Patent ID: 7776254

Claim:
A lance for receiving a sensor or sampler for metal melts, comprising a top part ( 1 ) and a bottom part ( 2 ) provided for arrangement on the sensor or sampler, the top part ( 1 ) and the bottom part ( 2 ) being detachably connected to each other by a plug-in coupling, the plug-in coupling having two coupling parts ( 3 ; 4 ) insertable one in the other in a longitudinal direction of the lance, one of the coupling parts being arranged on the top part ( 1 ) and the other of the coupling parts being arranged on the bottom part ( 2 ) of the lance, one of the coupling parts ( 3 ; 4 ) having, on its open connection end, an opening or groove ( 9 ) extend from a front face of the one coupling part in the longitudinal direction of the lance and having, spaced from the front face, an extension ( 14 ) formed in a peripheral direction of the one coupling part, and the other coupling part having a raised portion ( 8 ) that engages in the extension ( 14 ), and a blocking device ( 5 ) arranged on the top part ( 1 ) or bottom part ( 2 ) of the lance and movable in the longitudinal direction of the lance, the blocking device ( 5 ) having a catch element ( 7 ) arranged at least partially between at least one part of the raised portion ( 8 ) and at least one part of the opening or groove ( 9 ) extending in the longitudinal direction of the lance, wherein the blocking device ( 5 ) is arranged such that it is movable on the lance by force of gravity, such that after connection of the top part to the bottom part, in an operating position, the blocking device moves itself downward and prevents the two coupling parts from being detached from each other.