LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE AND PIVOTING ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE

Abstract

LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE AND PIVOT ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE The invention relates to a locking / unlocking device for a pivoting element (2) comprising: a pivot axis (3) integral in rotation with said pivoting element (2) and having at least two flats (8, 9) extending parallel, a locking mechanism, a casing (1) configured to receive said pivot axis (3) and said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism comprising: a locking axis (4) extending orthogonally to said pivot axis (3), said locking axis (4) being movable in rotation, a member, called a fork (5), mounted on said locking axis (4), having two arms (25, 26) and movable in rotation between a locking position in which said arms (25, 26) extend in contact of said flats (8, 9) of said pivot axis (3) preventing any rotation of said pivot axis (3),and an unlocking position of said pivot axis (3). Figure for the abstract: figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE AND PIVOTING ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A LOCKING / UNLOCKING DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of locking systems for rotating mobile elements. The invention relates more particularly to a device for locking a pivoting shelf. Technological background

[0002] Railway vehicles are equipped with numerous moving elements that can be operated by an operator using a tool such as a key. In the railway field, numerous elements must be operated using a key having one end comprising a bore having a square-shaped cross-section, commonly called a Berne key and nicknamed "square". Thus, certain doors or hatches, for example, are locked and unlocked by operators using such a Berne key making it possible to operate, by rotation, most often 90°, an axis of said element whose end has a square-shaped cross-section.

[0003] Such operation is suitable for elements not subject to significant mechanical stresses.

[0004] Known locking / unlocking systems fitted to such elements that can be operated by a Berne key do not allow significant forces to be absorbed. When the element to be operated is subjected to significant forces, it is therefore necessary to provide a mechanism to limit these forces in order to preserve the normal operation of the assembly.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. Objectives of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a locking / unlocking device whose actuation by an operator requires only very limited effort.

[0007] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a locking / unlocking device which is, generally speaking, reliable, particularly robust and simple to use.

[0008] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a locking / unlocking device configured to be able to lock spontaneously in the event of incorrect handling or partial actuation by an operator.

[0009] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a device locking / unlocking system to limit the risk of vandalism and contribute to the safety of passengers on a railway vehicle. Statement of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a locking / unlocking device for a pivoting element, said device comprising: • a pivot axis extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to be able to rotate with said pivoting element, • a mechanism for locking the rotation of said pivot axis,

[0011] said device being characterized in that it further comprises: • a housing configured to receive said pivot axis and said locking mechanism, said pivot axis and said locking mechanism being arranged inside said housing,

[0012] and in that: • said pivot axis has at least two flats extending parallel to said longitudinal direction of said pivot axis, • said locking mechanism comprises: • a locking axis extending orthogonally to said pivot axis, said locking axis being movable in rotation, • a member, called a fork, mounted on said locking axis and integral in rotation with the latter, said fork having two arms each extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of said locking axis and being configured to be able to be movable in rotation between at least one locking position in which said arms extend respectively at least partly in contact with said flats of said pivot axis, so as to prevent any rotation of said pivot axis, and at least one unlocking position in which said fork does not prevent rotation of said pivot axis.

[0013] Thus and according to the invention, such a locking / unlocking device is suitable for various pivoting elements having at least two distinct positions which can be adopted by rotation around at least one axis of rotation.

[0014] A locking / unlocking device according to the invention comprising a pivot axis, a locking mechanism and a casing configured in the manner defined above makes it possible to provide a device which is not only robust and reliable but also particularly suitable for transmitting significant forces, i.e. making it possible to equip heavy and / or large pivoting elements.

[0015] Advantageously and according to the invention, said pivot axis has a first longitudinal end, called distal end, extending to a wall of said casing, and a second longitudinal end (opposite said first longitudinal end), called the proximal end, extending outside said casing. Thus, the pivot axis allows the transmission of forces experienced by the pivoting element via its proximal end to the casing via its distal end which rests at least partly on the casing, for example using a thrust bearing.

[0016] Advantageously and according to the invention, a locking / unlocking device further comprises at least one thrust bearing for said pivot axis, said bearing being integral with the casing and having a housing for receiving said distal end of said pivot axis. This contributes to the transmission of the forces exerted on the pivoting element or undergone by it via the pivot axis to the casing and to the support on which the casing rests and / or to which the casing is fixed.

[0017] Advantageously and according to the invention, said casing is configured to be able to be secured to a fixed support. In the case of a railway vehicle equipped with said pivoting element, a part of said railway vehicle forms this fixed support. It may for example be a wall (a wall or a partition) or a floor (ground).

[0018] Advantageously and according to the invention, said fork is crossed by said axis. Advantageously and according to the invention, the fork comprises a base from which two arms extend, orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the locking axis. Advantageously and according to the invention, the base of said fork completely envelops (over the entire perimeter of a cross-section of said locking axis) at least a portion of the length of said locking axis and therefore extends radially beyond the dimensions of said locking axis (in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of said locking axis). Advantageously and according to the invention, said arms of the fork extend substantially parallel to each other.The fork of said locking mechanism of a locking / unlocking device allows spontaneous locking, in particular in the event of incorrect handling or partial actuation of the locking axis and / or the pivoting element by an operator. Indeed, said arms extending, on the same side, beyond said base of the fork tend, by the action of gravity, to tilt towards said pivot axis. Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, said pivot axis is configured to be able to be arranged under said locking axis of said locking / unlocking device of a pivoting element which is provided with it.

[0019] The locking mechanism of a device according to the invention is therefore configured so that the arms of said fork can extend at least in part to said pivot axis (in the locking position).

[0020] Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, said locking mechanism is configured to allow a substantially spontaneous return to said at least one locking position, from said at least one unlocking position.

[0021] Advantageously and according to the invention, said locking mechanism is configured to be able to be actuated using a key. Thus, advantageously and according to the invention, said locking axis has at least one longitudinal end configured to extend through a wall of said casing. This allows an operator to be able to access and actuate the locking axis easily, that is to say from outside said casing of the locking / unlocking device according to the invention.

[0022] Furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, said longitudinal end of the locking axis has a square cross-section, in particular a longitudinal end configured to have a shape conjugate with that of the end of a key having an end comprising a bore having a square cross-section known as a “Berne key”.

[0023] The invention also relates to a pivoting element equipped with at least one locking / unlocking device according to the invention.

[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, said pivoting element is configured to be able to be movable in rotation between at least one folded position, in which said pivoting element has a reduced bulk, and at least one deployed position. The unlocking of the locking / unlocking device according to the invention can be carried out to allow each deployment and each folding of the pivoting element (i.e. at each transition between a retracted or folded state of the pivoting element and a state of use (for example as a luggage support for a shelf). When an operator has pivoted the pivoting element to a desired position (folded or deployed), the device is locked to prevent any rotation of the pivot axis and to hold the pivoting element in position.

[0025] Advantageously and according to the invention, said pivoting element is formed of a shelf extending mainly along a main receiving plane. In particular, said receiving plane extends, in the position of use, along a plane parallel to a horizontal plane, so that objects can be placed there or suspended. It may in particular be a shelf configured to be able to receive luggage (and / or packages and / or suitcases, etc.) of passengers on board a railway vehicle. Such a shelf may in particular be configured to be able to be positioned above a bicycle.

[0026] Advantageously and according to the invention, said pivoting element comprises two gas cylinders configured to be able to assist the rotational movement of said pivoting element around the pivot axis.

[0027] The invention also relates to a locking / unlocking device, a pivoting element equipped with such a device, as well as a railway vehicle equipped with such a pivoting element, characterized in combination by all or part of the features mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0028] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely for non-limiting purposes and which refers to the appended figures in which: • [Fig.l] represents a schematic front view of a pivoting element according to one embodiment of the invention. • [Fig.2] represents a schematic perspective view of a ver- locking / unlocking according to the invention in the locked position. • [Fig.3] represents a cross-section of a locking / unlocking device according to the invention in the locked position. • [Fig.4] represents a cross-section of a locking / unlocking device locking according to the invention in the locked position. • [Fig.5] represents a schematic perspective view of a locking / unlocking device according to the invention, in the unlocked position. • [Fig.6] represents a schematic perspective view of a locking / unlocking device according to the invention, in the unlocked position.

[0029] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0030] Figures 1 to 6 illustrate an embodiment of a locking / unlocking device according to the invention making it possible to lock and unlock a pivoting element by a rotational movement.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen in [Fig.l], the pivoting element 2 is a shelf that can be used to facilitate the positioning of bicycles on board a railway vehicle. Such a shelf has lateral uprights connected to each other by longitudinal uprights 36 parallel to each other. The pivoting element 2 is configured to be able to be moved in rotation about a pivot axis 3 extending within a casing 1 of said locking / unlocking device. In [Fig.l], the shelf is shown in the so-called vertical (or folded) position. The shelf can be moved, for use, to the so-called horizontal (or deployed) position by rotating through an angle of the order of 90° (or quarter turn) from the folded position.

[0032] The locking / unlocking device illustrated by figures 1 to 6, comprises the casing 1 inside which are arranged the pivot axis 3 and a locking mechanism. The casing 1 has a bottom 40 which can be fixed to the ground and / or to a wall or to any other support, directly or by means of a base. The casing 1 has a generally substantially cubic shape. Any other parallelepiped or non-parallel shapes may also be suitable or adapted.

[0033] The pivot axis 3 extends in a longitudinal direction, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pivoting element 2, between a first longitudinal end, called distal end 13, extending to a wall of the casing 1, and a second longitudinal end, called proximal end 33, extending towards the outside of the casing 1. The main portion of the pivot axis 3 extending between the distal 13 and proximal 33 ends has a non-circular but polygonal cross-section. In the embodiment shown, the pivot axis 3 has an octagonal cross-section. In particular, the main portion of the pivot axis 3 has four main faces parallel two by two to each other, called flats 8, 9, and four intermediate faces 16 of width less than that of the four main faces of the pivot axis 3. Each flat 8, 9 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pivot axis 3.

[0034] The distal end 13 of the pivot axis 3 forms a cylindrical portion configured to be able to be housed in a thrust bearing 10 of the pivot axis 3, the bearing 10 being integral with the casing 1. The bearing 10 is mounted through a wall of the casing 1 and fixed thereto.

[0035] The proximal end 33 of the pivot axis 3 forms a cylindrical portion extending through a wall of the casing 1 as can be seen in [Fig. 3] representing a cross-section of the locking / unlocking device parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pivot axis 3.

[0036] The pivot axis 3 is configured to be able to be integral in rotation with the pivoting element 2.

[0037] Figures 2, 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of a device according to the invention, a portion of the walls of the casing 1 of which is broken away to facilitate understanding. Figures 2 and 5 illustrate substantially the same point of view of the locking / unlocking device, respectively in the locked and unlocked positions. [Fig. 6] illustrates the device from a point of view after a 90° rotation from the point of view of [Fig. 5].

[0038] The locking mechanism is a mechanism for locking in rotation of said pivot axis 3 and comprises a locking axis 4 and a member, called a fork 5, mounted on the locking axis 4. The locking axis 4 extends orthogonally to the pivot axis 3. The locking axis 4 is movable in rotation on itself. The axis 4 has a first longitudinal end 6 having a square cross-section extending through a wall of the casing 1 and a ring 20 fixed thereto so as to allow an operator to actuate the locking mechanism via this end or imprint. In the embodiment shown, this longitudinal end 6 also has a straight groove. The ring 20 is fixed to the casing 1 using four bolts 47.

[0039] The axis 4 has a second longitudinal end 29, opposite the Ion- end horizontal 6, of cylindrical shape housed in a thrust bearing 28 secured to the casing 1, the bearing 28 being mounted through a wall of the casing 1. The thrust bearing 28 is secured to the casing 1 using four bolts 48.

[0040] The fork 5 comprises a base 24 from which two arms 25, 26 extend, the arms 25, 26 extending substantially parallel to each other and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the locking axis 4. The fork 5 is rotationally fixed to the locking axis 4, a screw and bolt fixing system 42 securing the fork 5 to the locking axis 4. The locking axis 4 passes through the fork 5. The base 24 of the fork 5 has, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a substantially parallelepiped shape. The base 24 of the fork 5 completely envelops, over its entire perimeter, a portion of the length of the locking axis 4 and extends radially beyond the dimensions thereof (in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of said locking axis).

[0041] The fork 5 is rotatable between at least one locking (or locked) position in which the arms 25, 26 extend respectively at least partly in contact with the flats 8, 9 of the pivot axis 3, so as to prevent any rotation thereof, and at least one unlocking (or unlocked) position in which the fork 5 does not prevent rotation of the pivot axis 3. Such a locking position is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. Such an unlocking position is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0042] Such a fork 5 facilitates, by the action of gravity on it, the spontaneous locking of the device, in particular in the event of incorrect handling or partial actuation by an operator. Indeed, from any unlocked position, the arms 25, 26 tend to tilt towards the pivot axis 3 arranged below the locking axis 4. The locking axis 4 and the fork 5 are therefore configured to be able to be arranged above the pivot axis 3 when the locking / unlocking device equips a pivoting element 2.

[0043] The fork 5 also has chamfers 7 making it easier to engage it on the pivot axis 3 during locking.

[0044] Thus, starting from a folded position of the pivoting element 2 as illustrated in [Fig.l] and in which the locking / unlocking device is in the locked position, an operator wishing to move the pivoting element 2 must unlock the locking / unlocking device so that the fork 5 releases the pivot axis 3.

[0045] The unlocking of the locking / unlocking device according to the invention can be carried out to allow each deployment and each folding of the pivoting element, therefore during each passage between a retracted or folded position of the pivoting element and a position of use. When an operator wishes to do pivot the pivoting element to a desired position (folded or deployed), it unlocks the device using a key having one end comprising a bore having a square cross-section called a Berne key (not shown), this key being configured to allow the first longitudinal end 6 of the locking axis 4 to be moved in rotation. After reaching the desired position for the pivoting element, the operator locks the device again by performing a quarter turn with his key so as to prevent any rotation of the pivot axis and to hold the pivoting element in position.

[0046] The casing 1 thus has dimensions adapted to allow the movements of said fork 5 necessary for the locking / unlocking movements of the device according to the invention.

[0047] The locking / unlocking device according to the invention may further be equipped with a pin 30 ([Fig.l]) making it possible to protect the casing of the locking / unlocking device in order to prevent or limit the risks of vandalism by attempting to actuate the pivoting element 2 by attempting to forcefully pivot the shelf into a deployed position. In the event of damage by such forceful actuation, it would then be possible to replace the pin only, the rest of the locking / unlocking device having been preserved.

[0048] The pivoting element 2 comprises two gas cylinders 11 making it possible to assist the rotational movement of the latter around the pivot axis 3 by braking its tilting during its deployment from a vertical configuration and by facilitating its folding from the deployed position. Each cylinder 11 has a first end 32 fixed to a lateral upright of the pivoting element 2, and a second end 31 fixed to a fixed structure (not shown).

[0049] Each part of a locking / unlocking device according to the invention may be formed from at least one material chosen from the group formed of metallic materials (including metal alloys), ceramic materials, polymer materials and their composites. In particular, the fork, the locking axis and the pivot axis are advantageously formed from at least one metallic material, for example steel.

Claims

1. Claims Locking / unlocking device for pivoting element (2), said device comprising: • a pivot axis (3) extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to be able to rotate with said pivoting element (2), • a rotation locking mechanism for said pivot axis (3), said device being characterized in that it further comprises: • a casing (1) configured to receive said pivot axis (3) and said locking mechanism, said pivot axis (3) and said locking mechanism being arranged inside said casing (1), and in that: • said pivot axis (3) has at least two flats (8, 9) extending parallel to said longitudinal direction of said pivot axis (3), • said locking mechanism comprises: • a locking axis (4) extending orthogonally to said pivot axis (3), said locking axis (4) being movable in rotation, • a member, called a fork (5), mounted on said locking axis (4) and integral in rotation with the latter, said fork (5) having two arms (25, 26) extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of said locking axis (4) and being configured to be able to be movable in rotation between at least one locking position in which said arms (25, 26) extend respectively at least partly in contact with said flats (8, 9) of said pivot axis (3), so as to prevent any rotation of said pivot axis (3), and at least one unlocking position in which said fork (5) does not prevent the rotation of said pivot axis (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pivot axis (3) has a first longitudinal end, called distal end (13), extending to a wall of said casing (1), and a second longitudinal end, called proximal end (33), extending outside of said casing (1).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one bearing (10) for thrusting said pivot axis (3), said bearing (10) being integral with the casing (1) and having a housing for receiving said distal end (13) of said pivot axis (3).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said fork (5) is crossed by said locking axis (4).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said casing (1) is configured to be able to be secured to a fixed support.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said locking axis (4) has at least one longitudinal end (6) configured to extend through a wall of said casing (1).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said longitudinal end (6) of the locking axis (4) has a square cross-section.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said locking mechanism is configured to allow a substantially spontaneous return to said at least one locking position, from said at least one unlocking position.

9. Pivoting element (2) equipped with at least one locking / unlocking device according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Pivoting element (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is formed of a shelf extending mainly along a main receiving plane.

11. Pivoting element (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises two gas cylinders (11) configured to be able to assist the rotational movement of said pivoting element (2) around the pivot axis (3).

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