EP1530938B1 - Sealing lid - Google Patents

Abstract

The shutter has a hook (50) and an upper edge (51) placed on an upper part of the shutter to mount the shutter on an opening for being operated between an opening covering position and an opening uncovering position. A rear lip (30) has a screen surface (31) for preventing streaming of water or other particles passing through the opening. A rounded edge (19) extends from an edge (13) of the opening. An independent claim is also included for a letterbox.

Description

The present invention relates to sealing flaps intended to equip openings in a wall, in particular an opening for introducing letters into a letterbox (see document JP-A-10 057 229 ).

A mailbox has a front face having an upper slot for introducing the mail, the withdrawal thereof being effected by a front or rear door. Disposed outside, that is to say with the mailbox located at the level of the fence of a property, and possibly sealed in a wall, the slot on the front face is likely to let the rain, in wind or simply by runoff. The deposited mail is then soggy.

It is therefore conventional to provide the slot with a flap pivotally mounted around its upper edge, which avoids the direct fall of rain falling at an angle. The roof can also form a sort of awning overhanging the front face, to limit runoff.

However, a gust of wind is likely to reduce the rain against the upper part of the front face, and runoff then crosses the slot. One could think to equip the shutter of a seal to be plated on the periphery of the slot, but this solution would not be very satisfactory because the bearing pressure of the seal on the front face would be almost zero, because the center of flap gravity, vertical, is almost under the axis.

The present invention aims to propose another solution to the sealing problem.

For this purpose, the invention relates first of all to a sealing flap according to claim 1.

Thus, the solution consists in adding, to the conventional flap, a third dimension, that is to say the posterior lip, which functionally constitutes a skirt forming a second flap. As this second component occupies a position retracted from the opening, a sheet of water flowing from the upper edge of the opening will therefore fall in front of the second component and not behind. The posterior lip constituting the second flap thus defines, with the upper edge of the opening, a slot turned partially downwards due to the recoil that the posterior lip presents. Even if the posterior lip does not extend to a height corresponding to that of the upper edge, and therefore the above slot then remains somewhat rotated by a certain angle forward, the seal remains assured as long as the fall angle of the rain from a horizontal does not fall below this slot direction angle.

Note that the invention applies regardless of the type of movement of the flap, since the essential characteristics of the invention require only to define the position of closing or masking. The flap can therefore, for example, be slidably and / or tilting around any of its edges or even be removable during normal operation. Indeed, as the seal is ensured by the posterior lip, the support axis, horizontal pivoting in the upper part of a conventional flap, which was used in an annex way to maintain the veneer flap on the front face to form approximately one external diverting seal of the runoff, can now be omitted since the posterior lip exerts this sealing function.

In addition, it should be noted that, although the posterior lip generally has a great utility for sealing against an upper edge of the opening, it can also equip any other edge of different orientation, by example substantially vertical, to protect wind gusts effects, projecting drops of water or repelling a stream that flows laterally to the opening. If necessary, there may be provided a fold, forming a substantially vertical groove, at the free end of the posterior lip. A lower opening edge can likewise be so equipped against the effects of rising wind gusts. The posterior lip can even extend in one piece on several edges of the opening, or all, forming a complete skirt.

The invention is obviously not limited to the only letter insertion slot but is applicable to any opening in a wall exposed to rain or, more generally, to projections of particles of liquid or solid likely to cross the opening and come degrade or pollute a volume, open or closed, located opposite the exposed face. Note further that the flap, and in particular the posterior lip, may, where appropriate, have a generally non-planar shape.

The screen surface is preferably limited by an end portion folded toward it to provide an anti-overflow side barrier.

Particles projected at high speed, and thus likely to go up to the edge of the posterior lip and overflow therein, will then abut on the barrier, possibly with a folded surface, from a direction of extension of the screen surface, at an angle exceeding 90 degrees to thereby form a gutter returned.

Advantageously, the posterior capture lip is arranged to present, in the masking position on the wall, an end portion located opposite a peripheral zone belonging to the wall and limiting a corresponding edge of the opening.

In this case, the slot, mentioned above, between the posterior lip and the considered edge of the opening, is partially turned towards the rear, so that particles, which would be driven horizontally by the wind through the opening, will abut on the posterior lip.

Preferably then, the posterior capture lip is arranged so that, also in the unmasked functional position on the wall, said end portion is located opposite said perimeter zone. The seal is thus ensured throughout the operating range.

Said end portion of the posterior capture lip preferably has a certain elasticity and can then comprise a profiled lateral surface. transverse crest provided for, during the passage of the flap of the unmasking position to the masking position, abut on a corresponding edge of the opening and slide on it by bending laterally to, once the peak has passed, deploy laterally opposite the said zone around. It can thus maneuver the shutter without difficulty, although it has a template over that of the opening and thus ensuring an optimal seal.

In particular, the invention is characterized by the fact that the posterior capture lip has a lower portion associated with an opposite anterior lip, of earlier runoff capture, to form a gutter. According to a variant, the channel then comprises a discharge passage at at least one end and / or a discharge passage in an intermediate zone. The two sources of runoff, posterior and anterior, thus merge into a single pipe, which simplifies the whole.

The prior capture lip advantageously comprises an end edge arranged for, at least in the masking position, to be pressed against the exposed face. The penetration of anterior runoff is thus limited.

The anterior capture lip is preferably made of material having an elasticity allowing the operation of the flap. It can therefore be pressed elastically on the wall, which ensures the maintenance of tightness over time.

The anterior capture lip may also be pivotally mounted on the flap. It can still be pressed on the wall.

The mounting means may be arranged for the flap to pivot about the end edge of the anterior capture lip.

The end edge, then fixed but pivoting position, can be glued to the wall at the pivot generator, if the front lip has the flexibility to provide the pivoting provided. It is likewise possible to provide a seal in the form of a glued, continuous and optionally flexible layer for pivoting, covering the end edge and the corresponding zone around the opening.

In one embodiment, the mounting means comprise a hook having an end forming a geometric axis of pivoting of the shutter and arranged to take a rotary support on a supporting relief integral with the wall. As it is required only a relief support, without the need for rotating bearing, it can easily implement the flap on an existing mailbox.

The hook can in particular be arranged to cooperate with a said support relief extending from an edge of the opening, in a direction opposite to the exposed face.

The bearing relief is for example an internal sheet metal return of the wall, initially intended to round the edge to avoid any risk of injury to a user.

The posterior capture lip may then comprise an abutment shoulder, defining the unmasking position, extending up to a distance, with respect to the end of the hook, less than an overflow length of the bearing relief, together, formed by the shoulder and the hook, constituting, for the bearing relief, a pair of jaws able to open elastically under the effect of a mounting force by clipping exerted by an installer. The shutter can thus be mounted very easily by clipping.

The invention is also characterized in particular by the fact that the posterior capture lip and the anterior capture lip form a pair of jaws arranged to hold the shutter in the mounting position on the opening, by imprisoning the said relief between them. support, at least one of said capture lips having sufficient elasticity to deviate from the other, and clip, respectively release, the bearing relief, under the effect of a mounting force, respectively dismantling, carried out by an installer.

The anterior capture lip may comprise an abutment relief arranged to abut against the exposed face when the flap reaches the unmasking position.

This stop may in particular prevent the user from inadvertently disassembling the shutter. In addition, in the case for which the shoulder above is provided, the abutment relief prevents any recoil of the flap and therefore any backward sliding of the shoulder, capable of disengaging it from the end of the supporting abutment. pivoting the shutter, which also serves as security against inadvertent disassembly.

The end of the hook optionally comprises axis means arranged to cooperate with bearing means carried by the wall. If the wall is thus equipped with bearing means, the fixing of the flap is better ensured.

The mounting means may form a pair of identical mounting means, functionally in parallel and arranged on either side of a median plane of the flap perpendicular to an overall extension plane of the flap. The shutter is thus better guided during maneuvers.

The flap may include a resilient jaw, slidingly retracted position on a cam surface to which it is biased by an oblique pressure force, and may be arranged for gravity, and / or an associated jaw a counter-support, provide at least part of the pressure force. The flap thus easily returns to the masking position.

A lower edge section advantageously comprises a groove, open towards the exposed face, of cross section with a shape adapted to constitute a blocking baffle at the rise of an ascending layer of particles pushed by air vortices.

The baffle constitutes a pseudo-equivalent of the anterior lip, since, even if the efficiency of the baffle is not guaranteed in case of continuous water flow, likely to overflow, it constitutes a small reservoir integrator, sufficient to treat discontinuous bursts, with fallout of the water by gravity.

The rear run-off screen surface is preferably in the operative position, with a return slope towards the opening. Runoff can thus be channeled to the wall.

The evacuation path may lead to the side of the exposed face, through the opening, or the opposite side to the exposed face.

In either case, the discharge passage of the gutter is preferably continued by a conduit opening under the flap.

The invention also relates to a letter-box, remarkable in that it is equipped with a shutter according to the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue latérale en coupe d'une paroi de boîte-à-lettres comportant une ouverture équipée du volet selon la forme de réalisation, représenté en position rabattue, de repos, masquant l'ouverture,
• la figure 2 correspond à la figure 1, le volet étant en position de démasquage de l'ouverture,
• la figure 3 correspond à la figure 2, le volet étant dans une position assez semblable à la position de démasquage, précisément une position de présentation dans l'ouverture pour y être monté,
• la figure 4 est une vue latérale en coupe du volet de la variante, et
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective latérale et avant du volet de la figure 4.

The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of an embodiment of the shutter according to the invention and a variant, with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 is a sectional side view of a letterbox wall having an opening provided with the shutter according to the embodiment, shown in the folded, rest position, masking the opening,
• the figure 2 corresponds to the figure 1 , the flap being in the unmasking position of the opening,
• the figure 3 corresponds to the figure 2 , the flap being in a position quite similar to the unmasking position, precisely a position of presentation in the opening to be mounted,
• the figure 4 is a sectional side view of the flap of the variant, and
• the figure 5 is a side perspective view and front of the shutter of the figure 4 .

The figure 1 represents an upper part of a wall 1 here planar and arbitrarily called before, a mailbox 10, here made of sheet metal or plastic material, located on the left in all the figures, including a front part of the wall roof is also represented.

For the simplicity of the presentation, the wall 1 is supposed to be in its classical functional position, that is to say vertical and perpendicular to the plane of the figure 1 . Of course, the explanations would remain valid, to the transpositions near the reference orientations, if the wall 1 had a different orientation.

The wall 1, having an external face 2, exposed to the weather, and a face 3 internal to the mailbox 10, has an opening 12 of mail drop or possibly package. The opening 12 is here of rectangular shape, with an upper edge 13, a lower edge 14 and two side edges 15, of which only the right edge, in front view of the wall 1, is here visible.

In this example, the upper edge 13 continues, towards the inside of the mailbox 10, that is to say opposite the outer face 2, by a fold or return of sheet forming a Cornice or substantially horizontal flange 19. Likewise here, the lower edge 14 continues, towards the inside of the mailbox 10, by a return of sheet metal in ascending ramp.

The opening 12 is equipped with a movable flap 20 comprising a body wall 21, substantially flat and of shape and size corresponding substantially to those of the opening 12, with, in the upper part, mounting elements on the opening 12, allowing the operation of the flap 20 between the vertical position shown, masking the opening 12 with support on the outer face 2, and the position shown on the figure 2 , unmasking the opening 12. As shown in figure 2 , the flap 20 is pivotable in this example, that is to say, to move to the open position, or unmasking, it pivots around its upper part to separate in particular its lower part away from the wall 1 and thus provide a slot for the passage of mail.

The body 21 of the shutter 20, which extends, at rest, substantially in a vertical plane located just in front of the plane of extension of the wall 1, is extended, in the upper part, by a posterior lip 30 passing through the upper part of the opening 12 and extending obliquely upward towards the inside of the mailbox 10, that is to say, away from the opening 12. In this example, the posterior lip 30 has an upper end or edge 32 which extends, in the rest position of the flap 20, to a height or altitude exceeding that of the upper edge 13. The figure 2 shows that this remains true for the open position.

For this purpose, the posterior lip 30 has a substantially semicircular cross-section of diameter located, at rest, substantially in the plane of the wall 1, that is to say forms a gutter open towards the front, occupying therefore a position corresponding to a pivot of a quarter turn around its longitudinal axis relative to a conventional gutter position. As a result, the opening swing of about 60 degrees, visible on the figure 2 , is insufficient to risk passing the posterior ridge 32 below the level of the upper edge 13, especially since the diameter above is here centered above the upper edge 13.

The lip 30 thus has a screen surface 31 for catching and streaming water or any other particles passing through the slot remaining between the top of the body 21 and the upper edge 13. The screen surface 31 could have been limited to lower quadrant, downward sloping towards the opening 12 and through it to evacuate the runoff water to the outside. However, here, the upper semi-circle, partially turned down, is a fold forming an anti-overflow barrier or gutter partially returned on which a sheet of water, pushed by the wind, would not benefit from gravity for s' keep it there.

The screen surface 31 also has, in this example, two longitudinal ribs, namely a rib or hook 50 and a shoulder 34, each having a specific mechanical function and each further constituting an anti-overflow edge wall for the screen surface 31.

The hook 50 is located near the edge 32 and extends substantially vertically in masking position, that is to say substantially constitutes a radius for the semi-circle formed by the posterior lip 30. The hook 50 rests , by a free support end 51, on the horizontal flange 19 of the upper edge 13, to support the flap 20 and allow rotation thereof.

In this example, the support end 51 rests, in the rest position of the flap 20, on a generator located near the free edge of the support flange 19, that is to say at a distance from the 1. As shown by the comparison of figures 1 and 2 , the opening pivoting of the flap 20 causes a return sliding of the bearing end 51 to come into abutment on the wedge zone between the inner face 3 and the support flange 19, this under the effect of an anterior lip 35, opposite to the posterior lip 30, and comprising an abutment relief, or edge, external or anterior 37 bearing, on the side of the outer face 2, on a peripheral zone limiting the upper edge 13 As shown in figure 1 , the anterior edge 37 prevents, in the rest position, the recoil of the bearing end 51 beyond the free, rear edge of the support flange 19.

In a variant, the hook 50 is omitted and the support flange 19 carries, or is replaced by, a rod (19) of substantially quadrant cross-section, centered on a horizontal generatrix consisting of the bearing line of the anterior edge 37 on the outer face 2. The end portion, in a quarter circle, of the posterior lip 30 is then shaped to pivotally slide on the rod (19). In such a case, the body 21 has a shape and a mass adapted to exert a restoring torque towards the vertical position of rest. Specifically, on the one hand, the center of gravity of the flap 20, located substantially at half height of the body 21, pivots downwardly around the anterior edge 37, with a resting motor torque having a lever arm substantially proportional to the half-height of the flap 20. On the other hand, the lip 30, then rising on the rod (19), thus has a resistant torque that consumes a portion of the above motor work of descent of the body 21. The The work of raising above is however limited by the fact that the radius of the rod (19) is well below the half height of the body 21.

In this variant, to facilitate the return to the folded position, it may be provided that the rod (19) has, over a part of its length, a section having a cross section not more circular but flattened in height, that is to say -desire a descending radius cam towards the inner face 3. The posterior edge 32 then comprises a corresponding portion of elastic return towards the rest position, having a free edge (32) radially recalled towards a position always internal to the ring ( 19). The energy stored in the elastic section during the opening of the flap 20 provides an oblique pressure force on the rod section (19) which, by wedge effect, causes the rear lip 30 to rise by pivotal sliding on the rod (19), until abutting on the inner face 3. In another variant, it can be provided a specific jaw to elastically pinch the edge 13 or 15 or the support flange 19, to ensure the recall folded position, the jaw being for example the front edge 37 or an additional V-groove lip bearing on an outer edge of the edge 15 to be opposite to the above elastic section of the free edge (32).

Returning to the example presented, the figure 2 shows that the abutment shoulder 34, defining the unmasking position, extends to a distance, relative to the end 51 of the hook 50, less than an overflow length of the support relief 19 with respect to the wall 1. The assembly, formed by the shoulder 34 and the hook 50, is a pair of jaws able to open elastically under the effect of a clipping mounting force exerted by an installer. It can be seen in particular that the recoil to the left of the shoulder 34, in order to free itself from the free edge of the supporting relief 19, necessitates exerting, on the flap 20, a bearing force that bends the anterior lip 35 .

The anterior lip 35 has a runoff surface 36, terminating in the edge 37, a runoff surface 36 which faces towards the wall 1 and is homologous facing the screen surface 31, although with a greater extension than for the latter. this. The runoff surfaces 31 and 36 are both mutually connected at the bottom to form a gutter with bottom 33 for collecting internal runoff and external runoff which passes through a gap possibly remaining between the anterior edge 37 in the rest position and the external face 2. Note that the stop function could have been provided by an element other than the anterior runoff surface 36 with its edge 37. To ensure the desired seal against runoff, the anterior lip 35 extends according to a direction slightly folded back towards the wall 1, here with a curved shape, with respect to the plane of extension of the body 21.

The gutter 30, 33, 35 comprises at least one end discharge passage 41, or a passage 141 in an intermediate zone, as shown in FIG. figure 5 , with then end edges 133. The reference 42 designates an upstream section of a discharge pipe downstream of the passage 41, opening below the level of the lower edge 14, located here along one of the vertical edges 15 .

A lower edge portion 22 of the flap 20 comprises a substantially horizontal groove 23, open towards the wall 1, of cross-section with a shape adapted to constitute a blocking baffle at the rise of a possible rising layer of particles pushed by vortexes. 'air. In particular, the groove 23 has, at rest, an upper wall sloping down to an edge connecting it to the rear face of the flap 20, to form an upside down gutter trapping the water of a rising ply under the effect of the wind.

The variant of Figures 4 and 5 , for which the references of the homologous elements of the basic embodiment have been preserved, with possible addition of the hundred 1, differs in that the posterior lip 130 with the upper end edge 132 extends only over a quarter circle, the rib forming a croc or support arm 150 being substantially horizontal in the rest position and ending with an end section 151 with a tubular end 152 for receiving an axle pin supported by two opposite ears 16 forming rotational bearings, projecting from the inner face 3 as the horizontal bearing relief 19, but in two vertical planes. As in the basic embodiment, the rib-crimp 150 further constitutes a high abutment against any overflow of a rising water table under the effect of wind.

As shown in figure 5 , the mounting elements, namely the lip 130 and the hook 150 with tubular ends 152, are provided in duplicate, functionally in parallel and arranged on either side of a median plane of the flap 120 perpendicular to a plane of extension of component 120. As a variant of the representation of the figure 5 , the edge 132 may not have the central notch shown and may even include, over its entire length, at least one base portion, anti-overflow, the hook 150.

In the two examples above, the passages 41 and 141 of the evacuation path open on the side of the exposed face 2, through the opening 12.

Alternatively, however, the evacuation route could lead to the inner side 3 opposite to the exposed face 2. In the first case, but especially in the latter case, it is preferable that the passage 41, 141 for evacuation of the gutter 30 , 35 or 130, 135 continues through the pipe 42, opening under the flap 20 and even, preferably, in the lower part of the wall 1, so with, in the second case, drilling a discharge passage in a bottom wall of the mailbox 10.

Claims (18)

1. Sealing flap for covering, in a removable fashion, an opening (12) through which items are passed that is provided in a wall (1) of a letterbox one face (2) of which is exposed to splashes of particles, the flap comprising means (50, 51, 150, 151, 152) for movable mounting on the wall (1) that are arranged so as to permit them to be manoeuvred between an operating covered position, folded down on the exposed face (2), and an operating uncovered position, the flap also comprising a lip (30, 130) for catching splashes at the rear that is arranged in order, at least in the covered position, to extend through the opening (12) to a region behind the latter and have, in the operating position of the wall (1), a screen surface (31, 131) for capture and rundown at the rear, forming all or part of a path channelling the splashes which have been caught, characterized in that the rear capture lip (30, 130) has a lower part (33) linked to an opposite front lip (35, 135) for catching rundown at the front, in order to form a trough (30, 33, 35, 130, 135) and in that
   the rear capture lip (30, 130) and the front capture lip (35, 135) form a pair of jaws arranged to keep the flap in position mounted on the opening (12), by trapping between them a support projection (19) integral with the wall (1), at least one of said capture lips (30, 35, 130, 135) having sufficient elasticity to move away from the other and clip onto, or respectively free, the support projection (19) under the action of a mounting or removal force respectively, exerted by a fitter.
2. Flap according to claim 1, in which the screen surface (31, 131) is limited by an end-part (32, 132, 34, 50, 150) folded down towards it to constitute a lateral barrier preventing overflow.
3. Flap according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the rear capture lip (30, 130) is arranged so as to have, in the covered position on the wall (1), an end-part (32, 132) situated facing a perimeter region forming part of the wall (1) and limiting a corresponding edge of the opening (12).
4. Flap according to claim 3, in which the rear capture lip (30, 130) is arranged so that, also in the operating uncovered position on the wall (1), said end-part (32, 132) is situated facing said perimeter region.
5. Flap according to one of claims 3 and 4, in which said end-part (32, 132) of the rear capture lip (30, 130) has a degree of elasticity and comprises a lateral surface with a ridged transverse profile provided in order, when the flap passes from the uncovered position to the covered position, to rest against a corresponding edge (13) of the opening (12) and slide along the latter folding in laterally as it does so in order, once the ridge is passed, to unfold laterally facing said peripheral region.
6. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the trough (30, 33, 35) comprises a drainage passage (41) at at least one end.
7. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the trough (130, 135) comprises a drainage passage in an intermediate region (141).
8. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the front capture lip (35) comprises an end-tip (37) arranged in order, at least in the covered position, to be placed against the exposed face (2).
9. Flap according to claim 8, in which the front capture lip (35) is made from a material having elasticity permitting the flap to be manoeuvred.
10. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the front capture lip (35) is mounted pivotably on the flap.
11. Flap according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the means of mounting (50, 51) are arranged so that the flap pivots about the end-tip (37) of the front capture lip (35).
12. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the means of mounting comprise a latch member (50) having an end (51) forming a geometric pivoting axis of the flap and arranged to rest rotatably on a support projection (19) integral with the wall (1).
13. Flap according to claim 12, in which the latch member (50) is arranged in order to cooperate with a said support projection (19) extending from one edge (13) of the opening (12) in an opposite direction to the exposed face (2).
14. Flap according to one of claims 12 and 13, in which the rear capture lip (30) comprises a stop shoulder (34) defining the uncovered position, extending to a distance, relative to the end (51) of the latch member (50), less than an overlap length of the support projection (19), the assembly formed by the shoulder (34) and the latch member (50) constituting, for the support projection (19), a pair of snap-in connection jaws capable of opening elastically under the action of a mounting force exerted by a fitter.
15. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the front capture lip (35) comprises a stop projection (37) arranged to abut against the exposed face (2) when the flap reaches the uncovered position.
16. Flap according to one of claims 12 to 15, in which the end (151) of the latch member (150) comprises pin means (152) arranged to cooperate with bearing means (16) held by the wall (1).
17. Flap according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which the mounting means (150, 151, 152) form a pair of identical mounting means, operationally parallel and placed on either side of a median plane of the flap perpendicular to an overall extension plane of the flap.
18. Letterbox, characterized in that it is fitted with a flap according to one of claims 1 to 17.

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