LOCKING MECHANISM OF AN OPENING ELEMENT ON A FRAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanism for locking an opening leaf against a frame. The locking mechanism is suitable for being integrated into a briefcase, among other things, in order to lock the lid against the case body. This mechanism is particularly well suited to a briefcase equipped with an opening / closing device of the type causing, upon closing, a pivoting of the lid about a pivoting axis followed by a translational movement of the lid, orthogonal to the pivoting axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane in which the lid is embedded in the case body.

[0002] An example of a locking mechanism for a briefcase is disclosed in US 2,956,827 A. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] There are various locking mechanisms for a case against a frame, particularly for locking a lid against the body of a briefcase. Most briefcases use two main types of locking mechanisms.

[0004] The first type of briefcase locking mechanism comprises two digital combination locks arranged on either side of the briefcase handle. Each lock comprises a coupling member, intended to be fixed to the case and a part comprising on the one hand a lock fixed to the lid and capable of cooperating with the coupling member for locking the lid against the case and, on the other hand, a digital combination device intended to operate the lock. The part comprising the lock further comprises a slider, capable of causing the lock to move in the opening direction, an axially movable shaft, and means allowing the slider to move in the direction of movement of the lock for the purpose of opening, i.e. unlocking, only when the shaft can also move in this direction.For this purpose, 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 to allow the movement of the shaft, in the direction in which the latter allows the movement of the cursor for opening the lock, only when the sockets are each in a determined angular position. Casters having numbers on their periphery are provided to actuate each socket in their determined angular position to allow the opening of the attaché case.

[0005] The second type of briefcase locking mechanism is similar to the mechanism of a traditional key lock well known to those skilled in the art. In general, the briefcase has two locks arranged on either side of the briefcase handle.

[0006] Both types of mechanisms have several drawbacks. The locks are located on the outside of the briefcase and generally have insufficient mechanical strength to ensure the security of the briefcase's contents. Therefore, the locks can be forced by malicious individuals wishing to access the briefcase's contents. Furthermore, the location of the locking mechanism on the outside of the briefcase has a negative impact on the briefcase's aesthetics. Finally, it is essential to remember the numerical combinations or not to lose the keys to open the briefcase, which is not always the case. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the invention therefore relates to a locking mechanism for an opening against a frame providing robust locking. Another object of the invention relates to a briefcase whose locking and unlocking of the lid against the box is practical while ensuring robust locking of the briefcase in its closed position.

[0008] It is advantageous to provide a reliable, precise and robust locking mechanism for a door against a frame.

[0009] It is advantageous to provide a mechanism for locking a sash against a frame that is easy to unlock.

[0010] It is advantageous to provide a briefcase which is locked in its closed position by simply pressing on the lid.

[0011] It is advantageous to provide a briefcase whose locking mechanism is not visible when the briefcase is in a locked configuration in order to have a particular aesthetic appearance of the briefcase in this configuration.

[0012] An object of the invention is achieved by a locking mechanism according to claim 1.

[0013] Another object of the invention is achieved by an attaché case according to claim 13 comprising at least one locking mechanism.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism is suitable for a device for closing / opening an opening leaf relative to a frame, in particular of the type causing, upon closing, a pivoting of the opening leaf around a pivot axis followed by a translational movement of the opening leaf orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane. The locking mechanism comprises a locking assembly comprising a blocking element arranged to cooperate with a portion of the opening leaf, and an actuator arranged to actuate the locking assembly into a locking position in which the opening leaf is locked against the frame by the blocking element in the closing plane. The actuator comprises an energy accumulator, an actuating rocker 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 is operable in translation under the action of the movement of the opening leaf 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 leaf is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a first portion, and on the other hand, to use at least part of the energy stored in the energy accumulator, when the opening leaf is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a second portion, to actuate in rotation the actuating rocker in order to bring the locking assembly into the locking position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the distance traveled by the opening from the opening plane to the closing plane is between 8 mm and 12 mm, and preferably of the order of 10 mm.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first portion to the second portion is greater than 8, or even greater than 10.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the ratio between the force which must be exerted to bring the lid of the attaché case from the opening plane to the closing plane and the force exerted by the locking element on the upper part is greater than 5, or even greater than 8.

[0019] In one embodiment, the energy accumulator is in the form of a tension spring having a first end connected to the connector and a second end secured to the actuating rocker.

[0020] In one embodiment, the tension spring is arranged between two opposing walls. Each wall has a slot on one edge. The first end of the tension spring is connected to a clip element secured to the actuating rocker. A first and a second segment of the clip element are arranged to move along the respective slot of each wall.

[0021] In one embodiment, the connector comprises an attachment part resembling an arm comprising a first end arranged to be pivotally mounted to the mobile frame, a retaining part pivotally mounted to the second end of the attachment part and a lever pivotally mounted to the retaining part and secured to the second end of the tension spring.

[0022] In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a locking body and a plurality of links each having a first end pivotally mounted to the locking body and a second end pivotally mounted to a support of the locking assembly. The locking member is located at one end of the locking body.

[0023] In one embodiment, the locking assembly comprises two actuating rods and a guide rod. One of the two actuating rods is integral with the actuating rocker.

[0024] In one embodiment, the two actuating rods are connected to each other by at least one elastic member.

[0025] In one embodiment, the guide rod comprises at least one bearing arranged to come into contact with and move along a guide surface arranged on the movable frame.

[0026] According to the invention, 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. In one embodiment, the trigger rocker comprises a trigger element arranged to strike the connector when said rocker pivots on the rocker support so that the connector can move from a stressed configuration when the locking assembly is arranged in the locked position, to an unstressed configuration so as to remove the force exerted by the blocking element on the attachment portion and allow the locking assembly to be actuated from a locked position to an unlocked position.

[0027] In one embodiment, the control circuit comprises a solenoid-piston type electromagnet comprising a piston connected to the trigger rocker.

[0028] In one embodiment, the unlocking assembly further comprises one of the return means arranged to return and maintain the trigger rocker in a disengaged position in which the trigger element is held at a distance from the connector. The return means comprise a weight connected to one end of the trigger rocker, and a return spring cooperating with a portion of said rocker to return it to the disengaged position.

[0029] 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 bearing surface raised relative to the rocker support so that the blade is flexed to exert a permanent stress on the bearing surface.

[0030] A second aspect of the invention relates to an attaché case 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.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the briefcase comprises a first and a second locking mechanism arranged to cooperate with respectively a first and a second attachment part of the lid of the briefcase.

[0032] In one embodiment, the briefcase further comprises at least one elastic member arranged on the bottom of the box to move the mobile frame in translation on its own or to assist the translational movement of the mobile in order to bring the lid of the briefcase from the closing plane to the opening plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which: there Figure 1 is a perspective view of an attaché case in which the locking mechanism according to the invention is integrated; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the briefcase incorporating the locking mechanism, the lid of the briefcase being in the closing plane; Figure 3 is a view similar to the Figure 2 when the briefcase lid is in the opening plane; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the Figure 2 when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position; Figure 5 is a view similar to the 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 a fastening portion of the attaché case lid when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position; Figure 7 is a view similar to the Figure 6a when the locking mechanism is in a locked position; the 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 the figure 6a or 6b ; there Figure 9c is a view from the front of the Figure 6a ; there Figure 9d is a view of the Figure 9c according to the cut AA ; THE Figures 10a and 10b each represent 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 bearing of the attachment part of the cover of the attaché case; the Figure 11a is a side view of the locking mechanism with a partial section while the Figure 11b is a view from the opposite lateral side when the mechanism is in a locking position; the Figure 12a is a view similar to the Figure 9c at the start of the mechanism unlocking sequence; Figure 12b is a view according to the section B - B of the Figure 12a ; there Figure 12c is a view along section CC of the Figure 12a ; there Figure 13a is a view similar to the Figure 12awhen the locking mechanism is disengaged from the attachment portion of the briefcase lid; Figure 13b is a view along section CC of the Figure 13a , and the Figure 14 is identical to the Figure 9b . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED FORM OF EMBODIMENT Description of the elements of the locking mechanism

[0034] With reference to the figures, in particular to the figures 1 to 3, the locking mechanism 10 is integrated into a briefcase 100 comprising a cover 60 and a box 70 as well as an opening / closing mechanism for the briefcase 100 of the type causing, upon opening, a translation of the cover 60 from a closing plane to an opening plane parallel to the closing plane, followed by a pivoting of the cover around a pivot axis orthogonal to the translation of the cover, and vice versa upon closing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the upper part of the cover 60 coincides with the closing plane which is located 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.

[0035] Although the Figure 1illustrates that a single locking mechanism 10 of an embodiment of the invention, the briefcase 100 preferably comprises two identical locking mechanisms arranged to cooperate with respectively a first and a second attachment part 62 (only one is illustrated) of the cover 60 arranged close to the two lateral sides thereof. Each attachment part 62 is integral with 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, for example in the form 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 integral with the box 70.The elastic member 5 makes it possible to exert a thrust on the mobile frame 2 via the rocker 6 so as to move, alone or jointly with the opening / closing mechanism of the briefcase 100, the cover 60 in translation from the closing plane to the opening plane when the locking mechanism 10 passes from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration.

[0036] According to the Figures 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 disengaged from the corresponding attachment part 62, and on the other hand, to occupy a locking position in which the locking element 14 is engaged with the corresponding attachment part 62 in order to lock the lid 60 of the attaché case against the box 70. For example, the locking element 14 may be arranged against an upper portion of the corresponding attachment part. In the locked configuration, the lid 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 contents.

[0037] Since both locking mechanisms are identical, the following description concerns one of them.

[0038] Advantageously, the locking mechanism 10 is configured to store energy when closing the lid 60 of the attaché case and to use, at least in part, this energy in order to press the locking element 14 against the upper portion of the attachment part 62 of the lid 60. More particularly, a minimum force of the order of 10N must be applied to the lid 60 to move it from the opening plane to the closing plane which corresponds to a travel of approximately 10 mm.

[0039] 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 along a second segment. Preferably, the first segment corresponds to a travel of the cover 60 relative to the box 70 of more than 9 mm while the second segment corresponds to a travel of the cover 60 relative to the box 70 of less than 1 mm, for example of the order of 0.8 mm.

[0040] For this purpose, the locking mechanism 10, as illustrated in particular by the Figures 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 partly 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 locking 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 remove the force exerted by the locking element 14 on the attachment part 62 and allow the locking assembly 12 to be actuated from a locking position to an unlocking position.

[0041] For this purpose, the articulated connector 26 comprises an attachment part 28 resembling an arm comprising a first end pivotally mounted in a slot 2b made on a first side of the mobile frame 2, a retaining part 30 comprising a first end pivotally mounted at a second end of the attachment part 28 as well as a lever 33 comprising a first end pivotally mounted at a second end of the retaining part 30.

[0042] 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 attachment part 28 as well as to a part of the movable frame 2 located close to a guide surface 3 arranged on a second side of the 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-shaped opening arranged on either side of the retaining part 30. A second rod 32b passes right through the retaining part 30 and is intended 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 bracket 50 of the locking mechanism as shown in . Figure 9d .

[0043] The unlocking assembly 40 comprises in particular an electromagnet 42, preferably of the solenoid-piston 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 level of the articulation between the attachment part 28 and the retaining part 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 rocker 44 from a first inclined position in which the rod 45 is located at a distance from the articulated connector 26, to a second inclined position so that the rod 45 strikes the retaining part 30 at the aforementioned articulation so as to unbalance the deployed configuration under tension of the articulated connector 26 so that the latter passes into its folded configuration.

[0044] In one embodiment, the control circuit may be provided with a haptic type switch whose aesthetic appearance merges with an external surface of the briefcase 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 briefcase. In another embodiment, the control circuit may be adapted to be controlled remotely, for example by a Bluetooth type protocol. The unlocking assembly 40 further comprises return means to prevent the rod 45 of the trigger rocker 44 from involuntarily striking the retaining part 30 of the articulated connector 26 in order to prevent untimely unlocking of the cover 60 relative to the casing 70 of the briefcase 100 in the event of shocks suffered by the latter.For this purpose, the return means comprise a weight 48 mounted at a second end of the trigger lever 44 as well as a return spring 49. The latter is preferably in the form of a blade 49 arranged on the lever support 47. One end of the blade 49 is fixed on 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 lever support 47 and arranged under the weight 48 so that the blade 49 is slightly bent (not visible in 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 inclined position when the locking mechanism 10 is in a locked configuration.

[0045] With particular reference to Figures 9a, 9b , the locking assembly 12 comprises several links, preferably three links 17a, 17b, 17c, ie two actuating links 17a, 17b and a guide link 17c. Each link comprises a first end pivotally mounted inside a locking body 16 having a hollow cross-section and a rectangular upper part. 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 ( Figure 12c). The two actuating rods 17a, 17b are connected to each other by two elastic members, which are preferably two tension 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 blocking 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 movable frame 2 of the box as illustrated in Figure 12c . Two bearings 18a, 18 are respectively connected on the two lateral sides of the guide rod 17c so as to come into contact and move along the guide surface 3 of the movable frame 2 during a part of the movement of the locking assembly 12 from the unlocking position to the locking position and vice versa.

[0046] In reference to the figure 8, the traction 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 comprises 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 rocker 36 pivotally mounted close to the upper part of the first portion 52a of the support 50. Furthermore, one of the actuating links 17a is mounted integrally with the actuating rocker 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 also integral with the lever 33 of the articulated connector 26. Functional description of the locking mechanism

[0047] THE Figures 9a to 11b illustrate a first series of sequences of movements of the locking mechanism 10 when the cover 60 of the attaché case is moved in translation from the opening plane to the closing plane to be embedded and then locked in the box 70. The Figures 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 recessed position, to the opening plane.

[0048] In reference to the Figures 9a to 9d , the locking element 14 of the locking mechanism 10 is released from the attachment part 62 of the cover of the attaché case and rests in a housing 2a of the mobile frame 2 ( Figure 6b). The articulated connector 26 is in a deployed configuration with the lever 33 inclined at an angle of between 30° and 40° relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the closing 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 the Figure 9d , the traction spring 22 is slightly stressed since the distance between the axis of the rod 38 in abutment 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 traction 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 Figure 6b by a slight constraint applied by the locking element 14 against the bottom of the housing 2a of the mobile frame 2.

[0049] By applying a force of about ten Newtons to the cover 60, it moves from the opening plane to the closing plane, which corresponds to a total stroke of about 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 the Figures 10a, 10b , the movement of the cover 60 drives the mobile frame 2 in translation downwards along an identical stroke. The articulated connector 26 being connected to the mobile frame 2 by means of the attachment part 28, the lever 33 is progressively 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 progressively armed under the action of the movement of the rod 35. The bearings 18a, 18b of the guide rod 17c move against and along the guide surface 3 of the movable frame 2 so as to prevent any rotation of the actuating rocker 36 during the aforementioned first stroke. The actuating rocker 36 begins to pivot under the action of the tension spring 22 exerting a return force on the rod 38 connected to the lateral flanks 37a, 37b of the actuating rocker 36 ( figures 9d , 13b) as soon as the bearings 18a, 18b of the guide rod 17c are disengaged from the guide surface 3. At this moment, the cover begins the aforementioned second stroke during which the actuating rocker 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 attaché case so as to position the locking element 14 on the bearing 63 of the attachment part 62 of the cover.

[0050] According to the Figures 11a, 11b, the locking element 14 has made an additional movement on the upper portion of the attachment part 62 of the cover after an additional rotation of the actuating rocker 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.

[0051] In order to unlock the locking mechanism 10, the control circuit can either be controlled remotely or by pressure exerted on a surface located on an external part of the cover 60 or the case 70 of the attaché case in order to axially move the piston 43 of the solenoid-piston 42. With reference to Figures 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 rocker 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 rocker 44 before the latter returns to its first inclined position under the action of the return spring 49 applying a stress to the rod 49a. The impact at this articulation has the effect of dislocating the articulated connector 26 which passes from a deployed configuration under tension to a folded configuration, under the action of the stress exerted by the tension spring 22 as illustrated in Figure 13b. Note that the oblong-shaped openings of the two coupling parts 34a, 34b of the lever 33 prevent the articulated arm 26 from locking during the transition from the deployed configuration to the folded configuration.

[0052] 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 the respective ends of which are connected to the opposite walls 24a, 24b of the cage 24. The raising of the cage 24 thus allows the actuating rocker 36 to pivot in the opposite direction under the action of the oblong slots 25a, 25b on the rod 38. The pivoting of the actuating rocker 36 has the effect of pivoting the actuating link 17a backward, which allows the locking assembly 12 to be released from the attachment part 62 of the lid of the attaché case thanks to the return force exerted by the tension springs 19a, 19b on the actuating link 17b. At this moment, the lid of the attaché case is free to be actuated in translation from its position embedded in the box to its position coinciding with the opening plane.

[0053] When the cover is raised in translation, the mobile frame 2 simultaneously moves in height and the articulated connector 26 passes again into a deployed configuration. Note that the metal wire 29, fixed to the attachment part 28 as well as to a part of the mobile frame 2 located close to the guide surface 3, makes it possible to exert a force on the attachment part 28 which is opposite to 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.

[0054] The locking mechanism that has just been described is not exclusively suitable for a device for closing / opening an opening leaf relative to a frame of the type causing, upon closing, a pivoting of the opening leaf around a pivot axis followed by a translational movement of the opening leaf relative to the frame. For example, the locking mechanism may be suitable for a box comprising an opening leaf resembling a box, for example cubic in shape or in the shape of a straight block, which can be fitted into a frame resembling a box. The contents of the box may be accessible by means of an opening or a flap arranged on one of the lateral sides of the box. The box may comprise 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

[0055] Locking mechanism 10 Lock set 12 Blocking element 14 Locking body 16 Actuating rods 17a, 17bElastic organs Tension springs 19a, 19b 17c guide rod Bearings 18a, 18b Actuator 20 Energy accumulator Elastic organ 22 tension spring Cage 24 Opposite walls 24a, 24b Straight slits 25a, 25b Connector 26 Attachment 28 Fastening element Metal wire 29 Retaining piece 30 Coupling elements Stems 32a, 32b Lever 33 Coupling part 34a, 34b (to the retaining part) Attachment element (to the tension spring) Stem 35 Coupling part 39 (to the support) Actuating rocker 36 Lateral flanks 37a, 37b Fastening element (of the elastic member of the actuator) Stem 38 Unlocking Set 40 Control circuit Power source Battery Switch Electromagnet Solenoid-piston 42 Piston 43 Trigger rocker 44 Trigger element Stem 45 Coupling element 46 (to piston) 47 Toggle Bracket Rod 47a (axis of rotation) Support surface Stem 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 for part of the unlocking assembly Attaché case 100 Cover 60 Attachment part 62 Bearing 63 Box 70 Mobile frame 2 Accommodation 2a Slot 2b Guide surface 3 Support surface 4 Elastic organ Tension spring 5 Flip 6 Actuating portion 6a Coupling element 7 (to the elastic member)

Claims

1. A locking mechanism (10) adapted for a device for closing / opening an opening frame (60) relative to a frame (70), in particular of the type causing, upon closing, a pivoting of the opening frame about a pivot axis followed by a translational movement of the opening frame (60) orthogonal to the pivot axis, from an opening plane to a closing plane, the locking mechanism (10) including a locking assembly (12), comprising a blocking element (14) arranged to cooperate with a part of the opening frame (60), and an actuator (20) arranged to actuate the locking assembly (12) in a locking position in which the opening frame (60) is locked against the frame (70) by the blocking element (14) in the closing plane, the actuator (20) including an energy accumulator (22), an actuation rocker (36) secured to the locking assembly (12), and a connector (26), the connector (26) being arranged to connect the energy accumulator (22) to a movable rack (2) of the closing / opening device, the movable rack being actuatable in translation under the action of the displacement of the opening frame (60) from the opening plane to the 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 displacement of the movable rack (2) when the opening frame (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a first portion, and on the other hand to use at least partly the energy stored in the energy accumulator (22), when the opening frame (60) is moved from the opening plane to the closing plane along a second portion, to actuate in rotation the actuation rocker (36) in order to bring the locking assembly (12) into the locking position, the locking mechanism further including an unlocking assembly (40) comprising a trigger rocker (44) pivotally mounted on a rocker support (47), characterized in that the locking mechanism further includes a control circuit arranged to pivotally actuate the trigger rocker (44) on the rocker support (47).

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy accumulator (22) is in the form of a tension spring including a first end connected to the connector (26) and a second end secured to the actuation rocker (36).

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the tension spring (22) is arranged between two opposite walls (24a, 24b), each wall including on one edge a slot (25a, 25b), the first end of the tension spring (22) being connected to a fastening element (38) secured to the actuation rocker (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. The locking mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connector (26) includes a fastening piece (28) resembling an arm including a first end arranged to be pivotally mounted to the movable rack (2), a retaining piece (30) pivotally mounted at the second end of the fastening piece (28) as well as a lever (33) pivotally mounted to the retaining piece (30) and secured to the second end of the tension spring (22).

5. The locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking assembly (12) includes a locking body (16), several connecting rods (17a, 17b, 17c) each including 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 blocking element (14) being located at one end of the locking body (16).

6. The locking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking assembly (12) includes two actuation connecting rods (17a, 17b) and a guide connecting rod (17c), one of the two actuation connecting rods being secured to the actuation rocker (36).

7. The locking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two actuation connecting rods (17a, 17b) are connected to each other by at least one elastic member (19a, 19b).

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

9. The locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, the trigger rocker (44) including a trigger element (45) arranged to strike the connector (26) when said rocker (44) pivots on the rocker support (47) so that the connector (26) can move from a stressed configuration when the locking assembly (12) is arranged in the locking position, to an unstressed configuration so as to remove the force exerted by the blocking element (14) on the fastening part (62) and allow actuating the locking assembly (12) from a locking position to an unlocking position.

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

11. The locking mechanism according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the unlocking assembly (40) further includes return means arranged to return and hold the trigger rocker (44) in a released position in which the trigger element (45) is kept at a distance from the connector (26), the return means including a flyweight (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. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the return spring (49) 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 a permanent stress on the bearing surface (49a).

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

14. The briefcase according to claim 13, including a first and a second locking mechanism arranged to cooperate with respectively a first and a second fastening part (62) of the lid (60) of the briefcase.

15. The briefcase according to claim 13 or 14, further including at least one elastic member (5) arranged on the bottom of the case (70) to move in translation the movable rack (2) on its own or to assist the displacement in translation of the movable rack (2) in order to bring the lid (60) of the briefcase from the closing plane to the opening plane.