FR2901547A1

FR2901547A1 - LOCKING DEVICE AMOVILLE IN RECOVERED POSITION OF AN AMOUNT AND CONTAINER COMPRISING SUCH DEVICES

Info

Publication number: FR2901547A1
Application number: FR0651924A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Andre Sainton; Eric Maillard
Original assignee: Industrie de Thermoformage et Mecano Soudure SA
Current assignee: Industrie de Thermoformage et Mecano Soudure SA
Priority date: 2006-05-26
Filing date: 2006-05-26
Publication date: 2007-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-26
Also published as: ES2329306T3; EP1860035A1; ATE435164T1; DE602007001416D1; FR2901547B1; EP1860035B1

Abstract

The device (1) has complementary units (2, 2`) integrated to a post and a base of the container respectively, and forming ratchet/pawl mechanism. The units have two teeth or notches cooperating by mutual engagement to block or lock a post (3) of a container in two lockable or blockable positions, where one position corresponds to a straightened position and another position corresponds to a position closer to the straightened position and shifted in direction of a folded position of the post.

Description

-2- complémentaires coopérant par engagement mutuel pour bloquer ou-2- complementary cooperating by mutual commitment to block or

verrouiller automatiquement le montant auquel il est associé, en position redressée de ce dernier, un desdits moyens étant solidaire du montant et l'autre desdits moyens étant solidaire de l'embase, ledit blocage ou verrouillage pouvant être libéré par action sur l'un au moins desdits deux moyens. Dans certaines applications, ces dispositifs de verrouillage connus montrent leurs limites, ce du fait de la fourniture d'une unique possibilité d'interconnexion ou d'engagement mutuel des deux moyens complémentaires et donc d'une unique position de verrouillage. Il est donc obligatoire d'amener le montant concerné exactement dans sa position de verrouillage pour que l'effet de blocage soit obtenu, ce qui peut se révéler fastidieux, en cas de répétition fréquente et/ou de déformation du montant et/ou de l'embase concerné(e)(s). automatically lock the amount with which it is associated, in the adjusted position of the latter, one of said means being integral with the amount and the other of said means being integral with the base, said locking or locking being released by action on one to least of said two means. In certain applications, these known locking devices show their limits, because of the provision of a single possibility of interconnection or mutual engagement of the two complementary means and therefore of a single locking position. It is therefore mandatory to bring the amount concerned exactly in its locking position so that the locking effect is obtained, which can be tedious, in case of frequent repetition and / or deformation of the amount and / or the concerned base (s).

De plus, tous les efforts tendant à solliciter les montants en-dehors de leur position verrouillée sont repris au niveau d'une unique interface de contact entre les deux moyens complémentaires. Par conséquent, cette interface doit être dimensionnée en adéquation avec cette reprise d'effort, ce qui entraîne des amplitudes de manoeuvre importantes au verrouillage et au déverrouillage. Enfin, la présence d'une unique interface d'interconnexion ou d'engagement mutuel aboutira forcément à la subsistance d'un jeu en position verrouillée, notamment après une certaine période d'utilisation du conteneur, ce qui peut rendre le gerbage desdits conteneurs délicat et risqué. In addition, all efforts tending to solicit amounts outside their locked position are taken up at a single contact interface between the two complementary means. Therefore, this interface must be dimensioned in adequacy with this recovery of effort, resulting in significant maneuvering amplitudes to locking and unlocking. Finally, the presence of a single interface interconnection or mutual engagement will necessarily result in the maintenance of a game in locked position, especially after a certain period of use of the container, which can make the stacking of said containers delicate and risky.

La présente invention a notamment pour objet de surmonter au moins certains des inconvénients précités. A cet effet, la présente invention a pour principal objet un dispositif de verrouillage amovible en position redressée d'un montant rabattable ou repliable d'un conteneur, tel qu'évoqué ci-dessus, ce dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que chaque moyen complémentaire comporte au moins deux dents ou crans fournissant par coopération, en fonction de leur configuration d'engagement mutuel, au moins deux positions verrouillées ou bloquées en pivotement distinctes pour le montant concerné, dont l'une correspond à sa position redressée et dont l'autre ou les autres correspond(ent) à une ou des position(s) proche(s) de cette position redressée, mais décalée(s) en direction de la position repliée de ce montant. -3- L'invention sera mieux comprise, grâce à la description ci-après, qui se rapporte à des modes de réalisation préférés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et expliqués avec référence aux dessins schématiques annexés, dans lesquels : la figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un montant d'un conteneur à l'état replié, montrant les deux moyens complémentaires du dispositif de verrouillage associé à ce montant ; la figure 2 est une vue partielle en perspective du montant de la figure 2, ledit montant étant presque en position relevée et les deux moyens 10 complémentaires coopérant partiellement ; la figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective du montant des figures 1 et 2, ledit montant étant dans sa position relevée ou redressée avec coopération avec engagement mutuel complet des deux moyens complémentaires ; 15 la figure 4 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un dispositif de verrouillage en position redressée du montant, selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention, et, la figure 5 est une vue en élévation latérale de l'ensemble [montant / dispositif de verrouillage / pied du conteneur] représenté sur la 20 figure 3. Les figures 1 à 4 représentent un dispositif 1 de verrouillage amovible en position redressée d'un montant 3 rabattable ou repliable, appartenant à un conteneur 4 à embase 5 à structure plane et à pourtour carré ou rectangulaire. 25 Ce conteneur 4 est pourvu de quatre montants 3 assemblés de manière pivotante par leurs extrémités inférieures respectives avec ladite embase 5, chacun au niveau d'un coin de cette dernière, et peuvent être déplacés en pivotement entre une position redressée (figures 3 et 4) dans laquelle les montants sont sensiblement positionnés perpendiculairement au 30 plan de l'embase et une position repliée ou rabattue le long d'un bord latéral de l'embase, dans laquelle ces montants sont inclinés en direction de l'embase ou disposés parallèlement à celle-ci, en reposant éventuellement sur ladite embase par leur extrémité libre (figure 1). Ce dispositif de verrouillage 1 est constitué par deux moyens 35 complémentaires 2 et 2' coopérant par engagement mutuel pour bloquer ou verrouiller automatiquement le montant 3 auquel il est associé, lorsqu'il est en position redressée. Un desdits moyens 2, 2' est solidaire dudit montant 3 -4- et l'autre desdits moyens est solidaire de l'embase 5, le blocage ou verrouillage en position redressée pouvant être libéré par action sur l'un au moins desdits deux moyens 2 et 2'. Conformément à l'invention, chaque moyen complémentaire 2, 2' comporte au moins deux dents ou crans 6, 6' fournissant par coopération, en fonction de leur configuration d'engagement mutuel, au moins deux positions verrouillées ou bloquées en pivotement distinctes pour le montant 3 concerné, dont l'une correspond à sa position redressée et dont l'autre ou les autres correspond(ent) à une ou des position(s) proche(s) de cette position redressée, mais décalée(s) en direction de la position repliée de ce montant 3. Ainsi, les efforts de maintien du montant 3 considéré sont réparties sur au moins deux interfaces de contact entre dents ou crans 6 et 6', ces dernier(e)s pouvant présenter une taille plus faible (donc une structure plus massive et plus résistante) tout en garantissant un calage sûr et sans jeu à l'état verrouillé. De plus, la présence sur chaque moyen 2, 2' d'au moins deux, préférentiellement de plusieurs, dents ou crans, permettent de définir au moins une (préférentiellement plusieurs) position(s) de verrouillage intermédiaires. Ces positions intermédiaires sécurisées peuvent éventuellement être occupées temporairement par le montant 3 considéré, par exemple après une première opération ou un premier mouvement de redressement, un mouvement supplémentaire de pivotement final pouvant amener ultérieurement ledit montant 3 dans sa position redressée, également verrouillée (position normale d'utilisation de gerbage). Selon une première caractéristique de l'invention, l'un des deux moyens complémentaires 2, 2' mutuellement coopérants comporte une pièce 7 qui est mobile par rapport à son corps support 3 ou 5 et porte les dents ou crans 6, 6', cette pièce mobile 7 étant sollicitée élastiquement vers une position dans laquelle ses dents ou crans 6, 6' viennent automatiquement en engagement ou en prise avec les dents ou crans 6', 6 de l'autre moyen 2', 2 lorsque le montant 3 considéré arrive par pivotement à proximité de sa position redressée, le nombre de dents ou de crans 6 et 6' mutuellement en prise augmentant au fur et à mesure que ledit montant 3 se rapproche de cette position redressée, en étant maximum dans cette dernière. -5- De manière préférée, le dispositif 1 comporte un moyen fixe et un moyen mobile (relativement par rapport à son support correspondant) et ces moyens complémentaires mutuellement coopérants 2 et 2' forment ensemble un mécanisme du type cliquet/rochet, le moyen 2 ou 2' formant cliquet présentant une pièce 7 mobile en translation par rapport à son support et portant au moins deux dents ou crans 6 ou 6' au niveau de son extrémité dirigée vers l'autre moyen 2' ou 2 et ce dernier moyen complémentaire 2' ou 2 formant rochet et portant également au moins deux dents ou crans 6' ou 6, ces deux séries de dents ou crans 6 et 6' pouvant défiler relativement l'une par rapport à l'autre, avec définition d'une pluralité de positions d'encliquetage discrètes par enclenchement élastique, un nombre croissant de dents ou de crans 6, 6' venant mutuellement en prise au fur et à mesure que le montant considéré 3 se rapproche de sa position redressée. The present invention is intended to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, the present invention has for main object a removable locking device in the upright position of a collapsible or collapsible amount of a container, as evoked above, this device being characterized in that each complementary means comprises at least two teeth or notches providing by cooperation, according to their mutual engagement configuration, at least two separate locked or locked pivot positions for the amount concerned, one of which corresponds to its upright position and the other of which the others correspond to a position or positions close to this rectified position, but staggered towards the folded position of this amount. The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIG. Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an amount of a container in the folded state, showing the two complementary means of the locking device associated with this amount; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the amount of Figure 2, said amount being almost in the raised position and the two complementary means cooperating partially; Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the amount of Figures 1 and 2, said amount being in its raised or rectified position with cooperation with full mutual commitment of the two complementary means; FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a reclining device in the upright position of the upright, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the assembly (FIG. locking device / foot of the container] shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a detachable locking device 1 in the upright position of a folding or folding upright 3 belonging to a container 4 having a flat structure and with a square or rectangular edge. This container 4 is provided with four uprights 3 pivotally assembled by their respective lower ends with said base 5, each at a corner thereof, and can be pivotally displaced between a rectified position (FIGS. 3 and 4). ) in which the uprights are substantially positioned perpendicular to the plane of the base and a folded or folded position along a lateral edge of the base, wherein these uprights are inclined towards the base or arranged parallel to this, possibly resting on said base by their free end (Figure 1). This locking device 1 is constituted by two complementary means 2 and 2 'cooperating by mutual engagement to block or automatically lock the amount 3 which it is associated, when in the rectified position. One of said means 2, 2 'is integral with said post 3 -4- and the other of said means is integral with the base 5, the locking or locking in the rectified position can be released by action on at least one of said two means 2 and 2 '. According to the invention, each complementary means 2, 2 'comprises at least two teeth or notches 6, 6' cooperatively providing, according to their mutual engagement configuration, at least two distinct locked or locked pivot positions for the Amount 3 concerned, one of which corresponds to its adjusted position and the other (s) of which corresponds to a position (s) close to that adjusted position, but offset in the direction of the folded position of this upright 3. Thus, the holding forces of the amount 3 considered are distributed over at least two contact interfaces between teeth or notches 6 and 6 ', the latter (s) may have a smaller size (therefore a more massive and more resistant structure) while guaranteeing safe and play-free locking in the locked state. In addition, the presence on each means 2, 2 'of at least two, preferably several teeth or notches, to define at least one (preferably several) intermediate locking position (s). These secure intermediate positions may optionally be temporarily occupied by the amount 3 considered, for example after a first operation or a first rectification movement, an additional final pivoting movement may subsequently bring said upright 3 in its upright position, also locked (normal position use of stacking). According to a first feature of the invention, one of the two complementary means 2, 2 'mutually cooperating comprises a part 7 which is movable relative to its support body 3 or 5 and carries teeth or notches 6, 6', this movable part 7 being urged elastically to a position in which its teeth or notches 6, 6 'are automatically engaged or engaged with the teeth or notches 6', 6 of the other means 2 ', 2 when the amount 3 considered arrives by pivoting near its rectified position, the number of teeth or notches 6 and 6 'mutually engaged increasing as said amount 3 approaches this rectified position, being maximum in the latter. Preferably, the device 1 comprises a fixed means and a moving means (relative to its corresponding support) and these complementary mutually cooperating means 2 and 2 'together form a mechanism of the ratchet / ratchet type, the means 2 or 2 'pawl having a part 7 movable in translation relative to its support and carrying at least two teeth or notches 6 or 6' at its end facing the other means 2 'or 2 and the latter complementary means 2 or 2 forming a ratchet and also carrying at least two teeth or notches 6 'or 6, these two series of teeth or notches 6 and 6' being able to move relatively relative to each other, with definition of a plurality of discrete latching positions by elastic engagement, a growing number of teeth or notches 6, 6 'coming into mutual engagement as the amount considered 3 approaches its upright position.

Conformément à un mode de réalisation pratique préféré, ressortant des différentes figures des dessins annexés, l'un au moins des deux moyens complémentaires coopérants 2 et 2' comporte une pièce dentée ou cranté mobile 7. De plus, les dents ou crans 6, 6' de chacun des deux moyens mutuellement coopérants 2 et 2' présentent préférentiellement des formes triangulaires définissant, d'une part, au moins deux flancs inclinés 8 destinés à venir en appui contre les flancs inclinés 8 opposés respectifs des dents ou crans 6', 6 de l'autre moyen 2 ou 2' et, d'autre part, au moins deux flancs 8' sensiblement droits ou verticaux destinés à venir en appui contre les flancs droits ou verticaux 8' opposés respectifs des dents ou crans 6', 6 de l'autre moyen 2 ou 2', ce lorsque lesdits deux moyens complémentaires 2 et 2' sont mutuellement coopérants avec engagement réciproque dans une position d'encliquetage sous sollicitation élastique. La totalité des flancs 8, 8' des dents ou crans 6, 6' de chacun des moyens 2 et 2' étant en appui intime sur les flancs 8, 8' des dents ou crans 6, 6' de l'autre moyen 2' ou 2 de l'autre moyen 2' ou 2 en position redressée du montant 3 concerné. Selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention, et comme le montre la figure 4 des dessins annexés, le moyen 2' solidaire du montant 3 comporte une pièce 7 mobile en translation dans la direction longitudinale X de ce montant 3, qui porte, à son extrémité dirigée vers l'autre moyen 2 en position redressée dudit montant 3, plusieurs dents 6' et qui est sollicitée élastiquement vers cet autre moyen 2 et en ce que le -6- second moyen 2 est rapporté de manière fixe ou formé sur une extension ou un prolongement vertical(e) 9 d'un coin de l'embase 5, avec des dents 6 qui sont dirigées vers le moyen 2' solidaire du montant 3 considéré en position redressée et présentent une disposition inversée par rapport à celle des dents 6' de la pièce mobile 7 du moyen 2' solidaire du montant 3. Selon une seconde variante de réalisation de l'invention, représentée sur les figures 1 à 3 des dessins annexés, le moyen 2 solidaire de l'embase 5 comporte une pièce 7 qui est montée mobile en translation sur un prolongement ou une extension vertical(e) 9 d'un coin de ladite embase 5, qui porte plusieurs dents 6 à son extrémité dirigée vers l'autre moyen coopérant 2' solidaire du montant 3 concerné, en position redressée de ce dernier, et qui est sollicitée élastiquement en direction de ce moyen 2 et en ce que cet autre moyen coopérant 2' est rapporté de manière fixe ou formé sur le montant 3 concerné, avec des dents 6' dirigées vers la pièce mobile 7 du moyen 2 solidaire de l'embase 5 en position redressée du montant 3 et présentant une disposition inversée par rapport à celle des dents 6 de ladite pièce mobile 7. L'extension 9 peut par exemple être obtenue par découpe et pliage et être solidarisée à l'embase par soudage. According to a preferred practical embodiment, apparent from the various figures of the accompanying drawings, at least one of the two cooperating complementary means 2 and 2 'comprises a moving toothed or toothed piece 7. In addition, the teeth or notches 6, 6 of each of the two mutually cooperating means 2 and 2 'preferably have triangular shapes defining, on the one hand, at least two inclined flanks 8 intended to abut against the respective opposite inclined flanks 8 of the teeth or notches 6', 6 the other means 2 or 2 'and, on the other hand, at least two flanks 8' substantially straight or vertical intended to abut against the right flanks or vertical 8 'respective opposing teeth or notches 6', 6 of the other means 2 or 2 ', when said two complementary means 2 and 2' are mutually cooperating with mutual engagement in a detent position under elastic stress. All of the flanks 8, 8 'of the teeth or notches 6, 6' of each of the means 2 and 2 'being in intimate support on the flanks 8, 8' of the teeth or notches 6, 6 'of the other means 2' or 2 of the other means 2 'or 2 in the adjusted position of the amount 3 concerned. According to a first variant embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 4 of the appended drawings, the means 2 'integral with the upright 3 comprises a part 7 movable in translation in the longitudinal direction X of this upright 3, which carries, at its end directed towards the other means 2 in the upright position of said upright 3, several teeth 6 'and which is resiliently urged towards this other means 2 and in that the second means 2 is attached fixedly or formed on an extension or a vertical extension (e) 9 of a corner of the base 5, with teeth 6 which are directed towards the means 2 'integral with the upright 3 considered in the upright position and have an inverted disposition relative to that of teeth 6 'of the moving part 7 of the means 2' integral with the upright 3. According to a second variant embodiment of the invention, represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the appended drawings, the means 2 integral with the base 5 comprises a piece 7 which e st mounted movable in translation on an extension or a vertical extension (e) 9 of a corner of said base 5, which carries several teeth 6 at its end facing the other cooperating means 2 'integral with the amount 3 concerned, in position straightened from the latter, and which is resiliently biased towards this means 2 and in that this other cooperating means 2 'is fixedly attached or formed on the upright 3 concerned, with teeth 6' directed towards the moving part 7 means 2 integral with the base 5 in the upright position of the upright 3 and having an inverted disposition relative to that of the teeth 6 of said moving part 7. The extension 9 may for example be obtained by cutting and folding and be secured to the base by welding.

De manière avantageuse, le prolongement ou l'extension 9 de l'embase 5 comportant l'un 2 des deux moyens complémentaires coopérants 2, 2' se présente sous la forme d'une portion de profilé à section en U dans laquelle le montant 3 concerné est assujetti par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison pivot 10, les ailes 9', 9" opposées du profilé à section en U 9 étant dirigées ou s'étendant parallèlement à l'un des côtés de l'embase 5 et ledit moyen 2 étant rapporté ou formé sur l'aile intérieure 9" de ladite portion 9 de profilé à section en U. En particulier, et comme le montre la figure 4 des dessins, les dents 6 du moyen 2 solidaire de l'embase 5 peuvent être découpées dans le bord supérieur de l'aile intérieure 9" de la portion 9 de profilé à section en U formant un prolongement ou une extension de l'embase 5. En fonction de la disposition et de la réalisation de la pièce mobile 7, le déplacement de cette dernière se fera à la main (soulèvement) ou au pied (appui). Advantageously, the extension or extension 9 of the base 5 comprising one of the two complementary cooperating means 2, 2 'is in the form of a section section U section in which the amount 3 concerned is secured by means of a pivot connection 10, the opposed wings 9 ', 9 "of the U-section section 9 being directed or extending parallel to one side of the base 5 and said means 2 being attached or formed on the inner flange 9 "of said section portion 9 of section U. In particular, and as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the teeth 6 of the means 2 secured to the base 5 may be cut in the upper edge of the inner flange 9 "of the portion 9 of section section U forming an extension or an extension of the base 5. Depending on the arrangement and the embodiment of the movable part 7, the movement of the latter will be done by hand (lifting) or by foot (support).

A cet effet, la pièce mobile 7 est pourvue d'un organe d'entraînement 11 pouvant être actionné par un opérateur, par exemple avec son pied ou sa main, et permettant de déplacer ladite pièce 7 à l'encontre de -7- sa sollicitation élastique, en particulier pour l'extraire d'une position d'encliquetage et désengager ses dents 6, 6' des dents 6', 6 du moyen complémentaire coopérant 2, 2' fixe, et notamment autoriser le montant 3 concerné à être pivoté en direction de la position repliée. For this purpose, the movable part 7 is provided with a drive member 11 that can be actuated by an operator, for example with his foot or his hand, and for moving said workpiece 7 against his body. resilient biasing, in particular for extracting it from a detent position and disengaging its teeth 6, 6 'of the teeth 6', 6 of the complementary cooperating means 2, 2 'fixed, and in particular allowing the amount 3 concerned to be pivoted towards the folded position.

Dans une forme de réalisation avantageuse de l'invention, le moyen 2 ou 2' comportant la pièce mobile 7 consiste en un manchon, formé par repliement ou rapporté au niveau du montant 3 ou de l'embase 5, dans lequel est monté coulissant un corps allongé 7' terminé par une tête 7" dentée, qui forment ensemble ladite pièce mobile 7, un organe élastique 13 du type ressort sollicitant ledit corps 7' dans une position de coulissement extrême. Comme le montre schématiquement la figure 4, le corps allongé 7' profilé et coulissant peut par exemple comporter une découpe 14, allongée dans la direction de coulissement, dans laquelle est monté un ressort de compression 13 qui prend appui sur une butée 15 solidaire du manchon 12. Comme le met en évidence une comparaison des figures 1 à 3 avec la figure 4, les dents ou crans 6, 6' peuvent être disposés selon un alignement rectiligne (figures 1 à 3) ou sur une surface courbe (figure 4). In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means 2 or 2 'comprising the moving part 7 consists of a sleeve, formed by folding or attached to the upright 3 or the base 5, in which is slidably mounted a an elongated body 7 'terminated by a toothed head 7', which together form said movable part 7, a resilient spring-like member 13 urging said body 7 'into an extreme sliding position, as shown schematically in FIG. 7 'section and sliding may for example comprise a cutout 14, elongate in the sliding direction, in which is mounted a compression spring 13 which bears on an abutment 15 integral with the sleeve 12. As evidenced by a comparison of the figures 1 to 3 with Figure 4, the teeth or notches 6, 6 'may be arranged in a rectilinear alignment (Figures 1 to 3) or on a curved surface (Figure 4).

La présente invention a également pour objet un conteneur 4 à embase 5 en forme de palette et à montants 3 rabattables ou repliables, éventuellement ensemble avec des portions de parois latérales dudit conteneur, ce conteneur comportant quatre montants situés au niveau et s'étendant à partir des quatre coins ou angles de ladite embase. Another subject of the present invention is a container 4 with a base 5 in the form of a pallet and with folding or folding uprights 3, possibly together with portions of side walls of said container, this container comprising four uprights situated at the level and extending from four corners or angles of said base.

Ce conteneur 4 est caractérisé en ce qu'à chaque montant 3 est associé un dispositif de verrouillage 1 tel que décrit ci-dessus et représenté aux figures annexées. L'embase 5 présente avantageusement, au niveau de ses coins et en combinaison avec les prolongements 9 servant de sites de montage avec pivotement aux montants 3 repliables, des ergots 16 qui autorisent un gerbage par superposition de deux conteneurs 4 en configuration d'utilisation (montants redressée) et à vide (montants repliés). Le gerbage avec calage de deux conteneurs 4 avec leurs montants redressés est obtenu par engagement des ergots 16 dans des coupelles 16' présentes au niveau des extrémités supérieures libres desdits montants 3. -8- Le gerbage avec calage de deux conteneurs 4 avec leurs montants 3 repliés (tel que dans la figure 1), peut être réalisé par engagement des ergots 16 dans l'extrémité supérieure ouverte du profilé 9 en U. This container 4 is characterized in that each amount 3 is associated with a locking device 1 as described above and shown in the accompanying figures. The base 5 advantageously has, at its corners and in combination with the extensions 9 serving as mounting sites with pivoting to the collapsible uprights 3, lugs 16 which allow stacking by superposition of two containers 4 in the configuration of use ( amounts straightened) and empty (folded amounts). The staggered stacking of two containers 4 with their straightened uprights is obtained by engagement of the lugs 16 in the cups 16 'present at the free upper ends of said uprights 3. The stacking stacking of two containers 4 with their uprights 3 folded (as in Figure 1), can be achieved by engaging the lugs 16 in the open upper end of the profile 9 U.

De tels pieds sont également décrits et représentés dans les documents évoqués en introduction à la présente. Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation décrits et représentés aux dessins annexés. Des modifications restent possibles, notamment du point de vue de la constitution des divers éléments ou par substitution d'équivalents techniques, sans sortir pour autant du domaine de protection de l'invention. Such feet are also described and represented in the documents mentioned in the introduction to the present. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1) Removable locking device in the upright position of a collapsible or collapsible pillar, belonging to a base container with a flat structure and a square or rectangular periphery, this container being provided with four uprights pivotally assembled by their respective lower ends with said base, each at a corner thereof, and being pivotally movable between a rectified position in which the posts are substantially positioned perpendicular to the plane of the base and a folded or folded position along an edge lateral of the base, wherein these amounts are inclined towards the base or arranged parallel thereto, possibly resting on said base by their free end, said locking device being constituted by two complementary means cooperating by engagement to block or automatically lock the amount to which i l is associated, in the rectified position of this amount, one of said means being secured to the upright and the other of said means being integral with the base, said locking or locking being released by action on at least one of said two means, device (1) characterized in that each complementary means (2, 2 ') comprises at least two teeth or notches (6, 6') cooperatively providing, according to their mutual engagement configuration, at least two locked positions or separately pivoted for the amount (3) concerned, one of which corresponds to its straightened position and the other (s) of which corresponds to (a) the position (s) close to that rectified position, but offset (s) towards the folded position of this amount (3).

2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two complementary means (2, 2 ') mutually cooperating comprises a part (7) which is movable relative to its support body (3 or 5) and carries the teeth or notches (6, 6 '), this movable piece (7) being biased elastically towards a position in which its teeth or notches (6, 6') automatically engage or engage with the teeth or notches ( 6 ', 6) of the other means (2', 2) when the post (3) pivotally arrives near its upright position, the number of teeth or notches (6 and 6 ') mutually engaged increasing as said upright (3) approaches this upright position, being maximum in the upright position.

3) Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the two mutually cooperating complementary means (2 and 2 ') together form a mechanism of the ratchet / ratchet type, the means (2 or 2') forming a ratchet having a piece (7) movable in translation relative to its support and carrying at least two teeth or notches (6 or 6 ') at its end facing the other means (2' or 2) and the latter complementary means (2 'or 2) forming a ratchet and also carrying at least two teeth or notches (6' or 6), these two series of teeth or notches (6 and 6 ') being able to move relatively relative to each other, defining a plurality of discrete latching positions by resilient engagement, an increasing number of teeth or notches (6, 6 ') mutually engaging as the amount considered (3) approaches its rectified position.

4) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the two cooperating complementary means (2 and 2 ') comprises a toothed piece or notched moving (7) and in that the teeth or notches (6, 6 ') of each of the two mutually cooperating means (2 and 2') have triangular shapes defining, on the one hand, at least two inclined flanks (8) intended to bear against the inclined flanks ( 8) respective opposing teeth or notches (6 ', 6) of the other means (2 or 2') and, secondly, at least two flanks (8 ') substantially straight or vertical intended to abut against the respective opposite right or vertical flanks (8 ') of the teeth or notches (6', 6) of the other means (2 or 2 '), when said two complementary means (2 and 2') are mutually cooperating with engagement reciprocally in a latching position under resilient biasing, all of the flanks (8, 8 ') of the teeth or notches (6, 6') ) of each of the means (2 and 2 ') being in intimate support on the flanks (8, 8') of the teeth or notches (6, 6 ') of the other means (2' or 2) of the other means (2 'or 2) in the upright position of the amount (3) concerned.

5) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cooperating means (2 ') integral with the upright (3) comprises a part (7) movable in translation in the longitudinal direction (X) of this amount (3), which carries, at its end directed towards the other means (2) in the upright position of said upright (3), a plurality of teeth (6 ') and which is elastically biased towards this other means (2) and in that the second means (2) is fixedly attached or formed on a vertical extension or extension (e) (9) of a corner of the base (5), with teeth (6) which are directed to the means (2 ') integral with the upright (3) in the upright position and have an inverted arrangement with respect to that of the teeth (6') of the movable part (7) of the means (2 ') integral with the upright (3 ).

6) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (2) integral with the base (5) comprises a part (7) which is mounted movably in translation on a prolongation or vertical extension (e) (9) a corner of said base (5), which carries a plurality of teeth (6) at its end facing the other cooperating means (2 ') integral with the amount (3) concerned, in the rectified position of the latter, and which is resiliently biased towards this means (2) and in that this other cooperating means (2 ') is fixedly attached or formed on the upright (3) concerned, with teeth (6') directed towards the moving part (7) of the means (2) integral with the base (5) in the upright position of the upright (3) and having an inverted disposition with respect to that of the teeth (6) of said moving part (7) .

7) Device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the extension or extension (9) of the base (5) having one (2) of the two cooperating complementary means (2, 2 ') is in the form of a U-section section portion in which the relevant upright (3) is secured by means of a pivot connection (10), the opposed flanges (9', 9 ") the U-section section (9) being directed or extending parallel to one side of the base (5) and said means (2) being attached to or formed on the inner flange (9 ") of said portion (9) of section section U.

8) Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the teeth (6) of the means (2) integral with the base (5) are cut in the upper edge of the inner flange (9 ") of the portion (9). ) section section U forming an extension or extension of the base (5).

9) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the movable part (7) is provided with a drive member (11) can be actuated by an operator, for example with his foot or his hand, and to move said piece (7) against its elastic bias, in particular to extract it from a detent position and disengage its teeth (6, 6 ') teeth (6', 6 ) complementary cooperating complementary medium (2, 2 '), and in particular allow the amount (3) concerned to be rotated towards the folded position.

10) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the means (2 or 2 ') comprising the movable part (7) consists of a sleeve, formed by folding or attached to the amount (3) or of the base (5), in which is slidably mounted an elongate body (7 ') terminated by a toothed head (7 "), which together form said movable part (7), a resilient member (13) of the spring type urging said body (7 ') in an extreme sliding position.

11) pallet base container with folding or collapsible uprights, possibly together with sidewall portions of said container, this container having four posts located at and extending from the four corners or corners of said base, container characterized in that each amount is associated a locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.