Abstract
A lock assembly for a roller assembly is provided. The roller assembly comprises a frame comprising a support portion; and a roller rotatably mounted on the support portion of the frame. The lock assembly comprises: a lock member support; a lock member moveable relative to the lock member support between a first position and a second position; wherein when the lock assembly is employed with the roller assembly, with the locking member in the first position the roller is rotatable relative to the frame and with the locking member in the second position, the locking member engages with the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the frame. A roller assembly comprising the lock assembly is also provided.
Claims
1. A lock assembly for a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising: a frame comprising a support portion; and a roller rotatably mounted on the support portion of the frame; the lock assembly comprising: a lock member support; a lock member moveable relative to the lock member support between a first position and a second position; wherein when the lock assembly is employed with the roller assembly, with the locking member in the first position the roller is rotatable relative to the frame and with the locking member in the second position, the locking member engages with the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the frame.
2. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock assembly is formed integrally with the frame of the roller assembly or wherein the lock assembly is attachable to the frame of the roller assembly.
3. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member support is attachable to the frame of the roller assembly, with at least a portion of the lock member support extending at least partially around a portion of the frame.
4. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock support member comprises a first clip and a second clip, each clip for attaching the lock support member to the frame of the roller assembly, wherein the first clip is disposed to attach to a first portion of the frame and the second clip is disposed to attach to a second portion of the frame, the first and second portions of the frame not lying on a straight line.
5. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock support member comprises one or more support members, each support member extending around a portion of the frame of the roller assembly when the lock assembly is attached to the roller assembly.
6. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member engages with the exterior of the roller or engages with the interior of the roller.
7. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member engages with a curved surface of the roller.
8. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is moveable between the first and second positions by rotation of the lock member and/or linear movement of the lock member; and/or wherein the lock member is deformable, whereby upon being deformed, a portion of the lock member moves from the first position to the second position.
9. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is biased into one of the first position or the second position.
10. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is held in one or both of the first position and the second position.
11. The lock assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lock assembly comprises a releasable lock to hold the lock member in one or both of the first and second positions.
12. The lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock assembly comprises an actuator, whereby the user can move the lock member between the first position and the second position indirectly.
13. The lock assembly according to claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a cable.
14. The lock assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a guard, in use the guard extending between at least a portion of the lock assembly and the roller.
15. A roller assembly comprising: a frame comprising a support portion; a roller rotatably mounted on the support portion of the frame; and a lock assembly comprising a lock member moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein with the lock member in the first position the roller is rotatable relative to the frame and with the locking member in the second position, the locking member engages with the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the frame.
16. The roller assembly according to claim 15, wherein the lock assembly comprises: a lock member support; a lock member moveable relative to the lock member support between a first position and a second position; wherein when the lock assembly is employed with the roller assembly, with the locking member in the first position the roller is rotatable relative to the frame and with the locking member in the second position, the locking member engages with the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the frame.
17. A kit of parts comprising one or more roller assemblies, each roller assembly comprising: a frame comprising a support portion; a roller rotatably mounted on the support portion of the frame; and one or more lock assemblies; each of said one or more lock assemblies comprising: a lock member support; a lock member moveable relative to the lock member support between a first position and a second position; wherein when the lock assembly is employed with the roller assembly, with the locking member in the first position the roller is rotatable relative to the frame and with the locking member in the second position. the locking member engages with the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the frame.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0069] FIG. 1 is a view of a roller assembly of known configuration with a lock assembly according to the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 2 is a first view of one embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0071] FIG. 3 is a second view of the lock assembly and roller assembly of FIG. 2;
[0072] FIG. 4 is a first view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0073] FIG. 5 is a second view of the lock assembly and roller assembly of FIG. 4;
[0074] FIG. 6 is a first view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0075] FIG. 7 is a second view of the lock assembly and roller assembly of FIG. 6;
[0076] FIG. 8 is a first view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0077] FIG. 9 is a second view of the lock assembly and roller assembly of FIG. 8;
[0078] FIG. 10 is a first view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0079] FIG. 11 is a second view of the lock assembly and roller assembly of FIG. 10;
[0080] FIG. 12 is a view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0081] FIG. 13 is a view of a further embodiment of a lock assembly of the present invention located on a roller assembly;
[0082] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the lock assembly portion of the embodiment of FIG. 13;
[0083] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the trigger assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 13;
[0084] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of a roller assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0085] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of the handle portion of the roller assembly of FIG. 16;
[0086] FIG. 18a is a diagrammatic view of the roller of the assembly of FIG. 16 with one embodiment of the resilient locking member in a first position;
[0087] FIG. 18b is a diagrammatic view of the roller of the assembly of FIG. 16 with one embodiment of the resilient locking member in a second position;
[0088] FIG. 19a is a diagrammatic view of the roller of the assembly of FIG. 16 with an alternative embodiment of the resilient locking member in a first position;
[0089] FIG. 19b is a diagrammatic view of the roller of the assembly of FIG. 16 with the alternative embodiment of the resilient locking member in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0090] Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a roller assembly, generally indicated as 2. The roller assembly is of conventional design and comprises a frame 4 having a handle portion 6 and support portion 8. A generally cylindrical roller 10 is mounted on the support portion 8 and is rotatable with respect to the frame 4. A lock assembly 12 according to the present invention is provided on the frame 8. The lock assembly 12 is operable to selectively lock the roller 10 and prevent the roller rotating relative to the frame 4.
[0091] A first embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 102, is shown in position on the frame 4 of the roller assembly 2.
[0092] The lock assembly 102 comprises a lock member support 104. The lock member support 104 of this embodiment is formed from plastic by moulding. The lock member support 104 has a portion 104a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller 10. The lock member support 104 comprises a clip 106 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 108. As shown in FIG. 3, each clip member 108 extends partially around a portion of the frame 4 such that the clip 106 accommodates and grips a portion of the frame. The clip 106 is formed integrally with the lock member support 104. The lock member support 104 further comprises a support 110 having a bore 112 to form a ring extending around a portion of the frame 4 adjacent the roller 10, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0093] Due to the form of the support 110, to install the lock assembly 102, the roller 10 is first removed from the frame 4, allowing the support 110 to be passed over the frame 4 until the clip 106 engages with the frame 4, as shown in FIG. 2. The roller 10 may then be replaced on the frame 4.
[0094] The lock member support 104 has the portion 104a extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the roller 10, as noted above. The portion 104a is provided with a threaded bore 120. A lock member 122 having a threaded shank 124 is threadably engaged with the bore 120. The end of the lock member 122 closest to the roller 10 is provided with a point 126. The opposite end of the lock member 122 is provided with a grip portion 128 comprising two wings. In use, the grip portion 128 may be gripped by a user to turn the lock member 122. Rotation of the lock member 122 moves the lock member between the first position, in which the point 126 is not in contact with the outer surface of the roller, and the second position in which the point 126 contacts the outer surface of the roller, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and prevents the roller 10 rotating about the frame 4.
[0095] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention mounted on a roller assembly 2. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 202, has the same general configuration as the lock assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3. Components of the lock assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 common to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated using the same reference numerals and are as described above.
[0096] In the lock assembly 202 of FIGS. 4 and 5, the support 110 is replaced by a clip 204 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 206. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the clip 204 is oriented perpendicular to the clip 106 and engages a portion of the frame 4 adjacent the roller 10.
[0097] The clips 106, 204 allow the lock assembly 202 of FIGS. 4 and 5 to be mounted to the frame 4 and removed from the frame without dismantling the roller assembly 2.
[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a still further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 302, is mounted on the frame 4 of a roller assembly 2.
[0099] The lock assembly 302 comprises a lock member support 304. The lock member support 304 of this embodiment is formed from plastic by moulding. The lock member support 304 has a portion 304a extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roller 10. The lock member support 304 comprises a clip 306 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 308. As shown in FIG. 6, each clip member 308 extends partially around a portion of the frame 4 such that the clip 306 accommodates and grips a portion of the frame. The clip 306 is formed integrally with the lock member support 304. The lock member support 304 further comprises a support 310 having a bore 312 to form a ring extending around a portion of the frame 4 adjacent the roller 10, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0100] Due to the form of the support 310, to install the lock assembly 302, the roller 10 is first removed from the frame 4, allowing the support 310 to be passed over the frame 4 until the clip 306 engages with the frame 4, as shown in FIG. 7. The roller 10 may then be replaced on the frame 4.
[0101] The lock member support 304 has the portion 304a extending perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the roller 10, as noted above. The portion 304a is cylindrical and is provided with a thread on its surface. A lock member 322 having a bore 324 is slideably mounted on the portion 304a and extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the roller 10. A coil spring 304b is provided on the portion 304a of the lock member support 304. The spring 304b biases the lock member 322 into the first position, that is away from the roller 10. The end portion of the lock member 322 distal of the lock member support 304 is provided with a pair of tangs 326 extending towards the curved outer surface of the roller 10. A wing nut 328 is provided on the threaded portion 304a of the lock member support 304. Rotation of the wing nut 328 by the user moves the lock member 322 between the first position, in which the tangs 326 are spaced from the surface of the roller as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the second position, in which the tangs 326 engage with the surface of the roller 10 and prevent the roller rotating about the frame 4.
[0102] Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention mounted on a roller assembly 2. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 402, has the same general configuration as the lock assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7. Components of the lock assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9 common to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 are indicated using the same reference numerals and are as described above.
[0103] In the lock assembly 402 of FIGS. 8 and 9, the support 310 is replaced by a clip 404 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 406. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the clip 404 is oriented perpendicular to the clip 306 and engages a portion of the frame 4 adjacent the roller 10.
[0104] The clips 306, 404 allow the lock assembly 402 of FIGS. 8 and 9 to be mounted to the frame 4 and removed from the frame without dismantling the roller assembly 2.
[0105] Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention mounted on a roller assembly 2. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 502, has the same general configuration as the lock assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3. Components of the lock assembly of FIGS. 10 and 11 common to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated using the same reference numerals and are as described above.
[0106] In the lock assembly 502 of FIGS. 10 and 11, there is a plain bore 504 in the portion 104a of the lock member support 104. A lock member 506 is provided in the form of a pin extending through the bore 504. The lock member 506 has a sharpened point 508 at its end adjacent the roller 10. The opposite end of the lock member 506 is provided with a cap 510.
[0107] Movement of the lock member 506 through the bore 504 is controlled by a clamp, generally indicated as 520. The clamp 520 comprises a clamp member 522 pivotably mounted to the portion 504a of the lock member support 104. The clamp member 522 has a hole 524 therein, with the lock member 506 extending therethrough. In a first position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the clamp member 522 is angled so as to cause the edges of the hole 524 to grip the lock member 506. Moving the clamp member 522 to a second position, in which the clamp member is substantially perpendicular to the lock member 522, causes the lock member 522 to be released and free to move within the bore 504. In this state, the lock member 522 may be moved so as the sharpened point 508 engages with the surface of the roller 10. The clamp member 522 is biased into the first position by a small spring 526. Thus, when the clamp member 522 is released, the lock member 522 is held in its position.
[0108] FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention. The lock assembly shown in FIG. 12 has the same general configuration as the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3. Components of the lock assembly of FIG. 12 common to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated using the same reference numerals and are as described above.
[0109] The lock assembly of FIG. 12, generally indicated as 602, further comprises a guard 604. The guard 604 is formed integrally with the lock member support 104 and extends between the lock member support 104 and the roller 10. A hole is provided in the guard 604, through which the lock member 122 extends. The guard protects parts of the lock assembly 602 from liquid which may splash from the roller 10 during use.
[0110] Finally, reference is made to FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the lock assembly of the present invention mounted on a roller assembly. The lock assembly, generally indicated as 702, comprises a lock member support 704. The lock member support 704 of this embodiment is formed from plastic by moulding. The lock member support 704 comprises a first clip 706 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 708. As shown in FIG. 14, each clip member 708 extends partially around a portion of the frame 4 such that the clip 706 accommodates and grips a portion of the frame. The clip 706 is formed integrally with the lock member support 704. The lock assembly 702 further comprises a second clip 710 having two opposing, spaced apart resilient clip members 712. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the clip 710 is oriented perpendicular to the clip 706 and engages a portion of the frame 4 adjacent the roller 10. Again, the clip 710 is formed integrally with the lock member support 704.
[0111] The clips 706, 710 allow the lock assembly 702 of FIGS. 13 and 14 to be mounted to the frame 4 and removed from the frame without dismantling the roller assembly 2.
[0112] A lock member 720 is in the form of a hook pivotably mounted to the lock member support 704. The lock member 720 is moveable between a first position, shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in which the sharpened tip of the hook is spaced from the roller 10, and a second position, in which the sharpened tip of the hook engages the curved surface of the roller 10.
[0113] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the lock member 720 is operated by a Bowden cable 730 extending from the lock assembly 702 to the handle portion 6 of the roller assembly 2. The outer sheath of the Bowden cable 730 is secured to the frame 4 by clips 732. The distal end of the inner cable of the Bowden cable 730 is attached to the lock member 720, as shown in FIG. 14. The proximal end of the inner cable of the Bowden cable 730 is attached to a trigger assembly 734. The trigger assembly 734 comprises a trigger 736 and a spring 738 biasing the inner cable to urge the lock member 720 into the first position shown in the Figures. When the user presses the trigger 736, the spring 738 is extended and the inner cable is moved so as to pivot the lock member into the second position, in which the sharpened tip of the hook engages with the curved surface of the roller 10. When the user releases the trigger 736, the spring returns the inner cable to the position shown in the Figures and urges the lock member 720 to disengage from the roller and move into the first position shown.
[0114] Turning now to FIG. 16, there is shown a further embodiment of a roller assembly according to the present invention. The roller assembly 2 has the same general configuration as the assembly shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a frame 4 having a handle portion 6 and support portion 8. A generally cylindrical roller 10 is mounted on the support portion 8 and is rotatable with respect to the frame 4.
[0115] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a lock assembly, generally indicated as 812. is disposed within the roller. The lock assembly 812 is operated remotely from the handle 6 by the user by way of a trigger assembly, generally indicated as 814, acting on a cable 816 extending through the frame 4.
[0116] The trigger assembly 814 is shown in more detail in FIG. 17 and comprises a trigger support 820 extending laterally across the interior of the handle 6. A moveable trigger 822 extends from a button 824 through the trigger support 820 and is connected at its distal end to the cable 816. As shown in FIG. 17, the cable 816 passes over a lateral cable support 826. A coiled spring 828 extends around the trigger 822 between the button 824 and the trigger support 820. The spring 828 biases the button 824 away from the trigger support 820.
[0117] In use, when the button 824 is pushed by the user, the trigger 822 moves through the trigger support 820 and pulls the cable 816, in turn activating the lock assembly 812 within the roller 10 to lock the roller relative to the frame 8.
[0118] The lock assembly 812 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 18a and 18b. The lock assembly 812 comprises a lock member 830 in the form of a strip of spring steel. A generally cylindrical lock actuating member 832 is connected to the end of the cable 816 and extends from within the end portion of the frame 8. The lock member 830 is held between a flange 834 on the distal end of the actuating member 832 and the end of the frame 8. In the position shown in FIG. 18a, the lock member 830 lies substantially straight and is not in contact with the roller 10. When the button 824 on the handle 6 is pushed, the cable 816 is pulled by the trigger assembly 814 and the lock actuating member 832 is pulled within the frame 8, the action of which is to apply a compressive force to the lock member 830. The action of the compressive force on the lock member 830 causes the lock member to bend and extend radially outwards. such that a portion of the lock member contacts an inner surface of the roller, as shown in FIG. 18b. In this position, the roller 10 is locked and does not rotate relative to the frame 8. When the button 824 is released, the resilient action of the lock member 830 and the spring 828 urges the lock actuating member 832 out of the end portion of the frame 8 and releases the roller 10 for rotation.
[0119] The lock member 830 may be used singly. Alternatively, a plurality of lock members may be used, such as two lock members or more, such as three or four lock members, preferably arranged equidistantly around the lock actuating member 832.
[0120] Turning to FIGS. 19a and 19b, an alternative arrangement for the lock assembly 812 is shown. In this embodiment, the lock assembly 812 employs a lock member 840 in the form of a resilient sleeve. The operation is analogous to that of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b and described above, with the resilient sleeve 840 moving from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 19a to the locked position shown in FIG. 19b.
