ES2326886T3 - HERMETIC COVER. - Google Patents

Abstract

The shutter has a hook (50) and an upper edge (51) placed on an upper part of the shutter to mount the shutter on an opening for being operated between an opening covering position and an opening uncovering position. A rear lip (30) has a screen surface (31) for preventing streaming of water or other particles passing through the opening. A rounded edge (19) extends from an edge (13) of the opening. An independent claim is also included for a letterbox.

Description

Airtight lid

The present invention relates to caps sealed to equip openings in a wall, in particular a letter entry opening in a mailbox (see document JP-A-10 057 229).

A mailbox comprises a front face that It has a top slot for entering the email, the withdrawal of this by a front door or rear Arranged outside, that is, with the mailbox located at the level of the entrance to a property, and eventually embedded in a wall, the groove of the front face is likely to leave pass the rain, in case of wind or simply by runoff of water. Therefore, the deposited mail is soaked.

It is usual, therefore, to provide the slot with a lid pivotally mounted around its upper edge, which which prevents the direct fall of the rain that falls obliquely. The roof can also form a kind of awning protruding from the front face, to limit water runoff.

However, a gust of wind is still liable to make the rain fall against the top of the front face, and the runoff water then flows through the groove. You could think of equipping the cover of a glued joint over the contour of the groove, although this solution would not be very satisfactory since the joint support pressure on the front face would be almost null, because the center of gravity of the cover, vertical, is almost under the axis.

The present invention aims to propose another solution to the problem of airtightness.

In this regard, the invention relates to firstly to a hermetic lid according to claim 1.

Thus, the solution is to add, to the lid classical, a third dimension, that is, the back lip, which Functionally constitutes a skirt that forms a second cover. How this second cover occupies a retracted position with respect to the opening, a layer of water that drains from the upper edge of the opening will therefore fall in front of this second cover and not behind. The back lip that constitutes the second cover defines thus, with the upper edge of the opening, a groove directed partially down thanks to the recoil that the lip presents later. Although the back lip does not extend to a height corresponding to that of the upper edge, and therefore the groove previously indicated then remains a little turned with a certain angle forward, the tightness is still guaranteed while the angle of fall of the rain with respect to a horizontal does not descend below this steering angle Slot

It will be appreciated that the invention applies whatever be the type of movement of the lid, since the characteristics essentials of the invention need only define the position of closure or cover. The lid can therefore be mounted, for example, from sliding and / or tilting way around any one of its edges or also be removable in normal operation. Indeed, As the tightness is guaranteed by the back lip, the shaft of support, horizontal pivot on top of a lid classic, which served additionally to keep the lid attached on the front face in order to form approximately one water runoff external deflection joint, can now omitted since the back lip exerts this function of air tightness.

In addition, it should be noted that, although the lip Subsequently, it is generally very useful to guarantee tightness in front of an upper edge of the opening, can also equip any other different orientation edge, by noticeably vertical example, to protect from the effects of gusts of wind, which project drops of water or push a flow which drains laterally towards the opening. If required, a withdrawal can be provided, which forms a channel substantially vertical, at the level of the free end of the posterior lip. An edge lower opening can also be equipped in this way against the effects of rising wind gusts. The back lip it can also extend in one piece through several edges of the opening, even in all, forming a complete skirt.

The invention is obviously not limited to the Unique card entry slot, but it is applicable to any opening in a wall exposed to rain or, in a way more general, to projections of liquid or solid particles liable to pass through the opening and damage or contaminate a volume, open or closed, located opposite the exposed face. Be you will also observe that the lid, and in particular the posterior lip, It may, if necessary, present a non-flat form globally.

The screen surface is limited preferably by an end part retracted on itself to constitute a lateral barrier against overflow.

High speed projected particles, and therefore likely to ascend to the edge of the lip later and overflow it, they will then stop over the barrier, of surface eventually retracted, from a direction of screen surface extension, according to an angle that exceeds 90 degrees to form a turned channel.

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Advantageously, the subsequent collection lip it is arranged to present, in a covered position on the wall, an end portion located in front of a contour zone that belongs to the wall and that borders a corresponding edge of The opening.

In this case, the slot, mentioned above, between the back lip and the edge in question of the opening, is partially directed backwards, which makes particles, which would be fired horizontally by the wind to through the opening, stop on the back lip.

Preferably then, the pickup lip rear is arranged so that, also in functional position of uncovered on the wall, said end portion is located in front of said contour zone. The tightness is thus guaranteed. in the entire operating environment.

Said end part of the pick-up lip posterior preferably has a certain elasticity and can then comprise a lateral surface of transverse profile in crest provided for, during the passage of the cover of the position of uncapped to capping position, butt over one edge corresponding to the opening and slide over it laterally to, once the crest is passed, unfold laterally in front of said contour zone. So the lid can handle without difficulty, even if it has a size that exceeds of the opening and thus guaranteeing optimum tightness.

The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the subsequent collection lip has a part lower associated with an opposite anterior lip, collecting previous water runoff, to form a channel. According to one variant, the channel then comprises an evacuation step in at minus one end and / or an evacuation step in an intermediate zone. The two sources of water runoff, posterior and anterior, thus converge towards a unique channeling, which simplifies the set.

The previous collection lip comprises advantageously an end edge arranged for, at least in the Capped position, stick against exposed face. It is limited like this the penetration of the previous water runoff.

The anterior collection lip is preferably of a material that has an elasticity that allows lid handling. It can therefore stick elastic on the wall, which guarantees the maintenance of the airtightness over time.

The previous pickup lip can also pivotally mounted on the lid. It can still stick on the wall.

The mounting means can be arranged so that the pivot cover around the lip edge of previous pick up

The end edge, then in a fixed position although pivoting, it can therefore adhere to the wall at the level of the pivoted generatrix, if the anterior lip has the flexibility due to guarantee the planned pivoting. Likewise a joint in the form of a bonded layer can be provided, continuous and possibly flexible for pivoting, covering the edge of end and the corresponding area of contour of the opening.

In one embodiment, the means of assembly comprise a hook that has an end that forms the geometric axis pivoted of the lid and arranged to rest on Rotating way on a supportive bearing relief with the wall. As only a relief relief is required, without the need for a bearing swivel, the lid can be easily implanted on a mailbox existing.

The hook can be arranged in particular for act in conjunction with said relief relief that extends, from one edge of the opening, in a direction opposite to the face exposed.

The relief relief is, for example, a turn internal sheet metal, initially intended to round the edge in order to avoid any risk of injury to the Username.

The subsequent pickup lip can then comprise a stop projection, which defines the uncap position,  which extends to a distance, with respect to the end of the hook, less than an overflow length of the relief of support, constituting the set, formed by the outgoing and the hook, for supporting relief, a pair of jaws suitable for open elastically by the effect of a mounting force by pressure hitch exerted by an installer. The lid can assemble like this very easily by snap.

The invention is also characterized in particular because of the fact that the subsequent collection lip and the anterior collection lip form a pair of jaws arranged to keep the lid in the mounting position on the opening, imprisonment between them of said relief relief, presenting at least one of said collection lips an elasticity enough to get away from the other, and snag, or respectively release, the relief relief, under the effect of a assembly force, or disassembly, exerted by a installer

The anterior collection lip may comprise a butt relief arranged to butt against the face exposed when the lid reaches the uncapped position.

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This cap can in particular prevent the user disassemble the cover involuntarily. In addition, in the case for which the previous projection is provided, the abutment relief prevents any recoil of the lid and therefore any sliding behind the projection, capable of releasing it from the end of the relief relief on the pivoted lid, which serves also as security against untimely disassembly.

The end of the hook eventually comprises shaft means arranged to act together with means of bearing bearing the wall. If the wall is therefore equipped with bearing means, the fixing of the cover is better guaranteed.

The mounting means can form a pair of identical mounting means, functionally in parallel and arranged  on both sides of a middle plane of the lid perpendicular to a plane of global cover extension. The lid is better guided in this way during handling

The lid may comprise an elastic jaw, of return in cover position by sliding on a cam surface towards which it returns by a force of oblique pressure, and can be arranged so that gravity, and / or a associated jaw that forms a counter-support, provide at least part of the pressure force. Cover thus easily return to the capped position.

A lower edge section comprises advantageously a groove, open towards the exposed face, of cross section with adapted shape to constitute a baffle blocking the rise of an ascending layer of particles pushed by whirlwinds of air.

The baffle constitutes a pseudo-equivalent of the anterior lip, since, although the efficiency of the deflector is not guaranteed in case of continuous water flow, susceptible to overflowing, constitutes a small integrative reserve, enough to deal with bursts discontinuous, with the fall of water by gravity.

The runoff screen surface of back water is preferably, in functional position, in pending return to the opening. Water runoff It can thus be channeled to the wall.

The evacuation path can lead from side of the exposed face, through the opening, or on the side opposite to the exposed face.

In both cases, the step of channel evacuation preferably continues through a conduit that it flows under the lid.

The invention also relates to a mailbox, which It stands out for being equipped with a lid according to the invention.

The present invention will be better understood with the help of the following description of an embodiment of the cover according to the invention and of a variant, referring to the attached drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a mailbox wall comprising an opening equipped with the lid according to the embodiment, represented in the closed position, of resting, covering the opening,

- figure 2 corresponds to figure 1, being the lid in the uncapped position of the opening,

- figure 3 corresponds to figure 2, being the lid in a position quite similar to the position of uncovered, specifically in a presentation position in the opening to mount it,

- Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the cover of the variant, and

- Figure 5 is a perspective view side and front cover of figure 4.

Figure 1 represents a top part of a wall 1, in this case flat and arbitrarily called forward, of a mailbox 10, in this case of sheet metal or plastic material, located on the left in all the figures, in which It also represents a front part of the roof wall.

For reasons of simplicity, wall 1 is assumed which is in its classic functional position, that is, vertical and with extension perpendicular to the plane of figure 1. As is evident, the explanations will remain valid, except for the transpositions related to the reference guidelines, if the Wall 1 present another orientation.

The wall 1, which comprises an outer face 2, exposed to the weather, and an inner face 3 in the mailbox 10, presents an opening 12 to enter the mail or eventually packages. The opening 12 is in this case rectangular in shape, with an upper edge 13, a lower edge 14 and two lateral edges 15, of which only the right edge, in front view of the wall 1, is visible in this case.

In this example, the upper edge 13 continues, into the mailbox 10, that is, opposite the outer face 2, by a fold or turn of sheet forming a cornice or noticeably horizontal edge 19. Also in this case, the bottom edge 14 continues, towards the inside of the mailbox 10, by a turn of sheet in ascending inclination.

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The opening 12 is equipped with a movable cover 20 comprising a body wall 21, substantially flat and of shape and size substantially corresponding to opening 12, with, at the top, mounting elements on the opening 12, which allow the manipulation of the cover 20 between the position represented vertical, with cover of opening 12 with support on the outer face 2, and the position represented in figure 2, of uncovering of the opening 12. As shown in Figure 2, the cover 20 is pivoting in this example, that is, to move from the position opening, or uncapping, pivots around its top to move in particular its lower part at a distance from the wall 1 and thus provide a mail slot.

The body 21 of the cover 20, which extends, in resting, noticeably in a vertical plane located just ahead of the extension plane of the wall 1, is extended, in the part upper, by a back lip 30 that crosses the upper part of the opening 12 and extending obliquely upward into the mailbox 10, that is, away from the opening 12. In this example, the rear lip 30 has an end or upper edge 32 extending, in the rest position of the cover 20, up to a height or altitude that exceeds that of the edge top 13. Figure 2 shows that this is still true for The opening position.

For this, the rear lip 30 has a cross section substantially in semicircle in diameter located, at rest, substantially in the plane of the wall 1, is that is, it forms an open forward channel, which therefore occupies a position corresponding to a pivot of a quarter turn around its longitudinal axis with respect to a position of classic channel In this way, the pivoted opening of approximately 60 degrees, visible in figure 2, is insufficient to run the risk of passing the back edge 32 below the level of the upper edge 13, especially since the diameter indicated above is in this case centered by above the upper edge 13.

The lip 30 thus presents a surface of screen 31 for collection and runoff of water or any another particle that passes through the slot between the part upper body 21 and upper edge 13. The surface of Screen 31 could have been limited to the lower quarter circle, on a downward slope towards opening 12 and through it to evacuate the runoff water outside. However, in this case, the upper semicircle, partially directed down, it constitutes a withdrawal that forms a barrier against the overflow or partially turned channel on which a layer of water, pushed by the wind, would not take advantage of gravity to Stay in it.

The screen surface 31 also presents, in this example, two longitudinal ribs, namely a rib or hook 50 and a projection 34, each having a function specific mechanics and also constituting, each, a wall of flange against overflow for screen surface 31.

The hook 50 is implanted next to the edge 32 and extends substantially vertically in the capped position, that is, it constitutes substantially a radius for the semicircle that it forms the rear lip 30. The hook 50 rests, at one end of free support 51, on the horizontal edge 19 of the upper edge 13, to support the lid 20 and allow rotation of the same.

In this example, the support end 51 rests, in the resting position of the cover 20, on a generatrix located close to the free edge of the support flange 19, that is to say certain distance from the wall 1. As the comparison of the Figures 1 and 2, the pivoted opening of the lid 20 causes a return slide of the support end 51 until it stops on the corner area between the inner face 3 and the flange of support 19, this because of the effect of an anterior lip 35, opposite to back lip 30, and comprising a relief of abutment, or edge, external or anterior 37 in support, on the side of the external face 2, on a contour zone that limits the upper edge 13. As shown Figure 1, the leading edge 37 prevents, in rest position, the recoil of the support end 51 beyond the free edge, rear, support flange 19.

In the variant, the hook 50 is omitted and the support flange 19 carries, or is replaced by, a washer (19) cross section noticeably in quarter circle, centered on a horizontal generatrix constituted by the support line of the anterior edge 37 on the outer face 2. The terminal part, in a quarter circle, the back lip 30 then adapts to slide pivoting on the washer (19). In a case similarly, body 21 has a shape and mass adapted to exert a return torque towards the vertical rest position. Precisely, on the one hand, the center of gravity of the lid 20, located substantially at mid-height of body 21, pivots in descent around the anterior edge 37, with a torque of return at rest representing a lever arm noticeably proportional to the half height of the lid 20. On the other hand, the lip 30, which then rises above the washer (19), therefore presents a resistance pair that consumes a part of the motor work above indicated descent of the body 21. The work of elevation indicated above is, however, limited by the fact that the radius of the washer (19) is much smaller than the half body height 21.

In this variant, to facilitate the return to the closed position, it may be provided that the washer (19) comprises, on a part of its length, a section that presents a section transversal no longer circular but flat in height, that is, shape a cam of decreasing radius towards the inner face 3. The edge subsequent 32 then comprises a corresponding return segment elastic towards the rest position, which has a free edge (32) radially retracted to a position always internal to the washer (19). The energy stored in the elastic stretch during the opening of the lid 20 provides an oblique pressure force on the section of washer (19) which, due to the wedge effect, drives up the rear lip 30 by sliding pivoting on the washer (19), until butt on the inner face 3. Still in a variant, a specific clamp can be provided to clamp elastically the edge 13 or 15 or the support flange 19, in order to guarantee the return to the closed position, being the jaw, for example, the anterior edge 37 or a supplementary lip with V groove in support on an outer edge of the edge 15 for stand opposite the elastic stretch indicated above of the edge free (32).

Returning to the example shown, Figure 2 shows that the shoulder boss 34, which defines the position of uncovered, extends to a distance, with respect to the end 51 of the hook 50, less than an overflow length of the relief relief 19 with respect to the wall 1. The set, formed by the projection 34 and the hook 50, constitutes a pair of jaws suitable to open elastically by the effect of a force of snap-on mounting by an installer. Be particularly appreciates that the recoil to the left of the projection 34, to free the free edge of the relief relief 19, you need to exert, on top 20, a supportive force that makes The anterior lip bends 35.

The anterior lip 35 comprises a surface of water runoff 36, which ends at the edge 37, water runoff surface 36 which is directed towards the wall 1 and the like in front of the screen surface 31, although in extension in height smaller than for this one. Both surfaces of water runoff 31 and 36 are mutually joined in the part bottom to form a channel with collection bottom of the 33 internal water runoff and water runoff external that goes through an interstitium that eventually exists between the front edge 37 in rest position and the outer face 2. It you will appreciate that the cap function could have been guaranteed by a element other than the water runoff surface previous 36 with its edge 37. To ensure airtightness due to water runoff, the anterior lip 35 is extends in a slightly retracted direction backwards wall 1, in this case with a curved shape, with respect to the plane body extension 21.

Channel 30, 33, 35 comprises at least one step of evacuation located at point 41, or step 141 in an area intermediate, as shown in figure 5, then with end edges 133. Reference 42 designates a section upstream of a conduit evacuation downstream of step 41, which flows below the level of the lower edge 14, located in this case along one of the vertical edges 15.

A lower edge section 22 of the cover 20 it comprises a substantially horizontal groove 23, open towards the wall 1, of cross section with adapted form to constitute a blocking baffle on the rise of an eventual layer ascending particles pushed by whirlpools of air. In in particular, the groove 23 has, at rest, an upper wall in descending slope towards an edge joining it to the back face of the lid 20, in order to form a turned channel that retains the water of a layer that ascends by the effect of the wind.

The variant of figures 4 and 5, for which have retained the references of similar elements in the basic embodiment, with the eventual addition of hundreds 1, differs by the fact that the back lip 130 with upper end edge 132 only extends over a quarter of circle, the rib forming a hook or support arm 150 that it is substantially horizontal in rest position and is terminated by an end section 151 of tubular tip 152 intended to accommodate a shaft rod supported by two opposite appendages 16 that form rotating bearings, protruding from the inner face 3 like than the horizontal support relief 19, but in two planes vertical As in the basic embodiment, the rib-hook 150 also constitutes a high stop against any overflow of a rising layer of water by the effect of the wind.

As Figure 5 shows, the elements of assembly, namely lip 130 and hook 150 with tubular tip 152, doubles are provided, functionally in parallel and arranged to both sides of a middle plane of the lid 120 perpendicular to a overall extension plane of the lid 120. As a variant of the representation of figure 5, edge 132 may not comprise the central notch represented and can also comprise, for all its length, at least one base section, against overflow, from hook 150.

In the two examples above, the steps 41 and 141 of the evacuation path flow from the side of the exposed face 2, through the opening 12.

However, as a variant, the path of evacuation could lead to the inner side 3 opposite the face exposed 2. In the first case, but especially in this second case, it is preferable that the evacuation step 41, 141 of the channel 30, 35 or 130, 135 continue through conduit 42, opening under cover 20 and also, preferably, at the bottom of the wall 1, with therefore, in the second case, drilling an evacuation step on a bottom wall of the mailbox 10.

Claims (18)

1. Airtight cover to removably cover an opening (12) of passage of objects made in a mailbox wall (1) in which a face (2) is exposed to particle projections, the cover comprising mounting means movable (50, 51, 150, 151, 152) on the wall (1) arranged to allow manipulation between a functional capping position, folded on the exposed face (2), and a functional uncapping position, the lid also comprising a rear collection lip (30, 130) of the projections arranged for, at least in a covered position, to extend through the opening (12) to an area after it and to present, in a functional position of the wall (1) , a screen surface (31, 131), of subsequent collection and water runoff, forming part of or a whole path of channeling the collected projections, characterized in that the rear collection lip (30, 130) has a lower part (33) associated with a lip Opposite front (35, 135), of previous water runoff collection, to form a channel (30, 33, 35, 130, 135), and because the rear collection lip (30,130) and the previous collection lip (35 , 135) form a pair of jaws arranged to keep the lid in the mounting position on the opening (12), by clamping between them a supporting relief (19) integral with the wall (1), presenting at least one of said pick-up lips (30, 35, 130, 135) elastic enough to move away from the other, and snag, or respectively release, the support relief (19), under the effect of a mounting force, or respectively disassembly , exercised by an installer. 2. Cover according to claim 1, wherein the screen surface (31, 131) is limited by a portion of end (32, 132, 34, 50, 150) folded over itself to constitute a lateral barrier against overflow. 3. Cover according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the subsequent collection lip (30, 130) is arranged to present, in a covered position on the wall (1), a part end (32, 132) located in front of a contour area that belongs to the wall (1) and that borders a corresponding edge of the opening (12). 4. Cover according to claim 3, wherein the rear pickup lip (30, 130) is arranged so that, also in functional position of uncovering on the wall (1), said end portion (32, 132) is placed in front of said area of contour. 5. Cover according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein said end portion (32, 132) of the pick-up lip posterior (30, 130) has a certain elasticity and comprises a lateral surface with a transverse ridge profile intended for, during the passage of the lid from the uncapped position to the position capping, stop on a corresponding edge (13) of the opening (12) and slide over it laterally retracting to, once the crest is passed, unfold laterally in front of said contour zone. 6. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the channel (30, 33, 35) comprises an evacuation step (41) at least one end. 7. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel (130, 135) comprises an evacuation step in an intermediate zone (141). 8. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the anterior collection lip (35) comprises an edge end (37) arranged for, at least in the capped position, stick against the exposed face (2). 9. Cover according to claim 8, wherein the anterior collection lip (35) is made of a material that has a elasticity that allows the manipulation of the lid. 10. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the anterior collection lip (35) is mounted of pivoting way over the lid. 11. Cover according to one of claims 8 a 10, in which the mounting means (50, 51) are arranged to that the cover pivots around the end edge (37) of the lip from previous collection (35). 12. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mounting means comprise a hook (50) that it has an end (51) that forms the pivoted geometric axis of the lid and arranged to rotatably rest on a support relief (19) integral with the wall (1). 13. Cover according to claim 12, wherein the hook (50) is arranged to act in conjunction with a called support relief (19) that extends from an edge (13) of the opening (12), in a direction opposite to the face exposed (2). 14. Cap according to one of claims 12 and 13, in which the subsequent collection lip (30) comprises a butt projection (34), which defines the uncap position, which is extends to a distance, with respect to the end (51) of the hook (50), less than a relief overflow length of support (19), constituting the set, formed by the projection (34) and the hook (50), for the support relief (19), a pair of suitable jaws to open elastically under the effect of a pressure hitch mounting force exerted by a installer 15. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the anterior collection lip (35) comprises a butt relief (37) arranged to butt against the face exposed (2) when the lid reaches the uncapped position. 16. Cover according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the end (151) of the hook (150) comprises means of shaft (152) arranged to act together with means of bearing (16) bearing the wall (1). 17. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which the mounting means (150, 151, 152) form a pair of identical mounting means, functionally in parallel and arranged on both sides of a middle plane of the perpendicular lid to a plane of global extension of the lid. 18. Mailbox, characterized in that the fact of being equipped with a cover according to one of claims 1 to 17.