GB2308863A

GB2308863A - A cabinet with a blocking device

Info

Publication number: GB2308863A
Application number: GB9700083A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Remi Desforges
Original assignee: Legrand SA; Legrand SNC
Current assignee: Legrand SA; Legrand SNC
Priority date: 1996-01-05
Filing date: 1997-01-03
Publication date: 1997-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-03
Also published as: GB9700083D0; GB2308863B; DE19700126B4; FR2743450A1; FR2743450B1; IT1290994B1; DE19700126A1; ITTO970004A1

Abstract

A cabinet comprises a main door (11A), at least one secondary door (11B, 11'B) and a blocking device (24) which results in the opening of the secondary door (11B, 11'B) being conditioned by that of the main door (11A). The blocking device (24) comprises two sensors (28) which are mounted movably to the jamb lining of the main door (11A), and which are subjected to the action of elastic means (29), and are interposed on the path of movement of the main door (11A), and, for each secondary door (11B, 11'B), on the one hand, there is a bolt (25) which is movably mounted on the jamb lining of the secondary door (11B, 11'B) and which is coupled to the corresponding sensor (28) by a cable (30), and, on the other hand, a keeper (27) which is provided on the secondary door (11B, 11'B) and is interposed on the path of movement of the bolt (25). The cabinet is particularly suitable, for use as an electrical cabinet.

Description

A CABINET WITH A BLOCKING DEVICE The present invention is concerned, generally speaking, with cabinets comprising two or more doors.

For some applications, at least, it proves to be the case that it is desirable to have a preferential order of opening established between the doors.

This is the case, in particular, with certain electrical cabinets, that is to say cabinets used to house and protect items of electrical equipment.

In fact, in such a case, one of the doors, hereinafter referred to as the main door for the sake of convenience, often controls energisation of the assembly.

In other words, this energisation is only possible when the main door is closed, and, when it is opened, it is suspended.

For obvious safety reasons, it is thus worthwhile if the other doors, hereinafter referred to simply for the sake of convenience as secondary doors, can only be opened after the main door.

A proposal has, in fact, already been made to equip cabinets of this type with a blocking device which results in the opening of a secondary door being effectively conditioned by that of the main door.

Usually, this blocking device comprises, for the secondary door, or for each of the secondary doors, a bolt, which, subject to the control of a control means which is pilot controlled by the main door, is mounted movably on the jamb lining of such a secondary door between an authorising position and a blocking position, and a latch catch which is provided, for its part, on the secondary door and with which the bolt engages when it is in the blocking position.

To be more exact, in the corresponding embodiment already known, the control means which is pilot controlled by the main door comprises, on the one hand, a push-button, in the form of a fork, which is provided on the main door, and, on the other hand, a rod which runs rigidly over the entire length of the doors in question, and which is movably mounted along its length and is activated by the push-button of the main door when it closes, and which bears at right angles to the bolt of each secondary door a cam which is capable of actuating the bolt.

As a corollary, the bolt is simply mounted pivotally by force of gravity between its authorising position and its blocking position.

An embodiment of this kind has various drawbacks.

First of all, since from door to door it is usually formed by portions of rod placed end to end, the length of which must be adjusted to the width of the corresponding door, the rod used is difficult to mount and adjust.

Furthermore, it does not lend itself to any change in direction.

Finally, and, in particular, nothing prevents the main door from being closed before the secondary doors are closed.

Under these conditions, malfunctioning can occur to the detriment of safety, resulting in the assembly being energised at the wrong moment, before even one of the secondary doors has closed.

According to the invention there is provided a cabinet having at least two doors, comprising a main door and a secondary door, and a blocking device which results in the opening of the secondary door being conditioned by that of the main door, the blocking device comprising, for the secondary door, a bolt, which, subject to the control of a control means which is pilot controlled by the main door, is movably mounted on a jamb lining of the secondary door between an authorising position and a blocking position, and a latch catch which is provided on the secondary door, and with which the bolt engages when it is in the blocking position, wherein the control means of the blocking device comprises at least one sensor which is movably mounted on the jamb lining of the main door and is subject to the action of elastic means which urge it permanently in the direction of an extended position where it is interposed on the path of movement of the main door, and a cable which is coupled to the sensor and which is capable of actuating the bolt of the secondary door.

The cable is advantageously able to run continuously along the doors in question.

Advantageously, great ease of assembly results and any required adjustment is minimised.

Furthermore, the path of travel of the cable which is used according to the invention is easily able, if necessary, to pass over at least one transmission member, thereby advantageously making it possible to impart to that cable any change in direction which can prove to be desirable, in particular for controlling a secondary door disposed transversely to the main door.

Preferably, the cable couples to the sensor of the main door the bolt of the secondary door, and the bolt is mounted movably for translatory movement on the jamb lining of the main door.

Thus, the bolt of the secondary door is controlled positively by the sensor of the main door, and, likewise, it is advantageously possible to control the sensor in a positive manner.

It can thus be ensured that the main door is unable to be closed before all the secondary doors have been closed.

According to this feature, the bolt of a secondary door is also movably mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to its direction of translatory movement, between a release position and a blocking position, in accordance with the closure position and the open position of the secondary door respectively, and provided on the jamb lining of the secondary door is a fixed abutment which is disposed between the bolt and the sensor of the main door and which is interposed on the path of travel of translatory movement of the bolt when the bolt is in the blocking position.

Thus, if, when the main door is being closed, any one of the secondary doors is not itself closed, the bolt of the secondary door is in the blocking position, and, by virtue of the cable which couples it to the sensor of the main door, it prevents any withdrawal of the sensor, whereas in the extended position the main door is effectively prevented from being closed by coming into play with the sensor.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of a cabinet according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view in plan and in section of it, along the line Il-II of Figure 1, showing overall the blocking device provided on it, with the main door and secondary doors of the cabinet in the closed position; Figure 3 is a partial view in plan and in section which concentrates, on a larger scale, on the detail in Figure 2 marked by the box III in Figure 2, and corresponding to the broken line III-III in Figure 5, the view relating to the sensors associated with the main door of the cabinet for the closed position of the main door; Figure 4 is a frontal view in vertical plan of the sensors, along the broken line IV-IV of Figure 5;; Figure 5 is a partial view in cross-section of the cabinet according to the invention, in the vicinity of the sensors, along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view, in perspective, of these sensors, viewed from above; Figure 7 is a view, in perspective, of one of them, viewed from below, with, taken apart, the screw which provides for their pivotal movement; Figure 8 is a partial view in plan and in cross-section which concentrates, on a larger scale, on the detail in Figure 2 which is marked by a box VIII in that drawing, and corresponding to the broken line VIII-VIII of Figure 10, relating to the bolt of a secondary door; Figure 9 is a frontal view in vertical plan of the bolt, along the broken line IX-IX of Figure 10; Figure 10 is a partial view, in cross-section, of the cabinet according to the invention, in the vicinity of the bolt, along the line X-X of Figure 9; ; Figure 11 is a view, in perspective, of the bolt, with its support; Figure 12 is a view, in perspective, of the latch catch with which the bolt is associated; Figure 13 is another view, in perspective, of the bolt, viewed in isolation and from above; Figures 14, 15 and 16 are views, each of which corresponds to Figure 3, 4 and 5 respectively, for an opening position of the main door; Figures 17 and 18 each correspond to Figures 8 and 9 respectively, for that same open position of the main door; Figure 19 is a partial view in cross-section which is similar to Figure 10 and which for its part corresponds to an opening position of the secondary door shown.

Generally speaking, and as illustrated in these drawings, a cabinet 10 comprises at least two doors 11A, 11B, 11'B, namely a main door 11A and at least one secondary door 11B, 11'B.

In the embodiment shown, the cabinet 10 comprises, by way of example, four doors, namely the main door 11A, two secondary doors 11B which are interposed in the same plane as the main door 11A, and a secondary door 11'B which is interposed in a plane which is perpendicular to the previous one.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, all the doors 11A, 1113, 11'B are of equal height and width.

In the embodiment shown, the cabinet 10 results from the juxtaposition, side by side, of three modules M, namely a central module which comprises the main door 11A, and two lateral modules, one of which comprises one of the secondary doors 11 B, whilst the other comprises the other secondary door 11B at the front and the secondary door 11'B at the side.

Each of these modules M has an internal framework which forms a jamb lining 12A, 12B, 12'B for the corresponding door 11A, 11B, 11'B, this jamb lining comprising in the conventional way two upright members 13 and two cross-pieces 14, an upper cross-piece and a lower cross-piece.

These upright members 13 and the cross-pieces 14 are profile member portions of the same type.

By way of example, the profile member portions are of the type described in Patent Specification FR-A-2 681 402.

The assembly is completed by covering panels 15, either at the top, at the side, or to the rear, and most frequently rests on a base which is not visible in the drawings.

The afore-described arrangements are well-known per se, and, since they are not in their own right derived from the present invention, will not be described in greater detail here.

Also in per se known manner, the doors 11A, 11B, 11 'B are hinged by hinges 16 to one of the upright members 13 of their jamb linings 12A, 12B, 12'B, in one direction of opening, and it does not usually matter in which direction of opening.

By way of example, and as shown, the main door 11A and also one of the secondary doors 11B is opened at the left-hand side, whilst the other secondary door 11B and the secondary door 11 'B are opened at the right-hand side.

Usually, in the embodiment shown, and as more clearly visible for the main door llA in Figures 5 and 16 and for a secondary door 11B in Figures 10 and 19, each of the doors 11A, 11B, 11'B is formed by a front panel 18, to the inner face of which are connected firstly a sealing joint 20, along a first rectangular contour for making contact with the corresponding jamb lining 12A, 12B, 12'B, and secondly along a second rectangular contour which is inside the first a frame 21 serving to reinforce the front panel 18 and also possibly to support or guide various components, not shown.

Each of the doors 11A, 11B, 11 'B is also individually provided with a closure device, not visible in the drawings, and this closure device is controlled by a handle 22, which, of course, usually comes into play on the opposite side to the hinges 16.

Finally, in per se known manner, the cabinet 10 comprises a blocking device 24 which results in the opening of at least one of the secondary doors 11B, 11 'B, and usually that of all the secondary doors, being conditioned by the opening of the main door 11A.

To be more exact, the blocking device 24 has, for each of the secondary doors 11B, 11'B, a bolt 25 which is subject to the control of control means 26 pilot controlled by the main door 11A, and which is thus centralised and mounted movably on the jamb lining 12B, 12'B of the secondary door 11B, 11'B between an authorising position and a blocking position, and a latch catch 27 which is provided on the secondary door 11B, 11 'B and with which the bolt 25 engages when it is in the blocking position.

The control means 26 comprises at least one sensor 28 which is movably mounted on the jamb lining 12A of the main door 11A and which is subject to the action of elastic means 29 which urge it permanently in the direction of an extended position, where, as shown in Figure 14, and as will emerge hereinafter, it is interposed on the path of movement of the main door 11A, and, to be more exact, on that of its frame 21, and a cable 30 which is coupled to the sensor 28 and which is capable of actuating the bolt 25 of the secondary door I 11B, 11'B in question.

Preferably, and as is the case in the embodiment shown, the cable 30 couples to the sensor 28 of the main door 1 1A the bolt 25 of the secondary door 1 it, 11 'B in question.

In the embodiment shown, in order to control at least one secondary door 1 it, 11'B on either side of the main door 11A, the control means 26 of the blocking device 24 according to the invention comprises symmetrically on the jamb lining 12A of the main door 11A two sensors 28, to each of which is coupled a cable 30, and with each of which elastic means 29 are associated.

Usually, in the embodiment shown, and with regard to the relative position of the doors 11A, 11B, 11 'B, one of the sensors 28 and the corresponding cable 30 are acted upon when one of the secondary doors 11B is actuated, whilst the other sensor 28 and the corresponding cable 30 are acted upon when the other of the secondary doors 11B is actuated and when the secondary door 11 'B is actuated.

At the end oppositely disposed to its associated sensor 28, each of the cables 30 is coupled to a spring 33, and this is usually a simple draw spring like a helical spring, the other end of which spring is coupled to a fixed point, e.g. to an upright member 13 to form the elastic means 29 to the action of which the sensor 28 is subject.

Interposed between the sensor 28 and the spring 33 is the bolt 25 associated with a secondary door 11B, 11'B which is fixed to the cable 30 passing through it, simply by the cable 30 being clamped by means of a screw 34, Figures 8 and 10.

As a result of their flexibility, the direction of the cables 30 can advantageously be changed at least once, by their being passed to this end over at least one transmission member.

In the embodiment shown, this is the case for the power supply to the secondary door 11'B, for which the path of the cable 30 in question passes over a transmission member 35 which may be in the form of a simple fixed bend interposed in the corner zone of the cabinet 10 between the secondary door 11'B and the secondary door 11B which it follows, and which is fixed to the corresponding upright member 13.

For the rest, the cables 30 extend rectilinearly in the embodiment shown, usually running along the top cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12A, 12B, 12'B of the doors 11A, 11B, 11'B.

In the following description, and for the sake of simplicity, only one sensor 28 and one bolt 25 will be described in greater detail.

These are usually the sensor 28 and the bolt 25 which control the secondary door 11B, which, in Figure 1, is disposed to the left of the main door 11A.

In the embodiment shown, the sensor 28 is mounted pivotally to the jamb lining 12A of the main door 11A, and, to be more exact, to the upper cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12A.

It is usually in the form of a lever, Figures 3, 6 and 7, which is hinged in the central zone 36 thereof and which has two arms 38, 39 on either side thereof, on one of which arms the main door 11A acts, and to the other of which arms the cable 30 is coupled.

Usually, as well, the sensor 28 engages with a guide 40 by means of which it is connected to the jamb lining 12A of the main door 11A, and, to be more exact, on the bottom surface of the upper cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12A.

The guide 40 has two vanes 41, 42 at right angles, one of which vanes presses it against the lower surface of the upper cross-piece 14, and the other of which forms a dropped edge in relation to the one before it.

At the ends of the ridge which is formed by the two vanes 41, 42, the guide 40 has two recesses 43 along the ridge for the passage and guidance of two sensors 28.

The central zone 36 of a sensor 28 which is flat is pressed against the vane 41 of the guide 40, on the side of the lower surface thereof, and, for the pivotal movement of the sensor 28, it has a hole 45 with which a screw 47 engages by way of a smooth bearing surface 46, the screw also passing through the vane 41 of the guide 40, through a hole 48 therein, to secure the assembly to the upper cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12A.

In the embodiment shown, the arm 38 of a sensor 28 has two portions 49, 50 at right angles to each other, one of which is continuous with the central zone 36, and the other of which lies beyond the vane 42 of the guide 40 and forms a dropped edge in relation to the one before it, so that there is sufficient surface contact between the main door 11A.

Usually, and as can be seen in Figure 5, this contact is provided by the frame 21 of the front panel 18 of the main door 11A.

The other arm 39 of a sensor 28 extends continuously with the central zone 36, and, in order to be coupled to the corresponding cable 30, it is simply hookshaped, as visible in Figure 7.

In the embodiment shown, the bolt 25 which controls a secondary door 11B, 11'B is movably mounted for translatory movement on the jamb lining 12B, 12'B of the secondary door 11B, 11'B, and, to be more exact, on the upper cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12B, 12'B.

Its direction D of translatory movement, illustrated by broken lines in Figure 11, can be regarded as being formed by the cable 30 to which it is coupled.

Preferably, and as is the case in the embodiment shown, as illustrated by broken lines in Figure 11, the bolt 25 is also mounted movably rotatably about an axis A parallel to the direction D of translatory movement between a release position, shown in Figures 9 to 10, and a blocking position, shown in Figures 17 to 19, depending on the closure position and the open position of the secondary door 11B in question respectively, and provided on the jamb lining 12B of the secondary door 1 1B is a fixed abutment 52 which is disposed between the bolt 25 and the sensor 28 and which is interposed on the path of travel of translatory movement of the bolt 25 when this latter is in the blocking position.

Usually, to this end, the bolt 25 is movably mounted on two parallel guide axes 54, 55, Figure 11, one axis of which, namely the axis 54, is fixed and forms its axis A of rotation, and the other axis of which, namely the axis 55, is, to the contrary, movably mounted transversely to itself in the fixed oblong openings 56.

To be more exact, in the embodiment shown, and as will be more clearly visible from Figures 11 and 13, the bolt 25 comprises a plate 58, with, along the transverse ends thereof, i.e. usually those perpendicular to the cable 30, two transverse dropped edges 59 by means of which it slidingly engages on the guide axes 54, 55, these transverse dropped edges 59 having holes 60, 61 for the purpose.

The screw 34 which clamps the cable 30 engages with the plate 58, which, moreover, and for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, is largely recessed by an oblong opening 62 in the central part thereof.

In order to provide for passage and guidance of the cable 30, recesses 63 are provided at the ends of the ridges which the transverse dropped edges 59 form with the plate 58.

Conjointly, the guide axes 54, 55 of the bolt 25 are carried by a support 64 with which the bolt 25 forms a sub-assembly 65, and by means of which it is connected to the jamb lining 12B of the secondary door 11B in question.

In the embodiment shown, the support 64, for its part, has a plate 66 with two transverse dropped edges 67 along the transverse ends thereof, each of these edges having, on the one hand, a hole 68 for fixing the guide axis 54, and, on the other hand, the fixed oblong opening 56 which permits transverse clearance of the guide axis 55.

In its central zone, the plate 66 has a hole 69 for passage therethrough of a screw 70 to fix the assembly to the jamb lining 12B of the secondary door 11B in question, and, to be more exact, to the upper cross-piece 14 of the jamb lining 12B, onto the bottom surface of the upper cross-piece 14, as shown in Figure 10.

As a result of the oblong opening 62 provided on the plate 58 of the bolt 25, the screw 70 does not interfere with this latter.

In order to block rotational movement of the support 64 on the upper crosspiece 14, the plate 66 of the support 64 also has on either side of the hole 69 two bosses 71 which are usually produced by a simple swaging operation, and each of which operates individually in cooperating manner with one of the holes 72 provided regionally in the upper cross-piece 14, as illustrated by broken lines in Figure 8.

In the embodiment shown, the support 64 forms by itself a fixed abutment 52 which is associated with the bolt 25, and, in order for a bolt 25 of this kind to operate in one direction or the other, in accordance with the sensor 28 with which it is coupled, that is to say in accordance with the position of the secondary door 11B in question in relation to the main door 11A, provided on the jamb lining 12B of the secondary door 11B, and therefore usually on the support 64, are two fixed abutments 52, each of which extends respectively on either side of the bolt 25.

Usually, these fixed abutments 52 are formed by the edge of right-angled return portions 74 provided along the free edges of the transverse dropped edges 67 of the plate 66 of the support 64, and, as a corollary, the bolt 25 is capable of cooperating in abutting manner with one or other of the fixed abutments 52 by means of one of its own dropped transverse edges 59.

In the embodiment shown, from its release position to its blocking position, the bolt 25 is only subject to the force of gravity, and, from its blocking position to its release position, it is subject to the action of a cam 75 which is provided on the secondary door 11B in question, and, to be more exact, on the latch catch 27 integrally formed therewith, and with which its guide axis 55 cooperates to this end.

The latch catch 27 is connected by means of a plate 76 to the frame 21 present on the inner surface of the front panel 18 of the secondary door 11B, and, by means of a leg 77 emanating from that plate 76 and provided with a right-angled return portion 78 at the end thereof, it bears on the front panel 18, Figure 10.

Usually, to provide for the interaction of a screw 79 capable of fixing it to the frame 21, the plate 76 of the latch catch 27 has a hole 80.

In the embodiment shown, the latch catch 27 forms transversely to the direction D of translatory movement of the bolt 25 at least one beak 81, and the bolt 25 comprises longitudinally at least one hook 82 by means of which it is capable of engaging on the beak 81.

Usually, the latch catch 27 forms two transverse beaks 81 at a spacing apart, and the bolt 25 comprises two corresponding hooks 82, with one hook being provided for each beak 81 of the latch catch 27.

The distance L1 separating the two beaks 81 from each other is greater than the width L2 of a hook 82 of the bolt 25, measured along the direction D of translatory movement thereof, Figure 9, so that these two beaks 81 are able to pass on either side respectively of a hook 82 of this kind when the bolt 25 is in the authorising position.

Usually, the hooks 82 of the bolt 25 are formed by a longitudinal dropped edge 83 of the plate 58 of the bolt 25, the central zone of this longitudinal dropped edge 83 having an recess 84 by means of which the hooks 82 are duly isolated.

Usually, as well, the ends of the longitudinal dropped edge 83 are largely spaced from the transverse dropped edges 59, forming passages 85 therewith.

As a corollary, the beaks 81 of the latch catch 27 are formed by flanges 86 which are integrally formed with the plate 76 of the latch catch 27 and are folded at right angles with respect to the plate 76.

The cam 75 is formed on the edge of the flanges 86, being divided half between them.

It usually comprises on the edge of each of the flanges 86 an engagement portion 87 which is inclined with respect to the plate 76 and which moves towards it as it approaches the corresponding beak 81, resulting, at the back of the beak 81, at the base thereof, in a depression 88 which supports the guide axis 55, as shown in Figure 10.

It will be supposed initially hereinafter that the main door 1 1A is closed, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, and that, as a corollary, and as shown for one of them in Figures 8 to 10, the secondary doors 11B, 11'B are themselves closed.

By way of its frame 21, the main door 1 1A holds the sensors 28 under elastic stress in a retracted position, and by means of the cables 30 the sensors 28 hold by themselves each one of the bolts 25 in a blocked position.

For this blocked position, shown in Figures 8 to 10, the two hooks 82 of a bolt 25 of this kind are each respectively at right angles to the two beaks 81 of the latch catch 27 of the secondary door 11B, 11'B in question, Figure 9, usually engaging with the beaks 81, by engagement to the rear thereof, Figure 10.

It is therefore impossible to open the secondary doors 11B, 11'B.

As a corollary, subject to the action of the cam 75 provided on their latch catch 27, the bolt 25 which controls them is also in the release position.

It will now be supposed that, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the main door 11A is open, or, at least, ajar.

Urged by the elastic means 29 which are associated with them, and as illustrated by the arrows F1 in Figure 16, the sensors 28 pass into the extended position.

The cables 30, as shown by an arrow F2 for one of them in Figure 17, cause the bolts 25 to be displaced along their guide axes 54, 55.

When constructed, care is taken to ensure that after they have been moved thus, each of the bolts 25 is in the release position where their recess 84 and one of their passages 85 are at right angles to the beaks 81 of the latch catch 27 of the secondary door 11B, 11 'B in question, as can be seen more clearly for one of them in Figure 18.

The secondary doors 11B, 11'B can thus in turn be opened, the beaks 81 of their latch catch 27 thus passing freely through their bolt 25 by virtue of the recess 84 and the passage 85 in question thereof.

As a corollary, for this release position, one of the transverse dropped edges of each of the bolts 25 is perpendicular to one of the fixed abutments 52 associated therewith.

When a secondary door 11B, 11 'B is open, and as illustrated by the arrow F3 in Figure 19, the corresponding bolt 25 swings by force of gravity into the blocking position, pivoting about its guide axis 54.

It is only able to rise into the release position for as long as the secondary door 11B, 11'B in question is closed.

Now, as far as this blocking position is concerned, the bolt 25 is directly at right angles to the fixed abutment 52, in relation to which it was perpendicularly disposed hitherto.

Therefore, if an attempt is made to close the main door 1 lA, with the frame 21 thereof being brought into contact with the sensors 28, as illustrated by the arrows F4 in Figure 14, these sensors 28 prevent this attempt.

In fact, bearing against the close fixed abutment 52 by being urged by the cable 30, in the direction of the arrow F'2 of Figure 17, the bolt 25 positively prevents the sensor 28 to which it is coupled from passing into the retracted position.

Therefore, this sensor 28 effectively opposes closure of the main door 11A.

In this way, it can only be closed if all the secondary doors 11B, 11'B are themselves closed.

Of course, the present invention is not restricted to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses many variants.

By way of example, instead of coupling the bolt of the secondary doors to a sensor of the main door, the cable could be provided with a cam capable of actuating the bolt.

Claims

1. A cabinet having at least two doors, comprising a main door and a secondary door, and a blocking device which results in the opening of the secondary door being conditioned by that of the main door, the blocking device comprising, for the secondary door, a bolt, which, subject to the control of a control means which is pilot controlled by the main door, is movably mounted on a jamb lining of the secondary door between an authorising position and a blocking position, and a latch catch which is provided on the secondary door, and with which the bolt engages when it is in the blocking position, wherein the control means of the blocking device comprises at least one sensor which is movably mounted on the jamb lining of the main door and is subject to the action of elastic means which urge it permanently in the direction of an extended position where it is interposed on the path of movement of the main door, and a cable which is coupled to the sensor and which is capable of actuating the bolt of the secondary door.

2. A cabinet according to Claim 1, wherein the cable couples to the sensor of the main door the bolt of the secondary door.

3. A cabinet according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sensor is pivotally mounted to the jamb lining of the main door.

4. A cabinet according to Claim 3, wherein the sensor is pivotally mounted to the top cross-piece of the jamb lining of the main door.

5. A cabinet according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the sensor forms a lever which is hinged in the central zone thereof, and which has two arms, on one of which the main door acts, and to the other of which the cable is coupled.

6. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor engages with a guide by means of which it is connected to the jamb lining of the main door.

7. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the bolt is movably mounted for translatory movement on the jamb lining of the secondary door.

8. A cabinet according to Claim 7, wherein the bolt is movably mounted for translatory movement on the upper cross-piece of the jamb lining of the secondary door.

9. A cabinet according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the bolt is also movably mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to the direction of translatory movement between a release position and a blocking position, depending, respectively, on the closure position and the open position of the secondary door, and provided on the jamb lining of the secondary door is a fixed abutment which is disposed between the bolt and the sensor and which is interposed on the path of translatory movement of the bolt when the bolt is in the blocking position.

10. A cabinet according to Claim 9 when appendant to Claim 8, wherein from its release position to its blocking position, the bolt is only subject to the force of gravity, and, from its blocking position to its release position, it is subject to the action of a cam which is provided on the secondary door.

11. A cabinet according to Claim 10, wherein the cam is provided on the latch catch.

12. A cabinet according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the bolt is movably mounted on two parallel guide axes, one of which, which is fixed, forms its axis of rotation, and the other of which, which is mounted movably transversely to itself in fixed button-holes, cooperates with the cam.

13. A cabinet according to Claim 12, wherein the bolt comprises a plate, with, along the transverse ends thereof, two dropped transverse edges, by means of which it engages slidingly on its guide axes, and by means of one of which it is capable of cooperating in abutting manner with the fixed abutment associated therewith.

14. A cabinet according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the guide axes of the bolt are carried by a support, with which the bolt forms a unitary sub-assembly, and by means of which it is connected to the jamb lining of the secondary door, and this support forms by itself the fixed abutment associated with the bolt.

15. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein in order for the bolt to operate in one direction or the other, provided on the jamb lining of the secondary door are two fixed abutments, each of which extends respectively on either side of the bolt.

16. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 7 to 15, wherein the latch catch forms transversely in relation to the direction of translatory movement of the bolt at least one beak, and the bolt comprises longitudinally at least one hook by means of which it is capable of engaging on said beak of the latch catch.

17. A cabinet according to Claim 16, wherein the latch catch forms two beaks at transverse spacings apart, and the bolt comprises two hooks, one hook being provided for each beak of the latch catch.

18. A cabinet according to Claim 17, wherein the distance separating the two beaks from the latch catch is greater than the width of a hook of the bolt, measured along the direction of translatory movement thereof, in order that each of these two beaks is able to pass on both sides respectively of a hook of this kind when the bolt is in the authorising position.

19. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 2 to 18, wherein at its end which is oppositely disposed to the sensor, the cable is coupled to a spring which forms the elastic means to the action of which the sensor is subjected, and, interposed between the sensor and the spring is the bolt which is fixed to the cable passing through.

20. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the cable is passed over at least one transmission member.

21. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, wherein in order to control at least one secondary door on either side of the main door, the control means of the blocking device comprises, symmetrically, on the jamb lining of the main door, two sensors, to each of which a cable is coupled.

22. A cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.