GB2550906A - Locking device for locking a switching cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking device 10 for locking a switching cabinet such as a domestic consumer unit comprises a first part 20 to be linked to a first wall portion of the switching cabinet (120, figure 14) and a second part 40 to be linked to a door of the switching cabinet (140, figure 11). The first part comprises a first projection 21 to be received in a first channel (121, figure 14) of the first wall portion when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, and a first locking portion 22. The second part comprises a second projection 41 to be received in a second channel (141, figure 11) of the door when the second part is linked to the door, and a second locking portion 42. The locking portions are configured to be linked to each other when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position in order to hold the door in its closed position. The locking device can be removed without modifying the switching cabinet.

Description

Locking device for locking a switching cabinet

The present invention is related to the field of switching cabinets, in particular domestic switching cabinets. These switching cabinets do often pertain to a specific household of a building and are frequently denoted as consumer units.

These switching cabinets or consumer units are frequently installed within the household and can provide electricity to electrical circuits installed within that household.

In an early construction phase of a building, there may be an interest to lock the switching cabinet, so as to prevent people from energising circuits that are not yet secured, whereby the risk of electrocution of construction workers working within the building is reduced. In a later stage after the construction of the bulding has been finished, there may be a need of a child lock to stop children operating switches but to still allow the locking device to be unlocked easily by the home owner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking device allowing for the switching cabinet to be locked in a very simple fashion, without having to make physical changes to the switching cabinet or consumer unit as the locking device can be removed without any modification. It is a further oject of the invention to assure, in a later stage after the construction of the house has been finished, the safety of children living in the household and also allow the locking device to be unlocked easily by the home owner without the need of a key or particular tool.

To that end, the invention concerns a locking device for locking a switching cabinet. The switching cabinet comprises a cover and a door mounted on the cover in such a manner to allow for a swiveling of the door around an axis of rotation. The cover comprises a base having a first wall portion. The first wall portion comprises a first channel and the door comprises a second channel. The locking device is characterized in that it comprises a first part configured to be linked to the first wall portion and a second part configured to be linked to the door.

The first part comprises a first projection configured to be received in the first channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and a first locking portion.

The second part comprises a second projection configured to be received in the second channel when the second part is linked to the door and a second locking portion.

The first locking portion and the second locking portion are configured to be linked to each other when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position. The first locking portion and the second locking portion are configured to be linked to each other in order to hold the door in its closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first locking portion comprises a first through hole and the second locking portion comprises a second through hole, the first through hole and the second through hole being configured to be aligned when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position and the first through hole and the second through hole being configured to receive a locking part when the first through hole and the second through hole are aligned.

These features allow for a simple and easy locking of the switching cabinet by use of a locking part.

Preferably the first wall portion comprises a third channel. The first part further comprises a third projection, the first projection is configured to be received in the first channel and the third projection is configured to be received in the third channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the second part is linked to the door. These aforementioned features allow for a simple and secure fastening of the first part to the first wall portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first projection substantially extends along a first axis and/or the second projection substantially extends along a second axis, wherein the first axis and/or the second axis are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation when the first part is linked to the first wall portion.

These features have the technical effect of hampering the unauthorized removal of the locking device from the switching cabinet when the door is closed.

Preferably the first axis and/or the second axis intersect(s) or approximately intersect(s) the axis of rotation when the first part is linked to the first wall portion.

These features have the technical effect of further hampering the unauthorized removal of the locking device from the switching cabinet when the door is closed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the second projection has a cross-section having a substantially circular shape.

These abovementioned features allow for a durable securing of the second part to the door.

Preferably the second part comprises an outer leg portion configured to rest against an outer surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door.

These abovementioned features also contribute to the durable securing of the second part to the door and facilitate the emplacement of the second part on the door.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the second part comprises an inner leg portion configured to rest against an inner surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door.

These abovementioned features also contribute to the durable securing of the second part to the door and facilitate the emplacement of the second part on the door.

Preferably the first part comprises a fourth projection configured to be received in the second channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the door is in a closed position.

These features further hamper the unauthorized removal of the locking part from the switching cabinet when the door is closed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the fourth projection extends in a third direction, wherein preferably the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and/or substantially parallel to the second direction.

Preferably the third direction is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Preferably the third direction and the axis of rotation are skew lines.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first through hole and the second through hole have a substantially keyholeshaped cross-section.

Preferably the locking device further comprises a locking part being at least partially received in the first through hole and the second through hole to link the first part to the second part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking part is configured to be held in the first through hole and the second through hole against a translational movement of the locking part by positive locking when the locking part is in a first angular position and is configured to be at least partially removed from the first through hole by a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a second angular position. According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, locking/unlocking of the switching cabinet can be achieved by a rotation of the locking part.

Preferably the locking part comprises a handling portion configured to rest against an outer surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door and the locking part is in the first angular position.

These features allow for an easy opening and closing of the switching cabinet by a user and gives feedback to the user to when the switching cabinet is locked, as soon as the handling portion comes to rest against the outer surface of the door and the locking part is in the second angular position.

Preferably, the locking part is configured to be held in the second through hole against a translational movement of the locking part by positive locking when the locking part is in the second angular position and is configured to be removed from the first through hole and the second through hole by a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a third angular position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking part comprises a substantially key-shaped locking portion being received in the first through hole and the second through hole to link the first part to the second part.

Preferably that locking portion comprises a bit portion and in that the first through hole comprises a first substantially angular-shaped recess allowing for a rotational movement of the locking part from the first angular position to the second angular position and vice versa when the locking portion is received in the first through hole and the second through hole, wherein the angular-shaped recess comprises a first abutment surface and wherein the bit portion comes to abutment against the first abutment surface, when the locking part is in its first angular position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking device comprises an embossment and a notch, wherein either the embossment is arranged on the second part and the notch is arranged on the locking part or the embossment is arranged on the locking part and the notch is arranged on the second part, such that the embossment is received in the notch when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door, the door is in a closed position and the locking part is in a first angular position.

These features allow for a user of the locking device to be given feedback, when the locking part is in its first angular position and the switching cabinet is being locked by the locking part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking device comprises an essentially pin-shaped projection and an opening, wherein either the opening is arranged on the first part and the essentially pin-shaped projection is arranged on the second part or the opening is arranged on the second part and the essentially pin-shaped projection is arranged on the first part, such that the essentially pin-shaped projection is received in the opening when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door, the door is in a closed position and the first locking portion is linked to the second locking portion.

These abovementioned features contribute to the robustness of the locking device. These features further hinder the first part and the second part from being separated, by twisting them for instance.

Preferably the essentially pin-shaped projection protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and/or in that the opening extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the essentially pin-shaped projection protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis and/or the second axis and/or the third axis and/or in that the opening extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis and/or the second axis and/or the third axis.

Preferably the locking device comprises a collar-shaped projection encompassing an essentially circular-shaped cavity and in that the locking device comprises an essentially arc-shaped recess and a substantially circular boss, wherein either the collar-shaped projection and the essentially circular-shaped cavity are arranged on the first part and the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss are arranged on the second part or the collar-shaped projection and the essentially circular-shaped cavity are arranged on the second part and the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss are arranged on the first part, such that a collar-shaped projection is received in the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss is received in the essentially circular-shaped cavity when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and, door is in a closed position and the first locking portion is linked to the second locking portion.

These abovementioned features contribute to the robustness of the locking device. These features further hinder the first part and the second part from being separated, by twisting them for instance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first part and/or the second part and/or the locking part is/are made of a plastic material.

The aforementioned features allow for a simple and easy manufacturing of the locking device, by injection molding for instance.

Preferably the first part comprises a friction part configured to rest against an area of the wall portion, when the first part is linked to the wall portion.

These features hamper the unauthorized removal of the first part from the door.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the friction part is made of a material and/or being coated with a material which has a higher coefficient of friction than a material the first part and/or the second part and/or the locking part is/are made of.

Preferably the first through hole and the second through hole are configured to be arranged on the outside of the switch cabinet when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position.

These features allow for a simple and easy locking of the switching cabinet by a locking device, preferably by means of a locking part, which can for instance be a padlock.

The invention also concerns a switching cabinet comprising a cover and a door mounted on the cover in such a manner to allow for a swiveling of the door around an axis of rotation, the cover comprising a base having a first wall portion, the first wall portion comprising a first channel and the door comprising a second channel, the switching cabinet further comprising a locking device according to the invention, wherein the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the second part is linked to the door, wherein the first projection is received in the first channel or the third channel, wherein the second projection is received in the second channel and wherein the first locking portion and the second locking portion are linked to each other when the door is in a closed position in order to hold the door in its closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the switching cabinet, the first wall portion comprises a third channel wherein the first projection is received in the first channel and the third projection is received in the third channel.

Preferably the fourth projection is received in the second channel when the door is in a closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first channel and/or the third channel open substantially towards the axis of rotation.

These features further hamper the removal of the locking device from the switching cabinet, when the door is closed.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description and drawings of embodiments of that invention given as non limited examples thereof.

In the accompanying drawings : figures 1 and 2 show a view of a switching cabinet according to the invention comprising a locking device according to a first embodiment of the invention ; figure 2a shows an exploded view of the switching cabinet according to the first embodiment and a second embodiment of the inivention, wherein the locking device is not represented; figure 3 shows a detailed view of the locking device according to the first embodiment; figure 4 shows a detailed view of the locking device according to the first embodiment; figures 5 to 7 show perspective views of the locking device according to the first embodiment illustrating its assembly ; figures 8 to 10 show perspective views of the locking device according to the first embodiment illustrating how the locking device is unlocked; figures 11 and 12 are perspective views illustrating how a second part of the locking device according to the first embodiment is affixed to a door of the switching cabinet; figures 13 to 16 illustrate how a first part of the locking device according to the first embodiment is affixed to a first wall portion of the switching cabinet according to the invention ; figure 17 shows a perspective view of the locking device according to the second embodiment of the invention; figures 18 to 22 show how a first part of the locking device according to the second embodiment is affixed to the first wall portion of the switching cabinet according to the invention ; figure 23 shows how a second part of the locking device according to the second embodiment is affixed to a door of the switching cabinet according to the invention ; figure 24 shows the switching cabinet according to the invention wherein the door of the switching cabinet is in an open position ; figure 25 shows the switching cabinet according to the invention wherein the door of the switching cabinet is in a closed position ; figures 26 to 27 show how the first part and the second part of the locking device according to the second embodiment are connected to hold the door in closed position ; figure 28 shows a detailed view of the locking device according to the second embodiment locked by means of a padlock.

The invention relates to a locking device 10 for locking a switching cabinet 100 according to a first embodiment depicted in figures 1 to 16 and according to a second embodiment depicted in the figures 17 to 23. The invention also relates to a switching cabinet 100 comprising such a locking device 10.

The switching cabinet 100 comprises a cover 110 and a door 140 mounted on the cover 110 in such a manner to allow for a swiveling of the door 140 around an axis of rotation R. The cover 110 comprises a base 115 having a first wall portion 120. The first wall portion 120 having a first channel 121. The door 140 comprises a second channel 141. Whilst swiveling around the axis of rotation R the door 140 can take a closed position as shown for instance in figures 1 and 3 and an open position as shown for instance in figure 24.

As can be seen in particular in figure 2a, the switching cabinet 100 can further comprise a box 150, which is preferably configured to be flush-mounted within a wall. Preferably electrical devices such as circuit breakers 300 for instance can be arranged within the box 150.

Preferably, the switching cabinet 100 may comprise a third channel 122. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first channel 121 and/or the second channel 141 and/or the third channel 122 and/or the axis of rotation R substantially run parallel with respect to each other.

Preferably, the first channel 121 and/or the third channel 122 open substantially towards the axis of rotation R. When such a switching cabinet 100 is used in a domestic context, the switching cabinet 100 is often denoted as a consumer unit. Such consumer units are often installed within a household in a height between 1350 to 1450 mm from a floor.

Preferably, the switching cabinet 100 and in particular the door 140 and/or the first wall portion 120 are made from an extruded profile, preferably made of a metallic material.

The locking device 10 according to the present invention can be used to lock such a switching cabinet 100, in particular in a construction phase of a house in which this switching cabinet 100 is installed. By locking the switching cabinet 100 it can be assured that in the construction phase only designated circuits can be left switched on, thereby preventing people being electrocuted. In order to safely lock the switching cabinet 100, the locking device 10 can be used with or comprise a padlock 200 as a locking part 60. In a later stage after the construction of the house has been finished, the locking device 10 according to both embodiments of the invention can be used as a child lock to stop children operating switches but to still allow the locking device 10 to be unlocked easily by the home owner without the need of a key or particular tool. For this purpose, the locking device 10 can also comprise a different locking part 60 which is preferably essentially key-shaped.

With regard to both embodiments of the locking device 10, the locking device 10 can further comprise a first part 20 configured to be linked to the first wall portion 120 and a second part 40 configured to be linked to the door 140. The first part 20 comprises a first projection 21 configured to be received in the first channel 121 when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120. The first part 20 further comprises a first locking portion 22.

The second part 40 comprises a second projection 41 configured to be received in the second channel 141 when the second part 40 is linked to the door 140. The second part 40 further comprises a second locking portion 42.

The first locking portion 22 and the second locking portion 42 are configured to be linked to each other when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120, the second part 40 is linked to the door 140 and the door 140 is in a closed position. Figures 13 to 16 and 18 to 22 show how the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120. Figures 11, 12 and 23 show how the second part 40 is linked to the door 140. Figures 5 to 7, 17 and 26 to 28 illustrate how the first locking portion 22 is linked to the second locking portion 42, with the use of a locking part 60 and/or a padlock 200.

According to both embodiments of the present invention, the first locking portion 22 may comprise a first through hole 23 and the second locking portion 42 may comprise a second through hole 43, the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 can be configured to be aligned when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120 and the second part 40 is linked to the door 140, when the door 140 is in a closed position.

The alignment of the first and second through holes 23, 43 is in particular depicted in figure 5. The first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 can be configured to receive a locking part 60 and/or a padlock 200 when the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 are aligned.

Figure 4 shows the locking device 10 mounted on a switching cabinet 100 wherein the door 140 is closed. The first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 are aligned and a padlock 200 is passed through sad through holes 23, 43. In such a case, the padlock 200 functions as a locking part 60. Figure 8 illustrates how the first part 20 and the second part 40 can be linked to each other by means of a locking part 60 which is preferably key-shaped.

According to both embodiments of the locking device 10 according to the invention, the first part 20 comprises a third projection 24. The first projection 21 can be configured to be received in the first channel 121 and the third projection 24 can be configured to be received in the third channel 122 when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120 and the second part 40 is linked to the door 140. These features are particularly apparent from figures 13 to 16 and 18 to 20.

According to both preferred embodiments, the first projection 21 can substantially extend along a first axis X. Preferably, the second projection 24 can substantially extend along a second axis Y. Preferably, the first axis X and the second axis Y are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation R when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120. Preferably, the first axis X and/or the second axis Y substantially intersect the axis of rotation R when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120.

According to both preferred embodiments, the second projection 41 can have a cross section having a substantially circular shape. These features are particularly apparent on figures 5 to 11, 17 and 23.

Correspondingly, the second channel 141 provided in the door 140 can have a cross section having a substantially circular shape.

According to both preferred embodiments of the invention, the second part 40 can comprise an outer leg portion 44 configured to rest against an outer surface 142 of the door 140 when the second part 40 is linked to the door 140. Preferably, the second part 40 comprises an inner leg portion 45 configured to rest against an inner surface 143 of the door 140 when the second part 40 is linked to the door 140.

According to both preferred embodiments of the locking device 10 according to the invention, the first part 20 can comprise a fourth projection 25 configured to be received in the second channel 141 when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120 and the door 140 is in a closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the locking device 10 according to the invention the fourth projection 25 extends in a third direction Z, wherein preferably the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and/or substantially parallel to the second direction.

Preferably the third axis Z is substantially perpendicular to the first axis X. Preferably the third axis Z is substantially parallel to the second axis Y.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 can have a substantially keyhole shaped cross section.

The locking device 10 according to the first embodiment can further comprise a locking part 60 being at least partially received in the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 to link the first part 20 to the second part 40 and thereby lock the switching cabinet 100.

As can be seen in particular in figures 5 to 10, the locking part 60 can adopt three different angular positions, namely a first angular position Pp a second angular position P2 and a third angular position P3.

In the first angular position Pi, The locking part 60 can be configured to be at least partially held in the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 by positive locking against a translational movement of the locking part 60.

In the second angular position P2, the locking part 60 can be configured to be removed from the first through hole 23 by a translational movement of the locking part 60 and can be configured to be held in the second through hole 43 by positive locking against the translational movement of the locking part 60.

In the third angular position P3, the locking part 60 can be configured to be removed from the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 by the translational movement of the locking part 60.

The latter features enable the first part 20 to be held against the second part 40 by means of the locking part 60 when the locking part 60 is in the first angular position Pi. Thereby the switching cabinet 100 can be locked and the door 140 is prevented from being opened. When the locking part 60 is in its second angular position P2, the first part 20 can be separated from the second part 40 and the locking part 60 to enable the door 140 of the switching cabinet 100 to be opened. When the locking part 60 is in the third angular position P3, the locking part 60 can be moreover removed from the second through hole 43 and thereby be separated from second part 40.

The locking device 10 according to the first preferred embodiment can comprise a handling portion 61 configured to rest against an outer surface 142 of the door 140 when the second part 40 is linked to the door 140 and the locking part 60 is in the first angular position Ρ2. This is particularly apparent from figure 3. Preferably, the handling portion 61 of the locking part 60 has substantially the same shape than the outer leg portion 44 of the second part 40.

Preferably, the locking part comprises a substantially key shaped locking portion 62 being received in a first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 to link the first part 20 to second part 40. The locking portion 62 is particularly apparent from figure 5.

Preferably, the locking part 60 comprises a bit portion 63. The first through hole 23 can comprise a first cut out portion 31 configured to let through the bit portion 63 of the locking part 60, thereby allowing for a translational movement of the locking part 60 when the bit portion 63 is aligned with the first cut out portion 31. Preferably, the first cut out portion 31 is aligned with the bit portion 63 when the locking part 60 is in the second angular position P2.

Preferably, the second through hole 43 comprises a second cut out portion 51 configured to let through the bit portion 63 of the locking part 60. Thereby, the locking part 60 can be removed from the second through hole 43 by a translational movement of the locking part 60 when the bit portion 63 and the second cut out portion 51 are aligned. Preferably, the second cut out portion 51 and the bit portion 63 are aligned, when the locking part 60 is in its third angular position P3.

Preferably, the first through hole 23 comprises a first angular shaped recess 26 and/or the second through hole 43 comprises a second angular shaped recess 46. When the locking part 60 is fully inserted in the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43, that is that locking portion 62 is fully received in the first and second through holes 23, 43, the bit portion 63 can be received in the first angular shaped recess 26. The first angular shaped recess 26 allows for a rotational movement of the locking part 60 and/or the bit portion 63 between the first angular position Pj and the second angular position P2. The first angular shaped recess 26 is particularly apparent from figure 4.

Preferably, the first angular shaped recess 26 comprises a first abutment surface 32. Preferably, when the locking part 60 is in the first angular position Pl5 the bit portion 63 comes to abutment against the first abutment surface 32.

Preferably, the second through hole 43 comprises a second angular shaped recess 46 configured to allow for a rotational movement of the locking part 60 between the second angular position P2 and the third angular position P3, when the locking portion 62 is received in the second through hole 43 but separated from the first through hole 23. Thereby, the first locking portion 22 can be removed from the second locking portion 42 when the locking part 60 is in its second angular position P2.

Preferably, in the second angular position P2, the bit portion 63 can come to abutment on a second abutment surface 52 of the second through hole 43, thereby preventing the locking part 60 from falling out of the second locking portion 42 when the locking part 60 is in the second angular position P2. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the second part 40 comprises an embossment 47 and the locking part 60 comprises a notch 64. Preferably, the embossment 47 is received in the notch 64 when the locking part 60 is in its first angular position Pi and the locking portion 62 is fully inserted into the first and second through holes 23, 43. Thereby, when the embossment 47 slides into the notch 64, a tactile feedback is provided to a user indicating that the locking part 60 is in its first angular position Pi, that is in the locked position of the switching cabinet 100.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention depicted in figures 17 to 28, the second part 40 can comprise a pin shaped projection 48 and the first part 20 can comprise an opening 27. Preferably, the pin shaped projection 48 is received in the opening 27 when the first locking portion 22 is linked to the second locking portion 42.

Preferably, the pin shaped projection 48 protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R. Preferably, the opening 27 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the essentially pin shaped projection 28 and/or the opening 27 can extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis X and/or to the second axis Y.

According to the second embodiment, the first part 20 comprises a collar-shaped projection 28 encompassing an essentially circular shaped cavity 29 and the second part 40 comprises an arc shaped recess 49 and a substantially circular boss 50. Preferably, the collar-shaped projection 28 is received in the essentially arc shaped recess 49 and the substantially circular boss 50 is received in the essentially circular shaped cavity 29 when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120, the second part 40 is linked to the door 140, the door 140 is in a closed position and the first locking portion 22 is linked to the second locking portion 42. The first part 20, the second part 40 and/or the locking part 60 according to anyone of both embodiments are preferably made of plastic material and can be obtained by injection molding. Preferably, the first part 20 can comprise a friction part 30 being made of a material and/or being coated with a material which has a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the first part 20 and/or the second part 40 and/or the locking part 60 are made of.

According to both embodiments of the locking device 10, the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 43 can be configured to be arranged on the outside of the switch cabinet 100 when the first part 20 is linked to the first wall portion 120, the second part 40 is linked to the door 140 and the door 140 is in a closed position.

Preferably, the first cut out portion 31 and second cut out portion 51 are unaligned and/or offset towards each other. Preferably, the first angular position Pi and/or the second angular position P2 and/or the third angular position P3 are different and/or unconfounded.

The invention also relates to a switching cabinet 100 comprising a locking device 10 according to the invention. The first part 20 of the locking device 10 is linked to the first wall portion 120 and the second part 40 is linked to the door 140. The first projection 21 is received in the first channel 121 or the third channel 122. The second projection 41 is received in the second channel 141. The first locking portion 22 and the second locking portion 42 are linked to each other when the door 140 is in a closed position in order to hold the door 140 in its closed position.

The switching cabinet 100 according to the invention is depicted in figures 1, 2, 24 and 25.

According to a preferred embodiment of the switching cabinet, the first wall portion 120 comprises a third channel 122. The first projection 21 is received in the first channel 121 and the third projection 24 is received in the third channel 122.

Preferably, the fourth projection 25 is received in the second channel 142 when the door 140 is in a closed position.

Preferably, the first channel 121 and/or the third channel 122 open substantially towards the axis of rotation R.

Preferably the third direction Z is perpendicular to the axis of rotation R.

Preferably the third direction Z and the axis of rotation R are skew lines.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the at least one embodiment described and represented in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the viewpoint of the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents without thereby exceeding the field of protection of the invention.

Claims (31)

1. Locking device for locking a switching cabinet, wherein the switching cabinet comprises a cover and a door mounted on the cover in such a manner to allow for a swiveling of the door around an axis of rotation, the cover comprising a base having a first wall portion, the first wall portion comprising a first channel and the door comprising a second channel, characterized in that the locking device comprises a first part configured to be linked to the first wall portion and a second part configured to be linked to the door, the first part comprising a first projection configured to be received in the first channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and a first locking portion, the second part comprising a second projection configured to be received in the second channel when the second part is linked to the door and a second locking portion, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being configured to be linked to each other when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being configured to be linked to each other in order to hold the door in its closed position.

2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking portion comprises a first through hole and the second locking portion comprises a second through hole, the first through hole and the second through hole being configured to be aligned when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position and the first through hole and the second through hole being configured to receive a locking part when the first through hole and the second through hole are aligned

3. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the first wall portion comprises a third channel, characterized in that the first part further comprises a third projection, wherein the first projection is configured to be received in the first channel and the third projection is configured to be received in the third channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the second part is linked to the door.

4. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first projection substantially extends along a first axis and/or the second projection substantially extends along a second axis, wherein the first axis and/or the second axis are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and wherein preferably the first axis and/or the second axis intersect or approximately intersect the axis of rotation when the first part is linked to the first wall portion.

5. Locking device according to claim 4, characterized in the first axis and/or the second axis intersect(s) or approximately intersect(s) the axis of rotation when the first part is linked to the first wall portion.

6. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second projection has a cross-section having a substantially circular shape.

7. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second part comprises an outer leg portion configured to rest against an outer surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door.

8. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second part comprises an inner leg portion configured to rest against an inner surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door.

9. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first part comprises a fourth projection configured to be received in the second channel when the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the door is in a closed position.

10. Locking device according to any one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the first through hole and the second through hole have a substantially keyhole-shaped cross-section.

11. Locking device according to any one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a locking part being at least partially received in the first through hole and the second through hole to link the first part to the second part.

12. Locking device according claim 11, characterized in that the locking part is configured to be held in the first through hole by positive locking against a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a first angular position and is configured to be at least partially removed from the first through hole by a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a second angular position.

13. Locking device according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking part comprises a handling portion configured to rest against an outer surface of the door when the second part is linked to the door and the locking part is in the first angular position.

14. Locking device according to any one of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the locking part is configured to be held in the second through hole by positive locking against a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a second angular position and is configured to be removed from the second through hole by a translational movement of the locking part when the locking part is in a third angular position.

15. Locking device according to any one of the claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the locking part comprises a substantially key-shaped locking portion being received in the first through hole and the second through hole to link the first part to the second part.

16. Locking device according to a combination of claims 12 and 15, characterized in that locking portion comprises a bit portion and in that the first through hole comprises a first substantially angular-shaped recess allowing for a rotational movement of the locking part from the first angular position to the second angular position and vice versa when the locking portion is received in the first through hole and the second through hole, wherein the first angular-shaped recess comprises a first abutment surface and wherein the bit portion comes to abutment against the first abutment surface, when the locking part is in its first angular position.

17. Locking device according to a combination of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that locking portion comprises a bit portion and in that the second through hole comprises a second substantially angularshaped recess allowing for a rotational movement of the locking part from the second angular position to the third angular position and vice versa when the locking portion is received in the second through hole, wherein the second angular-shaped recess comprises a second abutment surface and wherein the bit portion comes to abutment against the first abutment surface, when the locking part is in its second angular position

18. Locking device according to any one of the claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the locking device comprises an embossment and a notch, wherein either the embossment is arranged on the second part and the notch is arranged on the locking part or the embossment is arranged on the locking part and the notch is arranged on the second part, such that the embossment is received in the notch when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door, the door is in a closed position and the locking part is in a first angular position.

19. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking device comprises an essentially pin-shaped projection and an opening, wherein either the opening is arranged on the first part and the essentially pin-shaped projection is arranged on the second part or the opening is arranged on the second part and the essentially pinshaped projection is arranged on the first part, such that the essentially pinshaped projection is received in the opening when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door, the door is in a closed position and the first locking portion is linked to the second locking portion.

20. Locking device according to claim 19, characterized in that the essentially pin-shaped projection protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and/or in that the opening extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

21. Locking device according to any one of the claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the essentially pin-shaped projection protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis and/or the second axis and/or the third axis and/or in that the opening extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis and/or the second axis and/or the third axis.

22. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 9 or any one of the claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the locking device comprises a collar-shaped projection encompassing an essentially circularshaped cavity and in that the locking device comprises an essentially arcshaped recess and a substantially circular boss, wherein either the collarshaped projection and the essentially circular-shaped cavity are arranged on the first part and the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss are arranged on the second part or the collar-shaped projection and the essentially circular-shaped cavity are arranged on the second part and the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss are arranged on the first part, such that a collar-shaped projection is received in the essentially arc-shaped recess and the substantially circular boss is received in the essentially circular-shaped cavity when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and, door is in a closed position and the first locking portion is linked to the second locking portion.

23. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the first part and/or the second part and/or the locking part is/are made of a plastic material.

24. Locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the first part comprises a friction part configured to rest against an area of the wall portion, when the first part is linked to the wall portion.

25. Locking device according to claim 24, characterized in that the friction part is made of a material and/or being coated with a material which has a higher coefficient of friction than a material the first part and/or the second part and/or the locking part is/are made of

26. Locking device according to any one of the claims 2 to 25, characterized in that the first through hole and the second through hole are configured to be arranged on the outside of the switch cabinet when the first part is linked to the first wall portion, the second part is linked to the door and the door is in a closed position.

27. Switching cabinet comprising a cover and a door mounted on the cover in such a manner to allow for a swiveling of the door around an axis of rotation, the cover comprising a base having a first wall portion, the first wall portion comprising a first channel and the door comprising a second channel, the switching cabinet further comprising a locking device according to any one of the claims 1 to 26, wherein the first part is linked to the first wall portion and the second part is linked to the door, wherein the first projection is received in the first channel or the third channel, wherein the second projection is received in the second channel and wherein the first locking portion and the second locking portion are linked to each other when the door is in a closed position in order to hold the door in its closed position.

28. Switching cabinet according to claim 27, characterized in that the first wall portion comprises a third channel and in that the locking device is a locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 24, wherein the first projection is received in the first channel and the third projection is received in the third channel.

29. Switching cabinet according to any one of the claims 27 or 28, characterized in that the locking device is a locking device according to any one of claims 8 to 26, the fourth projection being received in the second channel when the door is in a closed position.

30. Switching cabinet according to any one of the claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the first channel and/or the third channel open substantially towards the axis of rotation.

31. A locking device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings with the exception of Fig. 2a.