EP1818459B1 - Device for locking a frame with a bridging element that can be locked elastically on the frame - Google Patents

Description

Arrangement for closing a frame by a resiliently lockable cap member at the frame

The present invention relates to a device for closing a frame, comprising a cap element, such as a grid or a buffer, mounted hinged to the frame between an open position and a closed position of the frame.

In this type of known closure device, the crowning element is either lockable to the frame by appropriate locking means generally consisting of a bolt of the crowning element operable by means of a suitable key and a strike of the frame, or simply placed on the frame without the possibility of locking to the latter.

DE-U-203 13,495 discloses a closure device of a frame according to the preamble of claim 1.

However, this known device has the disadvantage that to lock the crown member to the frame, the protruding portion of the housing is also engaged elastically in this housing, then requiring a tool to completely disengage the housing protruding part of the body lock and unlock the frame's crown element.

The present invention aims to provide a device for closing a frame by a cap member giving the possibility of arranging the cap member in the closed position of the frame without locking this element to the frame or to lock the element crown to the frame in its closed position and does not require a tool to allow the unlocking of the crown element of the frame.

For this purpose, the device of the invention comprises the characteristics as stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Preferably, the locking member comprises a bent pin approximately pin-shaped one of whose branches has its end curved with convexity opposite to its other branch and which can be introduced by its bent part of its branches in its housing of the frame through a window of this frame to be held captive in its housing by the elastic force of return away from each other the two branches of the hairpin rod bearing respectively on two sides internal opposing delimiting the housing of the frame, the curved end of the branch of the pin stem projecting from the window of the frame and being able to engage elastically in a conjugate cavity of the crown element in the closed position of the latter .

The hairpin shaft is retained captive in the housing of the frame so that its parallel branches are located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the opening of the frame to be closed by the cap member.

The branch of the pin-shaped shaft having the curved locking end has a length greater than that of its other branch and is bent over a portion of the connection between its rectilinear branch and its curved locking end to allow the latter to make protruding from the frame window.

The housing of the frame opens inside it by a second window opposite to the first window in the longitudinal direction of the hairpin, the second window allowing the introduction of a tool to expel the hairpin rod out of his dwelling through the first window.

The end of the rectilinear branch of the pin-shaped shaft opposite to that having the curved locking end is also curved in the plane of its branch towards the other branch and is elastically held in abutment on a conjugate portion of the corresponding inner face of the housing of the hairpin rod so as to cause the elastic approximation of the two branches during the expulsion of the hairpin rod from its housing.

The curved locking end of the branch of the hairpin shaft is curved in the plane of this branch.

According to an alternative embodiment, the locking end of the branch of the pin-shaped shaft is bent in a circular helix in the manner of the end of a corkscrew.

Advantageously, a locking member, such as a screw, can be removably fixed in the frame through the housing of the pin-shaped pin to lock the curved end leg of this rod to its locking position of the crowning element .

The frame comprises formed therein a second housing opposite to the first housing and adapted to removably receive the member for resiliently lock the crown member to the frame in its closed position, the crown member can be optionally mounted articulated to the side of the frame where the first or the second housing is located so that the housing opposite the articulation of the crown member to the frame can receive the locking member.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un ensemble à cadre et élément de couronnement de fermeture de ce cadre d'un équipement de voirie suivant un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue du cadre de l'ensemble de la figure 1;
• 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 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue agrandie de la partie indiquée par la flèche V de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue agrandie de la partie indiquée par la flèche VI de la figure 4 et représentant l'introduction dans un logement du cadre de l'organe élastiquement déformable en épingle de l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une variante de réalisation de l'ensemble de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de l'élément de couronnement de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective d'un cadre comportant un organe de verrouillage de l'élément de couronnement suivant un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective agrandie de l'organe de verrouillage en épingle de ce second mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XII-XII de la figure 10 avec la présence de l'élément de couronnement ; et
• la figure 13 est une vue de dessus suivant la flèche XIII de la figure 10.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the explanatory description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating two modes of embodiment of the invention and in which:

• the figure 1 is a top view of a frame assembly and closing cap element of this frame of a road equipment according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a frame view of the whole of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is an enlarged view of the part indicated by the arrow V of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 is an enlarged view of the part indicated by the arrow VI of the figure 4 and representing the introduction into a housing of the frame of the elastically deformable pin member of the invention;
• the figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of the whole of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 8 is a sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 9 is a perspective view of the crowning element of the entire figure 1 ;
• the figure 10 is a perspective view of a frame comprising a locking member of the cap member according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the pin lock member of this second embodiment;
• the figure 12 is a sectional view along the line XII-XII of the figure 10 with the presence of the crowning element; and
• the figure 13 is a top view along arrow XIII of the figure 10 .

The invention will be described with reference to road equipment of the type comprising a frame on which is mounted articulated a grate of a manhole, but it is understood that it can be applied to another type of road. road equipment such as that comprising a frame on which is mounted hinged a buffer or cover forming part of a manhole.

Referring to Figures 1 to 9 , the reference 1 designates a frame in the present rectangular case and can be closed by a grid 2 mounted articulated to the frame 1 between an open position of the frame and a closed position thereof shown in figure 1 to which the grid 2 is housed in the frame 1.

The grid 2 is of concave concavity-shaped shape directed to the outside and the frame 1 has its two transverse sides 3 considering the figure 1 concave shape so that in the closed position of the grid 2 in the frame 1, this grid matches the concave shape of the transverse sides 3.

Of course, the grid and the frame sides 3 may be flat in a closed position of the grid 2, it is located in the same plane as the four sides of this frame.

The grid 2 is hinged to the frame 1 by two coaxial cylindrical axes 4 secured respectively to the two opposite concave sides 3 of the frame 1 and engaging in corresponding bores 5 of the end 2a of the grid, so that the axis d articulation XX 'extends parallel to one of the sides 3 of the frame 1 perpendicular to the two concave sides of this frame.

In the closed position of the opening of the frame 1, the grid 2 rests at its end 2b opposite to the axis of articulation X, X 'on an internal rim 1a of the frame 1 extending parallel to the adjacent side 3 of this frame.

According to the invention, the frame 1 comprises a housing 6 formed in the side 3 of the frame opposite to the axis of articulation X, X 'of the grid 2 to this frame and able to removably receive a member 7 to lock elastically grid 2 at its closed position in frame 1.

The housing 6 is made in an outer casing 8 to the corresponding side 3 of the frame 1 and coming from casting with the latter when the frame 1, and the gate 2, are cast iron. This housing opens into the frame by the inner face of the corresponding side 3 of this frame on the one hand by a window 9 allowing the introduction of the locking member 7 in the housing 6 and other part by a second window 10 for the introduction of a tool to allow the expulsion of the locking member 7 of the housing 6 as will be seen later.

The two windows 9, 10 are spaced apart from one another in the same plane perpendicular and longitudinal to the side 3 of the frame 1. As can be seen from FIG. figure 3 , the two windows 9, 10 are in the form of aligned oblong holes, the window 9 having a length greater than that of the window 10, but it is understood that these windows can have different shapes.

The housing 6 comprises a substantially straight portion 6a parallel to the corresponding side 3 of the frame 1 and defined between two outer walls 8a and 8b inner housing 8, a curved portion 6b connecting the portion 6a to the window 9 and a rectilinear portion 6c substantially perpendicular at the side 3 and connecting the part 6a to the other window 10.

The locking member 7 is constituted by an approximately pin-shaped curved rod having two parallel rectilinear branches 7a, 7b that can move toward or away elastically from one another and connected to each other by the end bent connecting arm 7c.

The rectilinear branch 7a, of greater length than that of the branch 7b, is extended by an arcuate portion 7d away from the other rectilinear branch 7b of the member 7 and ending with a curved end 7e in a similar form to that of a hook and convexity opposite the branch 7b. The branch 7b of the locking member 7 has its free end 7f which is curved towards the curved portion 7d of the branch 7a of this member.

When the locking member 7 is housed in the housing 6, the two rectilinear branches 7a, 7b thereof are resiliently bearing respectively on the two opposite inner faces of the walls 8a, 8b of the housing 8 because the distance separating these two internal faces is such that they force elastically towards one another the two branches 7a, 7b and the curved free end 7e projects in the frame 1 through the window 9 as is apparent from the figure 2 . The curved end 7f of the branch 7b of the locking member 7 bears against a conjugate portion of the internal face of the outer wall 8a of the casing 8 and is extended by the inner face of the wall 8a delimiting the curved passage 6b of the housing 6. The arcuate portion 7b of the locking member 7 is supported on a conjugate portion of the inner face of the wall 8b and also defining the curved passage 6b of the housing 6. Thus, the resilient locking member 7 is held captive in the housing 6 of the frame 1. At this position, the branches 7a, 7b, the curved portion 7d and the ends 7e, 7f of the member are located in the same plane parallel to the plane of the opening of the frame 1 and extend in the same longitudinal direction as the windows 9, 10.

When pivoting the gate 2 to its closed position of the frame 1, the lower edge of the end 2b of this gate rests on the curved end 7e of the member 7 to move it elastically in the curved passage 6b of the housing 6 and the front wall of the end 2a of the grid 2 comprises a cavity 2c in the form of a spherical cap in which the curved end 7e of the member 7 is resiliently engaged to ensure the locking of the grid 2 in the frame 1.

The figure 6 shows the manner in which the locking member 7 is housed in the housing 6 of the frame 1. Thus, the member 7 is shown so that its curved end 7c is facing the window 9 and this end is introduced into the housing 6 if necessary using a tool such as a clamp at the intermediate position shown in phantom in figure 6 until the organ 7 engages in its position final and captive in the housing 6 after elastic approximation of the other branches 7a, 7b of the member 7 during this introduction which is facilitated by the curved inlet passage 6a of the housing 6.

When it is desired to remove the locking member 7 of the housing 6, it is sufficient to introduce the end of a tool, such as for example a screwdriver, into the window 10 to act on the curved end 7c of the 7 and force member out of the housing through the opening 9 by elastically approximation of the other branches 7a, 7b of the member 7, brought closer especially by the arcuate wall portion of the face internal wall 8a of the housing 8 on which rests the curved end 7f of the branch 7b of this body, the figure 6 also showing in phantom the position that can occupy the member 7 during its extraction of the housing 6.

As represented in figure 8 the end 2b of the grid 2 comprises a groove 2d extending along this end and in which is fixed an elastic support SE with an inverted T cross-section bearing on the flange 1a of the cover in the closed position of the grid 2.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the road equipment with a frame 1 and a coping element 2 constituted in this case by the grid 2 can be delivered with the locking member 7 leaving the user the possibility of using or not this member to therefore or not ensure the locking of the cap element in the frame 1. This road equipment can also be simply delivered without the locking member and later the user can control this organ to secure the cap element in frame 1 if necessary.

According to the embodiment variant represented in figures 7 and 8 , it is possible to use an organ removably attached to the frame 1 to lock the curved end 7e of the locking member 7 to its locking position in the cavity 2c of the grid 2. Preferably, this locking member is constituted by a screw 11 screwed into the side 3 of the frame 1 through the housing 6 at its curved passage 6a perpendicular to the plane of the member 7. The screw 11 is thus facing the end face 7e1 of the curved end 7e of the organ 7 so as to prevent the elastic displacement of this end to the curved passage 6a and, consequently, retain the end 7e in the cavity 2c of the gate 2 to lock the latter in the frame 1.

Advantageously, the frame 1 is provided with a second housing 6 made in another housing 8 integral with the side 3 of the frame 1 opposite the first housing 8 and the grid 2 can be hinged to the side 3 of the frame 1 having the first housing 8 so that the grid can be pivotally mounted to one of the sides 3 of the frame 1 and the locking member 7 can be introduced into the housing 6 of the housing 8 opposite to the axis of articulation of the grid 2 to frame 1 to lock the grid elastically to this frame. Of course, the opposite ends 2a, 2b of the grid 2 are symmetrical to the median plane of the grid extending parallel to the sides 2a, 2b. So, from the figure 7 , it is possible to mount the grid 2 by articulating the side 3 of the frame 1 opposite the axis XX 'by turning the gate 2 by 180 ° about its central axis of symmetry perpendicular to the plane of this grid so that the cavity 2c is located facing the side 3 of the frame 1 comprising the other housing 8 in which the locking member 7 of the grid 2 can be inserted into the frame 1.

The embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 13 differs from the previously described embodiment only in the shape of the locking member 7.

According to this embodiment, the member 7 comprises, as previously described, two parallel rectilinear branches 7a, 7b, the curved connection portion 7c of these two branches, the curved end 7f of the branch 7b and the curved portion 7d extending the branch 7a, all located in the same plane, but its end 7e is bent in a circular helix in the manner of the end of a corkscrew. In the captive position in its housing 6 of one or other of the two opposite sides 3 of the frame 1, the end 7e protrudes from the opening 9 extending approximately in a plane transversely perpendicular to this side. Of course, the opening 9 is of appropriate size to allow the end 7e of the locking member 7 to project through it in the frame 1.

The device of the invention makes it possible to resiliently lock a crown element in a frame 1 by means of a locking member of a relatively simple structure and which can be very easily removed from the frame so that the crowning element can close the frame without being locked to it. This device can be applied to a set with circular frame and buffer.

Claims (10)

1. A device for locking a frame, comprising a frame (1), a bridging element (2), such as a grate or lid, hingedly mounted to the frame (1) between an unlocked position and a locked position of the frame (1), and a locking member (7) making it possible to lock the bridging element (2) to the frame (1) in the locked position of the frame (1), the frame (1) comprising, formed therein across from the hinge (X, X') of the bridging element (2) to the frame (1), a housing (6) capable of removably receiving the locking member (7), characterized in that the locking member (7) is designed to be housed in the housing (6) of the frame (1) before the frame (1) is closed and includes a part (7e) protruding from the housing (6) of the frame (1) when the locking member (7) is housed in said housing (6), the protruding part (7e) being able to be elastically engaged in a conjugated cavity (2b) of the bridging element (2) in the locked position of the frame (1) to lock the bridging element (2) to the frame (1).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (7) comprises a curved rod approximately in the form of a hairpin whereof the end (7e) of one (7a) branch (7a, 7b) is curved with the convexity opposite the other branch (7b) and makes up the protruding part, the hairpin-shaped rod being able to be inserted by its curved part (7c) connecting its branches (7a, 7b) into its housing (6) of the frame (1) through an aperture (9) of that frame to be held captive in its housing (6) by the elastic return force separating the two branches (7a, 7b) of the hairpin-shaped rod from each other while bearing respectively on two inner opposite faces defining the housing (6) of the frame (1), the curved end (7e) of the branch (7a) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) protruding from the aperture (9) of the frame (1) and being able to be elastically engaged in the conjugated cavity (2b) of the bridging element (2) in the closed position thereof.
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the hairpin-shaped rod (7) is held captive in the housing (6) of the frame (1) such that its parallel branches (7a, 7b) are situated in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the opening of the frame (1) needing to be locked by the bridging element (2).
4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the branch (7a) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) having the curved locking end (7e) is longer than its other branch (7b) and is curved over a portion (7d) of the connection between its straight branch (7a) and its curved locking end (7e) to allow the latter to protrude from the aperture (9) of the frame (1).
5. The device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the housing (6) of the frame (1) emerges inside the latter through a second aperture (10) opposite the first aperture (9) in the longitudinal direction of the hairpin-shaped rod (7), the second aperture (10) allowing the insertion of a tool to expel the hairpin-shaped rod (7) outside its housing (6) through the first aperture (9).
6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end (7f) of the straight branch (7b) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) opposite that (7a) including the curved locking end (7e) is also curved in the plane of its branch (7b) toward the other branch (7a) and is elastically kept bearing on the conjugated portion of the corresponding interface of the housing (6) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) so as to cause the other of the two branches (7a, 7b) to come elastically closer when the hairpin-shaped rod (7) is expelled from its housing (6).
7. The device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the locking end (7e) of the branch (7a) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) is curved in the plane of that branch.
8. The device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the curved locking end (7e) of the branch (7a) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) is curved in a circular spiral resembling the end of a corkscrew.
9. The device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that a blocking member (11), such as a screw, can be removably fastened in the frame (1) through the housing (6) of the hairpin-shaped rod (7) to block the branch (7a) with the curved end (7e) of that rod in its position locking the bridging element (2).
10. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises, formed therein, a second housing (6) opposite the first housing (6) and capable of removably receiving the member (7) making it possible to elastically lock the bridging element (2) to the frame (1) in the closed position thereof, the bridging element (2) being able to be mounted at will hinged to the side (3) of the frame (1) where the first or second housing (6) is located such that the housing (6) opposite the hinge (X-X') of the bridging element (2) to the frame (1) can receive the locking member (7).

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