Domain
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The present relates to safety devices for ceiling panels, specifically to anti-fall mechanisms for ceiling panels used in vehicle interiors, notably common transportation vehicles.
Prior Art
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Safety devices for ceiling panels are mechanisms designed to prevent the sudden and uncontrolled opening of ceiling panels, particularly in vehicle interiors. These devices are important in ensuring the safety and stability of ceiling panels, which are often used in common transportation vehicles such as trains, buses, and airplanes. The mechanisms typically involve components that control the movement of the panels, ensuring they open and close in a controlled manner.
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In the field of vehicle interiors, ceiling panels serve various purposes, including housing lighting fixtures, ventilation systems, and access points for maintenance. The primary goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for passengers and maintenance personnel. Safety devices for ceiling panels aim to prevent accidental falls or sudden openings that could cause injury or damage. These devices often include hinges, locking systems, and anti-fall mechanisms that work together to control the movement of the panels.
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One of the main challenges in achieving these goals is ensuring that the ceiling panels remain securely in place during normal operation while allowing easy access for maintenance. The mechanisms must be robust enough to withstand the vibrations and movements of the vehicle while being simple enough for maintenance personnel to operate. Additionally, the devices must be designed to prevent the panels from falling or opening suddenly, which could pose a risk to passengers and maintenance personnel.
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It is known from prior art that various mechanisms have been developed to address the issue of controlling the movement of ceiling panels in vehicle interiors. These mechanisms often include hinges, locking systems, and anti-fall devices. However, many of these solutions have limitations, such as complexity, difficulty in operation, or insufficient reliability in preventing sudden openings. For instance, the simplest solution consists in adding a rope (or wire) of predetermined length between the end of the opening panel and the ceiling.
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Fig. 1 illustrates an anti-fall device of the prior-art. The anti-fall device 10 of the illustrated prior art is made of a stainless-steel metal plate, which is conformed at one end as a hook 11 which is inserted in a channel 12 of a (fixed) ceiling structure. A longitudinal part 13 is formed as an extension of the hook part, and a base support 14 is obtained with a new fold of the stainless-steel metal plate. A hole is made approximatively at the center of the base support to allow a screw 15 and a bolt 16 to be used. The screw 15 is placed inside a metallic groove 17 of the ceiling panel, the base support is placed so that the screw 15 pass through the hole of the plate and the bolt 16 is used to lock the anti-fall device 10 in place. Another solution is to replace the stainless-steel metal plate by a stainless-steel wire which is even less secured.
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This kind of anti-fall device has several problems. This first one is linked to the nature of the device: since the thickness of the metal used is relatively small (1mm), for allowing a deformation of the device (to disengage the anti-fall device from the fixed structure), the prior art anti-fall device is subject to breaks or permanent deformation, which in turn necessitates a replacement. In addition, to prevent injuries while using this anti-fall device of prior art, edges of the stainless-steel metal plate must be rounded to prevent injuries when panels are opened, which adds steps to the manufacturing of the device. In addition, to prevent scratching of visible surfaces, the device must be partially covered with Rilsan coating. Finally, a decal is added to warn users not to push too hard on the anti-fall when unlocking the ceiling panel. Hence, on the existing devices, there is a risk of deforming the wire or sheet metal by pushing too hard on the device. There is also a risk that the deformation may not be detected after the panel is closed, thus compromising the safety function.
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There is thus a need for a safety device for ceiling panels that addresses the shortcomings of the existing solutions by providing a reliable and easy-to-operate mechanism that prevents the sudden and uncontrolled opening of ceiling panels in vehicle interiors.
Summary
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The present disclosure relates to an anti-detachment device for ceiling panels, particularly designed for use in interiors. The anti-detachment device comprises a U-shaped base designed to receive at least one elastic cord. This configuration ensures that the ceiling panel does not fully open suddenly, thereby preventing accidental falls or injuries.
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An anti-detachment device for a movable panel, the anti-detachment device comprising a longitudinal body comprising:
- a first part in the form of a hook-shaped end, the hook-shaped end being designed to latch onto a corresponding part of a fixed structure,
- a second part, forming a base, configured to hold the anti-detachment device within a retaining member of the movable panel, the base comprising at least one groove holding at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope.
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Hence such device enhances reliability and safety compared to prior art techniques and is easier to manufacture.
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According to the disclosure, the at least one piece of deformable rope is configured to imply an holding pressure of the anti-detachment device in the dedicated part of the ceiling panel.
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This holding pressure ensures that the anti-detachment device remains securely in place, preventing accidental detachment or sudden opening of the ceiling panel. The use of a deformable rope provides flexibility and resilience, allowing the device to absorb and distribute forces effectively, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and safety of the ceiling panel system.
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According to the disclosure, the base comprises a part designed to be inserted into the retaining member of the movable panel and a part designed to at least partially limit the rotational movement of the anti-detachment device within the retaining member of the ceiling panel.
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By limiting the rotational movement, the device prevents accidental detachment and maintains the ceiling panel in a safe position, thereby enhancing the overall stability and safety of the ceiling panel system.
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According to the disclosure, in a longitudinal section, the part designed to be inserted into the retaining member of the movable panel essentially has a complementary shape to that of the retaining member and is able to pivot between a first position, called locking position, and a second position, called release position.
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This complementary shape ensures a secure fit within the retaining member, enhancing the stability of the device. The ability to pivot between the locking and release positions allows for controlled and easy operation, enabling the ceiling panel to be securely locked in place or released as needed. This design improves the overall functionality and safety of the ceiling panel system.
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According to the disclosure, the part intended to be inserted into the retaining member of the movable panel comprises the at least one groove within which the at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope is held.
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According to the disclosure, the part intended to at least partially limit the rotational movement of the anti-detachment device within the retaining member of the movable panel comprises at least one groove within which at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope is held.
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According to the disclosure, the width of the base of the anti-detachment device may be wider than the one of the hook shape ends.
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According to the disclosure, the at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope is made of an elastic material.
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According to the disclosure, the elastic material is rubber.
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According to the disclosure, the constitutive material of the anti-detachment device is aluminum or polymer or plastic.
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The anti-detachment device according to any of previous claims, wherein the groove is pre-formed around the entire perimeter of the base and the at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope takes the form of a continuous seal, the diameter of which being adapted to the diameter of the groove.
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This continuous seal provides a uniform and consistent holding pressure around the entire base, enhancing the stability and security of the device within the retaining member. The continuous seal also ensures that the device can effectively absorb and distribute forces, reducing the risk of accidental detachment and improving the overall reliability and safety of the ceiling panel system.
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The disclosure also encompasses a ceiling panel that includes at least one such anti-detachment device. The ceiling panel is fixed on a frame and is movable between an opened and a closed position. It features a hinge on one side, a locking system on the other side, and the anti-detachment device to control the opening movement.
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More specifically the rotationally movable panel comprises at least one hinge on one side, the at least one hinge being linkable to a part of a fixed structure, the rotationally movable panel further comprising, on the opposite side, at least one retaining member anti-detachment device according to the disclosure.
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More specifically, in the context, the disclosure features the ceiling panel, such for train like interiors, the ceiling panel comprising: a hinge on one side, a locking system on the other side, and an anti-fall device fixed to the edge of the ceiling panel on the side of the locking system, and the anti-fall device comprises a longitudinal body with a first part in the form of a hook-shaped end designed to latch onto a corresponding part of a ceiling structure, and a second part forming a base configured to hold the anti-fall device within a retaining member of the ceiling panel, the base comprising at least one groove holding at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope.
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This configuration allows preventing the ceiling panel from fully opening suddenly.
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In addition, the disclosure also relates to a system comprising a fixed structure on which a rotationally movable panel is mounted, the rotationally movable panel comprising at least one hinge on one side, the at least one hinge being linked to a part of the fixed structure, the rotationally movable panel further comprising, on the opposite side, at least one anti-detachment device according to the disclosure, the hook end of which being engageable in a dedicated keeper of the fixed structure.
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Furthermore, the at least one anti-detachment device is inserted in a C-Slot profile present on the inner surface of the rotationally movable panel, the C-Slot profile being the retaining member for said at least one anti-detachment device.
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Furthermore, the disclosure extends to a vehicle, such as a train, that comprises at least one ceiling panel equipped with the described anti-detachment device. This ensures enhanced safety and stability of the ceiling panels within the vehicle, providing a secure environment for passengers and maintenance personnel.
Drawings
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- [Fig 1.], already commented, illustrates a configuration of an existing anti-fall system,
- [Fig 2.] illustrates a configuration of the anti-detachment device according to a first example,
- [Fig 3.] shows a cross section of an anti-detachment device according to the disclosure in place in a C-slot profile of a movable ceiling panel, the hook of the anti-detachment device being engaged in a keeper of a ceiling structure,
- [Fig 4.] illustrates the rotation move of an anti-detachment device according to the disclosure, allowing the hook of the anti-detachment device to disengage from a keeper of a ceiling structure,
- [Fig 5.] is a general view of the celling structure, movable ceiling panel and anti-all device according to a first example,
- [Fig 6.] illustrates a configuration of the anti-detachment device according to a another example.
Description
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As previously exposed, the disclosure relates to an anti-detachment device, designed to prevent ceiling (openable) panels from fully opening (by accident or for maintenance) and causing potential harm. An anti-detachment device and a system comprising the anti-detachment device are proposed. The system implements other components that work with the anti-detachment device notably to achieve this goal.
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Generally speaking, the disclosure relates to an anti-detachment device for ceiling panels, particularly designed for use in vehicle interiors. The anti-detachment device comprises a longitudinal body with a first part in the form of a hook-shaped end designed to latch onto a corresponding part of a ceiling structure, and a second part forming a base configured to hold the anti-detachment device within a retaining member of the ceiling panel. The base includes at least one groove holding at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope, which provides holding pressure to ensure the device remains securely in place. The base is designed to fit within the retaining member and limit rotational movement, enhancing stability and safety. The groove can be pre-formed around the entire perimeter of the base, with the deformable rope forming a continuous seal. This design improves the overall reliability and safety of the ceiling panel system by preventing sudden openings and accidental detachment of the ceiling panel.
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Fig. 2 & 3 illustrate exemplary configurations of the anti-detachment device 100 according to two first examples. For these two examples, the anti-detachment device 100 comprises a first part 110 in the form of a hook-shaped end. This part of the device is designed to latch onto a corresponding part (a keeper) of a ceiling frame (or a fixed panel), helping to secure the (openable) panel in place and prevent the panel from fully opening unexpectedly.
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The second part of the anti-detachment device is a base 120, the function of which being to hold the anti-detachment device into a retaining member of the celling panel while allowing a (limited) rotative move. This base 120 has a predetermined thickness and is designed to be a specific size and shape to fit and partially rotate within the retaining member of the ceiling panel. The thickness of the base ensures that the base is strong enough to support the other components and withstand the forces exerted on the base during use. A longitudinal cross section of the base (see fig. 3) shows its globally a T-form. The T-Form part of the base is designed to be inserted and held into the retaining member of the ceiling panel.
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At the front side of the base (the front side is the one which is in the same direction as the hook), upon the inner surface T-Form part, at least one U-shaped recess 130 is conformed. This recess 130 is a groove or indentation that is shaped like the letter "U." The purpose of this groove 130 is to hold at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope 140. The piece of resiliently deformable rope 140 is designed to be flexible and stretchable, allowing the rope to absorb and distribute the forces that occur to the anti-detachment device 100 when the ceiling panel is moved, from its (partially) opened position to a fully open position as explained below. By holding the rope in place, the U-shaped groove 130 helps to ensure that the rope can effectively perform the function of preventing the ceiling panel from completely opening or falling open suddenly, while allowing a limited rotative movement that allows disengaging the hook-shaped end 110 of the anti-detachment device from the ceiling frame (or a fixed panel). At the rear side of the base, as exemplified in figure 2, a part 150 is designed to at least partially limit the rotational movement of the anti-detachment device within the retaining member of the ceiling panel, in the form of an anti-rotative element for example. This part 150 is an anti-rotative bar or pin depending on the implementation and is called anti-rotative element. In this example, at least one U-shaped recess 160 is conformed, also, at this rotation limitation part, to hold at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope 170. Note that while this rotation limitation part is useful for limiting the movement of the anti-detachment device in its retaining member 180, the presence of a U-shaped recess 160 for holding a second at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope 170 is not necessarily mandatory, depending on the configuration of the anti-detachment device 100 on one hand and the configuration of the retaining member 180 on the other hand.
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Hence, by transferring the movement function to the rope 170, the device becomes safer as the rope will not deform permanently, thereby increasing the likelihood of guaranteeing the safety function. Additionally, the new design offers easy mounting without the need for fasteners; the device can be slid directly inside the retaining member 180 (for example à C-slot) and is self-maintaining, eliminating the need for screws or tools. This solution is also cost-effective, comparable to the sheet metal solution and more economical than the wire solution. As illustrated in the right example of figure 2, the width WH of the base of the anti-detachment device may by wider than the one WH1 of the hook shape end. This enlargement may allow, in some cases, to prevent an expected lateral displacement of the anti-detachment device 100 when inserted in a C-slot profile of the movable ceiling panel. The material of the anti-detachment device may be aluminum or plastic. The thickness of the anti-detachment device is bigger than the one of the metal sheet of the prior art, which renders the anti-detachment device of the disclosure more resistant to involuntary deformation. The elasticity function is provided by the resiliently deformable piece of rope 140, 170 at the base of the device, in contact with the retaining member 180. In addition, the diameter of the at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope 140, 170 is adapted to the diameter of the groove 130, 160, so that the at least one piece of resiliently deformable rope is maintained in the groove.
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Fig 3 illustrates, in a more detailed view, the rotation moves of the anti-detachment device 100 according to the disclosure, allowing the hook 110 of the anti-detachment device to disengage from a keeper of a ceiling structure. More specifically, fig 3 illustrates a longitudinal section A-A of the base of the anti-detachment device inserted into a corresponding C-slot profile, acting as a retaining member 180. On the left, the base 120 of the anti-detachment device is illustrated in its locking (initial) position. The base 120 of the anti-detachment device comprises the part designed to be inserted into the retaining member of the ceiling panel (the T-form part) (not numbered) and the anti-rotative element 150 designed to at least partially limit the rotational movement of the anti-detachment device within the retaining member of the ceiling panel. The base (part) 120 designed to be inserted into the retaining member 180 of the ceiling panel essentially has a complementary shape to that of the retaining member 180. This base 120 is able to pivot between the locking position (Fig 3, left L), and the release position (Fig 3, left R), by a rotative movement, also illustrated in fig. 4. Since the base 120 pivots, so does the anti-detachment device. During this rotative movement, a compressible force is applied to the piece of resiliently deformable rope 130 of the base 120 inserted into the retaining member 180. The resiliently deformable nature of the piece of rope 130 implies that once the compressible force is stopped, the base 120 designed to be inserted into the retaining member 180 of the ceiling panel tends to inversely rotate and the anti-detachment device 100 to take back its locking position. As illustrated in figure 3, the base also comprises the anti-rotative element 150 designed to at least partially limit the rotational movement of the anti-detachment device 100 within the retaining member 180. In this example of implementation, the anti-rotative element 150 comprises a groove 160 which is designed to retain a piece of resiliently deformable rope 170. In this example, thus, a compressible force is also applied to the piece of resiliently deformable rope 170 of the anti-rotative element 150 during the rotative move, until a maximum angle of rotation is achieved and/or the rope cannot be more compressed. The piece of resiliently deformable rope 170 and/or the anti-rotative element 150 apply pressure on the outer surface of the retaining member [of the ceiling panel]. In addition, for allowing the partial rotation movement of the anti-detachment device 100 in its retaining member 180, the lower surface 190 of the base 120 of the anti-detachment device 100 is at least partially concave. Hence, rotation can occur while the force is applied to the anti-detachment device 100. In the illustrated example, the lower surface 190 of the base 120 of the anti-detachment device comprises a front planar part 191 allowing the anti-detachment device to face a planar inner surface of the retaining member in the locking position and a rear planar part 192 allowing the anti-detachment device to face the planar inner surface of the retaining member in the release position, the front planar part and the rear planar part being linked by a concave part allowing the rotation.
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Fig 4. illustrates an example of the anti-detachment device 100 according to the disclosure in place in a C-slot profile 200 of a movable ceiling panel 210. In this illustrated example the C-slot profile 200 is the retaining member 180. As illustrated, the hook part 100 of the anti-detachment device 100 is engaged in a keeper 220 of a ceiling structure 230. More specifically, the anti-detachment device 100 is maintained in the C-slot profile of the celling panel both by the resiliently deformable piece of rope 140 which is in contact on the C-slot surfaces of the celling profile 200 and by the base 120 designed to fit into the retaining member 200, as described herein before. By pushing (in a rotation move, as illustrated by dot-line) the anti-detachment device 100 base 120, the piece of resiliently deformable rope 140 is compressed and allows the openable ceiling 210 to be fully opened. By releasing the hook 110, the anti-detachment device 100 comes back to its initial position, maintained by the C-slot surfaces of the celling profile 200 and by the piece of resiliently deformable rope 140. The panel can also (automatically) be closed thanks to the shape of the hook 110 of the anti-detachment device 100 which is submitted to pressure from the lower surface 221 of the keeper 200, the slope contact generates a rotation and compression of deformable rope 140 in the C-slot 200 and the hook 110 comes back to its initial position after passing the keeper 220. This allows maintaining the safety function.
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Illustrated in figure 4, the keeper 220 is configured to be inserted in a slide of a profile of the ceiling structure 230 or fixed panel. The expected position of the keeper 220 on the profile may be materialized on the profile for facilitating the positioning of the keeper 220 at manufacturing. In the same manner, the expected position of the anti-detachment device in the C-profile 200 of the ceiling panel may be materialized on the ceiling profile itself for facilitating the positioning of the anti-detachment device at manufacturing. On fig 4, as previously described, the anti-detachment device comprises a rigid hook shaped part 100 blocked by the keeper 220 on the fixed frame when the ceiling is slightly opened, whereby the user of the ceiling panel can push the hook in order to release the panel for fully opening the ceiling panel. The illustration represents the anti-detachment device in its locking (initial) position, the inner surface of the hook lying on the inner surface of the keeper, thus achieving the anti-detachment function.
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Fig 5. is a general view of the celling 240 with its structure, rotationally movable (ceiling) panel 210 and anti-all device 100 according to an example. More specifically, fig 5 shows a ceiling panel 210 for vehicle interiors with an opening function comprising a hinge 240 on one side, a locking system 250 on the other side and two anti-detachment devices 100 to prevent the ceiling panel to fully open suddenly. The anti-detachment devices 100 are inserted in a C-Slot profile present on the inner surface (the surface which is not visible when the ceiling panel is closed) at the edge of the ceiling panel, on both sides of the locking system. In case of vibration or in case of maintenance, the locking system may be disengaged (either suddenly or intentionally). This disengagement frees the panel, which in turn is maintained in an intermediate position (the one presented in fig. 5) by the anti-detachment devices 100, the hook 110 of which being in contact with their corresponding keepers. The partial rotating move of the anti-detachment devices may then be produced to fully open the panel, as described in relation with fig. 4.
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Fig 6., left and right, illustrates the configuration of the anti-detachment device 100 according to third example. More specifically, in this configuration, the groove 130 is pre-formed around the entire perimeter of the base 120, from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base. In this configuration, thus, the resiliently deformable rope 300 takes the form of a continuous seal, the diameter of which being adapted to the diameter of the groove. The continuous seal may for example be an O-ring seal which is then mounted directly on the base of the anti-detachment device. In addition, in this third configuration example, an additional anti-rotative element 310 is also present. This element 310 is an anti-rotative bar or pin depending on the implementation. Fig 6, right is a longitudinal cut of the anti-detachment device 100 in this third example configuration. It can be noted that the additional anti-rotative element 310 is positioned at the front part of the base, thus implying that the T-base is slidable in the C-profile. The front anti-rotative element 310 and the rear anti-rotative element 150 allow preventing the anti-detachment device 100 to lie at the bottom of the groove formed in the C-profile, thus allowing it to be positioned in any C-profile rail, regardless of the depth thereof.