EP1655433A1 - Anti-panic device for barrier gates of check out counter of a shop - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a barrier (10) constituted of a tubular frame, and two parallel tabs (11) disposed on a side of the barrier and connected to an articulation mechanism (2) integrated to a cash counter. The barrier is connected to an end (41) of a lever actuated gas cylinder (4) in a specific manner with respect to a rotating axis. Another end of the cylinder is integrated to the counter. The passage of the barrier from a folded position to a deployed position is facilitated by nominal force of the cylinder corresponding to displacement of a rod in a body (43) of the cylinder.

Description

The present invention relates to a panic anti-panic device for the store checkout furniture, commonly called "check-out".

Storefront checkout furniture doors are intended to close the outward passage in the absence of a cashier.

Such gates must be dissuasive to prevent fraudulent exits, but they must also be able, in an emergency, to open under the effect of a determined pressure, and they are for this purpose equipped with a system called anti -panic.

The gate is generally in the form of a barrier, consisting of a panel or one or more bars, pivotally mounted along a vertical axis, and which can take two extreme positions, one folded along a piece of cash , and the other perpendicular to the first to block the passage between two pieces of furniture.

The articulation of the barrier is equipped with a locking means allowing immobilization in the two extreme positions, and which is generally operable by means of a key or the like, available to the cashier. As has been mentioned above, the barrier must also be equipped with an anti-panic mechanism, that is to say that the locking means must be unlockable under a certain pressure, especially when the barrier is in the deployed position, which can be achieved through means of friction.

These devices have several disadvantages, and in particular that, in general, the staff does not respect the the normal procedure of closing and opening the barrier, that is to say that of operating it using a key or the like, but uses the anti-panic function in a devious way, which causes a degradation of the mechanism.

Furthermore, to be able to access the locking mechanism by means of a key, said mechanism must be accessible. It is therefore reported on the cash register, so that when the barrier is in the closed position, it is a prominent and salient element in the space used by customers, and therefore it may constitute an obstacle to the free movement, it can even cause injury.

Gantries are already known, used in public places such as for example in public transport stations, and which include gates whose opening and closing are achieved through the operation of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, as it is the case in GB 20473298 and US 3620014, while anti-panic means allow the opening under a certain pressure. Such gantries, however, are not used to equip "check-outs", especially because of the relative complexity of their construction, and especially the cost of their installation.

The object of the present invention is to propose an anti-panic gate device for the furniture of the checkout counter that makes it possible to remedy the various aforementioned drawbacks.

The gate anti-panic device for the magazine outlet case furniture according to the invention is of the type comprising a barrier consisting of a panel or a bar, pivotally mounted to take at least two locked extreme positions, one folded over the along the cash desk and the other deployed so as to block the passage between two body furniture, and associated with an anti-panic mechanism allowing unlocking to move from one position to another, particularly from the deployed position to the folded position, under the effect of a determined pressure, and it is essentially characterized in that said barrier is connected, remotely with respect to its axis of pivoting, to the end of a gas cylinder whose other end is integral with said piece of furniture, and that the passage of one of said two extreme positions to another corresponds to a displacement of the rod in the body of said cylinder, and that the passage from the folded position to the deployed position can be achieved at the nominal force of said cylinder.

According to an additional feature of the device according to the invention, the gas cylinder is connected to the barrier so that the passage from the deployed position to the folded position corresponds to the retracted movement of the rod in the cylinder body.

According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the gas cylinder is secured remotely to the barrier via a cam.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the cam comprises several points of anchoring of the jack, so as to allow a choice of amplitude of the movement.

According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, it comprises a mechanical stop intended to cooperate with the furniture, so as to allow the adjustment of the positioning of the barrier in the deployed position.

A device according to the invention has many advantages over those existing and currently used.

A gas cylinder has the particularity of requiring some effort, the nominal force, generally for the output of the rod, while the re-entry requires a higher effort. This result is obtained because of the arrangement at the piston baffles that are or not borrowed by the gas in the direction of movement of the rod.

Thus, during the compression of the cylinder, it exerts a strength to maintain the barrier closed. When the maximum point is exceeded, the cylinder does not oppose the folding, it only serves as a brake, while the reverse movement, in this case the deployment, can be done manually, effortlessly or almost according to the characteristics of the gas cylinder used.

Such a device does not require any locking system with key or the like, which generally requires accessibility. The mechanism can be perfectly integrated into the furniture, its maneuvering being only provided at the level of the barrier itself.

In addition, a gas cylinder is of great reliability and especially of great longevity, and it does not require any source of energy, and remains perfectly autonomous.

The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif anti-panique de portillon pour les meubles de caisse de sortie de magasin selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique partielle de dessus d'une partie du même dispositif dans une certaine configuration d'utilisation.
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématique partielle de la même partie de dispositif, dans une autre configuration d'utilisation.

In the attached drawing:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a panic anti-panic device for the store outlet box furniture according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 represents a partial schematic view from above of part of the same device in a certain configuration of use.
• FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic view of the same part of the device, in another configuration of use.

With reference to FIG. 1, there can be seen a panic anti-panic device 1 for the store outlet box furniture according to the invention. It comprises a barrier 10, in this case consisting essentially of a tubular frame, on one side of which project two parallel tabs 11 of attachment to a hinge mechanism 2 integral with a cabinet 3, not shown on Figure 1 but which is visible a wall 30 in Figures 2 and 3, this wall being the one along which can be folded the barrier 10.

This hinge mechanism 2 comprises a shaft 20 of vertical axis, integral with the furniture 3, and on which can pivot a cam 21 to which are attached eccentrically relative to the shaft 20, the two lugs 11.

Note that in the embodiment shown, the tabs 11 are bent to each form a circular segment concentric with the shaft 20.

Furthermore, and according to the invention, the cam 21 comprises, at its end opposite to that which can pivot on the shaft 20, an attachment point 22 for securing a crankpin 23 for anchoring the end 41 of the rod 40 of a jack 4, itself secured to the cabinet 3 by the free end 42 of the body 43 of the jack 4.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the device according to the invention in two different configurations, in FIG. barrier 10 is open, that is to say folded against the wall 30 of the furniture 3, while in Figure 3, the barrier 10 closes the passage, and is deployed perpendicular to the furniture 3.

At each of the two configurations corresponds a state of the jack 4, in Figure 2, folded barrier 10, the rod 41 is retracted, while in Figure 3, 10 deployed barrier, the rod 41 is output.

Thus, when passing from the folded position to the deployed position, the rod 40 of the cylinder 4 leaves the body 43, which operates with a predetermined minimum force, while the reverse operation, namely the return of the rod 40 in the body 43 of the cylinder 4, requires a larger effort, also predefined.

When the barrier 10 is in the deployed position, it is locked, but may be folded under the action of a given pressure.

This hinge mechanism 2 thus does not require any locking device that can be operated by hand, by means of a key for example, it does not need to be accessible and can thus be perfectly integrated with the furniture 3. In the example shown , the wall 30 has an opening 31 through which the barrier 10, or more exactly the tabs 11, the mechanism 2 being on one side, inside the furniture 3, while the barrier on the other side, on the outside .

Note the presence on the mechanism 2 of an adjustable screw stop 24, intended to bear against the wall 30 when the barrier is deployed, so as on the one hand to limit the output of the rod 41, and to on the other hand to ensure the perpendicular positioning of the barrier 10.

It is also possible to provide on the cam 21 different attachment points 22, to allow adjustment of the amplitude of movement.

Claims (5)

Panic anti-panic device for the store outlet box furniture, of the type comprising a barrier (10) consisting of a panel or a bar, pivotally mounted to take at least two locked extreme positions, one folded along the body furniture (3) and the other deployed so as to block the passage between two body furniture (3), and associated with an anti-panic mechanism for unlocking to move from one position to another, including the deployed position to the folded position, under the effect of a determined pressure, characterized in that said barrier (10) is connected, remotely relative to its pivot axis, to the end (41) of a gas cylinder (4) whose other end (42) is integral with said furniture (3), and so that the passage from one of said two extreme positions to another corresponds to a displacement of the rod (40) in the body (43) of said cylinder (4), and that the step wise from the folded position to the deployed position can be achieved at the nominal force of said cylinder (4). Anti-panic gate device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas cylinder (4) is connected to the barrier (10) so that the passage from the deployed position to the folded position corresponds to the return movement of the rod (40) in the body (43) of the cylinder (4). Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the gas cylinder (4) is secured remotely to the barrier (10) via a cam (21). Anti-panic gate device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the cam (21) comprises a plurality of points anchoring the cylinder (4), so as to allow a choice of range of motion. Anti-panic gate device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical stop (24) intended to cooperate with the furniture (3), so as to allow the adjustment of the positioning of the barrier (10) in the deployed position.

Images