EP2960406B1 - Device for opening and closing an article, especially made of leather, and article comprising such a device - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for opening and closing an article, in particular leather goods, also more commonly called a lock.

The invention also relates to such an article, in particular of leather goods, provided with such an opening and closing device.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

There are known devices for opening and closing an article, in particular leather goods, provided with a key and a barrel allowing the locking and unlocking of the device and consequently the opening and closing of the article, by inserting the key into the barrel and driving it in rotation.

It is also known locks without cylinder, described for example in the international application WO 93/25783 and in the US patent US 5,212,974 .

More specifically, the above-mentioned international application describes a device having a key and a control box. The key has a plurality of grooves and the control unit comprises a plate movably mounted on a base and provided with a face from which protrude movable sliders with which the grooves of the key are configured to cooperate.

To unlock the device, the key is translated on the face of the plate, in a foreground, so that the grooves drive the sliders and, once the latter in the unlocked position, the key and the mobile plate are pushed into the 'base transversely to the foreground, or in other words according to a second plane orthogonal to the foreground.

As for the aforementioned US patent, there is described a device having a key in the form of a card and a body in which is formed an insertion slot for this card. The key is provided in particular with unlocking studs and a guide stud, while the body comprises a half-casing upper, a lower half-case fixed to the upper half-case by leaving an internal space to accommodate the card, a movable element disposed in a cavity of the upper half-case and spring elements having locking / unlocking notches and arranged in recesses of the mobile element.

To unlock the device, the card is inserted into the slot and pushed into the internal space of the body, the unlocking studs come into contact with the spring elements and cause them to rise in the recesses of the mobile element, thus causing the notches. locking / unlocking to an unlocked position, where the card is pushed further into the internal space and the guide pin drives the movable element into the cavity, thus releasing a snap piece.

The devices described in the aforementioned patent documents are therefore similar in that they allow the passage from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration of these devices, and vice versa, only by means of translational movements of a key in the same one. plane or in different planes, without rotational movement of this key.

A device for opening and closing an article according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in the document FR898459 .

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to provide a device for opening and closing an article, in particular leather goods, of a similar type, without a barrel, which is particularly simple and convenient both in manufacture and in use.

A subject of the invention is thus, in a first aspect, a device for opening and closing an article in particular of leather goods, as defined by the characteristics of claim 1.

The opening and closing device according to the invention is particularly convenient in that it makes it possible to open and / or close the article by simple translation of the key in the lock housing, thus activating a particularly simple mechanism and reliable.

More precisely, the translated key drives the movable part of the control system which moves the locking member to a position where this last immobilizes (in a predetermined position) the bolt launching in the locked configuration of the mechanism, or on the contrary leaves free the bolt launching in the unlocked configuration of the mechanism.

The opening and closing device is also particularly safe since the fixed part of the control system ensures, by immobilizing the movable part, the holding in position of the locking member and therefore prevents the unexpected change of configuration of the mechanism. .

• ledit pêne lançant présente une face d'appui et ledit organe de blocage comporte une base et au moins un doigt de blocage saillant de ladite base et configuré pour venir en regard de ladite face d'appui dudit pêne lançant ;
• ladite base dudit organe de blocage a une forme générale parallélépipédique à au moins quatre côtés et est pourvue d'un orifice central débouchant sur une paroi inférieure de ladite base, ledit support butée est pourvu d'un tourillon introduit dans ledit orifice central et d'au moins un trou débouchant en regard d'au moins un desdits côtés dudit organe de blocage, ledit mécanisme comporte au moins une première butée et au moins un ressort butée montés au moins partiellement dans ledit au moins un trou débouchant et ladite au moins une première butée est configurée pour agir sur un des dits côtés dudit organe de blocage sous l'effet dudit au moins un ressort butée ;
• ledit organe de blocage comporte une base ayant une forme générale parallélépipédique à quatre côtés et est pourvue d'un orifice central débouchant sur une paroi inférieure de ladite base, ledit support butée est pourvu d'un tourillon introduit dans ledit orifice central et d'un trou débouchant en regard d'un desdits côtés dudit organe de blocage, ledit mécanisme comporte une première butée et un ressort butée montés au moins partiellement dans ledit trou débouchant et ladite première butée est configurée pour agir sur ledit côté dudit organe de blocage sous l'effet dudit ressort butée ;
• ladite base dudit organe de blocage présente une dent anti-retour ménagée en saillie sur chaque dit côté et configurée pour coopérer avec ledit cran de ladite partie mobile de sorte à autoriser la rotation dudit organe de blocage seulement dans un sens ;
• ledit boîtier de serrure comporte un palastre et un couvercle fixé audit palastre, ledit palastre et ledit couvercle étant configurés de sorte à ménager une cavité définissant un espace prédéterminé dans lequel est logé ledit mécanisme ;
• ledit palastre est pourvu d'une première fente d'insertion de ladite clé, d'une deuxième fente d'insertion d'un moraillon dudit article, et d'une troisième fente d'insertion d'un bouton d'actionnement configuré pour déplacer ledit pêne lançant dans ladite configuration déverrouillée dudit mécanisme, pour libérer ledit moraillon ;
• ledit pêne lançant comporte un doigt de verrouillage configuré pour immobiliser ledit moraillon dans ladite configuration verrouillée dudit mécanisme ;
• ledit mécanisme comporte un ressort pêne, ledit pêne lançant présente une forme générale de L, ayant une première branche dans laquelle est ménagé un orifice configuré pour recevoir une extrémité dudit bouton d'actionnement et une seconde branche dans laquelle est ménagée une fenêtre configurée pour recevoir ledit ressort pêne, lequel est interposé entre une paroi interne dudit pêne lançant et un bloc butée saillant dans ladite cavité dudit boîtier de serrure ;
• ladite partie mobile dudit système de commande est pourvue d'une fente de réception de ladite clé et de conduits débouchant par une première extrémité dans ladite fente de réception, ladite clé présente une extrémité libre sur laquelle sont ménagées des empreintes de sécurité prédéterminées et ledit système de commande comporte des pivots de sécurité montés mobiles dans lesdits conduits ;
• ladite partie fixe dudit système de commande est pourvue de trous de réception débouchant en regard de deuxièmes extrémités desdits conduits de ladite partie mobile, opposées à leurs premières extrémités, et ledit système de commande comporte en outre des deuxièmes butées montées mobiles au moins partiellement dans lesdits trous de réception et des ressorts pistons montés dans lesdits trous de réception ;
• lorsque ladite clé est hors de ladite fente de réception de ladite partie mobile, lesdits pivots sont soumis à l'action desdits ressorts pistons par l'intermédiaire desdites deuxièmes butées qui sont interposées entre lesdits ressorts pistons et lesdits pivots, et saillent partiellement dans ladite fente de réception, lesdites deuxièmes butées étant alors disposées à cheval dans les conduits et dans les trous de réception, empêchant ainsi le déplacement de ladite partie mobile ; et lorsque ladite clé est reçue et translatée dans ladite fente de réception, ladite clé vient au contact desdits pivots puis les pousse à l'encontre desdits ressorts pistons, lesquels pivots poussent lesdites deuxièmes butées jusqu'à ce que ces dernières soient totalement dans lesdits trous de réception et hors desdits conduits, autorisant ainsi le déplacement de ladite partie mobile dans ledit boîtier de serrure sous l'action du mouvement de translation de ladite clé ;
• ladite partie mobile dudit système de commande comporte une pluralité d'éléments de sécurité assemblés les uns aux autres de sorte à former un bloc ayant une forme générale parallélépipédique et une rainure longitudinale, chaque dit élément de sécurité étant pourvu d'un cadre ayant une fente périphérique et d'un organe mobile monté dans ledit cadre et ayant une fenêtre centrale de sécurité et de réception de ladite clé et une gorge de sécurité ; et ladite partie fixe comporte un corps et une pluralité de dents configurées pour être insérées dans ladite rainure ; et/ou
• lorsque ladite clé est hors de ladite partie mobile, lesdits organes mobiles desdits éléments de sécurité sont chacun dans une position de repos où lesdites fentes périphériques sont au moins partiellement obturées par des portions adjacentes auxdites gorges de sécurité, formant ainsi des obstacles dans ladite rainure de ladite partie mobile qui bloquent lesdites dents de ladite partie fixe, et qui empêchent alors le déplacement de ladite partie mobile ; et lorsque ladite clé est reçue et translatée dans ladite partie mobile, ladite clé s'insère dans lesdites fenêtres centrales de sécurité et fait pivoter simultanément lesdites gorges de sécurité jusqu'à ce que ces dernières soient en regard desdites fentes périphériques, dégageant ainsi ladite rainure de ladite partie mobile et autorisant alors le déplacement de ladite partie mobile dans ledit boîtier de serrure sous l'action du mouvement de translation de ladite clé.

According to other particularly simple, convenient and economical preferred characteristics of the opening and closing device according to the invention:

• said throwing bolt has a bearing face and said locking member comprises a base and at least one locking finger projecting from said base and configured to come opposite said bearing face of said throwing bolt;
• said base of said locking member has a general parallelepipedal shape with at least four sides and is provided with a central orifice opening out on a lower wall of said base, said stop support is provided with a journal introduced into said central orifice and with at least one through hole facing at least one of said sides of said locking member, said mechanism comprises at least a first stop and at least one stop spring mounted at least partially in said at least one through hole and said at least one first stopper is configured to act on one of said sides of said locking member under the effect of said at least one stopper spring;
• said locking member comprises a base having a generally parallelepipedal shape with four sides and is provided with a central orifice opening onto a lower wall of said base, said abutment support is provided with a journal inserted into said central orifice and a through hole facing one of said sides of said locking member, said mechanism comprises a first stopper and a stop spring mounted at least partially in said through hole and said first stopper is configured to act on said side of said locking member under the effect of said stop spring;
• said base of said locking member has a non-return tooth provided projecting on each said side and configured to cooperate with said notch of said movable part so as to allow rotation of said locking member only in one direction;
• said lock housing comprises a palastre and a cover fixed to said palastre, said palastre and said cover being configured so as to provide a cavity defining a predetermined space in which said mechanism is housed;
• said palastre is provided with a first slot for inserting said key, a second slot for inserting a hasp of said article, and a third slot for inserting an actuating button configured to move said bolt launching into said unlocked configuration of said mechanism, to release said hasp;
• said throwing bolt includes a locking finger configured to immobilize said hasp in said locked configuration of said mechanism;
• said mechanism comprises a bolt spring, said throwing bolt has the general shape of L, having a first branch in which is formed an orifice configured to receive one end of said actuating button and a second branch in which is formed a window configured to receive said bolt spring, which is interposed between an internal wall of said throwing bolt and a stop block protruding into said cavity of said lock housing;
• said mobile part of said control system is provided with a slot for receiving said key and conduits opening at a first end into said receiving slot, said key has a free end on which predetermined security imprints are made and said system control comprises safety pivots movably mounted in said conduits;
• said fixed part of said control system is provided with receiving holes opening up opposite second ends of said conduits of said movable part, opposite their first ends, and said system control further comprises second stops movably mounted at least partially in said receiving holes and piston springs mounted in said receiving holes;
• when said key is out of said slot for receiving said movable part, said pivots are subjected to the action of said piston springs by means of said second stops which are interposed between said piston springs and said pivots, and partially project into said slot reception, said second stops then being arranged astride the conduits and in the reception holes, thus preventing the movement of said movable part; and when said key is received and translated in said receiving slot, said key comes into contact with said pivots then pushes them against said piston springs, which pivots push said second stops until the latter are completely in said holes receiving and out of said conduits, thus allowing movement of said movable part in said lock housing under the action of the translational movement of said key;
• said movable part of said control system comprises a plurality of security elements assembled together so as to form a block having a general parallelepipedal shape and a longitudinal groove, each said security element being provided with a frame having a slot peripheral and a movable member mounted in said frame and having a central security window and for receiving said key and a security groove; and said fixed part has a body and a plurality of teeth configured to be inserted into said groove; and or
• when said key is out of said movable part, said movable members of said security elements are each in a rest position where said peripheral slots are at least partially closed by portions adjacent to said security grooves, thus forming obstacles in said locking groove. said movable part which block said teeth of said fixed part, and which then prevent the displacement of said movable part; and when said key is received and translated in said movable part, said key fits into said central security windows and rotates simultaneously said safety grooves until the latter are opposite said peripheral slots, thus freeing said groove from said movable part and then allowing the movement of said movable part in said lock housing under the action of the translational movement of said key.

The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to an article of leather goods comprising a body, a flap attached by a first end to said body, a hasp fixed to a second end of said flap opposite to said first end, as well as a opening and closing device as described above, fixed to said body and configured to receive and immobilize said hasp in a locked configuration of a mechanism of said opening and closing device, and to release said hasp in a unlocked configuration of said mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement en vue de face un dispositif d'ouverture et de fermeture conforme à l'invention, ayant un boîtier de serrure fixé sur un article de maroquinerie, dans une configuration verrouillée où une clé du dispositif est introduite dans le boîtier de serrure et un moraillon de l'article est encliqueté dans le boîtier de serrure ;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement en perspective le dispositif de la figure 1, non fixé sur l'article, avec la clé et le moraillon à distance du boîtier de serrure ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement en perspective le moraillon illustré sur la figure 2, pris selon un angle de vue différent ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement en vue de face la clé illustrée sur la figure 2, prise selon un angle de vue différent ;
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement en perspective éclatée le dispositif illustré sur la figure 2 ;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues respectivement de face et de dos du boîtier de serrure illustré sur la figure 2 ;
• les figures 8 et 9 représentent schématiquement en perspective, selon deux angles de vue différents, un palastre du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• la figure 10 représente schématiquement en perspective un couvercle du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• les figures 11 et 12 représentent schématiquement en perspective, selon deux angles de vue différents, un pêne lançant d'un mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• les figures 13 et 14 représentent schématiquement en perspective, selon deux angles de vue différents, une glissière du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• la figure 15 représente schématiquement en perspective un support pistons du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5;
• la figure 16 représente schématiquement en perspective une deuxième butée du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5;
• la figure 17 représente schématiquement en perspective un pivot du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• la figure 18 représente schématiquement en perspective un support butée du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• la figure 19 représente schématiquement en perspective une première butée du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5;
• les figures 20 et 21 représentent schématiquement en perspective, selon deux angles de vue différents, une roue étoilée du mécanisme du boîtier de serrure illustré sur les figures 2 et 5 ;
• la figure 22 représente schématiquement et partiellement en perspective, le mécanisme du boîtier de serrure dans une configuration déverrouillée, le palastre étant enlevé ;
• la figure 23 représente schématiquement et partiellement en perspective, le mécanisme du boîtier de serrure dans sa configuration déverrouillée, le couvercle étant enlevé et la glissière et le support pistons étant montrés en transparence de sorte à visualiser la position des pivots et des deuxièmes butées ;
• la figure 24 représente schématiquement et partiellement en perspective, le mécanisme du boîtier de serrure dans une configuration intermédiaire, le palastre étant enlevé ;
• la figure 25 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 24, où la glissière et le support pistons sont montrés en transparence de sorte à visualiser la position des pivots et des deuxièmes butées ;
• les figures 26 et 27 représentent schématiquement et partiellement en perspective, le mécanisme du boîtier de serrure dans une configuration verrouillée, respectivement où le palastre et le couvercle sont enlevés ;
• la figure 28 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 22, où le pêne lançant est reculé pour libérer le moraillon du boîtier de serrure ;
• la figure 29 représente schématiquement et partiellement un dispositif d'ouverture et de fermeture conforme à une variante de réalisation de l'invention, où seulement une glissière et un support d'un système de commande d'un mécanisme d'un boîtier de serrure ainsi qu'une clé sont montrés ; et
• les figures 30 et 31 représentent schématiquement en perspective, respectivement la glissière illustrée sur la figure 29 et un élément de sécurité parmi une pluralité d'éléments de sécurité similaires que comporte cette glissière.

The description of the invention will now be continued with the description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 schematically shows a front view of an opening and closing device according to the invention, having a lock case fixed to a leather goods article, in a locked configuration where a key of the device is introduced into the lock case and a item hasp is snapped into the lock housing;
• the figure 2 schematically represents in perspective the device of the figure 1 , not attached to the article, with the key and hasp remote from the lock housing;
• the figure 3 schematically represents in perspective the hasp illustrated on the figure 2 , taken from a different angle of view;
• the figure 4 schematically shows a front view of the key illustrated on figure 2 , taken from a different angle of view;
• the figure 5 schematically shows in exploded perspective the device illustrated on figure 2 ;
• the figures 6 and 7 are respectively front and back views of the lock housing illustrated in figure 2 ;
• the figures 8 and 9 schematically represent in perspective, from two different viewing angles, a palastre of the lock box illustrated in the figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 10 schematically shows in perspective a cover of the lock box illustrated in the figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figures 11 and 12 schematically show in perspective, from two different viewing angles, a latch bolt from a mechanism of the lock housing illustrated in figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figures 13 and 14 schematically show in perspective, from two different viewing angles, a slide of the lock housing mechanism illustrated in figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 15 schematically shows in perspective a piston support of the lock housing mechanism illustrated on figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 16 schematically shows in perspective a second stop of the lock housing mechanism illustrated in figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 17 schematically shows in perspective a pivot of the lock housing mechanism illustrated in figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 18 schematically shows in perspective a stop support of the lock housing mechanism illustrated in the figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 19 schematically shows in perspective a first stop of the mechanism of the lock housing illustrated in the figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figures 20 and 21 schematically represent in perspective, from two different viewing angles, a star wheel of the lock case mechanism illustrated in the figures 2 and 5 ;
• the figure 22 shows schematically and partially in perspective, the mechanism of the lock housing in an unlocked configuration, the palastre being removed;
• the figure 23 shows schematically and partially in perspective, the mechanism of the lock housing in its configuration unlocked, the cover being removed and the slide and the piston support being shown in transparency so as to visualize the position of the pivots and of the second stops;
• the figure 24 shows schematically and partially in perspective, the mechanism of the lock case in an intermediate configuration, the palastre being removed;
• the figure 25 is a view similar to that of the figure 24 , where the slide and the piston support are shown in transparency so as to visualize the position of the pivots and of the second stops;
• the figures 26 and 27 show schematically and partially in perspective, the mechanism of the lock case in a locked configuration, respectively where the palastre and the cover are removed;
• the figure 28 is a view similar to that of the figure 22 , where the latch bolt is retracted to release the hasp from the lock housing;
• the figure 29 schematically and partially shows an opening and closing device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, where only a slide and a support of a control system of a mechanism of a lock case as well as a key are shown; and
• the figures 30 and 31 schematically represent in perspective, respectively the slide illustrated on the figure 29 and one safety element among a plurality of similar safety elements that this slide comprises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF AN IMPLEMENTATION

The figures 1 and 2 illustrate an opening and closing device 1, also called a lock, of an article of leather goods 2, here a bag visible only schematically and partially.

The leather goods article 2 comprises a body 3, a flap 4 attached by a first end (not shown) to the body 3, a hasp 5 fixed to a second end 6 of the flap 4, opposite the first end.

The lock 1 comprises a lock housing 10 fixed to the body 3 and configured to receive and immobilize the hasp 5 in a locked configuration of a mechanism 11 (visible figure 5 ) of this housing 10, and to release the hasp 5 in an unlocked configuration of the mechanism 11 by means of an actuating button 7 of the lock 1. The lock 1 here also comprises a dummy button 9 mounted on the housing 10.

The lock 1 further comprises a key 8 configured to move the mechanism 11 from one of its locked and unlocked configurations to the other (see below); so as to open and / or close item 2.

It will be noted that the mechanism 11 for immobilizing / releasing the hasp 5 is actuated by introducing the key 8 into the housing 10 only by one or more translational movements of this key 8, without any rotational movement.

The hasp 5 comprises a body 12 configured to be fixed to the second end 6 of the flap 4 of the body 3 of the article 2 and a head 13 projecting from an internal face 14 of the body 12, provided with an eye 15 and configured to be inserted into the lock housing 10 ( figures 2 and 3 ).

The key 8 is here flat and provided with a gripping portion 16 and an insertion portion 17 connected to the gripping portion 16 ( figures 2 and 4 ).

The insertion portion 17 has two opposite faces 18 and 19 and three predetermined security imprints 20 made on each of the faces 18 and 19 at a free end 21 of the key 8.

The figure 5 illustrates the lock 1 in an exploded manner and the hasp 5, taken in isolation (that is to say without the bag 2).

The lock housing 10 comprises a body (not shown) into which the so-called locking / unlocking mechanism 11 is introduced.

The lock housing 10 is here of generally prismatic shape.

The body of the housing 10 is formed of a palastre 22 and a cover 23 arranged facing the palastre 1 and fixed to the latter by means of first screws 27.

The palastre 22 and the cover 23 are configured so as to provide a cavity 45 defining a predetermined space (not shown) in which the mechanism 11 is housed.

The body of the housing 10 is also formed of a scratched plate 24 and a backing plate 25 which partially sandwich the cover 23.

The scratched plate 24 and the backing plate 25 each have a window whose size and shape are substantially adapted to those of the cover 23, and are here fixed together on the palastre 22, by means of second screws 26 passing through orifices (not shown) provided in these plates 24 and 25.

The backplate 25 has an external contour substantially equal to the external contour of the palastre 22, while the scratched plate 24 has an external contour slightly smaller than that of the backplate 25, so that the scratched plate 24 is at the less partially inserted into a recess 49 of the palastre 22.

It will also be noted that the scratched plate 24 is configured to be placed on an external face of the body 3 of the bag 2 while the backing plate 25 is configured to be placed on an internal face of this body 3; and that the second screws 26 are configured to provide a predetermined clearance between the backing plate 25 and the scratched plate 24 (visible figure 2 ), which play is blocked by the material thickness of the body 3 of the bag 2 when the housing 10 is fixed to this body 3.

The actuation button 7 is generally formed of a gripping portion 28 and an actuating rod 29 which protrudes from the gripping portion 28 and which passes through the palastre 22.

The mechanism 11 comprises a launching bolt 31 movably mounted in the housing 10 and configured to allow the closing of the bag 2 in the locked configuration of the mechanism 11 and the opening of the bag 2 in the unlocked configuration of the mechanism 11; as well as a bolt spring 32 making it possible to return the launching bolt 31 to a predetermined position when the latter is not subjected to an external stress, in particular by means of the actuating button 29.

More precisely, the launching bolt 31 is provided with a locking finger 48 configured to engage in the eye 15 of the head 13 of the hasp 5 in the locked configuration of the mechanism 11 and to disengage from this eye 15 in the unlocked configuration of the mechanism 11.

The mechanism 11 further comprises a locking member 33, also called a star wheel, movably mounted in the housing 10 and configured to immobilize in the predetermined position the throwing bolt 31 in the locked configuration of the mechanism 11, and to allow movement of the bolt. throwing 31 into the unlocked configuration of mechanism 11; as well as a stop support 34 fixedly mounted in the housing 10 and on which the star wheel 32 is rotatably mounted, a first stop 35 and a stop spring 36 mounted at least partially on the stop support 34 and configured to act on the star wheel 33.

The mechanism 11 further comprises a control system 30 mounted in the housing 10 and configured to cooperate with the key 8.

The system 30 is provided with a movable part 37, also called a slide, and a fixed part 38, also called a piston support, configured to immobilize the slide 37 when the key 8 is remote from the system 30.

The slide 37 is for its part configured to be driven by the key 8 during at least part of its translation in the housing 10 and to move the star wheel 33 to a first position in which the latter leaves the launching bolt 31 free. , the mechanism 11 then being in its unlocked configuration; and / or to a second position in which the star wheel 33 immobilizes the throwing bolt 31, the mechanism 11 then being in its locked configuration.

The system 30 also includes slide springs 39 configured to return the slide 37 to an initial position in the absence of external stress, in particular by means of the key 8.

The system 30 also comprises safety pivots 40 mounted movably in the slide 37 and configured to cooperate with the predetermined security imprints 20 of the key 8, second stops 41 mounted movably at least partially in the piston support 38 and piston springs 42 mounted in the piston support 38; the system 30 being configured so that the second stops 41 are interposed between the piston springs 42 and the pivots 40.

The mechanism 11 further comprises a hasp spring 43 fixed in the housing 10 by means of a third screw 44 passing through an eyecup (not shown) formed in the hasp spring 43. This hasp spring 43 is configured to bear against the head 13 of the hasp 5 when the latter is immobilized in the housing 10 and to eject it from the housing 10 when it is released by the mechanism 11.

The figures 6 and 7 show the assembled lock housing 10, respectively in front view and rear view.

In front view, without the key 8 or the hasp 5, the locking finger 48 is visible through a second insertion slot 46 made in the palastro 22; while the free end of the pivots 40 is visible through a first insertion slot 47 also provided in the palastro 22.

Seen from behind, the backplate 25 is fixed to the palastre 22 by means of the second screws 26 and the cover 23 is disposed flush with the window formed in the backplate 25 and is fixed to the housing 22 by means of the first screws 27. The body 3 of the bag 2 here needs to be perforated for the cover 23 to pass through the material of this body 3.

The palastre 22 and the cover 23 will now be described in more detail with reference to figures 8 to 10 .

The palastre 22 also has its first and second insertion slots, respectively 47 and 46, a third insertion slot 50 of oblong shape and configured to slidably receive the rod 29 of the actuating button 7; as well as a circular hole 51 configured to integrally receive a rod (not shown) of the dummy button 9.

The palastre 22 is further provided with an internal and closed side wall 52 which projects from an internal face 53 and which defines the cavity 45, the peripheral contour of which is substantially similar to the external contour of the cover 23.

The palastre 22 comprises a plurality of positioning studs 54 configured to position the stop support 34, the slide 37 and the piston support 38, a guide block 55 configured to position and guide in translation the launching bolt 31, as well as a block U-shaped stopper 56 configured to position the throwing bolt 31 and form a stopper for the bolt spring 32.

The cavity 45 has a first bottom wall 57 from which protrude two positioning studs 54 for the stop support 34, the guide block 55 and the U-shaped block 56; as well as a second bottom wall 58 formed in a recess with respect to the first bottom wall 57 and from which project four other positioning studs 54 for the slideway and two other positioning studs 54 for the piston support 38.

The palastre also has a groove 88 formed in the second bottom wall 58.

The internal and closed side wall 52 is provided with three excess thickness portions in which are formed screw holes 59 configured to receive the first screws 27 for fixing the cover 23.

The palastre 22 is further provided with four screw channels 60 which protrude from the internal face 53 and which are configured to receive the second screws 26 for fixing the scratched plate 24 and the counter-plate 25.

The cover 23 has a body having a first recess 63 in the shape of a cross configured to receive the hasp spring 43, an outer side wall 61 in which is formed an orifice 62 for passage of the third screw 44, which opens into the first recess 63 and which is extended by a fixing orifice 64 made in the body, for fixing the hasp spring 43; as well as a second recess 65 having a first bottom 66 configured to house at least partially the stop support 34 and the star wheel 35, and a second bottom 67 formed in a recess with respect to the first bottom 35 and configured to house at least partially the slide 37.

The cover 23 further comprises two blind holes 68 (only one of which is completely visible) formed in the second bottom 67 and configured to each receive a respective slide spring 39; as well as three orifices 69 for passage of the first screws 27, configured to be opposite the screwing wells 59, for fixing the cover 23 on the palastre 22.

The elements of mechanism 11 will now be described in more detail, with reference to figures 11 to 21 .

The throwing bolt 31 ( figures 11 and 12 ) has the general shape of L, having a first branch 70, called vertical, in which is formed an orifice 71 configured to receive the end of the rod 29 of the actuating button 7; and a second branch 72, said horizontal, in which is formed a window 73 configured to receive on the one hand the U-shaped block 56 of the palastre 22 and on the other hand the bolt spring 32, which is interposed between a wall of the block in U 56 and an internal wall 75 bordering the window 73.

The locking finger 48 of the throwing bolt 31 projects into the window 73 and the throwing bolt 31 also has a notch 74 extending the window 73 and configured to receive the guide block 55 of the palastre 22; two concavities 76 formed at the ends of the second branch 72 and provided for the passage of two screw holes 59 of the palastre 22, as well as a bearing face 77 formed on the first branch 70.

Slide 37 ( figures 13 and 14 ) is formed by a body having a generally annular shape, with a central slot 78 for receiving the key 8.

The body of the slide 37 has a side wall 79, a front wall 80 connected to the side wall 79 and a bottom wall 81 connected to the side wall 79 and opposite to the front wall 80.

The central slot 78 opens only into the front wall 80.

The slideway 37 has four through orifices 82 opening both in the front face 80 and in the bottom face 81 and configured to be traversed by four respective positioning studs 54 of the palastre 22.

The slide 37 further comprises a drive notch 83 projecting from the front face 80 and from the side wall 79 and configured to move the star wheel 33; as well as a groove 84 projecting from the front wall 80 and configured to be housed in the groove 88 of the palastre 22.

The slide 37 comprises three conduits 85 formed in the body and opening at a first end on an internal face 87 in the central slot 78 and at a second end opposite the first end in the side wall 79.

The slide 37 has two blind holes 86 formed in the bottom face 81 and configured to receive the slide springs 39.

Piston support 38 ( figure 15 ) is formed of a body in which are formed three receiving holes 89 configured to open out opposite the second ends of the conduits 85 of the slide 37; as well as two through orifices 90 configured to be crossed by two respective positioning studs 54 of the palastre 22.

Every second stop 41 ( figure 16 ) has a generally cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter allowing it to be moved both in a respective duct 85 of the slide 37 and in a respective receiving hole 89 of the piston support 38; a first end 91 configured to cooperate with a respective piston spring 42, which is mounted in the respective receiving hole 89, and a second end 92 configured to cooperate with a respective pivot 40.

Each pivot 40 ( figure 17 ) has a base 93 having a predetermined diameter similar to that of the second stops 41 so as to be able to be moved in a respective duct 85 of the slide 37, as well as a head 94 connected to the base 93 by a shoulder 95 and of which the the free end 96 is tapered.

Each assembly formed of a pivot 40 and a second stop 41 defines a piston (not shown).

The piston springs 42 here have different and predetermined lengths, making it possible to provide each piston with a predetermined, similar or distinct stroke.

The impressions 20 of the key 8 and in particular their respective depth, are formed on the insertion portion 17 according to the predetermined strokes of the pistons; so as to form a combination making it possible to lock and unlock the mechanism 11.

The stopper support 34 ( figure 18 ) is formed by a body having a first branch 100 and a second branch 101 extending substantially at right angles to the first branch 100.

The stop support 34 is provided with a through hole 102 formed in the first branch 100 and opening onto a curved internal face 103 of this first branch 100; two through holes 104, one formed in the first branch 100 and the other in the second branch 101, which extend transversely to the through hole 102; and a journal 105 projecting from the second branch 101 and extending parallel to the curved internal face 103 and facing the through hole 102.

The stop support 34 is furthermore provided with a concavity 106 formed at the end of the second branch 101 and provided for the passage of a screw hole 59 of the palastro 22.

The first stop 35 ( figure 19 ) has a generally cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter allowing it to be displaced in the through hole 102 of the stop support 34; a first end 98 configured to cooperate with the stop spring 36, which is partially mounted in the through hole 102, and a second end 99 configured to cooperate with the star wheel 33 under the effect of the stop spring 36.

The star wheel 33 ( figures 20 and 21 ) comprises a base 107 having a generally parallelepipedal shape with four sides 108 and is provided with a central orifice 110 opening onto a lower wall 109 of the base 107.

The star wheel 33 is rotatably mounted on the stop support 34 thanks to the journal 105 of the latter which is introduced into the central orifice 110 of the star wheel 33, the through hole 102 of the stop support 34 thus opening opposite one of the sides 108 of the star wheel 33.

The base 107 of the star wheel 33 further comprises a non-return tooth 111 provided projecting on each side 108 and configured to cooperate with the drive notch 83 of the slide 37 so as to allow the rotation of the star wheel 33 only one way.

More precisely, each non-return tooth 111 has a ramp face 113 projecting from the respective side 108 and a straight face 112 joining the ramp face 113 and formed in the extension of the side immediately preceding the respective side from which the non-return tooth 111 protrudes.

The base 107 of the star wheel 33 is further provided with a flange 114 opposite the lower wall 109 and from which protrudes a locking finger 115, formed here in two parts separated from each other by the central orifice. 110, and configured to come opposite the bearing face 75 of the throwing bolt 31.

We will now describe with reference to figures 22 to 28 the method of locking and unlocking the mechanism 11, respectively for locking the hasp 5 in the housing 10 so as to close the bag 2 and for releasing the hasp 5 from the housing 10 so as to open the bag 2.

The locking process involves the steps below.

The star wheel 33 is here in its first position in which its locking finger 115 is at a distance from the bearing face 77 of the throwing bolt 31 and extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane defined on the surface of the palastre 22 ( referred to below as plan of the palace); so as to leave free the throwing bolt 31.

The second stop 35 is biased by the stop spring 36 and thus bears against a side 108 of the star wheel 33.

The hasp 5 (not visible on the figures 22 to 28 ) is introduced into the second insertion slot 46 made in the palastro 22, by a translational movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the palastro 22, until it comes into contact with the locking finger 48 of the throwing bolt 31.

The hasp 5 is pressed against this finger 48 so as to move the throwing bolt 31 in translation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the palastre, against the bolt spring 32 to partially allow the head 13 of the hasp 5 to pass.

The locking finger 48 is repositioned and engages in the eye 15 of the head 13 of the hasp 4 when the bolt spring 32 returns to its initial position and pushes the launching bolt 31 back.

The key 8 is inserted by a first translational movement along a plane perpendicular to the plane of the palastre 22, into the first insertion slot 47 made in the palastre 22, then into the central slot 78 of the slide 37; until the indentations 20 of the key 8 come into contact with the conical ends 96 of the pivots 40 which protrude into the central slot 78.

When the key 8 is out of or just inserted into the central slot 78, the pivots 40 are subjected to the action of the piston springs 42 via the second stops 41 which are interposed between the piston springs 42 and the pivots 40 , and partially protrude into the central slot 78, the second stops 41 then being placed astride the conduits 85 and in the receiving holes 89, thus preventing the slide 37 from moving.

The first translational movement of the key 8 is continued so as to move the pistons formed by the pivots 40 and the second stops 41, against the piston springs 42, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the palastre 22.

The pivots 40 push the second stops 41 until the latter are completely in the receiving holes 89 and out of the conduits 85, while the pivots remain completely in the conduits 85, thus allowing the slide 37 to move in the housing 10 under the action of a second translational movement of the key 8 (immediately succeeding and prolonging the first translational movement), always in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the palastro 22.

The slide 37 thus released is moved in the cavity 45 of the housing 10, along a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the palastro 22, against the slide springs 20 by the second translational movement of the key 8.

The notch 83 of the slide 37 comes into contact with the right face 112 of a non-return tooth 111 projecting from one side 108 of the star wheel 34 so as to drive the latter in rotation, here up to a quarter of turn, around the journal 105 of the stop support 34.

The figures 24 and 25 illustrate the translation of the slide 37 and the rotation of the star wheel 34, here in a so-called intermediate configuration, where the star wheel 33 is turned by an eighth of a turn and where the pistons are split since the pivots 40 which are in the slide 37 are no longer opposite the second stops 41. In other words, the conduits 85 of the slide 37 are no longer facing the receiving holes 89 of the piston support 38.

The slide 37 is moved until it comes into contact with the second bottom wall 58 of the palastre 22, where the groove 84 of the slide 37 is housed in the groove 88 of the palastre 22.

During the rotation of the star wheel 33, the side 108 of the latter which is opposite the second end 99 of the second stop 35 pushes the latter against the stop spring 36; then this stop spring 36 relaxes and returns the first stop 35 against another side 108 of the star wheel 33 once its quarter-turn rotation has been performed.

The rotation of the star wheel 33 causes the displacement of its locking finger 115 from its first position where it leaves the throwing bolt 31 free to its second position where one of the parts of the locking finger 115 comes opposite and in close proximity, or even in contact with the bearing face 77 of the throwing bolt 31; so as to immobilize the latter in its predetermined position where its locking finger 48 is snapped into the eye 15 of the head 13 of the hasp 5. The bag 2 is thus closed.

The key 8 is withdrawn from the slots 78 and 47 respectively of the slide 37 and of the palastre 22, by a translational movement (in a direction opposite to that of the translational movement for the insertion of the key 8).

The slide 37 is thus returned to its initial position by the action of the slide springs 39 and, during the movement of the slide 37, the notch 83 comes into contact with the ramp face 113 of the non-return tooth 111 which protrudes from the side 108 facing the side wall 79 of the slide 37 and moves the star wheel 33.

During the rotation of the star wheel 33, the side 108 of the latter which is opposite the second end 99 of the second stop 35 pushes the latter against the stop spring 36; then this stop spring 36 relaxes and returns the first stop 35 against this same side 108 of the star wheel 33 once the notch 83 of the slide 37 is no longer in contact with the ramp face 113 of the anti- return 111.

The profile of the ramp face 113 of the non-return tooth 111 allows the slide 37 not to return the star wheel 33 to its first position, and therefore allows the latter to remain in its second position where it locks the bolt. throwing 31.

In addition, the pistons formed by the pivots 40 and the second stops 41 also return to the initial position.

The unlocking process comprises the steps below.

The star wheel 33 is here in its second position in which its locking finger 115 is opposite the bearing face 77 of the latch bolt 31.

As for the locking, the key 8 is inserted by a first translational movement along a plane perpendicular to the plane of the palastre 22, in the first insertion slot 47 made in the palastre 22, then in the central slot 78 of the slide 37 ; until the indentations 20 of the key 8 come into contact with the conical ends 96 of the pivots 40 which protrude into the central slot 78.

The first translational movement of the key 8 is continued so as to move the pistons formed by the pivots 40 and the second stops 41, against the piston springs 42, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the palastre 22.

The pivots 40 push the second stops 41 until the latter are completely in the receiving holes 89 and out of the conduits 85, while the pivots 40 remain completely in the conduits 85, thus allowing the slide 37 to move in. the housing 10 under the action of a second translational movement of the key 8 (immediately succeeding and prolonging the first translational movement), still in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the palastre 22.

The slide 37 thus released is moved in the cavity 45 of the housing 10, along a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the palastro 22, against the slide springs 20 by the second translational movement of the key 8.

The notch 83 of the slide 37 comes into contact with the right face 112 of a non-return tooth 111 projecting from one side 108 of the star wheel 34 so as to drive the latter in rotation, here up to a quarter of turn, around the journal 105 of the stop support 34.

The slide 37 is moved until it comes into contact with the second bottom wall 58 of the palastre 22, where the groove 84 of the slide 37 is housed in the groove 88 of the palastre 22.

During the rotation of the star wheel 33, the side 108 of the latter which is opposite the second end 99 of the second stop 35 pushes the latter against the stop spring 36; then this stop spring 36 relaxes and returns the first stop 35 against another side 108 of the star wheel 33 once its quarter-turn rotation has been performed.

The rotation of the star wheel 33 causes the displacement of its locking finger 115 from its second position where it blocks the throwing bolt 31 in its first position where the locking finger 115 is at a distance from the bearing face 77 of the throwing bolt. 31 and therefore leaves him free.

The key 8 is withdrawn from the slots 78 and 47 respectively of the slide 37 and of the palastre 22, by a translational movement (in a direction opposite to that of the translational movement for the insertion of the key 8).

The slide 37 is thus returned to its initial position by the action of the slide springs 39 and, during the movement of the slide 37, the notch 83 comes into contact with the ramp face 113 of the non-return tooth 111 which protrudes from the side 108 facing the side wall 79 of the slide 37 and moves the star wheel 33.

During the rotation of the star wheel 33, the side 108 of the latter which is opposite the second end 99 of the second stop 35 pushes the latter against the stop spring 36; then this stop spring 36 relaxes and returns the first stop 35 against this same side 108 of the star wheel 33 once the notch 83 of the slide 37 is no longer in contact with the ramp face 113 of the anti- return 111.

The profile of the ramp face 113 of the non-return tooth 111 allows the slide 37 not to return the star wheel 33 to its second position, and therefore allows the latter to remain in its first position where it leaves the throwing bolt 31 free.

In addition, the pistons formed by the pivots 40 and the second stops 41 also return to the initial position.

The actuator button 7 is actuated in a translational movement substantially parallel to the plane of the palastre 22, so as to move in translation the throwing bolt 31 against the bolt spring 32 which is compressed, by the action of the button 7 fixed by its rod 29 in the orifice 71 made on the first branch 70 of the latch bolt 31.

The movement of the latch bolt 31 causes the withdrawal of its locking finger 48 from the eye 15 of the head 13 of the hasp 5, the latter being thus released from the housing 10 and ejected by the hasp spring 43. The button 7 is released and the throwing bolt 31 returns to its initial position under the action of the bolt spring 32 which returns it. The bag 2 is thus opened.

The figures 29 to 31 illustrate a key 108 introduced into a control system 130 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The control system 130 is provided with a slide 137 movably mounted in a lock casing (not shown) and formed by a block 135 having a generally parallelepipedal shape (also called a movable part).

The block 135 comprises a front flange 140, a rear flange 145 as well as a plurality of security elements 150 sandwiched between the front and rear flanges 140 and 145.

The front and rear flanges 140 and 145 and the security elements are fixed together by fixing screws 136 so as to form the block 135.

The front flange 140 comprises a drive notch 183 projecting from a peripheral edge of the front flange 140 and configured to drive a locking member of the launching bolt (not shown).

The front flange 140 has an insertion slot 142 configured to receive the key 108 as well as a notch 143 formed in the peripheral edge of the front flange 140, opposite the drive notch 183.

The front flange 140 further comprises two passage openings 141 for the passage of the fixing screws 136 as well as two blind holes 144 configured to receive slide springs (not shown).

The rear flange 145 has an outer face 146 in which are formed two passage openings 147 for the passage of the fixing screws 136 as well as two through holes 186 for the passage of the slide springs.

The rear flange 145 has a notch 148 formed in a peripheral edge of the rear flange 145.

Each security element 150 is provided with a frame 151 having a peripheral slot 152 (part of which is hidden and therefore shown in dotted lines), two passage holes 153 for the passage of the fixing screws 136 and two through holes 154 for the passage of the slide springs.

Each security element 150 is further provided with a recess 155 formed in the frame 151 and having the shape of a circle; an insertion slot 156 configured to receive the key 108 and a tooth 170 protruding into the recess 155.

Each security element 150 comprises a movable member 157 housed in the recess 155 and mounted movably relative to the frame 151.

The movable member 157 has a central window 158 for security and for receiving the key 108, central window 158 whose edges 159 are slightly bevelled, as well as a security groove 171 configured to be superimposed on the peripheral slot 152 of the device. frame 151.

The safety groove 171 is formed in two parts, namely a first notch 172 formed in the movable member 157 and defining a recess 173, as well as a second notch 174 formed in the recess 173.

The movable member 157 also has a cutout 175 here arranged opposite the safety groove 171 and defining a first wall 176 configured to bear against the tooth 170 of the frame 151, as well as a second wall 177 opposite. at the first wall 176.

Each safety element 150 further comprises a safety spring 178 disposed in a space of the recess 155 left by the cutout 175 formed in the movable member 157, which safety spring 178 being interposed between and in abutment against the tooth 170 and the second wall 177.

The notches 142 and 148 as well as the peripheral slot 152 and the safety groove 171 respectively provided in the front and rear flanges 140 and 145 and in the safety elements 150, form a longitudinal groove 180 in the block 135.

The control system 130 is further provided with a support 160 fixedly mounted in the lock housing (also called a fixed part) and formed by a substantially parallelepipedal body 161, provided with a positioning step 162 in the housing.

The support has a plurality of locking teeth 163 which protrude from the body 161, in a direction opposite to the direction in which the step 162 extends, and which are configured to be inserted into the longitudinal groove 180 of the block 135.

When the key 108 is out of the slide 137, the movable members 157 of the security elements 150 are each in a rest position ( figure 31 ) where the peripheral slots 152 are at least partially closed by portions adjacent to the safety grooves 171 and more precisely here by a portion of the recess 173, so as to form obstacles in the groove 180 of the block 135 of the slide 137.

This rest position is ensured by the safety spring 178 of each safety element 150, which rotates the respective movable member 157 so that the first wall 176 is in contact with or in close proximity to the tooth 170.

The obstacles are substantially entangled with the teeth of the support 160 so that these teeth 160 prevent the translational movement of the slide 137.

When the key 8 is received and translated in the slide 137, the key 8 is inserted into the insertion slots 142 and 156 respectively of the front flange 140 and of the security elements 150 and in the central security windows 158 of the moving parts. 157 of these security elements 150, which align at least partially with the insertion slots 156; and rotate simultaneously the safety grooves 171 until the latter have their respective second notch 174 facing and superimposed on the peripheral slots 152.

This thus makes it possible to free the groove 180 from obstacles and to allow the slide 137 to move in the lock housing, under the action of the translational movement of the key 8.

In the device for opening and closing an article in accordance with the invention, the locking member more generally comprises a base with at least three sides and the mechanism comprises a system for maintaining the locking member which is mounted on the stopper support and which is further configured to act on at least one of the sides of the locking member to hold it in any of its first position and its second position when not being driven by said movable part.

The base of the locking member may also more generally have a generally parallelepipedal shape with at least four sides and be provided with a central orifice opening out on a lower wall of the base; while the stop support may be provided with a journal introduced into the central orifice and with at least one through hole facing at least one of the sides of the locking member. In addition, the mechanism may include at least a first stop and at least one stop spring mounted at least partially in a through hole and the first stop is configured to act on one of the sides of the locking member under the effect of the spring. stop.

• la clé n'est pas plate mais présente plutôt d'autres formes, elle est par exemple ronde ;
• la clé n'est pourvue d'empreintes que sur une de ces faces plutôt que sur les deux faces ;
• le boîtier de serrure n'est pas de forme globalement prismatique mais plutôt de forme parallélépipédique ;
• les premières et/ou deuxièmes et/ou la troisième vis peuvent être remplacées par d'autres organes de fixation, par exemple des rivets ;
• le boîtier de serrure est dépourvu de bouton factice ;
• les pivots ne présentent pas une extrémité conique mais plutôt pyramidale ou biseautée ;
• la serrure présente un système de commande ayant ici trois pistons formés de pivots et de deuxièmes butées ainsi qu'une clé ayant trois empreintes sur chacune de ces faces mais plus généralement, la serrure peut comporter au moins un et de préférence une pluralité de pistons formés d'un pivot et d'une première butée et au moins une et de préférence une pluralité d'empreintes sur la clé ; étant entendu que chaque couple prédéterminé profondeur d'empreinte et course de piston forme une combinaison de la serrure ; et/ou
• le mécanisme est dépourvu d'une roue étoilée montée rotative mais est plutôt pourvu d'un organe de blocage configuré plus généralement pour établir une liaison entre la glissière et le pêne lançant, par mouvement(s) de translation et/ou de rotation de cet organe de blocage.

In other variants not shown:

• the key is not flat but rather has other shapes, for example it is round;
• the key is only provided with imprints on one of these sides rather than on both sides;
• the lock housing is not of generally prismatic shape but rather of parallelepipedal shape;
• the first and / or second and / or the third screw can be replaced by other fasteners, for example rivets;
• the lock housing has no dummy button;
• the pivots do not have a conical end but rather pyramidal or bevelled;
• the lock has a control system having here three pistons formed of pivots and second stops as well as a key having three imprints on each of these faces but more generally, the lock may comprise at least one and preferably a plurality of formed pistons a pivot and a first stopper and at least one and preferably a plurality of imprints on the key; it being understood that each predetermined pair of indentation depth and piston stroke forms a combination of the lock; and or
• the mechanism does not have a star wheel mounted to rotate but is rather provided with a locking member configured more generally to establish a connection between the slide and the launching bolt, by translational and / or rotational movement (s) of this blocking member.

Claims (14)

1. Device for opening and closing an article (2), in particular a leather article, comprising a lock housing (10) and a key (8; 108) that is configured to engage with said lock housing (10), which housing is provided with a mechanism (11) having a locked configuration in which said article can be closed and an unlocked configuration in which said article can be opened, said device (1) being configured to move said mechanism (11) from its locked configuration to its unlocked configuration, and inversely, only by translational movements of said key (8; 108) in said lock housing (10); said mechanism (11) comprising:

   - a latch bolt (31) that is movably mounted in said lock housing and is configured to allow said article to close in said locked configuration of said mechanism and to allow said article to open in said unlocked configuration of said mechanism;

   - a locking member (33) that is movably mounted in said lock housing and is configured to secure in a predetermined position said latch bolt (31) in said locked configuration of said mechanism and to allow displacement of said latch bolt (31) in said unlocked configuration of said mechanism; and

   - a control system (30; 130) that is mounted in said lock housing and is configured to engage with said key (8; 108), said system (30; 130) being provided with a movable part (37; 137) and with a stationary part (38; 160) that is configured to secure said movable part when said key is remote from said system, said movable part (37; 137) being configured to be moved by said key during at least part of its translation in said lock housing (10) and to move said locking member (33) towards a first position in which said member leaves said latch bolt (31) free, said mechanism (11) then being in its unlocked configuration, and/or towards a second position in which said member secures said latch bolt (31), said mechanism (11) then being in its locked configuration;

   said locking member (33) is configured to be rotatably moved on itself and said movable part (37; 137) of said control system is configured to be translated in said lock housing (10) and comprises a lug (83; 183) for rotating said locking member (33);
   said mechanism (11) further comprises a stop support (34) fixedly mounted in said lock housing (10) and said locking member (33) is rotationally mounted on said stop support (34);
   characterized in that said locking member (33) comprises a base (107) having at least three sides (108), said mechanism (11) comprises a system for retaining said locking member (33), which system is mounted on said stop support (34) and which is further configured to act on at least one of said sides (108) of said locking member in order to retain said locking member in either of its first position and its second position when not being moved by said movable part (37).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said latch bolt (31) has a bearing surface (77) and said locking member (33) has a base (107) and at least one locking finger (115) that projects from said base (107) and is configured to face said bearing surface (77) of said latch bolt.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said base (107) of said locking member (33) has a generally parallelepipedic shape having at least four sides (108) and is provided with a central aperture (110) emerging onto a lower wall (109) of said base (107), said stop support (34) is provided with a journal (105) introduced into said central aperture (110) and with at least one through-hole (102) facing at least one of said sides (108) of said locking member (33), said mechanism (11) comprises at least one first stop (35) and at least one stop spring (36) that are mounted at least in part in said at least one through-hole (102) and said at least one first stop (35) is configured to act on one of said sides (108) of said locking member under the effect of said at least one stop spring (36).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said base (107) of said locking member (33) has a non-return tooth (111) that is formed so as to project on each of said sides (108) and is configured to engage with said lug (83; 183) of said movable part (37; 137) so as to allow rotation of said locking member (33) only in one direction.
5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said lock housing (10) comprises a box case (22) and a cover (23) attached to said box case (22), said box case and said cover being configured so as to provide a cavity (45) defining a predetermined space in which said mechanism (11) is housed.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said box case (22) is provided with a first slot (47) for inserting said key (8; 108), with a second slot (46) for inserting a hasp (5) of said article (2), and with a third slot (50) for inserting an actuating button (7) that is configured to move said latch bolt (31) into said unlocked configuration of said mechanism (11) in order to release said hasp (5).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said latch bolt (31) comprises a locking finger (48) that is configured to secure said hasp (5) in said locked configuration of said mechanism (11).
8. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said mechanism (11) comprises a bolt spring (32), said latch bolt (31) is generally L-shaped, having a first arm (70) in which an aperture (71) is provided that is configured to receive an end rod (29) of said actuating button (7), and a second arm (72) in which a window (73) is provided that is configured to receive said bolt spring (32), which spring is positioned between an internal wall (75) of said latch bolt (31) and a stop block (56) projecting into said cavity (45) of said lock housing (10).
9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said movable part (37) of said control system (30) is provided with a slot (78) for receiving said key (8) and with channels (85) opening at a first end into said receiving slot (78), said key (8) has a free end (21) on which predetermined security imprints (20) are provided and said control system (30) comprises security pins (40) mounted movably in said channels (85).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said stationary part (38) of said control system (30) is provided with receiving holes (89) opening so as to face second ends of said channels (85) of said movable part (37), which second ends are opposite the first ends of said channels, and said control system (30) further comprises second stops (41) that are movably mounted at least in part in said receiving holes (89) and plunger springs (42) that are mounted in said receiving holes (89).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that, when said key (8) is out of said receiving slot (78) in said movable part (37), said pins (40) are subjected to the action of said plunger springs (42) by means of said second stops (41) which are positioned between said plunger springs (42) and said pins (40), and project in part into said receiving slot (78), said second stops (41) then being arranged so as to bridge the channels (85) and the receiving holes (89), thus preventing movement of said movable part (37); and when said key (8) is received and translated in said receiving slot (78), said key (8) comes into contact with said pins (40) and then presses said pins against said plunger springs (42), which pins (40) press said second stops (41) until said stops are completely in said receiving holes (89) and out of said channels (85), thus permitting movement of said movable part (37) in said lock housing (10) under the action of the translational movement of said key (8).
12. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said movable part (137) comprises a plurality of security elements (150) that are joined to one another so as to form a block (135) having a generally parallelepipedic shape and a longitudinal groove (180), each of said security elements (150) being provided with a frame (151) having a peripheral slot (152) and a movable member (157) that is mounted in said frame (151) and has a central security window (158) for receiving said key (108) and a security recess (171); and said stationary part (160) has a body (161) and a plurality of teeth (163) that are configured to be inserted into said groove (180).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that, when said key (108) is out of said movable part (137), said movable members (157) of said security elements (150) are each in a rest position where said peripheral slots (152) are at least partially closed by portions (173) adjacent to said security recesses (171), thus forming obstacles in said groove (180) in said movable part (137) which block said teeth (163) of said stationary part (160), and which then prevent movement of said movable part (137); and when said key (108) is received and translated in said movable part (137), said key (108) fits into said central security windows (158) and simultaneously swivels said security recesses (171) until said recesses are facing said peripheral slots (152), thus clearing said groove (180) and so allowing movement of said movable part (137) in said lock housing under the action of the translational movement of said key (108).
14. Leather article comprising a body (3), a flap (4) attached by a first end to said body (3), a hasp (5) attached to a second end (6) of said flap (4), which second end is opposite said first end, as well as an opening and closing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 that is attached to said body (3) and is configured to receive and secure said hasp (5) in a locked configuration of a mechanism (11) of said opening and closing device (1), and to release said hasp (5) in an unlocked configuration of said mechanism (11).

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