EP2516778B1 - Shutter device and corresponding assembly - Google Patents

Description

• un corps de base adapté pour obturer une ouverture et mobile entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture,
• un élément de poussée ayant une première et une seconde extrémités et ayant une configuration détendue et une configuration tendue,
• la première extrémité de l'élément de poussée étant reliée au corps de base, un tel dispositif d'obturation est connu de EP0384484 et FR2678307 .

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 thrust member having first and second ends and having a relaxed configuration and a tensioned configuration,
• the first end of the thrust element being connected to the base body, such a closing device is known from EP0384484 and FR2678307 .

It applies more particularly to the field of devices for covering access chambers to underground networks, such as access hatches to telecommunication networks, manholes for visiting or inspecting water networks, sewer grates and valve chambers. Typically, these cover devices include a frame and a cover adapted to be toggled between open and closed positions. In order to facilitate movement of the buffer between its open and closed positions, the known devices are equipped with an assistance jack. The cylinder is fixed on the one hand to the buffer and on the other hand to the frame. The cylinder, compressed between the frame and the buffer, pushes on the frame in order to assist in the opening of the buffer.

Attaching the ram to the frame and buffer is usually done using pins or bolts that are difficult to mount. Furthermore, the manufacture of such devices is difficult and costly due to the use of numerous mechanical elements which often have to be welded or molded.

In addition, the assembly of all of these elements is difficult and the dismantling of the cylinder with a view to removing the buffer can prove to be dangerous because the cylinder is generally in compression.

The object of the invention is to provide a closure device which makes the manufacture, installation and removal of the plug simpler and more economical.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an assembly according to claim 1.

According to particular embodiments, the assembly comprises the characteristics corresponding to claim 2.

The invention also relates to an assembly according to claim 3.

According to particular embodiments, the assembly comprises the characteristics corresponding to claims 4 to 13.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté d'un ensemble selon l'invention formé d'un cadre et d'un dispositif d'obturation, le corps de base étant dans une position d'ouverture complète ;
• La figure 2 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1, le corps de base étant dans une position d'ouverture ;
• La figure 3 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1, le corps de base étant dans une position intermédiaire et l'élément de liaison entrant en contact avec une paroi de l'ouverture à obturer ;
• La figure 4 est une vue de l'ensemble de la figure 1, le corps de base étant dans une position fermée ;
• La figure 5 est une vue de face de l'ensemble de la figure 2, le corps de base étant dans une position ouverte de déblocage ;
• La figure 6 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 5, le corps de base étant dans une position ouverte de blocage ;
• Les figure 7 et 8 sont des vues de côte et en perspective d'un mode de réalisation concret de l'ensemble selon l'invention, le corps de base étant dans la position complètement ouverte correspondant à la Figure 1 ;
• Les figure 9 à 11 sont des vues de côté en coupe de l'ensemble de la figure 7, le corps de base étant dans des positions ouverte, intermédiaire, et fermée correspondant aux positions des figures 2 à 4
• Les figures 12 à 14 montrent en perspective le corps de base du dispositif d'obturation et un élément de liaison dans différents stades de montage ; et
• La figure 15 est une vue en perspective de l'élément de liaison.

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

• The figure 1 is a schematic side view of an assembly according to the invention formed of a frame and a closure device, the base body being in a completely open position;
• The figure 2 is a view analogous to that of figure 1 , the base body being in an open position;
• The picture 3 is a view analogous 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;
• The figure 4 is a view of the whole figure 1 , the base body being in a closed position;
• The figure 5 is a front view of the entire figure 2 , the base body being in an open unlocking position;
• The figure 6 is a view analogous to that of figure 5 , the base body being in an open blocking position;
• The figure 7 and 8 are side and perspective views of a concrete embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the base body being in the completely open position corresponding to the Figure 1 ;
• The figure 9 to 11 are cross-sectional side views of the entire figure 7 , the base body being in open, intermediate and closed positions corresponding to the positions of the figures 2 to 4
• The figures 12 to 14 show in perspective the basic body of the closure device and a connecting element in different stages of assembly; and
• The figure 15 is a perspective view of the connecting element.

On the figure 1 is shown an assembly according to the invention, designated by the general reference 2. On the figures 1 to 6 , assembly 2 is illustrated very schematically in order to explain the principle of operation.

Set 2 comprises a frame 3 sealed at the top of an underground chamber 4 and a closing device 6.

Set 2 is for example a manhole or an access hatch to an underground chamber, such as a telecommunications chamber.

The frame 3 delimits an opening 8, for example square or circular, and, in the present 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 be sealed. The opening 8 extends in an opening plane PP, which in the installed state is parallel to the ground. The wall 10 extends substantially perpendicular to the opening plane PP.

The frame 3 and the shutter device 6 comprise a first and a second hinges 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 plug or a grid. The base body 30 extends substantially along a PC-PC base body plane.

The hinges 12, 14 are adapted to allow a tilting of the base body 30, or of the shutter device 6, relative to the frame 3 around a first axis of tilting XX between a completely open position, represented on the figure 1 , an open position, represented on the figure 2 , an intermediate position, represented on the picture 3 and a closed position shown on the figure 4 .

The first and second hinges 12, 14 are also adapted to allow tilting of the shutter device 6 with respect to the frame 3 around a second tilting axis YY between a release position ( figure 5 ) and a blocking position ( figure 6 ), and this when the base body 30, or the closure device 6, is in its open or completely open position. The second tilting axis YY extends perpendicular to the first tilting axis XX. Preferably, the second pivot axis YY extends substantially in the opening plane PP.

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 with respect to the frame 3. In addition, the second hinge 14 comprises means for locking the locking device. shutter 6 in the open position of the picture 2 . These blocking means are for example formed by a recess 20A made in the frame knuckle 20 of the second hinge and receiving the knuckle 22 of the closure device. In the blocking position, a tilting of the base body 30 towards the intermediate or closed position is prevented, while in the release position the base body 30 can be tilted into its closed position.

In the closed position, the base body plane PC-PC is substantially parallel to the plane PP (see figure 4 ), and in the intermediate position, the basic body plane PC-PC is inclined with respect to the plane PP by approximately 60° to 85°. In the open position ( picture 2 ) the basic body plane PC-PC is inclined by 90° with respect to the plane PP. In the fully open position ( figure 1 ) the basic body plane PC-PC is inclined by approximately 100 to 105° with respect to the plane PP.

The shutter device 6 further comprises a fixing projection 32 fixed to the base body 30 and extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the base body PC-PC.

The shutter 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 jack, in particular a gas jack, or a spring, in particular a helical spring.

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

The first end 36 of the thrust element 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 therefore connected to the base body 30, and this via this articulation 40 and the fixing projection 32.

The shutter 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 articulation 44 around a second articulation axis B-B. The connecting element 42 is connected to the base body 30 by a third articulation 46 around a third articulation axis C-C. The three hinge axes A-A, B-B and C-C of joints 40, 44, 46 are parallel to each other and are not coplanar. In other words, in section along a plane perpendicular to the axes of articulation A-A, B-B and C-C, 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 joints 44, 46 are arranged.

The connecting element 42 is hinged to the base body 30 between two limit positions. The first limit position corresponds to the relaxed configuration of the thrust element 34 or to the open position of the base body 30 (see figures 1 and 2 ). The second limit position corresponds to the tensioned configuration of the thrust element 34 when the base body is in the closed position (see figure 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 thrust 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 movement 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 rest on the inner wall 10 of the opening 8 during movement of the base body 30 between the closed position and the intermediate position. This support member 50 is in the present 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 manipulated in a single block in the absence of the frame. 3. In the absence of the frame 3 and other external forces, the obturation device 6 assumes the configuration shown in the figures 1 and 2 , corresponding to the open or completely open position of the base body 30.

Assembly 2 according to the invention operates as follows.

We start from the configuration shown in figure 1 . The closure device 6 is in the completely open and release position. The thrust element 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 around the tilting axis XX relative to the frame 3 in the closing direction, namely in the clockwise direction of the figure 1 .

The shutter device 6 therefore reaches the open position which is shown on the figure 2 . In this position, the base body plane PC-PC is arranged at 90° to the plane PP. The support member 50 is still out of contact with the wall 10. When closing is continued, the closure device 6 assumes the intermediate configuration in which the support member 50 comes into contact with the wall 10 ( picture 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 hinge axis CC and compresses the thrust element 34 which is therefore brought to its stretched configuration. The force exerted by the thrust element 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 applied via the wall 10 on the connecting element 42. The thrust element 34 and the connecting element 42 therefore prevent or slow down closing of the closure device under the sole action of the force of gravity between the intermediate position and the closed position of the basic body. The manual force required to operate the shutter device 6 is therefore relatively low. This manual force is a function of the thrust element 34 used and more precisely of its thrust capacity.

Once the base body 30 is in its closed position ( figure 4 ), the thrust element 34 is completely compressed and the connecting element 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 level of the wall 10 a reaction force which opposes the own weight of the base body and therefore makes it possible to considerably reduce the force necessary for opening the closure device 6. During this tilting, the thrust element 34 relaxes.

Once the intermediate position has been 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, passing through the open position for releasing the 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 manipulated in a single block, the frame 3 and the shutter device 6 can be manufactured and installed separately. Thus, unskilled labor is sufficient to mount the shutter device 6 in the frame 3 on the installation site of the assembly 2.

In addition, the device 6 is easily usable to equip frames 3 already existing and installed. Also, the installation or removal of the closure device 6 is easy and without risk because these operations are carried out without having to intervene on the thrust element 34 insofar as the latter is not fixed to the frame.

The combination of the shutter device 6 and the hinges 12, 14 allowing locking by tilting around the tilting axis YY is particularly advantageous, given that no articulation of the end 38 of the thrust element 34 at the frame 3 is not necessary.

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

The Figure 7 and 9 to 11 correspond to Figures 1 to 4 . The Figure 8 is a perspective view of assembly 2 in the fully open position.

The shutter 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 shape-locking connection to the base body 30. This connection is preferably a bayonet-type connection.

On the Picture 15 the connecting element 42 is illustrated. The connecting element 42 comprises a central core 60 and two lateral flanges 62, 64.

The free end of the lateral wing 62 carries a cylindrical end piece 66 defining an end piece axis C1-C1. The end piece 66 consists of two half-end pieces which extend from one side and the other of the side wing 62.

The lateral wing 62 also carries a cylindrical stop 68 which cooperates with the underside of the base body 30 in order to ensure the maintenance and the rotational guidance of the end piece 66 during the pivoting of the connecting element 42 around of the C1-C1 axis.

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

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

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

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

During a first step ( figure 12 ), the connecting element 42 is aligned with the housing 80 such that the tip axis C1-C1 is angularly offset from the hinge axis CC. Then, the tip 66 is introduced into the housing 80 by a movement perpendicular to the plane PC-PC and followed by a rotation around an axis of rotation RR extending perpendicular to the plane PC-PC ( figure 13 ), until the tip axis C1-C1 is aligned with the tilt axis CC ( figure 14 ).

The assembly is therefore particularly easy and is carried out without tools and without further 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 via the joint 40 to the projection 32 and via the joint 44 to the hole 70 of the element. link 42.

In a variant not shown, the connecting element 42 is provided with adjustment means to adapt to a chamber whose wall 10 is recessed with respect 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.

As a further variant, when the frame has a vertical inner wall delimiting the opening 8 and extending downwards over a sufficient distance, the support member 50 can come directly into contact with this 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 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 to the thrust element by joints.

Claims (13)

1. An assembly comprising a frame (3) and a closure device (6), the frame defining an opening (8) with a surrounding wall (10), the closure device (6) comprising:

   - a base body (30) adapted to close the opening (8) and movable in the frame (3) between an open and a closed position,

   - a thrust element (34) having first (36) and second (38) ends and having a relaxed configuration and a tensioned configuration, the first end (36) of the thrust member being connected to the base body (30),

   characterised in that the closure device further comprises a linking element (42) connected to the base body (30) and to the second end (38) of the thrust element, as well as a bearing member (50), carried by the linking element (42), adapted to bear on the wall (10) surrounding the opening (8) during a displacement of the base body (30) between the closed position and the open position and vice versa, during which movement the linking element (42) allows the thrust element (34) to move from the tensioned configuration to the relaxed configuration and vice versa, the bearing 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. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the linking element (42) is a connecting rod.
3. An assembly comprising a frame (3) and a closure device (6), the frame defining an opening (8) with a surrounding wall (10), the closure device (6) comprising:

   - a base body (30) adapted to close the opening (8) and movable in the frame (3) between an open and a closed position,

   - a thrust element (34) having first (36) and second (38) ends and having a relaxed configuration and a tensioned configuration, the first end (36) of the thrust member being connected to the base body (30),

   characterised in that the closure device further comprises a flexible linking element (42), such as a cable, rope, or chain, the linking element (42) being connected to the base body (30) and to the second end (38) of the thrust element, as well as a bearing member (50), constituted by the second end (38), adapted to bear on the wall (10) surrounding the opening (8) during a displacement of the base body (30) between the closed position and the open position and vice versa, during which movement the linking element (42) allows the thrust element (34) to move from the tensioned configuration to the relaxed configuration and vice versa, the bearing 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.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the linking element (42) is adapted to guide the second end (38) of the thrust element (34) upon movement of the base body between the open position and the closed position.
5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first end (36) of the thrust element (34) is connected to the base body (30) by a first articulation (40) about a first articulation axis (A-A).
6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second end (38) of the thrust element (34) is connected to the linking element (42) by a second articulation (44) about a second articulation axis (B-B).
7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the linking element (42) is connected to the base body (30) by a third articulation (46) about a third articulation axis (C-C).
8. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure device (6) constitutes a self-contained module which can be handled as a single unit.
9. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims dependent on the claim characterised in that between the intermediate position of the base body and the closed position, the surrounding wall (10) applies a reaction force to the linking member (42), which reaction force is directed against a force exerted by the thrust element (34).
10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (3) and the closure device (6) comprise at least a first hinge (12) adapted to allow tilting of the base body (30) relative to the frame between its open and closed positions about a first tilting axis (X-X).
11. An assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the first hinge (12) is adapted to allow movement of the closure device relative to the frame into a blocking position at least when the base body is in its open position, in which blocking position a tilting of the base body into the closed position is blocked.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the movement into the blocking position is a tilting of the base body (30) about a second tilting axis (Y-Y), and that the second tilting axis (Y-Y) extends substantially perpendicularly to the first tilting axis (X-X).
13. An assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the frame (3) and the closure device (6) comprise a second hinge (14) adapted to allow tilting of the base body between its open and closed positions about the first tilting axis (X-X), the second hinge comprising a hinge pin (22) of the closure device and a frame hinge pin (20), and in that the locking of the second hinge (14) is obtained by engaging the hinge pin (22) of the closure device in a recess (20A) of the frame hinge pin (20).

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