Patent ID: 8858220

Claim:
A locking device ( 1 ) for columns (A) of presses (P) with at least one fixed plane (Pf) and at least one moving plane (Pm), wherein said locking device ( 1 ) comprises: two pairs ( 2 , 3 ) of locking clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) aligned in a first direction (X) orthogonal to a plurality of columns (A), each pair ( 2 , 3 ) being engaged to a corresponding column (A) and being configured to clamp said column, said locking clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) being configured to translate in said first direction (X), wherein each pair ( 2 , 3 ) of locking clamps comprises an inner clamp ( 21 , 31 ), facing toward the other pair of locking clamps ( 3 , 2 ), and an outer clamp ( 22 , 32 ) opposing said inner clamp ( 21 , 31 ); at least one connection rod or bar ( 41 , 42 ) configured to rigidly transmit a translational motion between said inner clamp ( 21 , 31 ) of each pair ( 2 , 3 ) and the outer clamp ( 32 , 22 ) of the other pair ( 3 , 2 ); and at least one actuator ( 5 ) located between said two pairs ( 2 , 3 ) of locking clamps and acting on both of said inner clamps ( 21 , 31 ) of said two pairs ( 2 , 3 ) and configured to cause said inner clamps ( 21 , 31 ) to translate in said first direction (X) orthogonal to the plurality of columns (A) and in an opposite sense, wherein said locking clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) of one or both of said two pairs ( 2 , 3 ) are mechanically connected to each other through at least one mechanism ( 61 , 62 ) suited to guide in a synchronized way the a relative translational motion of said locking clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) of a same pair ( 2 , 3 ), wherein said guide mechanism ( 61 , 62 ) is integral with said moving plane (Pm) in at least one fixed point ( 64 ), thus guaranteeing the a symmetry of the motion of said clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) with respect to said fixed point ( 64 ), and wherein said guide mechanism ( 61 , 62 ) comprises: a carriage ( 63 ) configured to translate in both senses along a second direction (Y) transversal to the first direction (X) of movement of said locking clamps ( 21 , 21 , 31 , 32 ); guides ( 64 ) on which said carriage ( 63 ) slides, said guides ( 64 ) being integral with said moving plane (Pm) of a press (P); and one pair of connection arms ( 651 , 652 ) hinged to said carriage ( 63 ) and each in turn hinged to the inner clamp ( 21 , 31 ) or the outer clamp ( 22 , 32 ) of the corresponding pair ( 2 , 3 ), wherein said translational motion of said clamps ( 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 ) of the same pair ( 2 , 3 ) is symmetrical with respect to said guides.