enclose the portion of the cable and lock it.

[0003] prior art Numerous solutions for fastening elements to cables or for locally connecting multiple cables together are known from the prior art. For example, cable clamps are generally used to connect two sections of several, generally two different cables, or two sections of the same cable, for example to create a closed loop with the corresponding cables. Fasteners are also used to fasten, for example, accessories to a single section of a cable, the configuration of which generally depends on the desired use. For example, in this case it may be a handle for gripping the cable to ensure handling.

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

[0005] A drawback of these fasteners is that, depending on the application, excessive longitudinal tension on the cable can cause the cable to slip relative to the fastener support. In this case, it is known to dimension the fastener to ensure sufficient clamping of one or more cables to avoid their relative slippage along the cable once subjected to tension. This type of dimensioning generally results in the design of bulky solutions that do not fit the specific application. One example of an application requiring a cable joint of reduced size and high strength is the joint of a conveyor belt reinforced with a cable armature.

[0006] It is also conceivable that the contact surface of the support may have some undulations or pronounced roughness to increase the frictional forces and, consequently, the adhesive force between the cable and the clamping interface of the fastener support. However, in practice, such a configuration may cause the cable to deteriorate more quickly locally at the fastener, which is particularly problematic for certain applications that require improved fastening quality while minimizing the maintenance work required to replace the cable. In addition, these configurations do not address the issue of sizing the fastener according to the desired application.

[0007] Also, in some applications, the installation of one or more cables requires the preparation of one or more cable sections to be installed, which can be time-consuming and tedious. In the field of joining two ends of a cable-reinforced conveyor belt, it is generally necessary to mobilize a qualified person to perform a cable-stripping operation near the end sections of the conveyor belt to be joined, which is very time-consuming. Furthermore, once the joining is completed, the joining cables must then be embedded in the constituent material of the belt body, and a vulcanization operation must be carried out to complete the joining, which may be, for example, a flexible and elastic material made from vulcanized rubber or a synthetic material such as polyurethane.

[0008] These processes are particularly challenging. First, the various operations require extremely long maintenance times, sometimes exceeding a day or even several days. Additionally, due to the extremely harsh operating conditions of conveyor belts, splicing requires careful work that can only be performed by highly qualified specialists. Maintenance time requires multiple shifts of personnel, each of whom must be qualified. Furthermore, these splices require work over very long lengths, typically 5 to 10 meters. Because the vulcanization process must be performed in a single operation over the entire length of the joint, it is necessary to have a vulcanization press on-site, usually at the location where the joint is being repaired, and adapt it to the length of the joint. This effort and cost are significant.

[0009] There is therefore a significant need for those skilled in the art to arrive at a more effective solution than those proposed in the prior art in order to realize a cable locking element intended to be fixed to at least one section of at least one cable, which is particularly strong and small in size, and which is also responsible for improving the joining of the two ends of a conveyor belt of the type having a body made of a flexible material, inside which a reinforcement section comprising the cable is preferably housed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a solution that addresses some or all of these technical challenges, in particular one that improves tensile strength properties and reduces the risk of premature cable wear, whilst ensuring locking of the fastener on the cable and which is of relatively reduced size.

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a cable locking element intended to be fixed to at least a portion of at least one cable, the locking element comprising at least one support on a first side and one support on a second side opposite the first side, the supports being configured to enclose at least a portion of the cable, the supports each having at least one groove and together defining at least a portion of a through cavity for receiving at least a portion of the cable passing through the locking element between an entrance opening and an exit opening aligned according to a reference axis, the locking element being characterized in that the cavity for receiving the portion of the cable comprises, between the entrance and exit opening portions, a widened intermediate portion that extends radially relative to the entrance and exit opening portions, and the locking element comprising at least one anchor member configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened intermediate portion of the cavity located in alignment with the entrance and exit openings so as to locally cause a radial deformation of a section of the portion of the cable.

[0012] This combination of features allows one or more cable segments to be enclosed between supports, and for a given cable segment, the introduction of an anchor element can locally induce a radial deformation of the section of the given cable segment. This deformation then locally increases the gauge of the cable deformed by the anchor element, which itself is contained in a widened region of the intermediate segment, axially bordered by two sections of the section reduced, one towards the cable's inlet opening and the other towards the outlet opening. Each of the opening sections forms part of a cavity opening towards or to the side of the associated opening of the locking element. In the locked position of the cable segment within the locking element, the cable itself participates in the lock and, due to its radial deformation and therefore its size, becomes supported against these reduced sections and is locked between the inlet and outlet opening sections.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the locking element comprises at least one clamping means for clamping the two supports relative to one another. Preferably, the clamping means comprises at least one screw and / or one cleat and / or one rivet and / or one crimp. Generally, the clamping means are removable, this applies in particular to the screws and cleats.

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

[0015] According to one embodiment, the clamping means comprises an anchor member, which is responsible for clamping the two supports relative to one another. In this way, the overall size of the locking element is minimized by providing both clamping and anchoring functions by a single means.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the support is formed as a single piece, which results in a section of the cable that is continuously surrounded by the support, which can be discontinuous and distributed, for example, over at least two zones facing each other, or can be joined together to form a circumferential clamp.

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

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

[0019] In one embodiment, the cable portion comprises a structure of the type comprising wires, and the anchor member comprises a distal end opposite the head, provided with a tip for at least partially penetrating the cable by separating the wires of the cable structure. The tip facilitates the introduction of the anchor member through the corresponding portion of the cable without the need for specific tools. Depending on the configuration of the locking element, this tip can be, for example, bent or cut after positioning the anchor member.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least a first of the two supports comprises at least one through-hole opening into the widened intermediate portion of the cavity to allow the anchor member to pass through the widened intermediate portion of the cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a first of the two supports comprises at least one first interface, for example a recess or a counterbore, suitable for receiving the head of one of the anchor members, and a second of the two supports comprises at least one second interface, suitable for cooperating with an anchor section of said anchor member, for example a thread. Naturally, these first and second interfaces are adapted to the associated anchor member. This feature is even more advantageous when the anchor member forms or constitutes the clamping means itself, as the interface makes it possible to ensure a good retention of the anchor member and the clamping means.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the inlet and / or outlet openings have a local cross-sectional constriction, preferably configured so that the diameter is strictly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical jacket of the cable. Such a feature is intended to ensure clamping of the cable portion at the entry and exit of the locking element through the openings. Such a cross-sectional constriction can be continuous or discontinuous around the circumference of the cylindrical jacket of the cable. Such a discontinuity can be formed, for example, by at least one tooth or a circumferential series of teeth that can penetrate a given cable portion. The constriction can be continuous, for example, if it is formed by a flange or flange portion extending circumferentially relative to this cable portion. Such a constriction can also be formed, for example, by a connecting piece that locally covers a part of the cable portion in the cavity at the inlet and / or outlet opening or at the inlet and / or outlet opening.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the widened intermediate section of the cavity has a radial widening in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod portion of the anchor member adapted to pass through the cable, which axis preferably corresponds to the insertion axis of the anchor member through the cavity, preferably through the widened intermediate section. The radial widening is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 25%, of the diameter of the cable on either side of the cavity, and preferably at most 50%, more preferably less than 40% of the diameter of the cable.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the entrance and exit opening portions of the cable-receiving cavity have a shape that partially defines a cylindrical jacket configured to cooperate with the cylindrical jacket of the cable, preferably such that the entrance and exit opening portions of the cavity each extend axially along a length that is equal to or greater than the axial length of the widened intermediate portion of the cavity.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to an assembly of at least two cable locking elements, comprising at least a first and a second locking element having all or some of the features described above, characterised in that the first and second locking elements are connected to each other by an assembly means.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first and second locking elements are coupled in pairs so that they each form a support for a third locking element having all or some of the properties of the locking elements as described above. In this case, the assembly means preferably comprise one or more clamping means for ensuring the clamping of these two supports relative to each other. In this case, the clamping means may also comprise or consist of anchor members.

[0027] According to one embodiment, an assembly of at least two cable locking elements is intended to couple at least a first end portion and a second end portion of at least one cable, the assembly means connecting a plurality of locking elements in series, at least one of the locking elements configured to be fixed to one of the two end portions and at least one of the locking elements configured to be fixed to the other of the two end portions. Preferably, the assembly means in this case comprises at least one connecting cable.

[0028] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a splicing device for at least one conveyor belt of the type comprising a body made of a flexible material extending along a longitudinal axis and having housed therein a reinforcing portion comprising cables extending at least partially axially, the splicing device intended to connect at least one first and one second aligned end portion of the conveyor belt, the splicing device having all or some of the features described above and being notable in that it comprises at least one assembly of locking elements intended to be attached to the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt so as to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0029] In other words, the invention also relates to a splicing device for at least one conveyor belt of the type comprising a body made of flexible material extending along a longitudinal axis and having housed therein a reinforcing portion comprising reinforcing cables extending at least partially axially, the splicing device intended to connect at least a first and a second end portion of the conveyor belt, the splicing device comprising at least one assembly of at least two locking elements connected to one another by assembly means, the assembly means comprising at least one connecting cable, the assembly intended to be attached to the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt so as to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt, Each cable locking element comprises at least two opposing supports configured to enclose at least a portion of one of an associated reinforcing cable and a connecting cable, the supports each having at least one groove that together define at least a portion of a through cavity for receiving at least a portion of the associated cable passing through the locking element between an entrance opening and an exit opening aligned according to a reference axis, the cavity comprising a widened intermediate portion between the entrance and exit opening portions that is widened radially relative to the entrance and exit opening portions, and the locking element comprises at least one anchor member configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened intermediate portion of the cavity located in alignment with the entrance and exit openings so as to locally cause a radial deformation of a section of the associated cable portion. According to one embodiment, some or all of the cable locking elements have some or all of the above features.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the joining device comprises at least two joining plates each configured to cover a different side of the end portion of the conveyor belt, such that the end portion of the conveyor belt is arranged between the two joining plates, the joining plates being fixed together by fixing means arranged to pass through the joining plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt and then the other joining plate, respectively, each joining plate being made from a flexible and elastic material and comprising a locking element assembly, as described above, preferably at least partially embedded in the flexible and elastic material of the corresponding joining plate.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the bonding device comprises at least: an upper longitudinal assembly of at least two upper locking elements of the locking elements connected together by an upper connection cable of the connection cable and spanning both ends of the connected reinforcing cable; a lower longitudinal assembly of at least two lower locking elements of the locking elements connected together by a lower connecting cable of the connecting cable and spanning both ends of the connected reinforcing cable. The upper locking elements of the upper longitudinal assembly are assembled with the lower locking elements of the lower longitudinal assembly to together form a splice assembly shaped to encapsulate the reinforcing cables of at least some of the first end portion of the conveyor belt and at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt, the splice device preferably comprising a plurality of splice assemblies arranged parallel to one another and configured to be evenly distributed across the splice.

[0032] According to one embodiment, some of the assembly means are constituted by some of the fasteners, which are arranged to pass through one joining plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt and then the other joining plate, respectively.

[0033] According to one embodiment, in the encapsulation positions of the reinforcing cables of the first end portion and the second end portion, the reinforcing cables are arranged parallel to each other and to the longitudinal reference axes of the connecting cable portions locked with the corresponding locking elements.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the support part of the locking element is configured to enclose at least a portion of the first cable from the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, and the locking element comprises a groove defining at least a portion of a through cavity for receiving the second cable from the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, the through cavity having two axial end openings.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the fasteners each comprise a head and an anchor section, the joining plates have at least a first interface cooperating with the head of the fastener and / or a second interface cooperating with the anchor section of the fastener, and the joining plates are arranged to mate with each other, preferably the first and second interfaces being carried by locking elements of at least one assembly housed in the corresponding joining plate.

[0036] According to one embodiment, each locking element allows for fixing three different cable sections extending generally two by two in parallel longitudinal direction, of which a central cable forming the connecting cable passes longitudinally through the locking element and two reinforcing cables blocked by the anchor members are configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the corresponding intermediate section.

[0037] According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a conveyor belt splice extending along a longitudinal axis comprising a body made of a flexible material, inside which is housed a reinforcing portion comprising cables extending at least partially in the axial direction, the conveyor belt having first and second end portions connected together by a splicing device, the splice having all or some of the features described above, such that the splicing device connects at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt, and characterized in that the splice comprises at least one assembly of locking elements attached to the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the splice comprises an assembly of at least one, preferably a plurality of, locking elements connecting all the reinforcing cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to all the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the joint comprises a plurality of axially aligned locking element assemblies, each having an axial offset from at least one adjacent assembly, the axial offset preferably being equal to or greater than the axial length of the locking element.

[0040] According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a conveyor belt joint as described above, comprising at least: peeling an upper portion and a lower portion of a conveyor belt body at a first end portion and a second end portion of the conveyor belt; and positioning at least one assembly of locking elements to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt to at least some of the reinforcing cables of the second end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing method includes at least one step of arranging at least two splice plates, each covering a different side of the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt, such that the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt are disposed between the two splice plates, the splice plates preferably being formed from a vulcanizable material, and the step of arranging the splice plates is preferably performed simultaneously with the step of arranging the at least one locking element assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention in their entirety. [Figure 1] 1 is an isometric view of an assembly of two locking elements according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the assembly according to this first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view from above of the assembly according to this first embodiment; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same assembly according to this first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cut-away side view of the same assembly according to this first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of a conveyor belt interface including an interface element assembly according to this first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is an isometric view of this conveyor belt joint in a joint position according to this first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded isometric view of a conveyor belt interface with an interface element assembly according to the same first embodiment. [Figure 9]10 is an isometric view from above of a locking element according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an isometric view from below of a locking element according to this second embodiment. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of Figure 9. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified locking element; [Figure 13] 10 is a view of a portion of a locking element according to this second embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an isometric view from above of a locking element according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a locking element according to this third embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a view of a portion of a locking element according to this third embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a view of a portion of a conveyor belt joint with a locking element according to this third embodiment.

[0043] For purposes of clarity, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the figures to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0044] For clarity in this specification and claims, the terms longitudinal, lateral, and vertical are employed without limitation with reference to the X, Y, Z or X', Y', Z' trihedrons shown in the figures. Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[0045] 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the figures illustrate an assembly 150 of two locking elements 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The illustrated assembly 150 comprises two locking elements 50 for a cable 4, vertically superimposed, a first upper locking element 50 and a second lower locking element 50. Each locking element 50 for a cable 4 ensures its locking to a portion 40 of the cable 4. Preferably, the locking elements 50 are formed or made of a metallic material. To ensure this fixation, each locking element 50 comprises a body through which passes a cavity 70 configured to receive at least the portion 40 of the cable 4, the cavity 70 passing through the body from one side to the other between an entrance opening 50A on the one hand and an exit opening 50B on the other hand, these openings being aligned according to a longitudinal reference axis X.

[0047] Cavity 70 is configured to enclose portion 40 of cable 4 along all or part of its length. To this end, and in general, locking element 50 comprises at least one support 51 on a first side and a support 52 on a second side opposite the first side, the supports 51, 52 being configured to enclose at least portion 40 of cable 4. Supports 51, 52 each define at least a portion of cavity 70 and have a groove 71, 72 for accommodating portion 40 of cable 4. In this embodiment, the body of locking element 50, through which cavity 70 passes from one opening 50A to the other opening 50B, is an integral part, and supports 51, 52 are both formed in a single piece. Thus, the cavity 70 is here axially open longitudinally at the inlet opening 50A and the outlet opening 50B, and the cavity 70 is radially closed by the supports 51, 52, so that the grooves 71, 72 collectively form a closed contour surrounding the portion 40 of the cable 4.

[0048] The cavity 70 of each of the two locking elements 50 that receives a portion 40 of the cable 4 is disposed between the entrance opening 50A portion and the exit opening 50B portion and comprises a widened intermediate or central portion 73 that extends radially with respect to the entrance opening 50A portion and with respect to the exit opening 50B portion. This widened intermediate portion 73 is disposed in alignment with the entrance opening 50A portion and the exit opening 50B portion, i.e., said widened intermediate portion 73 lies on a longitudinal reference axis X that is centered on this axis X here, although it may optionally be off-center. The opening portions form a generally longitudinally extending portion of the cavity 70 that opens to the locking element 50 through the associated opening 50A, 50B.

[0049] Each locking element 50 is provided with at least one anchor member 80 configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70 so as to locally cause a deformation 45 of the section 40 of the cable 4 along at least one radial component. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 4 , the anchor member 80 is here formed by a straight rod, a portion 83 of which passes through the widened intermediate portion 73. When the portion 40 of the cable 4 is housed in the cavity 70, this rod 80 passes through it locally, preferably here radially, with respect to the longitudinal reference axis X. The cable 4 comprises a structure having a core 41 surrounded by strands 42, each of which is made of a wire 43. The rod of the anchor member 80 penetrates the cable 4, thereby locally separating one portion of the wire 43 of the structure of the cable 4 from another portion, and these two portions of the wire 43 are spaced outward relative to the anchor member 80, locally expanding, i.e., increasing the gauge of the corresponding portion 40 of the cable 4.

[0050] This bulge extends in two opposite directions, generally along a radial component relative to the substantially cylindrical jacket of cable 4, namely along a transverse axis Y that is perpendicular to longitudinal axis X and perpendicular to vertical axis A of the rod of anchor member 80, thereby causing a transverse deformation 45 of initial cylindrical section 40 of cable 4 in one direction and in the other, generally along this transverse axis Y'. Locking elements 50 are each configured such that this deformation 45 contacts and abuts at least a portion of the inner wall that defines widened intermediate portion 73 of cavity 70 once anchor member 80 is positioned.

[0051] This insertion of the rod 80 into the cable is facilitated when the anchor member 80 comprises a distal end 82 opposite the head 81, provided with a tip 820 for penetrating at least partially into the cable 4 by gradually separating the wires 43 from the structure of the cable 4. This tip 820 is preferably rounded to allow the wires 43 to be separated from the structure without affecting their structural integrity. The radius of curvature of the rounding is then selected to facilitate separation of the wires 43 without damaging them.

[0052] To allow the positioning of this rod 80, one of the two externally accessible supports 51, 52 is provided with a through-hole 53 opening into the widened intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70 (see FIG. 4 ), to allow the first rod 801 to engage therein and thus to translate and penetrate into the widened intermediate part 73 of the cavity 70. The other of the two supports 51, 52 is also provided with a second hole 53′, for example a through-hole as shown, but not necessarily a through-hole, to receive and hold the tip 820 of the second rod 802. This second hole 53′ is disposed radially with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the cable 4, opposite the through-hole 53. The rods 80, 801, 802 are held integrally with the locking element 50 by shrink-fitting them successively in the insertion direction into each of the two holes 53, 53′. The holes 53, 53' together accommodate the rods 801, 802 that here form the anchor member 80, so that the hole 53 forms a first interface 510 that can accommodate the head 81 of the anchor member 80, and the hole 53' forms a second interface 520 that can cooperate with the anchor section 84 of said anchor member 80. In this embodiment, the two rods 801, 802 form a separate anchor member 80 for each one of the locking elements 50 in question, although it can alternatively be envisaged that the same rod is common to two vertically superimposed locking elements 50.

[0053] The cavity 70 for receiving the cable 4 portion 40 has a shape at its ends, near the entrance opening 50A and the exit opening 50B, that defines a cylindrical jacket adapted to cooperate with the cylindrical jacket of the cable 4. The supports 51, 52 are formed in one piece and completely surround the cable 4 portion 40, while the longitudinal ends of the cavity 70 are formed by cylindrical portions that form openings and are complementary to the cable 4, or are formed with a slightly smaller diameter to allow for a light clamping force that increases the frictional force between the cable 4 and the corresponding grooves 71, 72 in the cavity 70. In this configuration, the cable 4 is enclosed sufficiently so as not to be disposed loosely in the cavity 70, but not too tightly, allowing the cable 4 to be inserted through the cavity 70 by manual manipulation, preferably without the aid of any specific tools, performed by an operator. Additional clamping means 60 may be provided to ensure the clamping of the two supports 51, 52 relative to each other. In this embodiment, a crimping tool 60 is provided at each of the inlet and outlet openings 50A, 50B, the crimping tool being obtained in particular by stamping one of the supports on its outer surface, causing deformation of the protruding material in corresponding grooves 71, 72 inside the cavity 70, as can be seen in Figure 5. Naturally, any type of crimping tool can be used to form the clamping means according to the configuration of the locking element 50.

[0054] These cylindrical end portions, or openings, of cavity 70 open axially to inlet and outlet openings 50A, 50B. These openings each have a length l 50A and I 50B axially along the widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70, each of which has an axial length L 73 The following is the result.

[0055] 3, the widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70 generally has a radial expansion 75 extending along a plane P perpendicular to the axis A of the rod portion 83 of the anchor member 80 configured to pass the cable 4. This lateral expansion 75 of the cavity is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 25% or more, of the diameter D of the cable 4 on each side of the cavity 70, and preferably 50% or less, more preferably less than 40% of the diameter D of the cable 4 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). For example, for a 5 mm diameter cable 4 with a 3 mm diameter rod 83 passing substantially through the center, the cable 4 will have a bulge on either side of the rod 83 that is oriented generally transversely in one direction and the other with respect to the longitudinal reference axis X of the cavity 70. The widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70 is then configured to have a lateral expansion portion 75 configured to accommodate this bulge therein and to have dimensions corresponding to 30% of the diameter D of the cable 4 on either side of the axis A.

[0056] In such a configuration, each locking element 50 makes it possible to keep a portion of the cable locked, on the one hand, thanks to the frictional force of the locking element 50 locally with the portion 40 of the cable 4, in particular thanks to the frictional force between the supports 51, 52 completed by the complementary clamping means 60, and on the other hand, thanks to the deformation 45 of the portion 40 of the cable 4 ensured by the anchoring member 80. This deformation 45 of the cable is made possible by an internal widening 75 of the cavity 70 at the level of the widened intermediate part 73 arranged between two smaller sections of the cavity 70, which locks the cable 4 in axial translation.

[0057] As discussed above, this first embodiment illustrates an assembly 150 provided with two cable locking elements 50 assembled vertically along a vertical axis Z. The first, upper locking element 50 is configured to mate with a second, lower locking element 50 connected together by a fastener 110.

[0058] 1 to 6, the pair of lower and upper locking means 50 is configured to enclose at least one other cable portion 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4', between them. In this way, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form clamping jaws configured to enclose these two cables 4' in the interior space 151 of the assembly 150. It should be noted that in a configuration not specifically illustrated in these figures, such clamping jaws may form supports 51, 52 of the same locking element 50 within the meaning of the present invention. In this case, the two supports 51, 52 are not formed in one piece but in two separate parts, and the fastener 110 then constitutes the clamping means 60.

[0059] The cavities 70 of each of the locking elements 50 are positioned in the assembled position of the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 and are substantially parallel, in particular symmetrical with respect to the clamping plane Ps. These cavities 70 of each of the lower and upper clamping elements 50 are aligned and positioned in a vertical plane, parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the two locking portions 40 of the cable 4 and perpendicular to the clamping plane Ps. The two cables 4′ enclosed between the two lower and upper locking elements 50 are arranged parallel to each other, parallel to the longitudinal reference axis X of the two portions 40 of the cable 4 locked with the corresponding locking elements 50, and parallel to the associated lower and upper connecting cables.

[0060] The two cables 4' enclosed by the jaws 50 of the assembly 150 are offset from the center with respect to the aforementioned vertical plane and positioned symmetrically with respect to this vertical plane. The lower and upper locking elements 50 each have, on their inner sides oriented toward the inner space 151, grooves 171, each of which receives one of the cables 4' in the support. The grooves are associated with each of the lower and upper locking elements 50 in pairs. The pair of grooves 171 are vertically aligned or superimposed and together define at least a portion of a through-hole 170 for receiving the corresponding portion of the cable 4' passing through the assembly 150 between the two axially open openings. Thus, two cavities 170 are formed between the jaws that form an interface to enclose the corresponding cable portion 4'. Again, in a configuration not shown in these figures, the two cavities 170 can each form a cavity with a widened middle section within the meaning of the present invention in one embodiment.

[0061] Each of the lower and upper locking elements 50 has a bulge 172 facing the interior space, located substantially vertically aligned with the corresponding cavity 70 and extending substantially longitudinally between the two inlet and outlet openings 50A, 50B. This allows for the provision of a sufficient amount of excess material to receive and secure the anchoring of the end of the anchor member 80, in this case ensuring a hole 53' sized to secure the proper clamping of the end of the rod 83. Such a bulge 172 may generally be aligned with the widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70 without necessarily extending longitudinally. However, in the case of such a jaw, the longitudinally continuous bulge 172 allows for the laterally defining of at least a portion of the groove, in this case two grooves on either side.

[0062] The hole 53' forming the second interface 520 of each of the two locking elements 50, with which the anchor sections 84 of the anchor members 80 are adapted to cooperate and which receives the tip 520 of the rod 83, has an edge that transitions into the widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70. This transition edge is configured to be rounded over its entire circumference. In this way, when the portion 40 of the cable 4 is pressed against the groove 72 of the inner support 52, which is the support located inside the locking element 50 forming the jaw, i.e., closest to the inner space 151, when the anchor member 80 is inserted, the cable 4 is pressed radially against the cavity 70, in particular against the inner wall of the widened intermediate portion 73, and comes into contact with this rounded edge and not a sharp peripheral edge, thus limiting its wear.

[0063] 6, 7, and 8, locking elements 50 are used in combination to form specific assemblies. In particular, these locking elements 50 are used as part of joints 10 of conveyor belts 1. Such conveyor belts 1 are used in particular in mines, quarries, and other places exposed to harsh working conditions and high internal stresses.

[0064] The conveyor belt 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X', which corresponds approximately to its direction of advancement along the conveyor. The conveyor belt 1 comprises a body 2 made of a flexible material, such as a vulcanizable elastomer, or a synthetic material, and is reinforced with a reinforcement 3 comprising cables 4', for example made of steel, embedded in the body 2. The forces taken up by the conveyor belt 1 are mainly longitudinal, therefore the cables 4' are arranged in the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 so as to extend axially and act to traction said conveyor belt 1 during use.

[0065] The conveyor belt 1 comprises a first edge 11' and a second edge 12' from which a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12 extend across the conveyor belt 1 and are connected together by a joining device 100 providing a joint 10 between the two end portions 11, 12. At the joint position, the end portions 11 and the second end portions 12 are aligned vertically and the first edge 11' and the second edge 12' are opposed longitudinally and preferably abut. In practice, taking into account the distances to transport different materials or different products depending on the application in the quarry or other use location, it can be seen that a single conveyor belt 1 can be formed by joining several longitudinal conveyor belt portions connected together by the joining device 100.

[0066] The end portions 11, 12 are configured so that, at the joining position, the joining section 10 at the joining device 100 has a thickness equal to that of the conveyor belt 1. In this way, the use of the joining device 100 does not result in local excess thickness in the end portions 11, 12, but rather a constant thickness. This feature is particularly important to avoid premature wear due to scrapers passing over the conveyor. To meet this constraint, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 are thinned, in particular after being stripped by a stripping operation, to ensure the installation of the joining device 100. This stripping preferably extends up to the thickness of the cable 4', i.e., to a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the cable 4'.

[0067] The conveyor belt 1 contains reinforcing cables 4' in its body 2. The conveyor belt 1 is configured in the direction of its thickness e to include two layers of outer flexible material of the body 2 integrating the cables 4' and free of reinforcements 3, i.e. a substantially central layer 1A vertically interposed between the upper and lower sides of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0068] Each of the cables 4' of the conveyor belt 1 extends longitudinally continuously within the main body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 into a corresponding end section, where the broken free end of each cable 4' is located. The end sections 11, 12 are formed from a central layer 1A that integrates the cables in the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt and that has been stripped or peeled away from the outer layers, i.e., the lower and upper material layers that are located on the remaining part of the conveyor belt outside the joint 10, typically on both sides of the central layer 1A. The thickness of the end sections 11, 12 corresponds to the thickness of the central layer 1A obtained after the stripping operation and is preferably equal to the average diameter of the cables 4' or the diameter of the cable 4' with its largest dimension. Therefore, a complete stripping of each cable, which corresponds to the complete removal of all the material of the main body 2 surrounding the cables 4', in particular the material of the main body 2 between the cables 4', is not necessary in this embodiment.

[0069] A joining device 100 for providing a joint between two longitudinally aligned end portions 11, 12 here comprises two joining plates 101, 102 each sized to cover a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12 on the same side of the conveyor belt 1 across all or part of the width of the conveyor belt 1, preferably across the entire width. The joining plates 101, 102 comprise a lower joining plate 101 that straddles the bottom of the first and second end portions 11, 12 and an upper joining plate 102 positioned to straddle and overlay the first and second end portions 11, 12. Each of these joining plates 101, 102 has a thickness complementary to that of the corresponding end portion, configured to together fill any material voids created during the peeling process in order to obtain a thinned portion of the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12. In this way, after joining, a flatness of the joint 10 between the lower surface 1" and the upper surface 1" of the conveyor belt 1 is obtained, i.e. a constant thickness e of the conveyor belt 1, without undulations. As already mentioned above, such a feature makes it possible to prevent premature wear due to the use of scrapers (not shown) located in the path of the material to be conveyed and configured to scrape off the upper surface 1' of the conveyor belt 1.

[0070] The first and second end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 are gripped or vertically enclosed between two joining plates 101, 102, each creating a material bridge between the first and second end portions 11, 12. The joining plates 101, 102 are made from a flexible and elastic material, for example, vulcanized rubber or a synthetic material such as polyurethane. This is preferably the same flexible material as that from which the main body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 is made.

[0071] According to the present invention, the joining device 100 comprises at least one assembly 150 of locking elements 50 attached to the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1 for connecting at least a portion of the reinforcing cables 4' of the first end portion 11 of the conveyor belt 1 with at least a portion of the reinforcing cables 4' of the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0072] To ensure that the two end portions of the conveyor belt 1 are joined together, the locking elements 50 may be connected together in various ways.

[0073] The locking elements 50 are assembled vertically in pairs such that for each assembly 150 a first upper locking element 50 is configured to mate with a second lower locking element 50 connected together by fasteners 110, and such pair of lower and upper locking means 50 is configured to enclose at least one cable 4', preferably two adjacent cables 4'. As explained above in relation to the previous figures, the first and second lower and upper locking elements 50 together form clamping jaws configured to enclose at least a portion of the cable 4'.

[0074] In addition, a plurality of upper locking elements 50 also form a connecting cable of the junction 10, and are connected together longitudinally by a cable 4 passing through a cavity 70 of each of the upper locking elements 50. Similarly, a plurality of lower locking elements 50 are also connected together longitudinally by a connecting cable 4 passing through a cavity 70 of each of the lower locking elements 50. In the context of a junction 10 of end portions 11, 12 of a conveyor belt 1 reinforced by cables 4', a longitudinal axial assembly 150 of a plurality of locking elements 50 connected together by a connecting or splicing cable 4 spanning the two ends of the cables 4' to be connected of the conveyor belt 1 can be used. In this embodiment, longitudinal assemblies 150 of several upper locking elements 50 are combined with complementary lower longitudinal assemblies 150, thereby forming a plurality of jaws that enclose one of the cable ends 4' and another plurality of jaws that enclose the other of the cable ends 4', thereby forming a connection.

[0075] A joint assembly 150' of a plurality of pairs of lower and upper locking means 50 as described above is obtained, said pairs of locking means being connected in the longitudinal direction by a lower cable 4 connecting successively the lower locking elements 50 and by an upper cable 4 connecting successively the upper locking elements 50. Such a joint assembly is divided into two detachable parts, specifically an upper and a lower part.

[0076] By applying the configuration to the joint 10 of the conveyor belt 1 and multiplying such joint assemblies 150' arranged parallel to one another and evenly distributed over the joint 10, it is possible to ensure the joint of the two end portions of the conveyor belt 1 by subsequently connecting each cable end 4' of the first end portion 11 to another cable end 4' of the second end portion 12. In this embodiment, the joint assemblies 150' are integrated into the joint plates 101, 102, and the locking elements 50 are embedded in a soft, elastic material, such as vulcanized rubber, that forms the associated joint plates 101, 102. The upper part of the joint assembly 150' of a single joint device 100 (upper locking elements 50 and upper connecting cables 4) is in fact easily integrated into the constituent material of the upper joint plate 102, and the lower part of the joint assembly 150' of a single joint device 100 (lower locking elements 50 and lower connecting cables 4) is in fact easily integrated into the constituent material of the lower joint plate 101.

[0077] Alternatively, they can be attached to these first and second end portions 11, 12 and then covered with a joining plate, however such an embodiment would exhibit less flexibility and the thickness of the joints thus produced would be greater.

[0078] The fastening of the joining plates, the lower side 101 and the upper side 102, is carried out by means of fasteners 110 comprising rods, such as screw-nut fasteners. The fasteners 110 pass through the thickness and successively pass through the first of the two joining plates 101 or 102, then through one of the two end portions 111 or 12, and finally through the second of the two joining plates 101 or 102. In this embodiment, the fasteners 110 are screws each comprising a head 111 and an anchor section 112 provided with a thread, and the joining plates 101, 102 comprise a first interface 113 cooperating with the head 111 of the fasteners 110 and / or a second interface 114 cooperating with the anchor section 112 of the fasteners 110. The first and second interfaces 113, 114 are carried by locking elements 50 integrated into the joining plates 101, 102. Thus, in this embodiment, the fastener 110 performs a dual function: on the one hand, it ensures the fixing of the joining plates 101, 102 to the end portion 11 or 12 relative to one another, and on the other hand, it ensures the connection of the pair of locking elements 50 forming the jaws to enclose one or more portions of the cable 4'. In a particular configuration not illustrated here, the fastener 110 can also form the clamping means 60 of the locking elements 50 that would be formed by the combination of a pair of superimposed lower and upper locking elements 50 when each locking element 50 forming one of the jaws, together with one or more cavities 170, form or constitute the supports 51, 52 as explained above, making it possible to accommodate therein a deformation of one of the cables 4' of the corresponding end portion 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1. Such a configuration allows the lower and upper locking elements 50 with such a cavity 170 to enclose two cables without necessarily requiring the presence of a third central cable, and the jaws are merely supports 51, 52 of the same locking element 50, which supports do not constitute the locking element 50 itself.

[0079] First interfaces 113 each comprise a recess capable of receiving head 111 of one of fasteners 110. Second interfaces 114 comprise cylindrical tubular portions 116, the inner cylindrical surface of which can cooperate with anchor sections 112 of fasteners 110 thanks to threading therein complementary to the threading of anchor sections 112.

[0080] The fasteners 110 are positioned to pass through the corresponding cables 4' of the associated end portion 11 or 12. Each pair of lower and upper locking means 50 has two screw-type fasteners 110 passing through each of the assembly cavities 170 and the cables 4' housed therein. The fasteners are offset from a transverse axis Y' passing through the anchor member 80 so that they are not laterally aligned, with one of the two fasteners 110 offset one step toward the front and the other offset one step toward the rear. In this way, the transverse gauge of the locking and / or assembly elements can be reduced.

[0081] The lower and upper locking elements 50 of the assembly 150 each comprise two laterally extending wings 54 configured to latch on one side and the other to adjacent connecting cables 4 of adjacent assemblies 150. Preferably, this support at least partially surrounds an outer surface portion of the cable to obtain stability and minimize abrasion at the joint with the cable 4'.

[0082] Since the joining plates 101, 102 come from both sides of the end sections 11, 12 of the conveyor belt, which consist of the central layer 1A with the cables 4' integrated, it is not necessary to completely peel off all the cables 4' from the end sections 11, 12. The joining is carried out by carrying out the following steps: peeling an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 at a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1; arranging two joining plates 101, 102, each covering a different side of the first and second end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1, such that the first and second end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 are disposed between the two joining plates 101, 102; During the step of positioning the splice plates 101, 102, the upper locking element 50 forming the upper jaw is mated with the lower locking element 50 forming the lower jaw, so as to connect the reinforcing cable 4' of the first end portion 11 to the reinforcing cable 4' of the second end portion 12, while the splice assembly 150' is positioned; Securing the joint by positioning fasteners 110 to secure each pair of lower and upper locking elements 50 together.

[0083] Preferably, the pairs of lower locking elements 50 and upper locking elements 50 are configured to be generally staggered so that they are not all aligned transversely with respect to the transverse axis Y' of the conveyor belt 1.

[0084] In addition, the joint assembly 150' is positioned so that each reinforcing cable 4' of the first end portion 11 or the second end portion 12 is connected by one side of the joint assembly 150' with the reinforcing cable 4' cable adjacent to the first side, and is connected by the other side of the joint assembly 150' with the reinforcing cable 4' cable adjacent to the second side opposite the first side.

[0085] 9 to 13 illustrate a locking element 50 according to a second embodiment. This locking element 50, made from metal, allows for fixing three different cable strands or cable sections, two of which are locked by anchor members 80 configured to occupy at least a part of the corresponding intermediate section 73. Of these three cables, the locking element comprises a central cable 4″ and two transverse cables 4.

[0086] The central cable 4" passes longitudinally through the locking element 50 and is permanently fixed in the hole it passes through by any means, such as by gluing, welding or molding the metal locking element 50 directly onto the cable. This central hole opening on either side of the locking element 50 can be cylindrical (see Figure 11) or different, for example oval (see Figure 12), although other shapes (such as rectangular) are of course possible. Two transverse cables 4 each pass through the locking element 50, with each corresponding portion 40 of the cable 4 being housed in a separate cavity 70. These three portions of the cables 4, 4" generally extend longitudinally parallel, two by two.

[0087] As in the first embodiment, two cavities 70 configured to receive a portion of the cable each pass through the body of the locking element 50 from the entrance opening 50A to the other exit opening 50B. The body of the locking element 50 is formed by a single piece, so that the supports 51, 52 are integrally formed. Each of these cavities 70 is similar to that described with reference to the first embodiment. Thus, each of the two cavities 70 receiving one of the portions 40 of the cable 4 includes an enlarged intermediate or central portion 73 aligned and disposed between the corresponding entrance 50A and exit 50B openings. The enlarged intermediate portions 73 of each of the two cavities 70 are longitudinally offset, i.e., they are not aligned along an axis Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X. This allows for a smaller overall size, but also optimal positioning of the anchor member 80, as discussed below.

[0088] The anchor members 80 are cleats. Before being secured to the conveyor belt, the cleats 80 have a generally "U" shape. The cleats 80 are formed from a single-piece rod, i.e., formed in one piece, and are preferably made of metal. The head 81 of the cleat 80 is formed from the central portion of a substantially straight single-piece rod, which is interposed between two transverse rod portions, each forming a rod portion 83 configured to pass through one of the two sections 40 of the cable 4 to be locked. Each rod connected to the head 81 by an elbow passes through one of the two widened intermediate sections 73, forming an anchor member 80 itself, to cause deformation 45 of each of the two corresponding sections 40 of the cable 4 and lock them, as in the first embodiment.

[0089] The portions 83 of the rod 80 have at their ends tips 820 that extend away from the head 81 to facilitate their insertion through one of each of the two widened intermediate portions 73 and pass vertically through the body of the locking element 50 and through its thickness.

[0090] On the outer side of the locking element 50, on the side of the first support 51 forming the upper support, the locking element 50 has a first interface 510, such as a groove, for complementary reception of all or part of the head 81 of the cleat 80. On the other outer side of the locking element 50, on the side of the second support 52 forming the upper support, the locking element 50 has a second interface 520, such as one or two grooves, for reception of all or part of the tip 820 of the cleat 80, which, once installed, is bent or folded under the locking element 50 after being inserted to lock the fastening of the cleat 80, thereby ensuring that the cleat 80 cannot loosen during use of the conveyor belt 1. Each bent tip 820 of the cleat 80 thus forms an anchor section 84 of the anchor member 80, preventing removal of the clamp 80 and making it possible to lock the assembly, thereby ensuring secure anchoring of the clamp 80 to the locking element 50.

[0091] The rod portion 83 passes vertically through one of the two sections 40 of the cable 4 to be locked, while the head 81 extends along the transverse component to connect the two cables 4, but at an angle, i.e., at a constant inclination with respect to the transverse axis, and the widened intermediate section 73 of each of the two cavities is offset longitudinally. In addition to the increased volume, it is clear from this configuration that when a tensile force is applied to the two separate cables 4 to which the cleat 80 is anchored, this results in a rotational force of the cleat 80 about the vertical axis, which has the effect of further restricting the outward deformation of the cables 4 and better locking them.

[0092] The widened intermediate portion 73 of each of the two cavities 70 is axially interposed between, or slightly smaller than, two generally cylindrical portions complementary to the cylindrical jacket of the corresponding cable portion, each of which forms an opening axially opening onto the inlet opening 50A and the outlet opening 50B. The widened section of each widened intermediate portion 73 has a cross-sectional dimension larger than the cross-section of the cylindrical portion that borders it. This increase in size or widening extends at least partially laterally with respect to the locking element 50, i.e., along a transverse axis Y that is perpendicular to the associated longitudinal axis X and perpendicular to the vertical axis A of the rod of the anchor member 80, thereby causing a transverse deformation 45 of the originally cylindrical section of the portion 40 of the cable 4 in one direction and in the other, generally along this transverse axis Y. It should be noted that in some possible variations, the axis A may not be vertical.

[0093] In this second embodiment, the locking element 50 further comprises clamping means 60 for clamping together the two supports 51, 52. As these supports 51, 52 are here formed in one piece, it is advantageous to proceed with crimping along all or part of the cylindrical end portion of each of the cavities 70. This crimping is visible from the outside by the clamping operation, here by a mark 61 left on the locking element 50 after crimping.

[0094] A set of such locking elements 50 may be used, for example, to form a splice assembly involved in joining the ends of a conveyor belt. In this case, the central cable 4" is preferably a connecting cable to which a plurality of locking elements are fixed in succession to form a longitudinal assembly. An assembly of such locking elements 50 (not shown) is configured to be mounted across the first and second end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1 in this case to connect at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the first end portion 11 of the conveyor belt 1 to at least a portion of the reinforcing cable 4' of the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0095] In such a configuration, the central cable 4" of each locking element straddles the first and second end portions 11, 12, and the two transverse cables 4 are the reinforcing cable 4" of one of the two end portions 11, 12 on one longitudinal side of the assembly, and the reinforcing cable 4" of the other of the two end portions 11, 12 on the other longitudinal side of the assembly.

[0096] However, making such a joint requires the complete stripping of the reinforcing cable sections that make up the end portions 11, 12 of the conveyor belt 1. Once the cables are connected, the joint can be vulcanized to reconstruct the body of the conveyor belt 1 around the reconstructed reinforcement sections. It should be noted that vulcanization can also be preferably replaced by the use of two joining plates 101, 102 and / or by the use of a casting resin. These alternatives make it possible to avoid a long and complicated vulcanization process.

[0097] To facilitate the positioning of the locking elements 50, they may be designed in two different parts, such as jaws, one of which forms each of the two lower and upper supports 51, 52. To ensure the centering of the two grooves 71, 72 in each of the supports 51, 52, an additional connecting element may be provided, for example a joint between the two supports, which ensures perfect overlapping of the supports and facilitates positioning around the corresponding cable section.

[0098] 14 to 17 illustrate a locking element 50 according to a third embodiment, which differs from the second embodiment essentially in that it does not have a central cable 4" and in that the two cavities 70, each receiving a cable, communicate with each other so as to provide a single widened intermediate section 73. The locking element 50 has the form of an integral sleeve, i.e. the supports 51, 52 are also formed in one piece, which makes it possible to ensure the locking of the two parts 40 of the cable 4 in the same cavity 70.

[0099] In such a configuration, the openings of the inlet 50A and outlet 50B are also in communication with one another and are longitudinally aligned with one another along the reference axis X and have shapes substantially complementary to the shapes of the two cables that are to be crimped in a manner similar to the second embodiment.

[0100] The widened intermediate section 73 has an enlarged portion 75 centered with respect to the cavity, allowing each of the cables 4 to extend within this space complementary to the local deformation or bulge in the gauge of the corresponding cable portion 4 due to the insertion of an anchor member 80 through its structure. The anchor member 80 is a cleat similar to that described in conjunction with the second embodiment. In this example, the widened intermediate section 73 is common to both cables 4, so that the enlarged portion 75 of the cavity 70 is provided for a given cable 4 on the side of the cavity opposite the other cable 4. For cables 4 with a diameter of 8 mm, a rod 83 having a diameter of 2.9 mm passes substantially through each cable 4 centrally, and each cable 4 will have a bulge on either side of the rod 83, the bulge oriented generally transversely in one direction and the other relative to the longitudinal reference axis X of the cavity 70. The widened intermediate portion 73 of the cavity 70 is then configured to have lateral expansion portions 75 configured to accommodate a bulge of one cable on one side and a bulge of the other cable on the other side, each bulge 75 having a dimension corresponding to approximately 18% of the diameter D of the corresponding cable 4.

[0101] The cleat 80 has a head 81 that extends at an angle, i.e., inclined relative to the axis of the cable, and also shows that the bulges of the two cables are longitudinally offset relative to each other: the bulge of one cable is located on one side of the lateral widening 75 of the widened intermediate section 73, and on the opposite side the bulge is directed towards or comes into contact with and rests on the other cable.

[0102] Such a set of locking elements 50 can be used, for example, to form a splice assembly involved in splicing the ends of a conveyor belt. In this case, one of the two cables locked by each locking element 50 is one of the reinforcing cables 4 of one of the two end portions 11, 12, and the other of the two locked cables is the reinforcing cable 4' of the other of the two end portions 11, 12. In this embodiment, no connecting cable is used across the two end portions 11, 12, so that the reinforcing cables of the completely separated end portions 11, 12 are entangled at the splice 10. Furthermore, this occurs alternately and parallel to one another. The locking elements 50 are then arranged alternately and offset relative to one another throughout the extent of the entanglement of the cable portions 4', with the locking elements 50 connecting two cables at a time, preferably spaced apart every two cables. Each pair of cables is preferably secured together by at least three, and preferably at least five, locking elements 50. Once the cables have been connected at the end portions 11, 12, the joints can be vulcanized and the conveyor belt body 1 can be reconstructed around the reinforcement reconstructed by the joints.

[0103] It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described above by way of example and that those skilled in the art will be able to implement various alternative embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0104] For example, it is understood that other fasteners, clamping means, or anchor members, such as screws, may be used that perform the same function. Furthermore, the vertical orientation of the fasteners and / or clamping means and / or anchor members may vary.

[0105] Furthermore, what is described with respect to the figures is an anchor member 80 formed by a straight rod, a portion 83 of said rod 80 penetrating the widened intermediate portion 73 and passing through the cable portion 40, while passing locally through the cavity 70 in a radial direction relative to the axis X, in order to cause a deformation when the portion 40 of the cable 4 is accommodated in the cavity 70. In another configuration, it can be envisaged that this deformation occurs without passing through the cable. In this case, the rod can be straight, for example, with a circular or rectangular cross section, and can be provided with a point 820 with a beveled edge that, when inserted, makes it possible to locally move the portion 40 of the cable 4 and cause the deformation 45.

[0106] With respect to conveyor belts, the longitudinal direction is by convention and for convenience and clarity of disclosure is the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt throughout this specification and applies to the splicing device under consideration as mounted on the conveyor belt, and the transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so defined, regardless of the dimensions of the splicing device.

[0107] In certain configurations not shown in the figures, the supports do not necessarily have to be integral, so that all or part of the cavity can be formed by at least one connecting portion. For example, a first portion of two supports, whether integral or not, can have a cylindrical jacket and thus have or define a first through hole having a certain diameter, and complementary end pieces can be provided to be arranged at the longitudinal ends of this first through hole by cooperating therewith, each of these end pieces having or defining a second through hole defining inlet and outlet openings and inlet and outlet portions. A widened intermediate portion is then defined longitudinally between the end pieces and has an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the first hole.

[0108] The support can directly enclose the cable segment, as shown in the figure, or it can enclose the cable segment indirectly. This is the case, for example, when an intermediate piece made of plastic is arranged between the groove of at least one metal support and the receiving cable segment. Such a plastic part can be used as a consumable part to protect the locking element from wear while allowing the coefficient of friction to be changed. The connecting part can be replaced when worn.

[0109] The connecting and / or reinforcing cables do not necessarily have a core, but can only comprise strands. Generally speaking, they consist of a bundle of twisted wires. Preferably, the cables are metallic, i.e. made from metal wires.

[0110] It is emphasized that all of the features, even if they are only specifically described in combination with other particular features, can be combined with other features or feature groups disclosed in this specification, both individually and in any combination, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the description, the drawings and the appended claims, provided that this is not expressly excluded and that the technical circumstances do not make such a combination impossible or meaningless.

Claims

1. A joining device (100) for at least one conveyor belt (1) of the type comprising a body (2) made of a flexible material extending along a longitudinal axis (X') and having housed therein a reinforcing section (3) comprising at least partially axially extending reinforcing cables (4'), said joining device (100) being intended to connect at least first (11) and second (12) end portions of said conveyor belt (1), said joining device (100) comprising at least two locking elements (5) connected to each other by assembly. 0), said assembly means comprising at least one connecting cable (4, 4"), said assembly (150) intended to be attached to the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt so as to connect at least some of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) to at least some of the reinforcing cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1), Each cable locking element (50) comprises at least two opposing supports (51, 52) configured to enclose at least a portion of an associated one of the reinforcing cable (4') and the connecting cable (4, 4"), the supports (51, 52) each having at least one groove (71, 72) that together define, between an entrance opening (50A) and an exit opening (50B) aligned according to a reference axis (X), at least a portion of a through cavity (70) for receiving at least a portion (40) of the associated cable (4) passing through the locking element (50), the cavity (70) being 1. A joining device (100) comprising: a joining element (50) having an enlarged intermediate portion (73) between an inlet (50A) and an outlet (50B) opening portion, the enlarged intermediate portion (73) being radially enlarged relative to the inlet opening portion (50A) and the outlet opening portion (50B), and wherein the locking element (50) comprises at least one anchor member (80) configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the enlarged intermediate portion (73) of the cavity (70) located in alignment with the inlet and outlet openings (50A, 50B) so as to locally cause a radial deformation (45) of the cross section of the portion (40) of the associated cable.

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

3. A joining device (100) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly of locking elements is at least partially embedded in the flexible and elastic material of the corresponding joining plate (101, 102).

4. The joining device (100) comprises at least: an upper longitudinal assembly (150) of at least two upper locking elements (50) of said locking elements (50) connected together by an upper connection cable of said connection cables and spanning said two ends of said connected reinforcing cable (4'); a lower longitudinal assembly (150) of at least two lower locking elements (50) of said locking elements, connected together by a lower connecting cable of said connecting cables and spanning the two ends of said connected reinforcing cable (4'), 4. The joining device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the upper locking element of the upper longitudinal assembly is shaped to be assembled with the lower locking element of the lower longitudinal assembly by forming a joining assembly (150') together and to encapsulate at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) and at least a portion of the reinforcing cable (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

5. A joining device (100) as described in claim 4, characterized in that the joining device (100) comprises a plurality of joining assemblies (150') arranged parallel to each other and configured to be evenly distributed across the joint portion (10).

6. 6. A joining device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that some of the assembly means are constituted by some of the fasteners (110), which are arranged so as to pass through one joining plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt (1) and then the other joining plate, respectively.

7. 7. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that in the encapsulation positions of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12), the reinforcing cables (4') are arranged parallel to each other and to the longitudinal reference axis (X) of the portions (40) of the connecting cables (4) that are locked with their corresponding locking elements (50).

8. 8. The joining device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support (51, 52) of the locking element (50) is configured to enclose at least the portion of a first cable of the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, and the locking element (50) comprises a groove (171) defining at least a portion of a through-cavity (170) for receiving a second cable from the reinforcing cable and the connecting cable, the through-cavity having two axial end openings.

9. 9. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that all or part of the locking element (50) comprises at least one clamping means (60) for ensuring clamping of the two supports (51, 52) relative to each other.

10. A joining device (100) as described in claim 9, characterized in that the clamping means (60) comprises at least one screw and / or cleat and / or rivet and / or crimping tool.

11. 11. The joining device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the clamping means (60) comprises the anchor member (80), whereby the anchor member (80) is involved in clamping the two supports (51, 52) relative to each other.

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

13. 13. The joining device (100) of any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the anchor members (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprise a rod portion (83) configured to pass through the portion (40) of the cable (4).

14. A joining device (100) as described in claim 13, characterized in that the anchor member (80) comprises at least one cleat and / or one screw and / or one rivet and / or one pin.

15. 15. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the portion (40) of the associated cable comprises a structure of the type comprising a wire (43), and the anchor members (80) of at least some of the locking elements comprise a distal end (82), opposite a head (81), provided with a tip (820) so as to penetrate at least partially into the associated cable by separating the wire (43) from the structure of the associated cable.

16. 16. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least a first support of the two supports (51, 52) of at least some of the locking elements comprises at least one through-hole (53) opening into the widened intermediate portion (73) of the cavity (70) to allow the anchor member (80) to penetrate through the widened intermediate portion (73) of the cavity (70).

17. 17. The joining device (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that the first support of the two supports (51, 52) comprises at least one first interface (510) capable of accommodating a head (81) of one of the anchor members (80), and the second support of the two supports (51, 52) comprises at least one second interface (520) with which anchor sections (84) of the anchor members can cooperate.

18. A joining device (100) as described in claim 17, characterized in that the first interface is a recess or a countersink and the anchor member is a threaded hole.

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

20. A joining device (100) as described in claim 19, characterized in that the cross-sectional constriction of the locking element is configured to have a diameter (d) strictly smaller than the diameter (D) of the cylindrical jacket of the associated cable (4).

21. 21. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the widened intermediate portions (73) of the cavities (70) of at least some of the locking elements have a radial widening (75) in a plane (P) perpendicular to the axis (A) of the rod portion (83) of the anchor member (80) configured to pass through the associated cable.

22. 22. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the inlet and outlet opening portions (50A, 50B) of the cavities (70) of at least some of the cable-receiving locking elements have a shape that partially defines a cylindrical jacket configured to cooperate with the cylindrical jacket of the associated cable, and each of the inlet and outlet opening portions (50A, 50B) of the cavities (70) extends axially along a length (150A, 150B) that is equal to or greater than the axial length (L73) of the widened intermediate portion (73) of the cavity (70).

23. 23. The joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that each locking element allows for the secure fixation of three different cable portions extending generally two by two in parallel longitudinal direction, of which a central cable (4") forming a connecting cable passes longitudinally through the locking element (50) and two reinforcing cables (4') blocked by anchor members (80) are configured to at least partially occupy a portion of the corresponding intermediate portion (73).

24. 24. A junction (10) for a conveyor belt (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (X') comprising a body (2) made of a flexible material, inside which a reinforcing section (3) is housed, the reinforcing section (3) comprising reinforcing cables (4') extending at least partially axially, the body (2) comprising a flexible material, the reinforcing section (3) comprising reinforcing cables (4') extending at least partially axially, the conveyor belt (1) comprising first (11) and second (12) end portions connected together by a joining device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, and at least one assembly (150) attached to the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1) for connecting at least a portion of the reinforcing cables (4') of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1) to at least a portion of the reinforcing cables (4') of the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1).

25. A method for manufacturing a joint (10) of a conveyor belt (1) according to claim 24, comprising at least peeling off the upper and lower portions of the conveyor belt body (2) at the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1); and positioning at least one assembly (150) of said locking elements (50) so as to connect at least a portion of said reinforcing cables (4') of said first end portion (11) of said conveyor belt (1) to at least a portion of said reinforcing cables (4') of said second end portion (12) of said conveyor belt (1).

26. 26. The manufacturing method according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises at least one step of arranging at least two joining plates (101, 102), each covering a different side of the first and second end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1), such that the first and second end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) are disposed between the two joining plates (101, 102).

27. ​​The manufacturing method described in Claim 26, characterized in that the joining plates (101, 102) are formed of a vulcanizable material and the step of positioning the joining plates (101, 102) is performed simultaneously with the step of positioning at least one assembly (150) of the locking element (50).

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