EP0742340B1 - Mechanical turnstile - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mechanical gate of the kind comprising an arm fixed on an axis carried by a box forming a base (see DE-U-8709542).

Two gates of this type are used, for example, at the entrance to department stores. They are generally equipped with means for allow a determined angular displacement of the axis in the normal direction opening the gate and means to allow automatic recall in the closed position.

No gate is currently proposed which could be crossed without being broken in the opposite direction to the normal opening direction of the pass door, for example in the event of an emergency evacuation of a large store area.

The object of the present invention is in particular to propose such a gate. It also aims to propose such a gate in which a manual re-indexing of the arm, after opening in the opposite direction to the normal direction opening, is possible; a simple adjustment means is also proposed from the position of the arm, the base being generally fixed to the ground.

• lesdits moyens permettant un déplacement angulaire déterminé de l'axe dans le sens normal d'ouverture du portillon comprennent une partie terminale inférieure filetée ménagée dans le prolongement de l'axe et adaptée à coopérer avec un taraudage prévu dans un organe susceptible d'être immobilisé en rotation à l'aide d'un agencement à friction ;

et en ce que sont prévus en outre :

• des moyens de limitation de la course dudit déplacement angulaire qui comportent une saillie ménagée à la base de l'axe et engagée avec jeu dans une rainure ménagée dans ledit organe susceptible d'être immobilisé en rotation ; et
• des moyens pour permettre une ouverture manuelle en sens contraire au sens d'ouverture normal du portillon avec réindexage manuel du bras comprenant ledit organe immobilisé en rotation qui est susceptible d'être entraíné en rotation à l'encontre dudit agencement à friction sous l'action d'une force déterminée lorsque ladite saillie est en butée dans ladite rainure.

According to the invention, a gate comprising an arm fixed on an axis carried by a box forming a base and means allowing a determined angular displacement of the axis in the normal direction of opening of the gate, is characterized in that:

• said means allowing a determined angular displacement of the axis in the normal direction of opening of the gate comprises a threaded lower end portion formed in the extension of the axis and adapted to cooperate with a tapping provided in a member capable of being immobilized rotating using a friction arrangement;

and in addition that:

• means for limiting the stroke of said angular displacement which comprise a projection formed at the base of the axis and engaged with play in a groove formed in said member capable of being immobilized in rotation; and
• means for allowing manual opening in the opposite direction to the normal direction of opening of the gate with manual re-indexing of the arm comprising said member immobilized in rotation which is capable of being driven in rotation against said friction arrangement under the action of a determined force when said projection is in abutment in said groove.

An angular deviation of the arm in the normal direction of opening of the gate generates a helical movement of the axis thanks to the connection by threading with the immobilized organ. During such a movement, the stroke that has the axis is a function of the dimensional characteristics of the projection and of the groove in which it is trapped. At the end of the race, the projection of the axis abuts against the groove. By limiting, for example, the stroke to 1/4 of no threads of the axis and of the member immobilized in rotation, the deflection angle of the arm can advantageously be adjusted to 90 °.

When the gate arm is in the closed position, the projection of the axis is in abutment in the groove. By applying a force contrary to the direction on the arm opening, from a certain value of force, the threaded member which was immobilized is rotated against the arrangement to friction: the arm, axle and threaded member assembly angularly shifts. The force value can be adjusted according to the elements constituting said friction arrangement.

Means are also provided to allow a recall arm automatically to its closed position.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de deux portillons d'entrée selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation du portillon de la figure 1 avec un arrachement local en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1, selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail agrandi de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 5 à 8 illustrent des variantes de réalisation.

The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear in the light of the following description of an embodiment, description made with reference to the figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of two entrance gates according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is an elevational view of the gate of Figure 1 with a cutaway local section along the line II-II of Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 1;
• Figures 5 to 8 illustrate alternative embodiments.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, a gate according the invention comprises an arm 1 fixed on an axis 2 passing through a box in sheet 3 fixed to the ground and forming a base.

According to the embodiment chosen and shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, axis 2 is guided by a guide flange 4 fixed inside the box 3, in the upper part, by means of screws 10. It has a ring self-lubricating 11 providing translational and rotational guidance of the axis 2.

At the lower end of axis 2, in line with the latter, is provided a lower axis 5 engaged in a housing 6 of the axis 2 and secured with a pin 7. The lower axis 5 has a part threaded terminal 8.

A lower casing 12 is fixed in the box 3 for example by welding. At least one Belleville washer 14, three in the example shown, rests in the bottom of the lower casing 12, centered against a flange 13 of this last, and on which rests a support washer 15. A ring self-lubricating 18 provides rotational guidance of a disc 20 that it surrounds; the disc 20 is provided with a thread 21 having the same characteristics that the thread of the threaded end portion 8 of the axis lower 5 with which it cooperates. On the disc 20 is fixed a ring 25 to using 24 countersunk screws. Friction washers 30A, 30B, made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, are arranged on either side of the disc 20 - ring 25 assembly by coming to marry respectively the upper face of the ring 25 and the lower face of the disc 20. The disc 20 and the ring 25 form a member capable of being immobilized in rotation thanks to the friction arrangement which has just been described.

The lower casing 12 has on its upper outer part a thread 32 used for mounting by screwing a clamping flange 33 carrying a central sleeve 34. The flange 33, in contact with the friction washer 30A, allows, by screwing or unscrewing, the adjustment of the friction force immobilizing the disc 20, by compressing more or minus Belleville washers 14.

The lower part of axis 2 has an annular shoulder 38 forming a radial projection adapted to cooperate with an annular shoulder 41 placed opposite and formed on the lower surface of the ring 25. A clearance axial J separates these two annular shoulders 38 and 41, the height of the annular shoulder 38 being smaller than that of the shoulder annular 41.

The ring 25 is assembled on the disc 20 after mounting the axis 2, the annular shoulder 38 of the latter thus being trapped axially between the disc 20 and the ring 25 in an annular groove defined by the annular shoulder 41 of the ring 25 and the upper surface disc 20.

The gate opening in the normal direction of opening (according to arrows O shown in Figures 1 and 4) operates as follows. A angular deviation of arm 1 in the opening direction generates a helical movement of axis 2 thanks to the thread connection between the axis lower threaded 5 and the disc 20 tapped. Axis 2 goes up. At such movement, the stroke of axis 2, trapped between disc 20 and the ring 25 is a function of the dimensional characteristics of the shoulders 38, of the lower end of the axis 2, and 41, of the ring 25. At the end of race J, the shoulder 38 of the axis 2 abuts against the shoulder 41 of the ring 25. The value of the angular deviation of the arm 1 is therefore as a function of stroke J. By limiting it to 1/4 of the pitch of the axis threads lower thread 5 and the thread 21 of the disc 20, the angular deviation of the arm 1 can be adjusted to 90 °.

The automatic recall of arm 1 operates as follows. The angle of the propellers of the threads of the threaded lower axis 5 and of the internal thread 21 of disc 20 is such that the coupling is reversible so that, by the single mass of all the parts driven during the angular shift of arm 1 in the opening direction, a helical movement is ensured in the opposite direction (return direction of the arm).

Manual opening in the opposite direction is as follows. The tightening of the flange 33 contributes to immobilization in rotation of the disc. 20 via friction washers 30A, 30B and washers Belleville 14 which exert contact pressure on the upper surface of the ring 25 and on the lower surface of the disc 20.

When the arm 1 is in the closed position, the annular shoulder 38 of the axis 2 is in abutment with the disc 20. The arm 1 being immobilized in position closed, by applying to the arm 1 a force opposite to the direction of opening, at from a certain force value, the disc 20 slides between the washers friction 30A, 30B: the arm 1, axis 2, lower axis 5, disc 20 and ring 25 shifts angularly. The value of this force is a function of tightening torque of the flange 33. Two fingers 16, 17 are provided on the arm 1, adapted to abut on a stud 28 fixed on the box 3 (see Figure 4). Finger 17 is provided with an adjustable stop 19. The degree of freedom of the arm 1 is limited by the stop of the finger 16 on the stud 28 fixed at 90 ° to the box 3.

After having made an angular shift of the arm 1 in the direction contrary to the opening direction, arm 1 must be reindexed for a return suitable for closed position. Manual reindexing of the arm takes place from the next way.

Under a thrust in the opening direction during such an operation of reindexing, the device behaves at first in a way identical to a normal maneuver in the opening direction: arm 1 performs an angle rotation whose value is a function of the stroke J possible from the lower threaded axis 5 and drives the axis 2 in a movement helical. At the end of this movement, the annular shoulder 38 of the axis 2 is in abutment with the annular shoulder 41 of the ring 25. In a second time, the device behaves identically to an operation in a opposite direction to the opening direction. By applying a force in the direction greater opening on arm 1, from a certain value force, the disc 20 and the ring 25 slide between the friction washers 30A, 30B: the arm 1, axis 2, lower axis 5, disc 20 and ring 25 assembly shifts angularly, which allows re-indexing of arm 1. The value of this force is a function of the tightening torque of the flange 33.

At the end of reindexing, when this force is removed, the arm 1 performs a reverse rotation according to the principle of automatic recall described upper.

The rotation performed by arm 1 when it is recalled after shifting angular in the direction of opening being always of the same value, in acting on the position of the arm at the end of the maneuver in the opening direction, the arm is moved to the closed position.

The closed position of arm 1 is adjusted by: an action on the adjustable stop 19 (see FIG. 4) which is fixed to the finger 17 itself secured to arm 1, a movement of arm 1 in the opposite direction to the direction opening, a reindexing operation until it comes up against the block 28 with the adjustable stop 19, and an automatic return of the arm 1.

• une ouverture manuelle du bras dans un sens, qui peut être limitée par exemple à 90° ;
• un rappel automatique du bras en position fermée ;
• une ouverture manuelle en sens contraire sous une poussée réglable, qui peut être limitée par exemple à 90° ;
• un réindexage manuel du bras après ouverture en sens contraire ; et
• un réglage de la position du bras.

There is thus proposed according to the invention a simple construction gate which can meet the following needs:

• manual opening of the arm in one direction, which can be limited for example to 90 °;
• an automatic return of the arm to the closed position;
• manual opening in the opposite direction under an adjustable thrust, which can be limited for example to 90 °;
• manual reindexing of the arm after opening in the opposite direction; and
• an arm position adjustment.

The direction of openness is, according to the embodiment which has just been described, dependent on the direction of the threads of the threaded axis 5 and the internal thread of the disc 20. If we want to use this same type of construction for a arrangement with two left and right gates as in Figure 1, it suitable for left-side gates and type gates straight with threads of axis 2 and thread of disc 20 respectively symmetrical. You can also easily adapt the gate which has just been described. Thus, according to the variant of FIG. 5, a ring 40 is secured to axis 2 by means of a pin 43. A helical spring 44 provides an angular elastic connection in rotation between the ring 40 and the guide flange 4. This spring 44 is bandaged during assembly and stresses axis 2 in an upward helical movement. When the arm 1 is in the closed position, the annular shoulder 38 of the axis 2 is in contact with the annular shoulder 41 of the ring 25. The axis 2 descends during a angular deviation of arm 1 in the opening direction. The recall of arm 1 is then provided by the spring 44. According to this variant, the direction of opening of the arm 1 is thus dependent on the presence of the spring.

In Figure 6 is shown a second alternative embodiment possible in which the angle of inclination of the propellers of threads 48 and 51 respectively of the threaded lower axis 5 and of the thread of the disc 20 is such that the coupling is only reversible so that the only mass of the assembly parts driven during the angular offset of the arm 1 in the direction is not enough to produce a helical movement in the direction opposite to that of the opening (direction of recall of the arm), as was the previously; the helical spring 44 is bandaged during its assembly and, depending on its direction of winding, drives the axis 2 in a helical movement either up or down. Arm 1 being in closed position, the annular shoulder 38 of the axis 2 is either in abutment on the disc 20, or in contact with the annular shoulder 41 of the ring 25. The axis 2 goes up or down during an angular deviation of the arm 1 in the opening direction. The arm is returned by spring 44. The direction opening is therefore here a function of the winding direction of the spring 44.

Alternative embodiments of the means allowing adjustment of the closed position of the arm are also possible.

According to the variant shown in Figure 7, means are put in works to modify the stroke J of the axis 2. For this purpose, the ring 25 is distant from the disc 20 by a space E. The position of the ring 25 relative to to the disc 20 is adjustable by means of screws 50 which make it possible to modify the value of the stroke J of the axis 2. The adjustment of the closed position of the arm 1 is carried out by: an adjustment of the stroke J of the axis 2 by an action on the screws 50, a movement of the arm 2 in the opposite direction to the opening direction, a reindexing maneuver until it comes up against block 28 and a reminder automatic arm 1.

According to the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, we put in work means to allow the rotation of axis 2 relative to the axis threaded lower 5. A shouldered ring 52 is screwed on the axis 2 until it comes in stop on the threaded lower axis 5. A nut 53 is engaged on the axis 2 and locked against the shouldered ring 52. A second nut 54 is engaged on the axis 2. The assembly thus composed is screwed at the end of axis 2 and locked with the second nut 54. The adjustment of the closed position of the arm is effected by: a loosening of this nut 54, an orientation of the arm 1 and the blocking of this nut 54 against axis 2.

According to another variant not shown, an orientation is proposed of the whole mechanism; the lower casing 12 is fixed in the box 3 by screwing. It is provided with oblong holes at the places of passage of screws of fixing so that one can orient it angularly. According to technology and the direction of opening of the arm 1 chosen (between the example of realization of Figures 2 to 4 and the variant of Figure 5), the shoulder annular 38 of axis 2 is either in abutment on disc 20 or in contact with the annular shoulder 41 of the ring 25. By orienting the whole of the mechanism, the closed position of arm 1 is modified. The adjustment of the closed position of the arm 1 is effected by loosening the flange 33, a rotation of the entire mechanism and a tightening of the flange 33.

According to another alternative embodiment, also not shown, implements means to suppress the helical movement of the axis 2. By making the axis 2 integral with the disc 20 by means of an accessory, manual opening of 90 ° is no longer possible: there is no more movement helical axis 2, the disc 20 slides between the friction washers 30A, 30B. It is enough to exert a force on arm 1 to bring it to the desired position. The closed position of the arm 1 is thus adjusted by fitting the aforementioned accessory, the action of a force on the arm 1 in the desired direction and removing the accessory.

It goes without saying that other variant embodiments are possible, in particular, an axis 2 and a threaded lower axis 5 can be provided in a single part and, moreover, the self-lubricating ring 11 of the device can be replaced by a ball bushing or any other means capable of ensuring guiding in translation and in rotation of the axis 2. It is also possible to complete the device by alarm means, contactors, presence detectors likely to set off an audible or light alarm warning of a arm movement in the opposite direction to the normal opening direction.

Claims (14)

1. A barrier comprising an arm (1) fixed on a shaft (2) carried by a casing (3) forming a base and means allowing a given angular movement of the shaft (2) in the normal opening direction of the barrier, characterised in that

   said means allowing a given angular movement of the shaft (2) in the normal opening direction of the barrier comprise a threaded lower end portion (8) provided in the extension of the shaft (2) and adapted to co-operate with a tapped thread (21) provided in a member (20,25) which can be fixed in rotation by means of a friction assembly (14,15,12, 33,30A,30B), and in that there are also provided

   means for limiting the travel of said angular movement, which comprise a projection (38) provided at the base of the shaft (2) and engaging with clearance (J) in a groove provided in said member (20,25) which can be fixed in rotation, and

   means for allowing manual opening in the opposite direction to the normal opening direction of the barrier, with manual re-indexing of the arm (1) comprising said member fixed in rotation, to which rotation can be imparted counter to said friction assembly under the action of a given force when said projection abuts in said groove.
2. A barrier according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for automatic return of the arm (1), comprising an angle of the screw threads of the threaded end portion (8) of the shaft (2) and of the tapped thread (21) of the part fixed in rotation such that, under the action only of the weight of the assembly of parts entrained during said angular movement, a helicoidal movement in the opposite directed is ensured.
3. A barrier according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises automatic return means for the arm, comprising a return spring.
4. A barrier according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said fixed member comprises a disc (20) comprising said tapped thread (21) and a collar (25) secured by means of locating screws (24), said groove limiting the travel (J) of said angular movement of the arm in the normal opening direction being defined by the upper surface of said disc (20) and an annular shoulder (41) provided on the lower surface of the collar (25), said projection provided at the base of the shaft (2) of the barrier being formed by an annular shoulder (38) of lower height than the depth of the groove and held captive in the latter.
5. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said friction assembly comprises a lower housing (12) secured to the inside of said casing (3), at least one Belleville washer (14) resting on the bottom of said lower housing (12), on which rests a thrust washer (15), friction washers (30A,30B) being arranged on either side of said fixed member (20,25), and a clamping flange (33).
6. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two fingers (16,17) are provided on the arm (1) and are adapted to abut on a pin (28) secured to the casing (3), making possible manual re-indexing of the arm (1) after opening in the opposite direction.
7. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means for adjusting the position of the arm (1).
8. A barrier according to claim 7, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise a finger (17) with an adjustable stop (19) provided on the arm (1) and adapted to abut against a pin (28) provided on said casing (3).
9. A barrier according to claim 7, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise means for changing the travel (J) of the angular movement of the shaft (2) relative to said fixed member (20,25).
10. A barrier according to claim 7, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise means enabling the shaft (2) to rotate relative to the threaded lower shaft (5).
11. A barrier according to claim 7, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise means for angularly positioning said lower housing (12).
12. A barrier according to claim 7, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise means for eliminating the helicoidal movement of the shaft (2) of the barrier.
13. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a guide flange (4) secured to the inside of the casing (3), in the upper part, comprises a ring ensuring translatory and rotational guidance of the shaft (2).
14. A barrier according to claims 3 to 13, characterised in that it comprises a ring (40) secured to the shaft (2), said return spring (44) ensuring an angular elastic connection between said ring (40) and said guide flange (4), said return spring (44) being stretched during its installation so as to be able to entrain the shaft (2) in a helicoidal movement either upwards or downwards.

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