Chain coupling having locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain coupling (1) for a link chain, in particular for use in underground mining, comprising two C-shaped coupling halves (2, 3), the C-shaped ends of which can be inserted into each other in particular in the chain longitudinal direction (6) and which are interlocked by means of at least one locking pin (11) extending through the C-shaped ends transversely to the chain longitudinal direction (6). Two locking pins (11) are inserted from opposite sides, with each locking pin (11) having an expanded end (12).

Description

[0001] CHAIN ​​LOCK WITH LOCKING

[0002] The present invention relates to a chain lock according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Chain locks are well-known from the state of the art. These can also be called a Kenter lock or a flat lock. Such chain locks are used to connect two chain ends.

[0004] The chains are link chains. In particular, they are link chains made of round steel. Such a chain lock must connect the chain ends and transmit a corresponding tensile force in the chain's longitudinal direction. For this purpose, chain locks are locked accordingly. Usually, two lock halves are formed, which are inserted into one another and then locked via a locking element. A generic chain lock is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 004 266 A1. In this case, C-shaped lock halves are inserted into one another at their C-shaped ends in the chain's longitudinal direction. A locking bolt arranged transversely to the chain's longitudinal direction is then inserted through the lock ends, thus locking the lock halves.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to improve a chain lock known from the prior art in its load-bearing capacity and / or tensile force to be transmitted in the longitudinal direction of the chain and, at the same time, to provide it with favorable producibility.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention in a chain lock having the features in claim 1.

[0007] The chain lock is therefore used for a link chain, especially in underground mining. It has two C-shaped lock halves. These are made of a steel material, for example, by forging.

[0008] The C-shaped lock halves are interlocked with their C-shaped ends, longitudinally of the chain. The lock halves are then locked together by at least one locking bolt that extends transversely to the chain's longitudinal direction and passes through the C-shaped ends. The chain ends to be connected, i.e., the last chain links of each chain end, are then inserted into the respective lock halves. By inserting and locking the lock halves together, the chain ends are connected via the chain lock.

[0009] According to the invention, the chain lock is now characterized in that two locking bolts are inserted from opposite sides, each locking bolt having a flared end.

[0010] This inventive measure makes it possible to lock the chain locks together simply and effectively. Because the locking bolts are inserted from opposite sides and each locking bolt has a flared end, the expansion and, in case of doubt, the slipping of the outer fork of a C-shaped end caused by expansion are effectively prevented. The flared ends of the locking bolts thus hold the C-shaped ends of the lock halves together and in shape, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chain. This effectively increases the load-bearing capacity of the chain lock.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flared ends are conical. In particular, the cone angle of the conical flare is between 10 and 30 degrees, particularly between 15 and 25 degrees, and preferably between 22 and 24 degrees. According to the invention, the conical flare has the advantage that, compared to a flare with a stepped shoulder, a lower notch effect is observed. This, in turn, increases durability. The conical flare is also advantageous when driving out the locking bolts, as tilting is avoided. Opening the chain lock according to the invention is thus simplified.

[0012] The locking bolts themselves are secured in the chain link by a securing device in the form of a locking pin, for example, a key, a dowel pin, or a spring pin. For this purpose, the locking bolts are inserted into the chain link. A corresponding securing device is then inserted into the chain link transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain and transversely to the locking bolt. The locking bolts are thus held captively in their insertion direction. At the same time, the expanded surface is held relatively and absolutely in the chain link. The expanded end of the locking bolt thus holds the respective C-shaped end of a chain link in position in a form-fitting manner, following the principle of an undercut.

[0013] For example, the locking bolts can preferably have a circumferential groove, in which case a securing bolt is inserted transversely to the locking bolt. For example, the securing bolt is a locking split pin or a spring split pin, which can be driven in.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the lock halves themselves are mirror-symmetrical. Mirror symmetry exists only with respect to the central longitudinal plane. In particular, the legs are complementary or corresponding to one another. One lock half thus has a forked extension at one C-shaped end. The other C-shaped end can then be designed as a web extension. In particular, if the lock halves are complementary or corresponding to one another as described above, the web extension of one lock half is inserted into the forked extension of the other lock half. The other lock half, in turn, has a forked extension, into which the web extension of the second lock half then engages.

[0015] When two lock halves are nested together, the bar extension engages with the fork extension of the other lock half. The locking element, in particular the locking bolt, then passes through the fork extension and the bar extension, thus locking the lock halves together.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, each locking bolt used penetrates the lock halves almost completely, in particular completely, but at least in the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt or height of the lock half at least 90%, in particular more than 95%, preferably more than 96% and most preferably completely.

[0017] To execute the locking movement, the C-shaped ends themselves can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the chain and inserted into each other. However, it would also be conceivable for the C-shaped ends to extend in the longitudinal direction of the chain, but for the locking movement to occur transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain. The corresponding locking bolts would then be inserted transversely to the locking movement and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the openings in the lock halves into which the locking bolts are inserted have a widened receiving opening. The widened end of a locking bolt then comes into contact with the receiving opening at least partially, in particular completely, or is received therein. When the locking bolt is inserted, the chain lock is thus flush with the outside. Consequently, the widened end of the locking bolt does not protrude outwards beyond the lock half. For this purpose, the receiving opening is formed, in particular, in an outer fork of a forked end. The chain lock can thus run in an upper or lower strand or pass through a chain wheel without the locking bolt protruding externally.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible for a spacer to be inserted into a central opening. However, the lock halves are preferably designed such that a spacer extension directed inwards towards an opening is formed on a C-shaped end, in particular on an inner fork extension of the fork-shaped end. The two spacer extensions then come into contact on the inside when the lock halves are fitted together. Thus, two receiving openings are formed in the chain lock, which are separated by the spacer extensions. In this case, a centrally arranged spacer is omitted. The locking bolts preferably also pass through the spacer extensions in the locked state.

[0020] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are illustrated in schematic figures. These serve to facilitate understanding of the invention. They show:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a chain lock according to the invention in perspective view,

[0022] Figure 2 shows a chain lock according to the invention in side view,

[0023] Figure 3 shows a chain lock according to the invention in plan view,

[0024] Figure 4 shows a chain lock according to the invention in longitudinal section.

[0025] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0026] Figure 1 shows the chain lock 1 according to the invention. The chain lock 1 has two lock halves 2, 3. The lock halves 2, 3 are designed to be complementary or corresponding to one another, in particular as described above. As can be seen in Figure 2, each lock half 2, 3 is individually C-shaped. The resulting ends of the C-shape are also referred to in this application as C-shaped ends. Each C-shaped end of a lock half 2, 3 is designed as a web extension 4. Complementarily, the other end is designed as a fork extension 5. The web extension 4 engages in the fork extension 5 in the longitudinal direction 6 of the chain or is received therein in a form-fitting manner. Locking can be achieved, as shown here, by guiding the lock halves 2, 3 into one another in the longitudinal direction 6 of the chain. However, locking could also be achieved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain. The locking movement would occur into the image plane.

[0027] An outer fork 7 of the fork extension 5 is then arranged on the outside. A respective spacer extension 9 is formed on an inner fork 8. The two spacer extensions 9 abut each other on their inner side, particularly preferably against each other. Thus, two receiving openings 10 are formed and separated from each other, such that chain ends (not shown in detail) are received in the receiving openings 10 with the respective last chain link.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 3, but also in particular Figure 4, two locking bolts 11 are inserted parallel to each other, spaced apart, transversely to the chain's longitudinal direction 6, from opposite sides into the lock halves 2, 3. The locking bolts 11 penetrate the C-shaped ends, i.e., the web extension 4 and the fork extension 5, and thus lock the lock halves 2, 3 in the chain's longitudinal direction 6.

[0029] The locking bolts 11 each have a flared end 12. The flared end 12 holds the outer fork 7 in a transverse direction 13, which runs transversely to the chain's longitudinal direction 6, in a positive-locking manner. This prevents the outer fork 7 from expanding.

[0030] To prevent the locking bolts 11 themselves from being moved out in the transverse direction 13, securing bolts 14 are also inserted. These securing bolts 14 are, for example, driven-in spring pins. The locking bolts 11 have a circumferential groove 15. As shown in Figure 4, the securing bolt 14 engages in the circumferential groove 15 and thus holds the locking bolt 11 positively in the chain lock 1. Movement in the transverse direction 13 is thus prevented when the securing bolt 14 is inserted. The locking bolt 11 can then be round in its cross-section, as shown here. However, it would also be conceivable for the locking bolts to have a different cross-sectional geometry. However, in this case, one outer end is widened compared to the cross-sectional geometry.

[0031] Preferably, the widened end 12 is formed as a conical widening. The cone angle a is preferably between 10 and 30 degrees. According to the invention, the conical widening prevents any notch effect on the outer fork 7 or the locking bolt 11.

[0032] Furthermore, Figure 4 shows that the flared end 12 is also positively received in a receiving opening 17. The outer side 16 of the chain lock 1 and / or the flared end 12 of the locking bolt 11 are thus flat, and the flared end 12 is recessed into the outer fork 7.

[0033] Reference symbol:

[0034] 1 - Chain lock

[0035] 2 - Half of the castle

[0036] 3 - Half of the castle

[0037] 4 - Pontine process

[0038] 5 - Forked process

[0039] 6 - Chain longitudinal direction

[0040] 7 - outer fork

[0041] 8 - inner fork

[0042] 9 - Distance process

[0043] 10 - Receiving opening

[0044] 11 - Locking bolt

[0045] 12 - flared end

[0046] 13 - Transverse direction

[0047] 14 - Safety bolt

[0048] 15 - circumferential groove

[0049] 16 - Outside

[0050] 17 - Receiving opening a - Cone angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Chain lock (1) for a link chain, in particular for use in underground mining, comprising two C-shaped lock halves (2, 3) which can be plugged into one another with their C-shaped ends, in particular in the longitudinal direction (6) of the chain, and which are locked together by means of at least one locking bolt (11) which passes through the C-shaped ends transversely to the longitudinal direction (6) of the chain, characterized in that two locking bolts (11) are inserted from opposite sides, each locking bolt (11) having a widened end (12).

2. Chain lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the widened ends (12) have a conical widening.

3. Chain lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cone angle (a) is formed between 10 and 30 degrees, in particular between 15 and 25 degrees, preferably between 22 and 24 degrees.

4. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two locking bolts (11) are arranged parallel to one another, wherein the locking bolts (11) are offset parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction (6) of the chain.

5. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bolts (11) are held in the chain lock (1) by a securing means.

6. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bolts (11) have a circumferential groove (15), wherein a securing bolt (14) is inserted transversely to the chain longitudinal direction (6) and transversely to the locking bolt (11).

7. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs of the lock halves (2, 3) are designed to be complementary or corresponding to one another.

8. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one lock half (2, 3) has a fork extension (5) as a C-shaped end and a web extension (4) as a further C-shaped end.

9. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings into which the locking bolts (11) are inserted have a widened receiving opening (10) into which the widened end (12) of a locking bolt (11) is at least partially, in particular completely, received.

10. Chain lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the widened receiving opening (10) is formed in an outer fork (7) of a fork-shaped end.

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