EP3737813B1

EP3737813B1 - Doorstop device for commercial vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP3737813B1
Application number: EP19701272.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Lorusso; Michele Santoro; Luca CORRADO
Original assignee: Daken SpA
Current assignee: Daken SpA
Priority date: 2018-01-12
Filing date: 2019-01-10
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-10
Also published as: WO2019138348A1; IT201800000811A1; EP3737813A1

Description

Technical sector

The present invention is generally placed in the transport sector; in particular, the invention refers to a doorstop device, especially for commercial vehicles.

Prior art

Systems are known for securing the hatches of cargo compartments of commercial vehicles in the open position.
Such devices comprise a handle which is extracted against the elastic return force of a spring from a casing fixed to the vehicle chassis. The handle is then hooked to the hatch, holding it in the open position.
Two examples of similar solutions are known from documents EP 2664735 A1 and EP 1516987 A1 , which respectively illustrate a device wherein the spring, which returns to the inside of the casing a stem to which the handle is connected, is stressed by traction, and a device wherein the spring, coaxial with respect to such stem, is stressed in compression.
However, the configurations contemplated in the prior art are rather cumbersome, and the return action of the spring is generally not satisfactory in terms of symmetry.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned problems.
To achieve such result, a doorstop device according to the present invention comprises a shell interposed between the outer casing (fixed to the vehicle chassis) and the stem of the handle. The shell is rotatably supported by the outer casing, and may be rotated integrally to the stem, which is slidingly housed inside the shell.
The shell also accommodates two or more elastic means, arranged parallel (but not coaxially) to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The elastic means are connected both to the shell and to the stem, so that the traction of the handle (and the consequent sliding of the stem along the shell) generates a compression of such elastic means, which will contribute to the return of the stem in the retracted position inside the outer casing.
The stem and the elastic means are rotatable integrally to the intermediate shell.
Moreover, the presence of at least one pair of elastic means, not coaxial to the stem, allows the action of the recall force to be made more symmetrical, unlike what happens in the examples of the prior art, wherein the spring is substantially coaxial to the stem.
It also results in a reduction in weight compared to a single compression spring placed around the stem, which at the same force would have a larger diameter, resulting in increased thickness of the wire, the pitch of the turns, and the packet size.
The aforementioned and other purposes and advantages are achieved, according to an aspect of the invention, via a doorstop device having the features defined in Claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The functional and structural features of some preferred embodiments of a doorstop device according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a doorstop device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device in figure 1, wherein the steps of extraction of the stem from the casing and rotation of the handle are shown;
figure 3 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the intermediate shell, which encloses the stem of the handle, is visible;
figure 4 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the elastic means housed inside the shell are also shown;
figure 5 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the handle, the elastic means and the shell, depicted in the steps of extraction and rotation of the handle; and
figures 6A and 6B are schematic views of a cross-section of the outer casing, showing two possible configurations of the stem and the intermediate shell, according to respective embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description

Before explaining a plurality of embodiments of the invention in detail, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the configuration of the components presented in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may assume other embodiments and may be implemented or achieved in essentially different ways, as long as they fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology have descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting.
Referring, by way of example, to figure 1, a doorstop device 9, for the attachment of doors or hatches in the open position (in particular, hatches for access to cargo compartments of commercial vehicles) comprises an outer casing 10, suitable to be connected to a vehicle, and a locking handle 12, extractable from the outer casing 10.
The handle 12 in turn comprises a hooking portion 14, adapted to engage the door of the vehicle, which hooking portion 14 is placed at the first end of a stem 16. The stem 16 is at least partly extractable from the outer casing 10 and rotatably slidable inside the same between a first disengagement position, wherein the stem 16 is retracted inside the outer casing 10 and the hooking portion 14 is in a first angular position, and a second engagement position, wherein such stem 16 is extracted from the outer casing 10, and the hooking portion 14 is rotated relative to such first angular position, so that the vehicle door may be hooked.
The doorstop device 9 further comprises an inner shell 18, substantially tubular in shape, coaxial with respect to the stem 16 and supported by the outer casing 10, with respect to which such inner shell 18 is locked axially. The stem 16 is slidingly housed in the inner shell 18 and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis x integral to such shell 18.
There are also at least two elastic means 20, housed in the inner shell 18 parallel (but not coaxially) to the longitudinal axis x of the stem 16, which elastic means have a first end acting on the inner shell 18, and a second end acting on the stem 16, so that the extraction of the stem 16 outside the inner shell 18 causes a compression of the elastic means 20 (which would tend to bring the stem 16 back into the inner shell 18).
Appropriately, the elastic means 20 are arranged symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis x of the stem 16.
Preferably, the second end of such elastic means 20 is either in abutment against, or connected integrally to, a projection 16a, carried by the stem 16. The other end may be in abutment against, or connected integrally to, a stop (e.g. a bottom wall) of the inner shell 18. In this way, the extraction of the stem 16 from the shell 18 would cause the projection 16a to approach the abutment on the inner shell 18, with consequent compression of the interposed elastic means 20.
According to an embodiment, the stem 16 has a pair of longitudinal seats 16b, adapted to accommodate at least partially the elastic means 20. In this way, it is possible to reduce the transverse dimensions of the stem-elastic means assembly, and consequently the dimensions of the inner shell 18 that contains them. For example, the longitudinal seats 16b may have an arched or semicircular cross-section and accommodate the lower arch of the elastic means 20, while the upper arch may be accommodated in a seat with a complementary profile, associated with the inner shell 18. In a similar way, the elastic means may be accommodated inside a tubular seat associated with the inner shell 18 (see, by way of example, figure 6B), where such seat may be accommodated at least in part in a corresponding longitudinal seat 16b, obtained in the stem 16.
Appropriately, the stem 16 comprises at least one hooking means 22, adapted to engage the casing 10 when the stem 16 is in the first disengagement position, in such a way as to block the rotation of such stem 16 around its longitudinal axis x. Appropriately, such hooking means 22 is a tab that protrudes radially from the stem 16, and which is adapted to fit into a corresponding seat in the outer casing 10, so as to bind in rotation the stem 16, especially when the handle 12 is in the inactive position (retracted position of the stem 16). According to a preferred embodiment, the tab(s) is/are located near the hooking portion 14. There may be four tabs, circumferentially spaced by 90°.
In the present description and in the claims, the terms and expressions indicating positions and orientations, such as "longitudinal", "transverse" and "circumferential", refer to the longitudinal axis x.
According to a preferred embodiment, the outer casing 10 and/or the inner shell 18 are made up of two semi-shells 10a, 18a. Appropriately, the edges of the half-shells, intended to be coupled together, are labyrinth-shaped, so as to interlock, and to ensure sufficient impermeability to the system, without using additional components such as O-rings or gaskets, and/or are fixed in place by means of screws.
According to one embodiment, the hooking portion 14 of the locking handle 12 has a grip 14a of an annular shape, adapted to allow a user to securely grasp the handle 12. Appropriately, such grip 14a has a knurling in its inner surface, so as to increase the friction during the grip by the user.
The advantage of this is to provide a compact and well-balanced device, wherein the elastic means rotate integrally on the stem of the handle, because they are carried by an inner shell, rotatably supported by the casing to be fixed to the vehicle.
Various aspects and embodiments of a doorstop device according to the invention have been described. It is understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment, as long as said combination falls within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The invention, moreover, is not limited to the described embodiments, but may vary within the scope defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

A doorstop device (9) for commercial vehicles, comprising:
- an outer casing (10), adapted to be connected to a vehicle; and

- a locking handle (12), comprising a hooking portion (14), adapted to engage a vehicle door and placed at a first end of a stem (16) rotatably slidable within the outer casing (10) between a first disengaging position, wherein said stem (16) is retracted inside the outer casing (10) and the hooking portion (14) is in a first angular position, and a second engagement position, wherein said stem (16) is extracted from the outer casing (10) and the hooking portion (14) is rotated relative to said first angular position, so as to be able to hook said vehicle door;
characterized in that it comprises:
- a substantially tubular inner shell (18), coaxial with respect to the stem (16) and rotatably supported by the outer casing (10), with respect to which said inner shell (18) is axially blocked, the stem (16) being slidably housed in the inner shell (18), and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis x integrally with the latter; and

- at least two elastic means (20), housed within the inner shell (18) parallel to the longitudinal axis x of the stem (16), and having a first end acting on the inner body (18), and a second end acting on the stem (16), so that the sliding of the stem (16) outside the inner shell (18) causes the elastic means (20) to be compressed.
A device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic means (20) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis x of the stem (16).
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end of the elastic means (20) abuts against a projection (16a), carried by the stem (16).
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem (16) has a pair of longitudinal seats (16b), suitable for housing at least partially the elastic means (20).
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem (16) comprises at least one hooking means (22), adapted to engage the outer casing (10) when the stem (16) is in the first disengagement position, in such a way as to block the rotation of said stem (16) around its longitudinal axis x.
A device according to claim 5, wherein the hooking means (22) is a tab which projects radially from the stem (16), and which is adapted to fit into a corresponding seat in the outer casing (10).
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer casing (10) and/or the inner shell (18) are formed by two half-shells (10a, 18a).
A device according to claim 7, wherein the edges of the half-shells, intended to be coupled to each other, are labyrinth-shaped, so as to interlock, and/or are fixed in position by means of screws.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hooking portion (14) of the locking handle (12) has a grip (14a) of an annular shape, adapted to allow a user to securely grasp said handle (12).
A device according to claim 9, wherein said grip (14a) has a knurling in its inner surface, so as to increase the friction when the user grasps the handle.