ITEM HAVING A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING AND INDEXING A FIRST ELEMENT WITH A SECOND ELEMENT

The invention relates to an item comprising a system for assembling by screwing and indexing a first element having a first cavity (29) with a second element having a second cavity (44), the system being provided with a first mechanism having a movable blocking member (30) housed in the first cavity and configured so that, in a first configuration, the blocking member is in a first position at a distance from the second cavity and rotation of the first element relative to the second element is allowed and, in a second configuration in which the first element and the second element have been screwed together, the blocking member is in a second position introduced both into the second cavity and the first cavity so as to rotatably immobilise the first element relative to the second element.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to items having a system for assembling and indexing a first element with a second element.

In particular, it may be any item provided with a body and at least one gripping member, such as a handle, to be assembled to the body.

For example, it may be a portable or mobile lighting device, or an item of leatherwork.

STATE OF THE ART

Many items are known, having a system for assembling and indexing a first element with a second element, including in particular items provided with a body and at least one gripping member, such as handle, to be assembled to the body.

There are many mechanisms for mechanically fastening a handle to the body of such an item.

For example, there are known portable or mobile lighting devices or lamps, the handle of which is screwed to the body of the lamp through the cooperation of a threaded rod protruding from the handle into a tapped port provided in the lamp body.

Assembly is therefore performed by screwing whereas indexing, that is, positioning the handle opposite the lamp body, is carried out when the threaded rod is fully introduced into the tapped port of the lamp body, the handle then being in a so-called end-of-screwing position.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention is intended to provide an item having a system for assembling and indexing a first element with a second element, which is particularly reliable and accurate, while remaining simple and convenient.

Thus, one object of the invention is, in a first aspect, an item including a first element, a second element assembled by screwing to the first element and a system for assembling and indexing the first element with the second element, the first element having a first cavity, the second element having at least one second cavity, and the assembly and indexing system being provided with a first mechanism fitted with a movable blocking member housed at least partially in the first cavity provided in the first element and configured so that, in a first configuration of the item, the blocking member is in a first position in which it is at a distance from the at least one second cavity provided in the second element and rotation of the first element relative to the second element is allowed and, in a second configuration of the item in which the first element and the second element have been screwed together, the blocking member is in a second position in which it is at least partially introduced both into the at least one second cavity of the second element and into the first cavity of the first element so as to rotatably immobilise the first element relative to the second element.

In the first configuration of the item according to the invention, the first mechanism of the assembly and indexing system allows the rotational movement of the first element relative to the second element in order to screw them together and thus enables progressive positioning of the first element and the second element relative to each other, to a determined angular position corresponding to the second configuration of the item according to the invention.

In this second configuration of the item according to the invention, the first mechanism of the assembly and indexing system prohibits the rotational movement of the first element relative to the second element by moving the blocking member from only the first cavity towards both the first cavity and the second cavity.

In other words, the first mechanism of the assembly and indexing system of the item according to the invention makes it possible to form a stop for assembling the first element and the second element with each other, while ensuring reliable assembly and accurate indexing.

Thus, the first mechanism of the assembly and indexing system of the item according to the invention makes it possible to limit screwing of the first element with the second element.

Particularly simple, convenient and economical preferred characteristics of the item according to the invention are set forth below.

The blocking member is magnetic.

The first element has a rod fitted with a threaded endpiece at one end and the assembly and indexing system has a mounting bracket which is mechanically fastened into the second element and against which the first element is immobilised by screwing the threaded endpiece.

The mounting bracket has a plurality of second cavities provided to receive at least partially the blocking member so as to allow a plurality of positions for indexing the first element relative to the second element.

The mounting bracket has a generally cylindrical shape defining a first housing, the assembly and indexing system has a first mounting ring housed in the first housing and provided with an inner threading configured to receive the threaded endpiece of the first element.

The first mounting ring is provided with a notched lower face and the assembly and indexing system furthermore has a second mounting ring which is disposed facing the first mounting ring and which is provided with a notched upper face which is complementary to the notched lower face of the first mounting ring.

The mounting bracket is provided with at least one groove provided in the first housing thereof and the second mounting ring is provided with at least one positioning lug disposed in the at least one groove.

This enables the second mounting ring and therefore also the first mounting ring, to be rotatably immobilised in the mounting bracket when the notched upper face and the notched lower face cooperate.

The assembly and indexing system is furthermore provided with at least one elastic member configured to bias the second mounting ring to move it closer to the first mounting ring.

The at least one elastic member is formed by one or more spring washers.

The assembly and indexing system is furthermore provided with a cover mechanically fastened to the mounting bracket, the at least one elastic member being interposed between the cover and the second mounting ring.

The first element is formed by a gripping handle and the second element is formed by a body to which the gripping handle is mechanically fastened.

The item is a portable or mobile lighting device.

The item includes a light source and a module for supplying the light source, which are disposed in the body, as well as a control module formed by a control button disposed on the gripping handle and by a control rod passing through the gripping handle and disposed protruding in the body to the supply module for activating and/or deactivating the light source.

Alternatively, the item is an item of leatherwork.

One object of the invention is also, in a second aspect, a method for assembling and/or disassembling by screwing and indexing a first element with a second element of an item such as described above, including the steps of:positioning a blocking member in a first cavity of the first element and holding the blocking member using a tool positioned opposite to the first cavity;assembling the first element and the second element by screwing by holding the tool in position, the item being in a first configuration, to an indexing position where the blocking member faces a second cavity of the second element;withdrawing the tool so as to position the blocking member both in the first cavity and in the second cavity and thus rotatably immobilise the first element and the second element relative to each other, the item then being in a second configuration.

The method includes the steps of repositioning the tool opposite to the first cavity to extract the blocking member from the second cavity of the second element; and disassembling the first element and the second element by unscrewing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS.1and2illustrate an item, in particular here a portable or mobile lighting device1.

This device1is fitted with a first element formed here by a gripping handle2and with a second element formed here by a body3.

The gripping handle2is mechanically fastened, by screwing, to the body3.

In the example illustrated, the body3includes an upper part4to which the gripping handle2is mounted and a lower part5mechanically fastened with the upper part4, for example by screwing, snap-fitting or any other mechanical fastening means.

As visible inFIG.2, the upper part4has a reception housing6and the device1includes a light source7and a module8for supplying the light source7which are disposed in the reception housing6.

The light source7is arranged so as to be directed to the lower part5which here forms a member for scattering the light emitted by the light source7when it is activated by the supply module8.

The lower part5here has a flat bottom9and a cylindrical side wall10which extends from the flat bottom9and which defines an inner scattering space11. The device1can thus be put with its flat bottom9on any bracket.

In the example illustrated, the lower part5is for example made of crystal whereas the upper part4is made of wood or composite. Other materials can be used.

The handle2here is formed by a gripping and actuating member12, and by a mounting plate13connected to the gripping member12and configured to be at least partially mounted into the reception housing6of the upper part4, opposite to the light source7.

The device1furthermore includes a control module formed by a control button14arranged on the gripping and actuating member12of the gripping handle2, by a control rod15passing through the mounting plate13of the gripping handle2and by a guide endpiece16fixed to one end of the control rod15, opposite to the control button14.

The control rod15is disposed protruding into the reception housing6of the upper part4and has a free end which comes into contact with the supply module8for activating and/or deactivating the light source7of the device1.

In the device1according to the invention, the gripping handle2is mechanically fastened to the body3in a so-called indexing position.

In particular, as visible inFIGS.2and3, the device includes an assembly and indexing system20provided with a mounting bracket21on which the mounting plate13is disposed.

The mounting bracket21is in turn configured to be mechanically fastened, here using first screws22, to the supply module8in the reception housing6of the upper part4.

With reference toFIGS.4to13, the set formed by the gripping handle2and the assembly and indexing system20will be described in more detail.

As visible inFIG.4, the set above is in particular formed by the gripping handle2, including the gripping and actuating member12thereof and the mounting plate13thereof, by the control module formed by the control button14, the control rod15and the guide endpiece16, and by the assembly and indexing system20, including the mounting bracket21thereof and the first screws22.

Furthermore, the assembly and indexing system20is provided with a first mechanism fitted with a movable blocking member which is here magnetic and in particular formed by a magnet30, which magnet30is located between the mounting plate13and the mounting bracket21.

The assembly and indexing system20is also provided with a sealing member31, here an O ring, which is disposed between the mounting plate13and the mounting bracket21.

In the example illustrated, the assembly and indexing system20is furthermore provided with a first mounting ring32, a second mounting ring33and a plurality of elastic members which are here formed by curved34and flat35spring washers, all these elements forming a second mechanism.

The mounting bracket21has a generally cylindrical shape defining a first housing36provided to receive the first mounting ring32, the second mounting ring33and the curved34and flat35spring washers.

In the example illustrated, the assembly and indexing system20is also provided with a cover37mechanically fastened to the mounting bracket21, opposite to the mounting plate13, using second screws38.

The assembly and indexing system20is here configured so that the curved34and flat35spring washers bear against the cover37.

With reference toFIG.5, the mounting plate13includes a main wall25and a rod26extending protruding from the main wall25and fitted with a threaded endpiece27at one end.

The mounting plate13has a lower face28in which a first cavity29is provided.

The first cavity29is provided to receive at least partially the magnet30.

The control button14is configured to be connected to the control rod15, on the side of the gripping and actuating member12.

The guide endpiece16is configured to be connected to the control rod15, opposite to the side of the threaded endpiece27.

The control rod15thus passes through the gripping and actuating member12and the mounting plate13until it protrudes beyond the threaded endpiece27.

A free end of the contact rod15also protrudes from the guide endpiece16.

With reference toFIGS.6and7, the generally cylindrical mounting bracket21has a main body40having formed thereon an upper wall41provided with a sealing edge42and an upper face43.

The sealing edge42is provided to receive the sealing member31.

The mounting bracket21here has a plurality of second cavities44provided in the upper face43.

The first housing36passes through the main body40and opens into the upper face43.

Here, the main body40furthermore has a lower wall45, through ports46which open into the lower wall45and opposite, into the second cavities44, and tapped blind holes47which open into the lower wall45.

The through ports46are provided to receive the first screws22, the screw heads being received at the bottom of the second cavities44, whereas the blind holes47are provided to receive the second screws38.

The main body40has an inner wall49bounding the first housing36and grooves48provided in the inner wall49and which open into the lower wall45.

With reference toFIGS.8and9, the first mounting ring32, which is provided to be housed in the first housing36of the mounting bracket21, has a generally annular shape and is provided with an inner threading50and a notched lower face51.

The assembly and indexing system20is here configured so that the threaded endpiece27of the mounting plate13of the gripping handle2cooperates with the inner threading50of the first mounting ring32.

The notched lower face51has a plurality of raised portions, called bumps52, separated from a plurality of recessed portions, called hollows53.

The successions of successive bumps52and hollows53are here each separated by a ramp portion54.

With reference toFIGS.10and11, the second mounting ring33, which is also provided to be housed in the first housing36of the mounting bracket21, facing the first mounting ring32, has a generally annular shape and is provided with a notched upper face55which is complementary to the notched lower face51of the first mounting ring32, and with positioning lugs56.

The assembly and indexing system20is here configured so that the positioning lugs56of the second mounting ring33are received in the grooves49of the mounting bracket21and the notched upper face55of the second mounting ring33cooperates with the notched lower face51of the first mounting ring32.

The notched upper face55has a plurality of complementary raised portions, called complementary bumps57, separated from a plurality of complementary recessed portions, called complementary hollows58.

The successions of successive complementary bumps57and complementary hollows58are here each separated from a complementary ramp portion59.

With reference toFIGS.12and13, the cover37which is provided to be mechanically fastened to the mounting bracket21, opposite to the mounting plate13, has a bottom wall60in which a plurality of complementary through ports61, complementary through holes62, as well as a central through port63, are provided.

The complementary through ports46are provided to receive the first screws22, the complementary through holes62are provided to receive the second screws38with the screw heads being received at the bottom of the complementary through holes62, and the central through port63is provided to receive the free end of the control rod15of the control module.

With reference toFIGS.14and15, the assembling and disassembling of the gripping handle2with the body3, using the assembly and indexing system20and a tool70, will now be described in more detail.

InFIG.14, the gripping handle2is assembled with the body in an indexing so-called second position, defined by the presence of the magnet30both in the first cavity29and in one of the second cavities44.

The item is thus in an assembled so-called second configuration, in which rotation of the gripping handle2relative to the body3is prevented.

In other words, this configuration enables the gripping handle2to be rotatably immobilised relative to the body.

In particular, the lower face28of the mounting plate13is immobilised against the upper face43of the mounting bracket21.

Furthermore, in the assembled configuration, the threaded endpiece27of the rod26of the mounting plate13is screwed in the inner threading50of the first mounting ring32, the curved34and flat35spring washers bias the second ring33against the first mounting ring32so that the notched upper face55of the second mounting ring33cooperates with the notched lower face51of the first mounting ring32.

However, the bias exerted by the curved34and flat35spring washers enables the first mounting ring32to rotate relative to the second mounting ring33when the threaded endpiece of the rod26of the mounting plate13is screwed beyond a certain threshold, even when the notched upper face55of the second mounting ring33cooperates with the notched lower face51of the first mounting ring32.

In other words, the second mechanism is configured so that the first mounting ring32is not rotatably locked, thus allowing clamping even beyond a certain threshold, without however deteriorating the item.

Such a bias exerted by the curved34and flat35spring washers, in combination with the cooperation of the notched upper face55of the second mounting ring33with the notched lower face51of the first mounting ring32, furthermore makes it possible to compensate for a possible axial clearance resulting from the cooperation between the threaded endpiece27of the rod26of the mounting plate13and the inner threading50of the first mounting ring32.

InFIG.15, the gripping handle2is disassembled from the body.

The item is thus in a disassembled so-called first configuration, in which rotation of the gripping handle2relative to the body3is allowed.

In other words, this configuration enables rotation and therefore screwing and/or unscrewing of the gripping handle2relative to the body.

In particular, the mounting plate13is at a distance from the mounting bracket21and the magnet30is introduced only into the first cavity29of the mounting plate, where it is in a first position.

The magnet30is held in the first position thereof by means of the tool70which is positioned facing the magnet30on the opposite side of the mounting plate13.

For example, it may be a tool having magnetic properties capable of attracting the magnet30.

Furthermore, in the disassembled configuration, the threaded endpiece27of the rod26of the mounting plate13is unscrewed from the first mounting ring32, the curved34and flat35spring washers do not enable the second ring33to be biased against the first ring32for them to cooperate as in the assembled configuration.

More generally, a method for assembling and then disassembling by screwing and indexing the gripping handle2with the body3of the item, includes the steps of:positioning the magnet30in the first cavity29of the mounting plate13and holding it using the tool70positioned opposite;assembling the gripping handle2and the body3by screwing by holding the tool70in position, the item1being in the first configuration, to the indexing position where the magnet30faces a second cavity44of the mounting bracket21;withdrawing the tool so as to position the magnet30both in the first cavity29and in the second cavity44and thus rotatably immobilise the gripping handle2and the body3relative to each other, the item1then being in the second configuration;repositioning the tool70opposite to the first cavity29to extract the magnet30from the second cavity44;disassembling the gripping handle2from the body3by unscrewing.

Non illustrated alternatives are described below.

The gripping handle of the lighting device can be configured to be hung.

The item is not a portable or mobile lighting device, but rather an item of leatherwork, fitted with a handle or strap to be assembled to a body fitted with a storage compartment.

The second element of the item may include more or fewer cavities, and therefore more or fewer positions for indexing the first element to the second element.

The first and second mounting rings can be formed as a single piece mounted rotatably fixed into the mounting bracket.

The first and second mounting rings can be formed as a single piece integral with the mounting bracket.

The assembly and indexing system may be devoid of the second mechanism fitted with rings and elastic members.

More generally, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated.