Curtain driving and locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking / unlocking device (1) comprising a slide (2), a strike plate (3) fixed in a direction parallel to the slide (2), a mechanism (4) movable along the slide (2) in a first direction approaching the strike plate (3) or in a second direction moving away from the strike plate (3), the mechanism (4) being in a closed position, in which the mechanism (4) is able to catch the strike plate (3) so as to oppose a movement of the mechanism (4) in the second direction, when the mechanism (4) moves in the first direction, and in an open position, in which the mechanism (4) releases the strike plate (3), when the mechanism (4) moves in the second direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking / unlocking device. Such a device is typically used for a curtain door suitable for closing an opening in a building, such as a hangar, or a vehicle, more particularly a heavy goods vehicle.

[0002] Transport vehicles, and in particular refrigerated transport vehicles, include a loading compartment formed by a floor, side walls and an upper roof, and generally have a rear access opposite a front wall.

[0003] To access the cargo compartment, it is known to provide doors with one or more hinged leaves on the rear ends of the side walls.

[0004] These doors, when open, provide access to the entire width and height of the compartment, but their opening and closing require significant lateral clearance. Opening and closing these doors is done manually because motorizing their movement is very complex. Furthermore, swing doors are not very energy efficient because they create substantial heat loss during the opening and closing process.

[0005] It is also common practice to equip transport vehicles, particularly refrigerated ones, with curtain doors. For this purpose, the vehicle is fitted with a rear door formed by a curtain of several panels, usually insulated, adjacent and hinged to each other along horizontal axes, with rollers at the ends. The rollers are engaged in rails, allowing the curtain to move between a lowered vertical position that closes access to the cargo compartment and a raised horizontal position in which it typically extends below the roof into the cargo compartment.

[0006] Documents US2013 / 0020813, US2643906, KR2020090003123 and EP2871313 show door locking and unlocking systems.

[0007] Locking the curtain in the closed position can be complex to achieve, and the present invention solves this technical problem.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a locking / unlocking device comprising a slide, a strike plate fixed in a direction parallel to the slide, a movable assembly relative to the slide in a first direction approaching the strike plate or in a second direction moving away from the strike plate, the assembly being in a closed position, in which the assembly is able to catch the strike plate so as to oppose a movement of the assembly in the second direction, when the assembly moves in the first direction, and in an open position, in which the assembly releases the strike plate, when the assembly moves in the second direction.

[0009] According to the invention, the assembly comprises a carriage attached to the slide and movable along the slide, a slide attached to the carriage and movable relative to the carriage parallel to the slide, between a first stop and a second stop, the first stop being able to oppose a movement of the slide relative to the carriage in the first direction, the second stop being able to oppose a movement of the slide relative to the carriage in the second direction, a hook articulated relative to the slide about an axis substantially perpendicular to the slide so as to be able to rotate between a closed position, in which the hook can catch the strike plate so as to oppose a movement of the hook in the second direction, and an open position, in which the hook releases the strike plate,and a connecting rod arranged between the carriage and the hook in such a way as to rotate the hook into the open position when the carriage and the slide are in contact via the first stop, and into the closed position when the carriage and the slide are in contact via the second stop.

[0010] According to other characteristics, the device of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in all possible combinations: The strike plate is movable in a direction transverse to the slide between a closed position where the strike plate is able to oppose movement of the assembly in the second direction and an open position where the strike plate releases the assembly, the device further includes a return means able to return the strike plate to its closed position, the assembly and / or the strike plate includes a biased shape so that the assembly in the closed position is able to move the strike plate to its open position when the assembly moves in the first direction, the articulation axis of the hook relative to the slide is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the strike plate, the hook includes a biased shape so that the hook in the closed position is able to move the strike plate to its open position when the hook moves in the first direction, the slide is a rodless cylinder whose shuttle is integral with the assembly, the assembly is integral with a curtain.

[0011] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a rear opening, a curtain capable of selectively closing or opening the opening and such a locking / unlocking device integral with the curtain.

[0012] According to other characteristics, the building of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in all possible combinations: The strike plate is located at one end of the slide adjacent to the opening; the device is located inside the building.

[0013] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following non-limiting description, made with reference to the figures attached hereto. THE figures 1a et 1b present a crew according to the invention in the open position, respectively in profile view and in top view, the figures 2a And 2bpresent the same crew in the closed position, respectively in profile view and top view, the figures 3a-d present a locking / unlocking device according to the invention, viewed from above during a closing sequence, the figures 4a-d present the same locking / unlocking device according to the invention in top view during an opening sequence, the figure 5 presents a latch in perspective view, the figures 6 et 7 present in exploded perspective view a crew according to the invention, respectively from a superior viewpoint and from a inferior viewpoint, the figure 8 presents in perspective view a locking / unlocking device according to the invention, the figures 9 And 10 present in perspective view, a building equipped with such a device, respectively curtain open and curtain closed.

[0014] As illustrated in the figure 8 The invention relates to a locking / unlocking device 1. Such a device 1 comprises a slide 2, a strike plate 3, and a mechanism 4. The strike plate 3 is fixed in a direction parallel to the slide 2. The mechanism 4 is movable along the slide 2. This mobility allows the mechanism 4 to be moved closer to the strike plate 3, in a first direction S1, in order to lock the mechanism 4 with the strike plate 3. This mobility also allows the mechanism 4 to be moved away from the strike plate 3, in a second direction S2, after the mechanism 4 has been unlocked from the strike plate 3.

[0015] According to an important characteristic, when the crew 4 moves in the first direction S1, i.e., approaching the strike plate 3, the crew 4 is in the closed position, as illustrated in figures 2a And 2bIn this closed position, the assembly 4 is able to engage the strike plate 3. This engagement is such that the strike plate 3 resists movement of the assembly 4 in the second direction S2, i.e., moving away from the strike plate 3. This engagement locks the assembly 4 with the strike plate 3. Conversely, when the assembly 4 moves in the second direction S2, i.e., moving away from the strike plate 3, the assembly 4 is in the open position, as illustrated in the diagrams. figures 1a et 1b In this open position, crew 4 releases the latch 3 and is unable to perform a hooking.

[0016] As particularly illustrated in figures 5 , 3a-d And 4a-d The strike plate 3 is movable along a direction D transverse to the slide 2. The strike plate 3 can thus move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, more particularly illustrated in figures 5 , 3a , 3d , 4a-d The strike plate 3 is capable of resisting movement of the assembly 4 in the second direction S2. This is achieved, for example, by means of the surface 31 of the strike plate 3, which is transverse to the slide 2 and to directions S1 and S2 and is also advantageously flat, in that it cooperates with the corresponding surface 91 of a hook 9 attached to the assembly 4. In the open position, more particularly illustrated in the figure 3c , the latch 3 is retracted and releases the crew 4, which can then move freely in both directions S1 and S2.

[0017] According to another feature, the device 1 further includes a return means 33. This return means 33, which can be any elastic means, such as a coil spring, is arranged to return the strike plate 3 to its closed position. Thus, the strike plate 3 is, by default, in the closed position. It is, however, possible to move the strike plate 3 to the open position by opposing the return means 33.

[0018] Thus, according to another characteristic, the assembly 4 and / or the strike plate 3 includes a biased shape 32, 92, formed and arranged so that the assembly 4, in the closed position, is able to move the strike plate 3 to its open position when the assembly 4 moves in the first direction S1. Therefore, when the assembly 4 approaches the strike plate 3, the assembly 4 moves in the first direction S1 and is thus in the closed position. Even if the strike plate 3 is in the closed position, which is the case if a return means 33 is present, the presence of at least one biased shape 32, 92 will allow the assembly 4 to open the strike plate 3. A biased shape is a shape inclined relative to the direction of the slide 2 and the movement S1, S2, and further inclined relative to the direction D of the movement of the strike plate 3.Advantageously, the angled shape 32, 92 bisects the direction of movement S2, S2 and the direction D, or is advantageously inclined at 45° between these two substantially perpendicular directions. Thus, such an angled shape 32, 92 allows the movement of the assembly 4 along the first direction S1 to be transformed into a movement of the strike plate 3 along the transverse direction D. The angled shape can be positioned on the end of the strike plate 3 that comes into contact with the assembly 4 in the form of a bevel 32. The angled shape can also be positioned on the end of the assembly 4 that comes into contact with the strike plate 3, here a hook 9, in the form of a bevel 92. If both angled shapes 32 and 92 are used, they are advantageously arranged so as to be substantially parallel at the point of contact. The opening of the strike plate 3 by the assembly 4 is more particularly illustrated in Figures 32 and 92. figures 3a-d .

[0019] In order to perform the functions described above, the assembly 4, according to one embodiment, comprises a carriage 5, a slide 6, a first stop 7, a second stop 8, a hook 9, and a connecting rod 11. This is particularly evident in the figures 6 et 7 .

[0020] The carriage 5 is attached to the slide 2 along which it is mobile. The carriage 5 can thus move in the first direction S1 or in the second direction S2.

[0021] The slide 6 is linked to the carriage 5 and is movable relative to it, parallel to the slide 2. The slide 6 can thus move in the first direction S1 or in the second direction S2. The movement of the slide 6 relative to the carriage 5 is stopped by two stops 7 and 8. The first stop 7 is shaped and arranged to oppose movement of the slide 6 in the first direction S1. Thus, the first stop 7 allows the carriage 5 to move the slide 6 in the second direction S2. The second stop 8 is shaped and arranged to oppose movement of the slide 6 in the second direction S2. Thus, the second stop 8 allows the carriage 5 to move the slide 6 in the first direction S1.

[0022] Hook 9 is responsible for the locking functions. This hook 9 is connected to the slide 6 by a joint with axis 10 substantially perpendicular to the slide 2. Hook 9 is driven in translation by the slide 6 via the joint. Hook 9 can rotate between a closed position, more specifically illustrated in the figures 3a-d and an open position more particularly illustrated in the figures 4b-d In the closed position, the hook 9 can catch the strike plate 3 in such a way as to oppose movement of the hook 9 in the second direction S2. This is achieved more specifically by the cooperation of an edge 91 of the hook with an edge 31 of the strike plate 3. In the closed position, the edge 91 is substantially perpendicular to the slide 2. The edge 91 is then substantially parallel to the strike plate 3 and to its edge 31. In the open position, on the contrary, the hook 9 is retracted so as to release the strike plate 3.

[0023] The connecting rod 11 is positioned between the carriage 5 and the hook 9 such that it rotates the hook 9 into the open position when the carriage 5 and the slide 6 are in contact via the first stop 7, and into the closed position when the carriage 5 and the slide 6 are in contact via the second stop 8. To achieve this, the connecting rod 11 is articulated relative to the hook 9 with a lever arm relative to the axis 10 of articulation of the hook 9 relative to the slide 6. The first end 16 of the connecting rod 11 is fixed and articulated with the carriage 5. The second end 17 of the connecting rod 11 is fixed and articulated with the hook 9.

[0024] According to another characteristic, the axis 10 of articulation of the hook 9 relative to the slide 6 is substantially perpendicular to the direction D of the movement of the strike plate 3. This allows the rotation of the hook 9 to retract the latter into the open position so as to release the strike plate 3.

[0025] The biased shape 92 of the crew 4 is carried by the end of the hook 9 coming into contact with the strike plate 3. Also the hook 9 includes a biased shape 92 so that the hook 9 in closed position is able to move the strike plate 3 towards its open position when the hook 9 moves in the first direction S1, i.e. in the configuration of the strike plate 3 being docked by the hook 9.

[0026] Having described device 1, its operation will now be detailed with reference to figures 3a-d And 4a-d Since these figures are similar, the same reference symbols apply. To avoid clutter, they have been omitted in most of the figures.

[0027] THE figures 3a-d illustrate the closing / locking sequence. At the figure 3a The latch 3, under the action of the return means 33, is in the closed position. The crew 4 moves in the first direction S1, i.e. to the right in the plane of the figures 3a-d And 4a-d , in order to come close to the strike plate 3. Also, the assembly 4 is in the closed position, in which the hook 9 is in the closed position. This is achieved as follows. The carriage 5 moves in the first direction S1. In doing so, it comes into contact with the slide 6 via the second stop 8. Also in this configuration, the connecting rod 11 is "pushed" by the carriage 5 and places the hook 9 in its closed position, i.e., with the edge 91 substantially perpendicular to the slide 2 and to the movements S1, S2.

[0028] To the figure 3b The assembly 4, whose configuration remains unchanged, is still in the closed position and continues its movement along the first direction S1 until it comes into contact with the strike plate 3. The hook 9 makes contact with the strike plate 3, and more specifically, the angled shape 92 of the hook 9 with the corresponding and homologous angled shape 32 of the strike plate 3. This moves the strike plate 3 from a closed position to an open position, allowing the end of the hook 9 to pass beyond the strike plate 3. This movement continues to the figure 3c where the latch 3 is in the open position.

[0029] To the figure 3d , the hook 9 protrudes the strike plate 3 and particularly the edge 91 protrudes the edge 31. The strike plate 3, under the action of the return means 33 then returns to the closed position, the edge 31 of the strike plate sliding behind the edge 91 of the hook 9, ensuring a hooking, preventing the hook 9 and with it the assembly 4 from returning backwards in the second direction S2, and thus achieving a locking of the assembly 4 on the strike plate 3.

[0030] THE figures 3d , 4a-d illustrate the opening / unlocking sequence. In the locked configuration, illustrated in the figure 3d The assembly 4 is in the closed position because the carriage 5 is in contact with the slide 6 via the second stop 8. Throughout the unlocking sequence, the strike plate 3 remains in the closed position.

[0031] From this locked configuration, the carriage 5 begins a movement in the second direction S2, i.e. to the left in the plane of figures 3a-d And 4a-d The carriage 5 leaves the second stop 8. Due to an interval between the second stop 8 and the first stop 7, the carriage 5 does not immediately reach the first stop 7, but benefits from a free stroke during which the carriage 5 moves on its own, without carrying the slide 6 with it. This free stroke allows a relative movement of the carriage 5 with respect to the slide 6, which allows the connecting rod 11 to act on the hook 9. The carriage 5 "pulls" the connecting rod 11, which in turn "pulls" on the hook 9 and thus makes it rotate around the axis 10.

[0032] The movement continues and, at the figure 4b The hook 9 is in the fully open position. Retracted in this way, it releases the strike plate 3. The carriage 5 then comes into contact with the first stop 7. From this point of contact, the carriage 5 drives the slide 6 in its movement along the second direction S2, and with the slide 6, the hook 9. It should be noted that the hook 9 is fixed in translation to the slide 6 via the pivot 10. Therefore, during the opening phase of the hook 9, which occurs during the free travel of the carriage 5 between the two stops 8 and 7, the axis 10 remains stationary relative to the slide 2, and the hook 9 does not translate.

[0033] From the point of contact of the carriage 5 with the first stop 7, i.e. at figures 4c et 4d The carriage 5 carries the entire assembly 4 and the hook 9, in its movement along the second direction S2. Thus the hook 9 in the open position passes in front of the strike plate 3 and disengages from the strike plate 3, unlocking the device 1.

[0034] During locking, the latch 4 and the hook 9 remain in the closed position. The strike plate 3 opens as the latch 4 / hook 9 engages. During unlocking, the strike plate 3 remains in the closed position. The latch 4 / hook 9 opens to retract and allow release.

[0035] It is clear from the preceding description that the movement of the carriage 5 drives the entire assembly 4, possibly with an offset during the change of direction S1, S2, in order to perform the changes between open and closed positions and thus the locking / unlocking. According to an advantageous embodiment, the carriage 5 is controlled by an actuator. Preferably, the slide 2 is a rodless cylinder. A rodless cylinder is an actuator comprising a slide 2 and a shuttle 18 that moves along the slide 2, advantageously in a controlled manner. According to one characteristic, the assembly 4 described above, and more particularly its carriage 4, is fixed to the shuttle 18. The rodless cylinder can be of any type, and preferably pneumatic.Thus, a control of the rodless cylinder in the first direction S1 automatically locks device 1, and a control of the rodless cylinder in the second direction S2 automatically unlocks it. This advantageously allows for remote locking / unlocking, offering a wide range of positioning options for device 1 and ease of integration.

[0036] The movement of the shuttle 18 and the crew 4 along the slide 2 can be advantageously used. Thus, if the crew 4 is attached to a curtain 12, the control of the rodless actuator allows for the selective closing of the curtain 12, ending with a locking or unlocking followed by an opening of the curtain 12. A curtain here is understood to be a flexible curtain: for example, made of fabric, a reinforced curtain: for example, a flexible curtain also including rigid ribs preferably parallel to each other and perpendicular to the slide 2, or a curtain with articulated slats, such as a blind.

[0037] As illustrated in the figure 8 , such a curtain 12 can advantageously be driven into motion by the crew 4, to which it can be secured by a connecting fork 20 articulated on lugs 19 attached to the slide 6.

[0038] The invention further relates to a building 13 comprising an opening 14 and a curtain 12 capable of selectively closing or opening the opening 14. Such a building 13 advantageously comprises a locking / unlocking device 1 according to the invention, in order to achieve the closing and locking of the curtain 12, as well as its unlocking and opening of the curtain 12. A building 13 is understood here to mean any fixed equipment, such as for example a warehouse or a hangar, or mobile equipment, such as for example a motor vehicle or heavy goods vehicle.

[0039] THE figures 9 And 10 illustrate a device 1 according to the invention used to operate a curtain door closing the rear of a freight truck / building 13. The figure 9 illustrates building 13 with door / curtain 12 open. figure 10Figure 13 illustrates the same building with the door / curtain 12 closed. The viewpoint is located inside the truck 13, forming a roughly parallelepiped-shaped volume, looking rearward and upward. The opening 14 is made in a wall, for example, the rear wall. The curtain 12 is attached to the frame 4. Only the first slat of the curtain 12 is shown for clarity. The track 2 is located under the roof of the truck 13.

[0040] According to another feature, the strike plate 3 is arranged at one end of the slide 2, preferably the end adjacent to the opening 14.

[0041] According to another characteristic, device 1 is located inside building 13. This advantageously provides vandal protection while offering an aesthetically pleasing arrangement as device 1 is hidden.

[0042] It appears that the length of the slide 2 determines the range of movement of the curtain 12 between its open and closed positions and thus corresponds substantially, by a higher value, to the length of the opening 14. The curtain 12 being flexible or at least articulated, the slide 2 advantageously does not have to be aligned with the plane of the opening 14 and can, as illustrated, be arranged along one of the walls of the truck 13.

Claims

1. A locking / unlocking device (1) such that it comprises a slide (2), a strike (3) fixed in a direction parallel to the slide (2), an assembly (4) movable along the slide (2) in a first direction (S1) toward the strike (3) or in a second direction (S2) away from the strike (3), the assembly (4) being in a closed position, in which the assembly (4) is adapted to hook the strike (3) so as to prevent movement of the assembly (4) in the second direction (S2), when the assembly (4) moves in the first direction (S1), and in an open position, in which the assembly (4) releases the strike (3), when the assembly (4) moves in the second direction (S2), characterized in that the assembly (4) comprises a carriage (5) connected to the slide (2) and movable along the slide (2), a slider (6) connected to the carriage (5) and movable relative to the carriage (5) parallel to the slide (2), between a first stop (7) and a second stop (8), the first stop (7) being adapted to prevent movement of the slider (6) relative to the carriage (5) in the first direction (S1), the second stop (8) being adapted to prevent movement of the slider (6) relative to the carriage (5) in the second direction (S2), a hook (9) pivotally mounted relative to the slider (6) about an axis (10) substantially perpendicular to the slide (2) so as to be able to rotate between a closed position, in which the hook (9) can hook the strike (3) so as to prevent movement of the hook (9) in the second direction (S2), and an open position, in which the hook (9) releases the strike (3), and a link (11) disposed between the carriage (5) and the hook (9) so as to rotate the hook (9) into the open position when the carriage (5) and the slider (6) are in contact via the first stop (7), and into the closed position when the carriage (5) and the slider (6) are in contact via the second stop (8).

2. The device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the strike (3) is movable in a direction (D) transverse to the slide (2) between a closed position in which the strike (3) is adapted to prevent movement of the assembly (4) in the second direction (S2), and an open position in which the strike (3) releases the assembly (4).

3. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a return means (33) adapted to return the strike (3) toward its closed position.

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly (4) and / or the strike (3) comprises a beveled shape (32, 92) such that, the assembly (4) in the closed position is adapted to move the strike (3) toward its open position when the assembly (4) moves in the first direction (S1).

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot axis (10) of the hook (9) relative to the slider (6) is substantially perpendicular to the direction (D) of movement of the strike (3).

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hook (9) comprises a beveled shape (92) such that the hook (9) in the closed position is adapted to move the strike (3) toward its open position when the hook (9) moves in the first direction (S1).

7. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide (2) is a rodless cylinder, the shuttle (18) of which is secured to the assembly (4).

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly (4) is secured to a curtain (12).

9. A vehicle (13) comprising an opening (14) and a curtain (12) adapted to selectively close or open the opening (14), characterized in that it further comprises a locking / unlocking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, secured to the curtain (12).

10. The vehicle (13) according to the preceding claim, wherein the strike (3) is disposed at an end of the slide (2) adjacent to the opening (14).

11. The vehicle (13) according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the device (1) is disposed inside the vehicle (13).

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