EP2516778A2

EP2516778A2 - Shutter device and corresponding assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2516778A2
Application number: EP10810861A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Claude Royer; Vincent Rotharmel
Original assignee: Saint Gobain PAM SA
Current assignee: Saint Gobain PAM Canalisation SAS
Priority date: 2009-12-24
Filing date: 2010-12-21
Publication date: 2012-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-21
Also published as: WO2011077033A2; EP2516778B1; US8677691B2; CN102791949B; RU2531744C2; ES2923667T3; FR2954794A1; FR2954794B1; CN102791949A; WO2011077033A3; RU2012131519A; US20120317885A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device which includes: a base body (30) suitable for sealing an opening (8), movable between an open position and a closed position; a thrust element (34) having first (36) and second (38) ends, and a tight configuration and a slack configuration, the first end (36) of the thrust element being connected to the base body (30). The sealing device also includes a linking element (42) connected to the base body (30) and connected to the second end (38) of the thrust element. The sealing device includes a bearing member (50). The linking element (42) allows the thrust element to change from the tight configuration to the slack configuration and vice-versa.

Description

Shutter device and corresponding assembly

The present invention relates to a closure device, of the type comprising:

a base body adapted to close an opening and movable between an open position and a closed position,

a pushing element having first and second ends and having a relaxed configuration and a stretched configuration,

the first end of the thrust member being connected to the base body. It applies more particularly to the field of devices for covering access chambers to underground networks, such as hatches for access to telecommunication networks. manholes for the inspection or inspection of water networks, sewer grilles and valve chambers. Usually, these cover devices comprise a frame and a buffer adapted to be tilted between open and closed positions. In order to facilitate the movement of the buffer between its open and closed positions, the known devices are equipped with an assistance jack. The cylinder is fixed firstly to the buffer and secondly to the frame. The cylinder, compressed between the frame and the buffer, pushes on the frame to assist in the opening of the buffer.

Attachment of the jack to the frame and pad is usually done using pins or bolts that are difficult to mount. Moreover, the manufacture of such devices is difficult and expensive because of the use of many mechanical elements that must often be welded or molded.

Furthermore assembly of all these elements is difficult and disassembly of the cylinder for the removal of the buffer can be dangerous because the cylinder is generally in compression.

The invention aims to provide a closure device that makes the manufacture, installation and removal of the buffer simpler and more economical.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a closure device of the type indicated above, the closure device further comprises a connecting element connected to the base body and connected to the second end of the thrust, and a support member adapted to rest on a surrounding wall of the opening during a movement of the base body between the closed position and the open position and vice versa, movement to during which the connecting element allows the thrust member to move from the tensioned configuration to the relaxed configuration and vice versa, the support member being further adapted to be out of contact with the wall of the opening when the base body is in the open position, and to contact the wall when the base body is in an intermediate position. According to particular embodiments, the closure device comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

the connecting element is adapted to guide the second end of the pushing element during a displacement of the base body between the open position and the closed position;

the thrust element is a jack, in particular a gas cylinder, or a spring, in particular a helical spring;

the connecting element is either a connecting rod or a flexible element such as a cable, a rope, or a chain;

the connecting element carries the support member;

the first end of the pushing element is connected to the base body by a first articulation around a first articulation axis (A-A).

the second end of the pushing element is connected to the connecting element by a second articulation around a second articulation axis (B-B).

- The connecting element is connected to the base body by a third joint about a third axis of articulation (C-C).

a shutter device which constitutes an autonomous module that can be manipulated in a single block.

The subject of the invention is also an assembly comprising a frame and a closure device, the frame delimiting an opening having a surrounding wall, the closure device being a device as defined above, and in that the base body is movable between its open and closed positions in the frame.

According to particular embodiments, the assembly comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

between the intermediate position of the base body and the closed position, the surrounding wall applies a reaction force on the connecting member, a reaction force which is directed against a force exerted by the element of thrust;

- The frame and the closure device comprise at least a first hinge adapted to allow a tilting of the base body relative to the frame between its open and closed positions around a first tilting axis (X-X);

- The first hinge is adapted to allow movement of the closure device relative to the frame in a locking position at least when the base body is in its open position, locking position in which a tilting of the base body to the closing position is blocked; and

the displacement in the blocking position is a tilting of the base body around a second tilting axis (Y-Y), and in that the second axis of tilting (Y-Y) extends substantially perpendicular to the first tilting axis (XX);

- The frame and the closure device comprises a second hinge adapted to allow a tilting of the base body between its open and closed positions around the first tilting axis (XX), the second hinge comprising a hinge of the device shutter and a frame knuckle, and in that the locking of the second hinge is obtained by engagement of the hinge of the closure device in a recess of the hinge (20) of the frame.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an assembly formed of a frame and a closure device according to the invention, the base body being in a fully open position;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, the base body being in an open position;

- Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, the base body being in an intermediate position and the connecting element coming into contact with a wall of the opening to be closed;

- Figure 4 is a view of the assembly of Figure 1, the base body being in a closed position;

- Figure 5 is a front view of the assembly of Figure 2, the base body being in an unlocked open position;

- Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, the base body being in an open locking position;

- Figures 7 and 8 are side views and perspective of a concrete embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the base body being in the fully open position corresponding to Figure 1;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are sectional side views of the assembly of FIG. 7, the base body being in open, intermediate and closed positions corresponding to the positions of FIGS. 2 to 4;

- Figures 12 to 14 show in perspective the basic body of the closure device and a connecting element in different stages of assembly; and

- Figure 15 is a perspective view of the connecting element. In Figure 1 is shown an assembly according to the invention, designated by the general reference 2. In Figures 1 to 6, the assembly 2 is illustrated in a very schematic manner to explain the principle of operation.

The assembly 2 comprises a frame 3 sealed at the top of a subterranean chamber 4 and a closure device 6.

The assembly 2 is for example a look of pavement or an access hatch to an underground chamber, such as a telecommunication chamber.

The frame 3 delimits an opening 8, for example square or circular, and in this case, its inner edge is aligned with an inner wall 10 of the chamber 4, the wall 10 thus forming a surrounding wall of the opening 8 to close. The opening 8 extends in a plane of opening P-P, which is in the state installed parallel to the ground. The wall 10 extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of opening P-P.

The frame 3 and the closure device 6 comprise a first and a second hinge 12, 14 (see Figures 5 and 6). The first hinge 12 consists of two cooperating knuckles 16, 18 and the second hinge 14 consists of two cooperating knuckles 20, 22.

The closure device 6 comprises a base body 30 adapted to close the opening 8. The base body 30 is for example a buffer or a grid. The base body 30 extends substantially along a PC-PC base body plane.

The hinges 12, 14 are adapted to allow tilting of the base body 30, or of the closure device 6, relative to the frame 3 around a first tilting axis XX between a fully open position, shown in FIG. 1 , an open position, shown in FIG. 2, an intermediate position, represented in FIG. 3 and a closed position shown in FIG.

The first and second hinges 12, 14 are also adapted to allow tilting of the closure device 6 with respect to the frame 3 around a second tilting axis YY between a release position (FIG. 5) and a locking position (Figure 6), and this when the base body 30, or the closure device 6, is in its open position or completely open. The second Y-Y tilting axis extends perpendicularly to the first X-X tilting axis. Preferably, the second Y-Y tilting axis extends substantially in the aperture plane P-P.

To this end, the first hinge 12 has a degree of freedom of rotation of the closure device 6 around the second tilting axis YY relative to the frame 3. In addition, the second hinge 14 comprises means for locking the device. shutter 6 in the open position of Figure 2. These locking means are for example formed by a recess 20A formed in the frame hinge 20 of the second hinge and receiving the hinge 22 of the closure device. In the locking position, a tilting of the base body 30 to the intermediate or closed position is prevented, while in the release position the base body 30 is tiltable in its closed position.

In the closed position, the PC-PC basic body plane is substantially parallel to the plane PP (see FIG. 4), and in the intermediate position, the PC-PC base body plane is inclined with respect to the plane PP of FIG. about 60 ° to 85 °. In the open position (Fig. 2) the PC-PC base body plane is inclined 90 ° to the plane P-P. In the fully open position (Fig. 1), the PC-PC base body plane is inclined at about 100 to 105 ° with respect to the P-P plane.

The closure device 6 further comprises a fixing projection 32 fixed to the base body 30 and extending substantially perpendicular to the PC-PC base body plane.

The closure device 6 is provided with a thrust element 34 having a first 36 and a second 38 ends. The thrust element 34 is for example a cylinder, in particular a gas cylinder, or a spring, in particular a helical spring.

The pushing member 34 has a relaxed configuration in which its two ends 36, 38 are spaced from each other and a taut configuration in which its two ends 36, 38 are close to each other, compared at the relaxed configuration. The force exerted by the thrust member 34 is greater in the tensioned configuration than in the relaxed configuration. In the closed position of the base body 30, the pusher member 34 is in its tensioned configuration and in the open position, the pusher member 34 is in its relaxed configuration.

The first end 36 of the thrust member 34 is hinged to the attachment projection 32 by a first hinge 40 about a first hinge axis A-A. The first end 36 is thus connected to the base body 30, and this through this hinge 40 and the fixing projection 32.

The closure device 6 further comprises a connecting element 42.

The second end 38 of the thrust element 34 is connected to this connecting element 42 by a second hinge 44 around a second hinge axis BB. The connecting element 42 is connected to the base body 30 by a third articulation 46 around a third articulation axis CC. The three articulation axes AA, BB and CC of the articulations 40, 44, 46 are parallel to each other and are not coplanar. In other words, in section along a plane perpendicular to the axes articulation AA, BB and CC, these three axes form a triangle. Each joint 40, 44, 46 has a single degree of freedom of rotation, but no other degree of freedom.

The connecting element 42 has ends on which the second and third articulations 44, 46 are arranged.

The connecting element 42 is articulated to the base body 30 between two limit positions. The first limit position corresponds to the relaxed configuration of the thrust member 34 or to the open position of the base body 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The second limit position corresponds to the tensioned configuration of the pushing element 34 when the base body is in the closed position (see FIG. 4). The connecting element 42 is therefore a connecting rod.

The connecting element 42 is adapted to pivot between its two limit positions when the pushing element 34 is brought from the tensioned configuration to the relaxed configuration and vice versa.

The connecting element 42 is also adapted to guide the second end 38 of the thrust element 34 during a displacement of the base body 30 between the open position and the closed position.

The closure device 6 further comprises a support member 50 adapted to bear on the inner wall 10 of the opening 8 during a displacement of the base body 30 between the closed position and the intermediate position. This support member 50 is in this case formed by a bent portion of the connecting element 42.

It should be noted that the closure device 6, consisting of the base body 30, the thrust element 34 and the connecting element 42 constitutes an autonomous module that can be handled as a single unit in the absence of the frame. 3. In the absence of the frame 3 and other external forces, the closure device 6 takes the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 corresponding to the open or completely open position of the base body 30.

The assembly 2 according to the invention operates in the following manner.

We start from the configuration shown in FIG. The shutter device 6 is in the fully open and release position. The pushing member 34 is in its relaxed configuration. The connecting element 42 is in the first limit position. The support member 50 of the connecting element 42 is out of contact with the wall 10.

In order to close the assembly 2, the closure device 6 is tilted about the tilting axis X-X relative to the frame 3 in the closing direction, namely in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1.

The shutter device 6 thus reaches the open position which is shown in FIG. 2. In this position, the PC-PC base body plane is arranged at 90 ° with respect to the plane PP. The support member 50 is always out of contact with the wall 10. When closing is continued, the closure device 6 takes the intermediate configuration in which the support member 50 comes into contact with the wall 10 (FIG. 3).

From this configuration and during the tilting of the closure device 6 from the intermediate position to the closed position, the application of the support member 50 on the wall 10 induces a rotation of the connecting member 42 around the axis of articulation C-C and compresses the pushing element 34 which is thus brought to its taut configuration. The force exerted by the thrust member 34 on the connecting element 42 induces at the point of contact of the support member 50 with the wall 10 a reaction force which goes against the force of gravity of the shutter device 6, this reaction force applying via the wall 10 to the connecting element 42. The thrust element 34 and the connecting element 42 thus prevent or slow down a closure of the closure device under the only action of the force of gravity between the intermediate position and the closed position of the basic body. The manual force required to maneuver the closure device 6 is therefore relatively small. This manual force is a function of the thrust element 34 used and more specifically its thrust capacity.

Once the base body 30 in its closed position (Figure 4), the thrust member 34 is fully compressed and the connecting member 42 is in its second limit position.

In order to open the assembly, the base body 30 is tilted by the user towards its open position. Between the closed position and the intermediate position, the force exerted by the thrust element 34 and transmitted by the connecting element 42 to the wall 10, induces at the wall 10 a reaction force which opposes the own weight of the base body and therefore allows to significantly reduce the effort required for the opening of the closure device 6. During this tilting, the pushing element 34 relaxes.

Once the intermediate position is reached, the connecting element 42 and the support member 50 lose contact with the wall 10 and the closure device 6 is tilted under the sole action of the user's force in its position completely open, through the open release position of Figure 5.

Thanks to the fact that the closure device 6, consisting of the base body 30, the thrust element 34 and the connecting element 42, constitutes an autonomous module that can be handled as a single unit, the frame 3 and the shutter device 6 can be manufactured and installed separately. Thus, a low-skilled workforce is sufficient to mount the shutter device 6 in the frame 3 at the installation site of the assembly 2. In addition, the device 6 is easily used to equip frames 3 already existing and installed. Also, the installation or removal of the closure device 6 is easy and safe because these operations are performed without having to intervene on the thrust element 34 to the extent that it is not attached to the frame.

The combination of the closure device 6 and the hinges 12, 14 allowing a tilting lock around the tilting axis YY is particularly advantageous, since no articulation of the end 38 of the pushing element 34 to frame 3 is necessary.

Figures 7 to 15 show elements of a concrete embodiment of the invention. Only the peculiarities with respect to the schematic embodiment above will be explained. Similar elements bear the same references.

Figures 7 and 9 to 1 1 correspond to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the assembly 2 in the fully open position.

The closure device 6 comprises a base body 30 and a fixing projection 32 which are manufactured in two separate and assembled parts. The fixing projection 32 is fixed by a complementarily shaped connection to the base body 30. This connection is preferably a bayonet type connection.

In Figure 15 is illustrated the connecting element 42. The connecting element 42 comprises a central core 60 and two lateral wings 62, 64.

The free end of the lateral flange 62 carries a cylindrical tip 66 defining a tip axis C1 -C1. The tip 66 consists of two half-tips which extend on one side and the other side wing 62.

The lateral flange 62 furthermore carries a cylindrical stopper 68 which cooperates with the lower face of the base body 30 in order to maintain and guide in rotation the endpiece 66 during the pivoting of the connecting element 42 around of the C1-C1 axis.

The lateral flange 64 carries at its free end a hinge orifice 70 adapted to be articulated at the end 38 of the thrust element 34 and defining the hinge axis B-B.

The junction zone between the lateral flange 64 and the central core 60 forms the support member 50.

Figures 12 to 14 show the mounting operation of the connecting element 42 in the base body 30.

The base body 30 comprises a housing 80 adapted to receive the cylindrical endpiece 66.

During a first step (Figure 12), the connecting element 42 is aligned with the housing 80 so that the tip axis C1 -C1 is angularly offset from the axis CC hinge. Then, the tip 66 is introduced into the housing 80 by a displacement perpendicular to the PC-PC plane and followed by a rotation about an axis of rotation RR extending perpendicular to the PC-PC plane (FIG. that the tip axis C1 -C1 is aligned with the tilting axis CC (Figure 14).

The assembly is therefore particularly easy and is carried out without tools and without other components, such as pins.

Then, the mounting projection 32 is connected to the base body according to the same principle and the thrust element 34 is connected by the hinge 40 to the projection 32 and by the hinge 44 to the orifice 70 of the element link 42.

In variant not shown, the connecting element 42 is provided with adjustment means to adapt to a chamber whose wall 10 is set back relative to the frame 3, the adjustment means then allowing the support member 50 to come into contact with the wall 10 when the base body 30 is in an angular position between the closed position and the intermediate position.

In another variant, when the frame has a vertical inner wall defining the opening 8 and extending down a sufficient distance, the support member 50 can come into direct contact with the vertical wall of the frame and not with a wall 10 of the underground chamber.

Finally, in another embodiment not shown, the rigid connecting element 42 described above could be replaced by a flexible connecting element such as for example a cable, a rope or a chain. In this case, it is either the flexible connecting element or the end 38 of the thrust element 34 which bears against the wall

10 when the base body is located between the closed position and the intermediate position.

It is then no longer necessary to connect this flexible connecting element to the base body and the thrust member by means of articulations.

Claims

1. - Shutter device, of the type comprising:

- a base body (30) adapted to close an opening (8) and movable between an open position and a closed position,

a thrust element (34) having a first (36) and a second (38) end and having a relaxed configuration and a taut configuration,

the first end (36) of the pusher element being connected to the base body (30), characterized in that the closure device further comprises a connecting element (42) connected to the base body (30) and connected to the second end (38) of the thrust member, and a support member (50) adapted to abut a wall (10) surrounding the opening (8) when a movement of the base body (30) between the closed position and the open position and vice versa, during which the connecting element (42) allows the pushing element (34) to pass from the configuration stretched to the relaxed configuration and vice versa, the support member (50) being further adapted to be out of contact with the wall (10) of the opening (8) when the base body (30) is in the open position, and to come into contact with the wall (10) when the base body (30) is in an intermediate position.

2. - shutter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (42) is adapted to guide the second end (38) of the pushing member (34) during a displacement of the body between the open position and the closed position.

3. - Shutter device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the thrust element (34) is a cylinder, in particular a gas cylinder, or a spring, in particular a coil spring.

4. - shutter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (42) is either a rod or a flexible element such as a cable, a rope, or a chain.

5. - shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting element (42) carries the support member (50).

6. - shutter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (36) of the pushing element (34) is connected to the base body (30) by a first articulation (40). ) about a first hinge axis (AA).

7. - shutter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (38) of the thrust element (34) is connected to the connecting element (42) by a second articulation (44) around a second articulation axis (BB).

8. - shutter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (42) is connected to the base body (30) by a third joint (46) about a third axis articulation (CC).

9. - shutter device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it constitutes an autonomous module manipulable in one block.

10. - Set comprising a frame (3) and a closure device, the frame defining an opening (8) having a surrounding wall (10), characterized in that the closure device (6) is a device according to any one of the preceding claims, and in that the base body (30) is movable between its open and closed positions in the frame (3).

1 1. - An assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that between the intermediate position of the base body and the closed position, the surrounding wall (10) applies a reaction force on the connecting member (42), force reaction which is directed against a force exerted by the thrust member (34).

12. - assembly according to any one of claims 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the frame (3) and the closure device (6) comprise at least a first hinge (12) adapted to allow a tilting of the body base (30) relative to the frame between its open and closed positions around a first tilting axis (XX).

13. - assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the first hinge (12) is adapted to allow movement of the closure device relative to the frame in a locking position at least when the base body is in its position open, locking position in which a tilting of the base body to the closed position is blocked.

14. - assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement in the locking position is a tilting of the base body (30) about a second axis of tilting (Y-Y), and in that the second tilting axis (Y-Y) extends substantially perpendicular to the first tilting axis (XX).

15. - assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the frame (3) and the closure device (6) comprise a second hinge (14) adapted to allow a tilting of the base body between its open positions and closing around the first tilting axis (XX), the second hinge comprising a knuckle (22) of the closure device and a knuckle (20) of a frame, and in that the locking of the second hinge (14) is obtained by engaging the knuckle (22) of the closure device in a recess (20A) of the knuckle (20) of the frame.