(19)
(11) EP 1 279 759 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
10.01.2007 Bulletin 2007/02

(21) Application number: 02255207.9

(22) Date of filing: 25.07.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
D06F 57/04(2006.01)
D06F 57/02(2006.01)

(54)

Improvements relating to rotary driers

Verbesserte Wäschespinne

Améliorations apportées à des sèche-linge


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR

(30) Priority: 27.07.2001 GB 0118334

(43) Date of publication of application:
29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05

(73) Proprietor: HILLS INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Caerphilly Mid-Glamorgan, Wales (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Bathard, Simon Hills Industries Limited
    Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan CF83 3HU (GB)
  • Roberts, Huw Hills Industries Limited
    Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan CF83 3HU (GB)
  • Byard, Paul Hills Industries Limited
    Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan CF83 3HU (GB)

(74) Representative: Lambert, Ian Robert et al
Wynne-Jones, Lainé & James Essex Place 22 Rodney Road Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 1JJ
Gloucestershire GL50 1JJ (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
DE-A- 3 521 820
   
  • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 03, 31 March 1997 (1997-03-31) -& JP 08 308649 A (SOOKOO KK), 26 November 1996 (1996-11-26)
   
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description


[0001] This invention relates to rotary driers and in particular to a sleeve for use with rotary driers.

[0002] Rotary driers are known which have a support column and a slidable member, on to which arms are pivotally attached. The slidable member can be moved up and down the support column between a lowered position with the arms upright alongside the column and a raised position with the arms radiating outwardly and upwardly, bringing taut a "spiders web" of lines between the arms. The arms are coupled by stays to the head of the column and there is provision for locking the slidable member in the raised position. Often there are alternative locking positions, to make the lines more or less taut, and sometimes the stays are coupled to a fitting which, while usually at the head of the column, can be set at lower positions, the slidable member then also being set at correspondingly lower positions when fully raised.

[0003] The locking of the sleeve is usually achieved by a latch on the slidable member engaging one of a series of detents on the column. Conveniently, the column would be of circular cross section throughout, with the slidable member correspondingly shaped, but at least at the detents this cannot be entirely so. It is in any event desirable to have the sleeve non-rotatable on the column throughout its travel so that the stays are not called upon to resist twisting about the column and so that the latch registers reliably with the detents. A structure of this nature is shown in JP 08-308649A.

[0004] One known construction, therefore, has the column formed with a flat along its length, and to this flat there is secured, at least one element providing the detents. The slidable member is formed with a complementary internal shape to be non-rotatable about the column.

[0005] In fact forming one flat on a tube to provide the column is more difficult than forming two diametrically opposed flats. So that is the usual shape, and the slidable member can co-operate with the second flat and so be prevented from rotating.

[0006] However, this is not an elegant construction. Not only does the element with the detents stick out, but the latch mechanism generally requires or results in an unsightly projection on the exterior of the slidable member.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a more streamlined and easier to operate way of raising and lowering the arms of a rotary dryer.

[0008] According to the invention, there is provided a rotary drier including a support column having at least one flat extending over a length of said support column, a sleeve for pivotally supporting arms of the drier, said sleeve being slidable up and down the support column over a length spanned by the at least one flat, and a latch mechanism separable from but captive within the sleeve, said latch mechanism being co-operable with the flat to substantially prevent rotation of the sleeve, characterised in that the latch mechanism has a latch member with a release part in the form of a button accessible through the sleeve and a latch part having a projection which can be urged into at least one of a plurality of apertures in the flat, when said aperture and the projection are in registry.

[0009] Preferably the support column is tubular.

[0010] It is envisaged that the latch mechanism includes an elongate frame that supports the latch member, said latch member being pivotal about a transverse axis of said elongate frame.

[0011] Preferably the latch member includes an elongate body having first and second end regions each with a projection extending in opposed transverse directions from respective first and second end regions to form the release part and the latch part respectively, said elongate body also including a pivot point at which said elongate frame can be pivotally attached to the frame of the latch mechanism.

[0012] In a preferred arrangement the sleeve includes at least two apertures a first and second of which being situated towards respective ends of the sleeve.

[0013] Ideally a first of the apertures is arranged to receive the release part of the latch member which is extendible into and is accessible by said aperture in the sleeve.

[0014] The second of the apertures preferably is for receiving a detent on the elongate frame so that latch mechanism and sleeve can be held together.

[0015] In a preferred arrangement the projection of the latch part is urged towards at least one of the apertures in the support column by a resilient member between the elongate frame of the latch mechanism and the end of the elongate member supporting the release part.

[0016] It is preferred that the resilient member is a spring, one end of which is seated on a stud in the elongate frame with the other end of the spring abutting against the underside of the release part.

[0017] Preferably the sleeve includes a resilient moulding extending substantially along the length of the latch mechanism between the first and second apertures at either end of the sleeve.

[0018] It is envisaged that the moulding includes ridges to provide a finger grip region on the sleeve.

[0019] The exterior of the sleeve can therefore be smoothly contoured to provide a comfortable grip. Preferably it will be of moulded plastics material sheathed in the material known as Santoprene ®.

[0020] Generally, as mentioned above, there will be a set of apertures to give alternative settings of the sleeve.

[0021] In the preferred form the latch mechanism comprises an elongate frame with the actual latch pivoted within it about a transverse axis. At one end the latch has the button (the release part) which will project into an aperture in the sleeve when the frame is properly located within, lying longitudinally of the sleeve. A spring between the underside of the button and the frame urges the other end of the latch radially inwards, and this other end has the projection to engage in the aperture(s) in the column. It will snap into place, while release is effected by pressing the button.

[0022] The sleeve may have a first part for pivotally supporting arms of the drier, and a second part providing a grip region to enable the sleeve to be moved relative to the column.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment the sleeve is tubular.

[0024] Preferably the latch mechanism includes an elongate frame that supports the latch member, said latch member being pivotal about a transverse axis of said elongate frame.

[0025] It is envisaged that the latch member includes an elongate body having first and second end regions each with a projection extending in opposed transverse directions from respective first and second end regions to form the release part and the latch part respectively, said elongate body also including a pivot point at which said elongate frame can be pivotally attached to the frame of the latch mechanism.

[0026] In a preferred arrangement, the sleeve includes at least two apertures a first and second of which being situated towards respective ends of the sleeve.

[0027] It is envisaged that a first of the apertures is arranged to receive the release part of the latch member which is extendible into and is accessible by said aperture in the sleeve.

[0028] Ideally a second of said apertures is arranged to receive a detent on the elongate frame so that latch mechanism and sleeve can be held together.

[0029] Preferably the second of said projections is urged towards the aperture in the column by a resilient member between the elongate frame of the latch mechanism and the end of the elongate member supporting the release part.

[0030] Ideally the resilient member is a spring, one end of which being seated on a stud on the elongate frame, with the other end of the spring abutting against the underside of the release part.

[0031] It is preferred that a resilient moulding extends substantially along the length of the latch mechanism between the first and second apertures at either end of the sleeve.

[0032] Preferably the moulding includes ridges to provide a finger grip region for the sleeve.

[0033] For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views of an arm supporting sleeve for a rotary drier,

Figures 4 and 5 are side views of the sleeve, the views being at right angles,

Figures 6 and 7 are longitudinal sections of the sleeve on the lines VI-VI and VII-VII respectively of Figures 5 and 4,

Figures 8 and 9 are top and bottom end views of the sleeve,

Figure 10 is a section on the line X-X of Figure 4,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a frame for a latch mechanism that fits within the sleeve,

Figure 12 is a face view of the frame,

Figure 13 is a side view of the frame,

Figure 14 is a top end view of the frame,

Figure 15 is a front face view of a latch that pivots within the frame,

Figure 16 is a rear face view of the latch,

Figure 17 is a side view of the latch, and

Figure 18 is a section on the line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 15.



[0034] The sleeve 1 is plastics moulding of generally tubular form. At its upper end 2 it is reduced and bifurcated to receive a collar (not shown) to which the arms of the rotary drier are pivoted. But below shoulder 3 on which the collar will bear it swells outwardly and then reduces slightly over main portion 4. Towards the upper end of this portion there is a circular aperture 5, and near the lower end, centred on the same radial plane, there is a rectangular aperture 6. Around the middle of the portion 4 there is a sheath 7 of softer, more grippable material, such as Santoprene, which is clear of the apertures 5 and 6 but which covers and depresses into dimples 8 on the opposite side, these providing finger locations for an even better grip. Internally, the sleeve 1 has longitudinal fins 9 whose edges co-operate with the column of the drier, and between two of these fins, symmetrically on either side of the apertures 5 and 6, a latch mechanism is located. Also internally of the sleeve 1, at the shoulder 3, there are downwardly projecting lugs 10 which additionally contribute to the location of the latch mechanism, as described below.

[0035] The latch mechanism 11 has an elongate rectangular frame 12. Across its upper end, projecting from its outer face, there is a ledge 13, and shortly below this there is central stud 14 on a sunk transverse web 15. Further below again, the sides of the frame 12 are pierced at 16 to accept a pivot pin, and towards the lower end a sunk skeletal web 17 spans the frame. On the outer face of its lower cross portion the frame 12 has a rectangular stud 18.

[0036] A latch 19 fits within this frame above the web 17. It is slightly cranked and pivots about the pin through the apertures 16. Its upper end has a button 20 that projects outwardly, extending freely into the aperture 5. The button 20 is hollow on the inside and receives a short helical spring 21 whose inner end locates over the stud 14. This upper end is therefore urged outwardly, and the lower end inwardly. On the inside of this lower end there is a tooth 22, which is the projection that will positively engage the column and hold the sleeve 1 at the desired height.

[0037] The frame 12 fits into the sleeve 1 between two fins 9. It is introduced at a slight angle through the lower end until the ledge 13 engages under the lugs 10. It is then swung out against the inside of the sleeve, the button 20 entering the aperture 5 and the stud 18 locating in the aperture 6. This assembly can then be slid onto a column with a longitudinal flat, or more likely one with two opposed flats as mentioned above. The latch mechanism is aligned with the flat which is pierced with a series of apertures at the intended set height of the sleeve and serves as a captive key to maintain the sleeve 1 against rotation. The tooth 22 is pressed against the flat by the spring 21.

[0038] Any one of the apertures in the flat can receive the tooth 22, which will normally snap into the lowermost one as the drier is expanded for use. But pressing the button 20 will release it and the sleeve 1 can be urged upwards and an alternative aperture found. Of course, when the arms are to be lowered the button 20 is pressed and kept there until the tooth is below the lowermost aperture.

[0039] It is possible to provide a similar latch arrangement on a head fitting to which the stays are pivoted and to have that fitting as a sleeve movable up and down the column. There would then be apertures over a much greater length of the flat, enabling the arms to be set with the lines taut over a considerable range of heights.


Claims

1. A rotary drier including a support column having at least one flat extending over a length of said support column, a sleeve (1) for pivotally supporting arms of the drier, said sleeve being slidable up and down the support column over a length spanned by the at least one flat, characterized in that a latch mechanism (11,19) is separable from but captive within the sleeve, said latch mechanism being co-operable with the flat to substantially prevent rotation of the sleeve, said latch mechanism having a latch member (19) with a release part in the form of a button (20) accessible through the sleeve and a latch part having a projection (22) which can be urged into at least one of a plurality of apertures in the flat when said aperture and the projection are in registry.
 
2. A rotary drier according to Claim 2, wherein the support column is tubular.
 
3. A rotary drier according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the latch mechanism includes an elongate frame (11) that supports the latch member (19), said latch member being pivotal about a transverse axis of said elongate frame.
 
4. A rotary drier according to Claim 3, wherein the latch member (19) includes an elongate body having first and second end regions each with a projection (20,22) extending in opposed transverse directions from respective first and second end regions to form the release part (20) and the latch part (22) respectively, said elongate body also including a pivot point (16) at which said elongate frame can be pivotally attached to the frame of the latch mechanism.
 
5. A rotary drier according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve includes at least two apertures (5,6) a first and second of which being situated towards respective ends of the sleeve.
 
6. A rotary drier according to Claim 5, wherein a first (5) of the apertures is arranged to receive the release part (20) of the latch member (19) which is extendible into and is accessible by said aperture (5) in the sleeve.
 
7. A rotary drier according to any preceding claim, wherein the second (6) of the apertures is for receiving a detent (18) on the elongate frame so that latch mechanism and sleeve can be held together.
 
8. A rotary drier according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch projection (22) is urged towards at least one of the apertures in the support column by a resilient member (21) between the elongate frame of the latch mechanism and the end of the elongate member supporting the release part.
 
9. A rotary drier according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve includes a resilient moulding (7) extending substantially along the length of the latch mechanism between the first and second apertures at either end of the sleeve.
 
10. A rotary drier according to Claim 9, wherein the moulding includes ridges (8) to provide a finger grip region on the sleeve.
 
11. A rotary drier according to any previous claim in which the sleeve has a first part (2) for pivotally supporting arms of the drier, and a second part (7) providing a grip region to enable the sleeve to be moved relative to the column.
 
12. A rotary drier according to Claim 11, wherein the sleeve is tubular.
 
13. A rotary drier according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein:

the latch mechanism includes an elongate frame (11) that supports the latch member (19), said latch member being pivotal about a transverse axis of said elongate frame;

the latch member includes an elongate body having first and second end regions each with a projection (20,22) extending in opposed transverse directions from respective first and second end regions to form the release part (20) and the latch part (22) respectively, said elongate body also including a pivot point (16) at which said elongate frame can be pivotally attached to the frame of the latch mechanism;

the sleeve includes at least two apertures (5,6) a first and second of which being situated towards respective ends of the sleeve, wherein a first of the apertures is arranged to receive the release part (20) of the latch member (19) which is extendible into and is accessible by said aperture (5) in the sleeve and a second (6) of said apertures is arranged to receive a detent (18) on the elongate frame so that latch mechanism and sleeve can be held together;

in which the second (22) of said projections is urged towards the aperture (5) in the column by a resilient member (21) between the elongate frame (11) of the latch mechanism and the end of the elongate member (19) supporting the release part.
 
14. A rotary drier according to Claim 13. wherein the resilient member is a spring, one end of which being seated on a stud (14) on the elongate frame, with the other end of the spring abutting against the underside of the release part (20).
 


Ansprüche

1. Wäschespinne mit einer Stützsäule, die mindestens eine ebene Fläche besitzt, welche sich über eine Länge der Stützsäule erstreckt, und einer Hülse (1) zum schwenkbaren Abstützen von Armen der Spinne, wobei die Hülse entlang der Stützsäule über eine Länge, die mindestens von der ebenen Fläche überspannt wird, auf und ab verschiebbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Riegelmechanismus (11, 19) trennbar von jedoch innerhalb der Hülse gehalten ist und der Riegelmechanismus kooperierbar ist mit der ebenen Fläche, um im Wesentlichen eine Drehung der Hülse zu verhindern, während der Riegelmechanismus ein Riegelelement (19) besitzt mit einem Freigabeteil in der Form eines Knopfes (20), zugänglich durch die Hülse, und einen Riegelteil mit einem Vorsprung (22), welcher in mindestens eine einer Mehrzahl von Öffnungen in der ebenen Fläche eindrückbar ist, wenn die Öffnung und der Vorsprung aufeinander ausgerichtet sind.
 
2. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Stützsäule rohrförmig ausgebildet ist.
 
3. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei der Riegelmechanismus einen länglichen Rahmen (11) umfasst, der das Riegelelement (19) abstützt, wobei das Riegelelement schwenkbar ist um eine Querachse des länglichen Rahmens.
 
4. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei das Riegelelement (19) einen länglichen Körper einschließt mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Endregion, die jeweils mit einem Vorsprung (20, 22) versehen sind, welcher sich in entgegengesetzter Querrichtung von jeweils der ersten und der zweiten Endregion erstreckt zur Bildung des Freigabeteils (20) bzw. des Riegelteils (22), wobei der längliche Körper außerdem einen Schwenkpunkt (16) einschließt, an welchem der längliche Rahmen schwenkbar an dem Rahmen des Riegelmechanismus gehalten werden kann.
 
5. Wäschespinne gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hülse mindestens zwei Öffnungen (5, 6) umfasst, von welchen sich die erste und die zweite in Richtung auf das jeweilige Ende der Hülse befindet.
 
6. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei eine erste (5) der Öffnungen angeordnet ist zur Aufnahme des Freigabeteils (20) des Riegelelementes (19), welches erstreckbar ist in und zugänglich ist durch die Öffnung (5) in der Hülse.
 
7. Wäschespinne gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die zweite (6) der Öffnungen der Aufnahme eines Auslösevorsprungs (18) dient an dem länglichen Rahmen derart, dass der Riegelmechanismus und die Hülse zusammengehalten werden können.
 
8. Wäschespinne gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Riegelvorsprung (22) in Richtung auf mindestens eine der Öffnungen in der Spitzsäule gedrückt wird mittels eines elastischen Elementes (21) zwischen dem länglichen Rahmen des Riegelmechanismus und dem End des länglichen Elementes, welches den Freigabeteil abstützt.
 
9. Wäschespinne gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hülse eine elastische Ausformung (7) einschließt, welche sich im Wesentlichen entlang der Länge des Riegelmechanismus erstreckt, zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Öffnung an jedem Ende der Hülse.
 
10. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei die Ausformung Rippen (8) einschließt, die einen Fingereingriffsbereich an der Hülse bereitstellen.
 
11. Wäschespinne gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hülse einen ersten Teil (2) besitzt zum schwenkbaren Abstützen der Arme der Spinne und einen zweiten Teil (7), welcher eine Griffregion bildet, um zu ermöglichen, dass die Hülse relativ zur Säule verschiebbar ist.
 
12. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei die Hülse rohrförmig ausgebildet ist.
 
13. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 11 oder Anspruch 12, wobei:

der Riegelmechanismus einen länglichen Rahmen (11) einschließt, welcher das Riegelelement (19) abstützt, wobei das Riegelelement schwenkbar um eine Querachse des länglichen Rahmens ist;

das Riegelelement einen länglichen Körper einschließt mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Endregion jeweils mit einem Vorsprung (20, 22), die sich in entgegengesetzte Querrichtungen erstrecken von der jeweiligen ersten und zweiten Endregion, um den Freigabeteil (20) bzw. den Riegelteil (22) zu bilden, wobei der längliche Körper außerdem einen Schwenkpunkt (16) einschließt, bei welchem der längliche Rahmen schwenkbar an dem Rahmen des Riegelmechanismus gehalten werden kann;

wobei die Hülse mindestens zwei Öffnungen (5, 6) einschließt, von denen sich die erste und zweite in Richtung auf das jeweilige Ende der Hülse befindet, und die erste der Öffnungen angeordnet ist zur Aufnahme des Freigabeteils (20) des Riegelelementes (19), welches hinein erstreckbar ist in und zugänglich ist durch die Öffnung (5) in der Hülse, und die zweite (6) der Öffnungen angeordnet ist zur Aufnahme eines Auslösevorsprungs (18) an dem länglichen Rahmen derart, dass der Riegelmechanismus und die Hülse zusammengehalten werden können;
wobei der zweite (22) der Vorsprünge in Richtung auf die Öffnung (5) in der Säule gedrückt wird durch ein elastisches Element (21) zwischen dem länglichen Rahmen (11) des Riegelmechanismus und dem Ende des länglichen Elementes (19), welches den Freigabeteil unterstützt.
 
14. Wäschespinne gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei das elastische Element eine Feder ist, deren eines Ende sich auf einem Vorsprung (14) an dem länglichen Rahmen abstützt, während das andere Ende der Feder an der Unterseite des Freigabeteils (20) anliegt.
 


Revendications

1. - Séchoir rotatif comprenant une colonne de support ayant au moins un méplat s'étendant sur une longueur de ladite colonne de support, un manchon (1) pour supporter de manière pivotante des bras du séchoir, ledit manchon étant apte à monter et à descendre la colonne de support par coulissement sur une longueur couverte par ledit ou lesdits méplats, caractérisé par le fait qu'un mécanisme de verrouillage (11, 19) est séparable, mais captif à l'intérieur du manchon, ledit mécanisme de verrouillage étant apte à coopérer avec le méplat pour empêcher de façon substantielle une rotation du manchon, ledit mécanisme de verrouillage ayant un élément de verrouillage (19) avec une partie de libération sous la forme d'un bouton (20) accessible à travers le manchon et une partie de verrouillage ayant une projection (22) qui peut être sollicitée dans au moins l'une d'une pluralité d'ouvertures dans le méplat lorsque ladite ouverture et la projection sont en correspondance.
 
2. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la colonne de support est tubulaire.
 
3. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le mécanisme de verrouillage comprend un cadre allongé (11) qui supporte l'élément de verrouillage (19), ledit élément de verrouillage étant apte à pivoter autour d'un axe transversal dudit cadre allongé.
 
4. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (19) comprend un corps allongé ayant des première et seconde régions d'extrémité, chacune avec une projection (20, 22) s'étendant dans des directions transversales opposées à partir des première et seconde régions d'extrémité respectives pour former respectivement la partie de libération (20) et la partie de verrouillage (22), ledit corps allongé comprenant également une pointe de pivot (16) au niveau de laquelle ledit cadre allongé peut être attaché de façon pivotante au cadre du mécanisme de verrouillage.
 
5. - Séchoir rotatif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le manchon comprend au moins deux ouvertures (5, 6), une première et une seconde de celles-ci étant situées vers des extrémités respectives du manchon.
 
6. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel une première (5) des ouvertures est arrangée pour recevoir la partie de libération (20) de l'élément de verrouillage (19) qui est extensible dans et est accessible par ladite ouverture (5) dans le manchon.
 
7. - Séchoir rotatif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la seconde (6) des ouvertures est destinée à recevoir un arrêt (18) sur le cadre allongé de telle sorte que le mécanisme de verrouillage et le manchon peuvent être maintenus ensemble.
 
8. - Séchoir rotatif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la projection de verrouillage (22) est sollicitée vers au moins l'une des ouvertures dans la colonne de support par un élément élastique (21) entre le cadre allongé du mécanisme de verrouillage et l'extrémité de l'élément allongé supportant la partie de libération.
 
9. - Séchoir rotatif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le manchon comprend un moulage élastique (7) s'étendant sensiblement le long de la longueur du mécanisme de verrouillage entre les première et seconde ouvertures à l'une et l'autre des extrémités du manchon.
 
10. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le moulage comprend des crêtes (8) pour fournir une région de préhension par les doigts sur le manchon.
 
11. - Séchoir rotatif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le manchon a une première partie (2) pour supporter de façon pivotante des bras du séchoir, et une seconde partie (7) fournissant une région de préhension pour permettre au manchon d'être déplacé par rapport à la colonne.
 
12. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le manchon est tubulaire.
 
13. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 11 ou la revendication 12, dans lequel :

- le mécanisme de verrouillage comprend un cadre allongé (11) qui supporte l'élément de verrouillage (19), ledit élément de verrouillage étant apte à pivoter autour d'un axe transversal dudit cadre allongé ;

- l'élément de verrouillage comprend un corps allongé ayant des première et seconde régions d'extrémité, chacune avec une projection (20, 22) s'étendant dans des directions transversales opposées à partir des première et seconde régions d'extrémité respectives pour former respectivement la partie de libération (20) et la partie de verrouillage (22), ledit corps allongé comprenant également une pointe de pivot (16) au niveau de laquelle ledit cadre allongé peut être attaché de façon pivotante au cadre du mécanisme de verrouillage ;

- le manchon comprend au moins deux ouvertures (5, 6), une première et une seconde de celles-ci étant situées vers des extrémités respectives du manchon, une première des ouvertures étant arrangée pour recevoir la partie de libération (20) de l'élément de verrouillage (19) qui est extensible dans et est accessible par ladite ouverture (5) dans le manchon et une seconde (6) desdites ouvertures étant arrangée pour recevoir un arrêt (18) sur le cadre allongé de telle sorte que le mécanisme de verrouillage et le manchon peuvent être maintenus ensemble ;

- dans lequel la seconde (22) desdites projections est sollicitée vers l'ouverture (5) dans la colonne par un élément élastique (21) entre le cadre allongé (11) du mécanisme de verrouillage et l'extrémité de l'élément allongé (19) supportant la partie de libération.


 
14. - Séchoir rotatif selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l'élément élastique est un ressort, dont une extrémité est placée sur un appendice (14) sur le cadre allongé, l'autre extrémité du ressort étant en butée contre le dessous de la partie de libération (20).
 




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