REINFORCED LOCKING DEVICE FOR OPENING DOOR AND OPENING DOOR AND FIXED WALL ASSEMBLY
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022014378
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-12-26
Smart Images
Figure 00000016_0000 
Figure 00000017_0000 
Figure 00000017_0001
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: REINFORCED LOCKING DEVICE FOR OPENING AND OPENING ASSEMBLY AND FIXED WALL COMPRISING IT
[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of locking devices for ensuring the blocking of an opening relative to a fixed wall, and in particular that of locking devices ensuring the maintenance in the closed position of a door of an armored vehicle, including in the event of a mine explosion.
[0002] Although the locking device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for locking a door of a military armored vehicle, it should be emphasized that this reinforced locking device is also applicable to any opening of a military or civilian vehicle, as well as to any opening of a building.
[0003] Military vehicles are likely to be subjected to violent impacts which are for example associated with the triggering of explosive devices or mines in the vicinity. Even if we seek to provide the cabins of vehicles with means of protection against the blast effect of such explosions, the doors remain a particularly fragile area and at the level of which ruptures are to be feared.
[0004] When an explosive device is triggered or a mine explodes, the door is caused to deform towards the inside of the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, there is a phenomenon of rebound of the door when the shock received is relaxed. The door then tends to deform towards the outside. These movements of the door are transmitted to the door locking device.
[0005] Generally, the locking devices of an armored vehicle door relative to a frame associate at least one movable bolt or latch secured to the door or the frame which engages in at least one striker secured to the other of the frame and the door or comes to bear against the latter.
[0006] As a result, with such conventional locking devices, an explosion causes deformation of the bolt or latch. Such deformation can lead to the bolt or latch becoming blocked relative to the strike plate, and therefore to the door being unable to be opened after the explosion. In addition, such deformation generates a high stress on the bolt or latch, which can lead to it tearing or breaking. However, in the event of the bolt or latch breaking, the opening is no longer held in the closed position and risks being torn off, which endangers the personnel present in the vehicle.
[0007] European patent EP2362041 discloses a reinforced locking device for an armoured vehicle opening which ensures that the opening is locked in the locked position in the event of an accident or explosion, in particular in the event of the action of mine. This locking device comprises a first locking element secured to the opening, a second locking element secured to the frame of the opening and in which the first locking element engages when the opening is closed, and a third locking element which is movable and capable of locking the first and second locking elements against each other. In the event of an explosion, this third locking element prevents the first locking element from disengaging from the second locking element and makes it possible to oppose the deformation of the locking element secured to the opening.
[0008] However, the movement of this third movable locking element requires the implementation of an actuating device coupled to the handle of the opening and capable of pivoting a pivot lever coupled to the third locking element between locked and unlocked positions. Thus, such a locking device is complex. In addition, this third locking element as well as its actuating device and its pivot lever considerably increase the weight of the locking device.
[0009] Furthermore, with such a locking device, it is necessary to move the third locking element to its unlocked position in order to be able to open the opening, which implies that the handle of the opening, the actuating device and the pivot lever must not be damaged. Indeed, in the event of failure of the means for moving the third locking element, the opening of the opening is hindered. At least for this reason, it appears necessary to oversize the locking elements in order to avoid such deformation which would prevent the opening of the opening.
[0010] It is therefore the aim of the present invention to propose a device for locking an opening of an armored vehicle making it possible to solve the problem of deformation and / or breakage of the locking means, while avoiding oversizing the locking means, light, simple, inexpensive, and not risking hindering the opening of the opening.
[0011] For this purpose, the invention proposes a locking device making it possible to ensure that an opening is kept in the closed position while allowing deformations of the opening linked to impacts resulting from explosions of mines or explosive devices nearby, these deformations leading neither to a breakage of the locking means nor to an inability to open the opening after deformation.
[0012] The invention thus relates to a device for locking an opening relative to a fixed wall, in particular an armoured vehicle door relative to a frame of said vehicle, the locking device comprising at least one locking assembly comprising a first locking element intended to be integral with the opening and a second locking element intended to be fixedly connected to the fixed wall, the first locking element comprising a fixed part carrying a movable part which is mounted movable between an unlocked position and a locking position in which a locking region of the movable part is capable of engaging with the second locking element, and an operating mechanism intended to be integral with the opening and configured to control, for the at least one locking assembly, the passage of the movable part from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa, characterized in that the movable part comprises a stop region arranged such that in the locking position the stop region extends from the fixed part and in a direction moving away from the second locking element, the device comprising, for the at least one locking assembly, at least one stop-forming element intended to be integral in movement with the opening,the at least one stop-forming element being configured and arranged to, in use, be sandwiched between the opening and the stop region of the movable part when a force in a direction moving the opening away from the fixed wall is applied to the opening and the movable part is in the locking position, so as to oppose the deformation of the first locking element.
[0013] Thus, in use, when such a force is applied to the opening, the movable part comes into contact with the second locking element in a first contact zone located at the locking region of the movable part, and also comes into contact with the at least one stop-forming element in at least a second contact zone located at its stop region.
[0014] Such a stop element therefore makes it possible to at least partially compensate for a bending of the first locking element due to an external force resulting in particular from the explosion of a mine, and thus to oppose a deformation of the first locking element. The locking device according to the present invention thus makes it possible to avoid the risks of tearing or breaking of the fixed part of the first locking element and therefore to guarantee that the movable part is kept in the locked position under all circumstances. In other words, the locking device according to the present invention makes it possible to keep an opening with which it is associated in the closed position, including in the event of an explosion, and therefore to guarantee the safety of the personnel on board.
[0015] Furthermore, the presence of such a stop-forming element makes it possible to optimize the dimensioning of the first locking element and therefore to propose a less heavy locking assembly.
[0016] Preferably, the stop region is 180° opposite the locking region of the movable part. With this position, maximum opposition of the stop element against the deformation of the fixed part is obtained.
[0017] Advantageously, the at least one stop-forming element is arranged in such a way that to be interposed, in use, between the opening and said stop region only when the first locking element is in the locking position. Thus, the stop surface only plays its role when the moving part is in the locking position, which avoids unnecessary friction between the first locking element and the opening or between the stop-forming element and the opening, depending on the part to which the stop-forming element is fixed or intended to be fixed, and makes it possible to have a stop-forming element of reduced mass. However, a larger stop surface, for example in the form of a washer, which would play its role even for an intermediate position of the moving part, between the locking position and the unlocked position, would be possible.
[0018] Preferably, the at least one stop-forming element comprises a fixing part by which it is fixed or intended to be fixed to one of the opening leaf and the movable part of the first locking element, and a support part which is intended to project into the gap between the opening leaf and the movable part.
[0019] Preferably, the at least one stop-forming element is fixed to the opening and is positioned so as to be opposite the stop region when the movable part is in the locking position.
[0020] Advantageously, the fixing part is in the form of a cylindrical body provided with an external thread cooperating or intended to cooperate with a threaded bore provided in one of the opening and the movable part of the first locking element.
[0021] Such a threaded connection allows the reversible mounting of the stop element, and therefore easy replacement of the stop element in the event of wear thereof.
[0022] In a particular embodiment, the support part is in the form of an axial column whose axis is perpendicular to the plane of movement of the mobile part and whose free end forms a stop surface.
[0023] Preferably, the axial column has axial revolution symmetry, for example, of hexagonal or circular shape in cross section.
[0024] The abutment surface may be a flat surface.
[0025] The dimensions of the support part, in particular the length of the support part relative to the interval between the opening and the movable part, will advantageously be defined in such a way that in use, when applying a force to the opening, in a direction opposite to the fixed wall, with the movable part in the locking position, the stress in the fixed part at the connection zone between the fixed part and the movable part is at least divided by two compared to the stress which would be generated in the absence of such a stop-forming element.
[0026] In a particular embodiment, the movable part of the first locking element is a latch intended to be pivotally mounted on the opening around an axis of pivot intended to extend perpendicular to the plane of the opening, which pivot axis constitutes the fixed part of the first locking element.
[0027] Alternatively, the first locking element could be a bolt mounted to slide relative to a bolt holder intended to be fixed to the opening.
[0028] In a particular embodiment, the second locking element is a plate having a flat bearing surface.
[0029] Preferably, the stop region is coupled to the operating mechanism.
[0030] Advantageously, the locking device is of the multi-point type and comprises several locking assemblies, preferably three locking assemblies, the operating mechanism comprising connecting rods coupling the moving parts together and an actuating handle coupled to one of the moving parts and capable of controlling the movement of said moving part from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa.
[0031] The invention also relates to an assembly composed of an opening leaf and a fixed wall, characterized in that it comprises a device for locking the opening leaf relative to the fixed wall as defined above.
[0032] The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, a description made in light of the appended drawings, drawings in which:
[0033] [Fig.l] is an overall view of the locking device according to the present invention, from the interior of an armored vehicle, the locking device being in the door locking position relative to the chassis of the vehicle;
[0034] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a locking assembly of the device of the [Fig.l], in particular an end locking assembly;
[0035] [Fig.3] is a side sectional view, passing through the axis of the fixed part of the first locking element, of the locking assembly of [Fig.2];
[0036] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of another locking assembly of the device of [Fig.l], in particular a central locking assembly;
[0037] [Fig.5] is a side sectional view, passing through the axis of the fixed part of the first locking element, of the locking assembly of [Fig.4];
[0038] [Fig.6] is a schematic side view of a locking assembly according to the present invention in the locked position, no external force being applied to the opening; and
[0039] [Fig.7] is a schematic side view, similar to [Fig.6], an external force being applied to the opening.
[0040] If we first refer to [Fig.l], we can see that the locking device 1 according to the present invention is intended to allow the locking of an opening PI relative to a fixed wall C, P2. For example, the locking device 1 according to the present invention is intended to allow the locking of a door PI of an armored vehicle, in particular a pivoting door PI of an opening with two pivoting doors PI, P2, relative to the frame C of the opening of said vehicle.
[0041] In the embodiment shown, the locking device 1 makes it possible to ensure multi-point locking, in particular three points, of the door PI relative to the frame C and to a second door P2. The frame C comprises two bases intended to come into contact with the inner face of two opposite edge regions of the door PI and with the second door P2.
[0042] This locking device 1 comprises three locking assemblies 2, an operating mechanism 3 and, for each locking assembly 2, a stop element 4. The three locking assemblies 2 are a central locking assembly (Figures 4 and 5) and two end locking assemblies (Figures 2 and 3).
[0043] It should be emphasized, however, that the locking device 1 could comprise any number of locking assemblies 2, for example a single locking assembly or more than three locking assemblies.
[0044] As can be seen in Figures 2 to 5, each locking assembly 2 comprises a first locking element 5 and a second locking element 6.
[0045] The first locking element 5 is intended to be secured to the opening PL. The first locking element 5 comprises a fixed part 7 intended to be fixedly connected to the inner face of the opening PI and a movable part 8 mounted to move relative to the fixed part 7 between an unlocked position and a locking position.
[0046] In the embodiment shown, the fixed part 7 is a pivot axis 7 and the movable part 8 is a latch 8 pivotally mounted about the pivot axis 7. Alternatively, the fixed part 7 could be a bolt holder and the movable part 8 could be a bolt slidably mounted relative to the bolt holder between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the bolt projects beyond the bolt holder.
[0047] The pivot axis 7 has, at one of its ends, a non-circular imprint 70, here square, intended to be received in a corresponding housing provided in the opening PI, in particular in the outer face of the opening PL. This imprint 70 makes it possible to prevent the pivot axis 7 from rotating around its longitudinal axis. A first washer-nut assembly 71, 72 is mounted around the pivot axis 7, at the region having the imprint 70. The nut 72 cooperates with a thread present on the pivot axis 7 to make it possible to connect the pivot axis 7 in a fixed manner to the opening PI, by tightening the nut 72 in the direction of the imprint 70. Thus, in the mounted state, a region of the opening PI is sandwiched between the imprint 70 of the pivot axis 7 and the first washer-nut assembly 71, 72. In the mounted state, the pivot axis 7 extends perpendicular to the plane of the opening PI, projecting relative to the opening PI, on the inner face side of the opening PI.
[0048] The latch 8 comprises a body 80 having a through bore, a locking region 81, a stop region 82 and, for the central locking assembly, a connecting region 83. A cylindrical bearing 84 is received in the through bore and mounted around the pivot axis, the latter passing through the through bore. The diameter of the bore, the outer and inner diameters of the bearing 84 and the outer diameter of the pivot axis at the mounting area of the bearing 84 are such that the latch 8 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 7. The outer diameter of the pivot axis 7 at the mounting area of the bearing 84 is less than the diameter of the pivot axis at the mounting area of the first washer-nut assembly 71, 72.Thus, the pad 84 bears against the shoulder formed between these zones of different diameters, a shim being able to be interposed between the pad 84 and this shoulder. The latch 8 is blocked in translation along the pivot axis 7 by a second washer-nut assembly 85, 86 mounted around the pivot axis 7, at its end opposite the imprint 70. Thus, the latch 8 is carried by the pivot axis 7 between the first 71, 72 and second 85, 86 washer-nut assemblies. The tightening of the nut 86 of the second washer-nut assembly 85, 86 is such that it allows rotation of the latch 8 around the pivot axis 7, but prevents any translational movement of the latch 8 along the pivot axis 7.
[0049] The locking region 81 is configured such that it is capable of engaging with the second locking element 6 in the locking position. The locking region 81 is carried by the body 80 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the through bore. The surface intended to be directed towards the opening PI of the locking region 81 is a flat surface.
[0050] If we consider the end locking assembly 2 of Figures 2 and 3, we can see that the latch 8 has a stop region 82 which also serves as a connecting region for the operating mechanism 3. This stop region 82 is here formed by two tabs 82a, 82b, namely a tab 82a on the opening side and an opposite tab 82b, facing each other and carried by the body 80, opposite the locking region 81. The two tabs 82a, 82b extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the locking region 81. The two tabs 82a, 82b are separated by a recess 82c for receiving a part of the operating mechanism 3. The tab 82b opposite the opening PI as well as a part of the tab 82a on the opening side PI are crossed by a axis bore parallel to the axis of the through bore. This bore receives a washer-axis assembly 87 for coupling the part of the operating mechanism 3 to the latch 8.The surface of the tab 82a on the opening side PI intended to be directed towards the opening PI is a surface. plane. It could quite easily be envisaged that the operating mechanism 3 is not coupled to the latch 8 at the stop region 82, but rather at an additional connecting region.
[0051] The locking region 81, the body 80 and the two tabs 82a, 82b of the stop region 82 are formed in one piece. In use, the stop region 82 is intended to come opposite the opening PI, both in the unlocked position and in the locking position of the latch 8, and to come opposite the stop-forming element 4 only in the locking position of the latch 8.
[0052] Considering the central locking assembly 2 of Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the latch 8 has a stop region 82 opposite the locking region 81 and a connecting region 83 carried by the locking region 81. The stop region 82 also serves as a connection to the operating mechanism 3 and is in the form of a tab 82d formed in one piece with the body 80 and carrying a plate or plate 82e. The plate 82e is fixed to the tab 82d by any suitable means, in particular by one or more washer-nut assemblies. The plate 82e is crossed by a screw 88 which is fixed to the plate 82e using a nut 89. A part of the operating mechanism 3 is connected to this bolt 88, 89 which therefore allows the coupling of this stop region 82 to a part of the operating mechanism 3. Another part of the operating mechanism 3 is connected to the connecting region 83 by a bolt.This connecting region 83 may be in the form of two tabs separated by a recess for receiving this other part of the operating mechanism 3. These tabs are arranged in such a way that the part of the operating mechanism 3 coupled to the connecting region 83 extends in an opposite direction relative to the part of the operating mechanism 3 coupled to the stop region 82. This connecting region 83 may also be in the form of a single tab 83a comprising a through hole for the passage of a bolt 90 for coupling to the part of the operating mechanism 3. Here again, it could quite easily be provided that the operating mechanism 3 is not coupled to the latch 8 at the stop region 82, but rather at an additional connecting region.
[0053] The second locking element 6 is intended to be fixedly connected to the fixed wall. More precisely, in the embodiment shown ([Fig.l]), two second locking elements 6 are intended to be fixed to the base of the frame C of the opening and a second locking element 6 is intended to be fixed to the inner wall of the other door P2 of the two-door opening PI, P2.
[0054] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the second locking element 6 comprises a plate 60. This plate 60 is provided with holes, in particular at each of its two ends, capable of receiving any fixing member suitable for fixing the plate 60 to the chassis, in particular screws 61. The plate 60 has two opposite flat surfaces, namely a flat surface intended to come into contact with the chassis or with a support 62 and / or a wedge-forming element 63 secured to the chassis or to the second door P2 and an opposite flat bearing surface against which the flat surface of the locking region 81 of the latch 8 is able to engage. The support 62 and the wedge-forming element 63 make it possible to adjust the position of the bearing surface relative to the latch 8.
[0055] The operating mechanism 3 is configured to control, for each locking assembly 2, the passage of the first locking element 5 from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa. In other words, in the embodiment shown, the operating mechanism 3 is connected to each latch 8 so as to control the pivoting of each latch 8 around its pivot axis 7.
[0056] If we consider a multi-point locking device 1, the operating mechanism 3 comprises connecting rods 3a, 3b coupling the movable parts 8 together and an actuating handle 30 coupled to one of the movable parts 8 and capable of controlling the movement of said movable part 8 from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa.
[0057] Considering in particular the three-point locking mode in which the locking device 1 comprises two end locking assemblies 2 and a central locking assembly 2, the operating mechanism 3 comprises two connecting rods 3a, 3b and an actuating handle 30. More precisely, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 5, a first connecting rod 3a is articulated at one of its ends to the stop region 82 of the latch 8 of one of the end locking assemblies 2 and at the other of its ends to the stop region 82 of the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2. A second connecting rod 3b is hinged at one of its ends to the stop region 82 of the latch 8 of the other end locking assembly 2 and at the other of its ends to the connecting region 83 of the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2.Thus, the first connecting rod 3a couples the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2 and the latch 8 of one of the end locking assemblies 2 together and the second connecting rod 3b couples the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2 and the latch 8 of the other end locking assembly 2 together. The actuating handle 30 is coupled to the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2, in particular to the stop region 82.
[0058] In operation, a pivoting of the actuating handle 30 makes it possible to control the pivoting of the latch 8 of the central locking assembly 2 towards the unlocked position or towards the locking position. This pivoting command is transmitted, via the connecting rods 3a, 3b, to the latches 8 of the end locking assemblies 2, which are then also moved towards the unlocked position or towards the locking position. Thus, a simple action on the actuating handle 30 makes it possible to simultaneously control the movement of all the latches 8 towards the unlocked position or towards the locking position.
[0059] A stop-forming element 4 is provided for each locking assembly 2. The stop-forming element 4 is configured and arranged to, in use, be sandwiched between the opening PI and the movable part 8 of the first locking element 5 when a force F in a direction opposite to the fixed wall C or P2, here towards the outside of the vehicle, is applied to the opening PI and the first locking element 5 is in the locking position, in order to limit the deformation of the first locking element 5. The stop-forming element 4 will therefore be made of a material having sufficient compressive strength, such as for example steel such as type S355 or 42CD4.
[0060] The stop-forming element 4 is intended to be integral in movement with the opening PL. In the embodiment shown, the stop-forming element 4 is intended to be fixed to the opening PL. However, as a variant, the stop-forming element 4 could be fixed to the first locking element 5. The fixing of the stop-forming element 4 to the opening PI has the advantage of not making the first locking element 5 heavier.
[0061] As can be seen in Figures 2 to 7, the stop element 4 comprises a fixing part 40 and a support part 4L. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing part 40 and the support part 41 are formed in one piece.
[0062] The fixing part 40 is intended to allow the fixing of the stop-forming element 4 to the opening PL. The fixing part 40 is here in the form of a threaded cylindrical body whose external thread is intended to cooperate with the internal thread of a bore provided in the opening PI and opening onto the internal face of the opening PL. This internal thread can be the thread of the bore of a tapped insert 42. This tapped insert 42 is then in the form of a cylindrical body having a central through-bore. Thus, the fixing between the stop-forming element 4 and the opening PI is a removable fixing. Such a removable fixing allows easy and rapid removal of the stop-forming element 4, in particular in the event of wear thereof, and therefore facilitates its replacement.
[0063] The support part 41 is intended to protrude into the gap between the opening PI and the movable part 8, in particular, between the opening PI and the stop region 82 of the latch 8 which is opposite the locking region 81.
[0064] If we consider the end locking assembly 2, the support part 41 is arranged so as to come interposed, in use, between the opening PI and the tab 82a on the opening side when the latch 8 is in the locking position.
[0065] If we consider the central locking assembly 2, the support part 41 is arranged so as to come interposed, in use, between the opening PI and the tab 82d when the latch 8 is in the locking position.
[0066] The support portion 41 is in the form of an axial column. In the embodiment shown, the axial column has axial revolution symmetry of hexagonal shape in cross-section. However, the column could have a circular shape in cross-section or any other suitable shape.
[0067] The longitudinal axis of the support portion 41 is perpendicular to the plane of movement of the latch 8, and therefore parallel to the pivot axis 7. The support portion 41 has a free end and an end on the fixing portion side 40. The diameter or width of the support portion 41 is greater than the diameter or width of the fixing portion 40, such that the end on the fixing portion side 40 bears, at its periphery, on the face of the opening PI to which the stop-forming element 4 is fixed. In the mounted state, a shim 43 can be mounted around the fixed part 40 and interposed between the opening PI and the support portion 4L
[0068] The free end of the bearing portion 41 forms a stop surface intended to come into contact with the latch 8 when the external force F is applied to the opening PL. The stop surface shown is a flat surface. However, this stop surface could be a convex surface. The length of the bearing portion 41 is defined relative to the distance between the inner face of the opening PI and the face of the latch 8 intended to come opposite the stop-forming element 4 in the locking position. In particular, this length is such that there is a gap between the stop surface and the latch 8 allowing the latch 8 to pivot.Furthermore, the dimensions of the support part 41, namely its length and its width or its diameter, are defined in such a way that in use, when applying the force F to the opening PI, with the latch 8 in the locking position, the stress in the pivot axis 7 at the level of the bearing 84 is at least divided by two compared to the stress which would be generated in the absence of such an element forming a stop 4.
[0069] For example, if we consider an external force F applied to the opening PI, in an opening direction of the opening PI, and generating a maximum stress of 3000 MPa in the pivot axis 7 of each latch 8 in the absence of a stop-forming element 4, the addition of a stop-forming element 4 according to the present invention, at the appropriate position relative to each latch 8, makes it possible to reduce the maximum stress in the pivot axis 7, for example to 1300 MPa. Thus, the addition of a stop-forming element 4 makes it possible to drastically reduce the stresses in the fixed part 7 carrying the movable part 8 during forces F applied to the opening PL
[0070] In use, the second locking element 6 of each locking assembly 2 is fixed to the chassis C, either directly on the inner face of the chassis (end locking assembly) or via a support 62 (central locking assembly). The first locking element 5 associated with each second locking element 6 is correspondingly connected to the opening PL. In particular, each pivot axis 7 is made integral with the opening PL. Each stop-forming element 4 is also fixed to the opening PI in the position allowing it to fulfill its role.
[0071] When the opening PI is closed, the inner face of the lateral edge region of the opening PI comes into contact with the outer face of the frame C. The actuating handle 30 is then controlled to cause, by means of the connecting rods 3a, 3b, the pivoting of the latches 8 around their pivot axis 7 towards their locking position. In the locking position, the locking region 81 of each latch 8 engages with the associated second locking element 6. The frame C is therefore sandwiched between the latches 8 of the end locking assemblies and the opening PI, and the opening P2 is sandwiched between the latch 8 of the central locking assembly and the opening PL. Thus, the openings PI and P2 are held in the closed position. In this locking position, the stop element 4 is positioned in the space between the opening PI and the stop region 82 of the latch 8 which is located opposite the opening PL
[0072] In the absence of force F applied to the opening PI, as shown schematically in [Fig. 6], a gap is present between the stop surface of the stop-forming element 4 and the latch 8, such that the latch 8 is in contact only with the second locking element 6.
[0073] As shown schematically in [Fig. 7], following an explosion, in particular the explosion of a mine, an outwardly directed force F is applied to the opening PL. This force F is applied in a direction opposite to the frame C and tends to move the opening PI towards its open position. This outward movement of the opening PI causes a bending of the pivot axis 7 of each latch 8, in particular at the connection zone between the pivot axis 7 and the latch 8. This bending causes each latch 8 to come into contact with the stop surface of the associated stop-forming element 4, while remaining in contact with the second locking element 6.
[0074] The stop-forming element 4 is arranged opposite, with respect to the pivot axis 7, the contact zone between the latch 8 and the second locking element 6, such that the contact zone between the latch 8 and the stop-forming element 4 is opposite the contact zone between the latch 8 and the second locking element 6. Such positioning makes it possible to maintain the latch 8 in the locking position while opposing the bending of the pivot axis 7. The deformation of the pivot axis 7 is therefore limited by the stop-forming element 4. In the absence of such a element forming a stop 4, the stress in the pivot axis 7 would be much greater (for example two to three times greater) and, consequently, the pivot axis 7 would undergo significant deformation which could lead to its breakage.
[0075] Thus, the addition of such a stop-forming element 4, of simple and inexpensive structure, for each locking assembly 2, makes it possible to limit the bending of the fixed part 7 (pivot axis) secured to the opening PI and carrying the movable part 8 (latch) in the event of impact or explosion, and therefore to ensure that the opening PI is kept in the closed position, including when the opening PI is urged towards its open position by an external force F. Such a stop-forming element 4 therefore makes it possible, thanks to its anti-deformation function, to ensure the safety of on-board personnel, without needing to oversize the locking assembly 2 to prevent its deformation. With such an anti-deformation element, it is possible to reduce the volume of the locking elements and the diameter of the axes, and therefore to obtain lighter locking means, while retaining at least the same locking performance as conventional locking means.Furthermore, this stop-forming element 4 can be adapted to an existing locking assembly 2 of the type described above, namely comprising a movable locking element secured to the opening PI and provided with a spacing between the movable element and the opening PI.
[0076] It is understood that the particular embodiment which has just been described has been given for informational purposes and is not limiting, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.
Claims
Claims
1. Locking device (1) of an opening (PI) relative to a fixed wall (C; P2), in particular of an armored vehicle door relative to a frame of said vehicle, the locking device (1) comprising at least one locking assembly (2) comprising a first locking element (5) intended to be secured to the opening (PI) and a second locking element (6) intended to be fixedly connected to the fixed wall (C; P2), the first locking element (5) comprising a fixed part (7) carrying a movable part (8) which is mounted movable between an unlocked position and a locking position in which a locking region (81) of the movable part (8) is capable of engaging with the second locking element (6), and an operating mechanism (3) intended to be secured to the opening (PI) and configured to control, for the at least one locking assembly (2),the passage of the movable part (8) from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa, the movable part (8) comprising a stop region (82) arranged such that in the locking position the stop region (82) extends from the fixed part (7) and in a direction moving away from the second locking element (6), the device (1) comprising, for the at least one locking assembly (2), at least one stop element (4) intended to be integral in movement with the opening (PI), the at least one stop element (4) being configured and arranged to, in use, be sandwiched between the opening (PI) and the stop region (82) of the movable part (8) when a force (F) in a direction moving the opening (PI) away from the fixed wall (C; P2) is applied to the opening (PI) and the movable part (8) is in the locking position, so as to oppose the deformation of the first locking element (5),the at least one stop-forming element (4) comprising a fixing part (40) by which it is fixed or intended to be fixed to one of the opening (PI) and the movable part (8) of the first locking element (5), and a support part (41) which is intended to project into the gap between the opening (PI) and the movable part (8), characterized in that the fixing part (40) is in the form of a cylindrical body provided with an external thread cooperating or intended to cooperate with a threaded bore provided in one of the opening (PI) and the movable part (8) of the first locking element (5).,
2. Locking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop region (82) is 180° opposite the locking region (81) of the movable part (8).
3. Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support part (41) is in the form of an axial column whose axis is perpendicular to the plane of movement of the movable part (8) and whose free end forms a stop surface.
4. Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable part (8) of the first locking element (5) is a latch (8) intended to be pivotally mounted on the opening (PI) around a pivot axis (7) intended to extend perpendicular to the plane of the opening (PI), which pivot axis (7) constitutes the fixed part (7) of the first locking element (5).
5. Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second locking element (6) is a plate (60) having a flat bearing surface.
6. Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stop region (82) is coupled to the operating mechanism (3).
7. Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the locking device (1) is of the multi-point type and comprises several locking assemblies (2), preferably three locking assemblies (2), the operating mechanism (3) comprising connecting rods (3a, 3b) coupling the movable parts (8) together and an actuating handle (30) coupled to one of the movable parts (8) and capable of controlling the movement of said movable part (8) from the unlocked position to the locking position and vice versa.
8. Assembly composed of an opening (PI) and a fixed wall (C; P2), characterized in that it comprises a locking device (1) of the opening (PI) relative to the fixed wall (C; P2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.