EP0943768B1 - Return device of the actuating member for a lock housing, espagnolette lock or similar - Google Patents

Abstract

The return device (10) includes a body having a front face with means adapted to engage complementary means integral with the doorknob hole. The body has a longitudinal slot (17) which houses a spring (18), the ends having two branches (15,16) forming a fork. The width (L) of the slot is greater than the distance (1) separating the fork branches. The slot includes a portion (17a) emerging on the body rear face allowing passage of the spring.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for reminder of an operating member of a lock adapted to be embedded in the thickness of an opening.

It also relates to a case of such a lock, cremone bolt or the like for a door, window, French window or the like.

We know many examples of locking bolts of this type which are generally suitable for order both a latch bolt, a deadbolt and at least one locking rod or one rod for ordering locking accessories such as rollers or rollers cooperating with a keeper provided in the dormant.

In such a lock-bolt, as described in French patent application 96 04 594 in the name of Applicant, a follower is secured to an organ maneuver, such as a crutch, which engages the by means of an operating square in the center of the follower.

The rotation of the follower in a first direction activates the latch bolt against the effect of a return spring that keeps the latch turn in protrusion from the headrest.

The follower also cooperates with an easel at the ends of which the rods of the cremone bolt, so that, depending on the direction of rotation of the follower, we command the exit or the recall of cremone rods.

It is necessary, after each rotation of the operating device, to recall it and the follower rotating in their position initial.

To this end, the aforementioned patent application describes a spring cooperating with a movable mounted member inside the lock housing and suitable for move in a longitudinal direction when the follower turns around its axis. Means forming pinion are centered on the axis of the follower and its adapted to mesh the teeth of a rack integral with the mobile organ.

The spring extends inside a housing formed in the housing and the movable member has two protruding elements adapted to be engaged respectively with one end of the spring.

The spring housing forms a support for rack of the movable member and has a plate suitable for fitting into a corresponding opening formed at the rear of the lock housing.

However, such an organ recall device maneuver implements a large number of parts (housing, spring, movable member carrying the rack) and requires a large number of manipulations to fix the whole in the case of the lock-bolt.

We also know in the French patent 84 13 687 on behalf of the Establishments DREVET and CIE, a door lock or the like comprising a housing containing, for the operation of the latch bolt, essentially a follower called back to the rest position by an elastic element. A sliding element, bearing a rack adapted to mesh the teeth of a pinion integral with the follower, comprises a housing in which the elastic element is placed. The latter is located between the bottom of the housing and a transverse axis secured to the housing which is adapted to compress the elastic element when the sliding element moves longitudinally in response to rotation of the follower.

However, such a reminder of the follower is not suitable for the elastic return of a follower movable in both directions of rotation around its axis.

In addition, the elastic element can no longer exit the housing provided in the sliding element that once the latter fixed to the housing, when the axis transverse of the housing cooperates with the open end of the sliding element, through which is introduced the elastic element.

The object of the present invention is to resolve the disadvantages mentioned above and to propose a device for recall of a manufacturing operating device and simplified assembly.

The recall device targeted by the invention understands according to claim 1.

Thus, the body supporting the rack forms also a housing for the return spring, and the recall device has only two parts left, body and spring, except for the wall elements of the housing that ensure its sliding maintenance.

Due to the differences between the width of the body's longitudinal lumen and the spacing of the fork legs, the latter form straight shoulders at the base of the forks, that is to say at the ends of the longitudinal lumen. These shoulders act as a stop for the accommodated spring in the light.

The spring can therefore be accommodated and held in the body of the return device regardless of whether it is mounted or not on the lock box.

In addition, the symmetry of the extremities of the body and the presence of the two forks makes it possible to compress the spring whatever the direction of rotation of the follower, and therefore whatever the direction of movement longitudinal of the body of the return device.

According to an advantageous version, the light longitudinal is a notch opening on the face back of the body and interspersed with at least one bridge material substantially transverse to the direction longitudinal of the body.

The introduction to the spring in the light longitudinal can thus be achieved without difficulty in from the back of the body.

In addition, the material bridges avoid the spring deflection out of the rack body when this spring is compressed.

According to another aspect of the invention, a housing of a lock, lever-lock or the like comprising at minus a follower to control the operation of a U-bolt and a return device conforming to the invention is characterized in that the rear edge of the housing has two wings extending towards the interior of said housing and substantially parallel to the bottom of the case, these wings being adapted to be introduced respectively between the branches of forks of the body of the return device.

The wings of the case thus allow compress the spring of the return device and guide the body carrying the rack into its longitudinal displacement.

The mounting of the return device in the housing is also very simple to make: just indeed to slide the body parallel to the bottom of the case, so as to introduce the wings of the song rear in the body end forks.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear further in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un boítier de crémone-serrure conforme à l'invention, le couvercle du boítier étant retiré ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 illustrant le fond et le chant arrière du boítier ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de côté du boítier de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face du dispositif de rappel conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de droite du dispositif de rappel de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de gauche du dispositif de rappel de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de derrière du dispositif de rappel de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe du boítier selon la ligne VIII-VIII à la figure 3 ;
• les figures 9 et 10 illustrent le montage du dispositif de rappel dans le boítier de serrure conforme à l'invention ; et
• la figure 11 illustre le montage classique d'un fouillot sur un organe de manoeuvre.

In the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples:

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of a lock and bolt housing according to the invention, the housing cover being removed;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the bottom and the rear edge of the housing;
• Figure 3 is a side view of the housing of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a front view of the return device according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a right view of the return device of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a left view of the return device of Figure 4;
• Figure 7 is a rear view of the return device of Figure 4;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of the housing along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 3;
• Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the mounting of the return device in the lock housing according to the invention; and
• FIG. 11 illustrates the conventional mounting of a follower on an operating member.

Referring to Figure 1, a housing 1 of the lock-bolt is designed to be built into a opening groove, such as door, window, French window or the like.

The housing 1 can accommodate the entire operating mechanism of the latch 2, deadbolt 3, and locking rods 4a which are mounted in a known manner at the ends of an easel 4.

A barrel passage 5 is also provided for its installation and thus allow removal or release of the deadbolt 3 using a key.

A follower 6 is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 and engages with an operating member, such as a crutch, by means of a square fixed in the center 7 of the follower.

As will be better described later, the follower 6 is provided, in a first direction of rotation illustrated by the arrow F, to act on the tail 8 of the latch turn, against the action of a spring reminder 9 which shows the latch bolt 2 emerging from the headrest forming the front edge of the housing 1.

The follower 6 also acts on the easel 4 to remove or remove the rods from cremone bolt 4a according to the direction of rotation of the follower 6.

A device for resting the follower 6 at rest, and therefore of the operating stand, is illustrated in detail in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7.

This return device 10 comprises a body 11 comprising on a front face 12 means 13 adapted to cooperate with complementary means 14 in solidarity of follower 6 to transform a rotational movement of follower 6 around its axis in one movement longitudinal of the body 11. The ends of the body 11 respectively comprise two branches 15, 16 forming fork, extending in the longitudinal direction D of the body 11.

The latter has a longitudinal light 17 adapted to accommodate a spring 18 and opening to both body ends 11.

The width L of the longitudinal light 17 is greater than the distance 1 separating the branches 15, 16 forming a fork, the longitudinal lumen comprising portion 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, opening onto the face rear 19 of body 11.

At least one of these portions of light, and preferably a portion of light 17a adjacent to a end of the body 11, is adapted to the passage of the spring 18 for its introduction into the longitudinal light 17.

In this example, the longitudinal light is consisting of a notch 17 opening onto the face rear 19 of body 11 and intersected by at least one bridge material 20 substantially transverse to the direction longitudinal D of the body 11. For example, the body 11 may have three material bridges 20 distributed regularly on the rear face 19 of the body 11 and allowing the spring 18 to be held in the notch 17.

Light cross section longitudinal 17 is preferably semi-circular for serve as a housing for a conventional coil spring 18.

Due to the difference between the width L of the notching and the spacing 1 of the branches 15, 16 forming a fork, shoulders 21, 22 are made at the ends of the longitudinal lumen 17 and form thus a narrowing at the base of the forks adapted to hold the spring 18 between the ends of the light 17.

The front face 12 of the body 11 has a rack 13 having teeth 13a adapted to mesh a toothing 14 integral with the follower 6 as illustrated in Figure 1.

This body 11 comprises, in line with the teeth 13a of the rack 13, a circular oblong recess 23 flush with a lateral face 24 of the body 11, as illustrated in figure 5.

This obviously 23 is centered on the center of rotation 7 of follower 6 when the return device 10 is mounted in the lock housing 1.

In addition, the teeth 13a of the rack 13 are adjacent to a second side face 25 of the body 11 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The median plane of rack 13, shown diagrammatically by the dashed line D in Figure 4, is therefore asymmetrical relative to the branches 15, 16 forming a fork.

The distance e separating this median plane D from the second lateral face 25 of the body 11 is therefore lower at the distance f separating this median plane D from the first lateral face 24.

This makes it easier to assemble the return device in the bottom of the housing 1 as this will be described later.

The lateral faces 24, 25 of the body 11 have guide means 26 adapted to cooperate with additional guide means 27 provided on the bottom and the cover of the case 1 housing the follower 6.

The reminder device thus designed is monobloc and can be made by casting in a foundry.

The mounting of the spring 18 in the body 11 can be made by introducing this spring 18 by a end of body 11, through an open portion 17a of the rear face 19 of the body 11.

The end of the spring 18 is pushed into the longitudinal light 17 of the body 11 until it abuts on the shoulders 21, 22 at the end opposite to that of introduction of the spring 18.

By a slight compression of the spring 18, its other end is introduced into the light longitudinal 17. By elasticity, this other end takes a position at rest to the right of the shoulders 21, 22 of the insertion end of the spring 18.

The length of light 17 is slightly greater than the length of the notch formed on the rear face 19, so that the shoulders 21, 22 thus cover the respective ends of the spring 18.

This construction with only two rooms limits the accumulation of constraints between parts and so use an 18 plus spring strength and fatigue resistant, so the actuator will find longer at use its original rest position. The limitation of the accumulation of play guarantees a return of the organ of maneuver in a correct rest position.

The lock housing adapted to receive the recall device 10 will now be described in particular with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 6.

The rear edge 28 of the housing 1 has two wings 29 extending towards the inside of the housing 1 and substantially parallel to the bottom 30 of the housing 1. These wings 29 are adapted to be introduced respectively between the branches 15, 16 of the forks of the body 11 of the reminder device 10.

As illustrated in Figure 9, the distance p separating the wings 29 from the bottom 30 of the housing 1 is greater than or equal to the thickness q of a branch 16 of forks of the body 11 of the return device 10 increased by the thickness r of the guide pin 26 in a direction perpendicular to the lateral face 25 of said body 11.

In addition, the distance l separating the two branches 15, 16 of the forks of said body 11 is greater than or equal to the thickness t of said wings 29 increased by the thickness r of the guide pin 26 in the direction perpendicular to the lateral face 25 of the body 11.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the distance u separating the wings 29 from the rear edge 28 of the housing 1 is less than or equal to the length of the spring 18 housed in rest position in the body 11.

The wings 29 can be made directly by cutting the material in the rear edge 28 and return of the wings 29 towards the inside of the housing.

The mounting of the return device 10 in the box 1 is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

The distance p between the wing 29 and the bottom 30 of the case 1 being sufficient to receive a branch 16 fork and a guide pin 26, the body 11 can be inserted by sliding on the bottom 30 of the housing 1 until the rear face 19 of the body 11 comes into contact with the rear edge 28 of the housing 1 as shown in figure 10.

The lights 27 are provided on the bottom 30 of the housing so that the guide pins 26 of the body 11 are to the right of these lights 27 at the end of body stroke 11 on the wings 29.

Taking into account the sufficient distance 1 between the two branches 15, 16 forming a fork, the pins of guide 26 are housed in the lights 27, the wings 29 moving transversely between the branches 15, 16 forming a fork.

The cover 31 of the housing 1 is then fixed on the housing 1. It also includes lights 27, identical to those provided on the bottom 30 of the housing 1, to guide in translation the guide pins 26 of the other lateral face 24 of the body 11.

These lights 27 cooperating with the nipples of guide 26 have a length a, in the direction longitudinal D of movement of body 10, lower or equal to the length b of the branches 15, 16 forming fork, increased by the height c of said wings 29 in said longitudinal direction D.

The return device 10 can thus be activated freely without the wings 29 being able to escape from the branches 15, 16 forming a fork, even in limit switch of the longitudinal displacement of the body 11 in case 1.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the nipples of guide 26 are substantially housed in the middle of lights 27 when the return device 10 is at rest.

This can thus be moved up or towards the bottom of the housing 1 according to the direction of rotation F or G of the follower 6.

The spring 18 is then compressed between a wing 29 integral with the housing 1 and the shoulders 21, 22 located opposite this wing 29.

When the return device 10 is mounted on the housing 1, the oblong circular recess 23 flush with the lateral face 24 of the body 11 comes in look of the cover 31 of the housing 1. The follower comprises a peripheral circular wing 32 adapted to be housed free in rotation in this recess 23.

The diameter of this circular wing device 32 is greater than the diameter of the body of the follower 6, and it is molded on one side of the follower 6.

It consolidates the follower 6 by compared to the efforts applied on it for the displacement of the different locking members from there lock-bolt.

The follower 6 preferably has a simplified design.

It forms a one-piece structure comprising the circular wing 32 and the toothing 14 extending partially on a peripheral crown of the follower 6, in a plane parallel to that formed by the wing circular 32 as illustrated in figure 11.

This circular wing 32 and the crown peripheral with teeth 14 are centered on the center of rotation of the square 7 of the follower 6. The latter further includes an angular sector 36, located in a same plane as the peripheral crown of the teeth 14 and having a radius substantially equal to the distance separating the center 7 of the follower from the front edge forming headrest 33 of housing 1.

The opening angle of this angular sector 36 is generally between 45 ° and 90 °.

A single light 34 is provided in this angular sector 36 and is adapted to cooperate with a stud 35 integral with the bridge 4 intended to actuate locking rods 4a.

The layout of this angular sector is such in the locked position, that is to say, when leaving the rods 4a of the housing 1, when the operating member 39 and the follower 6 are at rest, the nipple 35 of the bridge 4 is in abutment on one end of the light 34 of the angular sector 36.

The length of the light 34 extending next an arc also centered on the center of the square 7 of the follower 6 is such that in the unlocked position, the nipple 35 of the bridge is in the center of this light 34.

In addition, a side wall 37 of this sector angular 36, having regard to the first direction of rotation F of the follower 6, corresponding to the lowering of the operation 39, includes a notch 38 forming a finger adapted to cooperate with a finger of the tail 8 of the bolt U-turn 3 to move the latter against the action of the return spring 9.

The distance between this front wall 37 of the finger 8 of the latch bolt is greater than or equal to the half the length of the sector light 34 angular 32.

So we can unlock the rods of cremone bolt 4 and / or a deadbolt 3 mounted so classic with an easel 4, without actuating the bolt U-turn 2.

In addition, in the unlocked position, when the nipple 35 of the bridge 4 is centered in the light 34, the U-bolt 2 is free, so that, if it is still retained, for example by a warehouse manager on the strike, the door closing and the absence of obstacle in the mechanism allow its emergence from the headrest 33.

To relock the opening, just actuate the operating member 39 in the direction reverse G, by raising the stand, the bridge 4 causing in known manner the locking of rods 4a and deadbolt 3.

The lock housing thus designed allows reduce the number of parts required for the lever-lock mechanism, both at the follower that of the restoring device in the rest position of this follower associated with the operating member.

The cost price of this case is thus reduced.

In addition, mounting and assembly in production are simplified and allow rates faster on assembly lines.

Well that the invention has been described for a lock bolt, the recall device could also be suitable for a conventional lock case equipping an opening.

Claims (12)

1. A device for returning an actuating means engaging a lock nut (6), comprising a body (11) provided on its front surface (12) with means (13) co-operating with complementary means (14) secured to the lock nut (6) in order to convert rotation of the lock nut (6) around its axis into longitudinal motion of the body (11), the ends of the body (11) comprising two respective branches (15, 16) forming a fork extending in the longitudinal direction (D) of the body (11), characterised in that the body (11) has a longitudinal aperture (17) containing a spring (18) and opening at the two ends of the body (11), the width (L) of the longitudinal aperture (17) and of the spring being greater than the distance (1) between the branches (15, 16) forming a fork, the longitudinal aperture (17) comprising at least one portion (17a) opening on to a rear surface (19) of the body (11) and adapted to the movement of the spring (18).
2. A return device according to claim 1, characterised in that the longitudinal aperture (17) is a notch (17) opening on to the said rear surface (19) of the body (11) and interrupted by at least one bridge of material (20) substantially transversal of the longitudinal direction (D) of the body (11), shoulders (21, 22) being formed at the ends of the longitudinal aperture (17) and forming a constriction at the base of the fork-forming branches (15, 16) adapted to hold the spring (18) in the aperture (17).
3. A return device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the front surface (12) comprises a rack (13) having teeth (13a) adapted to engage teeth (14) secured to the lock nut (6), the teeth (13a) of the rack (13) being adjacent a side surface (25) of the body (11).
4. A return device according to claim 3, characterised in that the body (11), at the teeth (13a) of the rack (13), has an oblong circular recess (23) flush with a side surface (24) of the body (11) and adapted to be centred on the centre of rotation (7) of the lock nut (6).
5. A return device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the side surfaces (24, 25) of the body (11) comprise guide means (26) adapted to co-operate with complementary guide means (27) formed on the back (30) and the cover (31) of a case (1) receiving the lock nut (6).
6. A lock case, espagnolette lock or the like comprising at least one lock nut (6) for controlling operation of a latch bolt (2) and a return device (10) according to any of claim 1 to 7, characterised in that the rear edge (28) of the case (1) has two flanges (29) extending towards the interior of the case (1) and substantially parallel to the bottom (30) of the case (1), the flanges (29) being adapted for insertion between the respective fork-forming branches (15, 16) of the body (11) of the return device (10) and the distance (u) between the flanges (29) and the rear edge (28) of the case (1) is less than or equal to the length of the spring (18) received in the inoperative position in the body (11).
7. A case according to claim 6, characterised in that the side surfaces (24, 25) of the body (11) of the return device (10) comprise at least one guide stud (26) adapted to co-operate with an aperture (27) formed on the bottom (30) and the cover (31) of the case (1), the distance (p) between the said flanges (29) and the bottom (30) of the case (1) being greater than or equal to the thickness (q) of a branch (16) of the forks on the body (11) of the return device (10) plus the thickness (r) of the guide stud (26) in a direction perpendicular to the side surface (25) of the body (11).
8. A case according to claim 7, characterised in that the distance (1) between the two fork-forming branches (15, 16) of the body (11) is greater than or equal to the thickness (t) of the flanges (29) plus the thickness (r) of the guide stud (26) in a direction perpendicular to the side surface (25) of the body (11).
9. A case according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the apertures (27) co-operating with the guide studs (26) have a length (a) in the longitudinal direction (D) of motion of the body (11) less than or equal to the length (b) of the fork-forming branches (15, 16) plus the height (c) of the flanges (29) in the said longitudinal direction (D).
10. A case according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the guide studs (26) are received substantially at the middle of the apertures (27) when the return device (10) is inoperative.
11. A case according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the body (11) of the return device (10) is formed with an oblong circular recess (23) flush with a side surface (24) of the body (11) adapted to come opposite the cover (31) of the case (1), the lock nut (6) comprising a peripheral circular flange (32) adapted to be received in freely rotatable manner in the recess (23).
12. A case according to any of claims 8 to 11, comprising a lock nut (6) adapted to control firstly motion in translation of a latch bolt (2) and secondly motion in translation of a frame (4) co-operating with at least a rod of the espagnolette (4a) emerging from the case (1) and/or with a latch bolt (3), characterised in that the lock nut (6) comprises an angular sector (36) formed with an aperture (34) adapted to co-operate with a stud (35) secured to the frame (4) and a side wall (37), with regard to a first direction of rotation (F) of the lock nut (6), adapted to co-operate with a lug on the tail (8) of the latch bolt (2) in order to move the latch bolt (2) against the action of a return spring (9), the distance between the said side wall (37) and the lug on the tail (8) being greater than or equal to half the length of the aperture (34).

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