EP3887627B1 - System for unlocking access to a lockable compartment, in particular a bathroom fitting - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention falls within the field of privatized compartments installed in places open to the public.

The invention relates more particularly to the control of public access to these privatized compartments.

PRIOR ART AND DRAWBACKS OF PRIOR ART

Privatizable compartments located in public places, in particular sanitary facilities or other compartments of the changing room or locker room type, usually include a locking system to be able to disable access to this compartment, or at least restrict access only to authorized persons, for example in the event of a breakdown in the sanitary installation. This is particularly the case for sanitary cabins installed on board rail vehicles dedicated to the transport of passengers.

A known locking system for a sanitary cabin installed in a railway machine comprises a lock-type access locking device which can only be operated by an authorized person, for example using a special key intended for this purpose. use.

Once condemned, the lock cannot be manipulated by an unauthorized person, in particular a traveler. Also, any decommissioning of a sanitary access requires a check that said sanitary is unoccupied, to prevent a traveler from getting stuck inside.

FR2931184 discloses an emergency opening device comprising a striker movable in translation between a use position in which the opening and dead bolts are inserted when they themselves are in the closed position, and a release position in which the two bolts are released strike plate, regardless of the position of said bolts.

Locking the sanitary compartments is thus tedious and a source of error, with the risk of locking up a traveler inadvertently.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus aims to propose a system making it possible to guarantee an individual the possibility of leaving a privatized compartment located in a public place and access to which has been previously blocked.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to a system for unlocking from the inside of a privatized compartment of the sanitary type previously condemned, which compartment is provided with two complementary parts formed by a frame and a mobile access of the door type, which system comprises a device for locking access to said privatized compartment and means for controlling the locking device from outside the compartment configured to actuate the locking device at least between a position of use and a locking position, and which system comprises a release device that can be manipulated by a user from inside the compartment towards a release position of the locking device to allow the user to leave the previously locked compartment. The locking device comprises a latch operable between the so-called closed, intermediate and release positions, an operable sheath and a translational actuation means of said sheath between the locking position in which the sheath is fitted around the latch, in particular if the latch is in its intermediate position, and the position of use in which the latch is capable of being disengaged from the sheath. The release device comprises the latch which is operable between its intermediate position in which the sheath in the locking position is fitted around the latch, the locking device then being in its locking position, and its release position operable by the user from inside the compartment in which the latch is disengaged from the sheath in the locking position, the locking device then being in its release position.

• Le moyen d'actionnement à translation du fourreau comprend un vérin muni d'un piston configuré pour actionner le fourreau et commandé par les moyens de commande, et le loqueteau est agencé sur l'un parmi l'accès mobile et le bâti, et le vérin et le fourreau sont agencés sur l'autre parmi le bâti et l'accès mobile.
• Le dispositif de libération est configuré pour entrainer des moyens d'engagement du bâti relativement à l'accès mobile vers une position de désengagement concomitamment à l'actionnement du dispositif de condamnation vers sa position de libération par le dispositif de libération.
• Les moyens d'engagement du bâti relativement à l'accès mobile comprennent un pêne agencé sur la même partie du compartiment privatisable que le loqueteau et actionnable entre une position fermée dans laquelle il est engagé dans une gâche ménagée dans l'autre partie du compartiment et une position ouverte dans laquelle il est dégagée de la gâche, lequel pêne est mécaniquement relié audit loqueteau de sorte que l'actionnement du loqueteau vers sa position de délivrance entraine le déplacement du pêne vers sa position ouverte.
• Le loqueteau du dispositif de libération comprend une extrémité libre prévue pour être saisie par l'utilisateur de manière à faire translater le loqueteau au moins depuis sa position intermédiaire vers sa position de délivrance, en ce que le dispositif de libération comprend une butée solidaire du loqueteau faisant saillie d'un bord dudit loqueteau en direction du pêne, lequel pêne comprend un épaulement contre lequel une extrémité libre de la butée est prévue pour venir en appui de contact lorsque le loqueteau passe de sa position intermédiaire vers sa position de délivrance, de sorte que le déplacement du loqueteau vers sa position de délivrance entraine le déplacement du pêne vers sa position ouverte .
• Les moyens d'engagement comprennent un moyen de rappel du pêne et du loqueteau vers leurs positions respectivement fermée et intermédiaire.
• Une extrémité du loqueteau opposée à l'extrémité libre et destinée à s'emmancher dans le fourreau est biseautée.
• L'ensemble comprenant le fourreau en position d'utilisation et le loqueteau forme un dispositif de fermeture d'occupation, lequel loqueteau est en outre actionnable entre une position ouverte dans laquelle il est dégagé du fourreau pour permettre l'accès au compartiment privatisable et une position fermée dans laquelle il est emmanché dans le fourreau pour empêcher l'accès audit compartiment privatisable.
• Le système de déblocage comporte au moins un organe d'information agencé sur le loqueteau et ou sur le fourreau permettant de fournir au moins deux informations respectivement tactile et visuelle en fonction de la position du loqueteau, et en ce qu'il est relié à un dispositif d'affichage situé à l'extérieur de la cabine et adapté pour indiquer l'état libre, occupé ou hors service de l'accès au compartiment privatisable.
• L'organe d'information comprend un motif en relief indiquant à l'utilisateur du compartiment le sens d'actionnement du loqueteau vers sa position de libération.

The system of the invention may also include the following optional features:

• The means for actuating the sheath in translation comprises a jack provided with a piston configured to actuate the sheath and controlled by the control means, and the latch is arranged on one of the mobile access and the frame, and the cylinder and the sheath are arranged on the other among the frame and the mobile access.
• The release device is configured to cause engagement means of the frame relative to the mobile access to a disengagement position concomitantly with actuation of the locking device to its release position by the release device.
• The means of engagement of the frame relative to the mobile access comprise a bolt arranged on the same part of the privatized compartment as the latch and operable between a closed position in which it is engaged in a striker provided in the other part of the compartment and an open position in which it is disengaged from the keeper, which bolt is mechanically connected to said latch so that actuation of the latch towards its release position causes the bolt to move towards its open position.
• The latch of the release device comprises a free end intended to be gripped by the user so as to cause the latch to translate at least from its intermediate position towards its release position, in that the release device comprises an abutment integral with the latch projecting from one edge of said catch in the direction of the bolt, which bolt comprises a shoulder against which a free end of the abutment is provided to come into contact contact when the catch moves from its intermediate position to its release position, so that moving the latch to its release position causes the bolt to move to its open position.
• The engagement means comprise a means for returning the bolt and the latch to their respectively closed and intermediate positions.
• One end of the latch opposite the free end and intended to fit into the sheath is bevelled.
• The assembly comprising the sheath in the use position and the latch forms an occupancy closing device, which latch is also operable between an open position in which it is disengaged from the sheath to allow access to the privatized compartment and a closed position in which it is fitted into the sheath to prevent access to said privatized compartment.
• The release system comprises at least one information device arranged on the latch and or on the sheath making it possible to provide at least two information respectively tactile and visual depending on the position of the latch, and in that it is connected to a display device located outside the cabin and adapted to indicate the free, occupied or out of service state of access to the privatized compartment.
• The information member comprises a pattern in relief indicating to the user of the compartment the direction of actuation of the latch towards its release position.

The invention also relates to railway equipment comprising at least one privatized compartment of the sanitary type and a system for unlocking access to said privatized compartment as described above.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 est une vue de face et de l'intérieur du compartiment d'une partie du système de déblocage alors que l'accès au compartiment privatisable est libre ;
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est une vue de face d'une partie du système de déblocage de la figure 1 alors que le compartiment privatisable est occupé, le loquet du dispositif de fermeture étant dans un état fermé ;
• [Fig. 3] La figure 3 est une vue de face d'une partie du système de déblocage de la figure 1 alors que le compartiment privatisable est mis hors service, le loquet du dispositif de fermeture étant dans un état ouvert, également nommé état intermédiaire ;
• [Fig. 4] La figure 4 est une vue de face et de l'extérieur du compartiment d'une partie du système de déblocage alors que le compartiment privatisable est mis hors service, le loquet du dispositif de fermeture étant dans un état ouvert, également nommé état intermédiaire ;
• [Fig. 5] La figure 5 est une vue de face d'une partie du système de déblocage de la figure 1 alors que le compartiment privatisable est mis hors service, le loquet du dispositif de fermeture étant dans un état de délivrance pour permettre la sortie d'un utilisateur coincé dans le compartiment.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a front and inside view of the compartment of part of the release system while access to the privatized compartment is free;
• [ Fig. 2 ] There picture 2 is a front view of part of the unlocking system of the figure 1 while the privatized compartment is occupied, the latch of the closure device being in a closed state;
• [ Fig. 3 ] There picture 3 is a front view of part of the unlocking system of the figure 1 while the privatized compartment is put out of service, the latch of the closing device being in an open state, also called intermediate state;
• [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a front and exterior view of the compartment of part of the unlocking system while the privatized compartment is put out of service, the latch of the closing device being in an open state, also called an intermediate state;
• [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a front view of part of the unlocking system of the figure 1 while the privatized compartment is put out of service, the latch of the closing device being in a release state to allow the exit of a user trapped in the compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is first specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements regardless of the figure in which they appear and regardless of the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.

It is also specified that the figures essentially represent one embodiment of the subject of the invention but that there may be other embodiments which correspond to the definition of the invention.

The system of the invention finds particular application in the field of managing access to privatized compartments of the sanitary cabin type installed on board railway vehicles transporting passengers, with a view to decommissioning said sanitary cabins which are for example broken down. More specifically, the invention aims to unlock access to such a cabin previously decommissioned using an unlocking system allowing a user trapped inside the condemned sanitary cabin to exit this last.

In railway passenger transport vehicles, in particular main line trains, several sanitary cabins for passengers and flight personnel are installed. These sanitary cabins are provided with a frame 1 and an access 2 of the hinged or sliding door type, as well as means for engaging the frame 1 relative to the door 2 between two positions respectively of engagement of the door 2 and of frame 1 and disengagement of door 2 from frame 1.

In the rest of the description, the term "cabin" will be used to define the sanitary cabin forming the privatized compartment. Furthermore, the term “door” will be used to define the access 2 to the cabin. The door 2, which forms the mobile element of the cabin, is further provided with a handle 9 configured to actuate a bolt 10 mounted on a return means of the helical spring type 11 and designed to be inserted into a striker plate ( not shown) provided in the frame 1 of the cabin. The bolt 10 is thus operable between a closed position in which it is engaged in the striker and an open position in which it is disengaged from the striker. The bolt 10, the striker and the handle 9 form the engagement means described above.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , and in order to guarantee the privacy of the traveler occupying the cabin, the latter is provided with a latch 6 arranged on the door 2 and manually operable according to a longitudinal translation movement between a closed position B1 ( figure 2 ) in which the latch 6 is fitted into a sheath 5 mounted on the frame 1 of the cabin, and an open position B2 ( figure 1 ) in which the latch 6 is disengaged from the sheath 5. The latch 6 preferably has the shape of a parallelepipedal plate of rectangular section, and comprises a free end part 62 called in the following end grip with which a user actuates said latch 6, and an opposite end part 60 intended to fit into the sheath 5. The sheath is then in a so-called use position A1 which will be specified below in relation to the invention.

The operable latch 6 and the sheath 5 thus form an occupancy closing device 7 of the cabin. Of course, the latch 6 can be arranged on the frame 1 and the sleeve 5 on the door 2, the important thing being that the two parts 5, 6 of the closing device 7 are arranged one on the frame 1 of the cabin and the other on cabin door 2.

Thus, when a user is in the cabin, he can actuate the latch 6 towards its closed position B1 to privatize the cabin.

Advantageously, the closing device 7 comprises a visual and/or tactile information device 8 which is arranged on the latch 6 inside the cabin and is configured to provide the user occupying the cabin with information on the open or closed state of the latch 6. This information is at least visual, and is preferably also tactile to inform a blind or partially sighted user.

As indicated above, it may be necessary to block the door 2 of the cabin in the event of malfunction or breakdown of an element of said cabin, for example a breakdown of the water supply preventing the correct operation of a toilet flush in the cabin. The train driver may also need to lock up a sanitary cubicle in order to reserve it, in particular a few minutes before a temporary stop at the station. A locking device 3, capable of being controlled remotely and from outside the cabin, thus makes it possible to block access to the cabin for travelers and to put said cabin out of service.

According to the invention, the locking device comprises a means for actuating in translation the sleeve 5 described above, which sleeve 5 is itself mounted freely in translation on the frame 1 in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the latch 6. This translation actuating means, controlled by the control means, preferably comprises a cylinder 4 mounted on the frame 1 of the cabin and controlled by control means of said locking system. This cylinder 4 comprises a piston 40 connected to the sheath 5 and configured to actuate said sheath 5 in translation.

Of course, if sheath 5 is mounted on door 2 (latch 6 being in fact mounted on frame 1), then cylinder 4 is also mounted on door 2.

On the other hand, the actuating means is not limited to a cylinder 4 and piston 40 configuration, any type of means ensuring the translation of the sheath 5 can be used, such as for example a motor controlled by the control means and connected to a rack itself connected to the sheath 5 and movable in translation by means of a gear actuated by the motor.

Thanks to the displacement of the piston 40 of the cylinder 4, the sheath 5 is movable in translation between a so-called locking position A2 ( picture 3 ) in which the sheath 5 is fitted around the operable latch 6, and a position of use A1 of the cabin ( figures 1 and 2 ) in which the operable latch 6 is capable of being fitted into the sheath 5 in the context of the use of the occupancy closing device 7 described above. In other words, the displacement of the sleeve 5 towards its locking position A2 is sufficient for said sleeve 5 to be fitted around the latch 6, in particular if the latch 6 is in its so-called open position B2 (see picture 3 ). This ensures that the door 2 of the cabin is locked when the sheath 5 is in its locked position.

The assembly comprising the cylinder 4 and its piston 40, the operable sleeve 5 and the latch 6 forms a locking device 3 of the door 2 of the cabin. In addition, the assembly comprising the sheath 5 in the use position A1 and the operable latch 6 forms the occupancy closure device 7 described above.

The locking device further comprises an emergency opening device 14 disposed outside the cabin, and provided to allow authorized personnel, for example on-board personnel, to actuate the locking device 3 for example using a key provided for this purpose. In addition, this emergency opening device 14 may comprise a visual and/or tactile information element 15 configured to provide persons outside the car with information on the locked or usable state of the car. This information is at less visual, and is preferably also touch-sensitive to enable a blind or partially sighted user to be informed.

According to the invention, and in order to avoid the inadvertent confinement of a traveler in the cabin when the latter is taken out of service, the latch 6 is operable by the traveler towards a third position called B3 delivery ( figure 5 ) to release the end portion 60 of the latch 6 of the sheath 5 in its locking position A2. When the sheath 5 is in its locking position A2, the latch 6 operable between an intermediate position B2 and the delivery position B3 represented on the picture 3 forms at least in part a release device 17.

Thus, when the latch 6 is in its intermediate position B2, the locking device 3 is in its locking position, and when the latch 6 is in its release position B3, the locking device 3 is in a so-called release position B3.

It can be seen that the latch 6 of the release device 17 in its intermediate position B2 corresponds to the position B2 of the latch 6 considered within the framework of the closing device 7 in its open position B2 (see above and figure 1 ). In the rest of the description, the respective terms closed B1, intermediate B2 and delivery B3 will be used to characterize the positions of the latch 6 represented respectively in figure 2 , 3 And 5 .

According to the invention, the bolt 10 is mechanically connected to the latch 6 of said release device 17, so that the actuation of the latch 6 towards its release position B3 causes the movement of the bolt 10 towards its open position and disengaged from the striker. . It is therefore sufficient for the user to actuate the latch 6 of the release device 17 towards its release position B3 to completely release the access 2 to the cabin and to exit the latter by disengaging the bolt 10 from the striker. Note that the bolt 10 remains in the closed position and engaged in the keeper when the latch 6 is in its intermediate position B2.

To ensure the mechanical connection between the latch 6 and the bolt 10, said latch comprises a stop 61, for example a metal rod, projecting from the lower edge of the latch 6 in the direction of the bolt 10. As shown in the figures 3 to 5 , the bolt comprises a shoulder formed at its edge facing the latch 6 and against which a free end of the abutment 61 is provided to come into contact abutment when the latch 6 is actuated from its intermediate position towards its issuing position.

Thus, the locking device 3 being initially in its locking position and the abutment 61 being in contact with the surface of the shoulder formed in the bolt 10, when the user locked in the locked cabin grasps the gripping end 62 of the latch 6 to actuate it towards its release position B3, the abutment 61 bears against the shoulder of the bolt 10 and drives the latter towards its open position, that is to say in disengagement of the striker. The user can then open the door 2 and leave the cabin without even operating the handle 9.

Advantageously when the user releases the latch 6, the return means 11 brings the latch 6 back to its intermediate position B2, so that by slamming the door 2 of the cabin, the latch 6 returns to its intermediate position engaged in the sheath 5 in locking position A2: the cabin thus remains locked without a traveler stuck inside.

To facilitate the engagement of the latch 6 in the sheath 5 when closing the door 2, the end part 60 of the latch 6 intended to engage in the sheath 5 is bevelled. When the door 2 is slammed against the frame 1, the beveled part of the latch 6 in the intermediate position B2 comes into contact abutment against the sheath 5 in the locking position A2. The force exerted by the beveled part 60 of the latch 6 against the sheath 5 induces by reaction the displacement of said latch 6 in the direction of its delivery position B3. As soon as the end of the beveled part 60 finds itself in the sheath 5, the spring 11 automatically moves the latch 6 towards its intermediate position B2. The sheath 5 in the locking position then finds itself fitted around the latch 6 and the cabin is locked without any user being trapped inside.

Advantageously, the locking device 3 comprises a visual and/or tactile information device 13 which is arranged on the sheath 5 inside the cabin and is configured to provide the user occupying the cabin with information on the condemned state A2 or in use A1 of the sheath 5. This information is at least visual thanks to an indicator light 130, and is preferably also tactile thanks to a pattern in relief 131 to enable a blind or partially sighted user to be informed.

Advantageously, the pattern in relief 131 in the form of an arrow indicating to the user stuck in the cabin the direction of actuation of the latch 6 towards its release position B3. The latch 6 can also comprise another information member in relief 16 in the shape of an arrow.

The release system of the invention therefore makes it possible, in the event of inadvertent confinement of a user during the locking of a cabin, to allow the traveler to free himself and easily from the cabin. The solution of the invention also avoids the need to install detection devices inside the privatized cabins.

Claims (9)

1. System for unlocking, from the inside, a lockable compartment of the sanitary facility type that has previously been locked, which compartment is provided with two complementary parts formed by a frame (1) and a movable access means (2) of the door type, which system comprises a locking device (3) for preventing access to said lockable compartment and means for controlling the locking device (3) from the outside of the compartment, which are configured to actuate the locking device (3) at least between a use position (A1) and a locking position (A2), and which system comprises a releasing device (17) that is able to be manipulated by a user from the inside of the compartment into a position (B3) releasing the locking device (3) in order to allow the user to leave the previously locked compartment, wherein the locking device (3) comprises a latch (6) that is actuable between positions referred to as a closed position (B1), an intermediate position (B2) and a freeing position (B3), an actuable sleeve (5) and a means for actuating the movement in translation of said sleeve (5) between the locking position (A2), in which the sleeve (5) is fitted around the latch (6), in particular if the latch (6) is in its intermediate position (B2), and the use position (A1), in which the latch (6) is able to be released from the sleeve (5), and wherein the releasing device (17) comprises the latch (6), which is actuable between its intermediate position (B2), in which the sleeve (5), in the locking position, is fitted around the latch (6), the locking device (3) then being in its locking position (A2), and its freeing position, which is actuable by the user from the inside of the compartment, in which the latch (6) is released from the sleeve (5) in the locking position, the locking device (3) then being in its releasing position (B3).
2. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the releasing device (17) is configured to drive means (10) for engagement of the frame (1) relative to the movable access means (2) towards a disengagement position concomitantly with the actuation of the locking device (3) towards its releasing position by the releasing device (17).
3. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the means for engagement of the frame (1) relative to the movable access means (2) comprise a bolt (10) that is arranged on the same part (1, 2) of the lockable compartment as the latch (6) and is actuable between a closed position, in which it is engaged in a strike provided in the other part (1, 2) of the compartment, and an open position, in which it is released from the strike, which bolt (10) is mechanically connected to said latch (6) such that the actuation of the latch (6) towards its freeing position drives the movement of the bolt (10) towards its open position.
4. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the latch (6) of the releasing device (17) comprises a free end (62) provided to be grasped by the user so as to move the latch (6) in translation at least from its intermediate position towards its freeing position, wherein the releasing device (17) comprises a stop (61) secured to the latch (6) and protruding from an edge of said latch (6) in the direction of the bolt (10), which bolt (10) comprises a shoulder against which a free end of the stop (61) is intended to come into bearing contact when the latch (6) passes from its intermediate position towards its freeing position, such that the movement of the latch (6) towards its freeing position drives the movement of the bolt (10) towards its open position.
5. System according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the engagement means comprise a means (11) for returning the bolt (10) and the latch (6) towards their closed and intermediate positions, respectively.
6. System according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein an end (60) of the latch (6) that is at the opposite end from the free end (62) and is intended to fit in the sleeve (5) is bevelled.
7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprising the sleeve (5) in the use position and the latch (6) forms an occupation closure device (7), which latch (6) is also actuable between an open position, in which it is released from the sleeve (5) in order to allow access to the lockable compartment, and a closed position, in which it is fitted in the sleeve (5) in order to prevent access to said lockable compartment.
8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it has at least one information member (8, 13, 16) arranged on the latch (6) and/or on the sleeve (5), making it possible to provide at least two pieces of information, which are respectively tactile (131, 16) and visual (8, 130), depending on the position of the latch (6), and wherein it is connected to a display device situated on the outside of the cubicle and designed to indicate the vacant, occupied or out-of-service state of the access means (2) for accessing the lockable compartment.
9. Railway equipment comprising at least one lockable compartment of the sanitary facility type and a system for unlocking an access means of said lockable compartment that has previously been locked, according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

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