FR3073887A1 - DEVICE FOR SECURING ACCESS TO A UNDERGROUND GALLERY. - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety access device at a lower level of a structure, the device comprising a ladder (10) provided with a crinoline (20), and an access frame (30) arranged to overcome an upper end of the ladder and closed by a safety hatch (40) connected to the frame to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The crinoline is movable between a state folded against the scale and an expanded state of use. The device comprises a displacement member (50) connected to the crinoline to move it between its two states. The displacement member has a maneuvering end (52) which, when the crinoline is in its folded state, blocks the movement of the safety hatch from the closed position to the open position and which, when the crinoline is in its deployed state, allows the movement of the safety hatch from the closed position to the open position of the safety hatch.

Description

The present invention relates to a security device for access to a lower level of a structure such as a building floor or to an underground gallery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that for the management of buried networks such as electricity distribution networks or gas distribution networks, there are generally provided underground galleries which are accessed by a well in which extends a fixed ladder along 'a wall of the well. Outside the intervention periods in the underground gallery, the access opening is closed by a plate or buffer, generally made of cast iron, which covers a movable safety hatch, such as a perforated plate or a grid which is generally mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis on one side of the movable safety member.

During an intervention, the external plate is first of all removed then the mobile safety hatch is raised to allow the passage of a speaker. The mobile security hatch is then closed by the operator to prevent distracted passers-by falling into the underground gallery.

From a certain height, a crinoline must be attached to the ladder to prevent an operator from falling from the ladder. This crinoline however has the drawback of partially obstructing the well, which prevents being able to winch bulky elements in the well.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a means for securing the use of a ladder without permanently cluttering the immediate environment of the ladder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, provision is made, according to the invention, for a security device for access to a lower level of a structure, the device comprising a ladder (10) provided with a crinoline (20), and a frame for access (30) arranged to overcome an upper end of the ladder and closed by a safety hatch (40) connected to the frame to be movable between a frame open position and a frame closed position, the crinoline being movable between a state folded against the ladder and a deployed state of use, the device comprising a displacement member (50) connected to the crinoline to move it between its two states, the displacement member having an operating end which, when the crinoline is in its folded down state, blocks the safety hatch in the closed position and which, when the crinoline is in its deployed state, allows the safety hatch to move from its closed position to its position opening ion. Thus, the operator can raise the safety device only if he has previously deployed the crinoline. In case it is necessary to pass bulky objects, it remains possible to fold the crinoline to increase the passage section available around the ladder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a preferred nonlimiting embodiment of the invention with reference to the attached figures, among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crinoline of the device according to the invention,

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of this device, the crinoline being in the folded position;

figure the upper part of the in the folded position;

Figure 4 is a view of the upper part of the deployment;

Figure 5 is this device, the crinoline perspective being the crinoline perspective being the is a view the crinoline perspective being the safety crinoline perspective being a view the perspective view of the deployed position;

Figure 6 is the upper part of the deployed position; Figure 7 is a view the upper part of the being in the deployed and raised position;

figure 8 the safety part being

schematic in device, the schematic in device, the schematic in ) line being in schematic in device, the schematic in device, the the panel of schematic in device, the crinoline being

the perspective panel in position is a top view of the folded down and deployed prior to its folding down; the prospect of crinoline having

- the crinoline perspective in FIG. 9, the part brought back to FIG. 10 in detail showing is an upper schematic view of the device, in the folded position;

is a

1'échelle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF in the schematic view the fixing of

THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, the access security device according to the invention is here described in the of in application to access to an underground gallery A from a traffic lane, for example a sidewalk B, extending above the underground gallery A. A look C was made from sidewalk B to lead into the underground gallery A.

The access security device, generally designated at 1, comprises a ladder 10 provided with a crinoline 20, and an access frame 30 mounted at the entrance of the manhole C and arranged to overcome an upper end of the ladder 10.

The access frame 30 has a rectangular shape and has four sides 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, 30.4. The sides 30.1, 30.2 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the sides 30.3, 30.4 which are themselves parallel to each other.

The access frame 30 is closed by an external hatch 31 having an edge 31.1 articulated to an upper edge on the side 30.1 and an opposite edge 31.2 arranged to come to rest against the upper surface of two first crows 32 fixed in the vicinity of the upper edge of the side 30.2. The external hatch 31 can thus pivot between a closed position (FIG. 2) in which the edge 31.2 rests on the first crows 32 and the external hatch 31 is flush with the upper edges of the sides 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, 30.4, and an open position in which the external hatch 31 extends substantially vertically vertically to the side 30.1 (Figures 3 to 5 and 7 to 9). Gas cylinders 33 having a body articulated to the access frame 30 and a rod having one end articulated to the external hatch 31 resist pivoting of the external hatch 31 from its open position to its closed position to slow the closing of the hatch external 31 and absorb its arrival in abutment against the first crows 32. The external hatch 31 is here formed of a solid plate whose upper surface is provided with a non-slip coating. The edge 31.2 of the outer hatch 31 is provided with a mechanism (not shown) (such as a lock) for locking the outer hatch 31 in its closed position. One of the articulations of the external hatch 31 to the frame 30 is provided with a ratchet system making it possible to lock the external hatch 31 at least in the open position: the ratchet system is unlockable by means of a handle located under the hatch external.

The access frame 30 is provided with a second hatch or safety hatch 40 which has an edge 40.1 the ends of which are articulated at the bottom edge of the sides 30.3, 30.4 in the vicinity of the side 30.1. The security flap 40 can thus pivot between an open position (FIG. 7) in which the security flap 40 extends substantially vertically below its articulation and a closed position (FIGS. 3 to 6, 8 and 9) in which the safety hatch 40 extends substantially horizontally and has an edge 40.2, opposite the edge 40.1, bearing against second crows 34 fixed in the vicinity of the lower edge on the side 30.1. The edge 40.2 is shorter than the edge 40.1 and the second crows 34 are less spaced than the first crows 32 so that the edge 40.2 does not interfere with the first crows 32 during the pivoting of the safety hatch 40 between its two positions. Because of this difference in length of the edges 40.1, 40.2, the safety hatch 40 has two bevels extending from each end of the edge 40.2 to the middle of the edges 40.3, 40.4.

The ladder 10 comprises two uprights 11 between which extend the bars 12. Each upright 11 has an upper end 11.1 articulated to a lower edge on the side 30.2 of the access frame 30 and a lower end bearing on the floor of the underground gallery A. Ladder 10 has a length such that it is inclined to facilitate the ascent and descent. A handrail 13 extends along each of the uprights 11. Preferably, each upright 11 includes a hinge 14 making it possible to fold a lower section of the upright 11 against the portion of the upright which extends above the articulation 14: this makes it possible, if necessary, to bring the ladder to a vertical position to let bulky objects pass.

The crinoline 20 comprises two open arches 21, 22 which respectively form the upper end and the lower end of the crinoline 20 and which are each integral with two attachment tabs 23, 24 respectively which are parallel to one another. other. Frames 26 connect the arches 21, 22 to each other and extend parallel to each other. Each attachment tab 23, 24 is articulated to an upright 11 via a ball pin 25 passing through said attachment tab and the upright 11. The articulation of the attachment tabs 23, 24 to the uprights 11 allows movement of the crinoline 20 between a folded-down state (FIGS. 2 and 3) against the ladder 10 and a deployed state of use (FIGS. 1, 5 to 7 and 8) in which the arches 21, 22 are substantially horizontal and almost perpendicular to the scale 10.

The device comprises a displacement member connected to the crinoline to move it between its two states. The displacement member 50 comprises two levers which each have a first end integral with one of the fastening tabs 23, are perpendicular thereto and parallel to a median longitudinal plane of the scale 10. The displacement member 50 comprises a maneuvering end consisting of a handle 52 in the form of an open arch having a straight central section and straight end sections which extend perpendicular to the central section and which are articulated at a second end of the levers 51. The rectilinear central section provided with a hooking member 53 consisting of a lug secured to the central section and traversed by a ball pin 53.

The handle 52 is thus arranged so that:

- When the crinoline is in its folded down state, the safety hatch being in its closed position, the central section of the handle 52 extends over the safety hatch 40 and blocks the movement of the safety hatch 40 in position closing (figure

3), the end sections of the handle 52 passing between the safety hatch 40 and the sides 30.3, 30.4 of the frame 30;

- when the crinoline is in its deployed state, the handle 52 extends over the first crows 32 and is fixed to the side 30.2 by means of the ball pin 53 engaged in a bore formed in said side so that the handle 52 authorizes the movement of the safety hatch 40 between the closed position to the open position of the safety hatch 40 (Figure 6).

Note that in this second position, the handle 52 extends over the first crows 32: if the external hatch 31 is pivoted to the closed position while the handle 52 has not been brought back over the safety hatch 40, the external hatch 31 will abut against the handle 52 and will therefore protrude from the upper edge of the side 31.2 alerting the operator that he has failed to fold down the handle 52 and therefore the crinoline 20.

It will also be noted that the device comprises two sections of handrail 60 in the form of a cane with a curved upper end. Each handrail section 60 is arranged to have its lower end engaged in a bore arranged vertically in one of the first crows 32 and in a third crow 36 fixed to the side 30.2 directly above the first crow 32. Each handrail section 60 comprises at a distance from its lower end two lugs diametrically opposite one another and the bore of each first crow 32 comprises two axially open notches to let said lugs pass while the bore of each third crow comprises two axially non-open notches which are offset at 90 ° relative to the notches of the first crow 32 and which have a bottom serving as vertical support for the pins. Thus, when the external hatch 31 is in the open position and the handle 52 extends against the side 30.2 over the crows 32, the handrail sections 60 are put in place by introducing their lower end and the pins first. in the drilling of the first crows 32 then in that of the third crows 36 by rotating the handrail sections 60 after the pins have passed the first crows 32 to bring said pins into the notches of the third crows 36. The crows 32, 36 thus ensure long centering of the handrail sections 60, a vertical stop thereof, as well as immobilization in rotation about their axis. The handrail sections 60 ensure, in addition to their handrail function, a blocking of the handle 52 which cannot be brought back to the safety hatch before the handrail sections 60 have been removed. The crinoline 20 cannot therefore be brought back into its folded state as long as the handrail sections 60 are in place.

One of the end sections of the handle 52 is provided with a telescopic lever 54 mounted to slide in a sheath fixed along the end section to reduce the effort necessary for handling the levers 51 and the crinoline 20, in particular to return the crinoline 20 to its folded state.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and it is possible to make variant embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, the invention can be used to pass from one level to another in any type of civil engineering structure. However, it is not limited to the field of civil engineering and could also be used in other fields, such as maritime construction for use on ships.

The use of a telescopic lever is optional.

The operating end could have another form: for example it could only be connected to the crinoline by an arm. The operating end may thus include a manipulation lever.

The operating end may not be removably attached to the frame to maintain the crinoline in its deployed state or may be detachably attached to the frame to maintain the crinoline in its deployed state but other than what has been indicated. For example, when the crinoline is in its deployed state, the operating end (or its handle) could rest on a support integral with the frame and this support could be retractable.

The two states of crinoline can be stable or unstable states. If the deployed state is an unstable state, the crinoline can be returned to its folded state by its own weight alone, or by an elastic return member such as a spring.

The crinoline may be moved differently between its two states (folded down state and deployed state) than what was indicated. The crinoline can thus be moved between its two states by rotation, by translation or by a combination of rotations and translations. The members may thus comprise several sections hinged together.

In the same way, the displacement member can be moved differently than what has been indicated for on the one hand blocking the safety hatch in the closed position, when the crinoline is in its folded down state, and on the other hand authorizing moving the

trap of security since its position closing up at his open position, when the crinoline East in his deployed state. Through example 1'organe of displacement can be slid. The crinoline could have another form than

the one illustrated. For example, the crinoline may have a substantially rectangular section in place of substantially circular. The crinoline may have or intermediate hoops between the two end hoops 21, 22.

The crinoline may be fixed non-removably to the scale or may be detachably fixed to the scale by other means than what has been indicated.

The hatches can be made of solid panels, perforated panels or grids.

The number of crows may be different from that indicated. The device can for example comprise a crow 32 and / or a crow 34.

The device may comprise only one section of handrail 60 or none.

The scale may be straight.

The amounts of the ladder may not include articulation.

Claims (12)

1. Safety device for access to a lower level of a structure, the device comprising a ladder (10) provided with a crinoline (20), and an access frame (30) arranged to overcome an upper end of the ladder and closed by a safety hatch (40) connected to the frame to be movable between an open position of the frame and a closed position of the frame, characterized in that the crinoline is movable between a state folded against the ladder and a deployed state of use, in that the device comprises a displacement member (50) connected to the crinoline to move it between its two states, and in that the displacement member has an operating end which, when the crinoline is in its folded down state, blocks the safety hatch in the closed position and which, when the crinoline is in its deployed state, allows the safety hatch to move from its closed position to its position o pening. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the operating end comprises a handle (52) in the form of an arch which, when the crinoline (20) is in its folded state, extends over the safety hatch (40) in the closed position and locks it in this position. 3. Device according to claim 2, in which the handle (52) is detachably fixed to the frame to maintain the crinoline in its deployed state. 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing is ensured by means of a ball pin (53) integral with the handle (52) to be engaged in a drilling of the frame (30). 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an external hatch (31) articulated to the frame (30) by a first side between an open position and a closed position, the hatch in the closed position having a second opposite side in support. against at least a first crow (32) secured to the frame. 6. Device according to claim 5, in which the operating end extends over the first crow (32) when the crinoline (20) is in its deployed state. 7. Device according to claim 6, comprising at least one handrail section (60) removably mounted on the first crow (32) so as to oppose a movement of the operating end when the crinoline (20) is in its deployed state . 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ladder (10) in use is inclined and comprises uprights (11) each provided with a joint (14) making it possible to fold down a lower section of the upright (11 ) against an upright portion which extends above the articulation (14) so as to be able to possibly bring the ladder to a vertical position. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the crinoline (20) is fixed to the ladder (10) in a removable manner. 10. Device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing of the crinoline (20) to the scale (10) is ensured by ball pins. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement member (50) comprises a lever (51) having one end secured to the crinoline (20) and an opposite end connected to a handle (52) forming the operating end. 12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the handle (52) comprises a telescopic part (54) to reduce the force necessary for handling the handle.