ES2370716B1 - DOOR CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR LOAD COMPARTMENTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments, which has a ratchet (1) that rotates between a closed and an open position, and a locking element (5) operated by a key from outside the compartment. The mechanism has a rotating inner knob (6) connected to a cam (8) with a first working face (10) and a second working face (11), which rotates the cam (8), and the first working face (10) contacts the locking element (5) and moves it (5) to its unlocked position, and a continuation of the turning of the inner knob (6) continues to rotate the cam (8), and the second Working face (11) contacts the anchoring end (3) of the ratchet (1) by turning it and allowing the opening of the cargo compartment door from the inside.

Description

Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments.

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention belongs to the technical field of locking and locking systems, more specifically to those applied in cargo compartments with instantaneous opening and closing and in a single movement, and more specifically to the closing mechanisms that allow the opening of the storage compartment. load both from the outside and from the inside of it.

Background of the invention

At present there are different locking and locks mechanisms for doors of cargo compartments of trucks, containers and the like, which allow opening from the inside of the same in the event that an individual is trapped inside. They are closing mechanisms in which the opening or closing action is carried out in a single movement, acting on the ratchet or sliding slip by means of an action on an actuator outside or inside the compartment.

These current systems have a great disadvantage, which is that they cannot be operated when the mechanism is locked from the outside. Therefore, if an individual remains locked inside the cargo compartment, he could not leave because these current mechanisms act only on the ratchet or sliding slip, but not on any locking element operated by a key.

Another problem presented by current mechanisms is that the actuators of said mechanism inside the cargo compartment consist of rotating knobs, or push buttons, that protrude from the door, so, in the case of truck cargo compartments, If there is any movement of the load during transport, due to an accident or sudden maneuver, these knobs or push buttons run the risk of operating with the load itself, opening the door with the consequent risk that this entails.

It was therefore desirable a mechanism that would provide an efficient and safe opening, both from the outside of the compartment and from the inside, avoiding the drawbacks existing in the prior art systems.

Description of the invention

The present invention solves the problems existing in the state of the art by means of a door closing mechanism for cargo compartments formed by a ratchet that rotates between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, an anchoring end of the ratchet engages in a closing flange next to it, and in the opening position, the anchoring end when rotating is released from the closing flange and allows the opening of the door of the cargo compartment, both inside and outside the compartment.

The closing mechanism presents as a safety measure a blocking element which moves linearly between a blocking position in which it contacts against the ratchet preventing its rotation, and an unlocking position in which it separates from the ratchet allowing its rotation and therefore the opening of the cargo compartment door. This blocking element is operated by a key from outside the compartment.

To open the door, there is an external knob to the cargo compartment, normally arranged in the door, which drives the ratchet and rotates it from its closed position to its open position. To be able to perform this action on the ratchet, the locking element must be in its unlocked position, that is, logically, it will not be possible to open the door from the outside if the key is locked and the locking element is in its ratchet lock position.

For opening from the inside, the mechanism has an inner knob, which is arranged in the door, inside the cargo compartment. This inner knob is rotatable, and is connected by a drive shaft to a cam, which is located between the locking element and the ratchet, and has two working faces, one of which will operate the locking element, and the other will activate the ratchet, during the opening of the door.

Thus, when the cargo compartment door is closed, the rotation of the inner knob, by means of a drive shaft, rotates the cam. In the event that the locking element is in its locking position in contact with the ratchet, when the cam is rotated, the first working face will contact a protruding tongue of said locking element and move it linearly to its unlocked position. separated from the ratchet. In the opposite case that the blocking element is in its unlocked position, already separated from the ratchet, the operation will be the same, except that the first working face will turn empty and will not find the opposition of the blocking element.

A continuation of the rotation of the inner knob continues to rotate the cam, and the second work face contacts the anchoring end of the ratchet and rotates it by releasing it from the closing tab thus allowing the door to be opened from the inside.

In this way, the compartment can be opened from the inside, even when the key is thrown from the outside and the locking element is blocking the ratchet, so if an individual accidentally gets locked inside the compartment, with a only turning movement on the knob will open the door. In the first section of the turn it will act on the locking element if the key is thrown, and in the second section of the turn it will act on the ratchet, releasing it.

The fact that the mechanism is operated by a knob turning movement provides an advantage over the pushbuttons, since if there is any accidental movement of the load, it will be much more difficult for the mechanism to be activated by turning than by pressure, so the risks of accidental opening of the door are minimized.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, there is an elastic return element connected to the inner knob, which returns it to its initial position once it has stopped rotating. Preferably, this elastic return element is concentric with the axis of rotation of the knob and is housed in the recessed support.

Description of the fi gures

Next, to facilitate the understanding of the invention, an illustrative but non-limiting way will describe an embodiment of the invention that refers to a series of figures.

Figure 1 is a sectioned perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the closing mechanism object of the invention in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism in the closed position of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the plane AA ’in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectioned perspective view of the mechanism of the previous figures at the beginning of the opening when the inner knob has been turned 20 °.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism at the beginning of the opening of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section along the plane BB ’in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectioned perspective view of the mechanism of the previous figures during opening when the inner knob has been rotated 45 °.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism during the opening of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a section along the CC ’plane of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectioned perspective view of the mechanism of the previous figures at the end of the opening when the knob has been turned 90 °.

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism at the end of the opening of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a section along the plane DD ’of Figure 11.

These figures refer to a set of elements that are:

one.

ratchet

2.

ratchet pivot shaft

3.

ratchet anchor end

Four.

closing tab

5.

blocking element

6.

interior knob

7.

drive shaft

8.

cam

9.

locking element tab

10.

first cam work face

eleven.

second cam work face

12.

built-in support of the inner knob

13.

elastic return element.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

As can be seen in the fi gures, the object of the present invention is a door closing mechanism for cargo compartments, preferably of trucks, although it can also be used for various storage containers.

This closing mechanism has a ratchet 1 that rotates around a rotation axis 2 between a closing position where an anchoring end 3 of the ratchet 1 is engaged in a closing flange 4 of the mechanism, and an opening position where the end anchor 3, when turning the ratchet 1, is released from the closing tab 4 allowing the opening of the compartment door. In addition, the mechanism has a locking element 5 of the ratchet 1, to prevent its movement, of which they are operated by means of a key from outside the compartment. This blocking element 5 has a blocking position in which it contacts against the ratchet 1 preventing its rotation and therefore the opening of the door, and an unlocking position in which the blocking element 5 is separated from the ratchet 1 allowing its turn and therefore the opening of the door. The mechanism has a knob on the outside of the cargo compartment, normally located on the door, which drives the ratchet 1 and rotates it from its closed position to its open position when the locking element 5 is in its unlocked position, that is, when the key is not locked. These elements and their operation are conventional and are common to a large number of closing mechanisms.

The closing mechanism of the present invention also has a rotating inner knob 6, normally arranged in the door, but from the inside side of the cargo compartment, which is connected to a cam 8 via a drive shaft 7, which It is arranged between a tongue 9 of the locking element 5, and the anchoring end 3 of the ratchet 1. This cam 8, as seen in the figures, has a first working face 10 which is responsible for actuating the locking element. lock 5, and a second work face 11 responsible for operating the ratchet 1, during a sequential operation of opening the door.

As can be seen in the fi gures, according to a preferred embodiment, the inner knob 6 is housed in a support 12 embedded in the door panel of the cargo compartment, and this support 12 is responsible for fixing and guiding the axis of transmission. In addition, the inner knob 6 is at least partially inserted into the interior of the compartment door panel.

The fi gures show a sequence of opening of the closing system, from the unlocking of the locking system 5, to the rotation and opening of the ratchet 1 which makes it possible to open the cargo compartment door.

Figures 1, to 3 show the closing mechanism in its closed position, that is, the anchoring end 3 of the ratchet 1 hooked on the closing tab 4, and with the key cast, that is, the locking element 5 against ratchet 1, preventing its rotation, and therefore the opening.

Figures 4 to 6 show the closing mechanism at the beginning of the opening operation, in which the inner knob 6 has begun to make the turn, in this case, preferably it has turned 20 °, and this turn makes the cam 8 rotate in such a way that its first working face 10 contacts against the tongue 9 of the locking element 5 and moves it linearly, backwards to its unlocked position separated from the ratchet 1, whereby said ratchet 1 becomes able to rotate when it is actuated.

Figures 7 to 9 show the closing mechanism during the opening operation, in which the inner knob 6 has already rotated 45 °, and from this point the cam 8 has rotated so that its second working face 11 contacts the anchoring end 3 of the ratchet 1 by rotating it.

Figures 10 show the closing mechanism at the end of the opening operation, in which the second working face 11 rotates the ratchet 1 to such an extent that it releases the anchoring end 3 of the closing tab 4 and allows the opening of the cargo compartment door.

The rotation of the inner knob 6 between its initial position, of closing, and its final position, of opening, is limited by conventional stops arranged in its travel.

In particular, the mechanism has an elastic return element 13 connected to the inner knob 6, which returns to said inner knob 6 to its initial position once it has reached the end of its final position and stops rotating. Preferably, the elastic return element 13 is concentric with the axis of rotation of the inner knob 6 and is housed in the recessed support 12.

Once the invention is clearly described, it is noted that the particular embodiments described above are susceptible to modifications of detail provided that they do not alter the fundamental principle and essence of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments of the type they comprise

-

a ratchet (1) that rotates between a closed position in which an anchoring end (3) of said ratchet (1) engages in a closing tab (4), and an opening position in which the anchoring end (3) when turning it is released from the closing tab (4) allowing the opening of a cargo compartment door from inside and outside the compartment,

-

a blocking element (5) that moves linearly between a blocking position in which it contacts the ratchet (1) preventing its rotation and an unlocking position in which it separates from the ratchet (1) allowing its rotation and therefore the opening of the cargo compartment door, the locking element being operated

(5) by means of a key from outside the compartment,

-

a knob outside the cargo compartment that drives the ratchet (1) by rotating it from its closed position to its open position when the locking element (5) is in its unlocked position,

-

and an inner knob (6), inside the cargo compartment

said door closing mechanism characterized in that

-

the inner knob (6) is rotatable, and is connected by

-

a drive shaft (7) a

-

a cam (8) disposed between a tongue (9) of the locking element (5) and the anchoring end (3) of the ratchet (1), comprising

-

a first face (10) of work and

-

a second face (11) of work,

such that when the cargo compartment door is closed,

-

the rotation of the inner knob (6) rotates the cam (8), and the first working face (10) contacts the tongue

(9) of the locking element (5) if it is in its locked position, and linearly moves said locking element (5) to its unlocked position separate from the ratchet (1),

-

and a continuation of the rotation of the inner knob (6) continues to rotate the cam (8), and the second working face (11) contacts the anchoring end (3) of the ratchet (1) by turning it and releasing it from the closing tab (4) allowing the opening of the cargo compartment door.

2.

Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner knob (6) is housed in a support (12) recessed in the door panel of the cargo compartment, said support (12) fixing and guiding the drive shaft (7).

3.

Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner knob (6) is at least partially inserted inside the cargo compartment door panel.

Four.

Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that connected to the inner knob (6) additionally comprises an elastic return element

(13) which returns said inner knob (6) to its initial position once it has stopped rotating. 5. Door closing mechanism for cargo compartments according to claims 2,3 and 4, characterized in that the elastic return element (13) connected to the inner knob (6) is concentric with the axis of rotation of said inner knob (6) and is housed in the recessed support (12). SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200900427 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 16.02.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: E05B65 / 16 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

TO

GB 2382616 A (EXPRESSLOCK) 04.06.2003, description: page 1, paragraph [1] - page 2, paragraph [1]; page 3, paragraph [9] - page 5, paragraph [2]; figures 1-3; summary. 1-5

TO

EP 1103680 A1 (ANTOLIN GRUPO ING SA) 30.05.2001, summary; figures. 1-5

TO

US 2006049643 A1 (ROUSSEL JEROME P) 09.03.2006, summary; figure 2. 1-5

TO

FR 2059826 A5 (BLOXVICH LOCK STAMPING) 04.06.1971, summary; Figures 3-4. 1-5

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 22.11.2011

Examiner I. Franco García Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200900427 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) E05B65 Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200900427 Date of Written Opinion: 22.11.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200900427 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

GB 2382616 A (EXPRESSLOCK) 04.06.2003

D02

EP 1103680 A1 (ANTOLIN GRUPO ING SA) 05.30.2001

D03

US 2006049643 A1 (ROUSSEL JEROME P) 03.09.2006

D04

FR 2059826 A5 (BLOXVICH LOCK STAMPING) 04.06.1971

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The purpose of the request is a door closing mechanism for cargo compartments. The document considered closest in the state of the art is D01 (GB 2382 616) This document describes a: door closing mechanism for cargo compartments of the type comprising a ratchet (8) that rotates between a closed position in which an anchoring end (R1) of said ratchet (8) engages in a closing tab ( P), and an opening position in which the anchoring end (R1) when rotating is released from the closing tab (P) allowing the opening of a cargo compartment door from inside and outside the compartment. The blocking element would be the part indicated with reference 7. Said blocking element contacts the ratchet preventing its rotation when it is in the locked position. In unlocked position allows the ratchet to rotate. The blocking element (7) can be operated by means of a key. The rest of the technical characteristics contained in claim 1, among others the cam, are not found in document D01. Therefore, in view of document D01, claim 1 of the application is new and inventive, and therefore also its dependent claims 2 to 5. The rest of the cited documents are considered a reflection of the state of the art, but they are not, in the opinion of the undersigned, relevant documents, alone or in combination, to question the novelty or inventive activity of the object of the request. Therefore, claims 1 to 5 of the application are considered new and inventive within the meaning of articles 6 and 8 of Patent Law 11/1986. State of the Art Report Page 4/4