EP1105583B1 - Closing device with selective locking - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates, in general, to a device for closing a frame and comprising a lid that can be locked to the frame by means of a key and a latch secured to the lid.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device selectively locking shutter to seal a frame, comprising a substantially planar lid selectively applied to the frame, a latch secured to the lid, and a key having a socket and an arm having one end carries the socket, the lid having an opening access to the lock for the key, the lock comprising a bolt cooperating with a striker of the frame, and the key adopting selectively, with respect to the opening, a position of lock that this key can adopt and leave freely, and in which the bolt is held prisoner of the strike, and an unlock position for which the key is held prisoner in the opening and for which the bolt is clear of the waste.

A device of this type is known in the prior art and described in EP-A-0 383 374.

However, while this known device concerns specifically a vertical advertising frame, closed by a light cover, the invention is directed to applications different, and in particular that in which the lid is a cast iron stamp closing for example a look of roadway planned in a roadway.

Two problems arise in the type of applications envisaged by the invention, namely on the one hand the difficulties in handling the lid, which result directly from the high weight and possibly the horizontal arrangement of the latter, and secondly the the need to prevent acts of vandalism, particularly protect against unauthorized opening of the lid.

The object of the invention is precisely to propose a device that can solve these problems.

For this purpose, the device of the invention, moreover consistent with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is characterized in that the axis of the arm and the axis of the socket of the key are substantially perpendicular to each other, and in that the axis of the arm is substantially perpendicular to the cover for the position of unlocking the key.

Thanks to this arrangement, the lid can be lifted by the key being restrained by the entire lateral surface of the socket, and not simply by two pins, as it is the case following the teaching of the earlier patent document mentioned above, this solution being unsuited to the case of foundry because of their weight and their tolerances of manufacturing.

Moreover, since the socket is substantially parallel to the plane of the cover, the mechanism of locking and unlocking is not directly visible, and remains inaccessible to standard tools.

In these circumstances, for example, it is possible to make sure that the opening gives access to a cavity of the cover in which opens an orifice, and that the opening has an "L" shape including a branch, perpendicular to the orifice, allows the key to pass from any of its locking positions and unlocking when the bushing is inserted in the hole, and prohibits a translation of the arm parallel to the orifice when the arm is substantially perpendicular to the lid while the sleeve is inserted into the hole.

The cavity advantageously has a first wall shaped in inclined plane and guiding the socket in the cavity.

To make it even easier to handle the cover by means of the key, the latter includes preferably a handle secured to the arm, substantially parallel to the socket, and disposed opposite it.

The aforementioned orifice can be formed in a second wall, orthogonal to the first wall, an axis bearing the bolt can then be arranged in the orifice.

The aforementioned socket may comprise an internal rib axial joint adapted to cooperate with an axial groove formed on the axis bearing the bolt.

Moreover, the socket of the key includes preferably, at its opening portion, two lugs external opposites likely to cooperate with ribs guide at the bottom of the aforementioned cavity and to cross the aforementioned orifice whose edge has shaped notches corresponding to said lugs.

The axis carrying the bolt is for example mounted rotating on an ear parallel to the aforementioned wall comprising the orifice and comprises a flat part for rotationally fastening the axis and the bolt which has a form of square.

Preferably, the bolt is elastically retained by a branch of the square on the aforementioned ear and between this ear and the aforementioned wall with orifice by means of a spring and washers.

The other branch of the square forming the bolt is example adapted to cooperate with a notch forming a waste formed in a spar inside the frame.

The branch of the square held on the ear has advantageously a hole with flat cooperating with the flat part aforementioned on the axis of drive in rotation of the bolt.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une portion de tampon d'obturation d'un regard munie d'un dispositif de verrouillage et déverrouillage avec clé spéciale et unique selon cette invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 montrant uniquement l'ouverture du tampon avec sa cavité associée destinée à recevoir la clé (non représentée) d'actionnement du verrou (lui aussi non représenté) ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus similaire à la figure 2 mais montrant le verrou en position verrouillée et la clé simplement introduite dans le fond de la cavité associée à l'ouverture du tampon ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 5 mais montrant la douille de la clé en prise avec l'axe d'entraínement en rotation du pêne ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7 ; et
• les figures 9 à 12 illustrent en coupe, suivant sensiblement la ligne IX-IX de la figure 7, les positions successives de la clé et du verrou pour passer de la position verrouillée à la position déverrouillée du tampon sur le cadre.

But other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a blanking plug portion of a manhole provided with a special and unique key locking and unlocking device according to this invention;
• Figure 2 is a top view along the arrow II of Figure 1 showing only the opening of the buffer with its associated cavity for receiving the key (not shown) for actuating the lock (also not shown);
• Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a top view similar to Figure 2 but showing the latch in the locked position and the key simply introduced into the bottom of the cavity associated with the opening of the buffer;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the socket of the key engaged with the axis of rotation of the bolt;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; and
• Figures 9 to 12 illustrate in section, substantially along the line IX-IX of Figure 7, the successive positions of the key and the lock to move from the locked position to the unlocked position of the buffer on the frame.

A locking device according to this invention is particularly intended to equip a buffer, cover or the like 1 capable of closing a frame, frame or the like indicated at 2 in FIGS. 5 to 8 and delimiting the opening of a manhole by example.

This locking device is operable by a key identified generally at 3 in FIGS. 5 to 12.

According to the invention, the upper wall 1a of the buffer or cover 1 has an opening 4 to access the key 3, this opening opening on the one hand to the outside of buffer 1 and secondly in a cavity 5 in the vicinity of bottom of which is mounted the locking mechanism as described in detail below.

As is clear from Figure 1, the key 3 comprises a portion 6 forming a handle and a sleeve 7 connected to the handle 6 by an arm 8.

According to the invention, the handle 6 and the socket 7 extend respectively from the two ends of the arm 8 according to two orthogonal directions and of the same direction. In other words, the axis X-X 'of the sleeve 7 is substantially parallel to the handle 6 which extends in the same direction than that of said socket.

The access opening 4 to the key 3, especially to the socket 7 of this key, is partially closed by a plate or the like 9 which gives the opening 4 a L-shape. In fact, we can see figures 1, 2, 5 and 7 in particular that the opening 4 presents, following the example of illustrated embodiment, the shape of a rectangle, one of which corners is closed by the plate 9 which has a shape substantially square, so that the remaining part and opening of the opening 4 in the upper wall 1a of the buffer 1 has substantially the shape of an L in which of course be introduced and manipulated key 3 as it is will describe later

The cavity 5 associated with the buffer 1, and located below of the plate 9, has a wall 10 in the shape of a plane inclined which guides the socket 7 of the key 3 in said cavity. This cavity 5 also comprises a wall 11, clearly visible in FIGS. 3, 6 and 8 and which is orthogonal to the wall 10 in the form of an inclined plane.

The wall 11 has an orifice 12 through which can pass the socket 7 of the key 3, so that said bushing can then come into engagement with a mounted axis 13 journalled on an ear 14 integral with the buffer 1, and bearing a bolt marked generally in 15.

In the bottom of the cavity 5 are provided ribs opposite guide 16. Once the socket 7 of the key introduced into the cavity 5, the ribs 16 constitute a means for abutment and guide in translation of the sleeve 7 of key 3 via two external pins and opposites 17 provided externally at the level of the party outlet 7a of said sleeve 7. The orifice 12 formed in the wall 11 of the cavity 5 has in its edge notches 18 of shape corresponding to the lugs 17 of the socket 7 so as to allow the passage to said socket and allow it to come into engagement with the axis 13 carrying the bolt 15.

In addition to the pins 17, the sleeve 7 has a internal and axial rib clearly visible at 19 in FIG. This rib can cooperate with an axial groove 20 of corresponding shape formed on the axis 13 which carries and causes the bolt 15, when operating the key 3.

This axis 13 is rotatably mounted in an orifice 21 provided in the ear 14 and located in the axis of the orifice 12 arranged in the wall 11 of the cavity 5 and giving access to the socket 7 of Key 3, as will be explained in detail below.

As can be seen in Figures 3, 6 and 8 in particular, the ear 14 is parallel to the wall 11, and between the ear and the wall can turn the bolt 15 which presents the form of a square, according to the embodiment example represent. One of the branches 15a of the square has a orifice 22 with flat 23, as well as the axis 13 of the bolt 15 has a flat surface 24. Thus, thanks to the two cooperating flats 23, 24 of the bolt 15 and of the axis 13, the latter can cause the bolt to rotate when the rib 19 of the sleeve 7 belonging to the key 3 is in taken with the groove 20 of the axis 13.

25 has been shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 in particular a stack of washers with spring that holds elastically, by means of a pin 26, the branch 15a of the square 15 on the ear 14 between this ear and the wall 11 of the cavity 5 in the buffer 1.

The other branch 15b of the square 15 constitutes the part active bolt, in that it is she who will cooperate positively with a notch or the like marked 27 on the Figures 5 and 7 and formed in a spar or the like 28 projecting inside the frame 2.

In FIGS. 5 to 8, FIG. of buffer 1 on the frame 2, these stops being above of the spar 28 including the notch forming strike 27 to the inside of the frame 2.

To facilitate the understanding of the invention, will now describe how the keyed device works which has just been described, referring more particularly in Figures 9 to 12.

As seen in Figures 1 and 9, the socket 7 of the key 3 is introduced through the opening 4 into the cavity 5, and this introduction can only be made for one meaning of the key, namely that visible in Figure 1. More precisely the sleeve 7 slides on the wall 10 in the form of inclined plane of cavity 5, until the lugs opposite 17 of the sleeve 7 abut on the ribs 16 at the bottom of said cavity, as seen in the figure 10 and also in Figures 5 and 6. It should be noted that in this position, the key 3 is blocked by its arm 8 between the edge of the opening 4 and the edge vis-à-vis 9a of the plate 9.

Being thus immobilized, the key 3 can not be actuated only by sliding translation of the lugs 17 of the sleeve 7 on the ribs 16 of the cavity 5, and this until the bushing, passing through the orifice 12 of the wall 11, comes into engagement with the axis 13 of the bolt 15 by its rib 19 which enters the groove 20 of the axis 13.

It should be noted here that Figure 9 shows the bolt 15 in the locked position in the notch 27 of the frame 2.

When the bushing 7 is thus engaged with the axis 13 of the bolt 15, as we can see on the Figures 7 and 8, the arm 8 of the key 3 escapes the position described above, in one of the branches of the L that form the opening 4, to come to the right of the other branch of the L, so that key 3 can be manipulated in rotation, as seen in Figures 11 and 12 to thereby rotate the axis 13 and thus the bolt 15 which can be released by its part 15b of the notch 27 of the frame 2.

The buffer 1 is "open" and the key 3 remains coupled to the axis 13 and is maintained by its arm 8, trapped in aperture 4 (see Figure 12) which allows, with the key 3, to lift the buffer 1 out of the frame 2.

Buffer 1 can of course be returned to the position of closing on the frame 2 with the key 3 which remains trapped in the cavity 5 in the unlocked position of the bolt 5.

To lock the buffer 1 again on the frame 2, just flip it over and then translate it into the cavity 5 in a direction opposite to that described above, so as to be able to pull the sleeve 7 out of said cavity.

It is therefore necessary to make the key 3 in the cavity 5 a movement of translation then rotation or the opposite to respectively unlock or lock the buffer on its frame, and that by passing from one of the branches of the L to the other that forms the opening 4 with its associated plate 9.

It has therefore been realized according to the invention a mechanism latch bolt that is invisible from the outside and remains inaccessible unless you use the special shape key according to this invention. We understand that it will be impossible, without using this key, and even using a angled socket wrench of trade, to go for the axis driving the bolt, that is to say to introduce the sleeve in the bottom of the cavity so that it is exactly at the right of the axis of drive of the bolt, to allow the setting socket socket with said axis.

It will be noted in passing that in Figure 7, which represents the socket of the key of the invention engaged with the axis, while the bolt 15b is in the locked position, has nevertheless shown, for a better understanding, bolt in dashed lines to illustrate how, in position unlocked, it escapes the notch 27 of the spar interior 28 belonging to the frame 2.

Claims (11)

1. A closing device with selective locking for closing a frame (2), comprising a substantially flat cover (1) selectively placed on the frame (2), a lock (13, 15) rigidly mounted in the cover and a spanner (3) comprising a bush (7) and an arm (8), one end of which carries the bush (7), the cover having an aperture (4) giving the spanner access to the lock, the lock (13, 15) comprising a latch (15) co-operating with a keeper (27) mounted on the frame, and the spanner (3) selectively adopting with respect to the aperture (4) a locked position which said spanner can adopt and leave freely and in which the latch (15) is held captive by the keeper (27), and an unlocked position in which the spanner (3) is held captive in the aperture (4) and in which the latch (15) is disengaged from the keeper (27), characterised in that the axis of the arm (8) and the axis of the bush (7) of the spanner are substantially perpendicular to one another, and in that the axis of the arm (8) is substantially perpendicular to the cover (1) in the unlocked position of the spanner.
2. A dosing device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the aperture (4) gives access to a cavity (5) in the cover into which opens an orifice (12), in that the aperture (4) has an "L" configuration one branch of which, perpendicular to the orifice, allows the spanner (3) to pass from any one of its locked or unlocked positions to the other when the bush (7) is inserted in the orifice (12), and prevents translation of the arm (8) parallel to the orifice (12) when the arm is substantially perpendicular to the cover while the bush is inserted in the orifice.
3. A dosing device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the cavity (5) has a first wall (10) which is disposed in an inclined plane and which guides the bush in the cavity.
4. A closing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spanner (3) comprises a handle (6) which is integral with the arm (8), substantially parallel to the bush (7) and disposed opposite the latter.
5. A dosing device according to one of the preceding claims in combination with claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the orifice (12) is formed in a second wall (11) orthogonal to the first wall (10), and in that a spindle (13) carrying the latch (15) is disposed in the orifice (12).
6. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the bush (7) has an intemal axial rib (19) able to co-operate with an axial groove (20) formed in the spindle (13) carrying the latch (15).
7. A device according to one of the preceding claims in combination with Claim 2, characterised in that the bush (7) of the spanner (3) has two opposed external projections (17) which are disposed at its open end (7a) and are able to co-operate with guide ribs (16) disposed at the bottom of the cavity (5) and are able to pass through the orifice (12), the edge of which includes recesses (18) the shape of which corresponds to said projections.
8. A device according to one of the preceding claims in combination with Claim 5, characterised in that the spindle (13) carrying the latch (15) is joumalled in a bracket (14) parallel to the second wall (11) and has a flattened face (24) to connect non-rotatably the spindle (13) and the latch (15) which is configured as an angle-iron.
9. A device according to Claim 8, characterised in that the latch is retained resiliently on the above-mentioned bracket (14) by one leg (15a) of the angle-iron, and is retained resiliently between this bracket and the above-mentioned wall (11) with the orifice (12) by means of a spring and washers (25).
10. A device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the other leg (15b) of the angle-iron is able to co-operate with a recess forming a keeper (27) formed in a longitudinal member or like element (28) inside the frame (2).
11. A device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the above-mentioned leg (15a) of the angle-iron retained on the bracket (14) includes a hole (22) with a flattened face (23) co-operating with the above-mentioned flattened face (24) on the spindle (13) which rotationally drives the latch (15).

Images