EP1368544B1 - Drainage device for surface drainage - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drainage device for surface drainage, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Drainage devices, in particular drainage channels with covers are known, in which the cover on the gutter body, in particular on one of the upper edge of the gutter body by means of screws or wedge devices can be fastened. Both the production and the installation of such gutters is relatively cumbersome.

Furthermore, drainage devices are known in which for fixing the cover on the gutter body serves a bolt which is mounted in the cover and in the direction of a longitudinal edge of the cover in a locking position and out of this out into an open position is displaced. On the gutter body a locking counterpart is provided, which engages with a displacement of the bolt in the locking position with the bolt in such a way that the cover is held on the gutter body. Although such a bar is relatively easy to manufacture, but the lock can be solved with conventional tools.

To lock the cover on the gutter body leaf-shaped cover grate locking springs are known. They have oppositely formed projections, which engage in recesses in the side walls of the channel body. Thus, the locking spring is held substantially stress-free in the channel body, however, the locking spring is arranged transversely to the gutter longitudinal axis and inside the gutter. In such drainage channels, the channel cross-section is not free, which can lead to blockages.

Another disadvantage of the known drainage devices is that for releasing the locking and lifting the cover a relatively high tensile force must be exercised. In addition, the lock can be solved with conventional tools. Thus, the drainage facilities are not vandal-proof.

JP 2000297442 describes a cover for a shaft in which a hook is pivotally mounted on the underside, which engages with its engagement end with a counter-engagement surface. This intervention is due to a lever effect by weight on the hook. To open the hook, an engagement opening in the cover is provided, via which a second end of the lever formed by the hook is accessible from the outside, so that when inserting a tool into the opening, the hook surface is disengaged from its counter surface.

The invention is therefore based on the object to further develop a drainage device with a fastener of the type mentioned in that a durable vandal-proof attachment of the cover with a simple installation, and a simple lifting of the cover is guaranteed.

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1.

A basic idea of the invention is to achieve the release of the locking of covers on drainage devices, in particular drainage channels and the like by magnetic action. This idea is based on the fact that the magnetic attraction and repulsion forces are known to be easily manipulated remote action forces. All mechanical applications of magnetism are based on this property.

The locking of the cover with the channel body can be done with known mounting arrangements. To release the lock but a tool is used, which has a (permanent) magnet at one end. By the use of (permanent) magnets for releasing the lock non-contact opening of the drainage channel can be achieved without a large pulling force is needed. In addition, the fastener is not accessible from the outside, since the fastener is disposed between an edge portion of the cover and an adjacent upper portion of the body wall. Thus, the life of the fastener is increased. In addition, the cover can be removed only by using a special tool. This ensures a vandal-proof closure of the gutter cover.

But it is also possible to use electromagnets instead of permanent magnets. In this case, conventional fastening elements are used for fastening. To solve the lock, an electromagnet is used, which has an electromagnetic coil unit. With the help of the coil unit and by the application of an electric current, a magnetic field is generated. The magnetic flux will act on the fastener so that the lock is achieved without contact. The cover can be easily removed in this way, without any mechanical intervention. In case of failure of the supply voltage for the coil unit, the fastener returns to the locking position.

The fastener may be formed as a hook. The hook then has a first retaining portion for attachment to the cover and a second locking portion for hooking into one on the body wall intended clearance or vice versa. The holding portion of the hook is fixedly arranged in the cover or on the gutter body and is not visible from the outside. Thus, the hook is inaccessible from the outside, which on the one hand increases its life and on the other hand, the security of the lock.

Preferably, the hook is resilient. Thus, the spring hook is deformed when placing the cover on the gutter body and the locking portion hooked in a final support position of the cover on the gutter body in the franking of the gutter body or in a mounted on the upper edge of the gutter body frame.

To release the locking an engagement opening in the cover is provided. About this engagement opening a tool can be attached. The tool has a permanent magnet at one end. Due to the resulting magnetic field, the spring hook is subjected to a magnetic flux. The lock can thus be easily solved without contact.

Preferably, the engagement opening in the cover corresponds to the channel interior, so that the fastening element remains untouched during insertion of the magnetic tool through the engagement opening. However, without changing the grate design, the openings in the cover between the grate tabs can be used to allow insertion of the magnetic tool.

Preferably, the spring hook is made in one piece and made of metal. When engaging with the magnetic tool, the spring hook is moved by the magnetic attraction forces in the direction of the channel interior. The second locking portion works on the first holding portion. Thus, the lock is released. To remove the cover from the body, The spring hook is taken out through the opening of the franking.

But the spring hook can also be made in two parts, wherein the holding portion is formed as Kunsstoffteil, in particular as an injection molded part and the locking portion is formed of metal. Thus, when subjected to magnetic flux, the metallic locking portion is hinged by the magnetic attraction forces in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding portion. The lock is thus released. By moving the tool in the surface direction, the cover can be removed from the gutter body.

Preferably, the gutter body is made of polymer concrete, which is known to consist of a mixture of resin and sand / gravel. Thus, the magnetic field lines will pass almost unchanged through the polymer concrete, so that the magnetic attraction acts on the spring hook.

The fastening element can also be designed as a displaceable latch. The bolt has an engagement end and an actuating end. The bolt is displaceable in a guide provided in the cover, wherein the engagement end of the bolt with a clearance provided in the channel body, which has a locking surface and corresponds to the guide, is engaged. To operate the bolt and to release the lock, a built-in the body wall electromagnet is provided. Thus, the unlocking takes place without additional tools and therefore without direct intervention on the latch.

In order to hold the latch in the locked position, a compression spring is preferably provided, which on the one hand with the operating end of the bolt and on the other hand fixed to the leading end.

Preferably, the electromagnet comprises at least one electromagnetic coil unit, which has two opposing coils. The coils are installed in the channel body such that the latch is inserted between the two coils. By applying an electric current and the magnetic field generated thereby, the bolt in the guide is displaceable. Thus, the lock is achieved without contact, the magnetic forces are much higher than the pressure force of the compression spring.

The coil unit is preferably connected to an (alternating current) source by means of electrical lines integrated in the channel body. In case of failure of the supply voltage for the coil unit, the bolt is returned to the locked position. Thus, magnetic forces can be used for the locking and no additional pressure force.

At the leading end, a damping insert is preferably provided, which serves to stop the acted upon by the magnetic flux bar.
In order to achieve a displacement protection of the cover in the gutter longitudinal direction, preferably a non-openable fastening arrangement can be provided. This fastening arrangement has a clearance provided on the cover or on the gutter body, as well as a projection engaging in the latter, which are located on the gutter body or on the cover.

Figur 1

einen Querschnitt durch eine Entwässerungsrinne mit auf einem Rinnenkörper durch einen Haken befestigter Abdeckung, sowie einer gegenüberliegenden Eingriffsvorrichtung;

Figur 2

einen Teil-Querschnitt durch eine Entwässerungsrinne mit einem eingestzten magnetischen Werkzeug zum Lösen der Arretierung, gemäß Fig. 1;

Figur 3

einen Teil-Querschnitt durch eine Entwässerungsrinne mit auf einem Rinnenkörper durch einen Riegel befestigter Abdeckung;

Figur 4

einen Teil-Querschnitt entlang der Linien IV-IV gemäß Fig. 3.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following Description of preferred embodiments. These are explained in more detail by means of illustrations. Show here

FIG. 1

a cross section through a drainage channel with attached to a gutter body by a hook cover, and an opposite engagement device;

FIG. 2

a partial cross-section through a drainage channel with an applied magnetic tool for releasing the lock, according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3

a partial cross-section through a drainage channel with attached to a gutter body by a latch cover;

FIG. 4

a partial cross section along the lines IV-IV of FIG. 3rd

The first figure shows a drainage channel in cross-section with a channel body 10 and an attached cover 20. The channel body 10 has a U-shaped cross section, wherein the cross section is not limited exclusively to this form. To reinforce the channel walls 11, a frame 17 is provided on an upper edge 12 of the channel wall 11. For fixing the cover 20 on the gutter body 10, a spring hook 30 is provided. The spring hook 30 has a first holding portion 31, for fixing in the cover 20 and a second locking portion 32, for hooking in an opening provided in the channel wall 11 franking 13. The franking 13 has for this purpose a locking surface 16, below which the second locking portion 32 hooked. However, the sections of the spring hook 30 can also be arranged vice versa. The spring hook 30 is shown in a locking position, wherein the locking is done by applying a compressive force. The spring hook is completely mounted between the gutter wall 11 and an adjacent edge region 21 of the cover 20. Thus, the spring hook from the surface is not visible and inaccessible.

On the opposite side of the spring hook 30 body wall 11 a clearance 22 is formed in the cover 20. On the frame 17, a projection 14 is provided, which engages when placing the cover 20 on the gutter body 10 in the franking 22. The franking can also be provided on the frame and the projection according to the cover.

Figure 2 shows a partial cross section through the drainage channel according to Figure 1 with inserted magnetic tool 40 for contactless release of the lock. The tool 40 has a bar magnet 41 at one end. The cover 20 has an engagement opening 23, which corresponds to the channel interior 15 and is suitable for insertion of the tool 40. In order to leave the grate design unchanged, the tool 40 may be sized to engage through an opening between two grate bars of a grate cover to release the detent. The bar magnet 41 is selected such that a relatively strong magnetic field is generated because the spring hook 30 is located inside the body wall 11. The channel body 10 is formed of polymer concrete and thus the magnetic attraction forces act through the polymer concrete on the spring hook 30. This results in a flap of the second locking portion 32 of the spring hook 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 31 'of the first holding portion 31. The spring hook 30 dissolves thus from the locking surface 16 of the franking 13 and can be easily removed through the opening 18 of the franking 13, which corresponds to the cover 20. This will the cover 20 removed from the body 10. This is done by a movement of the magnetic tool 40 in the surface direction and using a relatively small tensile force.

It is also possible to use the spring hook 30 only for locking a known bar, which is opened and closed by hand. Thus, a stronger bar with higher actuation forces can be used, since the spring hook 30 acts only as a secondary blocking element.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-section through another embodiment of a drainage channel with a channel body 10 and an attached cover 20. The cover 20 is fastened to the body 10 by means of a bolt 30. The latch 30 has an engagement end 33 and an actuating end 34. In the locking position, the engagement end 33 is engaged with a locking surface 27. The locking surface 27 is provided in a clearance 26 in the cover 20. The franking 26 corresponds to a guide 24 formed as an opening in the body wall 11, in which the bolt 30 is slidably seated. The franking 26 and the guide 24 are inaccessible from the outside. The latch 30 is held by a compression spring 35 in the locked position. The compression spring 35 is connected on the one hand to the actuating end 34 and on the other hand to an upper guide end 24 'of the guide 24.

In order to contactlessly release the latch, an electromagnet is provided for generating a magnetic field. By energizing the latch 30 with a magnetic flux, the latch 30 is displaced in the guide 24, the magnetic forces being substantially higher than the compressive force of the compression spring 35. Thus, the latch 30 is in the unlocked position brought. At an upper guide end 24 ', a damping insert 25 is provided, which serves to stop the bolt 30.

Figure 4 shows a section along the lines IV-IV of Fig. 3, wherein the electromagnet 50 is shown schematically. The electromagnet 50 has a coil unit 51, which is installed in the channel wall 11 and is arranged on both sides of the guide 24. The coil unit 51 is connected by means not shown and integrated in the channel wall electrical lines to the power supply. When the lock has to be released, the coils 51 will form a magnetic field by applying an electric current. Due to the generated magnetic flux of the bolt 30 is moved in the guide 24 to the damping insert 25 and released in this way the lock. The latch 30 can be brought back into the locked position by failure of the supply voltage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Channel body

11

body wall

12

upper edge

13

franking

14

head Start

15

Rinne interior

16

locking surface

17

frame

18

Opening of the franking

20

cover

21

edge region

22

franking

23

engagement opening

24

guide

24 '

lead end

25

damping insert

26

franking

27

locking surface

30

Spring hook, latch

31

holding section

31 '

Longitudinal axis of the holding section

32

locking section

33

Engagement end of the bolt

34

Operating end of the bolt

35

compression spring

40

Permanent magnet

41

Stabmagent

50

electromagnet

51

coil unit

Claims (16)

1. Drainage device for surface drainage, in particular drainage channel with a channel body (10), a cover (20), which can be placed on a top edge (12) of the channel body (10), and at least one fastening element (30) in the form of a hook or locking bar for fastening the cover (20) to the channel body (10), or a frame (17), which lies on the channel body (10), for strengthening the top edge (12) of the channel body (10),
   characterised in that
   the fastening element (30) is disposed between the cover (20) and an adjacent region (12) of a body wall (11) so as to be inaccessible to operation from outside, the fastening element is interlocked by exerting a compressive force, and the fastening element (30) can be operated to release the fastening of the cover by means of magnetic forces.
2. Drainage device according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the fastening element (30) is formed as a hook, wherein the hook (30) comprises a first retaining portion (31) for fastening to the cover (20) and a second interlocking portion (32) for hooking in a clearance (30) provided at the body wall (11) - or vice versa.
3. Drainage device according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the hook (30) is formed in a resilient manner such that, when the cover (20) is placed on the channel body (10), the spring hook (30), which is fixed to the cover (20) or to the channel body (10), is deformed and snaps by way of its second interlocking portion (32) into the clearance (13) when the cover (20) is in a final bearing position on the channel body (10).
4. Drainage device according to Claim 3,
   characterised by
   an engagement opening (23) provided in the cover (20) for inserting a tool (40), via which the spring hook (30) can be disengaged from the channel body (10) under the cover (20) for releasing the catch without contact and for raising the cover, wherein the engagement opening (23) corresponds with a channel interior (15).
5. Drainage device according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the tool (40) comprises a (permanent) magnet (41) at one end for acting on the spring hook (30) with a magnetic flux and for releasing the catch.
6. Drainage device according to Claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the spring hook (30) is made in one piece, preferably of metal, so that, upon engagement with the magnetic tool (40) through the magnetic forces, the spring hook (30) can move in the opening direction and the interlock can be released, so that it is possible to remove the spring hook (30) with the cover (20).
7. Drainage device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the spring hook (30) is made in two parts, wherein the first retaining portion (31) is formed as a plastics part, in particular as an injection moulded part, and the second interlocking portion (32) is formed from metal, so that, when acted upon with magnetic flux, the second metallic portion (32) can swing through the magnetic tractive forces in the direction of the longitudinal axis (31') of the first retaining portion (31) and the interlock can be released.
8. Drainage device according to any one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   the channel body consists of concrete polymer.
9. Drainage device according to any one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   the fastening element (30) consists of a displaceable locking bar with an engagement end (33) and an opposite operating end (34), which can be displaced in a guide (24) in the body (10) of the cover (20), wherein the engagement end (33) is engaged in the interlocking position with a clearance (26) provided in the cover (20) and having an interlocking face (27), and wherein at least one magnet (50) is provided to release the interlock.
10. Drainage device according to Claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the magnet is an electromagnet which is preferably fitted into the body wall.
11. Drainage device according to Claim 9 or 10,
    characterised in that
    the locking bar (30) is retained in the interlocking position in the guide (24) by means of a compression spring (35).
12. Drainage device according to Claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the electromagnet (50) comprises an electromagnetic coil unit (51), wherein the locking bar (30) can be displaced in the guide direction through applying an electric current and the magnetic field thereby generated for releasing the interlock without contact, and wherein the magnetic forces are substantially higher than the compressive force of the compression spring (35).
13. Drainage device according to Claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the coil unit (51) is connected to a current source, in particular an a.c. source, by means of electric lines which are integrated into the channel body (10), wherein the locking bar (30) can be brought into the interlocking position if the supply voltage for the coil unit (51) fails.
14. Drainage device according to any one of Claims 9 to 13
    characterised by
    a damping insert (25) provided at the guide end for stopping the locking bar (30) upon which the magnetic flux acts.
15. Drainage device according to any one of the preceding Claims,
    characterised in that
    a clearance (22) and a projection (14), which engages in the latter, are provided opposite the fastening element (30) at the cover (20) and at the channel body (10) as an unopenable fastening arrangement for retaining the cover (20) on the channel body (10).
16. Drainage device for surface drainage, in particular drainage channel with a channel body (10), a cover (20), which can be placed on a top edge (12) of the channel body (10), and at least one fastening element (30) in the form of a locking bar (30) which can be manually opened and closed for fastening the cover (20) to the channel body (10) or a frame (17), which lies on the channel body (10), for strengthening the top edge (12) of the channel body (10),
    characterised in that
    a spring hook, which can be operated by means of magnetic forces, is provided to lock the fastening element.

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