Abstract:
The present invention relates to an interlocking coupling system ( 1 ) for overhead aligned rails ( 4, 5 ) of which at least one rail ( 4 ) is displaceably arranged and comprises a first coupling part ( 2 ) and a second coupling part ( 3 ), each of said coupling parts ( 2, 3 ) is arranged at end parts of said rails ( 4, 5 ) and arranged for interlocking, when said rails ( 4, 5 ) are in aligned position, wherein each of said coupling parts ( 2, 3 ) comprises a pivotal gate member ( 23, 33 ), and said first coupling part ( 23 ) comprises a locking bolt member ( 21 ) with a tapered end part ( 214 ) adapted to engage with a pin ( 334 ) projecting from said gate member ( 33 ) of said second coupling part ( 3 ) and said locking bolt member ( 21 ) is adapted to engage with a recess ( 234 ) in said pivotal gate member ( 23 ), and both said gate members ( 23, 33 ) are activated by displacing said locking bolt member ( 21 ).

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Danish Application No. PA 2004 00474 filed Mar. 24, 2004 and PCT/DK2005/000114 filed Feb. 22, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an interlocking coupling system for overhead aligned rails of which at least one rail is displaceably arranged and comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, each of said coupling parts is arranged at end parts of said rails and arranged for interlocking, when said rails are in aligned position. 
   For moving disabled persons from one position to another inside a room or between rooms, a sling mounted in an overhead rail system is used. 
   Inside the room the overhead rail system comprises side rails and a transverse rail, allowing full manoeuvring of the sling everywhere in the room. 
   When moving from one room to another, a coupling system is needed for the coupling of the end parts of two aligned rails. The coupling system provides a junction between the rail system in one room and the rail system in another room, which makes it possible to safely move the sling from one room to another. 
   It is equally vital that the coupling system provides end stops on the transverse rail, when the sling is moved around in one room, as well as a safe junction between two rail systems, when two end parts of rails are aligned. 
   In order to obtain a coupling system for both vital parts, the known coupling system comprises two coupling parts, where a first coupling part is mounted at the end part of a fixed rail in one room and a second coupling part is mounted at the end part of the transverse rail in another room. 
   When the sling is moved around in the room the second coupling part provides end stops on the transverse rail, rendering it impossible for the sling to slide out of the rail system, when the sling is positioned in outmost side positions near the end parts of the transverse rail. 
   When the sling is moved from room to room, the coupling system provides a safe junction by interlocking the first and second coupling parts. In this case it is of vital importance that the end parts of the rails are aligned as it allows the sling to be moved without running the risk of the sling sliding out of the first rail instead of into the second rail or sliding into a gap between the end parts of the rails rendering it impossible to move the sling forward or backward. 
   Thus it is important that the end parts of the rails are aligned horizontally and are maintained/locked in this position during the movement of the sling from the first rail system to the second rail system. 
   Furthermore it is important that the coupling system is provided with some kind of precautionary measures ensuring the coupling parts to interlock and maintain in locked position, or preventing them from being activated at all. 
   It is the object of the present invention to provide an interlocking coupling system for overhead aligned rails, which is mechanically simple and is provided with at least two levels of precautionary measures making said interlocking coupling system very safe to operate. 
   The object is obtained by an interlocking coupling system for overhead aligned rails, wherein each of said coupling parts ( 2 , 3 ) comprises a pivotal gate member ( 23 , 33 ), and said first coupling part ( 23 ) comprises a locking bolt member ( 21 ) with a tapered end part ( 214 ) adapted to engage with a pin ( 334 ) projecting from said gate member ( 33 ) of said second coupling part ( 3 ) and said locking bolt member ( 21 ) is adapted to engage with a recess ( 234 ) in said pivotal gate member ( 23 ), and both said gate members ( 23 ,  33 ) are activated by displacing said locking bolt member ( 21 ). 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the present invention the coupling system comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, where said first coupling part is arranged at an end part of a first rail, and said second coupling part is arranged at an end part of a second rail and arranged for interlocking, when said rails are in aligned position. 
   Furthermore, said first coupling part provides an end stop on the first rail preventing the sling to slide out of the first rail, when the sling is moved around in a room by means of the overhead rail system, wherein said first rail is a transverse rail, and said second coupling part provides an end stop on the second rail preventing the sling from sliding out of the second rail, when said first and second rail are not aligned. 
   Preferably said second rail is either a fixed rail for moving the sling in a predetermined pattern into an adjacent room or a transverse rail of an overhead rail system in an adjacent room. 
   The interlocking coupling system of the present invention ensures safe movement of the sling between said rails at the junction of either a transverse rail to a fixed rail or a transverse rail to another transverse rail. 
   Said pivotal gate member has a bottom part which is formed to prevent any movement of the sling off the rail, but allowing any movement on the rail, thereby making it possible to mount a sling onto the rail. 
   In order to ensure interlocking of the coupling parts when said rails are aligned, said first coupling part comprises a locking bolt member with a tapered end part being adapted to engage with a pin projecting from said gate member of said second coupling part. 
   The rail is typically a rail with at least two through-going and longitudinal recesses arranged in an over and under position, a sling is moved through the bottom recess and the top recess is used either for attachment of fittings or for the parts of said first and second coupling parts. 
   In the present invention the locking bolt member of said first coupling parts is provided in the top recess of the second rail along with a tapered end part allowing easy displacement of said locking bolt in a longitudinal direction into the top recess of the first rail. 
   Said tapered end part of said locking bolt engages the top recess of the first rail and ensures that said two rails are aligned horizontally, even if said rails are slightly off alignment when said locking bolt is displaced. 
   Said locking bolt member with the tapered end part is adapted to engage with a pin projecting from a gate member of said second coupling part, when displaced opposite the first coupling part. 
   By engaging said pin projecting from gate member of said second coupling part by displacing said locking bolt member, said aligning members on said gate members engage with each other, whereby said two coupling parts interlock in two ways: by the engaging of said locking bolt member/pin and the engaging of said aligning members. Whereby a first level of precautionary measures is obtained. 
   To ensure a free passage of the sling through said coupling system, when said end parts of said rails are aligned and locked, said aligning member of said second coupling part is rigidly connected with said pivotal gate member, and said locking bolt member is provided with a projecting pin member adapted to engage with said pivotal gate member of said first coupling part, the said locking bolt being placed at a distance behind said tapered end part. 
   A displacement of said locking bolt causes both said pivotal gate members to swing from closed position into open position, because:
         said pin of said aligning member of said second coupling causes said aligning member and said pivotal gate member of said second coupling part to move pivotally, and   said projecting pin member of said locking bolt member engages with said activation part and causes said pivotal gate member of said first coupling part to move pivotally.       

   To help said gate members return to closed position when said rail is not aligned, both said gate members are spring activated. 
   To obtain a second level of precautionary measures each of said coupling parts, furthermore, comprises a spring loaded key plate member with a number of ball bearings adapted to engage with said key plate member on the opposite coupling part. 
   The key plate member on the first coupling part will prevent the displacement of the locking bolt member, hence the opening of both gate members of the coupling system. The key plate member on the second coupling part will prevent the pivotal movement of the gate members of the second coupling part. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said first coupling part, said key plate member and said gate member are provided with elongated recesses for guiding said projecting pin member of said locking bolt member. 
   Said elongated recesses are arranged in such a manner that said projecting pin member of said locking bolt member engages with said first coupling part, said key plate member and said gate member at the same time. 
   Said second coupling part is provided with a locking arrangement for said key plate member and said gate member. Where said locking arrangement either connects the key plate member to the casing or the gate member to the casing. When the locking arrangement connects the key plate member to the casing, the gate member can not open and when said locking arrangement connects the gate member to the casing, the gate member can not close. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said locking arrangement comprises a locking ball adapted to move in a recess between said key plate member and said gate member. 
   The recesses of the key plate member and the casing are vertically aligned and in said casing recess a locking ball is positioned and said casing recess has a diameter which is lager than the outer dimension of said locking ball, allowing said locking ball to move freely through said casing recess. 
   The recess of the key plate member has a diameter which is smaller than the outer dimension of said locking ball, preventing said locking ball from sliding through said recess meaning that the key plate member is locked in a fixed position. 
   Equally the gate member is provided with a recess which has a diameter which is smaller than the outer dimension of said locking ball, preventing said locking ball from sliding through said recess and when the gate member is moved pivotally into open position the recess of the gate member will be aligned vertically to the recess in the casing and a part of the locking ball will protrude into the recess and thereby lock the gate member into a fixed position. 
   In order to lock said locking bolt and said pin projecting from said aligning member, said tapered end part of said locking bolt member is provided with an axially forwardly open recess for receiving said pin projecting from said aligning member of said second coupling part and said open recess having a transverse extension. 
   Since said aligning member moves pivotally, said pin projecting from said aligning member of said second coupling part is firstly fixed in said forwardly open recess and is consequently moved into said transverse extension of said open recess, thereby locking said locking bolt and said pin together preventing any retraction of said locking bolt member or sudden disengagement of said end parts of said rail. 
   As precautionary means each of said coupling part is provided with an aligning member being adapted to engage with an aligning member of said opposite coupling part, the interconnection of aligning members ensures that the rail will not move apart even if the locking bolt member is damaged or broken. 
   The user or an assistant must be able operate said coupling system from the sling or from a position on the ground, thus said first coupling part comprises means for displacement of said bolt member. 
   Said means for displacement of said bolt member could be one of the following:
         a manually operated mechanical device e.g. a pivotal bar arrangement with wires,   an automatically operated mechanical device e.g. a displacement motor connected to said bolt member, or   a combination of the aforementioned, where said manually operated mechanical device is a backup for said automatically operated mechanical device.       

   Said automatically operated mechanical device can be controlled e.g. by a remote control, or a control panel connected with cables and positioned in reachable distance of the sling. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the coupling system according to the invention, 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the first coupling part according to the invention, 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the second coupling part according to the invention, and 
       FIG. 4  is a view of the locking bolt according to the invention. 
   

   The reference numbers in the figures indicate the following:
       1  Coupling system     2  First coupling part     20  Casing     201  Casing; elongated recess     202  Casing; side recess     203  Casing; aligning members     21  Locking bolt member     211  Locking bolt member; pin member     212  Locking bolt member; front bridge     213  Locking bolt member; back bridge     214  Locking bolt member; tapered end     215  Locking bolt member; forwardly open recess     216  Locking bolt member; transverse extension recess     22  Key plate member     221  Key plate member; spring     222  Key plate member; spring     223  Key plate member; recess     224  Key plate member; ball bearing     225  Key plate member; ball bearing     226  Key plate member; stop edge     23  Gate member     231  Gate member; top part     232  Gate member; side part     233  Gate member; bottom part     234  Gate member; top part; recess     235  Gate member; spring     24  Mounting holder     25  Sensor     3  Second coupling part     30  Casing     301  Casing; double wing part     302  Casing; double wing part; recess     303  Casing; recess     304  Casing; bolt     305  Casing; fitting     31  Key plate member     311  Key plate member; spring     312  Key plate member; recess     313  Key plate member; ball bearing     32  Locking ball     33  Gate member     331  Gate member; top part     332  Gate member; side part     333  Gate member; bottom part     334  Gate member; pin     335  Gate member; aligning member     336  Gate member; spring     4  Rail     41  Rail; top recess     42  Rail; bottom recess     5  Rail     51  Rail; top recess     52  Rail; bottom recess   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a coupling system  1  comprising a first coupling part  2  and a second coupling part  3 , where said first coupling part  2  is arranged at an end part of rail  5  and said second coupling part  3  is arranged at an end part of rail  4 . 
   Mounting holders  24  connected to the casing  20  of said first coupling part is provided for the mounting of the rail  5  in a fixed position. 
   The casing  20  of said first coupling part  2  is fixed to said rail  5  with bolts  204 , which are mounted onto a fitting (not shown) positioned in the top recess  51  of rail  5   
   The casing  20  furthermore comprises an aligning member  203  in the shape of two spaced protruding arm plates. 
   Said first coupling part  2  is shown with the gate member  23  in an open position and with the locking bolt member  21  positioned in said top recess  51  of rail  5 , in a protruding position. 
   The key plate member  22  is arranged pivotally on the casing  20  and is spring loaded by means of two springs  221 ,  222  and provided with ball bearings  224 ,  225 . 
   The pin member  211  of the locking bolt member  21  is shown guided in recesses (not shown) in said key plate member  22 , said casing  20  and in the top part (not shown) of said gate member  23 . 
   A sensor  25  is provided for detecting the alignment of said coupling parts  2 ,  3  arranged at end parts of said rails  4 ,  5 . 
   The casing  30  of said second coupling part  3  is fixed to said rail  4  with bolts  304 , which are mounted onto a fitting (not shown) positioned in the top recess  41  of rail  4 . 
   The front part of said casing  30  is in the shape of a double wing part  301 , the front edge being adapted for guiding said ball bearing  224  of said first coupling part  2  along the front edge into a front recess (not shown) when said rail  4  is positioned in front of said rail  5 . 
   Said second coupling part  3  is shown with the gate member  33  in a closed position where the bottom part  333  prevents the sling (not shown) from being moved off said rail  4 . 
   The key plate member  31  is pivotally arranged on the casing  30  and is spring loaded by means of one spring  311  and provided with a ball bearing  313 , which is adapted to interconnect with ball bearing  225  of said first coupling part  2  when said rail  4  is positioned in front of said rail  5 . 
   The key plate member  31  is provided with a recess  312  which is arranged for receiving a part of the locking ball (not shown) of the locking arrangement. 
   The gate member  33  furthermore comprises an aligning member  335  in the shape of a protruding arm plate, which is adapted to interlock between said two spaced protruding arm plates of said aligning member  203 , thereby preventing said rail  4 ,  5  to move apart even if the locking bolt member  21  is damaged or broken. 
   The springs  235 ,  336  are arranged on said casings  20 ,  30  ensuring that said gate members  23 ,  33  is moved back into closed position, preventing a sling (not shown) to be moved off either said rail  4  or said rail  5  when said rail is not aligned and the locking bolt member  21  is pushed outwards in connection with the pivotal movement of said gate members  23 ,  33 , due to the displacement of said locking bolt member  21 . 
   It should be noted that the situation shown in  FIG. 1  is only shown as an illustration of the possible position of said locking bolt member  21 , as said locking bolt member  21 , when said two rails  4 ,  5  are not aligned, is in a drawback position with said tapered end part  214  being positioned inside said top recess  51  of said rail  5  and with said back bridge  213  being moved back against said casing  20  in the side recess  202 . 
     FIG. 2  shows said first coupling part  2  in exploded view, and it is possible to see the recess  223  in key plate member  22 , the recess  201  in casing  20  and the recess  231  in the top part  234  of gate member  23 , wherein said pin (not shown) of said locking bolt member (not shown) is guided when a displacement of said locking bolt member (not shown) occurs. 
   As the spring  221  is connecting said key plate member  22  to said casing  20  and said key plate member  22  is pivotally arranged on said casing  20 , said key plate member  22  will be forced to the side, whereby the stop edge  226  will prevent said pin (not shown) from sliding though recess  223 . 
   When said ball bearing  224  is guided along said front edge (not shown) of said double wing part (not shown) of said second coupling part (not shown) and positioned into said front recess (not shown) of said double wing part (not shown) the pressure on said ball bearing  224  will force said key plate member  22  to rotate, whereby said stop edge  226  will be moved away and said pin (not shown) can slide though recess  223  and the underlying recesses  201 , 231  when a displacement of said locking pin (not shown) occurs. 
   The key plate member  22  is one of the precautionary measures for preventing the gate member  23  to open at random, because it will only allow a displacement of said locking bolt member (not shown), hence opening of gate member  23 , when said rails ( 4 , 5 ) are aligned and the ball bearing  224  is positioned in said front recess (not shown) of said double wing part (not shown). 
   When said gate member  23  is in closed position said recess  234  in said top part  231  of said gate member  23  is arranged in a skew direction in comparison to the recess  201  of said casing  20 . The forward push of said pin (not shown) of said locking bolt member (not shown) at recess  234 , when a displacement of said locking bolt member (not shown) occurs will force said gate member  23  to move pivotally into an open position thereby allowing a passage through said rail (not shown). 
   The side recess  202  of said casing  20  is provided for allowing said bridges (not shown) of said locking bolt member (not shown) to slide back and forth. 
     FIG. 3  shows said second coupling part  3  in exploded view, in a rear view and a front view. 
   The gate member  33  is provided with a pin  334  which is adapted to interlock with the recesses (not shown) of said tapered end part (not shown) of said locking bolt member (not shown) when a displacement of said locking bolt member (not shown) occurs. Since said pin  334  is rigidly connected to said gate member  33  a displacement of said locking bolt member will (not shown) cause said gate member  33  to move into an open position. 
   As the spring  311  is connecting said key plate member  31  to said casing  30  and said key plate member  31  is pivotally arranged on said casing  30 , said key plate member  31  will be forced into a first position. 
   Said casing  30  is provided with a recess  303 , wherein a locking ball  32  is positioned, and said recess  303  has a diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of said locking ball  32 , allowing said locking ball  32  to move freely through said recess  303 . When said gate member  33  is in a closed position, said recess  303  will be positioned in alignment and above a recess (not shown) in said gate member  33 , and said recess (not shown) in said gate member  33  has a diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of said locking ball  32 , preventing said locking ball  32  from sliding through said recess (not shown) in said gate member  33 . A part of said locking ball  32  will protrude into said recess (not shown) in said gate member  33  and maintain said gate member  33  in a fixed position. 
   When said first coupling part (not shown) and said second coupling part  3  are aligned said ball bearing (not shown) on said first coupling part (not shown) will be positioned in contact and provide a pressure on said ball bearing  313 , whereby said key plate member  31  is moved pivotally and the recess  312  will be positioned in alignment and above said recess (not shown) in gate member  33  and said recess  303  in said casing  30 . 
   Said recess  312  has a diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of said locking ball  32 , preventing said locking ball  32  from sliding through said recess  312 . 
   Due to the alignment of said recess  312 , said recess  303  and said recess (not shown) in said gate member, it is possible to move said gate member  33  pivotally, because said locking ball is pushed up from the said recess (not shown) in said gate member  33  into recess  312 , thereby locking said key plate member  31  in a fixed position and releasing said gate member  33 . 
   The key plate member  31  is one of the precautionary measures for preventing said gate member  33  to open at random, only allowing an opening of said gate member  33 , when the ball bearing  313  is activated by an opposite ball bearing (not shown) forcing said key plate member  31  into a pivotal movement, whereby said recess  312  is positioned in alignment and above recess  303 , and the said locking ball  32  is pushed upwards due to the pivotal movement of said gate member  33 . 
   The gate member  33  is provided with an aligning member  335  which is adapted to interlock with the aligning member (not shown) on the opposite coupling part (not shown). 
     FIG. 4  shows locking bolt  21  with a tapered end part  214 , which is provided with an axially forwardly open recess  215  for receiving the pin projecting (not shown) from said gate member (not shown) of said second coupling part (not shown), and said open recess  215  has a transverse extension  216  for locking said pin (not shown) preventing said locking bolt member  21  from being retracted while the gate members (not shown) are in an open position. 
   A projecting pin member  211  is adapted to engage to said pivotal gate member (not shown) of said first coupling part (not shown) is provided at a distance behind said tapered end part  214 . 
   Bridge members  212 ,  213  are provided at opposite end of said recess  215 , and adapted for engaging said side recess (not shown) in said casing (not shown) of said first coupling part (not shown). The distance between said bridge members  212 ,  213  allows for the arranging of means for displacement of said bolt member  21 .