EP3392430B1 - Inspection hatch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of inspection hatches and more particularly inspection hatches designed to be concealed in sections of structures covered with ceramic tiles.

Inspection hatches, also commonly referred to as inspection hatches, are generally used for quick and easy access to items hidden from view but which need to be checked and / or repaired, such as technical ducts, for example. of construction.

In principle, inspection hatches consist of a frame or frame and a leaf or door. The frame in fact delimits an opening which has been previously made in the structure in which the inspection hatch is mounted. The leaf which is generally fixed in a hinged or removable manner on the frame has the function of closing the opening while concealing it. In order to better hide the inspection hatches in plain sight or for aesthetic reasons, the external face of the side of the structure in which the inspection hatch is installed, as well as that of the door and the frame, can also be dressed with ceramic tiles.

In the particular case of inspection hatches with an articulated leaf, the methods of maintaining the leaf in the frame must meet a certain number of requirements. In addition to the fact that they must allow a wide opening of the leaf to allow easy access to the concealed elements to be checked, they must also ensure a solid fixing of the leaf on the frame while leaving it a certain play to allow a satisfactory dimensional adaptation. In this one. Unfortunately, very repeated stress on the inspection hatches generally leads to a deviation in the positioning of the leaf in relation to the frame which results, among other things, in a limitation of the closing of the inspection hatch and therefore in a decrease in its longevity. This is all the more accentuated for the leaves covered with ceramic tiles because the weight of the earthenware has the consequence of accentuating the sagging of the leaf in relation to the frame.

The patent document DE112006001903T5 discloses an inspection hatch in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, with a hinged leaf on a frame using a suspended structure which comprises two rigid elements in the form of an articulated capital i. Two ends of each rigid element are in particular fixed and articulated, respectively along the leaf and along the inside of the frame. The association and the articulation of the two rigid elements together is for its part carried out at the level of the two other respective ends of the rigid elements. However, if this suspended structure makes it possible to form three axes of rotation allowing both a greater opening of the leaf and therefore greater access to the cavity delimited by the frame, as well as a heavier leaf installation, however the modes of fixing and articulation of the ends of this structure, whether on the leaf, the frame and between them, do not make it possible to prevent over time a misalignment of the leaf with respect to the frame.

The patent document WO 2005/040532 A2 discloses hinges with double adjustment, namely vertical adjustment and horizontal adjustment.

The patent document RU92449U1 discloses in particular an inspection hatch with a leaf clad in tiling. In this device, the leaf is connected to the frame by means of a hinge consisting of a straight upright connected on either side by two pairs of horizontal arms defining an internal pair and an external pair. The pair of inner arms is arranged between the frame and the right upright and the outer pair is positioned between the leaf and the right upright. The ends of the arms are attached to the frame in a detachable manner using extension sleeves, and on the leaf by welding. The straight upright connecting the two pairs of horizontal arms consists in its center of a hollow rod which comprises two threaded sleeves and at the ends of which are also inserted threaded rods which cooperate with screws and locking nuts so as to facilitate the pivoting of the arms, and therefore of the leaf. Although it is possible to readjust the positioning of the leaf in relation to the frame, the possible tilting of the right upright between the two pairs of horizontal arms does not guarantee the longevity of the inspection hatch, all the more so. than the imprecise positioning of the bushes can complicate the rotation of the upright and lead to its rupture.

The patent document RU128236U1 describes an inspection hatch where the leaf is connected to the frame using two horizontal arms or levers which are connected to two adjacent straight uprights. This hatch has the advantage of having mechanisms for horizontally and vertically adjusting the leaf with respect to the frame. The adjustment in the vertical direction is thus carried out by means of adjustment screws positioned at the ends of the two pairs of levers and the horizontal adjustment is carried out by means of a system of screws arranged on the pair of levers, fixed on the upper and lower part of the lever. frame, in front of the vertical position adjustment screws. However, due to the weight of the two straight uprights, this pivoting part has the drawback of weighing outside the frame, which tends to limit the close closing of the leaf by allowing spaces to appear. This turns out to be even more annoying when the leaf is covered with tiles because the increase in weight has the consequence of lowering the leaf further and preventing it from closing.

The patent document RU173062U1 discloses an inspection hatch which comprises a leaf movable around two co-axial axes to which two pairs of rotating loops are connected. The first pair of loops is attached to an edge of the inner face of the leaf and the second pair is attached to the frame. To adjust the folded position of the leaf, an adjustment mechanism is present on the upper cross member and the lower cross member of the frame. Each mechanism is bonded to the ends of the second pair of rotating buckles, and includes a screw-shaped slider and a nut-shaped drive system set in a bracket. The axes of the pair of rotating loops are anchored in the sliders, the latter themselves being inserted, with the supports of the drive systems, in guide grooves made in the upper and lower cross members of the frame. Although these adjustment mechanisms make it possible to adapt the positioning of the leaf relative to the frame in a vertical or / and horizontal orientation, these mechanisms nevertheless remain complex to implement. In addition, their positioning on the frame can prevent, in the event of seizing in particular, the closing or opening of the leaf.

The object of the invention is to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the above-mentioned state of the art. More particularly, the object of the invention is to improve the reliability and therefore the longevity of inspection doors which in particular have a leaf intended to be concealed behind a ceramic coating.

To this end, the object of the invention is an inspection hatch comprising a frame intended to be fixed to a structure; a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a hinge comprising a first pivot axis on the frame, a second pivot axis on the leaf and an intermediate pivot axis between the first and second axes, allowing an offset of the leaf relative to the frame when opening said leaf; remarkable in that the hatch further comprises means for horizontal adjustment, in the plane of the leaf, of the second pivot axis; and means for vertical adjustment of the first and second axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for horizontal adjustment of the second pivot axis comprise a screw system arranged perpendicular to said axis, at each of the two ends of said axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the means for horizontal adjustment of the second pivot axis comprises a support fixed to the leaf and forming a guide slide parallel to the plane of the leaf of said axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the supports comprises a securing zone of the corresponding screw system, said zone being preferably formed by a plate perpendicular to the screw system and crossed by a part of said system.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second pivot axis comprises, at each of two ends of said axis, a threaded rod, and each of the screw systems comprises a nut engaged on each of said threaded rods and an adjusting screw engaging in a transverse thread formed in the nut, said screw bearing on the securing zone.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second pivot axis further comprises a tube mounted to rotate around the threaded rods, tabs extending transversely from said tube towards the third pivot axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the supports is formed by a metal bracket with a first wing fixed against the wing and a second wing perpendicular to the plane of the wing comprises an oblong hole receiving the second pivot axis, thus forming the slide guide of said axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for each of the supports, the securing zone of the screw system is fixed directly to the square forming said support.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis comprises, at each of two ends of said axis, a threaded rod engaged in the frame, and a tube mounted to rotate around the threaded rods, tabs extending transversely from said tube to the third pivot axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for vertical adjustment of the first pivot axis comprise a nut engaging around each of the threaded rods of said axis and bearing on the adjacent end of the tube of said axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the legs extending transversely from the tube of the first pivot axis comprise two parallel upper branches and two parallel lower branches, said branches each terminating with a spacer, said spacers being aligned along the line. third pivot axis.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two upper branches are interconnected by at least one branch, preferably two vertical branches distant from each other.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the legs extending transversely from the tube of the second pivot axis comprise an upper leg and a lower leg, said legs each terminating with a spacer disposed between and pivotally linked with the two top or bottom leg spacers.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said hatch comprises a first axis passing through the spacers of the upper legs and a second axis passing through the spacers of the lower legs.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said hatch comprises on the frame and at the edge of the leaf means for locking the leaf in the closed position, said means being configured to ensure the locking during a first translational movement of the leaf towards the frame and to unlock during a second translational movement of the leaf towards the frame following the first movement.

The measures of the invention are advantageous in that they make it possible to improve the horizontal and / or vertical positioning of the leaf with respect to the frame and thus to limit its angle of sagging. This invention is also all the more advantageous since most of the adjustment mechanisms are present on the leaf, which has the direct consequence of making it possible to make more precise, and therefore more effective, adjustments of the leaf during the installation of the leaf. inspection hatch but also during use. In addition to this advantage, these adjustment mechanisms are simple to implement and offer the advantage of being able to quickly and easily adjust the alignment of the leaf in order to position it flush with the frame and the side of the structure in which is inserted. the inspection hatch, which is useful for laying ceramic tiles.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une trappe de visite selon l'invention;
• La figure 2 montre une vue de face des moyens de réglage horizontal et vertical du deuxième axe de pivotement de la trappe de visite de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 illustre une vue en perspective des moyens de réglage horizontal du deuxième axe de pivotement de la trappe de visite de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue de la partie supérieure du premier axe de pivotement de la trappe de visite de la figure 1, avec les moyens de réglage vertical ;
• La figure 5 est une vue centrée de la charnière de la figure 1, au niveau des trois axes de pivotement de la charnière et des pattes ;
• La figure 6 est une vue grossie des entretoises des pattes supérieures de la trappe de visite des figures 1 et 5.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the drawings, among which:

• The figure 1 is a schematic view of an inspection hatch according to the invention;
• The figure 2 shows a front view of the means for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the second pivot axis of the inspection hatch of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the horizontal adjustment means of the second pivot axis of the inspection hatch of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 4 is a view of the upper part of the first pivot axis of the inspection hatch of the figure 1 , with vertical adjustment means;
• The figure 5 is a centered view of the hinge of the figure 1 , at the level of the three pivot axes of the hinge and the tabs;
• The figure 6 is an enlarged view of the spacers of the upper legs of the inspection hatch figures 1 and 5 .

The figure 1 is a schematic view of an inspection hatch 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. This hatch 1 consists of a frame 3 and a leaf 5. The frame 3 is designed to be fixed to a structure, generally a section of wall, and the leaf 5 is pivotally mounted on the frame 3. using a hinge 7. The latter is in fact made up of three pivot axes 9, 11, 13 allowing an offset of the leaf 5 relative to the frame 3 when the latter is opened.

The first pivot axis 9 is positioned on the frame 3 between the upper 15 and lower 17 cross members, the second pivot axis 11 is in turn arranged on the leaf 5 on its internal face, and the third pivot axis 13 is an intermediate axis which is located between the first and second axes 9, 11.

In order to adjust, when installing the inspection hatch 1 or during its use, the positioning of the leaf 5 in relation to the frame 3, the inspection hatch 1 of the figure 1 also comprises horizontal adjustment means 19 and vertical adjustment means 21, 23. The first 19 are placed in the plane of the leaf 5 of the second pivot axis 11 and the second 21, 23 are located on the first and the second axis pivot 9, 11.

The figure 2 shows a front view of the horizontal adjustment means 19 of the second pivot axis 11 of the inspection hatch 1 of the figure 1 . These means 19 are formed by a screw system 25 consisting of a nut 27 and an adjusting screw 29, and which is placed perpendicular to the second pivot axis 11, at each of its two ends (see figure 1 ). These means 19 also have a support 31 with a securing zone 32 (not shown) of the screw system 25, which support 31 is attached to the leaf 5 (not shown) and in practice forms a guide slide for the second axis of pivoting 11, parallel to the plane of the leaf 5.

As shown on the figure 2 , the ends of the second pivot pin 11 are each provided with a threaded rod 33, and the nut 27 of each screw system 25 engages on each of these threaded rods 33. Each adjustment screw 29 engages , also in the corresponding nut 27 but at the level of a transverse thread 26. It is in this sense that these nuts 27 are designated by the term "cap nuts".

The second pivot pin 11 further comprises a tube 35 forming the body of the pin 11 and which connects the two screw systems 25. On the figure 2 , this tube 35 is mounted rotating around the threaded rods 33 and the horizontal tabs 36 (not shown, see figure 1 ) extend transversely from this tube 35 rotating towards the third pivot axis 13 (not shown).

To adjust the leaf 5 horizontally with respect to the frame 3, it suffices to turn the adjusting screw 29 of one or more screw systems 25, using in particular an Allen key (not shown). The adjusting screw 29 then moves horizontally through the transverse thread 26 of the acorn nut 27 causing the second pivot axis 11 to move laterally and in the plane of the leaf 5. An oblong hole 37 drilled at the level of the support 31 receives the second pivot axis 11 and serves as a guide slide for this axis 11 facilitating its lateral displacement.

Advantageously, a second so-called adjustment nut 28 bears on each adjacent end of the rising tube 35 at the level of an axial stop 30 and a third nut 34 is welded under the support 31. These nuts 28, 34 constitute the vertical adjustment means. 21 of the second pivot axis 11 and can be used to perform a vertical movement of the leaf 5 of the inspection hatch 1. This possibility of being able to adjust horizontally or / and vertically and concomitantly or separately the second pivot axis 19 allows '' adjust more precisely and quickly the sag of the installation angle and the movement of the leaf 5.

The figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the horizontal adjustment means 19 of the second pivot axis 11 of the inspection hatch 1 of the figure 1 . In this case, in this figure it is possible to clearly distinguish the support 31 from the adjustment means 19 located at the upper end of the second pivot pin 11, as well as the securing zone 32 of the corresponding screw system 25.

Advantageously, this support 31 is formed of a metal bracket. On the figure 3 , this bracket has a first wing 31.1 fixed against the internal face of the leaf (not shown), and a second wing 31.2 perpendicular to the plane of said same leaf 5. The oblong hole 37 which serves as a guide slide for the second pivot axis 11 is in particular carried out on this second wing 31.2.

Regarding in particular the securing zone 32 of the screw system 25 of the horizontal adjustment means 19 of the second pivot axis 11, this zone 32 is preferably formed by a plate which is fixed directly to the bracket 31, in this case on the figure 3 on the second wing 31.2, and positioned perpendicular to the adjustment screw 29 which passes through it and bears on it.

For reasons of clarity, it should be noted that the rising tube 35 around the threaded rod 33 has not been shown in the figure. figure 3 .

The figure 4 is a front view of the upper part of the first pivot axis 9 of the inspection hatch 1 of the figure 1 , with the corresponding vertical adjustment means 23. The first pivot pin 9 comprises in particular at each of its ends a threaded rod 40 which is engaged in the frame 3, more precisely in the upper cross member 15 and the lower cross member 17 (not shown). A tube 43 is also mounted to rotate around the threaded rods 40, and tabs 36 (not shown) extend transversely from this tube 43 towards the third pivot axis 13.

The vertical adjustment means 23 of the first pivot axis 9 are in fact constituted by a nut engaging 45 around each of the threaded rods 40. These nuts 45 also bear on the adjacent end of the upright tube 43 at the level of a stop axial 47 and are used to adjust the vertical positioning of the leaf 5 relative to the frame 3. Advantageously, a second nut 46 is welded to the frame 3, in this case on the upper cross member 15 and the lower cross member 17 (not shown).

The figure 5 is a centered view of hinge 7 of the figure 1 and more particularly of the three pivot axes 9, 11, 13 and the associated lugs. The first pivot axis 9 and the second pivot axis 11 each comprise tabs 36 which extend transversely from each tube 35, 43 towards the third pivot axis 13. In this case, the tabs 36 of the first pivot axis 9 are in fact formed by two parallel upper branches 36.1 and two parallel lower branches 36.2 which each end with a spacer 38 aligned along the third pivot axis 13. Advantageously, the two upper branches 36.1 are interconnected by at least a branch 36.3, preferably two vertical branches 36.3 and distant from each other. The two parallel upper branches 36.1 form a sort of upper leg 36.1 and the two lower branches 36.2 constitute a lower leg 36.2.

The legs 36 of the second pivot pin 11 are for their part constituted by an upper leg 36.4 and a lower leg 36.5 which also end, each, with a spacer 38 which is arranged between and pivotally linked with the two spacers 38 of the legs. 36.1 or lower 36.2 of the first pivot pin 9.

The figure 6 is an enlarged view of the spacers 38 of the upper legs 36.1, 36.4 of the figures 1 and 5 . In this case, three spacers 38 are here formed by link structures which fit together by means of conical fins 49. In addition to their role of connecting the upper legs 36.1, 36.4 and lower 36.2, 36.5 and maintaining the distance between the first pivot pin 9 and the second pivot pin 11, these spacers 38 also serve to increase strength and rigidity legs 36 proper. This all the more so as they are crossed by the third pivot axis 13 which is in fact formed of two axes, the first axis passing through the spacers 38 of the upper legs 36.1, 36.4 and the second axis passing through the spacers 38 of the lower legs 36.2, 36.5.

It should also be noted that the preferred embodiment of the inspection hatch 1 of the figure 1 also includes on the frame 3 and on the edge of the leaf 5 locking means 50 (see figure 5 ) which are means for closing the leaf 5 in the closed position. During a first translational movement of the leaf 5 towards the frame 3, these means 50 thus ensure the locking of the latter, and during a second translational movement of the leaf 5, subsequent to the first movement, they guarantee its unlocking. Due to the adjustment means 19, 21, 23 of the first pivot axis 9 and of the second pivot axis 11 of the present hinge 7 ( figure 1 and 5 ), the locking means 50 can remain aligned and thus allow reliable and trouble-free opening and closing of the leaf 5.

In general, this inspection hatch has the advantage of allowing a quick and easy readjustment of the angle of sagging of the leaf relative to the frame. The means for adjusting the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are simple to implement and associated, via the spacers, with the third pivot axis, they make it possible to modulate the positioning deviations of the leaf relative to the frame.

Claims (15)

1. Access hatch (1) comprising:

   - a frame (3) intended to be fixed to a structure;

   - a leaf (5) pivotally mounted on the frame (3) by means of a hinge (7) comprising a first pivot pin (9) on the frame (3), a second pivot pin (11) on the leaf (5) and an intermediate pivot pin (13) between the first and second axes (9, 11), allowing an offset of the leaf (5) with respect to the frame (3) when opening said leaf (5);

   characterised in that the hatch (1) further comprises:

   - horizontal adjustment means (19) in the plane of the leaf (5),of the second pivot pin (11); and

   - vertical adjustment means (21, 23) of the first and of the second pin (9, 11).
2. Access hatch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the horizontal adjustment means (19) of the second pivot pin (11) comprise a screw system (25) arranged perpendicularly to said pin (11), at each of the two ends of said pin (11).
3. Access hatch (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the horizontal adjustment means (19) of the second pivot pin (11) comprises a support (31) fixed to the leaf (5) and forming a guide rail parallel to the plane of the leaf (5) of said pin (11).
4. Access hatch (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that each of the supports (31) comprises a stowage area (32) for the corresponding screw system (25), said area (32) being preferably formed by a plate perpendicular to the screw system (25) and traversed by a part of said system (25).
5. Access hatch (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the second pivot pin (11) comprises, at each of two ends of said pin, a threaded rod (33), and each of the screw systems (25) comprises a nut (26) engaged on each of said threaded rods (33) and an adjustment screw (29) engaging in a transverse thread formed in the nut (26), said screw (29) bearing on the stowage area (32).
6. Access hatch (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the second pivot pin (11) further comprises a tube (35) mounted to rotate about threaded rods (33), lugs (36) extending transversely from said tube (35) towards the third pivot pin (13).
7. Access hatch (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that each of the supports (31) is formed by a metal bracket with a first wing (31.1) fixed against the leaf (5) and a second wing (31.2) perpendicular to the plane of the leaf (5) comprises an oblong hole (37) receiving the second pivot pin (11), thus forming the guide rail for said pin (11).
8. Access hatch (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6 and according to claim 7, characterised in that for each of the supports (31), the stowage area (32) of the screw system (25) is fixed directly to the bracket forming said support (31).
9. Access hatch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the first pivot pin (9) comprises, at each of two ends of said pin (9), a threaded rod (40) engaged in the frame (3), and a tube (43) mounted to rotate about the threaded rods (40), lugs (36) extending transversely from said tube (43) towards the third pivot pin (13).
10. Access hatch (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the vertical adjustment means (23) of the first pivot pin (9) comprise a nut (45) engaging around each of the threaded rods (40) of said pin (9) and bearing on the adjacent end of the tube (43) of said pin (9).
11. Access hatch (1) according to claim 6 and according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterised in that the lugs (36) extending transversely from the tube (43) of the first pivot pin (9) comprise two parallel upper legs (36.1) and two parallel lower legs (36.2), said legs (36.1, 36.2) each ending with a strut (38), said struts (38) being aligned along the third pivot pin (13).
12. Access hatch (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the two upper legs (36.1) are connected to one another by at least one leg (36.3), preferably two vertical legs (36.3) spaced apart from one another.
13. Access hatch (1) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterised in that the lugs (36) extending transversely from the tube (35) of the second pivot pin (11) comprise an upper lug (36.4) and a lower lug (36.5), said lugs (36.4, 36.5) each ending with a strut (38) disposed between and pivotally connected to the two struts (38) of the upper (36.1) or lower (36.2) lugs.
14. Access hatch (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said hatch (1) comprises a first pin traversing the struts (38) of the upper lugs (36.1, 36.4) and a second pin traversing the struts (38) of the lower lugs (36.2, 36.5).
15. Access hatch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that said hatch (1) comprises, on the frame (3) and at the edge of the leaf (5), means (50) for locking the leaf (5) in the closed position, said means (50) being configured to ensure a locking during a first translational movement of the leaf (5) towards the frame (3) and to unlock during a second translational movement of the leaf (5) towards the frame (3) following the first movement.

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