Access restriction device
The locking device allows user-controlled reactivation of the lock after use, addressing the lack of post-use reactivation in existing padlocks by incorporating a movable bolt mechanism for enhanced security.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021012350
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-22
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-11-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing access locking devices, particularly padlocks, require manual activation and cannot be reactivated after use, necessitating proximity and lacking post-use reactivation capabilities.
A locking device with a panel and lock elements that allow reactivation by the user after passage, using a mechanism with a movable bolt and a return member, ensuring the lock remains engaged until reactivated.
Enables user-controlled reactivation of the lock after use, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with security norms.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Access locking device
[0001] The present invention relates to an access locking device.
[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is very common to have to prohibit access. Indeed, certain protected places because they are dangerous, or secure, can only be reached by authorized persons, that is to say, those with authorization or permission to access the protected place. In most cases, access is prohibited by means of a locking device which includes at least one panel or door. The authorization generally consists of holding a key, a badge, a code, etc. which allows the holder to release a lock which holds the panel in its state where it constitutes an obstacle normally impassable for a person without this authorization. Once the panel is unlocked, the user can then maneuver it to clear access to the protected area. The maneuver can be a pivoting, a sliding, a displacement, etc.
[0004] The field of the invention is the locking of access to a ladder, either from the ground to climb it, or from an upper platform to access a lower level, in particular below ground level. In what follows, reference will essentially be made to controlling access to a ladder "to climb" but it is not departing from the scope of the invention to apply the teaching given below to ladders "to descend".
[0005] There are many embodiments of the lock and its release means, from the simplest (the padlock installed between the panel and a fixed structure, the opening of which is ensured by a key or a mechanical code barrel) to the most sophisticated (high security locks with electrical or digital control, combined with all sorts of means of recognizing the holder of the authorization)...
[0006] Furthermore, access control devices meet different requirements. For example, certain recommendations or guidelines require that the lock can be or, more demandingly, must be reactivated by the user authorized to cross it, so as to prevent another crossing. In this case, it is appropriate for the device to be able to be deactivated by this user when he wishes to leave the protected area.
[0007] It has been found that the most commonly used lock, because it is the simplest and least expensive, and is almost universally used, is a panel associated with a padlock. It does not require any external energy input other than that of the user. The limitation of using this lock lies in the need to be near the padlock to open or close it. The possibility or, even more so, the obligation of a re activation of the lock after the user has crossed the access is not possible.
[0008] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The main object of the invention lies in the means offering at least the possibility, for a padlock locking device, of reactivating this locking behind the user who has just crossed it and by this user himself.
[0010] Secondary objectives are also achieved by the invention, in particular that of establishing a constraint for the user so that he can only cross the access after having placed the device in a state which allows the automatic activation of the locking behind him. Summary of the invention
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an access locking device comprising:
[0012] . a panel hinged to a ladder structure by one of its edges between a first state of clearing access to the ladder and a second state of blocking this access, and provided with means of returning it to its second state,
[0013] . a lock comprising a first lock element carried by the panel and a second locking element carried by ladder structure, engaged with each other in the second locking state of the device so as to block the panel in this second state.
[0014] The device comprises two operating members for one of said locking elements to disengage it from the other of said locking elements against the effect of a return member tending to maintain the aforementioned state of engagement. The first operating member is arranged to be made operable by the user by opening a padlock, to open the locking panel, and can be made non-operable by the same user by closing said padlock after he has opened the panel. The second operating member is arranged to be freely operable by the user having crossed the locking.
[0015] Numerous embodiments of the device according to the invention and in particular of the aforementioned locking elements can be envisaged.
[0016] Thus, the locking element provided with the operating member is either mounted to move relative to the structure of the ladder, or mounted to move relative to the panel.
[0017] In various embodiments of the device of the invention, the locking element equipped with the operating member is movable relative to the panel. These embodiments are those preferred by the invention because they are better suited to equipping ladder locking devices, in particular those with crinoline ladders, which are constituted by a panel surmounted by a cover, at the level of which the second operating member of this The locking element is formed by an unlocking pedal.
[0018] In one of these embodiments, the first locking element comprises a bolt slidably mounted on the panel to project under the effect of a return member outside the edge of the panel opposite its articulation in order to be able to penetrate into said second lock element in the form of a striker carried by the ladder structure. This bolt is provided with a first stop for a first movable driving stop carried by said first operating member of the bolt against the effect of its return member, and a second stop for a second movable driving stop also against the effect of its return member, coupled by means of a transmission chain, such as a linkage, to a pedal which is located at the top of the panel and which forms said second operating member, the first driving stop being immobilizable on the panel by means of the aforementioned padlock.
[0019] According to a first variant, the padlock is placed between a fixed tab of the panel and a tab secured to the first operating member of the bolt.
[0020] According to a second variant, the padlock constitutes the locking means of a cover which folds down onto a pull tab of the first operating member projecting from the outer face of the panel.
[0021] The above embodiments illustrate devices which offer the user the possibility of reactivation by the user himself of the lock which he has just unlocked and which he is about to cross.
[0022] The invention also relates to more complete devices which meet the requirement, not only of a possibility, but of an obligation of reactivation of the condemnation when it has just been deactivated.
[0023] Thus, in the embodiment which provides a bolt mounted sliding on the panel to project under the effect of a return member outside the edge of the panel opposite its articulation in order to be able to penetrate into a strike plate carried by the ladder structure, said bolt being provided with a first stop, according to this new embodiment, the first aforementioned driving stop belongs to a latch which slides relative to the panel when the padlock is removed, over a fraction of the travel, less than that necessary for the complete release of the bolt from the strike plate, limited for this purpose by a latch carried by said panel and movable between two states, one active reached when the padlock is removed and the other inactive when the padlock is replaced and closed after the latch has traveled said fraction of travel, then authorizing the continuation of its travel until the complete release of the bolt from the strike plate is obtained.
[0024] In this embodiment, the panel comprises a fixed sheath in which slides a locking lug for the bolt. The lug is pushed into an active state by the handle of the padlock passing through the sheath and into an inactive retracted state under the effect of a spring. of reminder, the lug cooperating with a pawl carried by the bolt opposing the sliding of the latter in the direction of unlocking the device and escaping the lug in a reverse sliding of the bolt, the aforementioned latch having an operating pusher located near the sheath to be pushed back by the body of the closed padlock whose shackle is engaged in the sheath and thus maintain the latch in its second inactive state. The latch is thus maintained in its inactive state when the padlock, whose shackle is engaged in the sheath, is closed and whose body acts on the pusher of the latch.
[0025] Of course, the invention also relates to embodiments which are functionally reversed compared to those mentioned above, namely that the fixed strike plate is replaced by a fixed bolt and that the movable bolt is replaced by a sliding wall of the strike plate.
[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below of examples illustrating, without limitation, devices in accordance with the invention. Brief description of the drawings
[0027] The invention will be better understood from the description and drawings given below. Reference will be made to the figures in which:
[0028] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a first diagram of the basic mechanism of the invention;
[0029] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a first embodiment of this basic mechanism in in which the operating member has a tab for locking it on the panel, this example of embodiment illustrating the invention in its version which allows without obligation to relock access by the user before he crosses it;
[0030] [Fig.3a] [Fig.3a] illustrates a second embodiment in which the organ of maneuver is made inaccessible by a sand padlock cover on the panel, this example of embodiment also illustrating the invention in its version which allows without obligation to recondemn access by the user before he crosses it;
[0031] [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] illustrates a second embodiment in which the organ of maneuver is made inaccessible by a sand padlock cover on the panel, this example of embodiment also illustrating the invention in its version which allows without obligation to recondemn access by the user before he crosses it;
[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates by an external view an embodiment of the mechanism of the invention meeting the obligation of re-condemnation by the user before he has crossed the access;
[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates details of the realization of [Fig.4];
[0034] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates details of the realization of [Fig.4];
[0035] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates details of the realization of [Fig.4];
[0036] [Fig-8] [Fig.8] illustrates details of the realization of [Fig.4];
[0037] [Fig.9] Finally, [Fig.9] illustrates with an external view another variant of the rea lization. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] In [Fig. 1], the drawing shows the part of the locking mechanism of the invention without the panel, i.e. the lock as mentioned above. This part is arranged behind the panel 1, visible in Figures 2 to 4, like an ordinary lock. This panel is hinged on the fixed structure of the ladder around a horizontal or vertical edge axis, located opposite the edge carrying the lock
[0039] This lock comprises a bolt 2 which projects outside the edge 1a of the panel 1 to engage in a striker 24 carried by the fixed structure E of the ladder. The bevel 2a of this bolt allows its automatic engagement in the striker under the effect of a return member symbolized by the arrow F when the panel folds against the ladder, either manually or by means of a return member (spring hinges, jack, etc.) in a known manner.
[0040] The bolt 2 has a first stop 2b and a second stop 2c. The stop 2b cooperates with a first movable drive stop 3a carried by a latch 3 which forms the first operating element of the bolt against the effect of its return member F. This latch 3 is also subject to the effect of a member G of its return to a rest state which allows its immobilization relative to the panel 2 by means of a padlock shown in the following figures. A second stop 2c cooperates with a second movable stop 4, here shown schematically because it is a well-known mechanism for opening the locking panel which comprises a pedal P located at the top of this panel and a chain 5 for transmitting movement with return to transform a depression of the pedal P into a movement of the bolt against its return member F.The movement transmission chain 5 may include a linkage but also flexible links such as a cable or a chain, or pivoting elements such as pulleys or gears. The latch 3 includes a pull tab 6 which passes through the panel 2 so that it can be padlocked and / or manipulated by a user.
[0041] [Fig.2] thus illustrates the pull tab 6 secured to a tab 7 secured to the panel 2 by a padlock 8. Access can therefore only be unlocked by the person carrying the key or holding the padlock opening code. The pull tab 6 can then be moved to the left of the figure and drive the bolt 2 by the stop 2a in order to release it from the strike plate where it is located. The user having opened the panel 1, releases the pull tab 6 and the latter as well as the bolt 2 return to their initial state in which the pull tab can be padlocked. The user can then cross the access and the panel 1 can be lowered onto the ladder after the passage of the user. The locking is then active because no unauthorized person can unlock the access. We understand from these figures that the user who descends the ladder can, by acting on the ad-hoc pedal, move the bolt 2 back by the action of the movable stop 4 on the stop 2c and thus unlock the access to use the ladder.
[0042] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a variant in which the pull tab 6 is made inaccessible by being masked by a cover 9 which can be lifted or folded down onto the panel 2 around a hinge 9a, the folded down cover also being able to be padlocked onto a tab 7a of the panel ([Fig.3b]).
[0043] It will be noted that with these embodiments of the locking device, the re-locking is not automatic: it requires the intervention of the user who un-locked. In the following embodiment examples of figures 5 to 9, the first un-locking can only be completed if the re-locking is activated
[0044] In Figures 4 and 5, the panel 1 not being visible on the latter, the bolt 3 has a cylindrical pull 6a. The panel 1 is equipped with a sheath 10. The latter has a through hole 11 which can accommodate the shackle 12 of a padlock such as 8. Under the sheath 10, the panel has a housing 13 under which the body of the padlock 8 can come into contact when the shackle is locked.
[0045] As shown in [Fig.6], the latch 3 comprises a slot 14 and a pawl 15 articulated at 15a on the rear face of the latch 3 so as, in a low position defined by a stop 16, to interfere by its beak 15b with the slot 14. It also comprises a stepped lower notch 17 with a deep part 17a and a less deep part 17b for reasons explained below.
[0046] [Fig.7] is a horizontal section of [Fig.5] along the mean plane of the target 3 passing through the light 14 (the panel having been omitted) and [Fig.8] is a vertical section of this [Fig.5] by a plane passing through the axis of the sheath 10. Note the presence in the sheath 10 of a lug 18 for blocking the target 3. This lug 18 is returned back by a spring to project into the through orifice 11 of the sheath 10.
[0047] A latch 19 in the form of a small lever, bent in an L shape, tilting is articulated in the housing 13 around an axis 20 whose normal position, by the play of an end unbalance or a suitable spring, is such that the end 19a of this latch is in abutment against the bottom of the deep part 17a of the notch 17 while its other end 19b extends projecting from the housing 13 downwards to form a pusher.
[0048] In the state of the device shown in Figures 4 to 8, the locking is active and, for example, the panel 1 is folded down onto the ladder. The handle 12 of the padlock is housed in the orifice 11 of the sheath 10, pushing the lug 18 into the slot 14. The lug 18 is thus trapped (see Figures 6 and 7) between one end of the slot and the end 15b of the pawl 15. The latch 3 is thus blocked by the lug 18. As the padlock 8 is closed, its handle 12, suspended from the sheath, is engaged in the body of the padlock so that the latter is as close as possible to the sheath 10 and therefore to the housing 13 and, as illustrated by [Fig.6], pushes upwards the end 19b of the angled latch 19, which has the effect of tilting its end 19a downwards, therefore at the level of the part 17b of the notch 17 of the latch 3.
[0049] When the user removes the padlock, the extraction of the shackle 12 releases the lug 18 which is extracted from the slot 14 under the effect of its return member. This lug 18 no longer being engaged, the pawl 15 is no longer in abutment and the latch 3 can be moved to the right of the figures, thus allowing partial withdrawal of the bolt 2 from the strike plate. This release is only partial because the absence of a padlock has released the latch 19 so that its end 19a is housed in the part 17a of the notch and in this state, forms a stop for the continued movement of the bolt by coming to bear on the shoulder which connects the two parts of the notch 17. It is therefore necessary to put the padlock back in its place and close it to act on the pusher 19b and push the latch 19 upwards, therefore lower its end 19a to allow additional movement of the bolt 3 in order to completely release the bolt 2 from the strike plate.In this state of the mechanism, the lug 18 is again projecting into the opening 14 of the latch 3 but it has passed the pawl 15. It is then possible to open the panel. When the user no longer operates the pull and under the effect of their return member, the bolt 2 and the latch 3 return to their first state, that is to say projecting from the edge of the panel for the bolt which can therefore engage in the strike plate at the moment of folding down the panel 1 while the latch can pass the lug 18 again by lifting the pawl 15 which falls back in front of the lug to block it again. The user was therefore only able to overcome the locking mechanism after the latter had been reactivated by him, which satisfies the normative requirement if it exists.
[0050] It will be noted in [Fig.4] the presence of two ears 21 which help in the correct positioning of the padlock when it comes to reactivating the locking.
[0051] Finally, in [Fig. 9] an alternative embodiment is illustrated in which the bolt 3 is associated with a hook 22 which grips a rung 23 of the ladder. This hook 22 cooperates with the bolt as well as with the upper operating member (pedal) of the control recalled in [Fig. 1], in the same way as the bolt 2.
[0052] Other variant embodiments can easily be envisaged within the framework of the invention. It is indeed possible to place the bolt 2 on the fixed structure of the ladder and to equip the panel with a strike plate with a movable wall associated with the operating members described above and this in their different variants. Similarly, the operating pedal mentioned below can be replaced by any manually controlled means. A variant will also be mentioned in which the lock of the invention with its operating members is entirely attached to the fixed structure of the ladder, the panel being simply provided with a strike plate to receive a bolt controlled according to the invention
Claims
Claims
1. Access locking device comprising: - a panel (1) hinged to a ladder structure by one of its edges between a first state of clearing access to the ladder and a second state of locking this access, and provided with means for returning it to its second state, - a lock comprising a first lock element (2) carried by the panel and a second lock element carried by the ladder structure, engaged with each other in the second locking state of the device so as to block the panel in this second state, characterized in that it comprises two members (3, 4) for operating one (2) of said locking elements to release it from the other of said elements against the effect of a return member (F) tending to maintain the aforementioned state of engagement, the first operating member (3) being made operable by the user by opening a padlock (8), to open the locking panel (1) and being able to be made non-operable by the same user by closing said padlock (8) after he has opened the panel and the second operating member (4) being freely operable by the user having crossed the locking, including when the padlock is in place.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking element is equipped with the first operating member and comprises a bolt (2) slidably mounted relative to the panel (1) to project under the effect of the return member (F) outside the edge of the panel opposite its articulation in order to be able to penetrate into said second lock element in the form of a striker carried by the ladder structure, this bolt (2) being provided with a first stop (2b) for a first movable driving stop (3a) carried by said first member (3) for operating the bolt (2) against the effect of the return member (F), and a second stop (2c) for a second movable driving stop (4) also against the effect of the return member (F), the second movable driving stop being coupled by means of a transmission chain (5) to a pedal which is located at the top of the panel and which forms said second operating member, the first drive stop (3a) being immobilizable relative to the panel (1) by means of the aforementioned padlock (8).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the padlock (8) is placed between a fixed tab (7) of the panel (1) and a pull tab (6) integral with the first member (3) for operating the bolt.
4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the padlock (8) constitutes the locking means of a cover (9) which folds down onto a pull tab (6) of the first operating element (3), projecting from the outer face of the panel (1).
5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first drive stop (3a) belongs to a latch forming the first operating member (3) which slides relative to the panel (1) when the padlock is removed, over a fraction of the travel, less than that necessary for the complete release of the bolt (2) from the strike plate, limited for this purpose by a latch (19) carried by said panel and movable between two states, one active state reached when the padlock (8) is removed and the other inactive state when the padlock (8) is replaced after the latch (3) has traveled said fraction of travel, then allowing its travel to continue until the bolt (2) is completely released from the strike plate.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the panel (1) comprises a fixed sheath (10) in which slides a lug (18) for locking the bolt (3), the lug being pushed into an active state by the handle (12) of the padlock (8) passing through the sheath (10) and into an inactive retracted state under the effect of a return spring, the lug (18) cooperating with a pawl (15) carried by the bolt (3) opposing the sliding of the latter in the direction of unlocking the device and escaping the lug in a reverse sliding of the bolt (3), the aforementioned latch (19), having an operating pusher (19b) located near the sheath, being maintained in its inactive state when the padlock (8), the handle of which is engaged in the sheath (10), is closed and whose body acts on the pusher (19b).