EP1378621B1 - Clutch mechanism for operating a lock and a door comprising such mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for controlling a lock, specifically designed to secure the internal and external handles of a lock, as for example known from DE-A-19607765 or EP-A- 1030011.

Such a clutch mechanism is particularly useful in cooperation with a mechanism for authorizing a movement of a control member or handle by composition of a code, and the invention is described in this application.

Doors are often equipped with a lock that includes a key system to condemn the door. When the lock is not closed, anyone can enter the room served by the door. Code-dialing devices have therefore already been made to allow or prohibit the opening of a door, for example at the entrance of a building.

There are essentially two types of code-composing devices intended to allow or prohibit the opening of a door, a type using electrical energy and a purely mechanical type. In the first type, it is easy to electrically control a clutch mechanism so that when the opening of the door is not allowed, the handle is in the locked position or movable, but without controlling the lock.

In the case of mechanical devices with code composition, the outer handle of the lock is usually blocked when the dialing device of a code prohibits the opening of the door. To avoid excessive forces being applied to the code-making device, a force-limiting device has sometimes been incorporated which allows the rotation of the outer handle, but without the control of the lock.

There are also "three-point locking" locks, in which the rotation of a handle downwards or in one direction controls the lock bolt, and the rotation in the other direction causes two-point locking. at least (usually high and low points). When associating a device with a composition of an electrical or mechanical code to such a lock with three locking points, the locking of the three points can only be achieved by the inner handle.

In addition, most lock control devices associated with code-composing devices operate in only one direction, that is, two different locks are required for right-hand control. or to the left, or at least to switch the elements of the lock according to whether the command must be carried out on the left or on the right.

The subject of the invention is a clutch mechanism intended to provide the connection between a device with a composition of a code and a lock, which can be used even with locks with three locking points, without any change depending on whether the control is to the right or to the left, and with devices composed of a code of the electric as well as the mechanical type.

More specifically, the invention relates to a clutch mechanism for controlling a lock, comprising an inner hub and an outer hub which can each turn separately, about a common axis, an operating angle of a lock from a rest position, in the mounting position, the inner hub can always control the associated lock by rotation of the operating angle, while the outer hub can control the associated lock only when it is secured to the hub internally by the clutch mechanism, each hub being biased towards its rest position by an elastic hub return device; according to the invention, the mechanism comprises a key rotated by a first of the inner and outer hubs and which, in an angular range of authorization of the outer hub, starting at the rest position of the outer hub and amplitude less than the operating angle, is movable in translation relative to the first of the hubs between a keying position in which it transmits the rotation of the outer hub to the inner hub in a portion of the operating range, and a free rotational position in which it does not transmit the rotation of the outer hub to the inner hub, a device resilient return of the key to its keying position, and a locking member which, when held in a locking position, prohibits the translational movement of the key relative to the first of the inner and outer hubs, in the angular range of authorization of the outer hub.

Preferably, the authorization angular range is less than half of the lock maneuvering range. For example, the operating range is of the order of 45 ° and the authorization range of the order of 15 °.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer hub controls the displacement in translation of a displacement member in a direction perpendicular to the common axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the displacement member is connected to the locking member by a force limiter so that the displacement member, which is always displaced by the rotation of the outer hub, causes the displacement of the locking member only when it is not maintained in the locking position. For example, the displacement member is moved by the outer hub by cooperation of a cam member of the outer hub with a surface of the displacement member.

In another preferred embodiment, the key is movable along an axis perpendicular to the common axis of rotation. Preferably, in its free rotation position, the key is entirely contained in the outer volume defined by the first of the inner and outer hubs and is only visible on the side of the locking member.

In another preferred embodiment, the outer hub has a cylindrical guide cavity, the inner hub has a projecting cylinder guided in rotation in the cavity of the outer hub about the common axis and having at its periphery, on the opposite side. to the locking member, a recess of circumferential dimension corresponding approximately to the increased angular range of the dimension of the key in the direction of this circumferential dimension.

In an advantageous embodiment, the locking member is an organ of a code-controlled authorization mechanism. Preferably, the code-controlled authorization mechanism is a mechanism which comprises a flat slide movable in translation in one direction and having lateral notches, stops each having a groove and movable in a direction perpendicular to the flat slide between a position of slider release in which the slider is free to move in the stop groove and a locking position in which part of the stop other than its groove prevents movement of the slider, and pushers accessible from the outside of the mechanism and each for controlling a stop, and the authorization member member controlled by a code is the slide whose direction of translational movement is perpendicular to the common axis.

In a very advantageous embodiment, the outer hub and the inner hub, on the cooperation side with the key, have a symmetry with respect to a plane containing the common axis and the key in the rest position of the hubs. Preferably, the locking member is in contact with the key on both sides of the vertical plane of symmetry.

The invention also relates to a door provided with a lock with three locking points, whose control by rotation of a handle in a first direction causes the opening of the lock, and the control by rotation of a handle in the opposite direction causes locking of at least two of the three locking points. According to the invention, the lock is associated with an authorization mechanism controlled by a code to which it is connected by a clutch mechanism according to the preceding paragraphs.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique éclatée et simplifiée permettant de décrire le principe du mécanisme d'embrayage selon l'invention
• la figure 2 est une coupe par un plan vertical d'un mécanisme d'embrayage selon l'invention ;
• les figures 3A, 3B et 3C représentent la position des principaux éléments du mécanisme avant commande (figure 3A), après rotation d'une poignée de 15° lorsque la manoeuvre n'est pas autorisée (figure 3B) et après rotation d'une poignée de 15° lorsque la manoeuvre est autorisée (figure 3C) ;
• les figures 4A, 4B et 4C correspondent aux figures 3A à 4C, mais dans le cas où la poignée de commande est tournée d'un angle de 45°.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded and simplified schematic view making it possible to describe the principle of the clutch mechanism according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a section through a vertical plane of a clutch mechanism according to the invention;
• FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the position of the main elements of the mechanism before control (FIG. 3A), after rotation of a handle of 15 ° when the maneuver is not authorized (FIG. 3B) and after rotation of a handle 15 ° when the maneuver is authorized (Figure 3C);
• Figures 4A, 4B and 4C correspond to Figures 3A to 4C, but in the case where the control handle is rotated by an angle of 45 °.

Figure 1 shows schematic and exploded schematic the main elements of a clutch mechanism according to the invention. An inner hub 10 cooperates with an outer hub 12 via a key 14 whose position can be determined by a locking member 16, belonging to a code-based control device, which can be moved by a displacement member 18 controlled by the outer hub 12 and connected to the locking member 16 by a force limiter schematically represented by the spring 20.

More specifically, the inner hub 10 which includes a rod 22, which may be a lock control square, is intended to directly control a door lock. On the side facing the outer hub, the inner hub 10 has a cylindrical projection delimiting a space 26. The projection 24 has the form of two circular arcs centered on the axis of rotation of the inner hub 10. This axis rotation is common for the inner hubs 10 and outer 12.

The cylindrical projection 24 can rotate freely inside a cylinder 28 which delimits a cylindrical guide cavity 30 in the hub 12. The axes of the cylinder 28 and the cavity 30 merge with the common axis of rotation of the two hubs 10 and 12. The outer hub 12 can to be associated with a handle by a rod 34 which may be a square of conventional type.

The cylindrical projection 28 has a diametrical groove 32 for housing the key 14. The key 14 has two grooves 40, 42 (which can form a single continuous groove) in which are intended to rotate the two parts in an arc protrusion 24 when the key is held in the outer hub 10 in a central position. When the key has an off-center position, the arcuate portions of the projection 24 can not pass into the grooves 40 and 42 so that a rotation of the outer hub 12 causes a rotation of the inner hub 10.

It is furthermore noted that the outer hub 12 has cams 36 which, during the rotation of the hub 12, move a displacement member 18 which, by means of a force limiter, can itself displace the locking member 16.

In this mechanism, the locking member 16 is normally in a sufficiently low position to hold the key 14 in its centered position in which the outer hub and the inner hub can rotate freely relative to each other. By cons, when the locking member 16 can be removed from the key (upwards in Figure 1) under the action of the force exerted via the displacement member 18, the key can be decentered and secure the two hubs.

The two arcuate portions of the projection 24 are separated by an angular space corresponding to an angular range of authorization increased by the width of the key 14. Thus, when the outer hub 12 begins to rotate under the action of a force applied to a handle, its cam 36 causes a lifting of the member 18. If the member 16 is blocked, the key 14 can not move, so that when the rotation of the outer hub 12 continues, the arcuate portions of the projection 24 are housed in the grooves 40 and 42 of the key, so that the key can rotate freely relative to the internal hub 10. This is therefore not driven and the lock of the associated door is not controlled.

On the contrary, when the displacement member 18 causes a slight rise of the locking member 16 (the associated code authorization mechanism has been conveniently manipulated for example), the key 14, which is always biased upward by a spring (not shown in Figure 1) rises, so that the arcuate portions of the projection 24 abut against the key 14 instead of entering the grooves 40, 42. The key 14 thus secures in rotation two hubs 10 and 12, and the further rotation of the hub 12 causes rotation of the inner hub 10.

Thus, according to the invention, there is a first angular range of rotation of the outer hub, called "angular authorization range" in which the locking member 16 can be removed and the key 14 can then move in space angular clearance between the arcuate portions of the projection 24. At the end of this authorization angular range, which may be of the order of 15 °, when the key has moved, the hub 12 may cause the internal hub 10, with an angular offset between the two which corresponds to this angular range of authorization. It is therefore necessary that the residual rotation of the operating member 12 allows sufficient rotation of the inner hub 10 to control the associated lock. When the total operating range of the outer hub 12 is for example 45 °, the inner hub 10 is driven 30 °, which value is normally sufficient for the control of the associated lock. If it is preferable that the operating angle of the associated lock is greater, of course, the operating angle of the outer hub 12 is increased accordingly.

Figure 2 is a section of a device made according to the principle illustrated in Figure 1. In Figure 2, we used references identical to those of Figure 1 to designate elements having similar functions.

Figures 3A to 3C show the operation of such a mechanism in the authorization range. As indicated in FIG. 3A, before maneuvering the outer hub, the displacement member 18 bears against the cams 36 of the outer hub and the locking member 16 is substantially in abutment against the key 14 in the central position. When the handle is turned within the authorization range, but without the lock control being allowed, the displacement member 18 is lifted by a cam 36, but it does not cause the locking member 16 since the it is held in position by the authorization mechanism. As a result, the key keeps its central position.

On the contrary, as indicated in FIG. 3C, if the mechanism with a composition of a code authorizes the maneuvering of the lock, the displacement of the member 18 by the cam 36 causes a displacement of the locking member, although that the key 14 can leave its central position and protrude towards the locking member 16, as indicated by reference 44. Accordingly, the key 14 secures the outer hub 12 and the inner hub 10, as, as indicated 3C, it is in contact with an edge of an arcuate portion of the projection 24 of the inner hub.

Figures 4A to 4C indicate the relative positions when the outer handle is rotated 45 °. Figure 4A corresponds to Figure 3A. FIG. 4B indicates that the greater displacement of the displacement member 18 by the cam 36 of the outer hub has always caused no displacement of the locking member 16. Consequently, the cam 14 is rotated by the external hub without driving the inner hub. On the other hand, when the device for composing a code makes it possible to move the locking member, the key 14, which has moved outwards as shown in FIG. 3C, is in contact with the flank of the part in an arc of the projection 24, and it therefore drives the inner hub 10 when the outer hub 12 is rotated. The cam 36, by moving the member 18, also causes the displacement of the locking member 16 which allows the opening of the associated lock.

Note in Figure 1, but especially in Figures 3A to 4C, the different elements of the clutch have a rotation symmetry with respect to a vertical plane containing the common axis of rotation of the two hubs. The representations of FIGS. 3B, 3C, 4B and 4C are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane and give exactly the same effect in both directions. The same device can therefore be used for control by maneuver on the right or on the left. This feature is particularly important in the case of locks with three locking points.

In a lock with three locking points, the rotation in one direction of the control rod of the lock causes the control of the bolt, and the rotation in the other direction causes the locking of the various locking points.

When using a symmetrical device according to the invention, the authorization mechanism of the control of the lock operates in one direction as in the other. It is therefore possible either to simultaneously prohibit the control of the lock and the locking of the various points, or to simultaneously authorize them

Although a device having a symmetry with respect to a vertical plane has been described and thus having the advantages just indicated, this characteristic is not indispensable according to the invention.

Although the operation of the clutch mechanism has been described with reference to a displacement member and a locking member movable in translation in a direction perpendicular to the common axis of rotation of the two hubs, this characteristic is not essential. . It is however convenient when the mechanism must be symmetrical.

Although an embodiment has been considered in which the locking member is a slide of a maneuver authorization device by composition of a code, the locking member can be of any type, not only controlled mechanically but also electrically.

An embodiment has been described in which the key is movable substantially according to an inner and outer diameter of the hubs. However, this characteristic is not essential. Indeed, to secure the inner and outer hubs, it is sufficient that the inner hub has a recess of circumferential dimension corresponding approximately to the angular range of authorization, increased the dimension of the key in the direction of this circumferential dimension, the key may or may not penetrate into this obviously, depending on the position of the locking member.

Although there is shown a device in which the key is rotated with the outer hub, a reverse arrangement of that shown is also possible. In addition, the cavity and the projection can be exchanged between the two hubs, without the operation of the device is modified in principle.

Claims (10)

1. Clutch mechanism intended for operating a lock, said mechanism comprising an inner hub (10) and an outer hub (12), which hubs are capable of each turning separately, about a common axis, by an angle for manoeuvring a lock from an inoperative position into a setting-up position;
   the inner hub (10) being still capable of operating the associated lock by rotation of the manoeuvring angle, whereas the outer hub (12) is capable of operating the associated lock only when said hub is interlocked with the inner hub (10);
   each hub being returned to its inoperative position by an elastic hub-returning device;
   characterised in that said mechanism comprises:

   a key-bolt (14) which is driven in rotation by a first hub of the inner and outer hubs (10, 12) and which, within an angular authorising range of the outer

   hub (12), which range starts at the inoperative position of said outer hub (12) and is smaller in amplitude than the manoeuvring angle, is movable in translation in relation to the first of the hubs

   (10, 12) between a keying position in which it transmits the rotation of the outer hub (12) to the inner hub (10) within part of the manoeuvring range, and a free-rotation position in which it does not transmit the rotation of the outer hub (12) to the inner hub (10);

   an elastic device for returning the key-bolt (14) to its keying position; and

   an immobilising component (16) which, when it is kept in an immobilising position, prohibits the displacement in translation of the key-bolt (14) in relation to the first of the inner and outer hubs

   (10, 12), within the angular authorising range of the outer hub (12).
2. Mechanism according to Claim 1, characterised in that the outer hub (12) drives the displacement in translation of a displacing component (18) in a direction perpendicular to the common axis.
3. Mechanism according to Claim 2, characterised in that the displacing component is connected to the immobilising component by a force-limiter so that said displacing component, which is still displaced by the rotation of the outer hub (12), brings about displacement of the immobilising component only when the latter is not kept in the immobilising position.
4. Mechanism according to Claim 3, characterised in that the displacing component is displaced by the outer hub (12) as a result of the cooperation of a cam component (36) on the outer hub (12) with a surface on said displacing component.
5. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in its free-rotation position, the key-bolt (14) is completely contained within the outer volume delimited by the first of the inner and outer hubs (10, 12) and is visible only from the immobilising-component side.
6. Mechanism according to Claim 5, characterised in that the outer hub (12) possesses a cylindrical guide cavity (30), and the inner hub (10) possesses a projecting cylinder (24) which is guided in rotation within the cavity of the outer hub (12) about the common axis and has at its periphery, on the opposite side from the immobilising component, a recess with a circumferential dimension approximately corresponding to the angular range of authorisation, augmented by the dimension of the key-bolt (14) in the direction of the said circumferential dimension.
7. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the immobilising component is a component of a code-operated authorising mechanism.
8. Mechanism according to Claim 7, in which the code-operated authorising mechanism is a mechanism which comprises: a flat slide which is movable in translation in one direction and has lateral slots; stops which each have a channel and are movable, in the direction perpendicular to said flat slide, between a slide-releasing position in which the slide is free to move within the channel in the stop and an immobilising position in which part of the stop other than its channel prevents displacement of said slide; and push-rods which are accessible from the outside of the mechanism and are intended to each operate a stop; characterised in that the said code-operated authorising-mechanism component is the slide whose direction of displacement in translation is perpendicular to the common axis.
9. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer hub (12) and the inner hub (10) have, on the side that cooperates with the key-bolt (14), a symmetry in relation to a plane containing the common axis and said key-bolt (14) when the hubs are in the inoperative position.
10. Door equipped with a lock which has three locking points and the operation of which by the rotation of a handle in a first direction brings about the opening of the lock, and operation by the rotation of a handle in the opposite direction brings about the locking of at least two of the three locking points,
    characterised in that the lock is associated with a code-operated authorising mechanism to which it is connected by a clutch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.

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