EP2492422A1 - Mechanism for locking a hatch and waste-collection container provided with a hatch that can be locked by means of such a mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking mechanism (14) of a hatch (12) in a closed position, in which position said hatch closes an opening, the locking mechanism comprising: - A key lock (14a) adapted to take two distinct positions, a locked position, in which a bolt (16) opposes the opening of the door, and an unlocked position, in which the bolt (16) allows the opening of the hatch, the lock (14) being such that it allows the removal of the key only in the locked position; - retaining means (18, 19) adapted to prevent the lock (14a) from returning to the locked position, activation means (30, 32) of the retaining means (18, 19), able to activate the retaining means when the hatch is opened and to deactivate the retaining means when the hatch is in the closed position. The invention also relates to a voluntary intake container for the collection of waste, a hatch is lockable by means of such a mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms comprising a lock for locking all types of traps and doors.

The present invention finds an advantageous, but in no way exclusive, application in the field of waste collection by means of voluntary delivery containers.

The containers of voluntary contribution are containers installed on the public road, at the disposal of the users who can thus bring their sorted waste there and their garbage. It is now customary to collect household waste and selected waste such as glass, packaging, paper and so on.

Voluntary containers are generally of three types: aerial, buried or semi-buried. The last two categories include containers where all or most of the storage volume is underground, with the aim of minimizing congestion and the visual impact of containers on the landscape. The "air" type containers are simply placed on the ground and all of their storage volume is above ground.

A voluntary intake container has one or more openings of shape and dimensions adapted to the type of waste to which the container is dedicated. For example, for a glass collection container, there is provided an orifice of circular section of diameter compatible with the current dimensions of the glass bottles. For a paper collection container, there is provided an oblong section orifice, sized for the introduction of newspapers, magazines, etc. For a container intended for garbage collection, provision is generally made for an opening accessible by a drum, making it possible to create a safety lock avoiding direct communication between the storage volume and the outside, during the introduction of refuse. .

Some containers are provided, in addition to the conventional opening, an additional hatch, serving as inspection hatch and / or trap large bulky waste. Such a hatch generally has larger dimensions than the main opening, and is provided with a locking means, for example a key lock. In general, the additional hatch is in the form of a panel articulated on the terminal, this panel being sometimes configured so that it carries the main opening. A key is generally entrusted to authorized persons, for example the maintenance agents who have to intervene on the container or persons belonging to entities producing large quantities of waste (businesses, administrations, communities, etc.).

A commonly used locking means is a so-called captive key lock, most often of the "quarter turn" type. This system has the particular advantage of preventing a user from losing the key he has. Indeed, to introduce waste via the hatch, it is necessary to introduce the key in the lock, to rotate it to the unlocking point, then open the hatch and released. In this configuration, the key is locked in the lock and can not be removed. To be able to remove the key, it is necessary to return to the angular locking position of the lock, that is to say the initial position of insertion of the key.

In the normal use, it returns to this position after closing the hatch. However, no safety device prevents the lock from being put back in the locked position and the key removed while the hatch is still in the open position. The inventors thus realized that it was common for a user to open the hatch, then, for personal convenience, immediately retrieve his key before introducing his waste, and then abandon the open hatch. The fact that a hatch can thus remain in the open position must be absolutely avoided because it represents a significant danger: a child could indeed lean over the open port left by the open hatch and tilt into the tank. Apart from this proven risk, it is simply not desirable for users to be able to abandon a hatch in the open position, because it is contrary to the proper use of such collective equipment.

In their research to solve this problem, the inventors have found that there is no suitable solution that is simple and economical.

The present invention aims to overcome this deficiency by providing a locking mechanism that can equip all types of lockable door, so that the hatch thus equipped can in no case be abandoned in the open position. In the present description, the term trap covers both small and large openings, including doors.

To this end, the invention provides a locking mechanism of a door having a lock that can return to its locking position, and therefore the removal of the key, only if the door is in the closed position.

• une serrure à clé apte à prendre deux positions distinctes, une position verrouillée, dans laquelle un pêne s'oppose à l'ouverture de la trappe, et une position déverrouillée, dans laquelle le pêne autorise l'ouverture de la trappe, la serrure étant telle qu'elle n'autorise le retrait de la clé que dans la position verrouillée ;
• des moyens de retenue aptes à empêcher la serrure de revenir à la position verrouillée,
• des moyens d'activation des moyens de retenue, aptes à activer les moyens de retenue lors de l'ouverture de la trappe et à désactiver les moyens de retenue lorsque la trappe est en position fermée.

Thus, the invention relates to a locking mechanism of a hatch in a closed position, in which position said hatch closes an opening, the locking mechanism comprising:

• a key lock adapted to take two distinct positions, a locked position, in which a bolt opposes the opening of the hatch, and an unlocked position, in which the bolt authorizes the opening of the hatch, the lock being such that it authorizes the removal of the key only in the position locked;
• retaining means adapted to prevent the lock from returning to the locked position,
• means for activating the retaining means, able to activate the retaining means when the hatch is opened and to deactivate the retaining means when the hatch is in the closed position.

The object of the invention is achieved thanks to the retaining means activated by the activation means during the opening of the hatch, and deactivated by these same means when closing thereof. When they are activated, that is to say as soon as the hatch is open and until it is closed, the retaining means prevent any movement of the lock tending to bring it back to its position of locking. Thus, thanks to the invention, there is only one and only position of the hatch in which it is allowed to introduce or remove a key: the closed position.

• les moyens de retenue comportent :
• un élément de retenue, mobile entre une position de blocage dans laquelle il empêche le retour de la serrure à la position verrouillée et une position de déblocage dans laquelle il autorise ce retour;
• des moyens de rappel élastique, sollicitant l'élément de retenue vers sa position de blocage ;
• les moyens d'activation comprennent une dent, solidaire d'un encadrement de l'ouverture, dont une portion forme une rampe inclinée apte à entraîner l'élément de retenue pour le déplacer vers sa position de déblocage lorsque la trappe est en position fermée ;
• l'élément de retenue comporte une surface d'appui apte à coopérer avec la rampe inclinée ;
• l'élément de retenue est mobile en translation entre sa position de blocage et sa position de déblocage ;
• les moyens de rappel élastique comportent un ressort, tel qu'un ressort cylindrique de compression ;
• l'élément de retenue s'oppose à la rotation de la serrure lorsque l'élément de retenue est en position de blocage en formant obstacle au mouvement d'un doigt d'arrêt solidaire en rotation d'un organe de rotatif de la serrure ;
• le doigt d'arrêt vient de matière avec le pêne ;
• le pêne a un mouvement rotatif lors du mouvement de la serrure entre deux positions ;
• la serrure est une serrure de type « quart de tour ».

The mechanism according to the invention may also have one or more of the following features:

• the retaining means comprise:
• a retaining element movable between a locking position in which it prevents the return of the lock to the locked position and an unlocking position in which it authorizes this return;
• elastic return means urging the retaining element towards its locking position;
• the activation means comprise a tooth, integral with a frame of the opening, a portion of which forms an inclined ramp capable of driving the retaining element to move it towards its unlocking position when the hatch is in the closed position;
• the retaining element comprises a bearing surface capable of cooperating with the inclined ramp;
• the retaining element is movable in translation between its locking position and its unlocking position;
• the elastic return means comprise a spring, such as a cylindrical compression spring;
• the retaining element opposes the rotation of the lock when the retaining element is in the blocking position by forming an obstacle to the movement of a stop finger integral in rotation with a rotary member of the lock;
• the stop finger comes from material with the bolt;
• the bolt has a rotary movement when the lock moves between two positions;
• the lock is a quarter turn lock.

The invention also relates to a voluntary intake container for the collection of waste, comprising a hatch provided with a locking mechanism as defined above.

In one embodiment, the voluntary intake container is equipped with a locking mechanism whose activation means comprise a tooth as defined above, the container having a body which is secured to said tooth.

The container hatch can be pivotally or slidably mounted on the container body.

• la figure 1a est une vue générale d'un conteneur d'apport volontaire enterré, dont une trappe est équipée d'un mécanisme de verrouillage conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 1b est une vue partielle de l'intérieur du conteneur de la figure 1a, montrant plus particulièrement le mécanisme de verrouillage ;
• les figure 2a et 2b représentent un mécanisme de verrouillage d'une trappe conforme à l'invention, vu en perspective, en position verrouillée, un élément de protection du mécanisme étant retiré sur la figure 2b ;
• la figure 2c est une vue en élévation verticale du mécanisme de la figure 1b ;
• la figure 3a est une vue en perspective du mécanisme en cours de déverrouillage ;
• la figure 3b est vue en une élévation verticale du mécanisme dans un état analogue à la figure 3a ;
• la figure 4a est une vue en élévation du mécanisme déverrouillé ;
• les figures 4b et 4c sont des vues en perspective du mécanisme déverrouillé ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation des moyens d'activation selon l'invention.

A waste collection opening can be arranged in the hatch. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• the figure 1a is a general view of a buried voluntary intake container, a hatch is equipped with a locking mechanism according to the invention;
• the figure 1b is a partial view of the inside of the container from the figure 1a , showing more particularly the locking mechanism;
• the Figure 2a and 2b represent a locking mechanism of a hatch according to the invention, seen in perspective, in the locked position, a protection element of the mechanism being removed on the figure 2b ;
• the Figure 2c is a vertical elevation view of the mechanism of the figure 1b ;
• the figure 3a is a perspective view of the mechanism being unlocked;
• the figure 3b is seen in a vertical elevation of the mechanism in a state analogous to figure 3a ;
• the figure 4a is an elevational view of the unlocked mechanism;
• the Figures 4b and 4c are perspective views of the unlocked mechanism;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the activation means according to the invention.

The figure 1a is a perspective view of a container equipped with a lockable hatch.

In the example of the figure 1a container 1 is of the buried type. It comprises, in known manner, a buried tank 4 flush with the ground 2, and a terminal 6 waste introduction. Conventionally, the container 1 is provided with a gripping device 8 for lifting the container, in particular to ensure its regular emptying. The terminal 6 comprises a front face 6a on which opens an opening for introducing waste into the tank 4. In the example, the container 1 is dedicated to the collection of household waste and the introduction opening is accessible by means of a drum 10.

The terminal 6 further comprises an additional hatch, serving in the example of inspection hatch and / or trap large bulky waste. This hatch is located in the example on a side face 6b of the terminal. It is formed of a hatch panel 12 articulated on the front face 6a, by means of hinges 12a, one of which is visible on the figure 1b . The panel 12, in the example of generally rectangular shape, is provided with a locking mechanism 14 comprising a key lock 14a, type "captive key". As indicated in the preamble of the present application, an authorized person, possessing a key, is in the possibility of unlocking the hatch and opening it in order to access an opening of dimensions greater than those of the opening accessible in the drum 10. In the example, the lock 14a is disposed near the upper edge 12b of the panel 12, and also close to the edge 12c located opposite the pivot axis of the hinges 12a.

The lock 14a constitutes the part visible from the outside of the locking mechanism 14 represented on the Figures 1a to 4d . With the exception of the key insertion hole 14a of the lock, which is flush with the surface of the outer face of the panel 12, said mechanism, disposed on the inner face of the panel 12, is therefore invisible from the outside the container.

The locking mechanism 14 shown on the figure 2a is viewed in perspective, the observation point being located on the inner side of the panel 12 (not shown), opposite the key introduction port. Said mechanism comprises a locking bolt 16, integral in rotation with an operating member, or driving cylinder (or barrel), of the lock 14a. The operation of the bolt is controlled by the lock 14a: when the lock is in the locked position, the bolt 16 is in a locking position which prevents the opening of the panel 12, and when the lock is in the unlocked position, the bolt 16 is in an unlocking position that allows the opening of the panel 12. The bolt joins one or other of these positions by a rotational movement about an axis XX coincides with the axis of rotation of the body of maneuver, or barrel, of the lock 14a.

• lorsqu'il est en position de verrouillage, le pêne 16 est allongé selon une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au bord 12b du panneau 12, de manière à présenter une partie en saillie depuis le bord 12b, en direction d'un bord 7 (figure 1 b) du corps 6 de la borne du conteneur situé en vis-à-vis du bord 12b, le bord 7 formant une partie de l'encadrement du panneau 12. Dans ladite position de verrouillage, une portion du pêne 16 est insérée dans une fente 7a ménagée sur le bord 7 ;
• lorsqu'il est en position de déverrouillage, il ne forme pas de partie en saillie depuis le bord 12b du panneau 12.

In a plane perpendicular to the axis XX, the shape and dimensions of the bolt 16 are such that:

• when in the locking position, the bolt 16 is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge 12b of the panel 12, so as to have a portion projecting from the edge 12b, towards an edge 7 ( Figure 1 (b) of the body 6 of the terminal of the container located opposite the edge 12b, the edge 7 forming a portion of the frame of the panel 12. In said locking position, a portion of the bolt 16 is inserted into a slot 7a arranged on the edge 7;
• when it is in the unlocking position, it does not form a protruding portion from the edge 12b of the panel 12.

Thus, in the locking position, the portion of the bolt 16 which is inserted into the slot 7a of the edge 7, prohibits the opening of the hatch. When the bolt is in the unlocked position, it is retracted and no longer forms a projection from the edge 12b of the panel 12. It therefore allows the opening of the hatch.

In the example, the bolt 16 has a generally parallelepiped shape. Its section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the driving cylinder of the lock (axis XX on the figure 2a ) is of generally rectangular shape. In this case, the bolt 16 has an edge 16a forming a long side of length H and an edge 16b forming a short side of length L. In the example, the bolt is constituted by a thin plate. This plate is for example made of metal. The dimensions of the bolt 16, in particular its thickness, are of course compatible with the dimensions of the slot 7a.

Near the bolt 16 are arranged retaining means. These means comprise a retaining element 18, mounted in translation on a support 20, the support 20 being fixed on the inner face of the panel 12, for example by means of screws passing through fixing holes 20a. A protective element 22 is fixed to the support 20 so as to form with it a housing containing the retaining means.

In the example, the support 20 and the protection element 22 are two elongate elements with a "U" -shaped section. They are assembled mutually so as to form a housing within which the retaining element 18 slides. The protection element 22 is fixed to the support 20 by means of screws 23, cooperating with threaded studs 20b, visible in particular on the figure 2b , on which the protective element 22 is removed (for a better understanding, the protection element 22 is only shown on the figures 1b and 2a ). These pads are integral with the support 20 and projecting therefrom. As visible on the figure 2b , the retaining element 18, also having a generally U-shaped section, comprises two windows 18a, each window being crossed by one of the studs tapped 20b. The dimensions of each window 18a, in particular their dimension along the sliding axis of the retaining element 18, are such that they do not hinder the free movement of the retaining element 18.

The retaining means also comprise elastic return means urging the retaining element 18 towards a locking position, this bias tending to bring the retaining element 18 closer to the axis of rotation of the drive cylinder of the lock 14a. , in a plane perpendicular to this axis. In the example, the elastic return means comprise a cylindrical compression spring 19 bearing at one of its ends on a threaded stud 20b of the support 20 and, at the opposite end, on the retaining element 18. So, as we can see on the Figure 2c the spring 19 tends to bring the retaining element 18 to the right of the figure.

A stop finger 24 is also integral with the drive cylinder of the lock 14a. In the example, the stop finger is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction of the bolt 16, and also perpendicular to the axis XX of rotation of the drive cylinder of the lock 14a. In the example, the stop finger 24 is of generally parallelepipedal shape and its section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive cylinder of the lock 14a is of generally rectangular shape. As visible more particularly on the figure 2b , on which the protective element 22 is not shown, the stop finger 24 has an edge 24a a long side of length D and an edge 24b forming a short side 24b of length E.

In the present embodiment, the bolt 16 and the stop finger 24 are formed by a single piece in the shape of "L", pierced with a fixing hole, and secured to the drive cylinder of the lock 14a to by means of a screw 26. An eccentric hole 26a forming a rotational stop element is also provided in the "L" shaped piece, in order to prevent any rotation of the bolt relative to the drive cylinder of the lock 14a. .

The distance F between the axis of rotation XX and the distal edge 24b of the stop finger 24 is strictly greater than the distance G between the axis of rotation XX and the distal edge 16b of the bolt 16.

The locking mechanism according to the invention also comprises means for activating the retaining means. These activation means comprise a support 28 which carries a visible tooth 30, in particular on the figure 5 . The tooth 30 has at its free end a beveled portion 32 forming an inclined ramp, extending towards the end embedded in the support 28 by a straight portion 34. The support 28 is fixed rigidly to the edge 7 of the body 6 of the terminal of the container, and has for this purpose fixing holes 28a.

The inclined ramp 32 is intended to cooperate with the retaining element 18, through a slot 22a formed on the protective element 22. The light 22a has a shape and dimensions allowing the passage of the tooth 30.

On the Figures 2a, 2b and 2c , the mechanism is in the locked state. In this state, the bolt 16 is in the locking position and the retaining element 18 is in the unlocking position. In this position, the retaining element 18 is recessed: it is distant relative to the axis of rotation XX and is not likely, in this position, to hinder the movement of the stop finger 24 (and bolt 16), as visible on the Figures 2b and 2c .

In the locked state, the retaining element 18 is held in its unblocking position by the tooth 30 which, through the slot 22a of the closure element 22, presses, via the straight portion 34 , on a bearing surface of the retaining element 18. This bearing surface is constituted in the example by a tongue 18b, which is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the translation axis of the retaining element 18, or is slightly inclined with respect to this direction. A clear space is formed opposite the tongue 18b, in the example by a window 18c formed in the retaining element, to allow the housing of the tooth 30. The force generated by the support of the tooth 30 on the tongue 18b is substantially of the same direction as the force applied by the spring 19, but of opposite direction. It should be noted that, in the present example, the tongue 18b also serves to support the spring 19, the latter bearing on one side of the tongue located on the opposite side to the bearing surface of the tooth 30.

The Figures 3a and 3b show the mechanism being unlocked. In these figures, the hatch is still closed, but a key has been inserted in the lock 14a to cause the bolt 16 to rotate. The retaining element 18 does not prevent rotation of the stop pin 24. and therefore of the bolt 16. When the unlocked position of the lock 14a is reached, which requires in the example a rotation of about 90 °, the bolt 16 is in its unlocked position, and it is now possible to open the hatch. During this unlocking operation of the lock 14a, the retaining element remains in the unlocking position, under the action of the tooth 30, as long as the hatch is not open.

The Figures 4a to 4c show the locking mechanism when the hatch is open. In this state, the opening of the hatch causes the edge 12b of the panel 12 of the edge 7 to move away from each other. This distance has the consequence that the tooth 30, fixed relative to the body of the terminal, stops pressing the tab 18b of the retaining element 18. The retaining element 18 is then subject only to the force of the elastic return means (the spring 19), which push the retaining element 18 to its position. blocking, as can be seen by comparison of figures 3a and 4b .

Thus, when opening the hatch, the retaining element is moved from its unlocking position to its locking position, by a translational movement direction perpendicular to the axis XX. These two positions are determined so that the retaining element 18 constitutes an obstacle to the rotation of the stop finger 24 (as visible on the Figures 4b and 4c ) when the retaining element is in the locking position, and it does not oppose the passage of the stop finger 24 when in the unlocking position (as visible on the figures 2b and 3b ). The unlocking position is imposed by the tooth 30, as visible in particular on the figure 3b , while the locking position is imposed by the threaded studs 20b which form stops of the retaining element 18, as visible on the figure 4a to 4c .

In the example, since the bolt 16 and the stop pin 24 are elongate in perpendicular directions, the blocking position must further allow the passage of the bolt 16 while prohibiting the passage of the stop finger 24, as visible on the Figures 4b and 4c . For this purpose, the amplitude of the translational movement of the retaining element 18 is less than the difference between, on the one hand, the distance F between the axis of rotation XX and the edge 24b distal of the stop finger 24 and, on the other hand, the distance G between the axis of rotation XX and the distal edge 16b of the bolt 16.

As can be seen in particular on Figures 4a to 4c , the opening of the trap automatically forces the retaining element to take its blocking position. As shown on Figures 4b and 4c in this locking position, the retaining element is opposed to the passage of the stop finger if one tries to drive the lock 14a to its initial position, which therefore prevents any removal of the key.

If you want to remove the key, it is imperative to close the door beforehand. The tooth 30 then presses again on the tongue 18b of the retaining element 18 via the inclined ramp 32, which acts on said tongue 18b like a cam by pushing the retaining element 18 to its end. unlocking position. The retaining element 18 then stops the finger from returning to its initial position, corresponding to the locking position of the lock shown on the Figures 2a to 2c .

The invention thus achieves its objective by preventing any premature removal of the key when a user manipulates the hatch: removal of the key is possible only if the hatch is in the closed position. As soon as it is no longer in the closed position, any removal of the key automatically becomes impossible. This objective is further achieved by the arrangement of mechanical parts that are not very complex and therefore inexpensive and reliable. The invention is therefore particularly convenient to manufacture, to install on an existing hatch and to use.

In addition, the invention is particularly reliable and suitable for the field of voluntary containers, or any other outdoor system to have a long life while requiring almost no maintenance.

The invention finds an advantageous application in the field of voluntary delivery containers, application which is the subject of the example given above. However, it is clear that the invention finds application in all areas where it is necessary to provide the locking of a door or hatch.

Claims (14)

Locking mechanism (14) for a hatch (12) in a closed position, in which position said hatch closes an opening, the locking mechanism comprising: - A key lock (14a) adapted to take two distinct positions, a locked position, in which a bolt (16) opposes the opening of the door, and an unlocked position, in which the bolt (16) allows the opening of the hatch, the lock (14a) being such that it allows the removal of the key only in the locked position; - retaining means (18, 19) adapted to prevent the lock (14a) from returning to the locked position, - Activation means (30, 32) of the retaining means (18, 19), able to activate the retaining means during the opening of the door and to deactivate the retaining means when the door is in the closed position . Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprise: - A retaining element (18) movable between a locking position in which it prevents the return of the lock (14a) to the locked position and an unlocking position in which it allows the return; - Elastic return means (19), biasing the retaining element (18) to its locking position. Locking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, in which the activation means comprise a tooth (30) secured to at least a partial frame of the opening, a portion of said tooth (30) forming an inclined ramp ( 32) adapted to drive the retaining element (18) to move it to its unlocking position when the hatch (12) is in the closed position. Locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the retaining element (18) comprises a bearing surface (18b) adapted to cooperate with the inclined ramp (32). Locking mechanism according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the retaining element (18) is movable in translation between its locking position and its unlocking position. Locking mechanism according to claim 2 to 5, wherein the elastic return means comprise a spring (19), such as a cylindrical compression spring. Locking mechanism according to one of Claims 2 to 6, in which the retaining element (18) opposes the rotation of the lock when the retaining element is in the blocking position by obstructing the movement of a stop finger (24) integral in rotation with a rotary member of the lock (14a). Locking mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the stop finger (24) is integral with the bolt (16). Locking mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bolt (16) has a rotary movement during the movement of the lock between two positions. Locking mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lock (14a) is a lock type "quarter turn". Container (1) voluntary intake for waste collection, comprising a hatch provided with a locking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims. Container (1) voluntary intake according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking mechanism is in accordance with one of claims 3 to 10, the container comprising a body (6) which is integral with the tooth (30), Container (1) voluntary intake according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the hatch is pivotally mounted or sliding on the body (6) of the container. Voluntary intake container according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a waste collection opening is formed in the hatch.

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