BR112017004875B1 - MODULAR LOCK SYSTEM FOR A HINGE OF AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

MUDULAR LOCK SYSTEM FOR A HINGE OF AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE, HINGE FOR THE LOCK SYSTEM AND ADDITIONAL COMPONENT (OPT) OF A HINGE OF AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE. The present invention relates to a modular locking system for a hinge of an industrial vehicle which comprises a hinge (H) having a central body (BD), two lateral parts (L1, L2) with respect to the central body which are articulated with respect to the central body (BD), respectively, by means of two mutually parallel first axes of rotation (A and B); a first side part (L1) being intended to be associated with a fixed part of a vehicle body (VH) and a second side part (L2) being intended to be associated with a vehicle door (DO), wherein at least one of the two side parts (L1, L2) comprises a tooth (T) which extends radially according to one of said first axes of rotation (A or B). The system also includes an additional component (OPT) adapted to be connected to said central body (BD) and having a flat support element (SP), a hook (G) articulated to the support element (SP) by means of a second axis of rotation (R) perpendicular to said first axes of rotation and formed to engage said tooth (T) in a predetermined mutual position of said side part (L1 or L2) with respect to said central body (BD).

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle hinges with a removable or optionally installable locking system.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In the automobile industry, suitable hinges to lock the doors to the fixed parts of the body or structure of the vehicle are already known.

[0003] In the field of work vehicles, in particular medium to light industrial vehicles such as vans and the like, hinges are used to connect to the body of vehicle revolving doors closing the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] Commercial vehicles are often equipped with a door formed by two panels that are of the same or different width, which must be locked in its fully open position during access to the vehicle's load compartment.

[0005] Such doors usually define opening angles close to 270°, as they open to be parallel to or close to the sides of the vehicle.

[0006] Some known hinges, usually the hinged quadrilaterals, allow the doors to be locked in such an open condition and are provided with internal elements contrasting with a closing door.

[0007] Not all vehicle applications require hinges capable of locking doors and it is therefore expensive to stock different types of hinges.

Brief Description of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular locking system for a hinge of an industrial vehicle overcoming the aforementioned problems, in particular allowing significant cost savings.

[0009] The basic idea of the present invention is to provide a hinge having a central body and two portions movable with respect to the central body, wherein a first portion is intended to be locked to a fixed part of a vehicle and a second portion is intended to to be locked to a vehicle door, and wherein the central body comprises connecting means for being associated with an additional component comprising a hook for locking at least one of the movable portions with respect to the central body in a position corresponding to a complete opening of the vehicle door.

[0010] Therefore, the system comprises a hinge, preferably a hinged quadrilateral, already known, modified so that at least one of the movable parts cooperates with the hook of the additional component attachable to the central body of the hinge.

[0011] Preferably, the central body is also modified to allow the attachment of the additional component without interfering with the swing arms that define the hinged quadrilateral of the hinge.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention a modular locking system for a hinge of an industrial vehicle according to claim 1.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is a hinge adapted to implement said modular locking system.

[0014] An additional object of the present invention is an additional component to said hinge, contributing to form said modular lock system.

[0015] The appended claims define preferred variants of the present invention, thus forming an integral part of this specification.

Brief Description of Figures

[0016] Additional objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment (and variants thereof) and from the accompanying drawings, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a modular locking system of the present invention according to a first mode of operation.

[0018] Figure 2 shows the same view as Figure 1 according to a second operating mode.

[0019] Figures 3 and 4 show two front views corresponding to the operating modes of Figures 1 and 2.

[0020] Figure 5 shows a front view of an additional part of the system shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0021] Figure 6 shows the additional component of Figure 5 according to an opposite view, in which a cover of the additional component is clearly visible.

[0022] Figure 7 shows a rear view according to an additional preferred variant of the locking system of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 8 shows a front view of an additional preferred variant of the locking system of Figure 1.

[0024] The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components.

[0025] In this descriptive report, the term “second” component does not imply the presence of a “first” component. In fact, these terms are used for clarity purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The locking system according to the present invention comprises a hinge (H) having a central body (BD) and two lateral parts (L1, L2) with respect to the central body, which are articulated to the central body (BD) , respectively, by means of two mutually parallel axes of rotation (A and B). A first side part (L1) is intended to be locked to a fixed part (VH) of a vehicle, and a second side part (L2) is intended to be locked to a vehicle door (DO).

[0027] The central body (BD) includes connection means to be associated with an additional component (OPT) that comprises a swivel support hook (G) (hinge locking mechanism) to lock at least one of the movable portions (L1) , L2) with respect to the central body in a position corresponding to a complete opening of the vehicle door (DO).

[0028] Hereafter, the swivel support hook (G), loaded by a relative spring, will simply be referred to as "Hook G".

[0029] Thus, the system includes a hinge (H), preferably an articulated quadrilateral, already known, modified so that at least one of the side parts (L1, L2) cooperates with the hook (G) of additional component (OPT) attachable to the main body (BD) of the hinge (H).

[0030] As further explained hereinafter, the additional component can be attached at any time, i.e. even after the hinge (H) has been attached to a vehicle.

[0031] Advantageously, a hinge (H), altered as described herein, is ready to be associated with an additional component (OPT) that allows the door to lock in applications requiring it.

[0032] Since the changes to the hinge are minimal, said hinge can always be used, even when the door latch is not strictly necessary, since the latter can always be performed later by applying the additional component (OPT ).

[0033] Preferably, the central body is modified to allow a quick attachment of the additional component (OPT), without interfering with the arm (Z) defining the hinged quadrilateral of the hinge.

[0034] Consequently, the additional component (OPT) has connecting means complementary to the connecting means of the central body (BD) of the hinge.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a plan view of the system in a closed operating condition, that is, when the vehicle doors are closed. One of the two lateral parts (L1) is integral with a tooth (T) radially protruding from the axis of rotation (A) of the same lateral part, so that in the fully open condition, shown in Figure 2, said tooth (T ) engages the hook (G) of the additional component (OPT), integral with the central body (BD), thus remaining locked.

[0036] Like any swivel hook, the hook (G) interferes with the tooth (T) during the opening movement of the vehicle door; the tine takes the open position of the hook, which then closes on the tine as a result of the return of the relative spring (S) described below.

[0037] With reference to Figure 3, which shows a front view of the joint, the side part (L1) defines a sleeve articulated in a fork defined by the central body (BD).

[0038] The tooth (T) is connected to the sleeve defined by the lateral part (L1), which extends radially in relation to the axis of rotation (A).

[0039] Preferably, the central body (BD) has a flat shape defining two opposing forks, in order to achieve the aforementioned rotating couplings with the side parts (L1 and L2).

[0040] The (G) hook, as best seen in Figures 3 to 6, is integral with a lever (L) curved so as to protrude above or below the body (BD) according to a plan view from below. or from above. Therefore, the hook (G) and the lever (L) form a single component (GL).

[0041] The additional component (OPT) comprises a flat support element (SP), substantially parallel to the planar development of the central body (BD) of the hinge (H). It defines a pivot point (R) for the hook (G), perpendicular to the planar development (OPT) and pivot axes (A, B) of the hinge (H), when associated with the hinge. A coil spring (S), slightly visible in Figures 3 to 5, is wound over the fulcrum (R) to keep the hook in a stable first position, corresponding to the engagement position in Figures 2 and 3.

[0042] The hook (G) has a rounded end to facilitate its rotation around its support point (R) during an interaction with the tooth (T), until reaching the stable condition of engagement of Figures 2 and 3 above mentioned .

[0043] The support part (SP) can be directly associated by means of screws to the central body (BD). Preferably, this support part (SP) is not directly coupled with the central body (BD) of the hinge, but is coupled by means of a cover (CV), substantially flat, parallel and integral with the support element (SP). . The cover (CV) and the support element (SP) define a kind of sandwich with respect to the hook (G) and, in general, for the single component (GL). The cover (CV) includes connecting elements cooperating and complementary with the central body of the hinge (H). Preferably, it comprises at a first end a pair of hook-shaped elements (HK) and at a second end, opposite the first, a pair of long, narrow elements (V) protruding from the substantially planar surface of the lid ( CV), parallel to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum (R), towards the central body (BD), and comprising threaded holes, preferably blind, having axes of development parallel to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum (R) . The central body (BD) of the hinge (H) includes through holes, not shown, that correspond to said holes of the long and narrow elements (V), so as to be able to insert connection screws that make the cover (CV) integral with the central body (BD) of the hinge (H).

[0044] With reference to Figure 2, the additional component (OPT) is connectable - hinge detachment (H) operating according to the direction indicated by the arrow (F), when the vehicle doors are opened. In other words, an attacker cannot disconnect the additional hinge component (H) if he has not already chosen to lock the vehicle's doors.

[0045] For convenience, both the second face of the central body (BD) and the operating direction for removing the additional component (OPT) are indicated by the same reference "F".

[0046] Therefore, the application of the cover (CV) has several advantages, including the fact that it is visible when the vehicle doors are closed, having access to the fixing screws on the side (F) opposite the visible, according to the closed condition of the doors.

[0047] Only by opening the doors the main body (BD) is inverted with respect to the side (L1) thus giving external access to the screws coupling the additional component with the main body (BD).

[0048] The same coupling system can be replicated on both sides of the central body to lock both the lateral part (L1) and the lateral part (L2) with respect to the central body (BD). For example, two opposing hooks can be associated on the same support element (SP) or a double S-shaped hook can be provided which is capable of engaging on one side of a side tooth (L1) and on the other. side of a tooth from the lateral part (L2).

[0049] Also in this case a lever (L) can be provided that is integral with the double hook, for example at the inflection point defined by (S).

[0050] Alternatively, two additional components (OPT) can be associated with the same central body (BD).

[0051] When the hinge (H) is of the quadrilateral articulated type, in which the two lateral parts (L1 and L2) are mutually connected not only through the central body (BD), but also through an additional articulated arm (Z) to the side parts (L1 and L2) by means of the additional rotation axes (C and D) parallel with and distinct from the rotation axes (A and B), a single hook is sufficient to lock only one of the side parts (L1) or (L2), since the locking of only one of them induces the locking of the others.

[0052] According to a preferred variant of the present invention, the additional component (OPT) comprises an eccentric cam (ECC) rotatably associated with the support element (SP) according to an axis of rotation parallel to the fulcrum (R ), adjustable so as to prevent the hook (G) from taking the above-mentioned condition of engagement shown in the figures. In this way, the locking system can be deactivated even in the presence of the additional component (OPT) associated with the hinge (H).

[0053] Preferably, the eccentric cam (ECC) comprises a complementary graft with a common tool, for example, a screwdriver or a hex key or in the shape of the vehicle's ignition key, so that the driver can adjust the cam position (ECC) without any need for additional tools.

[0054] When the cover (CV) is present, a through hole formed in it, not visible, gives access from the outside to the cam (ECC) to determine its possible interference with the hook (G).

[0055] Regarding the conformation of the modification hinge object, according to the present invention, the central body (BD) may not be large enough to make through holes that allow a stable connection with the cover (CV) . Therefore, according to a preferred variant of the present invention shown in Figure 7, an arc-shaped support (STH) can be used to firmly fix the cover (CV) to the central body (BD) of the hinge. It has through holes complementary to the through holes of the long and narrow elements (V) and arcuate so as to encircle a portion of the central body (BD) to stably connect the additional component to the hinge.

[0056] According to a preferred variant of the present invention shown in Figure 8, which combines with the others described herein, the single component (GL) is associated with the pivot point of rotation (R), integral with the element of rotation. support (SP), by means of a slot (AS) and a relative positioning spring (ML), so that the component (GL), as well as rotating with respect to the pivot point of rotation (R), can also move slightly in the direction (AA) identified by the major axis of development of the crack, in order to allow the hook (G) to be removed from the tooth (T) without manually acting on the lever (L), when a predetermined load applied to the hinge has been exceeded.

[0057] Advantageously, in this way the system can be preserved against damage in the event of excessive closing loads possibly caused by operating errors, for example, if the operator forces the door to close without having disengaged the hook.

[0058] The positioning spring (ML) is aligned with said major development axis.

[0059] The spring (M) is inserted into a housing formed partially in the hub (R) and partially in the slot (AS). The spring (ML) therefore exerts a force between the fulcrum (R) and one end of the slot, so as to keep the hook in a resting condition.

[0060] A contact axis (CT) between hook (G) and tooth (T) is also defined. An angle (N) is defined between the axis (AA) and the axis (CT).

[0061] The load determining the automatic release of the hook (G) from the tooth (T) depends on the spring stiffness (ML) and the cosine of the angle (N). In this way, the trigger threshold can be varied by varying either parameter.

[0062] Figure 1 shows that the side part (L1) is folded under the central body (BD).

[0063] In the configuration shown in Figure 1, that is, in the closed configuration of the doors, the presence of the optional element (OPT) prevents access to the screws securing the side element (L1) to the vehicle body. On the other hand, the fastening elements of the optional component (OPT) are only accessible with fully open doors, so the optional component (OPT) also performs an "anti-tamper" function, opposing the disassembly of the doors when they are closed.

[0064] Embodiments of the described non-limiting example are possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, which comprises all equivalent embodiments for a person skilled in the art.

[0065] From the above description, the person skilled in the art is able to manufacture the object of the present invention without introducing any additional construction details. The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments can be combined without departing from the scope of protection of the present application. What has been described in the description of the prior art, unless specifically excluded in the detailed description, should be considered in combination with the features of the present invention, thus forming an integral part of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. MODULAR LOCK SYSTEM FOR A HINGE OF AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE, characterized in that it comprises: a hinge (H) having - a central body (BD), - two lateral parts (L1, L2) in relation to the central body, which are articulated to the central body (BD), respectively, by means of two mutually parallel first axes of rotation (A and B); a first side part (L1) being intended to be associated with a fixed part of a vehicle body (VH) and a second side part (L2) being intended to be associated with a vehicle door (DO), wherein at least one of the two side parts (L1, L2) comprises a tooth (T) that extends radially according to one of said first axes of rotation (A or B), an additional component (OPT) adapted to be connected to said central body (BD) and having - a flat support element (SP) - a pivoting snap hook (G) articulated to the support element (SP) by means of a second axis of rotation (R) perpendicular to said support element and to the said first axis of rotation (A, B) and formed so as to engage said tooth (T) in a first predefined mutual position of said lateral part (L1 or L2) with respect to said central body (BD) - in that said central body (BD) comprises first connecting means and said additional component (OPT) comprises second connecting means associated reversibly (HK, V) connectors which are complementary to said first connecting means - additionally comprising a flat-shaped cover (CV), parallel and integral with said supporting element (SP), for defining a housing sandwich of said hook (G), said cap (CV) comprising said second connecting means (HK, V). 2. SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that said additional component (OPT) is intended to be fixed to a first face of the central body (BD) of the hinge (H), intended to be seen when said door of vehicle (DO) is closed, and wherein said connecting means are accessible from a second face (F) opposite said first face, so that said additional component can be removed/connected only when said door of vehicle (DO) is opened. 3. SYSTEM, according to claim 2, characterized in that said additional component (OPT) has a shape complementary to said first face intended to be visible when a respective vehicle door is closed. 4. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said central body (BD) has a flat shape and defines a pair of opposing forks to allow the articulation of said lateral parts (L1, L2). 5. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, of the hinged quadrilateral type, characterized in that said side parts (L1, L2) are mutually restrained also by means of an additional arm (Z) hinged to the side parts ( L1, L2) by means of two additional axes of rotation (C, D) parallel to said first axis of rotation (A, B). 6. SYSTEM according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said central body (BD) has a first face intended to be visible when a respective vehicle door (DO) is closed, and wherein said means connectors are accessible from a second face (F) opposite said first face, so that said additional component can be removed only when said vehicle door (DO) is opened. 7. SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that one of said side parts (L1, L2) comprises through holes to be associated with a fixed part of a vehicle body (VH) and wherein said additional component ( OPT) can completely cover said through-holes, with a fully closed hinge corresponding to fully closed vehicle doors. 8. SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that said first face of the central body (BD) has a shape complementary to said additional component (OPT). 9. SYSTEM, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a flat support element (SP) adapted to be connected to a central body (BD) of said hinge, and; - a rotatable snap hook (G) articulated to the support element (SP) by means of a second axis of rotation (R) perpendicular to said support element and formed to engage said tooth (T) of said hinge in a first predefined mutual position of said lateral part (L1 or L2) in relation to said central body (BD). 10. SYSTEM, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first connection means comprise through holes made in said central body (BD) in a direction perpendicular to the development plane of said central body (BD) and corresponding to to the second connecting means (V) of said additional component (OPT). 11. SYSTEM, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hook (G) is made in a single piece with a lever (L) intended to project laterally in relation to said central body (BD), so that so as to be accessible from above or below the hinge when the hinge (H) is attached to a vehicle. 12. SYSTEM, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (CV) comprises, at a first end, a pair of hook-shaped elements (HK) and, at a second end, opposite to the first, a pair of long, narrow elements (V) that protrude from the planar surface of the cover (CV), parallel to the fulcrum (R) of the hook (G), towards the central body (BD), and comprising through holes, having axes of development parallel to the fulcrum (R), corresponding to said through holes of the central body (BD) of said hinge (H). 13. SYSTEM according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (CV) comprises a support (STH) having through holes complementary to the through holes of said long and narrow elements (V) and bent so as to wrapping a portion of said central body (BD) to securely connect the additional component to said hinge. 14. SYSTEM according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it additionally comprises an eccentric cam (ECC) rotatably associated with the support element (SP) according to an axis of rotation parallel to the fulcrum (R) of the hook, adjustable so as to interfere with the hook (G) in order to prevent it from being in a snapped condition caused by a respective spring wound on said second axis of rotation. 15. SYSTEM according to any one of claims 9 to 4, characterized in that said hook (G) is articulated to the support element (SP) by means of a slot (AS) and a positioning spring (ML), which allow the movement of the hook in relation to a main development axis of said slot, so as to allow a disengagement of the hook (G) from a respective tooth (T) in the event of a pre-defined closing load applied to the hinge has been exceeded.

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