Female part of an animal-identification device comprising an element for locking the male part inside the female part

Abstract

A female part of an animal-identifying device, which includes a cavity intended to receive a head of a male part of the animal-identifying device. The cavity includes a blocking element provided within the cavity to hold the head inside the cavity. The blocking element includes a base and at least two resilient claws extending from the base towards an entrance of the cavity. The claws are movable between several positions, including: a resting position before insertion of the head into the cavity, in which the claws are relaxed; an insertion position, in which the claws are stressed into opening; and a blocking position after insertion of the head into the cavity, enabling blocking of the head inside the cavity.

Claims

1. A female part of an animal-identifying device, comprising: a cavity to receive a head of a male part of said animal-identifying device, said cavity comprising a blocking element provided within said cavity, to hold said head inside said cavity, said blocking element comprising a base and at least two resilient claws extending from said base towards an entrance of said cavity, said base of the blocking element being cylindrical or partially spherical, said claws being shaped as a truncated cone whose smallest diameter corresponds to the diameter of said base and being movable between several positions, comprising: a resting position before insertion of the head into the cavity, in which the claws are relaxed, an insertion position, in which the claws are stressed into opening, and a blocking position after insertion of the head into the cavity, enabling blocking of said head inside said cavity.

2. The female part according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said base or said claws of said blocking element are made out of metal.

3. The female part according to claim 1, wherein said blocking element defines a housing adapted to receive the head of said male part, said base being configured to receive a pointed extremity of said head.

4. The female part according to claim 1, wherein the base of said blocking element has a back wall.

5. The female part according to claim 1, wherein said claws are distributed uniformly around said base.

6. The female part according to claim 1, further comprising a lock that locks the blocking element in the blocking position.

7. The female part according to claim 6, wherein the lock prevents the claws of the blocking element from being stressed into opening in the blocking position.

8. The female part according to claim 1, wherein the base of the blocking element is a spherical cap having a shape complementary with a back of said cavity.

9. The female part according to claim 1, wherein the base of the blocking element is in contact with the back of the cavity in the insertion position.

10. The female part according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element is not forced into contact with the back of the cavity in the resting position.

11. The female part according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element is free to contact the back of the cavity in the resting position.

12. An animal-identifying device comprising: a male part having a head and a section with a perimeter; and a female part comprising: a cavity to receive the head of the male part, said cavity comprises comprising a blocking element provided within said cavity, to hold said head inside said cavity, said blocking element comprising a base and at least two resilient claws extending from said base towards an entrance of said cavity, said base of the blocking element being cylindrical or partially spherical, said claws being shaped as a truncated cone whose smallest diameter corresponds to the diameter of said base and being movable between several positions, comprising: a resting position before insertion of the head into the cavity, in which the claws are relaxed, an insertion position, in which the claws are stressed into opening, and a blocking position after insertion of the head into the cavity, enabling blocking of said head inside said cavity.

13. The animal-identifying device according to claim 12, wherein a perimeter defined by a distal end of the claws in the blocking position is appreciably equal to the perimeter of the section of said male part.

14. The animal-identifying device according to claim 12, further comprising a lock that prevents the claws of the blocking element from being stressed into opening in the blocking position.

Description

5. LIST OF FIGURES

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention shall appear more clearly from the following description of a particular embodiment given by way of a simple, illustratory and non-exhaustive example and from the appended drawings of which:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a ring used to hold a male part in a female part according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a blocking element according to one embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate a first embodiment of the invention according to which the blocking element is not pre-stressed into opening;

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B, 6A and 6B illustrate two variants of a second embodiment of the invention according to which the blocking element is pre-stressed into opening;

(6) FIGS. 5A and 5B propose an example of the locking of the blocking element in the blocked position.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

6.1 General Principle

(7) The general principle of the invention relies on the use of a blocking element provided within the receiving cavity of a female part, enabling the passage of a head of a male part so that it is inserted into the cavity of the female part, but preventing its withdrawal.

(8) Such a blocking element is illustrated in FIG. 2. It comprises a base 21 and at least two resilient claws 22 extending from the base 21 towards the entrance of the cavity of the female part. The elasticity or resilience of the claws can be obtained by using a material such as metal, nylon, a fiberglass-enriched composite material, etc.

(9) The base 21 can have a two-dimensional circular shape, such as the shape of a ring, a disc, or a three-dimensional shape such as the shape of a cylinder and/or a half-sphere or a sphere segment (in particular a spherical cap), so that it can cooperate with the back of the cavity of the female parts classically used in the field of animal identification. It can especially have a back wall 211 which can be plane or rounded. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the base is formed by a hollow cylinder having a rounded back wall taking the form of a spherical cap.

(10) The claws 22 extend from the disc or the ring forming the base 21 or from the extremity (base) of the cylinder or from the sphere segment, opposite the back of the cavity, towards the entrance hole of the cavity. It has a flared shape (i.e. the diameter defined by the unattached extremity of the claws is greater than the diameter defined at the base of the claws) and it is truncatedly conical so as to define a housing adapted to receiving the head of the male part. The claws are advantageously distributed uniformly around the base.

(11) Each claw is formed by a spring leaf which can be folded back as a hook to maintain the male head in a blocked position. For example, each claw 22 has at least two portions, including one straight portion 221 defining the flared shape and a curved portion 222 defining the hook. For example, the straight portion has a length of the order of 7 mm to 10 mm and the curved portion has a length of the order of 1 mm to 3 mm.

(12) These claws are movable between two positions, a position of insertion enabling the insertion of the head into the cavity (in the direction of the arrow F) and a blocking position enabling the blocking of the head within the cavity. In the insertion position, the claws are slightly spaced apart to let through the male head. In the blocking position, the claws block the male part in position within the female cavity.

(13) According to one particular embodiment, the number and/or dimension of the claws are chosen so that, in the blocked position, the perimeter defined by the unattached extremity of the claws is appreciably equal to the perimeter of a section of the male part, for example to the perimeter of a section of the rod of the male part. In other words, the inner diameter defined by the unattached extremity of the claws is appreciably equal to the diameter of the rod at the junction between the rod and the male head.

(14) Here below, we describe different examples of implementation of the invention.

(15) Classically, an animal-identifying device is deemed to comprise a male part, formed by a rod extending from a support and terminating in a head, and a female part comprising a cavity for receiving the head of the male part. At its base, the male part has a diameter greater than that of the rod. The junction between the rod and the male head therefore defines a first shoulder. If necessary, a second shoulder can be defined on the rod.

(16) Such an animal-identifying device can especially be formed by two parts comprising a male part and a female part that are separate or a single part, the male part and the female part being then linked by a flexible link.

6.2 First Embodiment

(17) Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, we describe a first embodiment of the invention according to which claws of the blocking element are “relaxed” before the male part is inserted into the female part.

(18) Before the male head is inserted into the female part, the blocking element 20 is in a resting position as illustrated in FIG. 3A. For example, the base of the blocking element 20 is in contact with the back of the cavity 30 and no stress is applied to the claws of the blocking element 20 which are therefore “relaxed”.

(19) When the male part is inserted into the female part, the pointed shape of the male head 31 enables the claws of the blocking element 20 to be gradually moved apart up to the maximum diameter of the male head as illustrated in FIG. 3B. A stress is therefore exerted by the male part 31 on the claws of the blocking element 20. This position corresponds to a position of insertion, enabling the head to be inserted into the cavity.

(20) As illustrated in FIG. 3C, once the male head is inserted into the cavity 30, i.e. once the first shoulder 311 of the male head has passed through the unattached extremity of the claws, the stress exerted by the male head on the claws of the blocking element 20 is relaxed and the claws resume their original position. In this position, the claws of the blocking element grip the male part at the base of the first shoulder 311. This position corresponds to a blocking position enabling the male head to be blocked inside the cavity.

(21) If necessary, locking means, such as a locking ring, can be used to lock the blocking element into the blocked position preventing especially the opening/spreading apart of the claws after insertion of the male head into the female part.

6.3 Second Embodiment

(22) Referring henceforth to FIGS. 4A to 6B, we present a second embodiment of the invention according to which the claws of the blocking element are stressed into opening before the male part is inserted into the female part.

(23) According to the first example illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is considered for example that the female part comprises a cover 41 for receiving the head of the male part, defining the cavity, a crown-shaped lid 42 fixedly attached to the receiving cover, defining the entrance to the cavity, and the element 20 for blocking the male head in the female part. The lid 42 can if necessary be closed by a tearable shutter ensuring first-time use of the female part and preventing the introduction of fouling material within the cavity. Such a shutter can be torn by the male head during the insertion of the male head into the female part.

(24) Before the male head 31 is inserted into the female part, the blocking element 20 is stressed into opening, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. To this end, the unattached extremity of each claw of the blocking element 20 is placed in a housing of the female part so as to force the opening of the claws. For example, such a housing is a groove formed in the female part at the entrance hole of the cavity. Such a housing can also be a recess formed in the lid 42. This position corresponds to a position of insertion enabling the insertion of the head into the cavity.

(25) In this insertion position, the base of the blocking element 20 is not in contact with the back of the cavity.

(26) The male head 31 can easily penetrate the receiving cavity of the female part, since the claws of the blocking element are stressed into opening and therefore do not hamper the introduction of the male head. The laying or positioning force is therefore reduced. When the pointed extremity of the male head abuts the back wall 211 on the blocking element 20, the male head pushes the back wall 211 towards the back of the cavity of the female part. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the translation of the blocking element 20 towards the back of the cavity releases the claws from their housing as soon as the movement is sufficient (for example when the back wall 211 of the blocking element 20 comes into contact with the back of the cavity, or before this happens). The stress exerted on the claws of the blocking element 20 is therefore relaxed and the claws can close. In this position, the claws of the blocking element grip the male part at the base of the first shoulder 311. This position corresponds to a blocking position, enabling the blocking of the male head within the cavity.

(27) As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, locking means 51 can be used to lock the blocking element in the blocking position. For example, such locking means comprise a locking ring or locking balls.

(28) In the insertion position, these locking means 51 are held by the claws of the blocking element 20 in the housing of the female part (for example a housing provided in the lid 52). In the blocking position, these locking means 51 are released.

(29) According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the insertion position, the claws of the blocking element compress the ring (or the balls) and a locking spring 511 against a wall of a housing provided for this purpose on the female part. As described here above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the base of the locking element 20 is not in contact with the back of the cavity in this insertion position.

(30) When the male head pushes the back wall 211 of the blocking element 20 towards the back of the cavity of the female part, the stress exerted on the claws of the blocking element 20 is relaxed and, as a result, the stress exerted on the ring (or the balls) and the locking spring 511 is relaxed. The locking spring 511, which is released, propels the locking ring (or the balls) out of its housing (or their housings) towards the back of the cavity up to a stop position in which the ring (or the balls) come into contact with the internal wall of the cavity and the claws. In this position, the ring locks the blocking element 20 in preventing the opening/spreading of the claws, since the ring rests, on the one hand, on the inner wall of the cavity and, on the other hand, on the claws.

(31) According to the second example illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is considered for example that the female part comprises a cover 61 for receiving the head of the male part, defining the cavity, a crown-shaped lid 62 fixedly attached to the receiving cover, the element 20 for blocking the male head in the female part and a safety ring 63 enabling the claws of the blocking element to be stressed into opening.

(32) For example, such a safety ring 63 is fixedly attached to the lid 62 within the cavity, in a reversible way. The lid 62 and the safety ring define the entrance of the cavity. The safety ring 63 or the lid 62 can if necessary be closed by a tearable shutter 65 ensuring the first-time use of the female part and preventing the introduction of fouling matter inside the cavity. Such a shutter can be torn by the male head during the insertion of the male head into the female part.

(33) Such a safety ring 63 has, on its external wall, a housing 631 such as a recess enabling the claws of the blocking element to be held in an open position in the insertion position. Such a safety ring 63 also has, on its inner wall, a support surface 632 against which the male head can lean to detach the safety ring from the lid 62.

(34) Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, before the male head is inserted into the female part, the blocking element 20 is stressed into opening. This position corresponds to a position of insertion enabling the head to be inserted into the cavity.

(35) When the male head penetrates the cavity, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, this head pushes the safety ring 63 towards the back of the cavity of the female part. The translation of the safety ring 63 towards the back of the cavity releases the claws from their housing. The stress exerted on the claws of the blocking element 20 is therefore relaxed and the claws can close. In this position, the claws of the blocking element grip the rod of the male part at the base of a shoulder formed at the junction of the rod and the male head. This position corresponds to a blocking position, enabling the male head to be blocked inside the cavity.

(36) As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, locking means 64 can also be used to lock the blocking element in the blocked position according to this second example. For example, such locking means take the form of a movable part such as a button or non-return lip valve.

(37) In the position of insertion, the safety ring 63 and/or the open claws of the blocking element rest on the lips 64 (or the button) to keep them depressed in a housing of the lid 62.

(38) When the male head pushes the safety ring 63 towards the back of the cavity of the female part, the stress exerted on the claws of the blocking element 20 is relaxed and, thereafter, the lips 64 (or the button) are relaxed.

(39) The lips 64 are therefore no longer depressed in a housing of the lid 62 but protruding. In this position, the protruding lips 64 lock the locking element 20 in preventing the opening/spreading of the claws.

6.4 Variants

(40) Here above, we have presented different examples of embodiments of the invention according to which the female part has a truncatedly conical shape. Naturally, other shapes can be envisaged, such as for example a cylindrical shape or the like. In the same way, the shape of the receiving cavity can be different, and for example cylindrical.

(41) Besides, the male part can also have different shapes, such as those illustrated in FIG. 4A or FIG. 6A. The shape of the female part according to the invention must be adapted to cooperate with the shape chosen for the male part.