Tool holder for a load-handling vehicle, load-handling vehicle comprising same, assembly comprising a tool and said tool holder, and method for coupling a tool to said tool holder

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool holder (1) comprising a body (2) with locations (3) for receiving the tool, two parallel locking pins (4) each mounted to be able to slide between an unlocked position and a locked position in which they at least partially project into the receiving locations (3), and a device (5) for controlling the passage of the locking pins (4) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking pins (4) are connected to each other by a mechanical connection fixedly coupling the movement of said locking pins (4) in two opposite directions, each locking pin (4) being fitted with a return member (7) for return to the locked position, the tool holder (1) comprising a blocker (8) for blocking one of the locking pins (4) in the unlocked position, this blocker (8) being configured to pass from an active position to an inactive position in parallel with the passage of the tool-receiving location(s) (3) from a state unoccupied by the tool to a state occupied by the tool.

Description

Description Title of the invention: TOOL HOLDER FOR A LOAD HANDLING VEHICLE, LOAD HANDLING VEHICLE COMPRISING IT, ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A TOOL AND SAID TOOL HOLDER, AND METHOD FOR COUPLING A TOOL TO SAID TOOL HOLDER

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool holder for a load handling machine, an assembly comprising a tool and said tool holder, a load handling machine comprising said tool holder as well as a method of coupling a tool to said tool holder.

[0002] It relates in particular to a tool holder interposable between a handling machine arm and a tool for coupling the tool to the arm, said so-called self-locking tool holder comprising a body with at least one tool receiving location intended to be occupied by a part of the tool in the coupled state of the tool to the tool holder, two parallel locking axes each mounted so as to slide between an unlocked position in which they extend at least partially inside said body and a locked position in which they at least partially protrude into the or one of the receiving locations so as to be able to each be inserted into a part of the tool, and a control device for the passage of the locking axes from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0003] Such a tool holder is known as illustrated by patents US 2019 / 194004 and AT 327096. The locking pins of the tool holder are traditionally inserted in the locked position into at least one through-recess of the tool. The locking pins are actuated either by a cylinder or manually. The cylinders have the disadvantage of complicating the tool holder and there is often doubt about the achievement of the locking. Manual actuation of the locking pins requires the machine operator to get off the machine to actuate the locking pins in order to move them into the locked position.

[0004] An aim of the invention is to propose a tool holder whose design makes it possible to simply ensure automatic locking of the tool and the tool holder without compromising the compactness of the tool holder.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a tool holder that can be interposed between a handling machine arm and a tool for coupling the tool to the arm, said so-called self-locking tool holder comprising a body with at least one tool receiving location intended to be occupied by a part of the tool in the coupled state of the tool to the tool holder, two parallel locking axes each mounted so as to be able to slide between an unlocked position in which they extend at least partially inside said body and a locked position in which they at least partially protrude into the or one of the receiving locations so that each can be inserted into a part of the tool, and a control device for the locking axes to move from the locked position to the unlocked position,characterized in that the locking axes are connected to each other by a mechanical connection coupling said locking axes in a fixed manner in movement in two opposite directions to allow, in parallel with the movement of one of the locking axes in one direction, the synchronous movement of the other of the locking axes in an opposite direction, in that each locking axis is equipped with a return member in the locked position, and in that the tool holder comprises at least one blocker of at least one of the locking axes in the unlocked position, this blocker being mounted movable between an active position and an inactive position, this blocker being configured to pass from the active position to the inactive position in parallel with the passage of the at least one receiving location of the tool from a state unoccupied by the tool to a state occupied by the tool.,

[0006] The presence of a mechanical connection between the locking axes allows safe synchronous movement of the locking axes without compromising the simplicity and compactness of the tool holder. This synchronous movement guarantees locking, because if one locking axis is not in the correct position, the movement of both locking axes is prevented. This configuration also limits the number of ancillary elements and allows, for example, the presence of a single blocker and a device for simplified control. The control device and the blocker can, by acting on a single locking axis, generate a control or a blocking in parallel of the other locking axis. This results in an increased compactness of the tool holder. The presence of a return member of each locking axis in the locked position makes it possible to ensure automatic locking without intervention by an operator. Indeed, the blocker is configured to move from the active position to the inactive position in parallel with the passage of the at least one receiving location of the tool from a state unoccupied by the tool to a state occupied by the tool to allow the passage from the active position to the inactive position of said blocker by simple insertion of at least part of the tool into the receiving location(s) of the tool holder.In other words, the blocker is configured to move from the active position to the inactive position depending on the occupied / unoccupied state of said or at least one of the tool receiving locations. The movement of the blocker from the active position to the inactive position is enabled by simply inserting the tool into the or at least one of the tool receiving locations.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for driving the movement of the blocker comprises at least one pivoting part and the part of the device for driving the movement of the blocker projecting inside at least one of the locations for receiving a tool is formed by at least a part of said pivoting part.

[0008] In this embodiment, the fact that at least a portion of the drive device projects into at least one of the tool receiving locations allows said portion of the drive device to be acted upon by said tool in the positioned state of the tool in said location. This results in simplicity of use without compromising simplicity of construction.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for driving the blocker in movement comprises at least one connecting rod coupled to said pivoting part, the connecting rod extending between the pivoting part and the blocker and being coupled with play to the blocker. Said pivoting part is thus configured to be driven in pivoting movement depending on the occupied / unoccupied state of the or at least one of the tool receiving locations.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for driving the blocker in movement comprises at least one connecting rod coupled to said pivoting part, the connecting rod extending between the pivoting part and the blocker and being coupled with play to the blocker.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the blocker comprises, for mounting with play with the connecting rod, a slot inside which an axis connecting the connecting rod to the blocker is able to circulate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool holder comprises a device for resetting the blocker and the device for resetting the resettable blocker is configured to allow resetting of the blocker including in the occupied state of said tool reception location by said tool.

[0013] The device for resetting the blocker is configured to bring the tool holder into a configuration in which the blocker is able to move from the inactive position to the active position depending on the position occupied by the locking axes. The blocker is configured to, in the locked position of the locking axes, be automatically re-armed to allow, in the driven state in movement of the locking axes to the unlocked position, the passage of the blocker from the inactive position to the active position regardless of the occupied or unoccupied state of the or at least one of the tool receiving locations.In other words, the resetting device is configured to, in the locked position of the locking axes, automatically resetting the blocker, i.e. bringing the tool holder into a configuration in which the blocker is able to move from the inactive position to the active position, regardless of the occupied or unoccupied state of the or at least one of the tool receiving locations.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the device for resetting the blocker is mounted integral with respect to movement of at least one of the locking axes. Because at least a portion of the device for resetting the blocker is mounted integral with respect to movement of at least one of the locking axes, the resetting of the blocker depends on the position occupied by the locking axes. In particular, preferably, the blocker is automatically resetting in the locked position of the locking axes. to allow the blocker to move from the inactive position to the active position in the driven state by moving the locking axes from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for resetting the blocker comprises at least one element for returning the blocker to the active position formed by the weight of the blocker and / or an elastically deformable member and a member for neutralizing the device for driving the blocker to move in order to allow the blocker to move from the inactive position to the active position, including in the occupied state of said at least one receiving location by a tool.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the neutralizing member of the device for driving the blocker in movement is mounted integral in movement with the locking axes, this neutralizing member projecting from one of the locking axes in a direction transverse to said locking axis to form a part active by pushing on at least one part of the device for driving the blocker in movement. Preferably, the part of the device for driving the blocker in movement on which the neutralizing member forms a part active by pushing is the part of the drive device formed by the connecting rod, when this drive device comprises a connecting rod.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mechanical connection between the locking axes is a meshing connection. Preferably, said connection comprises a pinion carried by the body, this pinion being configured to come into permanent engagement with two racks mounted, one integral with one of the locking axes, the other integral with the other of the locking axes.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control device for moving the locking pins from the locked position to the unlocked position is a pivoting lever engaged with at least one of the locking pins, this lever extending at least partially projecting from the body to form a visual indicator of the position of the locking pins.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool holder comprises at least one sensor for detecting the position of at least one of the locking axes. The presence of such a sensor makes it possible to act on the machine if necessary. In particular, the machine's control unit can order a stoppage of the arm's movement drive and / or a modification of the arm's movement based on the data provided by said sensor.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool holder comprises at least one visual indicator of the position of the blocker. Alternatively or additionally, the tool holder comprises at least one visual indicator of the position of at least one part of the device for driving the blocker in movement.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one tool holder and a tool which can be coupled to said tool holder, characterized in that the tool holder conforms to that described above.

[0022] The invention also relates to a load handling machine comprising at least one load handling arm which can be coupled to a tool holder which can itself be coupled to a tool, characterized in that the tool holder conforms to that described above.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for coupling a tool to a tool holder capable of equipping an arm of a load handling machine, characterized in that the tool holder being in accordance with that described above, said method comprises a step of introducing the tool into the or at least one of the tool reception locations to allow the blocker to move from the active position to the inactive position and consequently the locking axes to move from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The invention will be clearly understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] shows a perspective view of a tool / tool ​​holder assembly when coupling the tool to the tool holder with a detail view taken at a tool receiving location;

[0027] [Fig. 2] represents a perspective view of a tool holder;

[0028] [Fig. 3] represents in the form of two views, one in perspective, the other in section, of a tool holder according to the invention in the unlocked position of the locking axes and in the unoccupied state of the tool receiving locations;

[0029] [Fig. 4] shows a partial sectional view of the tool holder during the introduction of a tool into a tool receiving location of the tool holder;

[0030] [Fig. 5] represents in the form of two partial views, one, partially in section, the other, in section, of a tool holder according to the invention in the partially locked position of the locking axes and in the occupied state of the locations for receiving a tool before resetting the blocker;

[0031] [Fig. 6A] represents in the form of two partial views, one, partially in section, the other, in section, of a tool holder according to the invention in the locked position of the locking axes and in the occupied state of the locations for receiving a tool;

[0032] [Fig. 6B] represents a partial view of the tool holder associated with a detail view, to visualize the resetting device;

[0033] [Fig. 7] represents a partial sectional view of the tool holder in the state when the blocker is reset;

[0034] [Fig. 8] represents in the form of two views, one partially in section, the other in section, parts of a tool holder according to the invention in the inactive position of the blocker during the passage of the locking axes from the locked position to the unlocked position of the locking axes and in the occupied state of the locations for receiving a tool;

[0035] [Fig. 9] shows, in the form of two sectional views, parts of a tool holder according to the invention in the unlocked position of the locking axes and active position of the blocker and in the occupied state of the tool receiving locations;

[0036] [Fig. 10] represents a perspective view of a machine equipped with a tool holder according to the invention.

[0037] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a tool holder 1 capable of being arranged at the end of a lifting arm 20 of a handling machine 23, as illustrated in figure 10, this tool holder 1 being automatically coupled to a tool 21 to form an assembly in accordance with figure 1.

[0038] The tool holder 1 interposable between the arm 20 of the handling machine 23 and the tool 21, illustrated in FIG. 1 in the form of a fork tool, comprises a body 2 with at least one location 3 for receiving the tool 21 intended to be occupied by a part of the tool 21 in the coupled state of the tool 21 to the tool holder 1. An example of such a tool holder 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0039] In this example, the body 2 comprises two cheeks connected to each other by crosspieces, one of the crosspieces carrying a coupler to the arm 20 of the handling machine 23, the coupling being able to be carried out for example by means of removable pins inserted into through-orifices which can be positioned in coincidence of the coupler and the arm 20 in a manner known per se.

[0040] The body 2 here comprises two locations 3 for receiving the tool 21 arranged outside the interval delimited by the cheeks. The body 2 could, in an equivalent manner, have a single location 3 for receiving the tool 21 arranged inside the interval delimited by the cheeks. The or each location 3 for receiving the tool is here in the form of a U open towards the tool 21 to be received. Each location 3 for receiving the tool of the tool holder 1 comprises one or two through-receptacles arranged aligned with a locking axis 4 of the tool holder 1 which will be described below, these housings being capable of being crossed by the locking axis 4 in the locked position of said locking axis, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0041] Similarly, the tool 1 comprises, for each location 3 for receiving the tool of the tool holder 1, at least one part 22 produced here in the form of a through bore positionable between the through housings of the location 3, and in coincidence with the through housings of said location 3 for receiving the tool in the occupied state of said location 3 for receiving by a part of the tool 21.

[0042] Thus, the locking axis 4 passes through the through-recesses of location 3 and the through-hole of the tool in the locked position of the locking axis 4.

[0043] The body 2 of the tool holder 1 also comprises, in a manner known per se, two ears or hooks visible in FIG. 2 intended to engage with a tube of the tool, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This mechanical connection is well known to those skilled in the art. In practice, generally, in the coupled state of the tool holder 1 to the arm 20 of the handling machine 23, the driver of the handling machine 23 initially brings the hooks or ears of the tool holder 1 into engagement with the tube of the tool before bringing, by pivoting the tool holder around the tube of the tool, each location 3 for receiving the tool 1 of the tool holder 1 into a position in which the through-bore of the tool is arranged in coincidence with the through-recesses of said location 3 for receiving the tool of the tool holder 1. The coupling is finalized once the locking axes 4 are arranged in the locked position.

[0044] The tool holder 1 comprises two parallel locking axes 4 each mounted so as to slide between an unlocked position in which they extend at least partially inside the body 2 and a locked position in which they protrude at least partially into the or one of the receiving locations 3 of the tool holder 1 so as to be able to each be inserted into a part 22 of the tool 21.

[0045] These locking axes 4 are each housed at least partially in one of the crosspieces of the tool holder connecting the two cheeks of the tool holder 1, this crosspiece being hollow as can be seen in figure 3.

[0046] These locking axes 4 which, in the unlocked position, are housed inside said crosspiece, protrude, when they pass from the unlocked position to the locked position, from said tube to each be inserted into a location 3 for receiving the tool 21, as illustrated by the passage from figure 4 to figure 5.

[0047] In this embodiment, the locking axes 4 move from the unlocked position to the locked position by moving away from each other. As a variant and in particular in the case where the location(s) 3 for receiving the tool 21 are arranged within the interval defined by the cheeks of the body 2, the locking axes 4 are mounted to move in the direction of moving towards each other. the other when said locking axes 4 move from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0048] The tool holder 1 comprises, for the passage of the locking axes 4 from the unlocked position to the locked position, a mechanical connection 6. This mechanical connection 6 is, in the example shown, inserted at least partially into the tube housing the locking axes 4. This mechanical connection 6 integrally couples the locking axes 4 in movement in two opposite directions to allow, in parallel with the movement of one of the locking axes 4 in one direction, the synchronous movement of the other of the locking axes 4 in an opposite direction. In the examples shown, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, this mechanical connection 6 between the locking axes 4 is a meshing connection.

[0049] This mechanical connection 6 comprises a pinion 61 meshing with two parallel racks 62 each secured to a locking axis 4.

[0050] It is understood that the movement resulting from the sliding movement of one of the racks is transmitted by the pinion to the other rack. The two racks 62 thus move in synchronism in opposite directions.

[0051] Each locking axis 4 is equipped with a return member 7 configured to return the locking axis 4 to the locked position. This return member 7 is here in the form of a spring extending between a fixed part of the tool holder 1 and a part of the rack 62.

[0052] Thus, in the absence of retention of the locking axes 4 in the unlocked position, the locking axes 4 are in the locked position. To allow temporary retention of the locking axes 4 in the unlocked position, the tool holder 1 comprises at least one blocker 8 of at least one of the locking axes 4 in the unlocked position.

[0053] In the examples shown, a single active blocker 8 on one of the locking axes 4 is provided. The presence of a single blocker 8 is sufficient because of the solid mounting in displacement of the locking axes 4 thanks to the mechanical connection 6.

[0054] This blocker 8 is configured to move from the active position to the inactive position in parallel with the movement of the at least one location 3 for receiving the tool 21 from a state unoccupied by the tool to a state occupied by the tool 21 to allow the blocker 8 to move from the active position to the inactive position by simply inserting the tool 21 into the locations 3 for receiving a tool of the tool holder 1.

[0055] This blocker 8 is, in the examples shown, a part that moves by pivoting. Obviously, other embodiments of a mobile blocker, for example by translation, could also have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] The tool holder 1 comprises, for the passage from the active position to the inactive position of the blocker 8, a device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8. At least a part of the driving device 9 projects inside at least one of the locations 3 for receiving a tool 21 so as to be able to be acted upon by said tool in the positioned state of the tool 21 in said location 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0057] The device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8 comprises at least one pivoting part 91. The part of the device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8 projecting inside at least one of the locations 3 for receiving a tool 21 is formed by at least one part of said pivoting part 91. This pivoting part 91 is presented in the figures in the form of a pivoting lever bent to present an arm capable of extending in projection inside one of the locations 3 for receiving 2 the tool of the tool holder 1 when it encounters the tool 21, as illustrated in FIG. 4, this encounter resulting from the insertion of the tool 21 inside the U formed by said location 3 for receiving the tool, the bottom of said location corresponding to the web of the U being provided with a part of the pivoting lever.

[0058] The pivoting part 91 pivots. The pivoting movement of this pivoting part 91 is transmitted to the blocker 8 to bring it from the active position to the inactive position in which it releases one of the locking axes 4. The member 7 return of the 4 locking axes then returns the 4 locking axes to the locked position. Moving one of the 4 locking axes from the unlocked position to the locked position generates in parallel the movement of the other of the 4 locking axes from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0059] The transmission to the blocker 8 of a movement resulting from the pivoting of the pivoting part 91 can be carried out in different ways. In the example shown, the device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8 comprises at least one connecting rod 92 coupled to the pivoting part 91. This connecting rod 92 extends between the pivoting part 91 and the blocker 8, and is coupled with play to the blocker 8.

[0060] This blocker 8 comprises, for mounting with play with the connecting rod 92, a slot 81 inside which an axis 93 connecting the connecting rod 92 to the blocker 8 is able to circulate.

[0061] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the pivoting movement of the pivoting part 91 under the action of the tool 21 is transmitted via the connecting rod 92 to the blocker 8 to generate a pivoting movement of the blocker 8 which passes from the active position to the inactive position. The locking pins 4 are then inserted into the through housings of the receiving locations 3 and into the through bore of the tool 21 arranged in coincidence with said housings. The locking of the tool 21 is then completed.

[0062] To allow the locking axes 4 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position, the tool holder 1 comprises a device 5 for controlling the movement of the locking axes 4, visible in particular in FIGS. 5, 6A, 8 and 9. This control device 5 for controlling the movement of the locking axes 4 from the locked position to the unlocked position is a pivoting lever 51 engaged with at least one of the locking axes 4. This lever 51 extends at least partially projecting from the body to form a visual indicator of the position of the locking axes 4.

[0063] Thus in the locked position of the locking axes 4, as illustrated in figure 5, this pivoting lever 51, which is bent, partially projects outside the gap formed by the cheeks of the body 2 and may include a part in green projection to visually indicate to the driver of the machine that the locking axes 4 are in the locked position.

[0064] Conversely, in the unlocked position of the locking axes 4, as illustrated in figure 8, the pivoting lever 51 projects more widely outside the gap formed by the cheeks of the body 2 of the tool holder 1 and reveals a red color visible to the driver of the machine thus informed of the unlocked position of the locking axes 4.

[0065] The difference in the protruding position of the pivoting lever 51 can also be interpreted visually by the driver of the machine in the absence of a color code.

[0066] It is understood that when the locking axes 4 are in the locked position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the sole operation of the pivoting lever 51 does not make it possible to retain the locking axes 4 in the unlocked position because the blocker 8 remains in the inactive position due to the presence of the tool in the locations 3 for receiving a tool of the tool holder 1. It is therefore necessary to reset the blocker 8 to bring the tool holder 1 into a configuration in which the blocker 8 is able to move from the inactive position to the active position.

[0067] For this purpose, the tool holder 1 comprises a device 10 for resetting the blocker 8. This device 10 for resetting the blocker 8, which thus forms a resettable blocker, is configured to allow resetting of the blocker, including in the occupied state of the location(s) 3 for receiving the tool by said tool 21.

[0068] As illustrated in the figures, at least a portion of the resetting device 10 of the blocker 8 is mounted integral in displacement with at least one of the locking axes 4. Indeed, the resetting device 10 of the blocker 8 comprises at least one element 11 for returning the blocker 8 to the active position formed by the weight of the blocker 8 and / or an elastically deformable member and a neutralization member 12 of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in displacement to allow the blocker 8 to pass from the inactive position to the active position, including in the occupied state of said at least one location 3 for receiving a tool 21.

[0069] In the example of Figure 5, the return element 11 of the blocker 8 in the active position comprises both the weight of the blocker 8 due to the eccentric mounting of its pivot axis, on the other hand, a spring extending between the blocker 8 and a fixed part of the tool holder. This return element 11 acts against the device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8 when the locations 3 for receiving a tool of the tool holder 1 are occupied by the tool 21 as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0070] The neutralizing member 12 of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in movement is mounted integral in movement with the locking axes 4. This neutralizing member 12 projects from one of the locking axes 4 in a direction transverse to the locking axis 4 to form an active part by pushing on at least a part of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in movement.

[0071] The part of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in movement on which the neutralizing member 12 forms an active part by pushing, is here the part of the driving device 9 formed by the connecting rod 92. This neutralizing member 12, which is integral with one of the locking axes 4, is configured to act by pushing on at least one part of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in movement in the driven state of the locking axis 4 from the unlocked position to the locked position.This neutralizing member 12 is, in the case of the presence of a connecting rod 92 connected by a connecting pin 93 to the blocker, active by pushing on said connecting pin 93 capable of circulating inside the slot 81 of the connecting rod 92 to bring said connecting rod and the associated connecting pin 93 into the slot 81 in a position in which a pivoting movement of the blocker 8 for the passage from the inactive position to the active position is possible.

[0072] This movement of the connecting rod inside the slot 81 resulting from the pushing action of the neutralizing member 12 on said connecting rod 92 via the connecting axis 93 is visible when moving from figure 5 to figure 7 via figures 6A and 6B.

[0073] It is understood, with regard to figures 7 and 8, that, when the locking axis 4 is driven in movement from the locked position to the position unlocked by the control device 5, when this locking axis 4 is in the unlocked position, a notch provided on the locking axis 4 can engage with a part of the blocker 8 authorized to pivot to come and partially fit into this notch.

[0074] The blocker 8 is in the active position when a part of the blocker 8 is inserted into the notch carried by the locking axis 4. Obviously, the blocker 8 is in the inactive position when the blocker 8 is extended from said notch.

[0075] The function of the device 9 for driving the movement of the blocker 8 is therefore to move the blocker 8 to make it pass from an active position in which it is partially inserted into the notch of the locking axis 4 to an inactive position in which it is removed from the notch of the locking axis 4.

[0076] The return element 11 of the blocker 8 makes it possible to reintroduce a part of the blocker 8 into the notch as soon as this notch is positioned opposite the part of the blocker 8 with which it is capable of cooperating. The tool holder 1 may comprise at least one visual indicator 14 of the position of the blocker 8 and / or of the position of at least one part of the device 9 for driving the blocker 8 in movement.

[0077] To complete the tool holder 1, this tool holder 1 comprises at least one sensor 13 for detecting the position of at least one of the locking axes 4. This sensor 13 for detecting the position of at least one of the locking axes 4 can make it possible to send information to the machine.

[0078] Likewise, the tool 21 may be provided with a means, such as an RFID chip, capable of providing information to the machine.

[0079] The control unit of the machine can be configured to authorize or prohibit a movement of the lifting arm 20 of the machine based on said data.

[0080] Finally, as mentioned above, the tool holder 1 comprises at least one sensor for detecting the position of at least one of the locking axes 4 which can be implemented in the form of a color code as described above for the part of the pivoting lever 51 of the control device 5 visible to the operator.

[0081] In summary, the coupling of a tool 21 to a tool holder 1 comprises a step of introducing the tool 21 into the or at least one of the locations 3 of receiving the tool 21 to allow the blocker 8 to move from the active position to the inactive position, and consequently the locking axes 4 to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. This sequence of steps is illustrated by figures 3 to 6A.

[0082] The resetting of the blocker 8 is illustrated by figure 7 and takes place in the end-of-travel position of the locking axes 4.

[0083] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the actuation of the locking axis control device 5 for moving the locking axes 4 from a locked position to an unlocked position in order to allow the tool 21 to be uncoupled from the tool holder 1.

[0084] Figure 3 illustrates the return of the blocker 8 to the active position for holding the locking axes 4 in the unlocked position with the tool 21 removed from the receiving locations 3 of the tool holder 1.

[0085] Thanks to the presence of the resetting device, the tool 21 can be removed from the receiving locations 3 of the tool holder 1 after bringing the locking axes 4 into the unlocked position and automatically blocking said locking axes in said unlocked position.

Claims

Claims

1. Tool holder (1) interposable between an arm (20) of a handling machine and a tool (21) for coupling the tool (21) to the arm (20), said tool holder (1) said to be self-locking comprising a body (2) with at least one location (3) for receiving the tool (21) intended to be occupied by a part of the tool (21) in the coupled state of the tool (21) to the tool holder (1), two axes (4) parallel locking members each mounted so as to slide between an unlocked position in which they extend at least partially inside said body (2) and a locked position in which they at least partially protrude into the or one of the receiving locations (3) so as to be able to each be inserted into a part (22) of the tool (21), and a device (5) control for the passage of the locking axes (4) from the locked position to the unlocked position, characterized in that the locking axes (4) are connected to each other by a mechanical connection (6) coupling in a fixed manner in displacement said locking axes (4) in two opposite directions to allow, in parallel with the displacement of one of the locking axes (4) in one direction, the synchronous displacement of the other of the locking axes (4) in an opposite direction, in that each locking axis (4) is equipped with a return member (7) in the locked position, and in that the tool holder (1) comprises at least one blocker (8) of at least one of the locking axes (4) in the unlocked position, this blocker (8) being mounted movably between an active position and an inactive position,this blocker (8) being configured to pass from the active position to the inactive position in parallel with the passage of the at least one location (3) for receiving the tool (21) from a state unoccupied by the tool to a state occupied by the tool.,

2. Tool holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, for the passage from the active position to the inactive position of the blocker (8), a device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) and in that at least a part of the driving device (9) projects inside at least one of the locations (3) for receiving a tool (21).

3. Tool holder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) comprises at least one pivoting part (91) and in that the part of the device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) projects inside at least one of the locations (3) for receiving a tool (21) is formed by at least one part of said pivoting part (91).

4. Tool holder (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) comprises at least one connecting rod (92) coupled to said pivoting part (91), the connecting rod (92) extending between the pivoting part (91) and the blocker (8) and being coupled with play to the blocker (8).

5. Tool holder (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the blocker (8) comprises, for mounting with play with the connecting rod (92), a slot (81) inside which an axis (93) connecting the connecting rod (92) to the blocker (8) is able to circulate.

6. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tool holder (1) comprises a device (10) for resetting the blocker (8) and in that the device (10) for resetting the resettable blocker (8) is configured to allow resetting of the blocker including in the occupied state of said location (3) for receiving the tool by said tool (21).

7. Tool holder (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one part of the resetting device (10) of the blocker (8) is mounted integral in displacement with at least one of the locking axes (4).

8. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the device (10) for resetting the blocker (8) comprises at least one element (11) for returning the blocker (8) to the active position formed by the weight of the blocker (8) and / or an elastically deformable member and a neutralizing member (12) of the device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) to allow the blocker (8) to pass from the inactive position to the active position including in the occupied state of said at least one location (3) for receiving a tool (21).

9. Tool holder (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the neutralization member (12) of the device (9) for driving the movement of the blocker (8) is mounted integral in movement with the locking axes (4), this neutralization member (12) projecting from one of the locking axes (4) in a direction transverse to said axis (4) of locking to form an active part by pushing on at least part of the device (9) for driving the blocker (8) in movement.

10. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mechanical connection (6) between the locking axes (4) is a meshing connection.

11. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the control device (5) for moving the locking axes (4) from the locked position to the unlocked position is a lever (51) pivoting in engagement with at least one of the locking axes (4), this lever (51) extending at least partially projecting from the body (2) to form a visual indicator of the position of the locking axes (4).

12. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tool holder (1) comprises at least one sensor (13) for detecting the position of at least one of the locking axes (4).

13. Tool holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the tool holder (1) comprises at least one visual indicator (14) of the position of the blocker (8).

14. Assembly comprising at least one tool holder (1) and one tool (21) coupleable to said tool holder (1), characterized in that the tool holder (1) conforms to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Load handling machine (23) comprising at least one load handling arm (20) coupleable to a tool holder (1) itself coupleable to a tool (21), characterized in that the tool holder (1) conforms to one of claims 1 to 13.

16. Method for coupling a tool (21) to a tool holder (1) capable of equipping an arm (20) of a load handling machine, characterized in that the tool holder (1) being in accordance with one of claims 1 to 13, said method comprises a step of introducing the tool (21) into the or at least one of the locations (3) for receiving the tool (21) to allow the passage of the blocker (8) from the active position to the inactive position and consequently the passage of the locking axes (4) from the unlocked position to the locked position.

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