Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a locking arrangement. In particular, the present disclosure provides a locking arrangement with a half nut arrangement for restricting relative movement by forming a mechanical brake of various components without any friction material.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, various combinations of electro-mechanical or mechanical components structure may entail a locking mechanism to restrict relative movement of various components with respect to each other. For example, a combination of certain components and structures may require restriction of unnecessary movement. To implement such restriction, various locking or braking mechanisms may be used.

SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a locking arrangement. In particular, the present disclosure provides a locking arrangement with a half nut arrangement for restricting relative movement of various components without any friction material by forming a mechanical brake.
[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a locking arrangement. The locking arrangement may include a bolt arrangement. The locking arrangement may further include a pair of two half nut arrangements mounted on the bolt arrangement. First ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements may be pivoted at one direction of the locking arrangement. The locking arrangement may further include a grooved rolling structure positioned at another direction of the locking arrangement. The grooved rolling structure is to engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements. Further, a rotation of the grooved rolling structure is to change an angular separation in the pair of two half nut arrangements.
[0005] In another aspect, the grooved rolling structure is to couple with an external locking structure. The external locking structure, upon being rotated, is to deactivate a locking mechanism of the locking arrangement.
[0006] In yet another aspect, the grooved rolling structure is to rotate in one of a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the grooved rolling structure, upon being clockwise rotated, is to disengage with the pair of two half nut arrangements. The disengagement is to further cause the pair of two half nut arrangements to diverge, and thereby causing an external locking structure to rotate.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the grooved rolling structure, upon being anti-clockwise rotated, is to engage with the pair of two half nut arrangements. The engagement is to further cause the pair of two half nut arrangement to converge, and thereby restricting the rotation of an external locking structure.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the locking arrangement may further include an actuator. The actuator may cause the rotation in the grooved rolling structure.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the actuator may be one of an electro-magnet, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a manual actuator.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the actuator may further include a retracting spring arrangement.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the bolt arrangement may be externally V-threaded.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the grooved rolling structure is to engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements via two pins to form a circular nut arrangement.
[0014] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary locking arrangement in a locked state, as per an implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0017] FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary locking arrangement in an unlocked state, as per an implementation of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims.
[0019] Embodiments explained herein relate to a locking arrangement. In particular, the present disclosure provides a locking arrangement with a half nut arrangement for restricting relative movement of various components without any friction material by forming a mechanical brake.
[0020] Generally, various components may be joined or coupled together to form certain structures. Such structures may be purely mechanical, electro-mechanical, either a part of another system, or may be performing certain functions independently. During combination of these components for formation and operation of desired structures, it may be crucial for restriction of relative movement of various components.
[0021] One such example of restriction of movement of certain components is the automatic door closing mechanism that may be implemented in passenger trains. As would be understood, sliding steps may be used in passenger trains to assist passengers to board and de-board the train. Such sliding steps may fill the gap between the coach of the train and the platform. Based on the train’s functionality, door of the train may be automatically closed and opened. In certain cases, it may be the electric motor that may facilitate the movement of train’s door.
[0022] During the opening and closing process, and while passengers boarding or de-boarding the train, it may be crucial for keeping the train doors intact and in firm position. Inadvertent movement of the door during such instance may cause injury to the passengers, as well as the train components.
[0023] Such restriction of movement between relative components of other structures may also be required in many other areas of application. For example, in certain machineries in industries or heavy equipment, the process may be highly specific and inadvertent movement of any component may be undesirable.
[0024] Conventionally, to cater to restriction of relative movement between various parts of complex structures and keep the parts in firm position, various techniques may be used. For example, friction brake, gear locks, worm and wheel system, etc. may be used. However, such techniques may be cumbersome and may have several reliability issues of improper handling in case of friction locks. Further, such techniques may also be unable to unlock when needed in gear locking. Even further, techniques like worm and wheel system may be required to be put in a box with lubrication assistance.
[0025] To this end, a locking arrangement with a half nut arrangement for restricting relative movement of various components without any friction material is described. As would be appreciated, the approaches of the present subject matter may efficiently implement the locking mechanism and restrict the relative movement of components without the use of any friction material by forming a mechanical brake. Further, the half nut arrangement may provide fail-safe stationary brake and may restrict inadvertent relative movement of various parts. Furthermore, the proposed approach may be inexpensive on the user effort part, thereby enhancing the user comfort as well. It may be easy to lock or unlock using the proposed approach. Even further, elimination of lubricant may enhance the prolonged lifetime of such locking arrangements, and may entail negligible maintenance.
[0026] As would be further appreciated, the proposed locking arrangement may be implemented in a variety of areas of applications, such as rotary shaft, overhead cranes, automotive parking brake, any other stationary brake. For example, the proposed approach may be used in automatic doors of passenger trains. For another example, the proposed approach may also be used on the wind turbines to stop the inadvertent rotation of fan due to the heavy wind to prevent electrical fires. Such proposed locking arrangement may aid in retaining the rotor once it is stopped by friction brakes to ensure holding the rotor against rotation.
[0027] Even further, the proposed locking arrangement may also be used in automobile parking brakes, such as mining trucks and vehicles to be operated in gradient where the friction brakes ability may be limited. However, it may be noted that aforementioned examples are only illustrative, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any manner. The proposed locking arrangement may be implemented in any other area of application without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0028] These and other aspects have been described in further details in conjunction with FIGs. 1A-1B. It may be noted that these figures are only illustrative, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject matter in any manner. It may be further noted that FIGs. 1A-1B have been explained together for describing the proposed locking arrangement, and same reference numerals have been used wherever necessary.
[0029] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary locking arrangement 100 in a locked state, as per an implementation of the present subject matter. The locking arrangement 100 may be a part of the locking assembly of the vehicle or machinery where the locking arrangement 100 may be implemented. Further, the locking arrangement 100 may be coupled to or in communication with all those components of the locking assembly. Such components have not been depicted and described here for the sake of brevity, and may be well understood by a person skilled in the art. It may be further noted that the locking arrangement 100 may be used in any area of application where restriction of relative movement of any type of components may be required. All such examples would be covered by the scope of the present subject matter.
[0030] In one example, as depicted in FIG. 1A, the locking arrangement 100 may include a bolt arrangement 102. As would be understood, the bolt arrangement 102 may be externally threaded. In one example, the bolt arrangement 102 may be externally V-threaded. However, it may be noted that any other type of external threading on the bolt arrangement 102 would also be covered within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0031] Continuing further, the locking arrangement 100 may further include a pair of two half nut arrangements 104-1 and 104-2 (collectively and individually referred to as half nut arrangements 104) mounted on the bolt arrangement 102. As depicted in FIG. 1A, each of the two half nut arrangements 104 may be mounted on the bolt arrangement 102 in such a manner, that collectively they may form a complete nut. As further depicted in FIG. 1A, first ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements 104 may be pivoted at one direction of the locking arrangement 100.
[0032] The locking arrangement may further include a grooved rolling structure 106 positioned at another direction of the locking arrangement 100, as depicted in FIG. 1A. The grooved rolling structure may engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements 104. In one example, the grooved rolling structure 106 is to engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements 104 via two pins to form a circular nut arrangement, as depicted in FIG. 1A.
[0033] The grooved rolling structure 106 may further couple with an external locking structure 108. Such external locking structure 108, in turn, may be in coupling with other components of the locking assembly in which the locking arrangement 100 may be implemented. The external locking structure 108, upon being rotated, may be responsible for implementing the locking mechanism.
[0034] In operation, the grooved rolling structure 106 may be configured to rotate in one of a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction. Such rotation may is to change an angular separation in the pair of two half nut arrangements 104. This has been depicted in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary locking arrangement, such as locking arrangement 100, in an unlocked state, as per an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0035] In one example, the locking arrangement 100 may further include an actuator (not depicted in FIGs. 1A-1B). The actuator may cause the rotation in the grooved rolling structure. Examples of such actuator may include, but are not limited to, an electro-magnet, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a manual actuator. In another example, the actuator may further include a retracting spring arrangement which may facilitate the rotation of the grooved rolling structure 106.
[0036] Returning to the present example, upon actuation, the grooved rolling structure 106 may rotate in a clockwise direction. This rotation has been depicted in FIG. 1B. Upon being clockwise rotated, the pair of two half nut arrangements 104 may disengage with the grooved rolling structure 106. Such disengagement may cause the pair of two half nut arrangements 104 to diverge, and thereby further causing the external locking structure 108 to rotate.
[0037] This implementation and operation may allow the locking assembly, in which the locking arrangement 100 is implemented, to allow the relative movement of corresponding components. Upon being required to restrict the relative movement again, the grooved rolling structure may be caused to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction. This has not been depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.
[0038] Upon being rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the grooved rolling structure 106 may engage with the pair of two half nut arrangement 104. This engagement may cause the pair of two half nut arrangements to converge again, thereby restricting the rotation of the external locking structure 108. This restriction, in turn, may cause the restriction in relative movement of the connected corresponding components of the locking assembly.
[0039] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:1. A locking arrangement (100) comprising:
a bolt arrangement (102);
a pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2) mounted on the bolt arrangement (102), wherein first ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2) are pivoted at one direction of the locking arrangement (100); and
a grooved rolling structure (106) positioned at another direction of the locking arrangement (100), wherein the grooved rolling structure (106) is to engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2), and wherein a rotation of the grooved rolling structure (106) is to change an angular separation in the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2).
2. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooved rolling structure (106) is to couple with an external locking structure (108), and wherein the external locking structure (108), upon being rotated, is to deactivate a locking mechanism of the locking arrangement (100).
3. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooved rolling structure (106) is to rotate in one of a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction.
4. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the grooved rolling structure (106), upon being clockwise rotated, is to:
disengage with the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2);
cause the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2) to diverge; and
cause an external locking structure (108) to rotate.
5. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the grooved rolling structure (106), upon being anti-clockwise rotated, is to:
engage with the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2);
cause the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2) to converge; and
restrict the rotation of an external locking structure (108).

6. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuator to cause the rotation in the grooved rolling structure (106).
7. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuator is one of an electro-magnet, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a manual actuator.
8. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuator further comprises a retracting spring arrangement.
9. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bolt arrangement (102) is externally V-threaded.
10. The locking arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooved rolling structure (106) is to engage with second ends of the pair of two half nut arrangements (104-1, 104-2) via two pins to form a circular nut arrangement.