A reinforcing hoop for the ends of a cask

Abstract

 A reinforcement hoop (5) for reinforcing the ends of a cask comprises a metal strip (1) having a longitudinal turned edge (2) forming a U-shape reinforcing flange. At one end of the strip (1) there are formed two transverse slots (3) aligned with one another along a line orthogonal to the flanged edge (2), and at the other end there are provided two longitudinally extending tongues (4) spaced laterally from one another in positions corresponding to those of the slots (3), and the two ends of the strip (1) can be fitted together by interengaging the tongues (4) and the slots (3) and bending the tongues over to retain the said one end of the strip (1) in engagement with the other end.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reinforcement hoop for the end of a cask, particularly a cask made of fibre or the like. The hoop of the present invention has specially shaped ends which can be mechanically connected together by means of a mechanical coupling.

[0002] As is known, casks, particularly casks made of fibre and like materials, require suitable reinforcing elements on their ends, that is their upper and lower edges with the casks in a normal upright orientation. For this purpose it is conventional to utilise metal hoops formed from shaped strips which are connected together at their ends. Usually this connection of the ends is made by electric welding, preferably spot welding. Such operations, obviously, require the use of suitable welding machines as well as appropriate qualified labour.

[0003] However, the execution of these operations can lead to disadvantages, particularly in the formation of the weld, due to the characteristics of the type of material constituting the said metal strips. If the weld is not properly made the reinforcing hoop will be unreliable.

[0004] The present invention seeks therefore to provide a reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, which requires a very much simplified operating process for its production. By applying the principles of the present invention, which will be explained in detail below, it is possible to produce a highly reliable reinforcement hoop for the ends of a cask.

[0005] A reinforcement hoop formed as an embodiment of the present invention, which can be used as a reinforcement hoop for the upper and lower ends of a cask, can be obtained according to the invention, at lower cost than the type currently in commerce.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, characterised by the fact that it comprises a metal strip of appropriate length and width, the ends of which are provided with cooperating interfitting shaped parts by means of which it is possible to connect together the said two ends of the strip purely by a mechanical interconnection of the said two parts.

[0007] One embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal strip curved to form a hoop, just prior to connection of the ends;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views, on an enlarged scale, showing the connection of the ends of such strip, in such a way as to form the hoop.

[0008] With particular reference now to the drawings, there is shown a reinforcement hoop 5 for the ends of a cask. The hoop 5 is constituted by a metal strip 1, of suitable length and width, provided along its longi­tudinal edge with a turned edge or flange 2 which faces radially inwardly of the hoop 1 and has an arcuately curved generally U-shape cross section as can be seen from Figures 2 and 3.

[0009] At one end of the strip there are formed two transverse slots 3 which are aligned with one another along a single line orthogonal to the longitudinal turned edge 2. The slots 3 have a width related to the thickness of the material from which the strip 1 is made for reasons which will be explained below. At the opposite end of the strip 1 there are formed two tongues 4 in positions corresponding to those of the slots 3 at the said one end. The tongues 4 have a width corresponding to the length of the slots 3.

[0010] To connect together the two ends of the hoop the tongues 4 are first slightly folded as shown in Figure 2 and subsequently inserted into the corresponding slots 3 as indicated in Figure 3. Once they have been fully inserted these tongues 4 are then folded over com­pletely, inwardly as shown in Figure 4, in such a way as to effect mutual connection of the two ends of the strip 1, forming a hoop which can then be fitted onto an upper or lower end of a cask (not illustrated). Once fitted the hoop may be subjected to further working operations in order securely to fix it to the cask itself.

Claims

1. A reinforcement hoop (5) suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, characterised by the fact that it comprises a metal strip (1) of appropriate length and width, the ends of which are provided with cooperating interfitting shaped parts (3,4) by means of which it is possible to connect together the said two ends of the strip (1) purely by a mechanical interconnection of the said two parts (3,4).

2. A reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said strip (1) is provided along one of its longitudinal edges with a flange portion (2) facing radially inwardly of the hoop, one end of the strip (1) being formed with transverse slots (3) aligned with one another along a single line orthogonal to the said one longitudinal edge, the said slots (3) having a width greater than the thickness of the strip (1).

3. A reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, according to Claim 2, characterised in that at the end of the said strip (1) opposite the said one end there are formed corresponding tongues (4) having a width corresponding to the length of the said slots (3) at the said one end of the strip (1).

4. A reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, according to Claim 3, characterised in that the said tongues (4) have a first bend adjacent their roof and are folded over completely on the radially inward face of the hoop after passing through the slots (3) in such a way as to effect mutual locking of the two ends of the strip (1) to form a hoop (5).

5. A reinforcement hoop suitable for reinforcing the ends of a cask, according to any of Claims 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the said longitudinal flange portion (2) has an arcuately curved U-shape cross section.

Drawing