EP0352948A2 — Releasable gripping, locking, coupling or support…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 226 words

A releasable gripping or locking device comprising a body part for sliding cooperation with another part to be releasably gripped or locked with respect to the body part, gripping or locking means movably mounted on the body part for movement between a free condition, and a gripping or locking condition in which loading applied to the device is borne by said gripping or locking means, and control means for controlling movement of said gripping or locking means between said free position and said gripping or locking position, said control means including relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; wherein said free, and gripping or locking, conditions of said gripping or locking means correspond with said latched and unlatched conditions, or vice versa, of said control means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 226 words

A releasable gripping or locking device comprising a body part for sliding cooperation with another part to be releasably gripped or locked with respect to the body part, gripping or locking means movably mounted on the body part for movement between a free condition, and a gripping or locking condition in which loading applied to the device is borne by said gripping or locking means, and control means for controlling movement of said gripping or locking means between said free position and said gripping or locking position, said control means including relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; wherein said free, and gripping or locking, conditions of said gripping or locking means correspond with said latched and unlatched conditions, or vice versa, of said control means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 178 words

A locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 178 words

A locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 121 words

A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said latching means comprise an abutment on one of the components and a rotary pawl mounted on the other component for rotation between positions in which it does and does not cooperate with said abutment on relative movement of the components and positioning means for positioning the pawl in a series of angular positions thereof during a latching or release sequence of said latching means, said pawl being rotatable through complete revolutions thereof, said positioning means comprising resilient means provided on said other component and engaged with the periphery of the pawl or a part associated therewith to temporarily locate the pawl in said angular positions during said latching and release sequences.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 101 words

A device according to Claim 3 wherein said peripheral portion has a generally parallelogram shape whereby said resilient means engage in succession each side of the parallelogram-shaped peripheral portion associated with the pawl as the pawl is rotated by engagement with and disengagement from said abutment so as to rotate and locate the pawl in the required angular position for the next step in a locking or release sequence, said pawl having a pair of opposed periperhal edges which are formed with recesses or notches to receive a corner portion of said abutment in the latched condition of the latching means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 62 words

A device according to Claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprise a cam pivotally mounted on said body part and having a curved gripping surface shaped to cooperate with an opposed portion of the body part so as to narrow the gap therebetween on rotation of the cam in one direction so as to grip an elongate member extending in use therebetween.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

A device according to Claim 5 including pivotal mounting means for the cam which are slidably mounted on the body part for movement towards and away from said portion of the body part to facilitate threading of an elongate member through the device and to accommodate elongate members of different cross-sectional sizes, resilient means being provided to bias said pivotal mounting means towards said portion of the body part.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

A device according to Claim 6 wherein said cam acts on an elongate member engaged in use with the device, through a pressure bar interlinked with the cam and acted on by said curved gripping surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 44 words

A device according to Claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprise a pressure bar movably towards and away from an opposed portion of the body part in a generally parallel relationship thereto by a pivotal linkage between the pressure bar and the body part.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 60 words

A device according to Claim 8 wherein the pressure bar is movably mounted on the linkage towards and away from said opposed portion of the body part to facilitate threading of an elongate member through the device and to accommodate elongate members of different cross-sectional sizes, the pressure bar being resiliently biassed towards said opposed portion of the body part.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 54 words

A device according to Claim 5 or Claim 8, wherein said relatively slidable components of said control means are in the form of a telescopic strut pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the body part and at the other end thereof on said cam or said linkage to control the pivotal movement thereof.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

A device according to Claim 5 wherein said latching means of said control means acts directly between said cam and said body part.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 57 words

A device according to Claim 5 wherein a pair of said cams are pivotally mounted on said body part in an opposed relationship such that pivoting of the cams to their gripping positions progressively narrows the gap between the gripping surfaces of the cams thereby effecting a positive gripping of an elongate member extending, in use, therebetween.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 114 words

A device according to Claim 1 wherein said locking means comprise a locking member slidably mounted in a casing mounted on the housing with said control means acting between said locking member and said casing, said body part being in the form of a tubular housing for slidably receiving a shuttle member with said locking member projecting into the housing to engage the periphery of the shuttle member which has a peripheral recess formed to receive said locking member in the locking condition of said locking means and to cause said locking means to be brought into its free and locking conditions in accordance with sliding movements of the shuttle member in the housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 200 words

A device according to Claim 1 wherein said body part comprises a tubular housing for receiving a shuttle part having an engagement portion sliding disposed in the housing, said locking means comprising a toggle member having a cross-piece pivotally mounted with respect to the housing, one end portion of which can extend into the housing through an aperture in the wall thereof on rotation of the toggle member in one direction, and a leg portion depending from the cross-piece and having an end portion which can extend into the housing through an aperture in the wall thereof on rotation of the toggle member in the other direction, and said slidable components of said control means being in the form of a telescopic strut pivotally mounted at one end thereof with respect to the housing and at the other end thereof on the other end portion of the cross-piece of the toggle member, whereby sequential sliding movements of the shuttle part in the housing in opposite directions cause opposite ends of said engagement portion thereof to engage said cross-piece and leg of the toggle member in turn causing sequential free and locking conditions thereof under the control of said control means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 99 words

A device according to Claim 2 wherein said locking means comprise at least one locking member provided on one of the components for movement generally transverse to said relative sliding direction of the components and cam means provided on the other of the components adapted to act on the locking member and to maintain it in a locked position thereof and to permit the locking member to move to an unlocked position thereof in accordance with relative sliding movement of the components between positions in which said latching means are in a latched or unlatched condition, or vice versa.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 208 words

Attachment apparatus comprising a plug-in attachment device having a locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means; and a receptor socket part for recessing in a wall structure into which the attachment device may be releasably secured in use.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 208 words

Attachment apparatus comprising a plug-in attachment device having a locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means; and a receptor socket part for recessing in a wall structure into which the attachment device may be releasably secured in use.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 245 words

A safety harness or safety belt attachment system comprising attachment apparatus comprising a plug-in attachment device having a locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means; and a receptor socket part for recessing in a wall structure into which the attachment device may be releasably secured in use; in combination with a safety line or lanyard for connection to the safety harness or belt and having an end connector for attachment to the plug-in attachment device.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 245 words

A safety harness or safety belt attachment system comprising attachment apparatus comprising a plug-in attachment device having a locking mechanism for a releasable locking, coupling or support device having relatively slidable parts to be releasably locked against relative movement in one direction, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating, relatively slidable components having interengageable latching means and locking means which are actuated by relative movement of the components, said latching means being adapted to be automatically engaged in a latched condition when the components are moved relative to one another in a first direction by a predetermined amount so as to restrict subsequent relative movement in the same direction, or the opposite direction, respectively, and are brought automatically into an unlatched condition on a predetermined amount of relative movement from the latched condition in said opposite direction, or said first direction, respectively, allowing subsequent free relative movement of the components in said first direction, or said opposite direction, respectively; and said locking means being movable generally transversely of the direction of relative sliding movement of said components between locked and unlocked conditions corresponding to latched and unlatched, or vice versa, conditions of said latching means; and a receptor socket part for recessing in a wall structure into which the attachment device may be releasably secured in use; in combination with a safety line or lanyard for connection to the safety harness or belt and having an end connector for attachment to the plug-in attachment device.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system according to Claim 17 wherein a plurality of receptor sockets are provided for location at spaced positions in a wall structure.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system according to Claim 18 wherein said safety line or lanyard has end connectors at respective opposite ends thereof for attachment to respective plug-in attachment devices.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system according to Claim 19 wherein the safety line or lanyard passes through an eyelet on the safety harness or belt which does not permit passage of either end connector thereof.

Releasable gripping, locking, coupling or support devices

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