Access cover for an underground installation featuring a spring bar lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover for a covering device comprising a lower face (6) and an upper face (5), and a spring bar lock (7) fixed to said lower face (6). It includes a through-hole and a lever (8) mounted through the hole. The lever (8) has at a first end located on the side of the upper face (5) of the cover (1) a head adapted to close the hole, and at a second end located on the side of the lower face (6) of the cover (1) a retaining means that prevents the lever (8) from being completely removed from the hole. The lever (8) can translate within the hole (4) of the cover (1), and when it protrudes from the upper face (5) of the cover (1), the lever (8) can bear against an actuating surface of the spring 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 abbreviation: figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Access cover for an underground installation comprising a spring bar lock. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of road infrastructure devices, in particular cover devices. Cover devices can provide access to underground networks and, more generally, to underground installations. These devices can allow visual inspection of an installation or provide access for a person or for inspection or repair equipment.

[0002] These devices are thus commonly referred to as "manholes" or "manholes".

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

[0004] The access devices comprise one or more covers, also called buffers or hatches, which can be hinged 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 held closed by their own weight, while others are equipped with a lock. In the technical field of underground network access devices, a lock generally refers to any locking mechanism that prevents a cover or hatch from being opened, and that can be operated to allow it to be opened. Depending on the lock, it can be operated manually or with a suitable tool or accessory, which is often a key. STATE OF THE ART

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

[0008] The deformable bar generally includes an outgrowth that forms a bolt.

[0009] When the cover equipped with the elastic bar lock is closed, and rests against a frame, the bolt carried by the elastic bar is engaged and held under an edge 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, it is necessary to operate the elastic bar lock 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 locked.

[0012] The spring bar lock is generally activated by inserting a tool, such as a crowbar, into an opening in the cover. The tool then acts as a lever against a support, pressing on the spring bar of the lock, which disengages the bolt and unlocks the cover, which can then be opened.

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

[0014] Elastic locks offer numerous advantages. They are simple to implement, reliable, and require no vertical play between the cover and the frame (such play being a source of noise). They also offer, where applicable, a locking function by simply pressing on the cover, a function sometimes called a "push-and-slam" system or "push-and-slam" lock. Finally, they provide a level of security suitable for many applications by preventing opening simply by lifting the cover and limiting the risk of unexpected opening due to overpressure in the chamber closed by the cover.

[0015] However, unlocking a spring lock requires the use of a suitable lever. Positioning this lever correctly can be difficult. Furthermore, the opening into which the lever must be inserted may have become clogged over time with dust, dirt, etc., which, by passing into the lock mechanism, can make it difficult to operate. The opening in the cover generally provides an entry point for all kinds of dirt into the chamber or well covered by the cover. Finally, opening a spring lock requires a suitable lever, for example, a crowbar. This can be problematic if urgent opening of the cover is necessary for any reason. Description of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.

[0017] To this end, the invention relates to a cover intended to equip an access to an underground installation, the cover comprising a lower face and an upper face, the cover comprising a spring bar lock fixed to said lower face, the cover comprising an opening through it. The cover further comprises a lever mounted through the opening. The lever comprises, at a first end located on the side of the upper face of the cover, a head adapted to close the opening, and it It has, at a second end located on the underside of the cover, a retaining means that prevents the lever from being completely removed from the opening. The lever can move within the opening in the cover and, when it protrudes from the upper surface of the cover, the lever can be brought against an actuating surface of the spring bar to flex it and unlock the lock.

[0018] The cover can be configured so that when said retaining means is brought to a stop by pulling the lever so as to bring it to the side of 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 include a lock support, the elastic bar lock being interposed between the underside of the cover and said lock support, the lock support forming a fulcrum and pivot point for the lever when the elastic bar lock is actuation by the lever.

[0020] The cover may have, at the level of the opening, a counterbore configured so that the head of the lever, resting on in 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 placed against the spring bar lock and does not then protrude from the upper face of the cover.

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

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

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

[0025] The elastic bar may include a curved portion connected to the terminal portion.

[0026] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a lid as described above, and a frame, the lid being hinged with respect to the frame, the assembly being configured so that when the lid is brought to rest 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 fixed part with respect to the frame so as to prevent the opening of the lid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Other advantages, purposes and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one embodiment. particular devices and methods that are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: • [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising a frame and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the upper face of the lid; • [Fig.2] is another schematic perspective view of the whole of [Fig.1], showing the underside of the lid; • [Fig.3] is another schematic view of the whole of figures 1 and 2, with the lid lever being pulled and brought to the side of the top face of the lid; • [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 a spring bar lock that can be used in the context of the present invention; • [Fig.6] is a schematic diagram of a spring 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 an embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 1 represents an assembly for sealing a shaft or 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 that can be closed by the cover 1. The cover 1 is hinged to the frame 2, and can thus pivot between a closed position in which it closes the opening in the frame, and an open position in which the opening in the frame is free. In the example shown here, the cover is hinged by means of two hinges 3 which are movable about the same axis.

[0031] The cover 1 is here substantially square. However, 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 actuating a latch 7 which is fixed to the lower face.

[0033] According to the object of the present invention, a lever 8 is permanently positioned in the orifice 4. The lever 8, which is shown in more detail in [Fig. 4], comprises A bar 9 is an elongated bar, which in this case is a straight bar. The bar 9 can be solid or a tube. It can have a substantially constant cross-section with various shapes: in particular, it can have a circular cross-section. The bar 9 has a cross-section that allows it to be translated freely within the opening 4. When the bar 9 is straight, it can, in particular, be translated longitudinally within the opening 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 protrudes more or less from the upper face 5 of the cover 1, or conversely, from its inner surface 6.

[0034] A first end of the bar 9 and the lever 8 has a head 10. The head 10 forms an extreme 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 is in the general form of a disk attached to the bar 9.

[0036] In the example shown here, the cover has a counterbore 11 at the opening 4 on the side of the upper face 5 of the cover 1. The counterbore 11 corresponds to a recess for 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 rests against the bottom of the counterbore 11, it does not protrude, and is flush, with the upper face 5 of the cover 1. Furthermore, the cross-section of the counterbore 10 can correspond, within a functional clearance, to that of the head 10. Thus, when the head 10 rests in the counterbore 11, it fills it perfectly. Figure 1 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, presenting a constant cross-section, corresponding, within a functional clearance, to that of the head 10. The head 10 of the lever 8 then bears against the latch 7, in particular against its spring bar. The head 10 then has a thickness corresponding to that of the cover, so that when it bears against the latch 7, it is flush with the upper face 5 of the cover 1.

[0038] The head 10 further includes a handle 12 which can be grasped to pull on the head and extract the lever, i.e. to bring it to the side of the upper face 5, for example, in the position shown in [Fig. 3]. The handle 12 can have different shapes 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 have a retaining means 13. The retaining means 13 is an element which prevents the second end from passing through the orifice 4. The retaining means also prevents the second end from passing beyond a locking support, as detailed below.

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

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

[0043] As can be seen in [Fig.2] and [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 to the lock 7, here by the same fixing screws 16. The lock support 15 has a hole 17 through which the lever 8 passes. The retaining means 13, here in particular the pin 14, cannot pass through the hole 17.

[0045] The bar 9 of the lever 8 can bear against an edge of the hole 17 of the lock support 15, particularly when the retaining means 13 is itself against 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 against the lock support 15 and the bar 9 being against 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 viewed from below, i.e. as seen when fixed under a cover, in the absence of a lock support 15.

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

[0048] The elastic bar lock is configured such that by applying a transverse force F to the end portion 21 of the elastic bar, this end portion 21 undergoes a deflection (according to the direction D schematically indicated on the [Fig.6]) which allows the bolt 22 to be disengaged and the lock 7 and the cover 1 which it equips to be unlocked.

[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 the curved part 23 is an elastic deformation, so that when the force F is released, the elastic bar the bolt 22 returns to its initial position, according to the direction R schematically indicated on the [Fig.6].

[0050] The force F is applied at the level of an actuation part 24 of the elastic bar, which is linked 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 in the actuation part 24. The bar is thus placed in contact with an actuation surface of the elastic bar 20, at the level of its actuation part 24, to exert the force F.

[0051] The distance between the locking support 15 where the lever rests and pivots 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 that allows the cover 1 to be easily tilted to its open position. In particular, opening the cover 1 is advantageously achieved by continuing the force applied in the direction that unlocks the lock 7.

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

[0054] The present invention thus proposes a lid comprising a spring-loaded latch, which offers all the known advantages of this type of latch, but which can also be unlocked without the need for any specific tool. For this purpose, a lever is permanently integrated into the lid. The integrated lever also serves to close the opening required for actuating the spring-loaded latch. Furthermore, the proposed solution is simple to implement. In particular, in certain configurations, pulling the lever from the upper surface of the lid and pushing it to its stop positions the lever correctly to unlock the latch and allow the lid to be opened.

Claims

Demands

1. A cover intended to equip an access to an underground installation, the cover having a lower face (6) and an upper face (5), the cover (1) having a lock (7) with a spring bar (20) fixed to said lower face (6), the cover (1) having an opening (4) through it, characterized in that the cover (1) further has a lever (8) mounted through the opening (4), the lever (8) having at a first end located on the side of the upper face (5) of the cover (1) a head (10) adapted to close the opening, and having 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 opening, the lever (8) being able to translate within the opening (4) of the cover (1) and, when it protrudes from the upper face (5) of the cover (1),The lever (8) can be placed against an actuation surface of the elastic bar (20) to flex it and unlock the lock (7).

2. Lid according to claim 1, said lid (1) being configured such that when said retaining means (13) is brought to a stop by pulling the lever (8) so as to bring it to the side of the upper face (5) of the lid (1), the lever (8) is in a position allowing the spring bar lock (7) (20) to be actuated to unlock it.

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

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

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

6. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (10) of the lever (8) has a handle (12) adapted to be grasped to pull and bring the lever (8) to the side of the upper face of the lid (1).

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

8. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic bar (20) has a straight terminal portion (21), a free end of which has a bolt (22) extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of extension of said terminal portion (21).

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

10. Assembly comprising a cover (1) according to any 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 rest on a seat formed by the frame (2), the spring bar lock tends to adopt a locked position in which it mechanically interferes with the frame (2) or with a fixed part with respect to the frame so as to prevent the opening of the cover (1).

Images