Access cover to an underground installation comprising an elastic bar lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover of a covering device which comprises a lower face (6) and an upper face (5) and a lock (7) with an elastic bar fixed to said lower face (6). It comprises a through orifice and a lever (8) mounted through the orifice. The lever (8) comprises at a first end located on the side of the upper face (5) of the cover (1) a head adapted to close the orifice, and comprising at a second end located on the side of the lower face (6) of the cover (1) a retaining means which prevents the lever (8) from being completely extracted from the orifice, the lever (8) being able to translate in the orifice (4) of the cover (1) and, when it protrudes from the upper face (5) of the cover (1), the lever (8) can be pressed against an actuating surface of the elastic bar to flex it and unlock the lock (7). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a cover (1) and a frame (2).figure for the abstract: figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Access cover to an underground installation comprising an elastic bar lock TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of road devices, in particular covering devices. The covering devices can allow access to underground networks and more generally to underground installations. These devices can allow visual inspection of an installation or allow access to it for a human or for an inspection or repair means.

[0002] These devices are thus commonly designated by the terms “manholes” or “manholes”.

[0003] Underground installations or infrastructures include in particular water networks, sewers, communication networks, and buried electrical networks.

[0004] The access devices comprise one or more covers, also called covers or hatches, which can be hinged relative to a frame.

[0005] A cover makes it possible to secure access to underground structures, and prevents, for example, a person from falling into the chamber or shaft that it covers.

[0006] Some covers are kept closed under their own weight, others are fitted with a lock. In the technical field of underground network access devices, a lock generally refers to any closing mechanism that prevents the opening of a cover or hatch, and that can be operated to allow it to be opened. Depending on the lock in question, it can be operated by hand or with the aid of a suitable tool or accessory, which is often a key. STATE OF THE ART

[0007] Among the known locks for roadway device covers, elastic bar locks (also called elastic arm locks) are known. An elastic bar lock is a mechanism formed under a cover or which is fixed under a cover and which comprises a bar which is elastically deformable when it is pushed in a direction substantially perpendicular to its direction of extension and which tends to return to its initial position when the stress deforming the bar ceases.

[0008] The deformable bar generally has a protrusion which forms a bolt.

[0009] When the cover equipped with the elastic bar lock is closed, and it rests against a frame, the bolt carried by the elastic bar is engaged and held under a rim of the frame and / or in a dedicated housing formed by the frame or fixed to the frame.

[0010] The lock and the cover are then said to be “locked”.

[0011] In order to unlock the cover, the elastic bar lock must be actuated by deforming the bar in order to release the bolt from the frame or more generally from the element with which it mechanically interferes when it is locked.

[0012] The elastic bar lock is generally operated by inserting a tool, such as a crowbar, into an orifice in the cover. The tool then acts as a lever by resting on a support and allows the elastic bar of the lock to be pressed, which disengages the bolt and unlocks the cover, which can then be opened.

[0013] Document DE3690048 discloses such an elastic bar lock, according to a particular configuration.

[0014] Elastic locks have many advantages. They are simple to implement, reliable, and do not require any vertical play between the cover and the frame (such play can be a source of noise). They offer, if necessary, a locking function by simply pressing on the cover, a function sometimes called a "push-slam" system or "push-slam" lock. Finally, they provide a level of security suitable for many applications, by preventing opening by simply lifting the cover, and limits the risk of unexpected opening by excess pressure in the chamber which is closed by the cover.

[0015] However, unlocking an elastic lock requires the use of a suitable lever. It can be difficult to position this lever correctly. In addition, the hole into which the lever must be inserted may have become clogged over time by dust or earth, etc., which, when passing through the lock mechanism, can make it difficult to operate. The hole formed in the cover more generally constitutes an entry for any type of dirt into the chamber or into the well covered by the cover. Finally, to open an elastic lock, it is necessary to be equipped with a suitable lever, for example a crowbar. This can be problematic if an urgent opening of the cover is necessary, for whatever reason. Statement of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0017] To this end, the invention relates to a cover intended to equip access to an underground installation, the cover comprising a lower face and an upper face, the cover comprising a resilient bar lock fixed to said lower face, the cover comprising an orifice which passes through it. The cover further comprises a lever mounted through the orifice. The lever comprises at a first end located on the side of the upper face of the cover a head adapted to close the orifice, and it comprises at a second end located on the side of the lower face of the cover a retaining means which prevents the lever from being completely extracted from the hole. The lever can be translated into the hole in the cover and, when it protrudes from the upper face of the cover, the lever can be pressed against an actuating surface of the elastic bar to flex it and unlock the lock.

[0018] The cover may be configured so that when said retaining means is brought into abutment by pulling the lever so as to bring it towards the upper face of the cover, the lever is in a position allowing the elastic bar lock to be actuated to unlock it.

[0019] The cover may further comprise a lock support, the elastic bar lock being interposed between the lower face of the cover and said lock support, the lock support forming a support and pivot point for the lever when the elastic bar lock is actuated by the lever.

[0020] The cover may comprise, at the level of the orifice, a counterbore configured so that the head of the lever, resting on the counterbore, does not protrude from the upper face of the cover.

[0021] The opening in the cover can be configured so that the head of the lever can be pressed against the elastic bar lock and so does not protrude from the upper face of the cover.

[0022] The head of the lever may comprise a handle adapted to be grasped to pull and bring the lever towards the upper face of the cover.

[0023] The retaining means may comprise an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the lever.

[0024] The elastic bar may comprise a straight terminal portion, one free end of which comprises a bolt which extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of said terminal portion.

[0025] The elastic bar may comprise a curved portion linked to the terminal portion.

[0026] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a cover as described above, and a frame, the cover being hinged with respect to the frame, the assembly being configured so that when the cover is brought to bear on a seat formed by the frame, the elastic bar lock tends to adopt a locked position in which it mechanically interferes with the frame or with a part fixed with respect to the frame so as to prevent the cover from being opened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices and methods which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising a frame and a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the upper face of the cover; • [Fig.2] is another schematic perspective view of the assembly of [Fig.l], showing the underside of the cover; • [Fig. 3] is another schematic view of the assembly of figures 1 and 2, the cover lever being pulled and brought to the side of the upper face of the cover; • [Fig.4] is an example of a lever that can be used in the context of the present invention; • [Fig.5] is a detailed view of an example of an elastic bar lock that can be used in the context of the present invention; • [Fig.6] is a schematic diagram of an elastic bar lock which can be used in the context of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present description is given as a non-limiting example of embodiment.

[0029] [Fig.l] represents an assembly for closing a well or an access chamber to an underground structure, for example to an electrical, water, telecommunications network, etc.

[0030] The assembly comprises a cover 1 and a frame 2 which forms an opening which can be closed by the cover 1. The cover 1 is hinged with respect to the frame 2, and can thus switch between a closed position in which it closes the opening of the frame, and an open position in which the opening of the frame is released. In the example shown here, the cover is hinged by means of two hinges 3 which are movable around the same axis.

[0031] The cover 1 is here substantially square. Nevertheless, the invention may relate to a cover of any shape, in particular a round cover. Similarly, a single hinge or more than two hinges may be used to articulate the cover 1 with respect to the frame 2.

[0032] The cover 1 has an orifice 4 which passes through the cover 1, that is to say which extends through the entire thickness of the cover, from the upper face 5 to the lower face 6, visible in [Fig.2]. In known covers a similar orifice 4 allows actuation of a lock 7 which is fixed on the lower face.

[0033] According to the object of the present invention, a lever 8 is positioned in the orifice 4 permanently. The lever 8, which is shown in more detail in [Fig.4], comprises an elongated bar 9, which is here a straight bar. The bar 9 may be solid or be formed of a tube. It may have a substantially constant cross-section having different shapes: it can in particular have a circular cross-section. The bar 9 has a section which allows it to be translated freely in the orifice 4. When the bar 9 is straight, the bar 9 can in particular be translated longitudinally in the orifice 4 (the longitudinal direction L being defined as the direction of extension of the bar 9 when it is straight). It is thus possible to manipulate the lever 8 so that it comes out more or less on the side of the upper face 5 of the cover 1, or conversely on the side of its inner surface 6.

[0034] A first end of the bar 9 and the lever 8 comprises a head 10. The head 10 forms an end part of the lever 8 whose cross-section is larger than the cross-section of the bar 9. In particular, the head 10 is dimensioned so that it cannot pass through the orifice 4. The head 10 being placed on the side of the upper face of the cover 1, when the cover 1 is closed, and is substantially horizontal, the head 10 prevents the lever 8 from falling under the cover.

[0035] In the example shown here, the head 10 has the general form of a disc attached to the bar 9.

[0036] In the example shown here, the cover comprises at the level of the orifice 4 a counterbore 11 on the side of the upper face 5 of the cover 1. The counterbore 11 corresponds to a housing intended to accommodate the head 10 of the lever 8. In particular, the depth of the counterbore corresponds to the thickness e of the head 10, so that when the head 10 is resting at the bottom of the counterbore 11 it does not protrude, and is flush, with the upper face 5 of the cover 1. In addition, the cross-section of the counterbore 10 can correspond, apart from a functional clearance, to that of the head 10. Thus, when the head 10 is resting in the counterbore 11, it fills it perfectly. [Fig.l] shows such a configuration. When the cover 1 is closed, the head 10 thus fills the counterbore 11.

[0037] Alternatively, the orifice 4 can pass through the entire thickness of the cover while having a constant cross-section, corresponding to a functional clearance, to that of the head 10. The head 10 of the lever 8 then bears on the lock 7, in particular on its elastic bar. The head 10 then has a thickness corresponding to that of the cover, so that when it is bearing on the lock 7, it is flush with the upper face 5 of the cover 1.

[0038] The head 10 further comprises a handle 12 allowing it to be grasped to pull on the head and extract the lever, that is to say to bring it towards the upper face 5 for example in the position shown in [Fig. 3]. The handle 12 can take different forms, and is adapted to be grasped by hand and / or with a common tool such as pliers or a screwdriver.

[0039] In the example shown in [Fig.4], the handle 12 is formed by two recesses in the head 10 which leave between them a rib which forms the handle 12.

[0040] At a second end, opposite the first end, the bar 9 and the lever 8 comprises a retaining means 13. The retaining means 13 is an element which prevents the second end from being able to pass through the orifice 4. The retaining means also prevents the second end from passing beyond a lock support, as detailed below.

[0041] The retaining means 13 comprises, in the example shown, an axis 14 perpendicular to the direction of extension of the lever, that is to say here a transverse axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The axis 14 can be force-fitted into a hole made in the bar 9. Preferably, the axis 14 comprises one or more threaded parts allowing nuts or other threaded holding means to be screwed into it in order to immobilize the axis 14.

[0042] Obviously, any other suitable restraint means can be used alternatively.

[0043] As can be seen in [Fig.2] and in [Fig.5] the lock 7 is interposed between the cover 1 (in particular its lower face 6) and a lock support 15.

[0044] The lock support 15 is a rigid plate fixed with the lock 7, here by the same fixing screws 16. The lock support 15 has a hole 17 crossed by the lever 8. The retaining means 13, here in particular the axis 14, cannot pass through the hole 17.

[0045] The bar 9 of the lever 8 can bear on an edge of the hole 17 of the lock support 15, in particular when the retaining means 13 is itself in abutment on the lock support 15, in order to allow the lock 7 to be actuated. The lever 8 is shown in this position in [Fig. 5], the retaining means 13 being in abutment on the lock support 15 and the bar 9 being in abutment on the edge of the hole 17.

[0046] [Fig. 6] schematically represents the lock 7 used in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. The lock is shown seen from below, that is to say as it is seen when it is fixed under a cover, in the absence of a lock support 15.

[0047] The lock 7 is an elastic bar lock. The elastic bar lock comprises a fixing part 18 intended to be fixed to the cover 1. The fixing part 18 is here intended to be screwed to a cover through three fixing holes 19. The lock 7 further comprises an elastic bar 20. The elastic bar 20 comprises an end portion 21 which is straight, and one free end of which comprises a bolt 22. In the example shown here, the elastic bar also comprises a curved portion 23.

[0048] The elastic bar lock is configured so that by applying a transverse force F to the terminal portion 21 of the elastic bar, this terminal portion 21 undergoes a deflection (in the direction D schematically indicated in [Fig.6]) which makes it possible to disengage the bolt 22 and to unlock the lock 7 and the cover 1 which it equips.

[0049] The deflection of the terminal portion 21 is obtained by bending of the terminal portion 21 and / or deformation of the curved part 23. The deformation of the terminal portion and / or of the curved part 23 is an elastic deformation, so that when the force F is released, the elastic bar of the bolt 22 returns to its initial position, in the direction R schematically indicated in [Fig.6].

[0050] The force F is applied at an actuating part 24 of the elastic bar, which is connected to the terminal portion 21. In the context of the present invention, the force F is applied using the lever 8. The lever 8 passes through an opening 25 of the actuating part 24. The bar is thus placed in abutment on an actuating surface of the elastic bar 20, at its actuating part 24, to exert the force F.

[0051] The distance between the lock support 15 where the lever rests and tilts and the actuating part 24 being small, compared to the length of the lever 8, the force applied by the user is multiplied (by lever arm effect) at the level of the elastic bar, which can thus be deformed with a reasonable effort for the user.

[0052] Once the lock 7 is unlocked, the lever 8 forms a gripping element allowing the cover 1 to be easily tilted towards its open position. In particular, the opening of the cover 1 is advantageously obtained by continuing the force exerted in the direction allowing the lock 7 to be unlocked.

[0053] The bolt 22 comprises, in a known manner, a beveled portion 26 allowing a “push-slam” type closing function. For this, the beveled portion has an angle such that by pushing the cover 1 downwards (in order to place it in contact with the seat of the frame 2) the frame exerts on the bolt a force, a component of which (parallel to the extension plane of the cover) causes a deflection of direction D of the elastic bar 20.

[0054] Thus, within the framework of the present invention, a cover comprising an elastic lock is proposed, which has all the known advantages of this type of lock, but which can also be unlocked without a specific added tool. For this, a lever is permanently integrated into the cover. The integrated lever also makes it possible to close the orifice necessary for actuating the elastic bar lock. In addition, the proposed solution is simple to implement. In particular, in certain configurations, pulling the lever from the side of the upper face of the cover and bringing it to a stop places the lever in a correct position to unlock the lock and allow the cover to be opened.

Claims

Claims

1. Cover intended to equip a covering device, the cover comprising a lower face (6) and an upper face (5), the cover (1) comprising a lock (7) with an elastic bar (20) fixed to said lower face (6), the cover (1) comprising an orifice (4) which passes through it, characterized in that the cover (1) further comprises a lever (8) mounted through the orifice (4), the lever (8) comprising at a first end located on the side of the upper face (5) of the cover (1) a head (10) adapted to close the orifice, and comprising at a second end located on the side of the lower face (6) of the cover (1) a retaining means (13) which prevents the lever (8) from being completely extracted from the orifice, the lever (8) being able to translate in the orifice (4) of the cover (1) and, when it protrudes from the upper face (5) of the cover (1),the lever (8) can be placed in contact with an actuating surface of the elastic bar (20) to flex it and unlock the lock (7).,

2. Cover according to claim 1, said cover (1) being configured so that when said retaining means (13) is brought into abutment by pulling the lever (8) so as to bring it towards the upper face (5) of the cover (1), the lever (8) is in a position allowing the lock (7) with elastic bar (20) to be actuated to unlock it.

3. Cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cover (1) further comprises a lock support (15), the lock (7) with elastic bar (20) being interposed between the lower face (6) of the cover (1) and said lock support (15), the lock support (15) forming a fulcrum and pivot point for the lever (8) when the lock (7) with elastic bar (20) is actuated by the lever (8).

4. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (1) comprises, at the orifice (4), a counterbore configured so that the head (10) of the lever (8), when it is resting on the counterbore, does not protrude from the upper face (5) of the cover (1).

5. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 3, the orifice 4 being configured so that the head (10) of the lever (8) can be placed in contact with the lock (7) with elastic bar (2) and that it then does not protrude from the upper face (5) of the cover (1).

6. A cover according to any preceding claim, in in which the head (10) of the lever (8) comprises a handle (12) adapted to be grasped to pull and bring the lever (8) to the side of the upper face of the cover (1).

7. Cover according to one of the preceding claims in which the retaining means (13) comprises an axis (14) substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the lever (8).

8. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic bar (20) comprises a straight terminal portion (21), a free end of which comprises a bolt (22) which extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of said terminal portion (21).

9. A cover according to claim 8, wherein the elastic bar (20) further comprises a curved portion (23) connected to the end portion (21).

10. Assembly comprising a cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a frame (2), the cover (1) being hinged with respect to the frame (2), the assembly being configured so that when the cover (1) is brought to bear on a seat formed by the frame (2), the elastic bar lock tends to adopt a locked position in which it mechanically interferes with the frame (2) or with a part fixed with respect to the frame so as to prevent the opening of the cover (1).

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