EP0098218B1 - Device for automatically locking a hatch cover in a closed or opened position - Google Patents

Description

In document FR-A No. 2495565 by the same inventor, an automatic locking device for a hatch panel in the closing position has been proposed by a short-stroke cylinder imposing on the panel a practically horizontal locking or unlocking movement. by an irreversible mechanism separate from the operating mechanism which may include an operating cylinder either for a panel articulated in one or two elements, or for a panel moving transversely when it is a panel which is not operated by lifting devices such as cranes.

In the above case of a hatch panel actuated by an actuating cylinder, the present invention aims to provide automatic locking either in the closed position, or in the open position, or even in the two positions by the actuating cylinder, thereby eliminating the auxiliary short-stroke cylinder.

Document FR-A No. 2424398 describes an arrangement of hatch covers which are moved by means of actuating cylinders in open and closed positions. closing, and vice versa. Securing devices are provided, such as the tabs carried by the panels and engaging under inclined retaining tabs. However, such means of securing retain the panels only in the vertical direction and they do not oppose the horizontal movements of the panel. However, in this type of device, the actuating cylinders are actuated only during the closing and opening movements, but they are put to rest without pressure for the duration of the closing or of the opening, so that , without a lock making the connection between these jacks and the panels irreversible, the latter can, under the action of strong blades, especially in heavy weather, be subjected to forces having sufficient horizontal components to move the panels. arrangement provided in document Fr-A No. 2424398 therefore does not offer any irreversible connection between the actuating cylinders and the panel, since the securing members cannot oppose the movement of the panel if the latter: is subjected to a force with a sufficient horizontal component capable of driving the actuating cylinders when these cylinders are at rest without being retained under pressure.

The document FR-A No. 2424398 provides (in FIGS. 2 to 4) with an ovalized hole to allow horizontal release of the securing members from the retaining tabs, but this ovalized hole is not provided for the connection of the actuator. operation with the fixed structure or with the panel, and it is in no way associated with a locking mechanism.

The device according to the invention for the automatic locking of a hatch cover in the closed or open position applied to a panel actuated irreversibly by an actuating cylinder is characterized in that the connection of the cylinder to the panel or to the fixed structure is effected by means of a device allowing a limited movement which is effected only under the action of the jack and which brings about a locking mechanism at least at the end of the stroke of the jack and unlocking at the start of the reverse stroke of this jack, the latter being able to act for an operation according to this reverse opening or closing stroke only after completion of the unlocking.

The invention is particularly applicable to panels established in a single pivoting element or in two elements, these panels being actuated by an actuating cylinder for their opening and closing.

The displacement means actuated at one stroke end of the actuating cylinder can be a simple guidance of the cylinder end to impose a small displacement of this end relative to the structure to which it is connected, this guidance being able to be provided by example by an ovalized hole provided at one end of the jack to receive the hitch pin of this jack end so that at one end of the stroke of the jack, the body of this jack can move along its axis to control a locking mechanism.

The means of displacement of an end of jack according to the invention can also be a short rod interposed between this end and the structure to which it is connected, so that the movement of the link, at one end, of stroke of the jack , ensures the operation of a locking mechanism.

The displacement means can also be established in the form of a toggle which is coupled to one end of the jack and which itself constitutes the irreversible locking mechanism thanks to the arrangement in. alignment of the two ends of the toggle joint at the end of the stroke of the jack which ensures the functioning of a locking mechanism.

The means of movement can also be established under. the form of a toggle to which is attached one end of the jack and which itself constitutes the irreversible locking mechanism thanks to the arrangement in alignment of the two ends of the toggle at the end of the stroke of the jack which ensures the locking automatic sought.

• la figr. 1 est une vue en élévation de côté montrant schématiquement les positions générales de fermeture et d'ouverture d'un panneau d'écoutille articulé en deux éléments;
• la fig. 2 est une vue partielle de la partie d'un panneau comprenant le vérin de manoeuvre en position de fermeture avec un dispositif de verrouillage commandé par ce vérin;
• la fig. 3 est une vue partielle analogue à la fig. 2 mais correspondant à une position d'ouverture partielle ou totale du panneau;
• la fig. 4 est une vue partielle en position de fermeture de l'extrémité de manœuvre d'un élément de panneau articulé comme aux fig. 2 et 3, montrant le vérin de manœuvre et une biellettede commande de verrouillage interposée entre le pied du vérin et la structure d'appui;
• la fig. 5 est une vue correspondant à la fig. 4 mais représentant la position d'ouverture;
• la fig. 6 montre une disposition dans laquelle la tête d'un vérin de manoeuvre agit par l'intermédiaire d'un levier qui, au début de l'ouverture, soulève une cornière de verrouillage pour assurer le déverrouillage;
• la fig. 7 montre un dispositif de verrouillage en position de fermeture constitué par une genouillère actionnée par la tête d'un vérin de manoeuvre, cette genouillère assurant en même temps un verrouillage à l'ouverture;
• la fig. 8 montre l'action de la genouillère de la fig. 7 en position de fermeture;
• la fig. 9 montre schématiquement le verrouillage en position d'ouverture associé au dispositif de la fig. 6;
• la fig. 10 est un schéma montrant un exemple d'un dispositif de verrouillage en position d'ouverture actionné pour le déverrouillage par le vérin de manoeuvre au début de la fermeture;
• la fig. 11 montre un verrouillage en position de fermeture par un dispositif à genouillère permettant également le verrouillage en position d'ouverture;
• la fig. 12 montre le dispositif de la fig. 11 en position de déverrouillage en début d'ouverture, et
• la fig. 13 montre le même dispositif en position d'ouverture et de verrouillage.

To make the invention clear, some examples of execution will be described below with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

• figr. 1 is a side elevational view schematically showing the general closed and open positions of a hatch panel articulated in two elements;
• fig. 2 is a partial view of the part of a panel comprising the actuating cylinder in the closed position with a locking device controlled by this cylinder;
• fig. 3 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2 but corresponding to a partial or total opening position of the panel;
• fig. 4 is a partial view in the closed position of the operating end of an articulated panel element as in FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the operating cylinder and a connecting rod locking element interposed between the cylinder foot and the support structure;
• fig. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 but representing the open position;
• fig. 6 shows an arrangement in which the head of an actuating cylinder acts by means of a lever which, at the start of the opening, lifts a locking angle to ensure unlocking;
• fig. 7 shows a locking device in the closed position constituted by a toggle actuated by the head of an actuating cylinder, this toggle ensuring at the same time an opening locking;
• fig. 8 shows the action of the knee lever of FIG. 7 in the closed position;
• fig. 9 schematically shows the locking in the open position associated with the device of FIG. 6;
• fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a locking device in the open position actuated for unlocking by the actuating cylinder at the start of the closure;
• fig. 11 shows a locking in the closed position by a toggle device also allowing the locking in the open position;
• fig. 12 shows the device of FIG. 11 in the unlocking position at the start of opening, and
• fig. 13 shows the same device in the open and locked position.

In the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 1, the hatch is closed by a panel in two elements 1 -2 hinged together around an axis 3 and intended to be applied to the coaming 4 in the closed position. In this example, the element 1 is articulated to the coaming via links 5 while the element 2 carries, at its end opposite the axis 3, rollers 6 intended to roll on raceways lateral 7 provided on the sides of the coaming 4. The operation of the panel 1-2 is carried out under the action of the jack 8 whose head 9 is articulated to the element 1 by an axis 10.

In accordance with the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of execution of a locking in the closed position provided by a means of displacement of the foot of the jack relative to the support structure integral with the coaming, this means of displacement consisting essentially in cooperation a hinge pin and an elongated hole crossed by the pin. In the case of figs. 2 and 3, the jack base carries a hinge pin 11 guided in horizontally elongated holes 12 of a support member 13 secured to the coaming 4 so that this jack foot can undergo a small horizontal movement to act on the heel of a locking hook 14 movable about a horizontal axis 15. In the closed position, the body and the foot of the jack are in their left position shown in FIG. 2 by allowing the heel of the hook 14 to advance to the left and consequently the raising of the hook spout 16 at a lateral stop 17 of the panel element 1, the hook being returned to this locking position by any suitable means (not shown).

As the opening is effected by the extension of the jack to the position of fig. 3, it is understood that the initial opening action which tends to push the head of the jack towards the left has the effect of making the foot of the jack move back towards the right by pushing back the heel of the hook 14 and consequently by lowering the beak hook 16, so that the initial movement of the panel member 1 to the left of Figs. 2 and 3 is made possible as a result of the unlocking resulting from the lowering of the spout 16.

Fig. 4 shows a means of displacement of the foot of the jack 8 equivalent to that of FIGS. 2 and 3 and constituted by a link 18 pivoting about a median axis 19 on a fixed support support 20 and articulated by one end at the foot of the jack around an axis 21 while the opposite end of the link 18 pivots in front of a stop 22 of the panel element 1. In the locked closed position shown, the panel element 1 cannot move to the left because the stop 22 is stopped by the link 18 whose position is established to guarantee the irreversibility of the pivoting of the rod which is almost horizontal in the locked position. It is understood that at the start of the opening command, the foot of the actuating cylinder 8 tends to move to the right by rotating the rod 18 anti-clockwise, the movement of which can start thanks to an orientation suitable cylinder in locked locked position, the angle between the axis of the cylinder and the longitudinal axis of the rod being greater than the angle of this axis of rod with the horizontal. Thus, the link can be moved from its locked position by the action of the jack but not by the action of the panel, which ensures the desired irreversibility.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the head of an actuating cylinder 23 is coupled to a pivoting panel 24 by means of a small lever 25 which carries a locking angle 26 whose end 27 is placed in the closed position behind a fixed stop 28. At the start of the opening maneuver, the pivoting of the lever 26 releases the end 27 of the stop 28 so that the extension of the jack 23 allows the initial small horizontal movement of the panel and its front latch the pivoting of this panel around the fixed axis 29 which passes through a horizontally elongated opening in the end of the panel actuated by the jack 23.

The displacement means provided according to the invention between one end of the actuator and the associated structure, for example the panel or the element of the panel coupled to the actuating actuator, may be constituted by a toggle as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on which the actuating cylinder has been indicated at 30. The head 31 of this cylinder acts on the axis 32 of the toggle joint composed of two arms 33-34, the ends 35-36 of which are articulated respectively the panel element 37 and a link 38 pivoting around the fixed axis 39. FIG. 7 shows the position of the ge unlocked noodle before the end of the closure or after the start of the opening while fig. 8 shows the locking position, the panel element passing from one of the two positions to the other by a small horizontal movement. It is understood that in the locking position (FIG. 8) the alignment of the toggle joint ensures the desired irreversibility which ensures the maintenance of the panel whatever the forces which are applied to it. On the contrary, the extension of the jack for the opening causes the toggle to bend as shown in fig. 7 by initially causing a small horizontal movement limited by the arrangement of the link.

Fig. 9 shows an example of locking in. open position actuated by the angle iron which has been shown in FIG. 6 and the end of which can act on a bolt 40 pivoting on the panel element around an axis 41 to hang in the fully open position on a hook 42 carried by a vertical wall at the end of the 'coaming. At the start of the closing maneuver, the pivoting of the angle iron has the effect of lifting the latch by releasing it from the hook while the opposite effect occurs at the end of opening.

Fig. 10 schematically shows the locking of an articulated panel composed of two elements 43-44, the figure of which shows the lower ends, the panel being shown in the open position. In this example, the. foot 50 of the actuating cylinder 45 is ovalized so that qa'au: start of the closing command it rises due to the traction exerted on the head of the cylinder and this lifting allows the body of the cylinder to raise the hook 46 articulated on the fixed axis 37 so that the spout 48 of this hook emerges from the axis 49 previously locked.

It is also possible to establish, between the head of the operating cylinder and the panel element coupled to the cylinder, a knee device according to the principle of the invention, making it possible to ensure locking to the beam in the closed position. and in the open position of the panel and there is shown schematically such a double-acting locking device in FIGS. 11 to 13 which will now be referred to.

It was indicated in 51 the actuating cylinder whose rod 52 is coupled to a part 53 with three axes 54, 55, 56 for the connection of this part 53 respectively to the rod 52, to the rod 57 pivoting on the fixed axis 58 and to the panel element 59 actuated by the jack 51. A link 60 is also articulated on the fixed axis 58 and on an axis 61 integral with the panel element 59.

In the closed position (FIGS. 11 and 12), the link 60 is raised in a position close to the vertical while the panel element 59 occupies a horizontal position. In the closed locking position (fig- 11), the panel element 59 has been pushed to its extreme position to the right with engagement of its lock 62 under the hook 63 secured to the link and it will be noted that in this position the axis 55 of the part 53 is practically in alignment between the axes 56 and 58 by constituting the axis of a toggle provided between these axes 56 and 58. This toggle makes the movement of its two elements 53-57 irreversible, such so that it only folds back by advancing the cylinder rod 52 (fig. 12) necessary to ensure unlocking at the start of opening with a practically horizontal movement from right to left of the panel element 59.

If the extension of the jack continues from this position in fig. 12, the axis 61 continues to be pushed to the left, consequently pivoting around the fixed axis 58 to the final open position shown in FIG. 13 in which the axes 54, 56, 61 on the one hand and 58, 55, .56 on the other hand are practically in alignment, which ensures locking on opening while unlocking at the start of closing results from 'a start of recoil of the cylinder rod 52 which causes the folding of the. knee pads 58, 55, 56.

We see from the above description that the head of the actuating cylinder 51, that is to say its rod 52, is articulated on a part 53 which also carries the axes of two knee pads 55, 56 respectively carrying out locking in the closed position and in the open position.

Claims (5)

1. A device for automatically locking a hatch cover (1, 2) in a closed or open position applied to a hatch (1, 2) actuated irreversibly by an actuating cylinder (8), characterized in that the connection ofthecylinder (8) to the hatch (1, 2) or to the fixed structure (4) is provided by means of a device allowing a limited movement which is only effected under the action of the cylinder (8) and which drives a mechanism for locking at least at one end of travel of the cylinder (8) and for unlocking atthe beginning of the reverse travel of this cylinder, this latter only being able to act for an operation according to this reverse opening or closing travel after unlocking has been accomplished.

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the means for limited movement of one end of the actuating cylinder (8) with respect to the structure (4) to which this end is connected consists of an ovalized hole (12) at the end of the cylinder (8) which may thus move along its axis at one end of its travel for actuating a locking mechanism (16).

3. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the means for the limited movement of one end of the actuating cylinder (8) with respect to the structure to which this end is connected consists of a short link (18) whose movement at one end of travel of the actuating cylinder (8) effects automatic locking.

4. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the means for the limited movement of one end of the actuating cylinder (30) with respect to the structure to which this end is connected consists of a knuckle joint (33,34) to which the end (31) of the cylinder (30) is attached and which itself forms the irreversible locking mechanism through the aligned arrangement of the two ends (35, 36) of the knuckle joint (33, 34) pivotably mounted respectively to a fixed part and to the hatch (37) to be locked.

5. Device for automatically locking a hatch panel both in the closed position and in the open position according to Claim 1, characterized further by the fact that the means for limited movement between one end (52) of the actuating cylinder (51) and the structure to which this end is connected is formed by a pivoting piece (53) which carries the spindles (54, 55, 56) of two knuckle joints (58,55, 56 and 54, 56, 61) taking up rectilinear positions in the locking positions established respectively at the end of closing and at the end of opening while consequently allowing unlocking only after the cylinder (51) has begun the opening operation or the closure operation depending on the closed or open starting position.

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