ANCHOR DEVICE WITH SNAP MECHANISM

Abstract

The invention relates to an anchor device (1) with a base part (2) for attachment to an object (10), such as a load ora loading surface. The anchor device (1) also has a connecting part (6) which is held on the base part (2) and can be pivoted relative to the base part about a swivel axis (4). The base part (2) has a bearing surface (8) for contact with the object. The connecting part has an opening (12) for attaching a fastening, lifting, lashing or tensioning means. In order to increase the handling of the anchor device (1) and its operational safety, a snap mechanism (29), which has at least one snap position (30) along a pivoting movement (28) of the connecting part about the swivel axis, is provided in accordance with the invention. The snap mechanism generates a braking force (32) in the direction of the pivoting movement in front of the snap position which is reduced in the direction of the pivoting movement behind the snap position. The snap mechanism can be used to allow the connecting part to automatically assume certain positions along the pivoting movement. In addition, the snap mechanism can be used to prevent the connecting part from hitting the object or to latch the connecting part in a non-use position.

Claims

1. Anchor device (1) with a base part (2) for attachment to an object (10) such as a load or loading surface, and with a connecting part (6) which is held on the base part so as to be pivotable about a swivel axis (4) relative to the base part, wherein the base part has a bearing surface (8) for contact with the object and the connecting part has an opening (12) for fastening of a fastening, lifting, lashing or tensioning means, characterized in that a snap mechanism (29) is provided, which has at least one snap position (30) along a pivoting movement (28) of the connecting part (6) about the swivel axis (4) and which generates in the direction of the pivoting movement in front of the snap position a braking force (32) directed against the pivoting movement, the braking force (32) being reduced in the direction of the pivoting movement behind the snap position.

2. Anchor device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at the snap position (30) the connecting part (6) is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the bearing surface (8).

3. Anchor device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the snap mechanism (29) has at least one section on the base part side and at least one section on the connecting part side.

4. Anchor device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the snap mechanism (29) is at least partially located in a gap (16) between the connecting part (6) and the base part (2).

5. Anchor device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in front of the snap position (30) the braking force (32) against the pivoting movement (28) increases at least in sections in the direction of the pivoting movement with decreasing distance from the snap position (30).

6. Anchor device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the snap mechanism (29) comprises a spring arrangement (42) which, when the snap position (30) is reached by the connecting part (6), is deflected more strongly than when the connecting part (6) is spaced apart from the snap position (30).

7. Anchor device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring arrangement (42) has at least one spring (44) which at least partially encompasses the base part (2) or the connecting part (6).

8. Anchor device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the spring arrangement (42) has a projection (46) projecting away from the base part (2) towards the connecting part (6) or away from the connecting part (6) towards the base part (2).

9. Anchor device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the snap mechanism (29) has at least one latching projection (40) which interacts with the spring arrangement (42) at least at the at least one snap position (30).

10. Anchor device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one latching projection (40) is arranged on the connecting part (6).

11. Anchor device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a plurality of latching projections (40) is arranged around the swivel axis (4).

12. Anchor device (1) according to claim 8 and one of the claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, at least at the at least one snap position (30), the latching projection (40) and the projection (46) of the spring arrangement (42) lie against one another amidst deflection of at least the spring arrangement (42).

13. Anchor device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connecting part (6) is aligned at an acute angle (36) or parallel to the bearing surface (8) at the at least one further snap position (30).

14. Anchor device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that at the at least one further snap position (30) the connecting part (6) is held at least under its own weight at a distance from an mounting plane (26) spanned by the bearing surface (8).

15. Anchor device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a latching projection (40) is provided at the at least one further snap position (30), the flanks (41) of which extend less steeply than the flanks (41) of the latching projection (40) of a snap position for the connecting part (6) located at or nearer to the perpendicular (38).

Description

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of an anchor device according to the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the anchor device of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a base part of the anchor device of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of another anchor device;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of another anchor device;

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a detail of FIG. 7;

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of another anchor device;

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of another anchor device;

[0045] FIG. 11 shows a schematic sectional view of another anchor device.

[0046] First of all, the construction and functions of the anchor device 1 according to the invention are explained with reference to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0047] The anchor device 1 has a base part 2 and a connecting part 6 which can be pivoted about a swivel axis 4 relative to the base part 2 and is attached to the base part 2.

[0048] The base part 2 has a bearing surface 8, which serves to rest on an object 10, for example a load or a loading area.

[0049] The connecting part 6 has an opening 12, which is used to attach a fastening, lashing, lifting or tensioning device that is not shown. For example, a hook, a carabiner, a shackle, a rope and/or a belt can be hooked into opening 12. The connecting part 6 is at least approximately bracket-shaped and has two legs 14, which extend away from the swivel axis 4 and from the base part 2. The legs 14 are opposite each other with regard to the base part 2, so that the base part 2 is between the legs. At the base part side end of each leg 14 there is an axle or an axle stub 15 which extends coaxially to the swivel axis 4 into the base part 2.

[0050] A gap 16 is formed between the base part 2 and the connecting part 6. The opening 12 may be separated from the base part 2 by a strut 18 which extends from one leg 14 to the other leg 14, preferably parallel to the swivel axis 4.

[0051] The base part 2 can be rotatable relative to the object 10 about an axis of rotation 20, so that the connecting part 1 can align itself along a force applied by the fastening, lifting, lashing or tensioning means by pivoting the swivel axis 4 and turning it about the axis of rotation 20. In order to ensure rotation with respect to the object 10, the bearing surface 8 may, for example, be formed by a bush 22 which is rotatable relative to the base part 2 and which passes through the base part at least in sections in the direction of the axis of rotation 20. Between the bush 22 and base part 2 there is a pivot bearing 24, for example a roller bearing or plain bearing. The bush 22 preferably protrudes on the side of base part 2 facing away from connecting part 6.

[0052] A mounting plane 26 defined by the bearing surface 8 is preferably parallel to the swivel axis 4 and/or perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20. The axis of rotation 20 is preferably perpendicular to the swivel axis 4 and can in particular intersect the swivel axis 4.

[0053] The pivoting movement of the connecting part 6 about the swivel axis 4 is shown by the double arrows 28.

[0054] The anchor device 1 is provided with a snap mechanism 29 which has at least one snap position 30, preferably a plurality of snap positions 30, along the pivoting movement 28 of the connecting part 6 about the swivel axis 4. A snap action takes place at a snap position. In the course of the snap action, the snap mechanism 29 generates a braking force 32 along the pivoting movement 28 of the connecting part about the swivel axis 4 in front of the snap position 30, which is directed against the pivoting movement 28 and which is reduced in the direction of the pivoting movement 28 behind the snap position30. The reduction in braking force 32 at the snap position can be continuous or, preferably, discontinuous or stepwise. In the course of the reduction, the braking force 32 can be directed in the direction of the pivoting movement 28 behind the snap position 30 in the direction of the pivoting movement 28, so that a sign reversal takes place at the snap position. Alternatively, the braking force can drop abruptly behind the snap position 30, for example to at least approximately zero.

[0055] Preferably, the snap position 30 is located at a position in which the connecting part 6 is aligned at least approximately perpendicular to the mounting plane 26. For example, an opening plane 34 determined by opening 12, which can be a compensation plane if opening 12 is not planar, can run parallel to or through the axis of rotation 20. Further snap positions 30 can be arranged in such a way that an acute angle 36 is enclosed between connecting part 6 located at the other snap position 30 and the mounting plane 8 and/or connecting part 6 runs parallel to the mounting plane 26. For example, there may be snap positions 30 at at least one angle of approximately 60°, 45°, 30°, 0° and/or −5° to −30° to the mounting plane. Preferably, the snap positions 30 are symmetrical to both sides of the vertical 38 on the mounting plane 26.

[0056] To create the snap positions 30, the snap mechanism 29 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 has a latching projection 40 at each snap position 30. The flanks 41 of a latching projection 40 can extend differently steep. Likewise, different latching projections can have flanks of different steepness. The heights of the latching projections 40 can also be different. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the latching projections 40 are located on the base part 2 and project in gap 16 to the opposite connecting part 6 or the opposite leg 14.

[0057] The snap mechanism 29 further comprises at least one spring arrangement 42 which cooperates with the at least one latching projection 40 at least to the snap position. In the embodiment shown, the spring arrangement 42 is located on the connecting part 6. The spring arrangement 42 therefore moves with connecting part 6 along the pivoting movement 28. The latching projections 40 are arranged around the swivel axis 4, preferably at the same distance from the swivel axis 4, so that in the course of the pivoting movement 28, the spring arrangement 42 sweeps the latching projections 40 one after the other.

[0058] As shown, on each leg 14 there can be a spring arrangement 42 projecting into the gap 16 to the base part 2.

[0059] The spring arrangement 42 can have at least one spring 44 which is deflected at at least one snap position 30. The spring 44 can at least partially encompass the connecting part 6, in particular a leg 14, for example by being designed as a yoke or clamping spring. A projection 46 of the spring 44 can interact directly with the latching projections 40 by snapping over the latching projections 40 at a snap position 30.

[0060] In the course of the pivoting movement 28, the spring arrangement 42 is increasingly deflected by the flanks 41 as it approaches the snap position 30, so that a deflection or braking force 32 is generated which is directed counter to the pivoting movement 28. The rate at which the braking force 32 per angular unit of the pivoting movement 28 builds up is determined by the steepness of the flanks 41. A flat flank 41 builds up the braking force 32 over a larger section of the pivoting movement 28 than a steep flank. The height of the braking force 32 is determined by the height of the latching projection 30. The higher the latching projection 30 is, the higher the braking force. A friction force and/or restoring force can be generated by the latching projection 30 and its flanks 41, both of which are part of the braking force. The restoring force differs from the friction force in that it not only brakes the pivoting movement but also generates a restoring torque directed against the pivoting movement. The frictional force, on the other hand, only slows down the pivoting movement. The restoring force can be generated by deforming the spring arrangement parallel to the pivoting movement and/or by deflecting the friction force on a flank outside the friction cone.

[0061] In the design shown, the snap mechanism 29 is preferably used at the same time as a bracket fall brake, which can hold the connecting part 6 at a distance from the mounting plane 26 at least under its own weight. This is done by the fact that the latching projection 40 at the at least corresponding snap position is sufficiently high to slow down the falling of the connecting part 6 under the effect of gravity and to stop it before reaching the mounting plane 8 and before snapping over the snap position 30.

[0062] To avoid springback, the flank 41, which increasingly deflects the spring arrangement 42 along the pivoting movement 28 towards the mounting plane 26, may be less inclined than, for example, the other flank 41, which is located between the latching projection 40 and the mounting plane 26. This results in a gradual increase in the braking force, while the steep flanks create a defined transition point when the connecting part is aligned vertically, which has little effect on the rest of the movement of the connecting part around the vertical.

[0063] The other snap positions 30, where the connecting part is parallel or at an acute angle 36 to the mounting plane 26, can also be used to latch the connecting part, for example, into a non-use position 48, in which the bracket is in contact with mounting plane 26 or object 10 and is latched in this position by the snap position 30.

[0064] Next, the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is described, whereby for simplicity's sake only the differences to the previous embodiment are dealt with.

[0065] For example, the embodiment in FIG. 5 shows a fastener 50 with which the anchor device 1 can be fastened to the object 10. The fastener 50, for example, is a screw bolt inserted through the bush 22.

[0066] In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring arrangement 42 is located on the base part 2. The spring 44 is of bracket-shaped design and has a spring projection 46 at two positions opposite the connecting part 6, which interacts with a latching projection 40 on the leg side or connecting part side. The spring 44 is essentially U-shaped, with the spring projection 46 formed on the two legs. The spring arrangement 42 embraces the base part 2 at least in sections. It is held captive at the base part, for example by holding it in a pocket 52 of the base part, which can be closed from above by an upper part 54 of the bush.

[0067] In this embodiment, there is only one single snap position 30 with the connecting part 6 or the opening 12 or the opening plane 34 aligned perpendicular to the bearing surface 8.

[0068] At the snap position, the two latching projections 40 on the connecting part side snap in the course of the pivoting movement 28 via the spring arrangement 42 or the projections 46 of the spring 44.

[0069] By deforming the spring before reaching the snap position 30, a braking force 32 is generated before reaching the snap position 30. After exceeding the snap position 30 the spring 44 pushes the legs 14 away from the snap position 30.

[0070] Instead of the variant with a U-shaped yoke spring shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is of course also possible to provide two individual springs on the base part side, each of which is opposite the legs 14.

[0071] In addition, the snap mechanism 29 of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is also located in the at least one gap 16 between connecting part 6 and base part 2.

[0072] In the design of FIGS. 7 and 8 there are three snap positions 30. At each snap position 30 there is a spring arrangement 42 in the form of a resilient pressure piece 56, for example a ball pressure pin, which is at least partially embedded in the base part 2.

[0073] The snap mechanism 29 also has a latching projection 40, which is formed here by a clamping or yoke spring 44, which at least in sections embraces one of the legs 14 of the connecting part 6. The latching projection 40 is therefore resilient in this design. Alternatively, the latching projection 40 can also be rigid as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, for example formed by a projection formed by leg 14. At the snap positions 30, the latching projection 40 moves over the spring arrangement 42 located at each snap position 30. Shortly before the snap positions 30 located along the pivoting movement 28 to the mounting plane 26, the connecting part 6 is braked, as in the design of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0074] Of course, the resilient pressure piece 56 can also be arranged on the connecting part 6 opposite the base part 2 and the latching projections 40 on the base part 2. As a further alternative, instead of the resilient pressure pieces 56, solid latching projections formed from the base part 2, which are for example spherical, can also be provided. In this case the spring 44 is part of the spring arrangement 42.

[0075] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 8, the spring arrangement 42 at the snap position is arranged essentially axially to the swivel axis 4 in relation to the at least one latching projection 40. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 11, on the other hand, the spring arrangement 42 is essentially in the radial direction opposite the at least one latching projection. This makes it possible to arrange the snap mechanism 29 within the base part 2. The arrangement within the base part 2 protects the snap mechanism 29 from mechanical damage.

[0076] With the embodiment of FIG. 9, the spring arrangement 42 is arranged between the underside 58 of connecting part 6 facing the bearing surface 8 and the bearing surface 8. The spring arrangement 42 can be fitted between a lower part 60 of base part 2, e.g. the bush 22, and base part 2 in a loss-proof manner. In this configuration, the connecting part 6 has, for example, at its axle or its axle stub 15 at least one latching projection 40 projecting radially to the swivel axis 4, which interacts with the corresponding spring projection 46 at the snap position 30.

[0077] In order to create several snap positions 30 in this design along the pivoting movement 28, several radial latching projections 40 can be provided on the outer circumference of the axle stub 15 extending parallel to the swivel axis 4 in the direction around the swivel axis 4.

[0078] Here as well, a spring arrangement 42 can be provided instead of the latching projection 40 on the connecting part, which interacts with corresponding radially inwardly projecting latching projections 40 on the base part at the snap positions 30.

[0079] In FIG. 10, a resilient pressure piece 56 is inserted into the base part 2 as spring arrangement 42. The resilient pressure piece is aligned vertically or radially to the swivel axis 4.

[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the snap mechanism 29 has a friction element 62 which is located between the spring 44 and the latching projection 40. Due to the friction element 62, a spring projection 46 can be dispensed with, since an equally acting projection is formed by the friction element 62. The friction element 62, e.g. a ball, can be held in the spring arrangement 42 so that it cannot be lost. In contrast to the ball pressure pin 56 of FIG. 10 the spring 44 is a leaf spring. Here as well, several latching projections 40 can be present along the pivoting movement 28 around the swivel axis 4 in order to create several snap positions 30 along the pivoting movement 28.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0081] 1 anchor device [0082] 2 base part [0083] 4 swivel axis [0084] 6 connecting part [0085] 8 bearing surface [0086] 10 object [0087] 12 opening [0088] 14 legs [0089] 15 axle or axle stub [0090] 16 gap [0091] 18 strut [0092] 20 axis of rotation [0093] 22 bush [0094] 24 pivot bearing [0095] 26 mounting plane [0096] 28 pivoting movement [0097] 29 snap mechanism [0098] 30 snap position [0099] 32 braking force [0100] 34 opening plane [0101] 36 acute angle [0102] 38 vertical position of the connecting part [0103] 40 latching projection [0104] 41 flank of the latching projection [0105] 42 spring arrangement [0106] 44 spring [0107] 46 projection of the spring arrangement [0108] 48 non-use position [0109] 50 fastener [0110] 52 pocket [0111] 54 upper part of bush [0112] 56 resilient pressure piece [0113] 58 underside of the connecting part [0114] 60 lower part of the base part [0115] 62 friction element