EP1950368A1

EP1950368A1 - Cabinet lock

Info

Publication number: EP1950368A1
Application number: EP07425040A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Pagnoncelli
Original assignee: Giussani Techniques SpA
Current assignee: Giussani Techniques SpA
Priority date: 2007-01-25
Filing date: 2007-01-25
Publication date: 2008-07-30

Abstract

A lock (1) of the espagnolette type is described, particularly for electrical panel cabinets, comprising a first cogwheel (5), a second cogwheel (5'), two shafts (6,7) and motion transmission means (51, 60, 71, 77) adapted to transform the rotary motion of the cogwheels (5, 5') into a translational motion of the shafts (6, 7), in opposite directions to each other, to bring them from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The motion transmission means (51, 60, 71, 77) are disposed so as to cause a discordant rotation of the two cogwheels (5, 5').

Description

The present invention refers to a lock for cabinets and in particular to a lock, of the espagnolette (gearbox) type, for doors of electrical panel cabinets.
As is known, a cabinet for an electrical panel comprises a frame to which one or more doors are hinged. A lock is fixed into the door. The espagnolette type lock of the prior art closest to the invention comprises a box inside which are mounted a cogwheel and two translating shafts coming out of said box and meshing with the cogwheel. Motion transmission means transform the rotational motion of the cogwheel into a translational motion of the shafts.
The cogwheel is made to rotate by means of a key or of a handle causing the translation of the shafts which pass from a closed position in which they interfere with specific hooks integral with the frame of the cabinet, to an open position.
The doors of the electrical panels are generally provided complete with the lock and the relative handle.
By way of example, Figure 1 shows a lock 101 according to the prior art fixed to a door 102 hinged to the frame of a cabinet (not shown). Thus the lock is placed near the right hand side of the door and the door 102 opens towards the left.
The lock 1 comprises a gearbox 105 situated near the right hand edge of the door 102. A cogwheel 106 which, by means of a per se known motion transmission system, drives two shafts 107 and 108 to translate in opposite directions is mounted in the upper part of the box 105. The cogwheel 106 is operated by a handle 109. When the shafts 107 and 108 are in the closed position with their parts engaged in hooks integral with the frame of the cabinet, the handle 109 is disposed downwards, parallel to the right hand edge of the door 102.
On turning the handle 109 clockwise, towards the inside of the door (in the direction of the arrow F), the cogwheel 106 turns clockwise and causes the translation of the shafts 107, 108 in the direction of the opposite arrows A1 and A2. As a result, the shafts 107, 108 are released from the locks integral with the frame of the cabinet and the door 102 can be opened.
Such a type of door 102 provided with a lock 101 on the right hand side with opening towards the left, cannot be used in a cabinet with a door opening towards the right. In fact, as shown in Figure 2, if the door 102 were turned upside down to be hinged to the frame of a cabinet with opening towards the right, the cogwheel 106 would be in the bottom part of the body 105 of the lock and the handle 109 would face upwards, which is unacceptable. For this reason, two different types of cabinet doors must be provided: one type of door provided with a lock on the right hand side with opening towards the left and another type of door with a lock on the left hand side with opening towards the right.
To overcome this drawback at least in part, locks provided with two cogwheels and with a shaft which interferes with the two cogwheels at the same time are known on the market. Motion transmission means transform the rotational motion of the cogwheel into a one-way translational motion of the shafts.
Figure 3 shows a lock 201 provided with a second cogwheel 206, disposed in the bottom part of the box 105. Per se known motion transmission means transform the rotational motion of the cogwheel 106 into a translational motion of the shaft 107. It should be noted that the translation of the shaft 107 causes the rotation of the cogwheel 206 concordantly with that of the cogwheel 106. When the door 102 is prepared for opening toward the left, the first cogwheel 106 is engaged by the handle 109, whereas the second cogwheel 206 is free.
As shown in Figure 4, when the door 102 is turned upside down to be applied to a cabinet with the opening toward the right, the position of the cogwheels 106 and 206 is reversed. Thus, the handle 109 is extracted from the first cogwheel 106 and inserted into the second cogwheel 206 which is in the top part of the box 105. However, to pass from the closed position to the open position, the handle 109 must be turned clockwise (in the direction of the arrow F). As a result, when the handle 109 is in the open position it protrudes to the outside of the door 102 of the cabinet.
Since the cabinets for electrical panels generally have the doors arranged alongside each other, the opening of the handle 109 would interfere with the adjacent door. Therefore, the solution of the lock with a double cogwheel according to the prior art presents problems in the case of electrical panels arranged alongside each other or which have a plurality of doors alongside each other.
Object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, by providing an espagnolette type lock for cabinets which is versatile and adapted to be used both on doors with opening to the right and on doors with opening to the left.
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with the characteristics listed in appended independent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.
According to the invention, the espagnolette type lock, in particular for cabinets for electrical panels, comprises a first cogwheel, a second cogwheel, two shafts and motion transmission means adapted to transform the rotational motion of the cogwheels into a translational motion of the two shafts adapted to engage with specific hooks of the cabinet. The motion transmission means are disposed so as to cause an opposite rotation of the two cogwheels and the consequent translation of the shafts in opposite directions to each other.
Thus, if the door is turned upside down, the handle can be moved into the other cogwheel with an opposite direction of rotation to the previous one. As a result, the handle will always remain within the space of the door during its rotation. Thus, with the espagnolette lock system according to the invention a single type of door with a pre-mounted lock can be provided, that can be used both for opening to the left and for opening to the right.
Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplifying and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view, showing a door of a cabinet with opening towards the left, provided with a lock with a cogwheel according to the prior art;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic front view, showing the door of Figure 1 turned upside down and disposed in a cabinet with opening towards the right;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view, showing a door of a cabinet with opening towards the left, provided with a lock according to the prior art with two cogwheels, in which the handle is disposed in the first cogwheel;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic front view, showing the door of Figure 3 turned upside down and disposed on the door of a cabinet with opening toward the right, in which the handle has been moved into the second cogwheel;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view, showing a complete lock assembly according to the invention and a portion of the door of a cabinet;
Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the details that make up the lock of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an upside down view of the details of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the lock of Figure 7 partially assembled;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the lock assembly of Figure 5 partially assembled and ready to be mounted on the door of the cabinet;
Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view, showing two alternative embodiments of the handle of the lock according to the invention; and
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how a door is turned upside down, without the need to remove the lock applied thereto.

A lock for cabinets according to the invention, designated as a whole with the reference numeral 1, is described with the aid of Figures 5-11.
Figure 5 shows an espagnolette assembly 1 designed to be applied to the inside surface of a door 2, near the opening edge 21 of the door. A handle plate 3 is applied to the outer surface of the door 2, to coincide with the lock 1. A handle 4 is housed in the handle plate 3.
The espagnolette assembly 1 comprises a gear assembly consisting of a first cogwheel 5, of a second cogwheel 5', of a first ratchet shaft 6 and of a second ratchet shaft 7. The gear assembly (5, 5', 6, 7) is housed in a gear box 8 which is closed by means of a cover 9.
With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the two cogwheels 5 and 5' are identical and each cogwheel comprises a circular body 50. A crown gear 51 is provided on a portion of the outer surface of the body 50 of the cogwheel. The body 50 of the cogwheel is hollow on the inside and has a square axial hole 52.
The first ratchet shaft 6 is shorter than the second ratchet shaft 7. The first ratchet shaft 6 comprises a plate 60 wherein is formed a rack consisting of seven aligned, rectangular shaped slots 61, adapted to receive the teeth of the crown gear 51 of the first cogwheel 5. An oblique joining portion 62 connects the plate 60 to an end portion 63. The oblique portion 62 is inclined about 45° with respect to the plate 60 and to the end portion 63. A pin 64 adapted to engage in a seat of a further extension shaft for closing the lock is disposed in the end portion 63.
The second ratchet shaft 7 has a first long plate 70 connected to a second shorter plate 75, by means of a joining portion 76. The long plate 70 is parallel to the short plate 75. The joining part 76 is disposed at 90° with respect to the long plate 70 and to the short plate 75. A cutout 78 is formed in a central part of one edge of the long plate 70. A rack formed by seven rectangular slots 71 adapted to receive the teeth of the crown gear 51 of the first cogwheel 5 is formed at one end of the long plate 70. Another rack formed by seven rectangular slots 77 adapted to receive the teeth of the crown gear 51 of the second cogwheel 5' is formed in the short plate 75.
An oblique joining portion 72 connects the short plate 75 to an end portion 73. The oblique portion 72 is inclined about 45° with respect to the short plate 75 and to the end portion 73. A pin 74 adapted to engage in a seat of a further extension shaft for closing the lock is disposed in the end portion 73.
The gear box 8 has near its ends two circular seats (80, 80') adapted to receive rotatably the cogwheels (5, 5'). The box 8 has on its side edges two walls (88, 89) which define respective longitudinal grooves (81, 82). The plate 60 of the first ratchet shaft 6 and the shorter plate 75 of the second ratchet shaft 7 are disposed in the groove 81, whereas the longer plate 70 of the second ratchet shaft is housed in the groove 82.
The gear box 8 comprises a central bridge 83 which divides two through seats 84 and 85. The second through seat 85 is delimited by an arched side wall 86. Through holes 87 to receive screw means 99 (Fig. 5) for fixing of the espagnolette 1/door 2/handle plate 3 assembly are provided at the ends of the box 8.
The cover 9 consists of a plate which has at the end two holes 97 destined to be disposed in register with the holes 87 of the box 8 and to receive the screws 99. Near the ends the cover 9 has two circular holes (90, 90') adapted to receive the body 50 of the two cogwheels (5, 5'). A central bridge 93 of the cover 9 divides two shaped apertures 94 and 95 disposed in register with the seats 84 and 85 of the box.
Furthermore the box 8 has a plurality of pins, suitably disposed, adapted to engage, in a coupling relationship, in respective holes provided in the cover 9, so as to centre the cover with respect to the box and to ensure a sufficient tightness. The assembly of the cover 9 to the box 8 takes place by riveting four pins 500 present in the box 8.
Figure 8 shows the gear box 8 inside which are disposed the two cogwheels (5, 5') and the two ratchet shafts 6 and 7. The crown gear of the first cogwheel 5 meshes simultaneously with the rack 61 of the first shaft 6 and with the first rack 71 of the second shaft 7. The crown gear of the second cogwheel 5', on the other hand, meshes in the second rack 77 of the second shaft 7.
As a result, with reference to Figure 8, if the first cogwheel 5 is turned clockwise, the two ratchet shafts (6, 7), pushed at the same time by the cogwheel 5, translate respectively in the directions of the arrows A1 and A2, that is, the pins (64, 74) of the shafts move towards the gear box 8 in the open position. Instead, if the first cogwheel 5 is turned counterclockwise, the two ratchet shafts (6, 7), translate respectively in the directions of the arrows B 1 and B2, that is, the pins (64, 74) of the shafts move away from the gear box 8 towards the closed position.
On the contrary, if the second cogwheel 5' is turned clockwise, the second ratchet shaft 7 translates in the direction of the arrow A2 and at the same time drives the first cogwheel 5 in counterclockwise rotation, which causes the translation of the first ratchet shaft 6 in the direction of the arrow A1. Thus the two ratchet shafts (6, 7) translate respectively in the directions of the arrows A1 and A2 that is the pins (64, 74) of the shafts move towards the gear box 8 into the open position.
If, on the other hand, the second cogwheel 5' is rotated counterclockwise, the second ratchet shaft 7 translates in the direction of the arrow B2 and at the same time drives the first cogwheel 5 in a clockwise rotation, which causes the translation of the first ratchet shaft 6 in the direction of the arrow B1. Thus the two ratchet shafts (5, 7) translate respectively in the directions of the arrows B 1 and B2 that is the pins (64, 74) of the shafts move away from the gear box 8 towards the closed position.
With reference to Figures 5 and 9, the assembly of the espagnolette assembly 1 and of the handle 4 in the door 2 is described.
The door 2 has two holes 27 coinciding with the holes 87 of the gear box to fix the espagnolette to the door 2 by means of the screws 99. Furthermore the door 2 has two holes (20, 20') coinciding with the cogwheels (5, 5') disposed in the box 8 and two apertures (24, 25), coinciding with the seats (84, 85) of the box 8. The handle plate 3 comprises two holes (30, 30') coinciding with the holes (20, 20') of the door 2 and two apertures (34, 35) coinciding with the openings (24, 25) of the door. The handle plate 3 is fixed on the outer surface of the door 2.
The handle 4 comprises a lever 40. At one end of the lever 40 is hinged a head 47 which has a square pin 41 adapted to engage in the square hole 52 of the cogwheels 5 or 5'. The integral coupling between the pin 41 and the cogwheel 5 or 5' takes place by means of the screw 501. At the other end of the lever 40 is mounted slidably a handgrip 42 which can slide from a retracted position to an extracted position.
At the centre of the lever 40 is formed a stator 43 adapted to receive a rotor 44 or 44', with the relative spacer 46, of a lock. The rotor 44 can be operated by a flat key 45 of traditional type, whilst the rotor 44' can be operated by a special key (not shown) of tubular type The opening/closing lever 46' and the relative fixing screw 502 are disposed between the stator 43 and the respective rotors (44, 44') with the relative spacer 46'.
Figure 10 shows two variants 304 and 404 of the handle 4, in which like or corresponding elements to those already described in the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numerals and are not described in detail.
The handle 304 has a quick lock connector 349 adapted to receive a suitable stator 343 for a lock.
The handle 404 has a lever or flange 440 which has, at one end, snap engagement means 449 adapted to engage irremovably in the hole (30, 30') of the handle plate 3. At the other end of the flange 440 there is a seat 447 adapted to receive an insert 448 having a square pin 41 adapted to engage in the square hole 52 in one of the two cogwheels 5 or 5'. The insert 448 has a cavity 444 adapted to receive a special key for rotation thereof.
Figure 11 shows a door 2 opening toward the left; in this case, the handle 4 has the square pin 41 engaged in the cogwheel 5 disposed at the top. In an initial closed situation, the handle 4 is disposed on the handle plate 3. To open the espagnolette lock, the operator grips the handgrip 42 of the handle to raise the lever 40 from the handle plate 3, keeping the square pin 41 engaged in the cogwheel 5. Then the operator performs a clockwise rotation of the lever 40 through an angle ϑ equal to 135°. As a result, the cogwheel 5 turns clockwise in the direction of the arrow F1 causing the shafts 6 and 7 to translate in the direction of the arrows A and A2. The translation of the shaft 7 also causes the counter clockwise rotation (arrow F2) of the cogwheel 5', which in any case has no effect at this stage. During this operation the handle 4 remains within the space of the door 2.
If the door 2 is turned upside down (i.e. rotated 180°), the position of the cogwheel (5, 5') is turned upside down. By simply removing the screw 501 the handle 40 is extracted from its seat, it is rotated 180° and the square pin 41 is inserted into the seat 52 of the cogwheel 5' which is disposed at the top. In this case also, in an initial closing situation, the handle 4 is disposed on the handle plate 3. To open the espagnolette lock, the operator grips the handgrip 42 of the handle to raise the lever 40 from the handle plate 3, keeping the square pin 41 engaged in the cogwheel 5'. Then the operator performs a counterclockwise rotation of the lever 40 through an angle 9 equal to 135°. As a result, the cogwheel 5' turns counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow F2 causing the shaft 7 to translate in the direction of the arrow A2. The translation of the shaft 7 also causes the clockwise rotation (arrow F1) of the cogwheel 5 which causes the shaft 6 to translate in the direction of the arrow A1. During this operation the handle 4 always remains within the space of the door 2.
In any case, the peculiar characteristic of the invention is represented by the fact that the motion transmission means are disposed so as to reverse the rotation of the two cogwheels (5, 5'). That is, the first cogwheel 5 always turns in a discordant way with respect to the second cogwheel 5' during the translation of the shafts 6 and 7.
Numerous variations and modifications of detail within the reach of a person skilled in the art can be made to the present embodiment of the invention without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

A lock (1) of the espagnolette type, in particular for electrical panel cabinets, comprising a first cogwheel (5), a second cogwheel (5'), two shafts (6, 7) and motion transmission means (51, 60, 71, 77) adapted to transform the rotational motion of the cogwheels (5, 5') into a translational motion of the two shafts (6, 7) to bring them from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, characterised in that said motion transmission means (51, 60, 71, 77) are disposed so as to cause a discordant rotation of the two cogwheels (5, 5').
A lock (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said motion transmission means comprise a crown gear (51) formed in said cogwheels which meshes with a respective rack (61, 71, 77) formed in each of said two shafts (6, 7) of the lock.
A lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said two shafts (6, 7) protrude in opposite directions from the lock and are operated in opposite directions.
A lock (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises a first shorter shaft (6) provided with a rack (61) engaged by the crown gear of the first cogwheel (5) and a second longer shaft (7) provided with a first rack (71) engaged by the crown gear of the first cogwheel (5) and with a second rack (77) engaged by the crown gear of the second cogwheel (5').
A lock (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said second longer shaft (7) comprises a first plate (70) wherein is formed said first rack (71) and a second plate (75) wherein is formed said second rack (77), said first plate (70) being connected to said second plate (75) by means of a joining portion (76), so that the crown gears (51) of the two cogwheels (5, 5') engage in opposite surfaces of said plates (70, 75) of the second shaft (7).
A lock (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that said first plate (70) and said second plate (75) of the longer shaft (7) are parallel to each other and said joining portion (76) is inclined with respect to said first and second plate (70, 75).
A lock (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that said joining portion (76) is disposed at about 90° with respect to said first and second plate (70, 75).
A lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said two cogwheels (5, 5'), said motion transmission means (51, 60, 71, 77) and a part of said two shafts (6, 7) are disposed in a gear box (8) so that the ends (64, 74) of the two shafts come out of said gear box.
A lock (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that in said gear box (8) are formed two seats (80, 80') wherein are rotatably mounted said cogwheels (5, 5') and two longitudinal grooves (81, 81') wherein are slidably mounted said two shafts (6,7).
A lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a handle (4; 304; 404) provided with a pin (41) adapted to engage one of said cogwheels (5, 5').
A lock (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said handle (4; 304) comprises a plate (40) in which is hinged a head (47) provided with said pin (41) to engage a cogwheel.
A lock (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that said handle (4; 304) further comprises a lock consisting of a rotor (44, 44') disposed in a stator (43) integral with said plate (40) of the handle to lock it on a handle plate (3) fixed to a door (2) to coincide with said espagnolette lock (1).
A lock (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said handle (404) comprises a flange (440) with a seat (447) in register with one of the two cogwheels (5, 5'), adapted to receive a rotor (444).