EP1621679A1 - Device for locking and unlocking a cover or cap on a frame with a key - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a bolt forming unit integrated to a cap (1) and having a rod (12) terminated by a free hook end (12a) engaged under a rigid rib or leg of a strike (2a) of a frame (2) to lock the cap with the frame. A key (3) has a pin (8) to space the rod for disengaging its end from the rib or leg when the key is introduced in cap`s opening (4) and rotated at an angle around a longitudinal axis of an arm of the key to unlock the cap.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locking and unlocking by means of a key a buffer or cover on a frame.

It can be applied in road equipment, such as for example a manhole.

Such a device is known which comprises a lock integral with the buffer having an access opening to the lock for the key. This key comprises an arm carrying at its end a sleeve portion for operating the lock when the key is inserted into the opening of the buffer of a locking position in which a bolt lock is held prisoner of a striker of the frame an unlocking position for which the bolt is released from the striker and the key is held captive in the opening of the buffer. The lock also comprises a rotor rotatably mounted in the pad and accessible through the opening of the pad, the rotor being coupled to the bolt perpendicular to the latter. When the key is inserted into the pad in the locked position thereof to the frame and is operated to unlock the pad of the frame, the assembly formed by the rotor and the bolt pivots from its locked position to the striker in its unobstructed position. it.

This known device has the drawbacks of using a large number of elements, making it relatively complex, and cause risks of fouling likely to affect the operation of this device.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above disadvantages by providing a locking and unlocking device with a key or a cover on a frame, comprising a latch whose keeper member is secured to the frame and the bolt element is secured to the pad which has an access opening to the bolt element for the key which comprises an arm carrying at one of its ends a member for manipulating the element forming a bolt when the key is inserted into the opening of the buffer of a locking position in which the bolt element is retained prisoner of the striker at an unlocking position for which the bolt element is released from the striker and the key is held captive in the opening of the pad, and which is characterized in that the bolt member comprises an elastically deformable rod projecting from below the pad substantially perpendicular thereto and ending with a free end hook adapted to engage under a rib or rigid tab of the striker of the frame to lock the frame buffer and in that the key has its ergot-shaped actuating member for elastically spreading the rod to disengage its end in hook of the rib or rigid leg when the key is inserted into the opening of the pad and rotated at a given angle about the longitudinal axis l of the key arm so as to unlock the buffer.

The device includes means for positioning the key relative to the striker rib or tab when introduced into the opening of the pad to allow the key stub to be positioned in a space between the pad and the rib. or lug and in which the lug can freely rotate until it bears on the rod of the bolt element so as to move it elastically away from the rib or leg and is immobilized in rotation by the elastic return force exerted by the rod of the bolt member at a position under the pad at which the lug axially retains the key relative to the pad, so as to trap the key in the buffer.

Advantageously, the lug of the key has its free end concave inside which is retained the rod of the bolt member at its position away from the rib or leg when the key is in its unlocked position of the buffer.

The arm of the key comprises at its end a second lug opposite to the actuating pin of the rod of the bolt element and cooperating with the actuating pin to occupy a position of retaining the key in the transverse buffer at opening it when the key is in the unlocked position.

Preferably, the means for positioning the key relative to the rib or lug of the keeper comprises a bore made in the rib or lug at the right of the opening of the buffer and adapted to receive the cylindrical free end of the arm of the key. so that at least the operating pin extending transversely to the arm above its cylindrical end can bear against the rib or tab.

The bolt element also comprises a substantially U-shaped piece housed in the buffer parallel to the outer face thereof and one of whose branches has at its end the bolt rod extending perpendicularly to the plane of the workpiece. U-shaped whose two branches are symmetrical to the longitudinal median plane of the buffer opening, these two branches being separated from each other by a distance greater than that of the opening of the buffer.

At least one of the arms of the U-shaped part of the bolt member comprises substantially in the middle thereof a piece retaining means in its housing of the pad.

Preferably, the retaining means is constituted by an arcuate deformation of the branch of the U-shaped part defining an external concavity opposite to the other branch and in which is engaged by snapping a conjugate boss of the wall of the housing of the buffer located in look at the deformed branch of the U-shaped piece

The operating lug of the arm of the key has a length greater than that of the other opposite lug of this arm.

The opening of the buffer has in cross section a keyed shape.

The rib or tab of the striker is secured to one of the side walls of the frame and extends parallel to the upper edge of the frame serving as a buffer support.

The key is turned about a quarter of a turn to unlock the pad.

• la figure 1 est une vue arrachée en perspective d'un dispositif de verrouillage et déverrouillage d'un tampon sur un cadre conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue suivant la flèche II du dispositif de la figure 1 et représentant le tampon en position déverrouillée de son cadre ;
• la figure 3 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 2 et représentant le tampon en position verrouillée au cadre ;
• la figure 4 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 3 et représentant l'introduction de la clé dans le tampon pour le déverrouiller de son cadre de support ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la clé de déverrouillage faisant partie du dispositif de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de l'élément formant pêne du dispositif de l'invention ; et
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus suivant la flèche VII de la figure 4 de l'ouverture du tampon permettant à la clé d'accéder au verrou de ce tampon.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following explanatory description made with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating a embodiment of the invention and in which:

• Figure 1 is a broken view in perspective of a locking device and unlocking a buffer on a frame according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view along the arrow II of the device of Figure 1 and showing the buffer in the unlocked position of its frame;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 and showing the buffer in the locked position to the frame;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 and showing the introduction of the key into the buffer to unlock it from its support frame;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the unlocking key forming part of the device of the invention;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bolt member of the device of the invention; and
• Figure 7 is a top view along arrow VII of Figure 4 of the opening of the buffer allowing the key to access the lock of this buffer.

The locking device of the invention which will be described is particularly intended to equip a buffer, cover or the like 1 for closing a frame, frame or the like 2 and defining the opening of a manhole for example.

The locking device is actuable by a key 3.

The upper wall 1a of the buffer 1 has an access opening 4 for the key 3 and which opens on one side towards the outside of the buffer 1 and on the other side in a cavity 5 opening itself into the frame. locked position of buffer 1 to frame 2.

The key 3 comprises an elongated cylindrical arm 6, one end of which comprises an operating handle 7 constituted by a transverse bar extending on either side of the arm 6 and the opposite end comprises a member 8 making it possible to maneuver the element forming a bolt 9 of a latch when the key 3 is inserted into the opening 4 of the buffer of a locking position in which the bolt element 9 is held prisoner of a latch 2a of the latch secured to the frame 2 to a latch unlocking position for which the bolt element 9 is released from the keeper 2a and the key 3 is held captive in the opening 4 of the buffer 1.

According to the invention, the bolt element 9 of the latch comprises a substantially U-shaped part 10 housed in a conjugate cavity 11 of the buffer 1 extending substantially parallel to the plane of the outer face of the upper wall of the buffer 1 and a rod 12 integral with the end of one of the branches 10a of the part 10 extending perpendicularly from the plane passing through these branches, the rod of the bolt 12 ending in a crooked hook end 12a. Preferably, the part 10 and the rod 12 have a circular cross-sectional shape.

When the bolt element 9 is fixed in the cavity 11 of the buffer 1, the rod 12 protrudes from the buffer 1 in the opposite direction to its external face and perpendicular thereto so that in position of closure of the buffer 1 on the frame 2, the hooked end 12a of the rod 12 is engaged under a rigid rib constituting the keeper 2a of the latch secured to one of the side walls 2b of the frame 2 perpendicular to the latter, as best shown in FIG. 4. The rib 2a is situated at a distance below a peripheral rim 2c of the frame 2 on which the pad 1 bears and which is held thereby locked by the end 12a of the stem 12 anchored to the rib 2a. In the locked position of the buffer 1 to the frame 2, the buffer 1 leaves with the rib 2a a space 13.

The U-shaped part 10 is retained in the cavity 11 of the buffer 1 by a retaining means located approximately in the middle of one of the branches 10a of the part 10 and constituted in this case by an arcuate deformation 10b of this branch defining a 10b1 concavity directed outside and opposite to the other branch 10a, and wherein is engaged by snapping, by elastic deformation one relative to the two branches 10a, a conjugate boss 11a1 of the wall 11a of the housing cavity 11 of the part 10, the wall 11a located facing the deformed branch 10a of the part 10. Where appropriate, the part 10 can be removed from the cavity 11 by elastically bringing one to the other to using a suitable tool the two branches 10a and pulling on these branches. Alternatively, the part 10 can also be retained in the cavity 11 by another deformation of the other leg 10a identical to the previous one and in which a notch identical to the boss 11a1 of the wall of the cavity 11 opposite to the wall 11a.

The operating member 8 of the key 3 is in the form of a lug extending perpendicularly to the arm 6 whose free end opposite the operating handle 7 defines a cylindrical end 14 of smaller diameter than that of the cylindrical arm 6 of key 3 so as to define a shoulder 15 which, in this case, is merged with the lower face of the lug 8.

The arm 6 of the key 3 has at its end opposite the handle 7 a second lug 16 integral with the arm 6 perpendicular thereto opposite the lug 8 and of shorter length than the latter. The lower face of the lug 8 is also in the same plane as the shoulder 15 of the arm 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 4 for passing the key 3 has a cross-sectional shape conjugated to that defined by the two lugs 8, 16 situated on either side of the cylindrical arm 6 of the key 3 and this form constitutes a deceptive means.

The two branches 10a of the part 10 housed in the cavity 11 are separated from each other at a distance greater than the largest width of the opening 4 and are situated symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal median plane of the opening 4. The cavity 11 is thus located between the opening 4 and the cavity 5 opening above the free end portion of the rib 2a.

The rib 2a has at its free end portion internal to the frame 2 a bore 17 located vertically above the opening 4 of the cavity 5. The bore 17 is intended to receive the end cylindrical end 14 of the arm 6 of the key 3.

Starting from the closure position of the frame 2 by the buffer 1 shown in particular in FIG. 4, the key 3 is introduced into the opening 4 and the cavity 5 until the end-piece 14 engages in the bore 17 of the rib 2a and that the shoulder 15 and therefore the lugs 8, 16 rest on the rib 2a, thereby positioning the key 3 relative to the rib so that the two lugs 8, 16 are located in the space 13 between buffer 1 and rib 2a.

By turning the key 3 about a quarter of a turn about its longitudinal axis in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lug 8 moves in the space 13 until it bears against the rod 12 which is then elastically spaced in the opposite direction to the side wall 2b of the frame 2 having the rib 2a so as to disengage the hook 12a from below the free end of the rib 2a to thereby unlock the element forming bolt 9 of the keeper 2a. The lug 8 has its free end internally concave end 8a in which is retained the rod 12 at its position spaced from the rib as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the elastic return force exerted by the rod 12 on the lug 8 allows immobilizing it in rotation at a position such that the two lugs 8 and 16 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 4 under the buffer 1 so as to prevent the axial withdrawal of the key 3 from this buffer. In other words, in the unlocked position of the buffer 1 of the frame 2, the key remains trapped in the buffer 1. The operator can then remove by lifting the buffer 1 with the key 3.

To lock the buffer 1 again to the frame 2, it is then sufficient to turn the key 3 in the opposite direction to that of the arrow F to disengage the pin 8 of the rod 12 which elastically returns to its position at which the hook 12a comes to rest under rib 2a. Then, as soon as the two lugs 8 and 16 occupy their position in alignment below the opening 4, the key can be axially removed from the buffer 1.

Of course, various modifications may be made to the device described above without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the rib 2a can be replaced by a rigid tab integral with the inner face of the corresponding side wall 2b of the frame 2.

The device of the invention has a very simplified structure compared to previously known devices for locking and unlocking pavement look pads and, therefore, uses fewer elements than the latter. In addition, the shapes of the opening 4 and cavities 5 and 11 and the positioning of the bolt member 9 in the buffer 1 and the simple rod form of this element for locking the buffer to the frame, remove all risk of fouling of these parts and likely to affect the proper operation of the locking device. Finally, the design of this device is such that it requires a special locking and unlocking key, preventing the use of conventional keys.

Claims (12)

Device for locking and unlocking with a key (3) a buffer or cover (1) on a frame (2), comprising a latch (9, 2a) whose latch element (2a) is integral with the frame (2) and the bolt member (9) is integral with the pad (1) which has an opening (4) for access to the bolt member (9) for the key (3) having an arm (6) carrying the one of its ends a member (8) for operating the bolt element (9) when the key (3) is inserted into the opening (4) of the buffer (1) in a locking position in which the the bolt element (9) is held prisoner of the striker (2a) at an unlocking position for which the bolt element (9) is released from the striker (2a) and the key (3) is held captive in the opening (4) of the buffer (1), characterized in that the bolt element (9) comprises an elastically deformable rod (12) protruding from below the buffer (1) s ensibly perpendicular to the latter and ending with a free hook end (12a) adapted to engage under a rib or rigid tab of the keeper (2a) of the frame (2) to lock the buffer (1) to the frame (2). ) and in that the key (3) has its pin-shaped operating member (8) for elastically separating the rod (12) to disengage its hook end (12a) from the rigid rib or leg (2a). ) when the key (3) is inserted into the opening (4) of the buffer (1) and rotated by a predetermined angle around the longitudinal axis of the arm (6) of the key (3) so as to unlock the buffer (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (17) for positioning the key (3) relative to the rib or tab of the striker (2a) when introduced into the opening (4) of the buffer ( 1) to allow the lug (8) of the key (3) to be positioned in a space (13) between the buffer (1) and the rib or lug (2a) and in which the lug (8) can pivot freely until it bears against the rod of the bolt (12) in order to move it elastically away from the rib or lug (2a) and be immobilized in rotation by the elastic return force exerted by the rod of the bolt (12) at a position under the buffer (1) to which the lug (8) axially retains the key (3) relative to the buffer (1) so as to lock the key (3) in the buffer (1). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lug (8) of the key (3) has its free end internally concave in which is retained the rod of the bolt (12) at its position spaced from the rib or leg (2a) when the key (3) occupies its unlocking position of the buffer (1). Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arm (6) of the key (3) comprises at its end a second lug (16) opposite the actuating lug (8) of the rod of the bolt (12). ) and cooperating with the operating pin (8) to occupy a key retaining position (3) in the buffer (1) transverse to the opening (4) thereof when the key (3) is in unlock position. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the means for positioning the key (3) relative to the rib or tab of the striker (2a) comprises a bore (17) formed in the rib or tab ( 2a) to the right of the opening (4) of the buffer (1) and adapted to receive the cylindrical free end (14) of the arm (6) of the key (3) so that at least the maneuvering spigot (8) extending transversely to the arm (6) above its cylindrical end (14) can bear on the rib or lug (2a). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt element (9) also comprises a substantially U-shaped part (10) housed in the buffer (1) parallel to the outer face of the latter and of which one of the branches (10a) has at its end the rod of the bolt (12) extending perpendicularly to the plane of the U-shaped part (10) whose two branches (10a) are symmetrical to the longitudinal median plane of the opening (4) of the buffer (1) these two branches (10a) being separated from each other by a distance greater than that of the opening (4) of the buffer (1). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the legs (10a) of the U-shaped part (10) of the bolt element (9) comprises substantially in the middle thereof a means (10b ) of the piece (10) in its housing (11) of the buffer (1). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the retaining means is constituted by an arcuate deformation (10b) of the limb (10a) of the U-shaped piece (10) defining an external concavity (10b1) opposite the other limb (10a) and in which is engaged by snapping a conjugate boss (11a1) of the wall (11a) of the housing (11) of the buffer (1) located opposite the deformed branch (10a) of the U-shaped part (10) . Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the operating pin (8) of the arm (6) of the key (3) has a length greater than that of the other lug (16) opposite of this arm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (4) of the buffer (1) has a polarized shape in cross-section. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rib or tab of the striker (2a) is integral with one of the side walls (2a) of the frame (2) and extends parallel to the upper rim (2b). ) of the frame (2) serving as support buffer (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the key (3) is turned about a quarter turn to unlock the buffer (1).

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