FR3004286A1 - DEVICE FOR LOCKING THE LEVER OF AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE, AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING IT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking device v in a certain position of the lever M of an electrical protection device A, said device being intended to be fixed in a detachable manner on the apparatus, and comprising, on the one hand, means locking (5) of the handle in the aforementioned position and secondly, locking means (6,24) of the handle in the aforementioned position. This device is characterized in that it comprises a first portion (1), said mobile, comprising a lever (2), and a second portion (3) said fixed, said first portion (1) being rotatably mounted relative to the second part (3), said lever (2) having a bearing surface (9) adapted to be brought into abutment against a face of the housing B of the apparatus, and the second part (3) comprising said fixing means first on the handle M, said device also comprising said second securing means of the second part (3) on the first part (1), said securing means said seconds being operable by an operator, this fixing having the effect of prevent the movement of the lever M when the abovementioned surface (9) of the lever (2) is pressed on the housing B of the apparatus A.

Description

DEVICE FOR LOCKING THE LEVER OF AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE, AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING IT.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a locking device in a certain position of the lever of an electrical protection device, said device being intended to be fixed in a detachable manner on the apparatus and comprising, on the one hand, means for locking the handle in the aforementioned position and secondly, locking means of the handle in the aforementioned position, STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Electrical equipment, particularly in the industrial field, sometimes require to be electrically isolated so to make adjustments, maintenance, or repairs. Such insulation must be made to prevent accidental electrical reconnection. Document AU 2008 200 387 describes a device for locking the handle of an electrical protection device in the OFF position. This device comprises a support intended to be fixed in a detachable manner on the housing of the apparatus, a locking lever connected in an articulated manner to the support, this locking lever being movable towards a position in which it is engaged with the lever of the device. device to hold this lever in the OFF position, and a locking means rotatably mounted relative to the support, and movable between a first position in which the means locks the lever in the immobilization position of the handle, allowing the establishment of a padlocking means adapted to lock said lever in this position, and a second position prohibiting the establishment of the lockout means, the rotation of the lever being permitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for locking the lever of an electrical protection device, which can remain permanently on the product while allowing the operation of the joystick, and does not require disassembly of the front plate of the switchboard electrical device for its implementation on the device, or disassembly, and an electrical protection device comprising such a device.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a locking device in a certain position of the lever of an electrical protection device of the kind mentioned above, this device being characterized in that it comprises a first portion, said mobile, having a lever, and a second portion, said fixed, said first portion being rotatably mounted relative to the second portion, said lever having a bearing surface adapted to be brought into abutment against a face of the housing of the apparatus, and the second part comprising so-called first fastening means on the handle, said device also comprising securing means said seconds of the second part on the first part, said securing means said seconds being operable by an operator, this fixing having the effect to prevent the movement of the handle when the abovementioned surface of the lever is pressed against the housing of the apparatus. Because of these characteristics, the device being mounted on the handle, it is not necessary to disassemble the device or the panel of the board to put it in place or remove it. This device can also remain permanently on the product while allowing the operation of the controller. According to a particular feature, the so-called first fixing means of the aforesaid second portion on the handle comprise hooking means by clipping this second part on the handle. This feature also facilitates mounting of the device on the controller, because the device can be mounted on the device or removed without tools.

Fastening by clipping also makes it possible not to need to disassemble the device or the plastron to set up the locking device.

According to another characteristic, the aforementioned said securing means comprise a latch, said latch comprising a rod comprising at one of its ends, a gripping means, and at its opposite end, at least one retaining element, said latch being intended to be introduced into at least one opening provided in the aforesaid first part, and being able to be rotated about the axis of the aforesaid rod between a first position in which the two aforementioned parts are not fixed; one to the other and a second position in which these two parts are fixed to each other by clamping a so-called first portion, or locking, of the second part between the (the) element (s) the aforesaid restraint (s) and the aforementioned first part.

According to another feature, said opening comprises means for guiding and coding the lock within said first portion and means for retaining said lock within said portion.

According to another feature, the aforesaid first portion comprises a U-shaped portion, one of whose wings is extended at one of its ends, by the aforementioned lever, said U-shaped portion having two wings forming a first and a second facing wall respectively comprising two openings for the passage of the latch, these two openings each having means for guiding the latch, and the aforesaid second part of the device comprises the first so-called locking portion, a second portion comprising the locking means. articulation of the second part with respect to the first part and a third portion intended to receive the handle According to another characteristic, the aforementioned lock comprises, between the aforementioned gripping means and the holding element (s) mentioned above, an intermediate part comprising an opening intended to allow the passage of a loop belonging to a padlocking means e, in the attachment position of the two aforementioned parts of the locking device, said handle passing through the aforementioned opening and surrounding one of the wings of the aforementioned U, the walls of the first portion between the aforementioned wings of the U, or said lever , in lockout position. By these characteristics, it is possible to use canvases whose handles have variable diameters. According to another feature, the intermediate portion and the aforementioned end portion of the latch opposite the gripping portion, are of substantially cylindrical shape and the intermediate portion comprises two so-called first pins, located diametrically opposite, and adapted to cooperate with two recesses of corresponding shape provided at the edge of the opening provided in the first wall of the first part, so as to carry out the guiding and the foolproofing of the intermediate portion relative to the first wall during the insertion force lock these two lugs also ensuring the retention of the lock within this first part, after the passage of the lugs on the other side of said first wall. According to another characteristic, the end portion of the latch opposite the gripping element comprises two so-called second pins located diametrically opposite one another, these two lugs being intended to cooperate with two recesses. of corresponding shape provided in the second wall of the first part so as to allow, in a first step, the guide of the latch in this wall, and then, after passing said lugs on the other side of the second wall (27), after rotation of the latch, the retention of the first so-called locking portion of the second part of the device, between the second wall of the first part and the so-called second lugs. Advantageously, the so-called first pins are situated in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the so-called 30 second pins extend. According to another characteristic, this device is used for locking the lever in the OFF position of the device.

Another subject of the present invention is an electrical protection device comprising a locking device comprising the aforementioned features taken alone or in combination.

According to a particular characteristic, this apparatus is a circuit breaker, a differential circuit breaker, a switch, or a differential switch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given by way of example only and in which: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device for locking a handle according to a particular embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same assembled device, FIG. 3 is an exploded view. illustrating, in perspective, the various constituent elements of the locking device, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate in perspective, a portion of the locking device comprising a staple support and a clip intended to be mounted in the staple holder and to hook on the handle, respectively for the two figures, in an unmounted position of the clip in the staple holder and in a mounted position of FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to the preceding ones in a different orientation, but more particularly illustrating the three means for holding the clip in the staple holder; FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively illustrate, in a perspective view and in a partial enlarged perspective view, a first guide of the latch in the first part of the locking device, -Les 10 and 11 are views similar to the previous figures, illustrating a second guide latch in this first part FIGS. 12 and 12a illustrate in a perspective view of the locking device, the retention of the lock in the first part of the device, FIGS. 13 to 13d illustrate in partial perspective perspective views, and in FIG. section, the different stages of the joining of the part comprising the lever with the second part of the device, FIGS. 14 and 14a are perspective views according to two different orientations, respectively, of the locking device in the locked position, FIG. 14b is a perspective view of the same device in the unlocking position, FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a locking device according to FIG. the invention in the mounted position on an electrical protection apparatus, and in the locked position of the lever in the OFF position of the apparatus, and FIG. 16 is a view identical to the previous one, in the unlocked position of the joystick and in FIG. ON position of the device. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a locking device v according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this device comprising a first mobile part 1, comprising a lever 2, a second part 3, called a fixed part, suitable for be rotatably mounted relative to the first portion 1 said mobile and support a fixing means 4 on the handle M of an electrical protection device A, and a locking means 5 adapted to achieve the attachment of the movable part 1 on the fixed part 3, and to allow the establishment of a lockout means 6, as will be explained in what follows. This first part 1 comprises a U-shaped portion 7, one of which 27 wings 27,28 is extended in a second portion 8 forming a lever 2, said lever 2 having at its free end a surface 9, said surface 9 being adapted to form a bearing surface for cooperating with the housing B of the apparatus. This second portion 8 has an opening 10 for the passage of a rivet 11 through which the movable portion 1 is intended to be mounted articulated with respect to the fixed portion 3. The aforementioned fixed portion 3 comprises a first portion 12 having a face 15 adapted to be brought into abutment against the outer face 16 of one of the wings of the U-shaped portion 7, a second portion 13 having an opening 46 for the passage of the rivet, and a third portion 14 supporting the staple support 35. This locking means, or latch 5, consists mainly of three portions, respectively a first portion 17 comprising a gripping means 18, a second end-shaped portion 19 having two pins 20, 21, and a third said intermediate portion 22 rod-shaped having a diameter greater than that of the end portion, and having an orifice 23 for allowing the step wise of the handle 24 of a padlock 6. This lock 5 is intended to pass through two openings 25,26 facing each respectively provided in the two wings 27,28 of the U-shaped part 7.

The first 25 of the two openings 25,26, the first through which the lock 5, has a shape and dimensions allowing the end rod 19 to be introduced whatever the angular position thereof, while the second 26 of the openings 25,26 has a shape corresponding to that of the end of the end rod 19 of the lock 5, and its dimensions are such that this rod can pass through the second opening 26 only when the rod portion is in an angular position such that its two so-called second pins 20,21 pass through the two correspondingly shaped recesses 33,34 provided in the second opening 26.

For this purpose, the intermediate portion 22 has at its end located on the opposite side to the gripping element 18, two so-called first pins 29,30 disposed diametrically opposite one another, said lugs being intended to cooperate respectively with two recesses 31,32 of shape and corresponding positions provided in the first opening 25 so as to perform a keying during the insertion of the latch 5 in the first part 1, this keying being intended to allow the introduction of the latch 5 when it is in an angular position in which the end of the end rod 19 can be introduced into the second opening 26 of the first part 1 of the device. These two so-called first pins 29,30 belonging to the intermediate portion 22 are also intended to cooperate with the first flange 27 of the U of the first part 1 so as to retain this latch 5 inside this first portion 1 after the complete introduction made of the latch 5. This end portion 19 of the latch 5 having the so-called second lugs 20,21 is intended to cooperate also with a third opening 47, whose shape and dimensions correspond to those of the so-called opening second 26 provided in the second flange 28 of the U-shaped part of the first part 1, so as to achieve the attachment of the first part 1 on the second aforementioned part 3 of the locking device v, by rotation of the latch 5 as will be explained in the following. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 to 7, it can be seen that the staple support 35 comprises three walls 36, 37, 38 comprising two walls 36, 38 extending substantially parallel to one another, and a third wall 37 located between the first two leaving a gap 39 between the first two and the third, this space being intended to receive the clip 4, by sliding said clip between the walls 36,37,38. This clip is intended to be retained in the staple holder by means of three lugs 40, 41, 42 provided respectively in the three walls, said lugs being intended to cooperate with respectively three corresponding openings 43, 44, 45 provided in staple, so as to achieve an elastic holding of the clip in the staple holder. FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate the guiding of the latch 5 inside the aforementioned first and second parts 1.3.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the lock 5 is introduced through the first opening 25 of the first part 1, the first portion 12 of the second part 3 being in abutment with the second 28 of the wings of the U, so that the two apertures 26,47 respectively second and third are located facing each other, the latch 5 being oriented angularly so that the so-called first keying lugs 29,30 are located opposite the corresponding recesses 31, 32 of the first opening 25 so that said pins said first can perform a first guide of the latch 5 in the first part.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the latch 5 is inserted sufficiently inside the first part 1 so that the keying lugs 29,30 are introduced completely into the corresponding recesses 31, 32 by insertion in force, and the part end 19 of the lock 5, comprising the said second pins 20,21, is about to be introduced into the so-called second opening 26, a second guide of the lock being made in this location. In FIGS. 12 and 12a, the latch 5 is retained in the first part 1 comprising the lever 12, by means of the so-called first keying lugs 29,30, which, once inserted in force in this part, prevent the latch 5 to come out again.

FIGS. 13 to 13d illustrate the joining of the first part 1 comprising the lever 2 to the second part 3 comprising the staple support 35. In FIGS. 13 and 13a, the lock is inserted completely, the two so-called second stubs 20,21 located at the end of the rod 19 facing respectively the two corresponding recesses 33, 34 of the second wall 28 and the corresponding recesses of the locking portion 12. In FIGS. 13b to 13d, after complete insertion of the latch 5, a rotation of 90 ° on it has been carried out, by action on the gripping element 18 of the latch 5, until the axis along which the two so-called second pins 20,21 extend extends. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis connecting the two corresponding recesses 33,34, so as to achieve the joining of the first 1 and second 3 parts, the first portion 12 of the second portion 3 being firmly retained e between the second wing 28 of the U and the lugs 20,21 said seconds.

FIGS. 14 and 14a illustrate the locking device v in the locked position, as illustrated in FIG. 13, whereas FIG. 14b illustrates this device in the unlocked position, the lock 5 remaining locked inside the first part 1 , but being disengaged from the second part 3, which has moved in rotation with respect to the first part 1. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the locking device v mounted on a product A which is in this particular embodiment a circuit breaker, in the locked position for Figure 15 and in the unlocked position in Figure 16. In Figure 15, the device is in the locked position, the lever 2 being supported by its bearing surface 9 on the housing B, and the handle M being immobilized by the clip 4 in which it is retained. In this position, the electrical apparatus A is kept in the "OFF" position, that is to say out of service by the locking device v. It is impossible for the user to move the handle M to bring the apparatus A to the operating position, without the operation of the latch 5 in rotation through its gripping element 18. This is made impossible in Figure 15, by the presence of the padlock 6 whose handle 24 is inserted into the hole 23 provided in the intermediate portion 22 of the lock 5, and prevents this rotation. In FIG. 16, the padlock 6 having been removed by the user, the lever M could be driven from the low position to the high position by a user so as to bring the apparatus A to the ON position, which is rendered possible by the fact that the first part 1 can rotate relative to the second part 3, which remains fixed on the housing 13 of the device A via the clip 4 holding the handle M.

Note that this first part 1 of the device is advantageously made of steel, while the second part 3 and the latch 5 are advantageously made of a plastic material. The clip 4 is preferably made of stainless steel.

It has therefore been achieved through the invention, a locking device in a certain position of the lever of an electrical protection device, simple design, can remain permanently on the product while allowing the operation of the joystick. This device allows the use of padlocks whose handles have varying diameters. This device is compatible with standard electrical panels because it does not interfere with the front plate or the panel door. This device can be mounted or disassembled, without the need to disassemble the plastron, or the product.

In addition, when it is clipped on the handle, this device can be mounted, and is removable, without tools. This device consists of a fixed part and a moving part, which allow to block or unlock the controller of the device, depending on whether they are fixed or not to each other.

A third piece, the padlock, immobilizes the fixed and mobile parts relative to each other, when the user wants to lock his device. The lock allows locking of the device with padlocks whose handles have varying diameters.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. On the contrary, the invention comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are carried out according to its spirit. 25 30

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Locking device in a certain position of the handle of an electrical protection device, said device being intended to be fixed in a detachable manner on the apparatus and comprising, on the one hand, locking means for the handle in the aforementioned position and secondly, locking means of the handle in the aforementioned position, characterized in that it comprises a first portion (1), said mobile, comprising a lever (2), and a second portion (3) said fixed, said first portion (1) being rotatably mounted relative to the second portion (3), said lever (2) having a bearing surface (9) adapted to be brought into abutment against a face of the housing B of the apparatus A, and the second part (3) comprising so-called first fixing means (4) on the handle M, said device also comprising said second fixing means (5,19,20,21) of the second part (3). ) on the first part (1), these means of fixing said second being operable by an operator, the attachment having the effect of preventing the movement of the lever M when the aforementioned surface (9) of the lever (2) is pressed on the housing B of the apparatus A. 2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first fixing means (4) of the aforesaid second portion (3) on the lever M comprise hooking means by clipping of said second portion (3). on the joystick M. 3. Locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said fixing means said second (5,19,20,21) comprise a latch (5), said latch comprising a rod having at one of its ends, a gripping means (18), and at its opposite end, at least one retaining element (20,21), said latch (5) being intended to be introduced into at least one opening (25,26) provided in the aforesaid first part (1), and being adapted to be rotated about the axis of the aforementioned rod between a first position in which the two aforementioned parts (1, 3) are not fixed to one another. another and a second position in which these two parts (1,3) are fixed to each other by clamping a so-called first portion (12), or locking, of the second portion (3) between the the above-mentioned holding element (s) (20,21) and the aforesaid first part (1). 4. Locking device according to claim 3, characterized in that said opening (25,26) comprises means for guiding and polarizing (20,21,33,34,29,30,31,32) of the lock (5). ) inside this first part (1) and retaining means (29,30) of this latch (5) within this part (1). 5. Locking device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the aforesaid first portion (1) comprises a U-shaped portion (7), one (27) of the wings (27,28) is extended at one of its ends, by the aforementioned lever (2), said U-shaped portion (7) having two wings (27,28) forming a first and a second facing wall respectively comprising two openings (25,26 ) for the passage of the latch (5), these two openings (25,26) each having guide means (31,32,33,34) of the latch (5), and in that the second part mentioned above (3) of the device v comprises the aforementioned first said locking portion (12), a second portion (13) having means for articulating the second portion (3) relative to the first portion (1), and a third portion (14). ) to receive the joystick M. 6. Locking device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the aforementioned lock (5) comprises, between the aforementioned gripping means (18) and the (the) element (s) retaining said (s) (20,21), an intermediate portion (22) having an opening (23) intended to allow the passage of a loop (24) belonging to a decadenassage means (6), in the fixing position of the two aforementioned parts (1,3) of the locking device v, said loop (24) passing through the aforementioned opening (23) and surrounding one (27) of the wings (27,28) of the aforementioned U, the walls of the first part ( 1) between the aforementioned wings (27,28) of the U or said lever (2), in the lockout position. 7. Locking device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the intermediate portion (22) and the end portion (19) of the latch (5) opposite the gripping portion (18) are substantially shaped cylindrical and in that the intermediate portion (22) comprises two lugs (29,30) said first, located diametrically opposite, and adapted to cooperate with two recesses (31,32) of corresponding shape provided at the edge of the opening (25) provided in the first wall (27) of the first part (1), so as to carry out the guiding and the foolproofing of the intermediate portion (22) with respect to the first wall (27) during insertion into force of the lock (5), these two lugs (29,30) also ensuring the retention of the lock (5) inside this first part (1), after the passage of the lugs (29,30) of the other side of said first wall (27). 8. Locking device according to claim 7, characterized in that the end portion (19) of the latch (5) opposite the gripping element (18) comprises two so-called second pins (20,21) located so diametrically opposite one another, these two lugs (20,21) being intended to cooperate with two recesses (33,34) of corresponding shape provided in the second wall (28) of the first part (1) so as to allow, in a first step, guiding the latch (5) in this wall (28), and then, after passing said lugs on the other side of the second wall (28) and after rotation of the latch (5) , the retention of the first so-called locking portion (12) of the second portion (3) of the device between the second wall (28) of the first portion (1) and the so-called second pins (20,21). 9. Locking device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said first pins (29,30) are located in a plane extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane in which the said second pins (20,21) extend. ). 10. Locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is used to perform the locking of the handle M in the OFF position of the apparatus A. Electrical protection apparatus comprising a locking device according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. Electrical protection device according to claim 11, characterized in that it is a circuit breaker, a differential circuit breaker, a switch, or a differential switch. 25 30