Improved locking device for agricultural barrier

Abstract

A locking device (10) for an agricultural barrier (1) comprising an opening part (A) and a fixed part (B), the device (10) comprising at least two latches (12) movable in translation between a deployed position allowing the opening part (A) to be locked relative to the fixed part (B), and a retracted position allowing the opening part (A) to be released, an actuating lever (20) adapted to pivot relative to the barrier (1) about a first axis of rotation (R1), the at least two latches (12) being connected to the actuating lever (20) such that a rotation of the actuating lever (20) about the first axis of rotation (R1) causes a simultaneous movement of said latches (12) between their deployed and retracted positions. Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Improved locking device for agricultural gates. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device, in particular for an agricultural barrier suitable for delimiting an enclosure occupied by livestock, and to an agricultural barrier comprising such a device. Previous technique

[0002] Agricultural barriers are used to delimit an enclosure in which animals such as cattle or sheep are kept. Such barriers typically comprise a fixed part and an opening part (in other words, a gate), which is movable relative to the fixed part by pivoting between a closed and an open position.

[0003] To maintain the opening part in the closed position relative to the fixed part, agricultural barriers include a locking device. Known locking devices may include a bolt that moves in translation between a deployed locking position and a retracted release position.

[0004] The locking devices are typically located on the fixed part. Thus, in the deployed locking position, the bolt protrudes beyond a jamb of the opening part, so as to cooperate with a strike plate on the fixed part, thereby blocking the opening part relative to the fixed part. Furthermore, in a known manner, the locking devices may include a return mechanism such as a spring for returning the bolt to its deployed locking position.

[0005] However, known locking devices do not provide both the strength and reliability of the lock, and therefore the safety for animals and users, and ease of use. In particular, improvements to locking devices, to ensure their reliability and safety, are limited by the need to provide devices that are simple to use, effective, and easy to operate.

[0006] There is therefore a real need for a locking device that is free, at least in part, from the drawbacks inherent in the aforementioned known configurations. Description of the invention

[0007] The present description relates to a locking device for an agricultural barrier comprising an opening part and a fixed part, the device comprising: - at least two movable locks that translate between a deployed position allowing the opening part to be locked relative to the fixed part, and a retracted position allowing the opening part to be released, - an actuating lever capable of pivoting relative to the barrier around a first axis of rotation, the at least two locks being connected to the actuating lever in such a way that a rotation of the actuating lever around the first axis of rotation causes a joint movement of said locks between their deployed position and their retracted position.

[0008] In the present description, the terms "top," "bottom," "vertical," and "horizontal," and their derivatives, are defined with respect to the normal arrangement of a gate in an agricultural enclosure. Typically, the opening part of the gate rotates relative to the fixed part by pivoting about a vertical axis of rotation. Furthermore, the terms "top" and "bottom" are defined with respect to a vertical direction, and the term "lateral" is defined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0009] The extended position may also be called the "extended position" or "locking position," and corresponds to a configuration in which the bolts protrude beyond the opening portion to be able to cooperate with a strike plate on the fixed portion (when the locking device is fixed to the fixed portion). The retracted position may also be called the "retracted position" or "unlocking position," and corresponds to a configuration in which the bolts are moved laterally toward the opening portion to disengage from the strike plates and release the opening portion from the fixed portion.

[0010] The locking device according to the present description comprises at least two locks, which improves the strength, efficiency, and therefore the security of the agricultural gate locking mechanism. Furthermore, the at least two locks are each connected to a single actuating lever, such that a single rotation of the actuating lever allows both locks to be moved simultaneously and as a unit by translation, from the deployed to the retracted position.

[0011] Indeed, on a barrier according to the prior art comprising two latches, it is necessary, in order to open the barrier, to first actuate one latch, then actuate the second latch while keeping the first latch in the retracted position, making the process complex and inconvenient. The locking device according to the present disclosure simplifies this process by actuating both latches simultaneously.

[0012] Consequently, the device according to the present description makes it possible to improve the robustness of the barrier locking mechanism, and therefore the safety for users and animals, while maintaining simple, efficient, and time-saving operation. A single, simple lever action allows for the simultaneous unlocking of at least two locks.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the device is configured to exert a restoring force on the locks tending to maintain them in their deployed position, the actuating lever being able to be actuated to pivot in a first direction of rotation causing the joint movement of said locks from their deployed position to their retracted position against the restoring force, and to pivot in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation when the locks are brought back into their deployed position by the restoring force.

[0014] In some embodiments, the device includes a connecting piece to which at least two locks are attached, the connecting piece being fixed in a movable rotation relative to the actuating lever, such that a rotation of the actuating lever around the first axis of rotation causes a translation of the connecting piece and a relative rotation between the connecting piece and the actuating lever around a second axis of rotation.

[0015] In some embodiments, an upper end of the actuating lever includes a gripping handle, the first axis of rotation being disposed at a lower end of said actuating lever.

[0016] In some embodiments, the device includes a support portion adapted to be fixed to the barrier and supporting the actuating lever, the support portion comprising a lower element disposed lower than the two locks, and an upper element disposed higher than the two locks.

[0017] In some embodiments, the actuating lever is fixed to the lower element in a movable rotational manner and is able to pivot relative to said lower element around the first axis of rotation.

[0018] In some embodiments, the upper element includes a guide portion adapted to receive and guide the actuating lever during its actuation.

[0019] In some embodiments, the guide portion includes a ramp having an inclined wall suitable for guiding the actuating lever when the locks pass from their retracted position to their deployed position, and a blocking wall suitable for limiting a movement of the actuating lever in a direction of rotation allowing the locks to pass from their deployed position to their retracted position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lower element includes an oblong slot allowing translation of the first axis of rotation.

[0021] In some embodiments, the actuation lever is at least partially arched.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the locks are each mounted movable in translation in a tubular guide containing a spring capable of holding the locks in the deployed position.

[0023] The present disclosure also relates to an agricultural barrier comprising an opening part and a fixed part, and a locking device according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0024] In some embodiments, the locking device is fixed on the opening part.

[0025] The aforementioned features and advantages, as well as others, will become apparent from the following detailed description of an example embodiment of the locking device. This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The accompanying drawings are schematic and are intended primarily to illustrate the principles of the exposition. On these drawings, from one figure to another, identical elements (or parts of elements) are identified by the same reference symbols.

[0027] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of an agricultural barrier including a locking device according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2A] Figure [Fig.2A] shows, in perspective, the locking device alone, in a deployed position of the locks,

[0029] [Fig.2B] Figure [Fig.2B] shows, in perspective, the locking device alone, in a first retracted position of the locks, by displacement of an upper end of the actuating lever,

[0030] [Fig.2C] Fig.2C represents, in perspective, the locking device alone, in a second retracted position of the locks, by displacement of a lower end of the actuating lever,

[0031] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] shows a detailed view of the upper end of the device locking mechanism,

[0032] [Fig.4] Fig.4 represents a front view of the locking device in a closed position of the opening part of the barrier,

[0033] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] shows a detailed perspective view of a connecting piece of the locking device. Description of the implementation methods

[0034] To make the explanation more concrete, an example of a locking device is described in detail below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 5. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this example.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of an agricultural barrier 1 comprising a locking device 10 according to the invention.

[0036] A spatial frame XYZ is defined in which the barrier 1 is placed, with a horizontal axis X, defining a lateral direction, a horizontal axis Y, defining a transverse direction, and a vertical axis Z, defining a vertical direction.

[0037] Thus, in the following description, the terms "up", "down", "superior", "lower" and their derivatives are defined with respect to the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, by convention, the terms "left" and "right" are defined with respect to the lateral direction X, and the terms "front" and "back" are defined with respect to the transverse direction Y.

[0038] The agricultural barrier 1 is a barrier for enclosure comprising an opening part A of barrier and a fixed part B of barrier.

[0039] In [Fig. 1], only two uprights 2 of the fixed part B, attached to the ground and positioned on either side of the fixed part A, are shown. It is understood that the fixed part B extends beyond what is shown, so as to form an enclosure suitable for containing animals.

[0040] The opening part A includes a door 3 which is able to adopt a closed position (represented in [Fig. 1]) relative to the fixed part B and to pivot relative to a first upright 2 around a vertical axis of rotation Z' so as to adopt an open position.

[0041] A second upright 2 of the fixed part B carries at least two, in this example exactly two locking devices 5 each comprising a strike plate capable of cooperating with a bolt 12 of the locking device 10 described below.

[0042] Preferably, the locking devices 5 each comprise a system for the automatic closing of the door 3, for example an inclined stop allowing the bolts 12 to slide along this stop while retracting, and a means for locking the bolts 12 in the transverse direction Y. An example of such a locking device 5 is described in document FR3068722. However, the locking devices 5 are not the subject of the invention and will not be described in further detail in the remainder of this description.

[0043] The agricultural barrier 1 further includes a locking device 10, preferably fixed to the opening part A. Alternatively, the locking device 10 could be fixed to the fixed part B, the arrangement described below being reversed, and the closing devices 5 arranged on the opening part A.

[0044] In this example, the locking device 10 is fixed to a vertical post 4 of the opening part A, by means of a support portion 40. The support portion 40 typically comprises an upper element 41 arranged higher than the two locks 12 described below, and a lower element 42 arranged lower than the two locks 12.

[0045] In other words, the upper element 41 is fixed to the vertical post 4 near an upper end of the door 3, above the two locks 12, and the lower element 42 is fixed to the vertical post 4 near a lower end of the door 3, below the two locks 12. This improves the holding of the fixing of the locking device 10 to the opening part A.

[0046] Typically, the top and bottom elements 41, 42 each have a right-angled shape, one arm of which forms a fastening portion 45 suitable for being fixed to the vertical upright 4. In this example, the fastening portions 45 are fixed to the vertical upright 4 by fastening means 46 of the bolted connection type passing through holes formed in the vertical upright 4.

[0047] However, this example is not limiting; the fastening means 46 may also include a flange or a bracket that can be tightened around the vertical post 4 without the latter requiring drilling. This latter solution allows the locking device 10 to be adaptable and modular, and to be fixed to different types of barriers without any modification to them. Alternatively, the fastening portions 45 could also be welded to the vertical post 4.

[0048] Furthermore, the locking device 10 includes at least two locks 12, in this example exactly two locks 12, each capable of cooperating with a strike plate of a locking system 5 when it is in the deployed position.

[0049] Indeed, the locks 12 are each movable in translation, in the lateral direction X, between a deployed position, or locking position, and a retracted position, or unlocking position.

[0050] In the deployed position, the locks 12 protrude beyond the opening portion A, notably through openings in the vertical stile 4, so as to cooperate with the strike plates of the locking systems 5 when the opening portion A is in its closed position. The opening portion A is then immobilized in the closed position relative to the fixed portion B (configuration shown in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2A]).

[0051] Conversely, when the locks 12 are in the retracted position, by translating laterally to the left ([Fig.2B]), they no longer cooperate with the strikes, which frees the opening part A from the fixed part B, the opening part A then being able to move into the open position by pivoting around the axis of rotation Z'.

[0052] Preferably, the locking device 10 comprises two tubular guides 14 arranged on one side of the vertical upright 4 opposite the upright 2 of the fixed part B, and inside which the locks 12 can slide while being guided in translation by the tubular guide 14.

[0053] Inside each tubular guide 14 is a spring 16. It should be noted that the tubular guides 14 are masked in Figures 2A to 2C, [Fig.3] and [Fig.5], in order to visualize the springs 16. The springs 16 constitute return means allowing the locks 12 to be kept in their deployed position.

[0054] To do this, the springs 16 exert a restoring force laterally to the right on a stop element 17, for example a screw passing vertically through the locks 12, this restoring force tending to move the locks 12 towards their deployed position and to maintain them in this position.

[0055] It is therefore understood that in order to slide the locks 12 towards the retracted unlocking position, it is necessary to exert a force contrary to the returning force of the springs 16. Consequently, when the locks 12 move from the deployed locking position to the retracted unlocking position, the springs 16 are compressed inside the tubular guides 14, in particular by the stop elements 17 whose translation is made possible by slots present on the tubular guides 14.

[0056] Conversely, when the force enabling the passage of the locks 12 from the deployed position to the retracted position is released, the locks 12 are automatically returned to their deployed position by the restoring force exerted by the springs 16. It is therefore understood that the "natural" position of the locks 12, or nominal position, is the deployed locking position, and that it is necessary to apply an additional force, typically manual, on the locks 12 to counter the restoring force of the springs 16 and move the locks 12 into the retracted position.

[0057] To do this, the locking device 10 includes an actuating lever 20 (hereinafter referred to more simply as "lever 20"), allowing the two locks 12 to be actuated simultaneously.

[0058] The lever 20 extends substantially vertically between an upper end 41 movably fixed to the upper element 41 of the support portion 40, and a lower end 22 movably fixed to the lower element 42 of said support portion 40.

[0059] The lever 20 is movable in rotation relative to the lower element 42, and therefore relative to the opening part A, around a first axis of rotation RI parallel to the transverse direction Y. The first axis of rotation RI is disposed at the lower end 22 of the lever 20.

[0060] The lever 20 further includes a gripping handle 23 at its upper end 21. The lever 20 can thus be actuated via the gripping handle 23 so as to be able to be pivoted around the first axis of rotation RI in a first direction S1 (laterally to the left) or in a second direction S2 (laterally to the right).

[0061] The fact that the first axis of rotation RI is located at the lower end 22 of the lever 20, itself preferably located near the lower end of the opening part A, and that the handle is at the upper end 21, itself preferably located near the upper end of the opening part A, gives the lever 20 a significant amplitude, and therefore a significant lever arm facilitating the actuation of the lever 20 and the opening of the barrier 1.

[0062] The lever 20 is connected to the locks 12 by means of a connecting piece 30. The connecting piece 30 typically has the form of an elongated plate with a central portion 31 fixed to the lever 20. Each end 32 of the connecting piece 30 is fixed to a lock 12. It should be noted that the two ends 32 of the connecting piece 30 have an angled shape so as to mechanically connect the lever 20 to the locks 12.

[0063] Preferably, the central portion 31 of the connecting piece 30 is fixed to the lever 20, at a central portion thereof, that is to say substantially halfway between the upper end 21 and the lower end 22. The connection between the lever 20 and the connecting piece 30 is a movable connection, such that a relative rotation between the lever 20 and the connecting piece 30 is possible around a second axis of rotation R2, parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0064] It will be noted that the second axis of rotation R2 being perpendicular to the axis of translation of the locks 12, the elbowed ends 32 of the connecting piece 30 allow the rotational movement of the lever 20 to be transmitted to the locks 12, allowing their translation.

[0065] In other words, the movable fixing between the lever 20 and the connecting piece 30 allows the force exerted on the lever 20 to be transmitted to the locks 12, via the connecting piece 30. More specifically, when the lever 20 is actuated via the handle 23, so as to be pivoted in the first direction SI, the rotation of the lever 20 around the first axis RI causes the connecting piece 30 to translate laterally to the left in the lateral direction X.

[0066] The joint movement of the lever 20 by rotation around the first axis of rotation RI, and of the connecting piece 30 by translation, also implies a rotation of the lever 20 relative to the connecting piece 30 around the second axis of rotation R2, such a movement being permitted by the movable link between the lever 20 and the connecting piece 30.

[0067] It will also be noted that the lever 20 preferably includes an oblong slot 24 allowing the passage of the fastening means between the lever 20 and the connecting piece 30, for example a screw, while allowing a relative movement of this screw along the slot 24, when the lever 20 is actuation and the connecting piece 30 is translated.

[0068] Thus, the actuation of the lever 20 in the first direction SI causes a translation of the connecting piece 30, and therefore simultaneously of the two locks 12 fixed to the latter, to the left, allowing the locks 12 to move from their deployed locking position to their retracted unlocking position.

[0069] It is therefore understood that a single movement (the actuation of the lever 20 by the handle 23) makes it possible to move the locks 12 together and thus to open the opening part A of the barrier 1. This locking device 10 therefore has the advantage of being simple to use, efficient and simple to operate, while allowing a robust and secure locking, by the presence of the two locks 12.

[0070] Furthermore, the upper element 41 of the support portion 40 includes a guide portion 50. The guide portion 50 is a slot formed along a face of the upper element 41 extending horizontally in the XY plane, the lever 20, in particular its upper end 21, being housed in this slot. The guide portion 50 thus allows the lever 20 to be guided during its movement around the first axis of rotation RI, in the direction SI or S2.

[0071] This guide portion 50 thus allows sufficient movement of the lever 20 to permit its manipulation and actuation, while limiting its stroke. In particular, the stroke of the lever 20 in the transverse direction Y is limited by the guide portion 50. This helps to limit damage to the lever 20 by deformation, should it be pulled excessively backward due to accidental handling by an operator, or by an animal putting its head over the door 3 and pushing the handle 23.

[0072] In addition, the guide portion 50 includes a ramp 51, which is a protrusion formed in projection along one side of the guide portion 50, and extending inside the slot formed by the guide portion 50.

[0073] The ramp 51 includes an inclined wall 51a formed in a gentle slope in the lateral direction X, and a blocking wall 51b formed in a steep slope, typically perpendicular to the lateral direction X, and therefore parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0074] When the opening part A is in its closed position, the locks 12 are in their deployed position and cooperate with the strikes of the locking systems 5. In this configuration, the lever 20 is in a so-called nominal position, in which it is, at the level of its upper end 21, abutted against a straight end 52 of the guide portion 50. The ramp 51 is formed such that, in this nominal position, the lever 20 is interposed between the straight end 52 and the blocking wall 51b ([Fig.3]).

[0075] The blocking wall 51b thus prevents unintended actuation of the lever in the first direction SI, and therefore an opening of the barrier 1, for example when an animal sticks its horn through the gap between the handle 23 and the vertical post 4 of the opening part A ([Fig.1]). Therefore, the blocking wall 51b improves the overall safety.

[0076] Taking into account the presence of the blocking wall 51b, the actuation of the lever 20 by an operator, in particular to move the opening part A into the open position, is described below, with reference to [Fig.3].

[0077] Initially, the operator grasping the handle 23 must pull the lever 20 towards him, i.e. backwards in a first direction DI parallel to the transverse direction Y. This action causes a backwards displacement of the upper end 21 of the lever 20 by elastic deformation, which allows it to bypass the blocking wall 51b.

[0078] In a second step, the operator moves the handle 23 in the first direction SI, that is to say to the left in a second direction D2 parallel to the lateral direction X and perpendicular to the first direction D1. The lateral movement of the lever 20 is limited by the left end 53 of the guide portion 50, against which it can come to a stop.

[0079] This actuation of the lever 20 in the second direction D2 causes the lever 20 to rotate around the first axis of rotation RI, and consequently a translation of the connecting piece 30 and the locks 12 in the manner described previously. The movement of the locks 12 towards their retracted position notably causes the compression of the springs 16 between the bottom of the tubular guide 14 (or the end 32 of the connecting piece 30) and the stop elements 17. In this position of the lever 12, shown in [Fig. 2B], the opening part A is released from the fixed part B and the opening of the barrier 1 is thus possible.

[0080] When the opening part A has passed into its open position, the operator can then release the handle 23. Taking into account the return force exerted by the springs 16, the locks 12 are automatically returned to their deployed position, thus causing the connecting piece 30 to translate laterally to the right in the lateral direction X, the connecting piece 30 itself causing the lever 20 to rotate around the first axis of rotation RI in the second direction S2.

[0081] In other words, when the operator releases the handle 23, the return force of the springs 16 automatically returns the lever 20 from its position illustrated in [Fig.2B], to its nominal position illustrated in particular in [Fig.2A] and [Fig.3], coming to rest against the right end 52 of the guide portion 50.

[0082] During the transition from one of these positions to the other by the restoring force of the springs 16, the lever 20 is guided by the inclined wall 51a of the ramp 51. More precisely, during its movement in the second direction S2, the lever 20 slides along the inclined wall 51a, while deforming slightly elastically in the first direction D1, and then, when it passes beyond the blocking wall 51b, it finds, by shape memory, its initial position interposed between the blocking wall 51b and the right end 52.

[0083] The inclined wall 51a, given its continuous, gently sloping structure (unlike the blocking wall 51b, which has a discontinuity), thus facilitates the return of the lever 20 to its nominal position, without jamming and without requiring external intervention from an operator. The inclined wall 51a therefore further improves the effectiveness of the locking device 10.

[0084] Thus, when the opening part A is in its open position, after the operator has released the handle 23, the locks 12 automatically return to their deployed position.

[0085] From this position, it is possible to move the opening part A from the open position to the closed position in two ways, namely either manually or automatically.

[0086] To close the opening part A manually, the operator must manually operate the lever 20, in the manner described above, to move the locks 12 into the retracted position, then lower the door 3 until the opening part A is in the closed position, the locks 12 retracted opposite the strikes of the locking systems 5, then release the handle 23 so that the locks 12 automatically return, by the return force of the springs 16, to their deployed locking position in cooperation with the strikes.

[0087] Alternatively, the operator can also manually guide the handle 23 in the second direction S2 so that the locking is carried out in a controlled manner, for example to limit wear on the system or the noise generated by the return of the lever 20.

[0088] To close the opening part A automatically, the operator can simply push the door 3 towards the fixed part B, without operating the lever 20. Alternatively, the barrier 1 can be equipped with a return system allowing the opening part A to automatically return to the closed position when the door 3 is released.

[0089] In this case, when the door 3 reaches the level of the uprights 2 of the fixed part B, the bolts 2, then in their deployed position, come against the inclined stops of the locking systems 5 described previously, pass momentarily into the retracted position, then immediately return to their deployed position when they are opposite the strikes of the locking system 5. The opening part A is thus in the closed position and locked relative to the fixed part B.

[0090] To allow this automatic closing of the opening part A, the locking device 10 preferably includes an oblong slot 44 formed in the element bottom 42 of the support portion 40. This oblong slot 44 extends horizontally from left to right in the lateral direction X, and allows a translation of the lower end 22 of the lever, and in particular a translation of the first axis of rotation RI, in the lateral direction X.

[0091] For example, the lower end 22 of the lever 20 can be fixed to the lower element 42 by means of a screw inserted in the oblong slot 44, the tightening of this screw being sufficiently loose to allow the rotation of the lever 20 around the first axis of rotation RI, and the translation of the latter, and therefore of the screw, along the oblong slot 44.

[0092] Thus, when the opening part A is automatically closed and the locks 12 come against the closing systems 5 in the manner described above, the occasional retraction of the locks 12 is made possible by the oblong slot 44.

[0093] Indeed, since the upper end 21 of the lever 20 is against the blocking wall 51b, it cannot automatically pivot in the first direction SI without operator intervention. Consequently, when the locks 12 retract through their cooperation with the closing systems 5 at the moment the door 3 is slammed shut, the lower end 22 of the lever 20, and the first axis of rotation RI, translates laterally to the left along the oblong slot 44, in the lateral direction X, the upper end 21 being otherwise blocked and thus serving as a pivot ([Fig.2C]).

[0094] When the latches 12 return to their deployed position by the return force of the springs 16 as they engage the strike plates, the lower end 22 of the lever 20 translates laterally to the right along the oblong slot 44 to return to its initial position. The oblong slot 44 thus allows the automatic closing of the opening portion A, thereby further improving efficiency, simplicity, and saving time for the operator.

[0095] The locking device 10 of the invention thus improves the security of the assembly through the presence of the ramp 51 and the blocking wall 51b as described above, while retaining the possibility of automatically slamming the opening part A thanks to the presence of the oblong slot 44, and therefore improving the effectiveness of the device 10. It is therefore understood that the locking device 10 of the invention makes it possible to actuate the two locks 12 in a single movement of the lever 20, while retaining the possibility of slamming the opening part A so as to allow automatic closure.

[0096] Furthermore, the lever 20 has a shape that is at least partly arched. In this example, the lever 20 is substantially straight from its upper end 21 to its connection with the intermediate piece 30, then presents an arched portion, from this connection to its lower end 22.

[0097] Given this arched shape, when the lever 20 is in its nominal position, the first axis of rotation RI is against one end of the oblong slot 44. This makes it possible to create a support facilitating the rotation of the lever in the first direction SI around the first axis of rotation RI, when it is actuation.

[0098] Furthermore, in the nominal position, the upper end 21 of the lever is located further to the left, in the lateral direction and in the first direction SI, than the lower end 22, and in particular than the first axis of rotation RI. Thus, this arched shape makes it possible to accentuate the mechanical leverage effect, and therefore to limit the effort required by the operator to actuate the lever 20 in the first direction SI and open the barrier 1.

[0099] It should also be noted that, given the arched shape of the lever 20, the upper element 41 and the lower element 42 can be identical, have the same characteristics, and the same dimensions, without it being necessary, for example, to lengthen the lower element 42 and / or the oblong slot 44 (which would be necessary if the lever 20 were straight). In other words, the upper element 41 can also include an oblong slot 44, and the lower element 42 can also include a guide portion 50.

[0100] Although the oblong slot 44 and the guide portion 50 have no intrinsic use in the upper element 41 and the lower element 42 respectively, this configuration simplifies the production of the device 10 by using a single production line for these elements 41, 42, which also helps to limit costs.

[0101] It is then simply a matter of fixing the upper element 41 in a given direction, so that the guiding portion 50 extends in the XY plane, and fixing the lower element 42 in the opposite direction, so that the face including the oblong slot 44 extends in the XZ plane.

[0102] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is evident that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

Demands

1. A locking device (10) for an agricultural barrier (1) comprising an opening part (A) and a fixed part (B), the device (10) comprising: - at least two latches (12) movable in translation between a deployed position allowing the opening part (A) to be locked relative to the fixed part (B), and a retracted position allowing the opening part (A) to be released, - an actuating lever (20) capable of pivoting relative to the barrier (1) around a first axis of rotation (RI), the at least two latches (12) being connected to the actuating lever (20) such that a rotation of the actuating lever (20) around the first axis of rotation (RI) causes a joint movement of said latches (12) between their deployed position and their retracted position.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, the device (10) being configured to exert a restoring force on the locks (12) tending to maintain them in their deployed position, the actuating lever (20) being able to be actuated to pivot in a first direction (SI) of rotation causing the joint movement of said locks (12) from their deployed position to their retracted position against the restoring force, and to pivot in a second direction (S2) of rotation opposite to the first direction (SI) of rotation when the locks (12) are brought back into their deployed position by the restoring force.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a connecting piece (30) to which at least two locks (12) are attached, the connecting piece (30) being fixed in a movably rotational manner relative to the actuating lever (20), such that a rotation of the actuating lever (20) around the first axis of rotation (RI) causes a translation of the connecting piece (30) and a relative rotation between the connecting piece (30) and the actuating lever (20) around a second axis of rotation (R2).

4. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upper end (21) of the actuating lever (20) comprises a gripping handle (23), the first axis of rotation (RI) being disposed at a lower end (22) of said actuating lever (20).

5. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a support portion (40) adapted to be fixed to the barrier (1) and supporting the actuating lever (20), the support portion (40) comprising an upper element (41) disposed higher than the two locks (12), and a lower element (42) disposed lower than the two locks (12).

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the actuating lever (20) is fixed to the lower element (42) in a movably rotational manner and is able to pivot relative to said lower element (42) around the first axis of rotation (RI).

7. Device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the upper element (41) includes a guide portion (50) adapted to receive and guide the actuating lever (20) during its actuation.

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the guide portion (50) comprises a ramp (51) having an inclined wall (51a) suitable for guiding the actuating lever (20) during the passage of the locks (12) from their retracted position to their deployed position, and a blocking wall (51b) suitable for limiting a displacement of the actuating lever (20) in a direction of rotation allowing the passage of the locks (12) from their deployed position to their retracted position.

9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the lower element (42) includes an oblong slot (44) allowing a translation of the first axis of rotation (RI).

10. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the actuating lever (20) is at least partially arched.

11. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the locks (12) are each mounted movable in translation in a tubular guide (14) containing a spring (16) capable of holding the locks (12) in the deployed position.

12. Agricultural barrier (1) comprising an opening part (A) and a fixed part (B), and a locking device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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