EP1081063B1 - Device for automatically gravity-operated locking and unlocking of the lid of a container and container equipped with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The gravity lock consists of a catch (9c) engaging with aligned holes (10, 11) in the body (4) of the bin and its lid (2). The catch is located on the end of a lever (8d) connected by its pivot (8c) to an arm (8b) with a weight (8a) on its free end. In the locked position the arm is held in place by a pivoted hook (7d) with a second weighted arm (7e). When the bin is tipped for emptying into a collecting vehicle the weight (7a) on the hook arm disengages the hook, and the weight on the lever arm withdraws the catch, allowing the lid to open. The lid and bin body are e.g. of moulded plastic.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic locking / unlocking device by gravity to lock the lid of a tray to the top edge of the tank of the tank. This tray is intended to be emptied by tilting. he can especially be used for waste collection.

Bins intended for waste collection are required to stay on the track while waiting for vehicles to collect waste.

These bins, left unattended, may be excavated, which may be dangerous depending on the nature of the waste contained in the bins.

In the context of the selective collection of waste, the lid of the bins is equipped with an opening of a size and shape adapted to the waste to be arranged in these bins.

The absence of locking devices for these bins may allow them to untimely filling by inappropriate waste rendering an ineffective such selective collection.

A locking system of the tank during its filling and unlocking when emptying is necessary.

A certain number of patents mention systems of lock / unlock for hopper lid.

By way of example, the documents EP-A-698 567 and EP-A-704 387 mention a locking system which engages, after closing the lid, in a support element, so that the cover is protected against opening.

In the case of EP-A-698 567, the opening of the lid takes place by electromagnetic actuation of a device acting on the support member in which the locking system engages.

In the case of the document EP-A-704 387, the lid is opened by means of to a maneuver button.

In both cases, opening the lid requires a maneuver manual control by the operator and can be carried out whatever the position of the bin in the space.

Documents FR-A-2 762 306 and EP-A-872 432 describe a device for locking the lid of a tank to the tank of said tank not requiring the manual intervention of the operator to allow the locking or unlocking the lid.

The locking device described in these documents comprises a part swivel pivotally mounted under the container cover and engaging with a male coupling member located at the inner wall of the tank.

When a tray provided with such a locking device is in the position of filling, the pivoting part takes a locking position in which it is in engagement with a male hooking member driving the keeps the lid in the closed position.

When the same bin is tipped by a dump truck, for example, so to be emptied into the bucket of it, the pivoting part passes from its position of locking at an unlocking position in which it is released from the attachment member under the effect of gravity.

The tilting of the tray thus allows the opening of the lid of the tray and therefore the emptying it by dumping the waste under the effect of gravity.

Given the size and weight of such waste bins, the operation of tilting is almost exclusively reserved for dump trucks intended for this purpose and can hardly be carried out by a third party. This has to prevent the bins from being opened by a third party and thus to prevent the filling containers with waste other than those for which they are intended.

All types of locking / unlocking devices discussed previously have the major disadvantage of making the casing of the bins impossible because the locking mechanism of the cover occupies a place not negligible on the inner wall of the tank.

This impossibility of nesting the bins at the time of their transport entails a significant increase in transportation costs.

On the other hand, the presence of a locking / unlocking device or a casing at the inner wall of the tank of the tank, as described in aforementioned documents, hinders the disposal of waste when emptying tray. This has the effect of promoting the accumulation of waste at the level of of the locking / unlocking device or the housing and therefore complicates the maintenance and cleaning of the tanks.

The invention aims to provide solutions to these technical problems. She consists of a device for locking / unlocking the tank without intervention the operator, the walls of the vessel being smooth and uniform, which allows the casing of the bins and the good flow of waste.

• un premier bras dont une première partie extrême est destinée à être fixée de façon articulée sur la face interne du couvercle du bac, et dont une deuxième partie extrême est conformée en crochet apte à être engagé dans un orifice pratiqué dans la cuve ;
• un deuxième bras faisant saillie sensiblement perpendiculairement du premier bras, la partie extrême libre du deuxième bras portant une masselotte.

Furthermore, DE-U-295 11 098 discloses a locking / unlocking device for a hopper comprising a tank and a lid associated with the tank, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position. according to the preamble of claim 1. The device comprises a pivoting part, itself comprising:

• a first arm whose first end part is intended to be hingedly attached to the inner face of the tank cover, and a second end portion of which is shaped as a hook adapted to be engaged in an orifice made in the tank;
• a second arm protruding substantially perpendicularly from the first arm, the free end portion of the second arm carrying a weight.

When switching the tray - and therefore the device - at a certain angle, the weight is moved by gravity effect and causes the pivoting of the swivel piece. As a result, the hook is disengaged from the hole of the tank, which leads to the unlocking of the lid.

However, this device is not entirely satisfactory. In particular, this device does not allow very secure locking of the lid on the container.

Indeed, when a user manually raises the lid, he can cause pivoting of the pivoting part and thus the disengagement of the hook out of the hole of the tank. In addition, a vertical shock on the top of the cover can also cause the pivoting of the pivoting part.

The object of the invention is to provide a locking / unlocking device for a waste bin that does not have the disadvantages of art prior.

The device is intended to be mounted on the inner face of the lid, and can be in the locked position - so as to allow the lid of the tray to be locked on the end of the tank when the tank is in position filling - in the unlocked position - so as to allow the tray cover to be unlocked when tray is in dump position.

• une pièce coudée, articulée suivant un axe de rotation parallèle à l'axe de rotation de la pièce pivotante, et comprenant :
  • une branche de verrouillage ;
  • un crochet situé à la partie extrême libre de la branche de verrouillage, et apte à venir en prise avec une partie extrême du bras opposée à la partie intermédiaire de la pièce pivotante ;
  • une branche d'entraínement ;
• une butée apte à bloquer la branche d'entraínement de la pièce coudée lorsque le dispositif est en position de verrouillage ;
• des moyens agencés pour provoquer, lorsque le dispositif est basculé suivant un certain angle à partir de sa position de verrouillage, le pivotement de la pièce coudée, par effet de gravité, et le pivotement du bras et du levier, par effet de gravité, vers la position de déverrouillage.

According to the invention, the device is characterized in that it further comprises:

• a bent piece, articulated along an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivoting part, and comprising:
  • a locking branch;
  • a hook located at the free end portion of the locking leg, and adapted to engage with an end portion of the arm opposite the intermediate portion of the pivoting member;
  • a training branch;
• a stop adapted to block the drive arm of the bent piece when the device is in the locking position;
• means arranged to cause, when the device is tilted at an angle from its locking position, the pivoting of the bent piece, by gravity effect, and the pivoting of the arm and the lever, by gravity effect, to the unlock position.

According to other characteristics, when the tank is in the filling position, the center of gravity of the bent piece is located in such a way that it maintains the branch of driving the bent piece resting on the abutment and the hook of the piece angled in engagement with the end part of the arm of the pivoting part, the center of gravity of the assembly including the pivoting part and the hook being located so as to keep the retractable hook of the lever in position of engagement in the orifice of the extreme part of the tank and the extreme part arm engaged with the hook of the bent piece. The tipping of the tray at a certain angle to the vertical when it is emptied moving said centers of gravity, causing pivoting of the workpiece bent, releasing the hook of the bent part of the extreme part of the arm of the pivoting part, resulting in the pivoting of the arm and the lever, and finally leading to the release of the retractable hook from the orifice of the tank and therefore when opening the tank lid.

According to other features, the retractable hook of the lever is hinged along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivoting part, this which allows, when closing the lid on the end part of the tank, a sliding of the retractable hook along the inner wall of the tray until inserting the retractable hook into the hole or recess located at the level of the extreme part of the tank.

The pivoting of the arm around the axis of rotation of the pivoting part, and the pivoting of the bent piece around its axis of rotation, in the direction opposed to the inner face of the tank cover, are each limited by a stop.

The extreme part of the arm opposite to the middle part of the room swivel, and / or the free end portion of the drive arm includes (s) a flyweight.

According to a first embodiment, the bent piece has the shape of a V whose the two branches form an angle of the order of 35 to 55 degrees, in particular neighbor of 45 degrees.

According to a second embodiment, the bent piece has the shape of a V whose the two branches form an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees.

According to a third embodiment, the device for locking / unlocking includes a mobile rocker rotating around an axis connected to the tray cover and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the bent piece, the balance being movable between a locking position in which the rocker forms a stop opposing the pivoting of the piece angled towards the inner face of the lid, and an unlocking position in which the rocker does not oppose the said pivoting of the bent piece, the rotation of the balance between said locking positions and unlocking being obtained during the tipping of the tray following a certain angle, by gravity effect.

In a variant of the third embodiment, the pendulum presents the shape of a circular sector, the axis of rotation of the balance being located towards the point of said circular sector, and the free end edge of the balance being, when the balance is in the locking position, in contact with the branch drive of the bent piece.

The two branches of the bent piece can be rotated one by one. relative to the other, around the axis of rotation of the bent piece, the branch of driving the bent piece comprising, towards its end part, a weight, so that when tipping the tray at a certain angle, the locking leg of the bent piece still being engaged with the arm, the drive leg of the bent piece can rotate around its axis, by gravity effect, then hit the hook so as to unlock it from arms.

In an alternative embodiment, the drive arm of the bent piece includes, towards its end part, a protrusion intended, during the tilting of the tray at a certain angle, to hit the hook so as to unlock it from the arms.

The locking / unlocking device according to the invention may furthermore include an unlocking system attached to the tank lid and intended for actuated by a control device, in order to unlock the lid of the bin when the bin is in the fill position.

The locking / unlocking device is protected by a housing fixed on the inner face of the lid and having an opening from which protrudes the retractable hook of the lever, the casing being able to form a stop for the piece bent, thus limiting its displacement in the opposite direction to the inner face of the lid.

The locking / unlocking device also preferably comprises a device for protecting the retractable hook attached to the tank of the tank.

According to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a ferry for the collection of waste, comprising a locking / unlocking device as described previously.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale d'un bac en position de remplissage, montrant un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage en position de verrouillage, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne ll-ll de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues partielles en coupe longitudinale du bac de la figure 1, en position de vidage, illustrant le fonctionnement du dispositif lors de son déverrouillage ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale d'un bac en position de remplissage, montrant un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage en position de verrouillage, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du dispositif de la figure 6, en position de verrouillage ;
• les figures 8 à 10 sont des vues en coupe longitudinale du dispositif de la figure 6 illustrant le fonctionnement du dispositif lors de son déverrouillage ;
• la figure 11 est une vue partielle en perspective du système de déblocage du dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage de la figure 6, le système de déblocage étant en position inactive ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe partielle d'un bac en position de remplissage, montrant le crochet escamotable engagé dans un dispositif de protection ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de protection de la figure 12 ;
• la figure 14 est une vue du dispositif de protection selon la flèche Y de la figure 13, le crochet escamotable n'étant pas engagé dans le dispositif de protection.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a tray in the filling position, showing a locking / unlocking device in the locking position, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 1;
• Figures 3 and 4 are partial views in longitudinal section of the tray of Figure 1, in emptying position, illustrating the operation of the device when unlocked;
• Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a tray in the filling position, showing a locking / unlocking device in the locking position, according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a locking / unlocking device according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Figure 6, in the locking position;
• Figures 8 to 10 are longitudinal sectional views of the device of Figure 6 illustrating the operation of the device during its unlocking;
• Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the unlocking system of the locking / unlocking device of Figure 6, the unlocking system being in the inactive position;
• Figure 12 is a partial sectional view of a container in the filling position, showing the retractable hook engaged in a protective device;
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of the protective device of Figure 12;
• Figure 14 is a view of the protection device according to arrow Y of Figure 13, the retractable hook is not engaged in the protective device.

A bin 1 waste collector typically comprises a tank 4 and a lid 2 hinged to the tank 4, for example by means of hinges.

Tray 1 can be in a filling position, in which it rests substantially vertically on the ground and where it can be filled by a user, or in a dump position, in which tray 1 has been tilted at a certain angle - greater than 90 ° - in relation to the vertical, the tray 1 being then be emptied of its contents.

The tank 4 comprises a floor, substantially plane, located facing the ground when the tray 1 is in the filling position, and four walls extending substantially perpendicular to the floor, and substantially perpendicular to each other in pairs, so as to form a parallelepiped, the free edges of said walls delimiting an opening through which the waste can be introduced into the tank 4.

The tank 4 may also comprise wheels mounted on the floor and resting on the ground, when the tank 1 is in the filling position, the wheels being intended to facilitate the movement of the tray 1 by a user.

The cover 2 has a substantially flat wall, intended to cover the opening of the tank 4, and projecting flanges of the flat wall. In the frame the selective collection of waste, the lid 2 of the bin 1 may comprise a opening (not shown) whose size and shape are adapted to the objects, for example newspapers or bottles, to be collected in the bin.

The lid 2 is pivotally associated with the bowl 4. For this purpose, hinges are provided towards the free end of one of the walls of the tank 4, this wall being said "back". The wall of the tank parallel to the rear wall is said "Frontal" 4c throughout the description.

The cover 2 can thus be moved - in particular manually - between a closing position of the tray 1, in which it rests on the extreme edges free of the walls of the tank 4, thus obstructing the opening of the tank 4, and a opening position, in which the substantially flat wall of the lid 2 is separated from the free end edges of the walls of the tank 4, the position extreme opening of the lid 2 corresponding to the case where the wall substantially flat of the cover 2 is substantially parallel to the rear wall of the tank 4.

It is therefore understood that the tilting of the tray 1 to its emptying position must be made substantially in a plane perpendicular to the rear walls and front, so as to allow the opening of the lid 2 and, thus, the release of the opening of the tank 4 allowing the emptying of the tank 4.

The cover 2 has on the one hand an internal face 2a directed, when the lid 2 is in the closed position, towards the inside of the tank 4, and other part an outer face 2b directed outwardly of said vessel.

The tank 4 may be of plastic molded in one piece, just as the cover 2.

The tank 4 further comprises, towards the free end parts of its walls, a flange 5 extending outside the tank 4 and defining a groove 6 of which the opening is directed towards the floor (see Figure 1). The throat 6 is intended for receive appropriate gripping means for lifting and tipping the tray 1, for example by a collection vehicle. A nest 14 may be located inside the groove 6, so as to reinforce the edge 5.

The locking / unlocking device according to the invention is now described.

The locking / unlocking device allows the locking of the lid 2 in the closed position on the tray 1, when the tray 1 is in the filling position, as illustrated in particular in Figure 1. It also allows unlocking automatic lid 2 (see in particular Figures 3 and 4) when the tray 1 is tilted from the filling position, the lid 2 being in the position of closing, at the emptying position.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 4 which illustrate a first embodiment of embodiment of the invention.

A locking / unlocking device is mounted on the inner face 2a of the cover 2 of the tray 1.

This device comprises several parts cooperating with each other so to allow the locking or unlocking of the lid 2 of the tray 1, and in particular a bent piece 7, a pivoting part 8 and a hook retractable 9.

These parts may be metallic or in any other material to confer, in particular, rigidity and resistance to shocks and wear.

These parts are articulated each around an axis, respectively: axis of rotation A of the bent piece 7, rotation axis B of the pivoting part 8 and axis of rotation C of the retractable hook 9. These axes are substantially parallel between them.

• une première branche 7d, dite « branche de verrouillage » comportant, à sa partie extrême libre, un crochet 7c,
• une deuxième branche 7e, dite « branche d'entraínement », comportant, à sa partie extrême libre, une masselotte 7a,
• une partie intermédiaire 7b liant les deux branches 7d, 7e de la pièce coudée 7 et dans laquelle passe l'axe de rotation A de la dite pièce coudée 7. La pièce intermédiaire 7c peut avoir une forme arrondie.

The bent piece 7 has the shape of a V comprising:

• a first branch 7d, called "locking branch" comprising, at its free end, a hook 7c,
• a second branch 7th, called "training branch", comprising, at its free end, a weight 7a,
• an intermediate portion 7b connecting the two branches 7d, 7e of the bent piece 7 and in which the axis of rotation A of said bent piece 7. The intermediate piece 7c may have a rounded shape.

The axis of rotation A of the bent piece is connected to the cover 2 and directed, when the cover 2 is in the closed position, substantially parallel to the floor and to the front wall 4c of the tank 4. Moreover, the axis of rotation A is substantially perpendicular to the mean plane of the bent piece 7.

When the tray 1 is in the filling position, the lid 2 being closed, the 7d lock branch is substantially vertical, the hook 7c being located above the axis of rotation A.

In this first embodiment, the two branches 7d, 7e of the piece bent 7 are rigidly connected to each other, the angle between them being of the order from 35 to 55 °, in particular close to 45 °.

• un levier 8d s'étendant, lorsque le bac 1 est en position de remplissage et le couvercle 2 fermé, sensiblement verticalement ;
• un bras 8b, prolongeant le levier 8d et s'étendant, lorsque le bac 1 est en position de remplissage et le couvercle 2 fermé, sensiblement perpendiculairement à la paroi frontale 4c de la cuve 4 ;
• - une pièce intermédiaire 8c sur laquelle sont fixés rigidement le levier 8d et le bras 8b, par l'une de leurs extrémités. Dans cette pièce intermédiaire 8c passe l'axe de rotation B de la pièce pivotante 8. La pièce intermédiaire 8c peut avoir une forme arrondie.

The pivoting part 8 comprises:

• a lever 8d extending, when the tray 1 is in the filling position and the lid 2 closed, substantially vertically;
• an arm 8b, extending the lever 8d and extending, when the tray 1 is in the filling position and the lid 2 closed, substantially perpendicular to the front wall 4c of the tank 4;
• - An intermediate part 8c on which are fixed rigidly the lever 8d and the arm 8b, by one of their ends. In this intermediate piece 8c passes the axis of rotation B of the pivoting part 8. The intermediate piece 8c may have a rounded shape.

The axis of rotation B of the bent piece is connected to the cover 2 and is substantially parallel to the axis A of the bent piece 7 and substantially perpendicular to the plane means of the pivoting part 8.

The end portion 8e of the arm 8b, opposite to the intermediate portion 8c, comprises a weight 8a.

In addition, the pivoting part 8 comprises a retractable hook 9 mounted at pivoting about an axis C, towards the extreme part of the lever 8d opposite to the intermediate part 8c, the axis C being substantially parallel to the axis A of the part bent 7.

The retractable hook 9 comprises a substantially flat wall 9b, free end 9a located opposite the point of articulation of said hook retractable 9 with the lever 8d, said wall 9b being disposed substantially parallel to the floor of the tank 4 when the device of locking / unlocking is in the lock position.

The retractable hook 9 also comprises a connecting rib 9c the end 9a of the retractable hook 9 at the point of connection of said hook 9 with the lever 8d. The rib 9c serves on the one hand to stiffen the hook retractable 9 and secondly to allow better guidance of the hook 9.

The retractable hook 9 finally comprises a protuberance 9d located towards the axis of rotation C of the retractable hook 9 and intended to abut against the lever 8d to limit the pivoting of the retractable hook 9 around its rotation axis C.

The retractable hook 9 is intended to cause the joining of the cover 2 to the tank 4 at the front wall 4c of the tank 4 when the cover 2 is in the closed position, the tray 1 being in the position of filling.

The locking / unlocking device is described in the position of latch, the tray 1 being in the filling position, the lid 2 being closed. Parts 7, 8 are in the positions previously described.

The locking / unlocking device is attached to the lid 2 so that when the lid 2 is closed, the end 9a of the hook 9 is directed towards the front wall 4c of the tank 4, and engages in an orifice 13 or a recess of the front wall 4c located towards the end portion 3 of said front wall 4c opposed to the floor of the tank 4, said orifice 13 opening into the groove 6. The orifice 13 is delimited by edges 10.

The recess may be a cavity dug in the front wall 4c of the tank 4 at the inner face 4a of said front wall 4c.

In this configuration, the pivoting of the retractable hook 9 in the direction counterclockwise (with reference to Figure 1) is limited by the protuberance 9b.

Due to the presence of the weights 7a, 8a, the bent piece 7 and the piece 8 have a tendency to rotate in a clockwise direction (in reference to Figure 1). This movement is prevented respectively by a stop 15 and a stop 16, said stops being integral with the cover 2.

Preferably, the locking / unlocking device is fixed to a housing 12, itself fixed to the inner face 2a of the cover 2, so that said The device is protected from the contents of the tank 4. As shown in Figure 2, the axes of rotation A, B are fixed to the housing 12, as are the stops 15, 16.

The housing 12 has an opening 11 intended to cooperate with the orifice 13 or the recess of the front wall 4c of the tank 4, to allow the passage of the retractable hook 9. The opening 11 of the housing 12 must be sufficient for allow the movement of the retractable hook 9 during closing and the opening of the lid 2.

We will now explain, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the locking / unlocking device according to the invention.

When the tray 1 moves from its filling position (Figure 1) to its position of emptying (FIGS. 3 and 4), the cover 2 moves from a closed position to a opening position, thus allowing the emptying of the contents of the tank 4.

The tray 1 is tilted with respect to the vertical, and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rear and front walls 4c, of a certain angle (FIG. and 4).

Due to the presence of the weight 7a of the bent piece 7, by effect of gravity G, the bent piece 7, initially abutting on the stop 15, moves in the direction of the inner face 2a of the cover 2, according to the arrow F1.

The hook 7c of the bent piece 7 then releases the end portion 8e of the arm 8b.

Consequently, the arm 8b, initially abutting on the abutment 16, because of the presence of the weight 8a, is free to move by gravity effect G 'in direction of the inner face 2a of the cover 2, along the arrow F2, training in its rotational movement the lever 8d and the retractable hook 9.

The rotation of the lever 8d along the arrow F3 - and therefore the hook retractable 9 - around the axis of rotation B of the pivoting part 8 generates the exit of the retractable hook 9 from the orifice 13 or the recess of the tank 4, the hook can then pivot around the C axis.

The rotation of the retractable hook 9 around the axis C is limited, in this direction, by the wall 9b substantially flat, abutting on the lever 8d.

The lid 2 is no longer secured to the tray 1, given the tilting of the bin 1 and the effect of gravity, the lid 2 opens by pivoting around the axis of rotation of its hinges, thus allowing the emptying of the tank 4.

When the tray 1 is returned to its filling position, and at the passage of the cover 2 from its open position to its closed position, the gravity exerted on the weight 8a of the pivoting part 8 leads to the pivoting of the arm 8b from the inner face 2a of the cover 2, against which it was, towards the stop 16, which stops the movement of said arm 8b.

At the same time, the retractable hook 9 moves along the face internal 4a of the tank 4 towards the floor of the tank 4, until it is housed in the orifice 13 or the recess of the front wall 4c of the tank 4. These displacements of the retractable hook 9 are made possible by the articulation said hook 9 around its axis of rotation C.

The effect of gravity on the weight 7a then leads to the pivoting of the piece bent 7 from the inner face 2a of the cover 2 towards the stop 15, which stops the rotational movement of said bent piece 7.

The hook 7c located at the free end of the locking arm 7d of the bent piece 7 then engages with the end portion 8e of the arm 8b of the pivoting piece 8, preventing the displacement of the latter.

The device is thus in the locking position and the tray 1 in the position of filling with its lid 2 in the closed position.

The locking / unlocking device may also include a unlocking system 17 fixed on the substantially flat wall of the cover 2 of the tray 1 and intended to be actuated by a control member, such as a key (not shown), said unlocking system 17 for unlocking the cover 2 of the tray 1 when the tray 1 is in filling position, without that a switch of said tray 1 is necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 5 which illustrates a second mode of embodiment of the invention. '

The difference with the first embodiment, as just described, is the angle between the two branches 7d, 7e of the bent piece 7. Indeed, in the second embodiment, this angle is between 90 ° and 180 °, especially close to 90 °. The 7th training branch of the bent piece 7 is thus substantially horizontal, when the tray 1 is in position of filling, the lid 2 being closed. The stop 15 of the first mode of realization is no longer necessary, the housing 12 forming a stop for the 7th training branch of the bent piece 7.

The advantage of this second embodiment is the stability of the device in lock position. Indeed, unlike the first embodiment, the weight 7a is located, when the tray 1 is in the filling position and the lid 2 closed, at the same level as the axis of rotation A of the part bent 7, or below.

Thus, a shock exerted against the front wall 4c of the tank 4 does not tend to unlock the device, unlike the device according to the first mode of realization, where the weight 7a tends to move, consecutively to a such shock, towards the inner face 2a of the lid 2, thus unlocking the device.

Reference is now made to Figures 6 to 10 which illustrate a third mode of embodiment of the invention.

• une pièce coudée 7 comportant une branche de verrouillage 7d dont l'extrémité libre est en forme de crochet 7c, une branche d'entraínement 7e dont la partie extrême libre porte une masselotte 7a, et une partie intermédiaire 7b formant axe de rotation A de la dite pièce coudée 7 ;
• une pièce pivotante 8 comportant un levier 8d, un bras 8b dont la partie extrême libre porte une masselotte 8a, une partie intermédiaire 8c formant axe de rotation B de la dite pièce pivotante 8 et un crochet escamotable 9 pivotant autour d'un axe C.

The locking / unlocking device comprises, as previously described:

• an angled part 7 comprising a locking leg 7d whose free end is hook-shaped 7c, a drive arm 7e whose free end portion carries a flyweight 7a, and an intermediate portion 7b forming axis of rotation A of the said bent piece 7;
• a pivoting part 8 comprising a lever 8d, an arm 8b whose free end portion carries a flyweight 8a, an intermediate portion 8c forming an axis of rotation B of said pivoting part 8 and a retractable hook 9 pivoting about a C axis.

In this third embodiment, the two branches 7d, 7e of the piece bent 7 are not rigidly connected but may pivot one with respect to the other around the axis A.

The locking / unlocking device also includes a pendulum 18, in the shape of a circular sector, mobile in rotation around a D axis linked to the cover 2 and substantially parallel to the axes of rotation A, B, C.

The axis of rotation of the balance 18 is located towards the tip 18a of the balance 18, to the opposite of the free end edge 18b of said pendulum 18.

When the tray 1 is in the filling position, the lid 2 being closed, the device is locked, as shown in Figure 7.

The free end edge 18b of the balance 18 is then directed towards the floor of the 4, and is supported on a side wall 7f of the bent piece 7, located towards the weight 7a, at the free end of the 7th training branch. Thus, the pivoting of the bent piece 7 around its axis A is limited in the two directions, on the one hand by the housing 12, and on the other hand by the balance 18.

The presence of the rocker arm 18 makes it possible to prevent the inadvertent unlocking of the device following a vertical shock exerted on the tray 1, the balance 18 playing the role of a mobile stop.

• par effet de gravité, le balancier 18 pivote autour de son axe de rotation D (figure 8), cela étant favorisé par le fait que le balancier comporte une partie pleine et une partie creuse ;
• du fait de la masselotte 7a, et puisque le balancier 18 ne forme plus une butée sur la paroi 7f, la branche d'entraínement 7e de la pièce coudée 7 pivote autour de l'axe A vers la face interne 2a du couvercle 2, la branche de verrouillage 7d restant accrochée, par le crochet 7c, à la pièce pivotante 8 ;
• la partie extrême de la branche d'entraínement 7e percute la partie extrême de la branche de verrouillage 7d, libérant ainsi le crochet 7c de la pièce pivotante 8. L'effet de choc, destiné à être additionné à l'effet de gravité pour un déverrouillage plus aisé du dispositif, est accentué par la présence d'une saillie 19 à l'extrémité de la branche d'entraínement 7e, destinée à percuter une saillie 20 présente sur le crochet 7c ;
• la pièce pivotante 8 ainsi libérée pivote, ainsi que le crochet escamotable 9, déverrouillant ainsi le couvercle (figure 10).

When the tray 1 is tilted (Figures 8 to 10), the device unlocks as follows:

• by gravity effect, the rocker 18 pivots about its axis of rotation D (Figure 8), this being facilitated by the fact that the balance has a solid part and a hollow part;
• due to the weight 7a, and since the balance 18 no longer forms a stop on the wall 7f, the drive leg 7e of the bent piece 7 pivots about the axis A towards the inner face 2a of the cover 2, the locking arm 7d remaining attached by the hook 7c to the pivoting part 8;
• the end portion of the drive arm seventh hits the end portion of the locking arm 7d, thus releasing the hook 7c of the pivoting part 8. The shock effect, intended to be added to the effect of gravity for a easier unlocking of the device, is accentuated by the presence of a projection 19 at the end of the drive arm 7th, intended to strike a projection 20 present on the hook 7c;
• the pivoting piece 8 thus released pivots, and the retractable hook 9, thus unlocking the lid (Figure 10).

We now describe the unlocking system 17 of the device of locking / unlocking, with reference, in particular, to FIGS. 6 and 11.

As for the first and second embodiments, the system of release 17 is intended to be actuated by a control member, such a key (not shown), and allows to unlock the lid 2 of the tray 1 when the tray 1 is in the filling position, without a tilting of said Tray 1 is necessary.

The unlocking system 17 comprises an opening 21 intended to cooperate with the control member, and fixed to the housing 12 so that when the cover 2 is closed, the said opening 21 is accessible by a user by the front face of the lid. The fact of not placing the opening 21 on the above the cover 2 prevents frost damage.

The unlocking system 17 further comprises a finger 22 which can be moved, thanks to the control member, between an inactive position in which it does not act on the locking / unlocking device, and a active position in which said device is unlocked.

For this purpose, the retractable hook 9 comprises a ramp 23 extending substantially perpendicular to its plane wall 9b, and arranged obliquely relative to the free end 9a of said retractable hook 9.

In the inactive position, the finger 22 is in contact with the end portion 24 of the ramp 23 located furthest from the free end 9a of the retractable hook 9, and exerts no effort on the ramp 23. The retractable hook 9 is then engaged in the orifice 13 or the recess of the tank 4.

When a user, having engaged the control member in the opening 21, exerts a rotational force on the unlocking system 17, it moves the finger 22 in rotation, the finger 22 thus exerting a force on the ramp 23, this which causes the sliding of the finger 22 along the ramp 23 - towards the part 25 of the ramp 23 located closest to the free end 9a of the hook retractable 9 - and the pivoting of the retractable hook 9 around its axis rotation C.

In the active position, the finger 22 is in contact with the end portion 25 of the ramp 23 and exerts a force on it, the retractable hook 9 being disengaged from the orifice 13 or from the recess of the tank 4.

Reciprocally, the removal of the effort exerted by the user on the system of unlocking 17 leads to the return to the inactive position, where the device is Locked.

Moreover, the orifice 13 can be accessible from the outside of the tank 1, by the 6, an unauthorized person can push the hook retractable 9 out of the orifice 13, so as to unlock the lid 2.

In order to remedy this problem, the locking / unlocking device can have a protective device 26, which is now described by reference in Figures 12 to 14.

The protective device 26 also serves to limit the wear of the retractable hook 9, by reducing the friction of said hook 9 against the edges 10 of the orifice 13 of the tank 4, and to avoid the clogging thereof during the emptying.

The protective device 26 has the shape of a channel, for example parallelepiped, engaged in the orifice 13 of the tank 4, and protruding towards the outside of the tank 4, in the groove 6. The protection device 26 comprises a first opening 27 opening inside the tank 4, and a second opening 28 opening into the groove 6, so that says device 26 cooperates with the opening 13 of the tank 4 and that the hook retractable 9 can be engaged in said channel.

The end 29 of said channel opening into the groove 6 is located beyond the end 9a of the retractable hook 9, when the tray 1 is in the position of filling and the lid 2 closed, thus preventing access to the hook 9 by the fingers of a user.

The protection device 26 comprises clips 30 (see FIG. its blocking in the orifice 13 of the front wall 4c of the tank 4.

In addition, the protection device 26 comprises a movable element of protection 31 to prevent the obstruction of the orifice 13. The element of protection 31 consists of bristles 32 juxtaposed on a surface substantially plane, said protection element 31 being fixed towards a rim 33 of the opening 27 of the channel opening inside the tank 4.

When the locking / unlocking device is unlocked, the hook 9 is not engaged in the opening 27 of the protection device 26, and the bristles 32 obstruct the opening 27.

When the locking / unlocking device is locked, the hook 9 is engaged in the opening 27 of the protective device 26, and the bristles 32 are folded by the hook 9 towards the outside of the tank 4.

Claims (19)

1. Locking / unlocking device for a waste collector bin (1), the said bin comprising a tank (4) and a cover (2) associated with the tank (4) that may be moved between a closed position and an open position, the device being designed to be mounted on the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) and that may be either in the locking position - so as to enable the cover (2) of the bin (1) to be locked on the end portion (3) of the tank (4) when the bin (1) is in the filling position - or in the unlocked position - so as to enable the cover (2) of the bin (1) to be unlocked when the bin (1) is in the emptying position, the device comprising:

   a pivoting part (8), itself comprising:

   a lever (8d) that will be fixed on the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) and will project inside the bin (1) when the cover (2) is in the closed position;

   an arm (8b) arranged extending from the hinge of the lever (8d) and that will be extended under the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) when the cover is in the closed position;

   an intermediate part (8c) onto which the lever (8d) and the arm (8b) are fixed and through which the rotation hinge pin (B) of the said pivoting part (8) can pass;

   a retractable hook (9) associated with the lever (8d), the said retractable hook (9) being designed to be engaged in an orifice (13) or a recess located at the end portion (3) of the tank (4);

   characterised in that it also comprises:

   an elbow part (7), hinged about a rotation axis (A) parallel to the rotation axis (B) of the pivoting part (8), and including:

   a locking arm (7d);

   a hook (7c) located on the free end portion of the locking arm (7d), and that can come into contact with an end portion (8e) of the arm (8b) opposite the intermediate part (8c) of the pivoting part (8);

   a drive arm (7e);

   a stop (15) that can lock the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) when the device is in the locking position;

   means arranged so as to cause the elbow part (7) to pivot by the effect of gravity (G), and the arm (8b) and the lever (8d) to pivot by the effect of gravity (G'), into the unlocking position, when the device is tipped at a given angle from its locking position.
2. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 1, characterised in that when the bin (1) is in the filling position, the centre of gravity (G) of the elbow part (7) is located such that it holds the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) in contact on the stop (15) and the hook (7c) of the said elbow part (7) in contact with the end portion (8e) of the arm (8b) of the pivoting part (8), the centre of gravity (G') of the assembly comprising the pivoting part (8) and the hook (9) being located so as to keep the retractable hook (9) of the lever (8d) in the engaged position in the orifice (13) or the recess of the end portion (3) of the tank (4) and the end portion (8e) of the arm (8b) in contact with the hook (7c) of the elbow part (7); tipping the bin (1) at an angle from the vertical when it is emptied generates a displacement of the said centres of gravity (G, G') causing pivoting of the elbow part (7), releasing the hook (7c) from the elbow part (7) of the end portion (8e) of the arm (8b) of the pivoting part (8), causing the arm (8b) and the lever (8d) to pivot and finally releasing the retractable hook (9) from the orifice (13) or the recess of the tank (4) so that the cover (2) of the bin (1) is free to open.
3. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the retractable hook (9) of the lever (8d) is articulated about an axis (C) approximately parallel to the rotation axis (B) of the pivoting part (8) so that when the cover (2) is closing on the end portion (3) of the tank (4), the retractable hook (9) slides along the inner wall (4a) of the bin (1) until insertion of the said retractable hook (9) in the orifice (13) or the recess located at the end portion (3) of the tank (4).
4. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that pivoting of the arm (8b) about the rotation axis (B) of the pivoting part (8) is limited in the direction away from the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) of the bin (1) by a stop (16).
5. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that pivoting of the elbow part (7) is limited in the direction away from the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) of the bin (1) by a stop (15).
6. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the end portion (8e) of the arm (8b) opposite the intermediate part (8c) of the pivoting part (8), comprises a counterweight (8a).
7. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the free end portion of the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) comprises a counterweight (7a).
8. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the elbow part (7) is in a V shape, in which the two arms (7d, 7e) of the V form an angle of the order of 35 to 55 degrees, and particularly approximately 45 degrees.
9. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the elbow part (7) is in a V shape, in which the two arms (7d, 7e) of the V form an angle between 90 and 180 degrees.
10. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that it comprises a swing arm (18) free to rotate about an axis (D) connected to the cover (2) of the bin (1) and approximately parallel to the rotation axis (B) of the elbow part (7), the said swing arm (18) being free to move between a locking position in which the swing arm (18) forms a stop opposing pivoting of the elbow part (7) towards the inner face (2a) of the cover (2), and an unlocking position in which the swing arm (18) does not oppose the said pivoting of the elbow part (7), rotation of the swing arm (18) between the said locking and unlocking positions being obtained when the bin (1) is tipped at a certain angle, by the effect of gravity.
11. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 10, characterised in that the swing arm (18) is in the shape of a sector of a circle, the rotation axis (D) of the swing arm (18) being located towards the vertex (18a) of the said circular sector, and the free end edge (18b) of the swing arm (18) being in contact with the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) when the swing arm (18) is in the locking position.
12. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the two arms (7d, 7e) of the elbow part (7) are free to move in rotation with respect to each other about the rotation axis (A) of the elbow part (7), and in that the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) comprises a counterweight (7a) close to its free end portion, such that when the bin (1) is tipped at a certain angle, the locking arm (7d) of the elbow part (7) being still in contact with the arm (8b), the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) is free to pivot about its axis (A) by the gravity effect, and then to strike the hook (7c) so as to release the arm (8b).
13. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 12, characterised in that the drive arm (7e) of the elbow part (7) comprises a projection (19) close to its free end portion, designed to strike the hook (7c) when the bin (1) is tipped at a certain angle, so as to release the arm (8b).
14. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that it also comprises an unblocking system (17) fixed on the cover (2) of the bin (1) that will be activated by a control device, the said unblocking system (17) unlocking the cover (2) of the bin (1) when the bin (1) is in the filling position.
15. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 14, characterised in that the retractable hook (9) comprises a ramp (23), and the unblocking system (17) comprises a pin (22) that will cooperate with the said ramp (23), the pin (22) possibly being displaced using the control device between:

    an inactive position in which the pin (22) is in contact with a first end portion (24) of the ramp (23) and does not apply any force on the ramp (23), the retractable hook (9) being engaged in the orifice (13) or the recess of the tank (4), and

    an active position in which the pin (22) is in contact with a second end portion (25) of the ramp (23) and applies a force onto this ramp, the retractable hook (9) being released from the orifice (13) or the recess of the tank (4),

       a force applied by the pin (22) on the ramp (23) possibly causing sliding of the pin (22) along the ramp (23), between the first end portion (24) and the second end portion (25), and pivoting of the retractable hook (9) about its rotation axis (C), while elimination of the said force will cause a return to the inactive position.
16. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it is protected from the contents of the tank (4) by a casing (12) fixed on the inner face (2a) of the cover (2) and provided with an opening (11) from which the retractable hook (9) of the lever (8d) projects.
17. Locking / unlocking device according to claim 16, characterised in that the casing (12) acts as a stop for the elbow part (7), thus limiting its displacement in the direction away from the inner face (2a) of the cover (2).
18. Locking / unlocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that it also comprises a protection device (26) for the retractable hook (9) fixed to the tank (4) of the bin (1), the said device being in the form of a channel that projects outwards from the tank (4) and comprising an opening (27) cooperating with the orifice (13) or the recess of the tank (4), one end (29) of the said channel being located beyond the end (9a) of the retractable hook (9), when the bin (1) is in the filling position and the cover (2) is closed, the said protection device also comprising means (31) of preventing the orifice (13) from being obstructed during emptying.
19. Bin for the collection of waste comprising a locking / unlocking device according to any one of the previous claims.

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