Locking device for mailbox or parcel box and box equipped with such a device

Abstract

Locking device for letterbox or parcel box and box equipped with such a device The invention relates to a locking device (1) for letterbox or parcel box, comprising a cylinder (2) provided with a rotor (3) carrying a locking member (4), mounted with fixed wedged housing of the cylinder (2) in a mounting opening (6) through this door (5).A locking device (1) characterized in that it further comprises a user-operated manipulator (7) configured to conditionally rotate the rotor (3), a selective linkage movable element (8) which, in at least one operational state or position, establishes a drive connection between the rotor (3) and the manipulator (7), a motorized unit (9) for actuation or positive displacement of the movable element (8) in its operational state or position, and a means (10) for controlling the motorized unit (9) by an authorized user, comprising at least one communication or reading interface (11). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Locking device for letter box or parcel box and box equipped with such a device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of controlled closure or access systems, in particular in relation to containers of the letter box or parcel box type, or in relation to collective sets of such boxes, and has as its objects a locking device for a letter box or parcel box, or for a set of such boxes, and a box or set equipped with such a device.

[0002] In many countries, including France, the doors of letter boxes and parcel boxes, as well as the doors of collective sets of such boxes, are equipped with locks recommended or required by the postal services. These are generally characterized by their installation in a standardized opening in the door concerned and by their use in association with master keys (or "pass") normally held by a limited number of accredited persons.

[0003] However, over time, these passes are stolen or copied and existing locking systems are less secure.

[0004] Added to this are acts of vandalism, attempted break-ins and normal wear and tear over time of existing locking devices, as triggers for their replacement or rehabilitation.

[0005] Of course, with technological developments, digital closing / locking systems are available, but they are often complex and expensive and intended for new digital access box systems, cannot replace current locks without major changes (need to change at least the door, or even the entire box) and exclude any use of any new pass.

[0006] There is therefore an unmet demand for a locking device (for a box or set of boxes) which can easily replace the locks currently in place (but can also be installed on new doors, during manufacture), which has access security at least equivalent to the existing one and is compatible with different access control solutions, where appropriate also with a pass. In addition, the proposed solution should also be compact, vandal-resistant and easy to use.

[0007] The present invention aims to meet this demand.

[0008] For this purpose, it relates to a locking device for a letter box or parcel box, or for a set of such boxes, this device comprising a barrel provided with a rotor carrying a closing member, this device being intended to be mounted on an individual access door of such a box or collective access door of such an assembly, with fixed wedged housing of said barrel, or of a part of the latter, in a through mounting opening of this door, where appropriate standardized or normalized, said barrel defining an axis of rotation for the rotor,

[0009] lock device characterized in that it further comprises a manipulation member for a user, configured to conditionally drive the rotor in rotation, a selective connecting movable member which in at least one operational state or position establishes a drive connection of the rotor by the manipulation member, a motorized unit for the actuation or positive displacement of the movable member (8) in its operational state or position and a means for controlling the motorized unit by an authorized user, comprising at least one communication or reading interface.

[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0011] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a lock device according to the invention;

[0012] [Fig.2] and

[0013] [Fig.3] are exploded perspective views representing respectively a first and a second embodiment of the lock device according to the invention;

[0014] [Fig.4] is a front elevation view of a mailbox door equipped with a lock device according to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.5] and

[0016] [Fig.6] are partial sectional views along plane AA of the door shown [Fig.4], the latter being equipped with a lock device as shown [Fig.2], the movable member being respectively in its first functional position ([Fig.5]) and in its second functional position ([Fig.6]);

[0017] [Fig.7] and

[0018] [Fig.8] are partial sectional views along plane AA of the door shown [Fig.4], the latter being equipped with a lock device as shown [Fig.3], the movable member being respectively in its first functional position ([Fig.7]) and in its second functional position ([Fig.8]);

[0019] [Fig.9] is a partial sectional view of the door shown [Fig.4] and equipped with a variant of the lock device as shown [Fig.3], this view being similar to figures 7 and 8, but taken according to another plane, and,

[0020] [Fig. 10] is an elevation view along direction D of the lock device of [Fig.9], seen through the door.

[0021] Figures 1 to 10 illustrate a locking device (1) for a mailbox or parcel box, or for a set of such boxes.

[0022] This device comprises a barrel (2) provided with a rotor (3) carrying a closing member (4), this device being intended to be mounted on an individual access door (5) of such a box or a collective access door of such an assembly, with a fixed wedged housing of said barrel (2), or of a part of the latter, in a mounting opening (6) passing through this door (5), where appropriate standardized or normalized, said barrel (2) defining an axis of rotation (AR) for the rotor (3).

[0023] The barrel (2), or at least its fixed part (2'), is therefore rigidly secured to the door (5) and ensures the device (1) is secured to the latter. Its locking in the mounting opening (6) can for example be ensured by means of a locking clip (6'), which can be installed without tools, located on the internal face of the door after its installation and engaging in opposite grooves of said barrel.

[0024] According to the invention, this lock device (1) is characterized in that it further comprises a manipulation member (7) for a user, configured to conditionally drive the rotor (3) in rotation, a selective connecting movable member (8) which in at least one operational state or position establishes a drive connection of the rotor (3) by the manipulation member (7), a motorized unit (9) for the actuation or positive displacement of the movable member (8) in its operational state or position and a means (10) for controlling the motorized unit (9) by an authorized user, comprising at least one communication or reading interface (11).

[0025] Thus, the invention provides a lock device, applicable in new construction or in renovation by substitution, without modification of the current manufacturing process of the doors concerned, breaking down access into two distinct phases / operations (authorization and manipulation) and compatible with different types or technologies of access control, depending on the nature of the interface(s) (11).

[0026] In accordance with a characteristic of the invention, the movable member (8) has at least one other state or position, advantageously corresponding to a default or resting state or position and resulting in the establishment of a rotational securing connection around the axis (AR) between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2), or the fixed barrel part (2'), and the absence of a driving connection between the rotor (3) and the handling member (7).

[0027] In this configuration, the manipulation member (7), for example mounted with the ability to rotate relative to the door and around the axis (AR), can be moved without resistance and rotates freely, indicating to the user that his action has no effect. Also in this configuration, the rotor (3) and therefore the closing member (4) are blocked in rotation.

[0028] Preferably and as is apparent from the examples in Figures 5 to 8, the movable selective connection member (8) has two functional positions corresponding respectively to two opposite translational positions of said member (8), namely, a first position in which it provides a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') and does not provide any drive connection of said rotor (3) by said manipulation member (7), and a second position in which it does not provide a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') and provides a drive connection of said rotor (3) by said manipulation member (7).

[0029] The two opposite positions mentioned above advantageously correspond to two extreme and stopped positions of the movable member (8).

[0030] In accordance with a favorable practical embodiment of the invention, which is simple, robust and reliable, the movable member (8) is in the form of an axis (or a rod) movable in translation in its longitudinal direction (DL), which can be moved positively by the motorized unit (9) at least in a first position allowing the rotor (3) to be driven by the manipulation member (7) via said axis (8). A second position or default position of said movable member (8) corresponds to the establishment of a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') via said axis, this second position being able to be reached by positive action or disengagement of the motorized unit (9), possibly with exploitation of potential energy, in particular elastic (spring).The movable member (8) is guided in its movement by a part (22) in the form of a ring with a formation providing a sliding groove.

[0031] As also shown in the figures, it is advantageously provided that the manipulation member (7) extends at a distance around the rotor (3) and comprises an internal toothed or notched crown (12), the movable member (8), advantageously an axis or a rod with at least one beveled end (8'), coming into engagement with said crown (12) under the action of the motorized unit (9) in a first functional position or operational position of said movable member (8).

[0032] In order to achieve a compact structure, while beneficially exploiting the radial extension of the handling member (7) necessary for easy handling, the movable member (8) in the form of an axis is arranged radially relative to the barrel (2), the rotor (3) and the axis of rotation (AR). Furthermore, in its first functional position (figures 5 and 7), the axis (8) secures in rotation the toothed or notched crown (12), and therefore the handling member (7), with the rotor (3) and detaches in rotation said rotor (3) from said barrel (2), or from the fixed part (2') of the latter. And, in its second functional position (figures 4 and 6), the axis (8) secures in rotation the rotor (3) with said barrel (2), or the fixed part (2') of the latter, and separates the toothed or notched crown (12), and therefore the manipulation member (7), from said rotor (3).

[0033] In order to facilitate the maneuvering of the rotor (3) by the handling member (7) in the first functional or operational position of the axis (8), said member comprises sites, formations and / or at least one external surface(s) (13) for gripping by a user, and has an extension around and along the axis of rotation (AR) of the rotor (3), preferably with dimensions allowing easy manual gripping (for example a diameter of 5 to 10 cm, preferably of 6 to 8 cm).

[0034] In accordance with a compact, secure and optimized construction in terms of arrangement and layout of the device (1), the manipulation member (7) constitutes or is part of a hollow body (14) incorporating and / or enclosing a part of the rotor (3), a part (2”) of the barrel (2) selectively movable in rotation around the axis of rotation (AR), the motorized unit (9), the controlled control means (10) and an autonomous power source (18) for the latter (battery, cell, etc.) and said at least one communication or reading interface (11).

[0035] The means (10) consists for example of a set of electronic circuits adapted to fulfill the required control and command functions and mounted on a printed circuit board also carrying the battery(ies) (18).

[0036] Preferably, and as also shown in Figures 5 to 8 in section as well as Figures 2 and 3 in exploded view, the hollow body (14) forming the handling member (7) is composed of two complementary parts (19 and 19') in the form of cylindrical pots, mutually fitted into one another and free to rotate relative to one another around the axis of rotation (AR). The first pot (19) is rotatably mounted on the fixed part (2') of the barrel (2) and comprises an internal toothed or notched crown (12) and an external gripping surface (13), and the second pot (19') is mounted on the movable barrel part (2”) and comprises a front plate (20) with a button keyboard and / or an RFID card reading terminal, the command and control means (10) possibly comprising a wireless communication means (“Bluetooth”, WIFI, RFID, etc.).It is understood that several of these means of unlocking and authorizing movement of the closing member (4) by the handling member (7), after authentication or verification, can be present simultaneously on and in the device (1).

[0037] The external shape of the wall of the pot (19) comprising the surface (13) may of course also have a shape other than cylindrical, in particular polygonal (hexa, octo, penta), and the surface (13) may be non-slip.

[0038] It is understood that only the movement of the axis (8), as a locking member, by the unit (9) under the control of the electronic means (10) consumes energy, the movement of the rotor (3) and therefore of the closing member (4) being carried out by the force of the user's wrist.

[0039] To allow a secure change of the source (18) and to avoid any act of vandalism or fraudulent opening, the hollow body (14) comprises an access hatch (21) to a compartment housing the power source (18), for example locked by a screw, preferably located on the rear side facing the access door (5) after mounting on the latter (see figures 9 and 10). A connection connector accessible on the front plate (20), and intended for recharging and an emergency power supply, can also be provided.

[0040] In accordance with another constructive characteristic emerging from figures 5 to 10, the barrel (2) housing the rotor (3) is composed of two parts, namely, a first part (2') intended to be fixedly mounted in the mounting opening (6) passing through the door (5) and a second part (2”) mounted with the ability to rotate together with the rotor (3) around the axis of rotation (AR), the rotational movement of said second part (2”) relative to the first fixed part (2') being possible when the movable member (8) is in its first functional position.

[0041] According to a first variant embodiment, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the motorized unit (9) comprises a rotating or pivoting arm (9') for the actuation or movement of the movable member (8) by this motorized unit (9), this rotating arm (9') coming into engagement with said member (8), for example at the level of a lug of the latter, with a view to its movement towards said at least one functional position.

[0042] According to a second variant embodiment, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the actuation or movement of the movable member (8) by the motorized unit (9) is carried out by means of a rack connection, the motorized unit (9) comprising a drive pinion (9”) which engages with a toothed zone of the movable member (8). A positive movement in both directions is then possible.

[0043] This mobile member (8) thus ensures, depending on its position, two configurations of the locking device, exclusive and complementary, namely, either a rotational securing of the rotor (3) with the fixed part of the barrel (2') - locked position of the rotor, with rotational blocking -, or a rotational securing of the rotor (3) with the handling member (7) - unlocked position of the rotor, with the possibility of rotation.

[0044] Finally, in order to provide an alternative, additional or substitution opening possibility (by default or in the event of malfunction of the electrical / electronic means), it may advantageously be provided that the rotor (3) comprises a receiving housing (15) for a key (16), in particular a master key, and that the barrel (2) comprises a set of pistons (17) releasing the rotor (3) in rotation relative to the barrel (2) and allowing its rotational movement under the action of a suitable key (figures 1 to 6). This direct actuation of the rotor (3) is then done independently of the position of the axis (8).

[0045] A variant of the invention operating without a physical key is illustrated in the figures 7 and 8.

[0046] Such a key (16) may, for example, correspond to the pass of an actor or a delivery person, or to the key of a third party or the holder of the box concerned.

[0047] In a highly preferred manner, and in accordance with the specifications of shapes and dimensions of the doors of registered letter boxes in France by La Poste (see figures 2, 3, 5 to 8 and 9), in particular those relating to the mounting opening (6) and the closing member (4) of the lock, the shape and dimensions of the fixed part of the barrel (2') correspond to those of the stamping of the opening (6) imposed by these specifications and the shape, dimensions and positioning dimension of the internal end of the rotor (3) receiving the member (4) correspond to those imposed by these specifications.

[0048] The invention also relates to a box, in particular a letter box or parcel box, comprising at least one access door (5) provided with a mounting opening (6), said box being characterized in that the locking device of said door (5) is a locking device (1) as described above.

[0049] The invention also covers a collective set of letter boxes, comprising at least one collective access door allowing simultaneous access to the cells of all the letter boxes of the set, characterized in that the locking device of said collective door is a device (1) as described above.

[0050] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for changing, rehabilitating or renovating a mailbox or parcel box door, or an access door of a collective set of such boxes, characterized in that it consists of replacing the existing lock with a lock device (1) as described above.

[0051] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Lock device (1) for a mailbox or parcel box, or for a set of such boxes, this device comprising a barrel (2) provided with a rotor (3) carrying a closing member (4), this device being intended to be mounted on an individual access door (5) of such a box or collective access door of such a set, with a fixed wedged housing of said barrel (2), or of a part of the latter, in a mounting opening (6) passing through this door (5), where appropriate standardized or normalized, said barrel (2) defining an axis of rotation (AR) for the rotor (3), said lock device (1) further comprising a manipulation member (7) for a user, configured to conditionally drive the rotor (3) in rotation, a movable member (8) for selective connection which in at least one operational state or position establishes a connection for driving the rotor (3) by the manipulation member (7),a motorized unit (9) for the actuation or positive displacement of the movable member (8) in its operational state or position and a means (10) for controlling the motorized unit (9) by an authorized user, comprising at least one communication or reading interface (11), lock device (1) characterized in that the manipulation member (7) extends remotely around the rotor (3) and comprises an internal toothed or notched crown (12), the movable member (8) coming into engagement with said crown (12) under the action of the motorized unit (9) in a first functional position or operational position of said movable member (8).,

2. Lock device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable member (8) has at least one other state or position, advantageously corresponding to a default or resting state or position and causing the establishment of a rotational securing connection around the axis (AR) between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2), or the fixed barrel part (2'), and the absence of a driving connection between the rotor (3) and the manipulation member (7).

3. Lock device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable selective connection member (8) has two functional positions corresponding to two opposite translational positions of said member (8), namely, a first position in which it provides a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') and does not provide any driving connection of said rotor (3) by said handling member (7), and a second position in which it does not provide a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') and provides a driving connection of said rotor (3) by said handling member (7).

4. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable member (8) is in the form of an axis movable in translation in its longitudinal direction (DL), capable of being moved positively by the motorized unit (9) at least into a first position allowing the rotor (3) to be driven by the manipulation member (7) via said axis, a second position or default position of said movable member (8) corresponding to the establishment of a securing connection between the rotor (3) and the barrel (2) or the fixed barrel part (2') via said axis, this second position being able to be reached by positive action or disengagement of the motorized unit (9), possibly with exploitation of potential energy, in particular elastic energy.

5. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable member (8) consists of an axis or a rod with at least one beveled end (8').

6. Lock device (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the movable member (8) in the form of an axis is arranged radially relative to the barrel (2), the rotor (3) and the axis of rotation (AR), in that, in its first functional position, the axis (8) secures in rotation the toothed or notched crown (12), and therefore the manipulation member (7), with the rotor (3) and disengages in rotation said rotor (3) from said barrel (2), or from the fixed part (2') of the latter, and in that, in its second functional position, the axis (8) secures in rotation the rotor (3) with said barrel (2), or the fixed part (2') of the latter, and disengages the toothed or notched crown (12), and therefore the manipulation member (7), from said rotor (3).

7. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the handling member (7) comprises sites, formations and / or at least one exterior surface(s) (13) for gripping by a user, and has an extension around and along the axis of rotation (AR) of the rotor (3).

8. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the manipulation member (7) constitutes or forms part of a hollow body (14) incorporating and / or enclosing a part of the rotor (3), a part (2”) of the barrel (2) selectively movable in rotation around the axis of rotation (AR), the motorized unit (9), the controlled control means (10) and an autonomous power source (18) for the latter and said at least one communication or reading interface (11).

9. Lock device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hollow body (14) forming the handling member (7) is composed of two complementary parts (19 and 19') in the form of cylindrical pots, mutually fitted into one another and free to rotate relative to one another around the axis of rotation (AR), the first pot (19) being rotatably mounted on the fixed part (2') of the barrel (2) and comprising an internal toothed or notched crown (12) and an external gripping surface (13), and the second pot (19') being mounted on the movable barrel part (2”) and comprising a front plate (20) with a button keyboard and / or an RFID card reading terminal, the command and control means (10) possibly comprising a wireless communication means.

10. Lock device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the hollow body (14) comprises an access hatch (21) to a compartment housing the power source (18), preferably located on the rear side facing the access door (5) after mounting thereon.

11. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the barrel (2) housing the rotor (3) is composed of two parts, namely, a first part (2') intended to be fixedly mounted in the mounting opening (6) passing through the door (5) and a second part (2”) mounted with the ability to rotate together with the rotor (3) around the axis of rotation (AR), the rotational movement of said second part (2”) relative to the first fixed part (2') being possible when the movable member (8) is in its first functional position.

12. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the motorized unit (9) comprises a rotating arm (9') for the actuation or movement of the movable member (8) by this motorized unit (9), this rotating arm (9') coming in- engagement with said member (8), for example at the level of a lug of the latter, with a view to its movement towards said at least one functional position.

13. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the actuation or movement of the movable member (8) by the motorized unit (9) is carried out by means of a rack connection, the motorized unit (9) comprising a drive pinion (9”) which comes into engagement with a toothed zone of the movable member (8).

14. Lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rotor (3) comprises a receiving housing (15) for a key (16), in particular a master key, and in that the barrel (2) comprises a set of pistons (17) releasing the rotor (3) in rotation relative to the barrel (2) and allowing its movement in rotation under the action of a suitable key.

15. Box, in particular letter box or parcel box, comprising at least one access door (5) provided with a mounting opening (6), characterized in that the locking device of said door is a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Collective set of letter boxes, comprising at least one collective access door allowing simultaneous access to the cells of all the letter boxes of the set, characterized in that the locking device of said collective door is a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. Method for changing, rehabilitating or renovating a mailbox or parcel box door, or an access door of a collective set of such boxes, characterized in that it consists of replacing the existing lock with a lock device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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