Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles

Abstract

Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, with a handle (4), and opening means (7) connected to a hitch (6) in the box profile (5). The opening means (7) have a tongue (8) connected to the handle (4) that accompanies it in its movement, a pawl (11) rotatable and actuatable by the tongue (8), and a cam (13) blockable by the pawl (11) and connectable and releasable from the hitch (6) of the box profile (5), allowing the locking and opening of the door (1). The locking system is actuated between a locking position where the pawl (11) locks the cam (13) engaged to the hitch (6) in the locking position, and an opening position where the rotation of the pawl (11) actuated by the tongue (8) releases the cam (13) from the hitch (6) of the box profile (5).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to the technical field of locking systems for doors, namely to locking systems for doors of trucks and cargo vehicles. The invention can be applied particularly to boxes of cargo vehicles of the so-called last mile, that is, of smaller size for the urban distribution of merchandise.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently in the field of trucks, cargo vehicles and delivery vehicles, there is an emerging sector called "last mile cargo vehicles", for the urban distribution of merchandise to the end customer. The vehicles used for the last mile are small and, in many cases, electrically powered, which facilitates direct urban circulation to the end customer.

[0003] These vehicles used for the last mile have a box in which the goods are transported, which obviously has much smaller dimensions than those of conventional cargo and delivery vehicles. Nowadays, car body makers, who are in charge of adapting vehicles for the transport of a certain type of merchandise, are using for these vehicles for the last mile the hardware and locks that are on the market, that is, those used in the manufacture of the boxes of conventional cargo and delivery trucks. Therefore, there are no specific hardware or locking systems for this new niche and type of cargo vehicles, and those used are totally disproportionate in size and functionality. Consequently, there is a real need for locking systems adapted to these vehicles for the last mile.

[0004] As the boxes of these vehicles for the last mile are for urban delivery, the daily frequency of opening and locking the doors is high, so the main characteristic that this lock must meet is ease of use, that is, that it opens and locks as easily and quickly as possible. For this, it must be taken into account that in the isothermal boxes and, above all, in those that have a cold machine, a vacuum is generated inside due to the decrease in air temperature. Likewise, the doors have a rubber with several lips around their perimeter, whose pressure exerted by it is necessary to overcome in order to open the door, so that already in itself opening a door of a refrigerator box, requires enough force.

[0005] In addition, precisely because of the characteristics of urban delivery to the end customer, it is important that the locking is fast, so it is sought that the door can be locked with a push. This is very useful when the user or delivery person wants to lock the door with their hands occupied by the packages they are transporting. This type of doors have much more resistance in the opening, due to the rubbers and the vacuum, than in the locking. In the locking, the rubbers do not offer as much resistance because the lips have a fold that favors the locking. It is therefore usually opted for a push-type lock.

[0006] In summary, the characteristics that a vehicle body lock needs for the last mile are that it is small and lightweight, that it helps to separate and open the door overcoming the force of the vacuum and the tires, and that it allows the door to be locked with a push.

[0007] There are currently locks that help separate and open the door overcoming the force of the vacuum. This type of lock consists of a central tube and a bolt with "hooks" at the ends, which are the ones that keep the door locked and help to separate it in the opening. Fig. 1 shows a conventional locking system by means of central bolt and tube with hooks used in conventional cargo trucks. Therefore, due to their size, configuration and arrangement, these locks are suitable for conventional cargo trucks, but not for the lighter delivery boxes of last-mile vehicles.

[0008] At present there is no lock that helps to separate and open the door overcoming the force of the vacuum and the rubbers, and that allows the door to be locked with a push, being also light and of small dimensions.

[0009] A locking system suitable for light boxes of transport vehicles for the last mile is therefore desirable, avoiding the drawbacks of the existing systems in the state of the art.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention solves the problems of the existing systems in the state of the art by means of a locking system for box doors of cargo vehicle, which may be particularly cargo vehicles for the last mile or urban delivery to the end customer.

[0011] The locking system has a recessed base on the outer face of the door of the vehicle body, in proximity to the free end of said door. In addition, it has a handle arranged on the base, for opening the door by actuation by a user, that is, the driver or delivery person. The system includes a hitch arranged in a box profile facing the free end of the door in the locking position thereof, and opening means arranged in the base and connected to the hitch in the box profile and to the handle, configured to block the opening of the door, and allow the opening of the door when necessary.

[0012] According to the object of the present invention, the opening means have in turn a tongue, a rotatable pawl operable by the tongue and a cam connected to the pawl and to the hitch of the box profile.

[0013] The tongue has a first end connected to the handle and a second end. This tongue accompanies the handle in its movement to transmit the same. The pawl is actuatable by the second end of the tongue, while the cam has a first bar lockable by the pawl and a second bar with a connectable and releasable end of the hitch of the box profile, thus allowing the locking and opening of the door.

[0014] Thus, by means of the above configuration the locking system is actuated by the actuation of the handle by the user between a locking position in which the pawl is blocking the first bar of the cam, the second bar being engaged to the hitch of the box profile, the door being locked, and an opening position in which the rotation of the pawl actuated by the tongue when actuating the handle releases the first bar of the cam allowing the rotation of the latter and the release of the second bar of the hitch of the box profile, thus making it possible to open the door.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system presents blocking means connected to the tongue of the opening means that are accessible to the user from the outside of the box of the cargo vehicle, and that allow, in the locking position of the locking system, to move the tongue between two positions: an unblocking position in which the second end of the tongue contacts the pawl providing the rotation of said pawl and the opening of the door by actuation of the handle. a blocking position in which the second end of the tongue is separated from the pawl in such a way that it does not contact the pawl, preventing the rotation of the pawl with the actuation of the handle, and thus preventing the opening of the door.

[0016] These blocking means can be formed by a cylinder operable by means of a key, the tongue being attached to the cylinder in such a way that it has an integral rotation with it between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0017] Alternatively, the blocking means may be electronic and remotely operable by the user, and have a motor or similar means connected to the tongue that rotate the tongue between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0018] According to different particular embodiments of the invention, the system may have an electronic actuator system fixed to the base and operable remotely by the user, which has an electric actuator connected to the pawl that is configured to rotate said pawl and release the second bar of the cam from the hitch of the box profile thus opening the box door.

[0019] Preferably, the system has internal emergency opening means, which in turn have an access to the pawl arranged on the inner face of the door, so that from said access the user can access the pawl from the inside of the box and rotate it to release the second bar of the cam from the hitch of the box profile, thus opening the box door.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, an embodiment of the invention referring to a series of Figs. will now be described by way of illustration but not limitation. Fig. 1 shows a door with a conventional locking system of the state of the art using a central bolt and a tube with hooks at its ends. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a cargo vehicle for the last mile with a cargo box of small dimensions. Fig. 3 is an embodiment of a locking system object of the present invention in section to show its essential elements. Fig. 4 shows a box of a vehicle including the locking system of Fig. 3, with the door locked. Fig. 5 is a front sectional view of the locking system of Figs. 3 and 4 with the door locked and in the blocking position, with the handle at rest. Fig. 6 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Fig. 5 with the door locked and in a blocking position that prevents the door from opening, with the handle actuated but without being able to activate the opening. Fig. 7 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 6, with the door locked, but in this case in an unblocking position, which allows the door to be opened, with the handle at rest. Fig. 8 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 7, with the actuated handle acting on the tongue and this in turn acting on the pawl and initiating the opening operation. Fig. 9 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 8, rotating the cam to release the hitch and initiate separation of the door. Fig. 10 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 9, in which the end of the cam has been released from the hitch. Fig. 11 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Fig. 5 to 10, showing the door open and the position of the handle and the remaining elements of the system. Fig. 12 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 11, showing the door opened and in which the user has released the handle. Fig. 13 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 12, showing the start of locking of the door after a push of the user thereto. Fig. 14 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 13, showing the end of the cam engaging the hitch of the box profile. Fig. 15 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 14, showing the door fully locked with the cam held by the pawl. Fig. 16 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 15, with the door locked and the system locked, showing access to the pawl from the inside of the door, with the pawl blocking the cam. Fig. 17 is a front sectional view of the locking system similar to that of Figs. 5 to 16, with the door locked and the system locked, showing the access to the pawl from the inside of the door, in this case with the pawl already rotated by the user from the inside thus unblocking the cam and allowing the door to be opened.

[0021] In these Figs. reference is made to a set of elements which are: 1.door of cargo vehicle 2.free end of the door 3.base of the locking system 4.handle 5.box profile facing the free end of the door 6.hitch 7.opening means 8.tongue of the opening means 9.first end of the tongue 10.second end of tongue 11.pawl of the opening means 12.pawl legs 13.cam of opening means 14.first bar of the cam 15.second bar of the cam 16.cylinder 17.access to the pawl DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The object of the present invention is a locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, which may be particularly cargo vehicles for the last mile or urban delivery to the end customer.

[0023] As may be seen in the figures, the locking system has a base 3 that is embedded in the outer face of the door 1 of the box of the cargo vehicle, in proximity to the free end 2 of said door 1. In this base 3 a handle 4 is housed for the opening of the door 1 by its actuation by a user. The handle 4 could have different configurations, although preferably the conventional configuration shown in the figures will be used in which in the rest position the handle 4 is housed in the base 3 on the surface of the door 1, and to perform the opening the user pulls the end of the handle 4 by turning it and separating the end from the surface of the door 1. Fig. 4 shows an image of the door 1 of the locked box and the handle 4 fully housed in the base 3.

[0024] The system includes a preferably roller-shaped hitch 6 arranged on a box profile 5 facing the free end 2 of the door 1 in the locking position thereof, and opening means 7 arranged on the base 3 and connected to the hitch 6 on the box profile 5 and to the handle 4, for blocking or allowing the opening of the door 1 as appropriate.

[0025] In accordance with the object of the present invention, and as can be seen in the figures, the opening means in turn have a tongue 8, a pawl 11 rotatable with a plurality of legs 12 or shoulders, actuatable by the tongue 8, and a cam 13 connected to the pawl 11 and to the hitch 6 of the box profile 5.

[0026] The tongue 8 has a first end 9 which is connected to the handle 4 and a second end 10. The tongue 8 accompanies the handle 4 in its movement to transmit the same. The pawl 11 is actuatable by the second end 10 of the tongue 8, specifically because the tongue 8 contacts one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11, rotating it. In addition, the cam 13 has a first bar 14 blockable by one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11, and a second bar 15 with a connectable and releasable end of the hitch 6 of the box profile 5, thus allowing the locking and opening of the door 1.

[0027] Thus, by means of the previous configuration the locking system is actuated by the user by means of the actuation of the handle 4, being in two positions: a locking position in which one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11 is blocking the first bar 14 of the cam 13, and the second bar 15 is engaged to the hitch 6 of the box profile 5, leaving the door 1 locked. an opening position in which the rotation of the pawl 11 actuated by the tongue 8 when operating the handle 4 releases the first bar 14 of the cam 13 allowing the rotation of the latter and the release of the second bar 15 of the cam 13 of the hitch 6 of the box profile 5, making it possible to open the door 1.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system presents blocking means connected to the tongue 8 of the opening means that are accessible to the user from the outside of the box of the cargo vehicle, and that allow, in the locking position of the locking system, to move the tongue 8 between two positions: an unblocking position in which the second end 10 of the tongue 8 contacts the pawl 11 providing the rotation of said pawl 11 and the opening of the door 1 by means of the actuation of the handle 4. a blocking position in which the second end 10 of the tongue 8 is separated from the pawl 11 in such a way that it does not contact said pawl 11, preventing the rotation of the pawl 11 with the actuation of the handle 4, and thus preventing the opening of the door 1.

[0029] These blocking means can be formed, as shown in the figures, by a cylinder 16 actuatable by a key, the tongue 8 being attached to the cylinder 16 in such a way that it has an integral rotation with it between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0030] Alternatively, the blocking means may be electronic and remotely actuatable by the user, and have a motor or similar means connected to the tongue 8 that rotate the tongue between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0031] According to different particular embodiments of the invention, the system may have an electronic actuator system fixed to the base 3 and actuatable remotely by the user, which has an electric actuator connected to the pawl 8 that is configured to rotate said pawl 8 and release the second bar 15 of the cam 13 from the hitch 6 of the box profile 5 thus opening the door 1.

[0032] Preferably, the system has emergency inner opening means, which in turn have an access 17 to the pawl 8 arranged on the inner face of the door 1, so that from said access 17 the user can access the pawl 11 from the inside of the box and rotate it so that its leg 12 releases the first bar 14 of the cam and this rotates releasing its second bar 15 from the hitch 6 of the box profile 5, thus opening the door 1.

[0033] Next, and with reference to the different figures, the operating sequence of the above-described embodiment of the locking system is shown in the different positions of each of its elements starting from the position of door 1 locked and locking system blocked: Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a locking system object of the present invention, in the position in which the door 1 is locked and the system blocked. In this position, the handle 4 is completely inserted in the base 3 in the door 1, and the cam 13 is blocked by means of one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11, the end of the second bar 15 of the cam 13 being engaged to the hitch 6 of the box profile 5, and the door being therefore locked. Fig. 6 shows how the handle 4 can be actuated and rotated freely by the user, who drags the tongue 8 in its movement through its first end 9, but as the system is locked, the tongue 8 is rotated and its second end 10 does not contact the pawl 11, so the locking system is not unblocked and the door 1 is not opened. This disengagement of the movement of the handle and the movement of the opening means makes it difficult for these opening means to be forced in a hypothetical theft attempt. Next, the user inserts a key in the cylinder 16 and turns it, turning the tongue integrally with it, in such a way that its second end 10 abuts against one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11, as shown in Fig. 7. In this way, when the user pulls on the handle 4, this second end 10 of the tongue 8 will act on one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11 rotating it, so as to release the first bar 14 from the cam 13, as seen in Fig. 8.

[0034] When the cam 13 is released, it moves towards its rest position due to a torsion spring, and when continuing to pull the handle 4, the cam leverages on the roller-shaped hitch 6, which helps to separate the door 1. Furthermore, once the second end 10 of the tongue 8 stops making contact with the leg 12 of the pawl 11, the latter returns to its original rest position due to a torsion spring. Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show how the door 1 is fully detached and opened, disengaging the end of the second bar 15 of the cam 13 from the roller-shaped hitch 6, allowing the complete opening of the door 1. As shown in detail in Fig. 10, the end of the second bar 15 of the cam 13 is disengaged from the hitch 6 due to the rotation of the cam 13 and the specific shape of the end of said second bar 15, which as seen is an opening that faces the roller-shaped hitch 6 due to the rotation of the cam 13, allowing the disengagement of the second bar 15 from said roller. However, other alternative embodiments and configurations could be used that would favor this disengagement or exit of the roller due to the shape and rotation of the cam 13. Fig. 12 shows a position in which the user has fully opened the door and released the handle 4, which returns to its retracted position inside the base 3 due to the effect of torsion springs. As can be seen, the cam is rotated in the open position because it is the position in which its torsion spring is at rest. Thus, the cam, and specifically its second bar 15 are in a suitable position to engage back on the hitch roller 6 when the user wishes to lock the door. Next, to lock the door, the user will give it a push, an action that he can perform even with his hands occupied with packages from inside the cargo vehicle that he has just taken out. Fig. 13 shows the position in which after pushing the end of the second bar 15 of the cam 13 engages again in the roller-shaped hitch 6 of the box profile 5. From that position, the cam 13 rotates and its spring twists, as seen in Fig. 14, until it is again blocked by the leg 12 of the pawl 11, as seen in Fig. 15. In this way the door is completely locked and in the initial position the cam is actuated by its torsion spring, but does not rotate in the opening direction because the first bar 14 is blocked by the leg 12 of the pawl 11. To avoid possible openings, the user can turn the cylinder 16 again by means of the key, which will rotate the tongue and separate its second end 10 from the pawl 11, so that even if the handle 4 is actuated, it does not act on the opening means and the opening of the door 1 does not occur.

[0035] According to the aforementioned preferred embodiment of opening from the emergency interior, in the event that the user, for any reason, is enclosed within the vehicle body, and the handle 4 cannot be accessed from the exterior, the user could access from the interior of the body, through an access 17 on the interior face of the door 1, one of the legs 12 of the pawl 11, as can be seen in Fig. 16, and rotate it to the position shown in Fig. 17 to release the cam 13. Once the cam 13 is released, the door 1 will open just by pushing it from the inside.

Claims

1. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, comprising - a base (3) recessed in the outer face of a door (1) of a box of a cargo vehicle, in proximity to the free end (2) of said door (1), - a handle (4) arranged on the base (3), configured to open the door (1) by its actuation by a user, - a hitch (6) arranged in a box profile (5) facing the free end of the door (1) in the locking position thereof, - opening means (7) arranged on the base (3) and connected to the hitch (6) on the box profile (5) and to the handle (4), configured to block and allow the opening of the door (1), characterized in that the opening means (7) comprise in turn - a tongue (8), comprising a first end (9) connected to the handle (4) and a second end (10), said tongue (8) accompanying the handle (4) in its movement, - a pawl (11) rotatable and actuatable by the second end (10) of the tongue (8), - and a cam (13) which in turn comprises a first bar (14) lockable by the pawl (11) and a second bar (15) connectable and releasable from the hitch (6 (6) of the box profile (5), allowing the locking and opening of the door (1), the locking system being configured to be actuated by means of the actuation of the handle (4) between - a locking position in which the pawl (11) is locking the first bar (14) of the cam (13) with the second bar (15) engaged to the hitch (6) of the box profile in the locking position, and - an open position in which the rotation of the pawl (11) actuated by the tongue (8) releases the first bar (14) of the cam (13) allowing the rotation of the latter and the release of the second bar (15) of the hitch (6) of the box profile (5).

2. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, according to claim 1, comprising blocking means connected to the tongue (8) of the opening means and (7) accessible to the user from the outside of the box of the cargo vehicle, configured to move the tongue (8) between - an unblocking position in which the second end (10) of said tongue (8) contacts the pawl (11) providing the rotation of said pawl (11) and the opening of the door (1) by the actuation of the handle (4), - and a blocking position in which the second end (10) of the tongue (8) is separated from the pawl (11) preventing the rotation of said pawl (11) with the actuation of the handle (4) and preventing the opening of the door (1).

3. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, according to claim 2, wherein the blocking means comprise a cylinder (16) actuatable by means of a key and the tongue (8) has an integral rotation with the cylinder (16) between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

4. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, according to claim 2, wherein the blocking means are electronic and remotely actuatable, and comprise a motor connected to the tongue (8) that rotates it between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

5. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic actuator system fixed to the base (3), remotely operable, comprising an electric actuator connected to the pawl (11) and configured to rotate said pawl (11) and release the second bar (15) of the cam (13) from the hitch (6) of the box profile (5).

6. Locking system for box doors of cargo vehicles, according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising emergency interior opening means, which in turn comprise an access (17) to the pawl (11) arranged on the interior face of the door (1) configured for the rotation of said pawl (11) by a user from inside the box of the cargo vehicle and release of the second bar (15) of the cam (13) of the hitch (6) of the box profile (5).

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