LOCKING DEVICE FOR APPLICATION TO BAND- OR TUBE-SHAPED OBJECTS

Abstract: A locking device for application to band- or tube-shaped objects, which incorporates two plates (27, 28) provided with cooperating complementary surfaces (35, 36, 37, 38) arranged in locking position to engage with said complementary surfaces against each other and therebetween to squeeze around said band- or tube-shaped objects at least along a line, and which plates are articulatedly interconnected by means of a hinge (29) for allowing opening and closing of the device, the device thereby being provided with springy members (31, 32) for releasably arresting the device in locking position.

Description: LOCKING DEVICE FOR APPLICATION TO BAND- OR TUBE-SHAPED OBJECTS Background of the invention The present invention relates to a locking device for appli¬ cation to band- or tube-shaped objects. A great number of locking devices of varying types and for greatly different fields of application are known. Devices for locking a band in position or for arresting a tube, and thereby to compress it thus that flow therethrough is prevented, are also known in many varying embodiments. Among these older devices there are both well functioning types, and embodiments which are so easy to operate that also a person, who for some reason has a reduced movability in the hands can use the device. This can be important at different types of band locking but also at use, e.g. for a draining tube of a collecting vessel for body liquids for incontinent persons, whereby it will be possible for the person himself to attend to the emptying of the collecting vessel. Purpose and most essential features of the invention The purpose of the invention is to offer a locking device for application to band- or tube-shaped objects, which gives a very safe and reliable locking and squeezing function, at the same time as it very easy to operate and this has been achieved thereby, that the device incorporates two plates provided with cooperating, complementary surfaces arranged in locking position to engage with said complementary surfaces against each other and therebetween to squeeze around said band- or tube-shaped objects at least along a line, and which plates are articulatedly interconnected by means of a hinge for allowing opening and closing of the device, the device thereby being provided with springy members for releasably arresting the device in locking position. Description of the drawings The invention will hereinafter be further described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows in perspective a locking device according to the invention in open position and applied to a tube portion, Figure 2 is a side view in section through the device according to figure 1 , - Figure 3 is a side view in section corresponding to figure 2, but with the locking device shown in locking position, Figure 4 shows in perspective the locking device in the locking position shown in figure 3, and Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the locking device in figure 4. Description of the embodiment In figure 1 is shown in perspective an embodiment of a locking device 26 according to the invention, which in the case shown is applied to a tube portion 12, which e.g. can an emptying tube for a urine collecting vessel or the like. In such a case the locking device 26 can act as a closing valve, by means of which the flow through the tube can be regulated and controlled. The locking device 26, which thus is shown in open position in perspective in figure 1 and in a section from the side in -figure 2, incorporates two plates 27, 28, which are interconnected by means of a hinge 29. The plates 27, 28 are preferably made from a proper plastic material whereby preferably both plates are manufactured in one piece and where the hinge 29 consists of a thinner material portion between the two plates. In the embodiment shown one of the plates 27 is provided with a connecting device formed as a rivet 30, by means of which the locking device in the case shown can be connected to the tube 12, whereby the locking device will be safely attached to the tube even when the locking device, such as shown, is in open position. In corresponding manner the locking device may be connected to other members to which e.g. a band-shaped object shall be locked. Each one of the two plates 27, 28 has a generally rectangular appearance and one of them, the first plate 27 is provided with springy arms 31 resp. 32 resp. extending one on each side of the sides extending perpendicularly to the hinge 29. On the other plate 28 adjacent its side facing away from the hinge, there is arranged flanges projecting upwards from the plane of the plate, which flanges 33, 34 at a level above the surface, mainly equal to or somewhat exceeding the thickness of said arms 31 , 32, are bent inwards towards each other, thus that they form hook members, which are situated in level with the outer ends of said arms 31 , 32, when the plates are in the locking position shown in figures 3 and 4. These hook members 33, 34 are fixedly arranged to the second plate and even if they are manufactured of the same material as the arms 31 , 32, they are mainly nonflexible. The arms 31 , 32 on the other hand has a considerable flexibility in the transverse direction of the plate due to the fact that a slot is located between each arm and the central region of the plate. The plates 27 and 28 at their sides facing each other in the locked position of the locking device are provided with com¬ plementary surfaces, each comprising two parallel surfaces 35, 36 and 37, 38 resp. arranged in different planes and each of which being interconnected via a perpendicularly to said surfaces arranged wall, whereby each one of said plates receives a stepped appearance. When the plates 27, 28 are folded along the hinge 29 and with the object 12, which shall be locked by the device located therebetween, the arms 31 , 32 when the plates are moved to the locking position shown in figures 3 and 4 due to the springyness will snap in behind the flanges 34, 35 in the hook members, whereby the plates are locked to each other in this position. In figure 5 is shown a detail of the locking in bigger scale, whereby can be seen that the springy arms 32 (as well as 31) when the locking is squeezed will slide sideways over the central portion of the first plate 27. In such a manner the springy arms will be urged into the snap locking flanges 34 (33 respectively). At the same time the material in the object 12 - the tube - will be folded between the stepped surfaces whereby the material of the object between the egg- shaped edges and their correspondingly angled surfaces will be squeezed well along two lines, whereby a higher reliability against sliding and also against flow through a tube-formed object is obtained. As can be further seen from figure 5 the edge portions of the arm 32 and the hook member 34 resp. , which cooperate at the locking movement, are provided with notched surface portions 32a and 34a resp. whereby the locking movement will be facilitated. This facilitates in making the locking device still more easily operable. By the design with two easily accessible arms 31 , 32, which can easily be moved to locking position and which can just as simple be opened by the arms being urged in directions against each other at the same time as the second plate 28 from the internal spring force in its hinge 29 is allowed to swing up against the position shown in figures 1 and 2, it is possible to operate the locking device with use of one hand only and also for disabled persons. The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown but modi¬ fications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. The locking device in the figures has been shown and in connection thereto described during application to a tube for a urine collecting bag or the like but it is understood that the device with the same good result can be applied for locking bands or straps within different fields of use.

Claims: CLAI S 1. Locking device for application to band- or tube-shaped objects , c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the device (26) incorporates two plates (27,28) provided with cooperating, complementary surfaces (35,36,37,38) arranged in locking position to engage with said complementary surfaces against each other and therebetween to squeeze around said band- or tube-shaped objects (12) at least along a line, and which plates are articulatedly interconnected by means of a hinge (29) for allowing opening and closing of the device, the device thereby being provided with springy members (31 ,32) for releasably arresting the device in locking position. 2. Device according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that a first one (27) of said plates (27.28) is provided with springy arms (31 ,32) projecting in a direction away from the hinge (29) , whereas said second plate (28) has fixed hook members (33,34) , each being arranged in locking position to hold one of said arms (31 ,32) in the locking position of said locking device. 3. Device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that said hook members are flanges (33,34) , which are arranged to project upwards from the side of the first plate (27) which in locking position is facing the second plate (28), and which thereupon are bent inwards towards each other at a level above said second plate, which corresponds to or somewhat exceeds the wall thickness of said arms. 4. Device according to anyone of claims 2 or 3 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that said arms (31 ,32) are restrictedly resilient in the transverse direction of the plate (27) supporting them. 5. Device according to anyone of claims 2 - 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that said arms (31,32) and the ends of said bent-in flanges (33,34) are provided with notched portions cooperating with each other for facilitating the insertion of the arms for engagement with the hook members. 6. Device according to anyone of claims 1 - 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the plates (27,28) at their sides which in locking position are facing each other, are provided with complementary surfaces each consisting of two, in different levels arranged parallel surfaces (35,36 and 37,38 resp.), which are interconnected by a wall arranged perpendicular to said surfaces , whereby each one of said plates is given a stepped appearance. 7. Device according to anyone of claims 2 - 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that said cooperating plate surfaces (35,36,37,38) are shaped in the central region of each plate (27,28) whereas said springy arms (31,32) and said hook members (33,34) resp. are arranged at the sides of said central regions of said plates. 8. Device according to anyone of the preceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the locking device (26) is connected to the object (12) onto which the device shall be applied by means of a connecting member (30).

Inventors: OESTERLIN KENNETH, TOLLIN HANS, OESTERLIN, KENNETH, TOLLIN, HANS
Applicants: TOLLIN HANS INDDESIGN, INDUSTRIDESIGN KONSULT HANS TOLLIN & INDUSTRIDESIG
Application year: 1984
Main classification: F16K7
IPC codes: A61F5