EP2623695B1

EP2623695B1 - Device for locking the door of vehicles, such as vans, trucks, road trains, trailers and the like

Info

Publication number: EP2623695B1
Application number: EP12425023.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Hilbe
Original assignee: Pastore and Lombardi SpA
Current assignee: Pastore and Lombardi SpA
Priority date: 2012-02-02
Filing date: 2012-02-02
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-02
Also published as: PL2623695T3; ES2586980T3; EP2623695A1; HUE030170T2

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locking the door of vehicles such as vans, trucks, road trains, trailers and the like.
It is known that the doors of vehicles such as vans, trucks etcetera are typically provided with specific devices, known as door sill-mounted devices, which can ensure the stable locking of the rear door in a configuration for closing the internal compartment of the body, thus preventing its accidental opening and at the same time allowing manual actuation by an operator who wishes to have access to the compartment.
These devices are usually constituted by a contoured plate, which can be fixed to the base of the body, below the door, and by a lever, which is keyed on a rod which is supported rotatably by the door; the lever can engage, with one of its ends, the plate so as to define the door locking configuration.
The user who wishes to access the compartment of the body can therefore grip and turn the lever, possibly operating a safety button that can release it, disengaging its end from the plate, and thus open the door.
In recent years, the market of reference has pointed out to the manufacturers of these devices and to the sellers of vehicles the need to ensure the locking of the door also in the open and ajar configuration, thus keeping the door rotated by a few degrees with respect to the closed configuration, but at the same time allowing the exchange of air between the internal compartment and the outside environment.
DE 20 2009 004481 U1 discloses a device for locking doors having a combination of features as set forth in the pre-characterizing portion of the appended claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a device that offers the possibility of locking the door of vehicles such as trucks and the like in a partially open configuration, in which said door is substantially rotated through at least a few degrees with respect to the closed configuration and forms at least one gap for communication between the internal compartment and the outside environment.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that ensures the possibility of locking the door in an intermediate position, without involving for this purpose the elements assigned to closing said door.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for locking the door in the intermediate position, without the possibility of accidental opening or closing, and at the same time ensuring that a user can release said door practically and easily.
Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device that is very solid and strong.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that ensures high reliability in operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is low-cost and safe in application.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a device for locking the door of vehicles such as vans, trucks, road trains, trailers and the like, as defined in the appended claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear lateral perspective view of the locking device according to the invention in a first locking configuration;
Figure 2 is a top view of the locking device according to the invention in the first locking configuration;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 2, taken along the line III-III;
Figure 4 is a rear lateral perspective view of the locking device according to the invention in the second locking configuration;
Figure 5 is a lateral elevation view of the locking device according to the invention in the second locking configuration;
Figure 6 is a highly enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lever;
Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the lever;
Figure 9 is a bottom view of the lever;
Figure 10 is a lateral elevation view of the lever;
Figure 11 is a rear lateral perspective view of the engagement element;
Figure 12 is a front lateral perspective view of the engagement element;
Figure 13 is a lateral elevation view of the engagement element.

With reference to the cited figures, a device according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is adapted to lock the door of vehicles such as vans, trucks, road trains, trailers and the like; more specifically, according to the preferred application the device 1 allows the locking of the rear door of vehicles such as the ones cited above, said door being arranged so as to close an internal compartment intended to store and transport various types of goods.
Constant reference will therefore be made to this preferred application in the continuation of the present description, but use of the device 1 according to the invention in different applications, as a function of the specific requirements, is not excluded (and in any case is within the protective scope of the present application).
The device 1 comprises at least one base 2 (preferably constituted by a suitably shaped plate 3), which can be coupled rigidly to the chassis of a vehicle (for example by means of screws 4 which can be inserted in respective holes 5 located at mutually opposite end portions of said base 2), proximate to its door.
The device 1 furthermore comprises a lever 6, which can be keyed rigidly on a rod supported rotatably by the door: for example, the rod can be arranged vertically along the entire height of the door, along its long side that lies opposite the one hinged to the chassis, and can protrude at the bottom to enter at least one circular seat 7 provided along the lever 6, which in turn can be associated, as will become apparent, with the base 2, which is fixed below the door.
In a substantially known manner, when the door is arranged so as to close the internal compartment, a first end 6a of the lever 6 can engage detachably retention means 8 provided on the base 2, in a first angular position of said lever 6 (in which it is shown in Figures 1 to 3), so as to define a first configuration for locking the door, avoiding the danger of accidental opening of the compartment.
According to the invention, the locking device 1 comprises at least one engagement element 9, which is arranged on one of the base 2 and the lever 6, and a respective abutment 10, which is provided on the other one of the base 2 and the lever 6.
The element 9 and the abutment 10 can be mutually coupled selectively, upon a rotation of the lever 6 from the first angular position (with its consequent disengagement from the retention means 8), thus allowing the provision of a new coupling between the lever 6 and the base 2 (shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6) and thus achieving the definition of a second door locking configuration, when the door is arranged so as to open partially the internal compartment of the vehicle.
More particularly, in the constructive solution proposed merely by way of example in the accompanying figures, the engagement element 9 is arranged on the base 2, while the abutment 10 is provided on the lever 6.
According to the preferred constructive solution, which is cited by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the engagement element 9 is constituted substantially by an elastically deformable tab 11 (shown in particular in Figures 11, 12 and 13), which protrudes from the base 2 (to which it can be fixed by means of one of the screws 4, which can be inserted in an opening 12 which is coaxial to one of the holes 5) and has an end lip which is folded into a U-shape at its top, thus forming a sort of hook 13.
By turning therefore the lever 6 through a predefined angle with respect to the first angular position in order to bring its second end 6b (which lies opposite the first end 6a) proximate to the engagement element 9, it is thus possible to engage selectively, by elastic forcing, the hook 13 in a slot 14 (which thus constitutes the abutment 10) provided along the lever 6 (proximate to its second end 6b).
Conveniently, the engagement element 9 comprises a disengagement button 15, which can be operated selectively by a user, in order to allow the disengagement of the hook 13 from the abutment 10 constituted by the slot 14.
More particularly, the disengagement button 15 is constituted substantially by a protrusion 16 which protrudes from the tab 11 and is directed away from the hook 13.
The user can thus apply pressure to the protrusion 16 in order to cause the elastic flexing of the element 9, consequently causing the exit of the hook 13 from the slot 14, thus allowing the disengagement of the element 9 from the lever 6 (and optionally the rotation of said lever and/or of the door).
With reference to the solution shown in the accompanying drawings by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the retention means 8 comprise a bracket 17, which has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section and is fixed to the base 2. The bracket 17 is thus constituted substantially by two posts 17a that extend from the base 2 and by a cross-member 17b.
The first end 6a of the lever 6 can engage below the bracket 17 (and more specifically below the cross-member 17b), in the first angular position, so as to define the first locking configuration.
Conveniently, the device 1 according to the invention comprises an apparatus 18 for the safety coupling of the lever 6 with the base 2, so as to prevent the accidental release of the lever 6 when said lever is arranged in the above-mentioned first angular position, and therefore when the door is arranged in the first locking configuration, so as to close the internal compartment of the vehicle.
In particular, the apparatus 18 comprises a release button 19, which is associated rotatably with a pivot 20, fixed transversely to the lever 6 and spaced from the first end 6a of said lever.
The release button 19 is provided with a knurled surface on which the user can operate and has, on the opposite side, a curved end projection 21, which is kept inserted elastically (for example by means of respective torsion springs) in a pocket 22 provided in the base 2, consequently hindering the rotation of the lever 6, when said lever is arranged in the first angular position.
To allow therefore the rotation of the lever 6, and consequently the release of the door in order to access the compartment, a user can push the release button 19 (by operating on its knurled surface), turning it and consequently making the projection 21 exit from the pocket 22.
As can be seen clearly for example in Figure 3, it is important to note that the rotation required for the exit of the projection 21 is subsequent to a push of the release button 19 that is directed away from the base 2 (and to a counterclockwise rotation thereof); any accidental opening of the release button 19 would act, vice versa, in the opposite direction, therefore strengthening the coupling between the projection 21 and the pocket 22, thus avoiding the danger of accidental exit.
Positively, the coupling apparatus 18 comprises a block 23 which is supported so that it can rotate in the lever 6 and can be actuated by means of a respective key 24 so as to cause the transition from a first angular arrangement to a second angular arrangement, and vice versa.
In the first angular arrangement, a protrusion 25 of the block 23 abuts, in a downward region, against the release button 19 so as to prevent its rotation and therefore the release of the lever 6; in the second angular arrangement, instead, the protrusion 25 is spaced from the release button 19 so as not to interfere with any movement thereof, in case a user wishes to turn the lever 6 and release the door.
Advantageously, the lever 6 and the base 2 are preferably made of steel plate, so as to provide the device 1 according to the invention with high strength and solidity, without encumbering its structure, whereas the engagement element 9 is made of spring steel.
With reference again to the preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying figures, the lever 6 has a first portion with a U-shaped transverse cross-section (which comprises the first end 6a) and a second portion which forms a handle 26 that can be gripped by a user (and comprises the second end 6b).
The first portion is thus constituted by two side walls 27, which are connected by an upper wall 28, and two mutually aligned seats 7, designed to accommodate the rod, are therefore provided along the side walls 27.
It should be noted that the center distance between the side walls 27 is selected appropriately to allow shape mating between said side walls and respective containment frames 29, which extend vertically from the edges of the base 2, so as to further increase the stability of the mutual coupling between said base 2 and the lever 6, when the latter is arranged in the first angular position.
The use of the locking device according to the invention is as follows.
First of all, when the door of a vehicle (of the type of a truck, van, etcetera) is arranged so as to close the internal compartment, the lever 6 allows the provision of a first locking configuration of said door, ensuring its coupling to the chassis and avoiding the danger of accidental opening.
When the door is arranged for closure, the lever 6 in fact can be rested against the base 2 (thus being arranged in the first angular position) and the first end 6a of the lever 6 can engage the retention means 8 (thus moving below the cross-member 17b of the bracket 17), contrasting the rotation of the door.
The mutual coupling between the lever 6 and the base 2 is reinforced by the presence of the coupling apparatus 18: as noted, the release button 19 is shaped so as to allow the release only after a push in the direction opposite to the base 2 and therefore only after a voluntary action of a user (who must furthermore have the key 24).
Therefore, the user who wishes to access the compartment can grip the handle 26 of the lever 6 and turn it (operating simultaneously the release button 19) to disengage it from the base 2 and thus be able to move the door at will.
If the stable positioning of the door in a partially open condition is required, in order to maintain at least one gap for communication between the internal compartment and the outside environment, it is possible to provide the second locking configuration.
To do so, the user can rotate the lever 6 until the second end 6b is proximate to the base 2 and more precisely until coupling between the hook 13 and the slot 14 occurs by elastic forcing.
It is convenient to note that the choice to ensure the possibility of coupling by elastic forcing makes it possible to achieve locking of the door in an extremely practical and easy way which is substantially automatic, without requiring specific operations by the operator (in addition to the simple rotation of the lever 6).
As shown on the preceding pages, once the second locking configuration described above has been provided, in order to uncouple the lever 6 and the base 2 it is necessary to press the disengagement button 15, thus ensuring the impossibility of accidental release of the door (and therefore of unwanted opening/closing of said door).
It is noted, moreover, that the second locking configuration is provided by means of the engagement element 9 and without involving the retention means 8 (designed to provide and maintain the first locking configuration), thus protecting the latter and avoiding the danger that their excessive use might cause their early deterioration or failure.
Moreover, the choice to provide the base 2 and the lever 6 by using steel plate gives the device 1 according to the invention high solidity and strength without entailing excessive weight (and therefore difficulty in operation of the lever 6 by the user).
In practice it has been found that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since the use of an engagement element arranged on one of the base, which can be coupled to the chassis of the vehicle, and the lever, which can be associated with the door, and a respective abutment, provided on the other one of the base and the lever, makes it possible, through their coupling upon a rotation of the lever out of the first angular position (in which the door is locked so as to close the compartment), to define a second locking configuration of the door in a partially open condition.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A device for locking the door of vehicles such as vans, trucks, road trains, trailers and the like, comprising: at least one base (2), which can be coupled rigidly to the chassis of a vehicle, proximate to its door; a lever (6), which is keyed rigidly on a rod supported rotatably by the door, a first end (6a) of said lever (6) being able to be removably engaged by retention means (8) provided on said base (2), in a first angular position, for defining a first locking configuration of said door, arranged so as to close an internal compartment of the vehicle; at least one engagement element (9), arranged on said base (2); and a respective abutment (10), provided on said lever (6), said engagement element (9) and said abutment (10) being able to be selectively mutually associated, upon a rotation of said lever (6) from said first angular position with consequent disengagement from said retention means (8), for coupling between said lever (6) and said base (2), defining a second locking configuration of the door, partially opening the internal compartment of the vehicle, characterized in that said engagement element (9) is constituted by an elastically deformable tab (11), which extends from said base (2) and has an end lip which is folded in a U-shape at its top, so as to form substantially a hook (13) that can engage selectively, by elastic forcing, a slot (14) that constitutes said abutment (10) and that is provided along said lever (6), proximate to its second end (6b), which lies opposite said first end (6a), upon a predefined rotation of said lever (6) out of said first angular position.
The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that said engagement element (9) comprises a disengagement button (15), which can be actuated selectively to disengage said hook (13) from said abutment (10).
The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that said disengagement button (15) is constituted substantially by a protrusion (16) that extends from said tab (11) and is directed away from said hook (13), a pressure on said protrusion (16) causing the elastic flexing of said engagement element (9) and the consequent exit of said hook (13) from said slot (14), for the disengagement of said engagement element (9) from said lever (6).
The locking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention means (8) comprise a bracket (17) which has a transverse cross-section which is substantially U-shaped and fixed to said base (2), said first end (6a) of said lever (6) being able to be engaged below said bracket (17), in said first angular position, to define said first locking configuration.
The locking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an apparatus (18) for the safety coupling of said lever (6) to said base (2) in order to prevent the accidental release of said lever (6) when it is arranged in said first angular position, in said first door locking configuration.
The locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that said apparatus (18) comprises a release button (19), which is associated rotatably with a pivot (20) which is fixed transversely to said lever (6) and spaced from said first end (6a), said release button (19) having a curved end projection (21), which is kept inserted elastically in a pocket (22) provided in said base (2), consequently hindering the rotation of said lever (6), when said lever (6) is arranged in said first angular position, a push on said release button (19) causing its rotation with consequent exit of said projection (21) from said pocket (22) in order to release the door.
The locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that said apparatus (18) comprises a block (23) which is supported rotatably in said lever (6) and can be actuated by means of a respective key (24) for transition from a first angular arrangement, in which a protrusion (25) of said block (23) abuts in a downward region against said release button (19), in order to prevent its rotation and the release of said lever (6), to a second angular arrangement, in which said protrusion (25) is spaced from said release button (19), and vice versa.
The locking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lever (6) and said base (2) are made of steel plate, said engagement element (9) being made of spring steel.