WO2020043558A1

WO2020043558A1 - Mechanism for locking a leaf against a frame

Info

Publication number: WO2020043558A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/072309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronan Affre De Saint Rome
Original assignee: Pa.Cotte Sa
Priority date: 2018-08-29
Filing date: 2019-08-20
Publication date: 2020-03-05
Also published as: EP3617427A1; EP3844358A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking mechanism (10) suitable for a device for closing/opening a leaf (60) with respect to a frame (70), by causing the leaf to pivot about a pivot axis upon closing, followed by a translational movement of the leaf (60) that is orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane. The locking mechanism (10) comprises a locking assembly (12) comprising a blocking element (14) designed to cooperate with a portion of the leaf (60), and an actuator (20) designed to actuate the locking assembly (12) in a locking position wherein the leaf (60) is locked against the frame (70) by the blocking element (14) in the closing plane. The actuator (20) comprises an energy accumulator (22), an actuating rocker (36) rigidly connected to the locking assembly (14), and a connector (26). The connector (26) is designed to connect the energy accumulator (21) to a movable frame (2) of the closing/opening device. The movable frame (2) can be translatably actuated upon the movement of the leaf (60) from the opening plane to the closing plane. The actuator (20) is configured, on the one hand, to store energy in the energy accumulator (22) upon the translational movement of the movable frame (2) when the leaf (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a first portion and, on the other hand, to at least partially use the energy stored in the energy accumulator (22) when the leaf (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a second portion, for rotatably actuating the actuating rocker (36) in order to bring the locking assembly (12) into the locking position.

Description

LOCKING MECHANISM OF AN OPENING AGAINST A DORMANT

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a mechanism for locking an opening against a frame. The locking mechanism is adapted to be integrated into a briefcase, inter alia, in order to lock the cover against the case of the briefcase. This mechanism is particularly well suited for a briefcase equipped with an opening / closing device of the type causing the closure to pivot the cover around a pivot axis followed by a movement in translation of the cover, orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane in which the cover is embedded in the case of the attaché-case.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

There are different mechanisms for locking a door against when sleeping, in particular to lock a cover against the case of a briefcase. The majority of these briefcases mainly use two types of locking mechanism.

The first type of locking mechanism for a briefcase has two digital combination locks arranged on either side of the handle of the briefcase. Each lock comprises a coupling member, intended to be fixed to the box and a part comprising on the one hand a lock fixed to the cover and capable of cooperating with the coupling member for locking the cover against the box and, d 'on the other hand, a digital combination device for the operation of the lock. The part comprising the lock further comprises a cursor capable of causing the movement of the lock in the direction of opening, an axially movable shaft, and means allowing the movement of the cursor in the direction of movement of the lock for the purpose of opening, that is to say unlocking, only when the shaft can also move in this direction. To this end, a series of sockets are mounted on the shaft, and elements carried by the sockets and the shaft are intended to cooperate with each other so as not to allow the displacement of the shaft, in the direction in which this the latter allows movement of the cursor for opening the lock only when the sockets are each in a determined angular position. Casters with numbers on their periphery are provided to actuate each socket in their determined angular position to allow the opening of the case attaché.

The second type of locking mechanism for a briefcase is similar to the mechanism of a traditional key lock well known to those skilled in the art. In general, the attaché case has two locks arranged on either side of the handle of the attaché case.

1

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) These two types of mechanism have several drawbacks. The locks are arranged outside the attaché case, and generally have insufficient mechanical strength to guarantee the security of the contents of the attaché case. Its locks can therefore be forced by malicious individuals wishing to access the contents of the attaché case. In addition, the arrangement of the locking mechanism outside the case-attachment has a negative impact on the aesthetics of the case-attachment. Finally, it is essential to remember the numerical combinations or not to lose the keys for the opening of the attaché-case, which is not always the case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention therefore relates to a mechanism for locking an opening against sleeping while providing a robust locking. Another object of the invention relates to a case-holder whose locking and unlocking of the cover against the box is practical while ensuring robust locking of the case-holder in its closed position.

It is advantageous to provide a mechanism for locking a sash against a frame which is reliable, precise and robust.

It is advantageous to provide a mechanism for locking a door leaf against a frame which is easy to unlock.

It is advantageous to provide a briefcase whose locking in its closed position is effected by a simple pressure exerted on the cover.

It is advantageous to provide a case-holder whose locking mechanism is not visible when the case-case is in a locked configuration in order to have a particular aesthetic appearance of the case-case in this configuration.

An object of the invention is achieved by a locking mechanism according to claim 1.

Another object of the invention is achieved by a briefcase according to claim 13 comprising at least one locking mechanism.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism is suitable for a device for closing / opening an opening relative to a frame, in particular of the type causing the opening to pivot around the opening around an axis. pivot followed by a movement in translation of the opening orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane. The locking mechanism comprises a locking assembly comprising a locking element arranged to cooperate with a part of the opening leaf, and an actuator arranged to actuate the locking assembly in a locking position in which the door is locked against the frame by the locking element in the closing plane. The actuator comprises an energy accumulator, an actuating lever secured to the locking assembly, and a connector. The connector is arranged to connect the energy accumulator to a movable frame of the closing / opening device. The movable frame can be actuated in translation under the action of the movement of the opening from the opening plane to the closing plane. The actuator is configured, on the one hand, to store energy in the energy accumulator under the action of the translational movement of the movable frame when the opening is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a first portion, and on the other hand, to use at least partially the energy stored in the energy accumulator, when the opening is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along d a second portion, for actuating the actuating lever in rotation in order to bring the locking assembly into the locking position.

In one embodiment, the distance traveled by the door from the opening plane to the closing plane is between 8 mm and 12 mm, and preferably of the order of 10 mm.

In one embodiment, said first portion is greater than 8 mm while said second portion is less than 2 mm, and preferably less than 1 mm.

In one embodiment, the ratio between the first portion and the second portion is greater than 8, or even greater than 10.

In an advantageous embodiment, the ratio between the force which must be exerted to bring the cover of the attaché case from the opening plane to the closing plane and the force exerted by the blocking element on the upper part is greater than 5 or even greater than 8.

In one embodiment, the energy accumulator is in the form of a tension spring comprising a first end connected to the connector and a second end secured to the actuating lever.

In one embodiment, the tension spring is arranged between two opposite walls. Each wall has a slot on one edge. The first end of the tension spring is connected to a fastening element secured to the actuating lever. A first and a second segment of the fastening element are arranged to move along the respective slot of each wall. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a fastening piece resembling an arm having a first end arranged to be pivotally mounted on the movable frame, a retaining piece pivotally mounted at the second end of the fastening piece as well as a lever pivotally mounted to the retaining part and integral with the second end of the tension spring.

In one embodiment, the locking assembly comprises a locking body and several connecting rods each comprising a first end pivotally mounted to the locking body and a second end pivotally mounted to a support of the locking assembly. The locking element is located at one end of the locking body

In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes two actuating rods and a guide rod. One of the two actuation rods is integral with the actuation lever.

In one embodiment, the two actuation rods are interconnected by at least one elastic member.

In one embodiment, the guide rod comprises at least one bearing arranged to come into contact and move along a guide surface arranged on the movable frame.

In one embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises an unlocking assembly comprising a trigger rocker pivotally mounted on a rocker support and a control circuit arranged to pivot the trigger rocker on the rocker support. The trigger lever has a trigger element arranged to strike the connector when said lever pivots on the rocker support so that the connector can pass from a configuration under stress when the locking assembly is arranged in the position of locking, in a configuration without constraint so as to remove the force exerted by the blocking element on the attachment part and allow the locking assembly to be actuated from a locking position to an unlocking position.

In one embodiment, the control circuit comprises an electromagnet of the solenoid-piston type comprising a piston connected to the trigger rocker.

In one embodiment, the unlocking assembly further comprises one of the return means arranged to bring back and maintain the trigger lever in a released position in which the trigger element is kept at a distance from the connector. The return means comprise a counterweight connected to one end of the trigger lever, and a return spring cooperating with a part of said lever to return it to the released position.

In one embodiment, the return spring is in the form of a blade arranged on the rocker support and one end of which rests on a support surface raised relative to the rocker support so that the blade is bent to exert a permanent stress on the bearing surface.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a briefcase comprising a box constituting a frame, a cover constituting an opening and at least one locking mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment, the attaché case includes a first and a second locking mechanism arranged to cooperate with respectively a first and a second attachment portion of the cover of the attaché case.

In one embodiment, the attaché case also comprises at least one elastic member arranged on the bottom of the box to move the mobile frame in translation alone or to assist in the translational movement of the mobile in order to bring the cover of the attachment from the closing plane to the opening plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings among which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a briefcase in which is integrated the locking mechanism according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the case attachment incorporating the locking mechanism, the cover of the case attachment being in the closure plane;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 when the cover of the case clip is in the opening plane;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 when the locking mechanism is in a locked position;

Figures 6a and 6b are perspective views of the locking mechanism in a first and second orientation and relative to an attachment portion of the cover of the case attaché when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6a when the locking mechanism is in a locked position;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the locking mechanism illustrating the actuator;

- Figures 9a and 9b are views of the respective lateral sides of Figure 6a or 6b; Figure 9c is a front view of Figure 6a;

- Figure 9d is a view of Figure 9c according to section A-A

Figures 10a and 10b each show a view of one of the lateral sides of the locking mechanism when the cover is lowered in translation until the locking element engages a rolling of the attachment portion of the cover of the 'attaché case;

Figure 11a is a side view of the locking mechanism with a partial section while Figure 1 1b is a side view opposite when the mechanism is in a locking position;

FIG. 12a is a view similar to FIG. 9c at the start of the mechanism unlocking sequence;

Figure 12b is a view along section B-B of Figure 12a;

- Figure 12c is a view along section C-C of Figure 12a;

Figure 13a is a view similar to Figure 12a when the locking mechanism is released from the attachment portion of the cover of the case clip;

FIG. 13b is a view along section C-C of FIG. 13a, and

Figure 14 is identical to Figure 9b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENT

Description of the elements of the locking mechanism

Referring to the figures, in particular to Figures 1 to 3, the locking mechanism 10 is integrated in a case-holder 100 comprising a cover 60 and a box 70 as well as an opening / closing mechanism of the attachment. box 100 of the type causing the opening 60 of the lid to translate from a closing plane to an opening plane parallel to the closing plane, followed by a pivoting of the lid around a pivot axis orthogonal to the translation of the cover, and vice versa when closing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the upper part of the cover 60 coincides with the closure plane which is situated at the height of the edges of the box 70 so that the cover 60 is embedded in the upper part of the box 70 when the briefcase 100 is closed.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates that a single locking mechanism 10 of an embodiment of the invention, the case attaché 100 preferably comprises two locking mechanisms identical arranged to cooperate respectively with a first and a second attachment portion 62 (only one is illustrated) of the cover 60 arranged close to the two lateral sides thereof. Each attachment part 62 is secured to a movable frame 2 arranged to move in translation inside the box 70 to allow the cover 60 to pass from the closing plane to the opening plane and vice versa. A rocker 6 is pivotally mounted on the movable frame 2 and comprises an actuating portion 6a in contact against a bearing surface 4 of the movable frame 2. An elastic member, in the form for example of a tension spring 5, is connected by one of its ends to the rocker 6 and by the other of its ends to a part 7 secured to the box 70. The elastic member 5 makes it possible to exert a thrust on the movable frame 2 via of the rocker 6 so as to move, alone or jointly with the opening / closing mechanism of the case 100, the cover 60 in translation from the closing plane to the opening plane when the locking mechanism 10 switches from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, each locking mechanism 10 comprises a locking element 14 arranged, on the one hand, to occupy an unlocking position in which the locking element 14 is released from the corresponding attachment part 62, and secondly, to occupy a locking position in which the locking element 14 is engaged with the corresponding attachment part 62 in order to lock the cover 60 of the fastener against the box 70. For example, the blocking element 14 can be arranged against an upper portion of the corresponding attachment part. In the locked configuration, the cover 60 is held in the closing plane by the locking element 14 of each locking mechanism which exerts a force on the upper portion of the corresponding attachment part 62, preferably greater than 50N, or even greater than 80N so as to obtain a locking of the attaché case which is robust in order to guarantee the security of its content.

The two locking mechanisms being identical, the following description relates to one of them.

Advantageously, the locking mechanism 10 is configured to store energy when the cover 60 of the case-holder is closed and to use, at least in part, this energy in order to press the blocking element 14 against the upper portion of the attachment portion 62 of the cover 60. More particularly, a minimum force of the order of 10N must be applied to the cover 60 to move the latter from the opening plane to the closing plane which corresponds at a stroke of about 10 mm. During this movement, the locking mechanism 10 is configured, on the one hand, to store energy during a first movement of the cover in translation along a first segment and, on the other hand, to use, at least in part, the energy stored during this first movement so as to apply a force to each attachment part 62 by means of the locking element 14 during a second movement of the cover in translation the along a second segment. Preferably, the first segment corresponds to a stroke of the cover 60 relative to the box 70 of more than 9 mm while the second segment corresponds to a stroke of the cover 60 relative to the box 70 of less than 1 mm, for example from 1 '' order of 0.8 mm.

To this end, the locking mechanism 10, as illustrated in particular by FIGS. 6a to 8, comprises a locking assembly 12, an actuator 20, an unlocking assembly 40 and a support 50 comprising a first portion 52a supporting the locking assembly 12 and a second portion 52b partially supporting the unlocking assembly 40. The actuator 20 comprises an energy accumulator, for example in the form of a tension spring 22 as well as an articulated connector 26 arranged to pass from a deployed configuration under tension, in which the blocking element 14 exerts a force on the upper portion of the attachment part 62 of the cover 60 greater than 50N, to a folded configuration so as to eliminate the force exerted by the locking element 14 on the attachment portion 62 and allow actuation of the locking assembly 12 from a locking position to an unlocked position llage.

To this end, the articulated connector 26 comprises a fastening part 28 resembling an arm comprising a first end pivotally mounted in a slot 2b produced on a first side of the movable frame 2, a retaining part 30 comprising a first end pivotally mounted at a second end of the attachment piece 28 as well as a lever 33 having a first end pivotally mounted at a second end of the retaining piece 30.

More particularly, the retaining part 30 is pivotally mounted to the attachment part 28 by means of a first rod 32a. A fastening element, for example in the form of a metal wire 29 is fixed to the fastening piece 28 as well as to a part of the movable frame 2 located close to a guide surface 3 arranged on a second side movable frame 2 opposite the first side thereof. The first end of the lever 33 connected to the retaining part 30 comprises a first and a second coupling part 34a, 34b each comprising an oblong opening arranged on either side of the retaining part 30. A second rod 32b passes right through the retaining part 30 and is understood so that a first and a second segment of the rod 32b is located in the oblong opening respectively of the first and second coupling parts 34a, 34b of the lever 33. A second end of the lever 33 is pivotally mounted to the first portion of the support 50 of the locking mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 9d.

The unlocking assembly 40 comprises in particular an electromagnet 42, preferably of the piston-solenoid type, a trigger rocker 44 pivotally mounted on a rocker support 47 and a coupling element 46 connecting the trigger rocker 44 to the piston 43 of the solenoid- piston 42. The trigger rocker 44 comprises at a first end a trigger element, for example in the form of a rod whose axis is located at the joint between the attachment piece 28 and the piece of retainer 30 of the articulated connector 26 of the actuator 20. The unlocking assembly 40 further comprises a control circuit and a battery (not shown) intended to actuate the piston 43 in translation in order to pivot the trigger lever 44 d a first inclined position in which the rod 45 is located at a distance from the articulated connector 26, in a second inclined position so that the rod 45 strikes the retainer 30 at the aforementioned articulation so as to unbalance the configuration deployed under tension of the articulated connector 26 so that it passes in its folded configuration.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be provided with a haptic-type switch whose aesthetic appearance merges with an external surface of the case-attaché

100 so as to be invisible. In an advantageous embodiment, the surface of the switch may include a fingerprint detector in order to secure the opening of the attaché case. In another embodiment, the control circuit can be adapted to be controlled remotely, for example by a protocol of the Bluetooth type.

The unlocking assembly 40 also includes return means to prevent the rod 45 of the trigger lever 44 from inadvertently striking the retaining part 30 of the articulated connector 26 in order to prevent inadvertent unlocking of the cover 60 relative to the box. 70 of the case-attaché 100 in the event of an impact to the latter. To this end, the return means comprise a counterweight 48 mounted at a second end of the trigger lever 44 as well as a return spring 49. This is preferably in the form of a blade 49 arranged on the support scale 47. One blade end

49 is fixed to the second portion 52b of the support 50 above the electromagnet 42. The active part of the blade 49 extends in the direction of the trigger lever 44 so that a portion close to its other end rests on a bearing surface, for example on a surface of a rod 49a, slightly raised relative to the rocker support 47 and arranged under the counterweight 48 so that the blade 49 is slightly bent (not visible on the figures) to exert a permanent stress on the rod 49a.

This rod 49a is offset relative to the pivot axis of the trigger rocker

44 so that the blade 49 maintains the trigger rocker in the first tilted position when the locking mechanism 10 is in a locked configuration

With particular reference to FIGS. 9a, 9b, the locking assembly 12 comprises several links, preferably three links 17a, 17b, 17c, i.e. two actuation links 17a, 17b and a guide link 17c. Each link has a first end pivotally mounted inside a locking body 16 having a hollow cross section and an upper part of rectangular shape. The locking body 16 comprises at one end the blocking element 14. A second end of each link 17a, 17b, 17c is pivotally mounted on an upper part 53 of the first portion 52a of the support 50 (FIG. 12c). The two actuating rods 17a, 17b are interconnected by two elastic members, which are preferably two traction springs 19a, 19b arranged on either side of the locking assembly 12. The first end of the guide rod 17c is pivotally mounted inside the locking body 16 close to the locking element 14 while the second end of the guide rod 17c is pivotally mounted on a portion of the upper part 53 which is adjacent to the mobile frame 2 of the box as illustrated in FIG. 12c. Two bearings 18a, 18 are connected respectively on the two lateral sides of the guide rod 17c so as to come into contact and to move along the guide surface 3 of the movable frame 2 during part of the movement of the locking assembly 12 from the unlocking position to the locking position and vice versa.

Referring to Figure 8, the tension spring 22 of the actuator 20 is arranged in a cage 24 between two opposite walls 24a, 24b. The upper part of each wall 24a, 24b of the cage 24 has a rectilinear slot 25a, 25b, preferably of semi-oblong shape, crossed by a fastening element, for example in the form of a rod 38, connected to a first end of the tension spring 22. The ends of the rod 38 are connected to the respective lateral flanks 37a, 37b of an actuating lever 36 pivotally mounted close to the upper part of the first portion 52a of the support 50. Furthermore, one of the actuating rods 17a is mounted integrally with the actuating lever 36. The second end of the tension spring 22 is connected to a fastening element, preferably in the form of a rod 35, the ends of which are connected to the lower part of the respective walls 24a, 24b of the cage 24. The rod 35 is moreover secured to the lever 33 of the articulated connector 26.

Functional description of the locking mechanism

FIGS. 9a to 1 1b illustrate a first series of sequences of movements of the locking mechanism 10 when the cover 60 of the case-attaché is moved in translation from the opening plane to the closing plane so as to be embedded and then locked in the box 70. FIGS. 12a to 14 illustrate a second series of sequences of movements of the locking mechanism 10 when the cover 60 is unlocked and then moved in translation from the closing plane, coinciding with its embedded position, to the opening plane.

With reference to FIGS. 9a to 9d, the blocking element 14 of the locking mechanism 10 is released from the attachment part 62 of the cover of the case attaché and rests in a housing 2a of the movable frame 2 (FIG. 6b) . The articulated connector 26 is in a configuration deployed with the lever 33 inclined at an angle between 30 ° and 40 ° relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the closure plane. The bearings 18a, 18b of the guide rod 17c are arranged against the lower part of the guide surface 3 of the movable frame 2. According to FIG. 9d, the tension spring 22 is slightly stressed since the distance between the axis of the rod 38 abutting against the bottom of the rectilinear slots 25a, 25b of semi-oblong shape and the axis of the rod 35 is greater than the distance between the attachment points of the tension spring 22 when the latter is at rest . This makes it possible to stabilize the locking mechanism 10 in the position as illustrated for example in FIG. 6b by a slight stress applied by the locking element 14 against the bottom of the housing 2a of the movable frame 2.

By applying a force of ten Newtons on the cover 60, the latter moves from the opening plane to the closing plane, which corresponds to a total stroke of approximately 10 mm. This stroke can be broken down into a first stroke during which the tension spring 22 is armed, and a second stroke during which the tension spring 22 discharges. According to Figures 10a, 10b, the movement of the cover 60 causes the movable frame

2 in downward translation along an identical stroke. The articulated connector 26 being connected to the movable frame 2 by means of the attachment piece 28, the lever 33 is gradually actuated in rotation around its attachment point 39 on the support 50

(Figure 9d) until it is in a substantially horizontal position. During this sequence, the tension spring 22 is gradually armed under the action of the displacement of the rod 35. The bearings 18a, 18b of the guide rod 17c move against and along the guide surface 3 of the frame mobile 2 so as to prevent any rotation of the actuating lever 36 during the first aforementioned stroke. The actuating lever 36 begins to pivot under the action of the tension spring 22 exerting a restoring force on rod 38 connected to the lateral flanks 37a, 37b of the actuating lever 36 (FIGS. 9d, 13b) as soon as the bearings 18a, 18b of the guide rod 17c are released from the guide surface 3. At this instant, the cover begins the aforementioned second stroke during which the actuating lever 36 is actuated in rotation, under the action of the force exerted by the tension spring 22 on the rod 38, in order to move the locking body 16 in the direction of the attachment part 62 of the cover of the case attaché so as to position the locking element 14 on the bearing 63 of the attachment part 62 of the cover.

According to Figures 1 1a, 11b, the locking element 14 has made an additional movement on the upper portion of the attachment portion 62 of the cover after an additional rotation of the actuating lever 36 under the action of the force exerted by the tension spring 22 on the rod 38. During this additional rotation, the locking element 14 is pressed against the attachment part 12a by exerting a progressive force reaching a value greater than 50N, or even greater than 80N when the cover of the attaché case has reached its position coinciding with the closing plane. At this stage the articulated connector 26 is not only in a deployed configuration but also under tension.

In order to unlock the locking mechanism 10, the control circuit can either be controlled remotely or by a pressure exerted on a surface located on an external part of the cover 60 or of the box 70 of the case-holder in order to axially move the piston 43 of the piston-solenoid 42. With reference to FIGS. 12a to 12c, when the piston 43 is actuated in translation, the trigger rocker 44 pivots on the rocker support 47 from its first to its second inclined position under the action of the coupling element 46 connected to the piston 43. The pivoting of the trigger lever 44 makes it possible to strike the articulated connector 26 at the articulation between the attachment part 28 and the retaining part 30 by means of the rod 45 secured to the trigger lever 44 before the latter returns to its first inclined position under the action of the return spring 49 applying a stress on the rod 49a. The impact at this articulation has the effect of dislocating the articulated connector 26 which changes from a configuration deployed under tension to a folded configuration, under the action of the stress exerted by the tension spring 22 as illustrated in FIG. figure 13b. Note that the oblong openings of the two coupling parts 34a, 34b of the lever 33 prevent the articulated arm 26 from locking up during the transition from the deployed configuration to the folded configuration.

In this configuration, the lever 33 is raised under the action of the tension spring 22, which has the consequence of raising the opposite walls 24a, 24b of the cage 24 by means of the rod 35 passing through the lever 33 and whose ends respective are connected to the opposite walls 24a, 24b of the cage 24. The elevation of the cage 24 thus makes it possible to pivot the actuating lever 36 in the opposite direction under the action of the oblong slots 25a, 25b on the rod 38. The pivoting of the actuating lever 36 has the effect of pivoting the actuated connecting rod 17a, which allows the locking assembly 12 to be released from the attachment part 62 of the cover of the case-holder by virtue of the strength of return exerted by the traction springs 19a, 19b on the actuating link 17b. At this instant, the cover of the case-attaché is free to be actuated in translation from its position embedded in the box to its position coinciding with the opening plane. When the cover is raised in translation, the movable frame 2 moves simultaneously in height and the articulated connector 26 again passes into a deployed configuration. Note that the metal wire 29, fixed to the attachment piece 28 as well as to a part of the movable frame 2 located close to the guide surface 3, makes it possible to exert a force on the attachment piece 28 which is opposite the direction of rotation of this part 28 relative to the retaining part 30 in order to ensure the deployment of the articulated connector 26.

The locking mechanism which has just been described is not exclusively suitable for a device for closing / opening an opening leaf with respect to a frame of the type causing the closure to pivot around the opening leaf around an axis of pivoting followed by a movement in translation of the opening relative to the frame. For example, the locking mechanism can be adapted for a cabinet comprising an opening similar to a box, for example cubic in shape or having the shape of a straight block, nestable in a frame similar to a box. The contents of the box can be accessed by means of an opening or a flap arranged on one of the lateral sides of the box. The box may include an actuator arranged to actuate the box in translation relative to the box in order to make the opening or the flap of the box accessible.

List of references

Locking mechanism 10

Locking assembly 12

Locking element 14

Locking body 16

Actuating links 17a, 17b

Elastic organs

Tension springs 19a, 19b

Guide link 17c

Bearings 18a, 18b

Actuator 20

Energy storage

Elastic organ

Tension spring 22

Cage 24

Opposite walls 24a, 24b

Straight slot 25a, 25b

Connector 26

Attachment 28

Fastener

Wire 29

Retainer 30

Coupling elements

Rods 32a, 32b

Lever 33

Coupling part 34a, 34b (to the retaining part) Attachment element (to the tension spring)

Rod 35

Coupling part 39 (to the support)

Actuation scale 36

Side flanks 37a, 37b

Attachment element (of the elastic actuator member) Rod 38

Unlocking assembly 40

Control circuit

Power source

Drums

Light switch

Electro magnet

Piston solenoid 42

Piston 43

Trigger lever 44

Trigger element

Rod 45

Coupling element 46 (to the piston) Tilt support 47

Rod 47a (axis of rotation) Support surface

Rod 49a

Means of recall

Weight 48

Return spring 49

Blade

Support 50

First portion 52a

Locking assembly support Upper part 53

Second portion 52b

Support of part of the unlocking assembly

Attaché-case 100

Lid 60

Attachment part 62

Bearing 63

Box 70

Movable frame 2

Housing 2a

Slot 2b

Guide surface 3

Support surface 4

Elastic organ

Tension spring 5

Toggle 6

Operating portion 6a

Coupling element 7 (to the elastic member)

Claims

1. Locking mechanism (10) adapted for a device for closing / opening an opening (60) relative to a frame (70), in particular of the type causing the opening to pivot around the opening around an axis pivot followed by a movement in translation of the opening (60) orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane, the locking mechanism (10) comprising a locking assembly ( 12), comprising a locking element (14) arranged to cooperate with a part of the leaf (60), and an actuator (20) arranged to actuate the locking assembly (12) in a locking position in which the opening (60) is locked against the frame (70) by the locking element (14) in the closing plane, the actuator (20) comprising an energy accumulator (22), an actuating lever ( 36) integral with the locking assembly (14), and a connector (26), the connector (2 6) being arranged to connect the energy accumulator (21) to a movable frame (2) of the closing / opening device, the movable frame being actuable in translation under the action of the movement of the opening (60) of the opening plane to closing plane, the actuator (20) being configured, on the one hand, to store energy in the energy accumulator (22) under the action of the translational movement of the movable frame (2) when the opening (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a first portion, and on the other hand, to use at least partially the energy stored in the accumulator d energy (22), when the opening (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a second portion, to actuate in rotation the actuating lever (36) in order to bring the locking assembly (12) in the locking position.

2. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy accumulator (22) is in the form of a tension spring comprising a first end connected to the connector (26) and a second end integral with the actuation lever (36).

3. Locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the tension spring (22) is arranged between two opposite walls (24a, 24b), each wall having on one edge a slot (25a, 25b), the first end of the tension spring (22) being connected to a fastening element (38) integral with the actuating lever (36), a first and a second segment of the fastening element (38) being arranged to move along the respective slot (25a, 25b) of each wall.

4. Locking mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connector (26) comprises an attachment part (28) resembling an arm comprising a first end arranged to be pivotally mounted on the movable frame (2 ), a piece of retainer (30) pivotally mounted at the second end of the attachment piece (28) and a lever (33) pivotally mounted to the retainer (30) and integral with the second end of the tension spring (22) .

5. Locking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking assembly (12) comprises a locking body (16), several connecting rods (17a, 17b, 17c) each comprising a first end pivotally mounted to the locking body (16) and a second end pivotally mounted to a support (50) of the locking assembly, the locking element (14) being located at one end of the locking body (16).

6. Locking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking assembly (12) comprises two actuating rods (17a, 17b) and a guide rod (17c), one of the two rods actuation being integral with the actuating lever (36).

7. Locking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two actuating rods (17a, 17b) are interconnected by at least one elastic member (19a, 19b).

8. Locking mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the guide rod (17c) comprises at least one bearing (18a, 18b) arranged to come into contact and move along a guide surface ( 3) arranged on the movable frame (2).

9. Locking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an unlocking assembly (40) comprising a trigger rocker (44) pivotally mounted on a rocker support (47) and a control circuit arranged to actuate pivoting the trigger rocker (44) on the rocker support (47), the trigger rocker (44) comprising a trigger element (45) arranged to strike the connector (26) when said rocker (44) pivots on the support rocker (47) so that the connector (26) can pass from a configuration under stress when the locking assembly (12) is arranged in the locking position, to a configuration without stress so as to remove the force exerted by the locking element (14) on the attachment part (62) and allow actuation of the locking assembly (12) from a locking position to an unlocking position.

10. Locking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control circuit comprises an electromagnet (42) of the solenoid-piston type comprising a piston (43) connected to the trigger rocker (44).

1 1. Locking mechanism according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the unlocking assembly (40) further comprises return means arranged to bring back and maintain the trigger lever (44) in a released position in which the trigger element (45) is kept at a distance from the connector (26), the return means comprising a counterweight (48) connected to one end of the trigger rocker (44) and a return spring (49) cooperating with a part of said rocker (44) to return it to the released position.

12. Locking mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the return spring (47) is in the form of a blade arranged on the rocker support (47) and one end of which rests on a bearing surface ( 49a) raised relative to the rocker support (47) so that the blade is bent to exert permanent stress on the bearing surface (49a).

13. Attaché case (100) comprising a box (70) constituting a frame, a cover (60) constituting an opening and at least one locking mechanism (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Attaché case according to claim 13, comprising a first and a second locking mechanism arranged to cooperate with respectively a first and a second attachment part (62) of the cover (60) of the attaché case.

15. Attaché case according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising at least one elastic member (5) arranged on the bottom of the box (70) to move alone the movable frame (2) in translation or to attend the displacement of the mobile (2) in translation in order to bring the cover (60) of the attaché case from the closing plane to the opening plane.