Locking device for a boat hatch, and hatch equipped with such a locking device

Abstract

TITLE: Locking device for a boat door, and door equipped with such a locking device. The present invention relates to a door for closing an opening in a boat cabin, consisting of at least two sliding leaves: a slave leaf (12) which has locking means capable of blocking it in its closed position, these locking means being controlled by a control element movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a master leaf (11) which has an actuating part (116) capable of coming into contact with the control element, when the master leaf (11) moves towards its open position in front of the slave leaf (12) blocked in its closed position, in order to place the control element in its unlocking position, and to secure the slave leaf (12) to the master leaf (11).

Description

Title of the invention: Locking device for a boat hatch, and hatch equipped with such a locking device. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of shipbuilding. In particular, the invention relates to the openings of boat cabins, and more particularly to the movable shutters intended to close these openings. Previous art

[0002] The cabins of habitable boats have a number of openings. These openings may be portholes, or openings intended for passage such as doors or access hatches. These openings can conventionally be closed by hinged doors, allowing the cabin to be made airtight and watertight.

[0003] Such movable leaves can be solid panels or glazed panels, which are often made up of a frame surrounding a pane of glass.

[0004] Conventionally, the leaves forming the openings can be movable by rotating around hinges. However, when the movable leaves are in the open position, they can encroach on the available space in the cabin, which can prove inconvenient in the confined spaces of a boat cabin.

[0005] It is also known that the movable leaves constituting the openings are mounted to slide, substantially in the plane of the opening, between a position in which they close the opening and a position in which they do not close the opening. In such a case, the leaves are often held by substantially horizontal and parallel rails, each of the rails guiding the upper or lower edge of the movable leaf.

[0006] When the movable leaf is in a position in which it does not obstruct the opening, it is generally placed opposite a fixed wall element of the boat cabin, hereafter called the fixed panel, which can be formed by a solid panel or by a glazed panel.

[0007] It is generally useful to increase the surface area of ​​openings in boat cabins, particularly to improve brightness and visibility to the outside. To allow for such an increase while minimizing the space occupied by the sashes when open, the openings can be closed by a plurality of sliding sashes in parallel rails. Thus, for example, the use of two sliding sashes to close an opening allows that these leaves, in their open position, are superimposed in front of a fixed panel whose surface area is approximately equal to half the surface area of ​​the opening.

[0008] In certain circumstances, cabin openings must be reliably and securely closed, watertight and airtight. This is particularly the case when the boat is subjected to rough seas and / or adverse weather conditions. In such a case, if the opening is closed by two sliding doors, each of these two doors must be reliably held in the position in which it closes the opening.

[0009] However, it can happen that, when weather conditions deteriorate, those ensuring the openings are closed forget to check that one of the leaves is locked in the closed position. In such a case, when the boat is subjected to strong pitching and / or rolling movements, the unlocked leaf can be moved to its open position. This movement of the leaf can create a risk of a passenger's finger or limb becoming trapped between the leaf and the frame, thus compromising safety. It can also, by leaving the opening at least partially open, lead to the risk of rain, wind, or waves entering the cabin.

[0010] Thus, the problem to be solved is to more easily ensure the correct closure of the sliding doors closing the openings of boat cabins. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0012] In particular, the invention aims to provide sliding shutter panels for boat openings that can be reliably and easily locked in the closed position.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide a locking device which makes it possible to keep the leaves in the closed position safely and reliably, even in adverse weather conditions or sudden movements of the boat.

[0014] The invention also aims to provide an easy-to-use locking device for users, which can be operated quickly and simply to lock or unlock the leaves.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention aims to provide a locking device that is compact and does not interfere with the opening and closing of the leaves.

[0016] The invention also aims to provide a locking device that is robust and weather-resistant, in order to guarantee a long service life and reliable use in difficult conditions.

[0017] Finally, the invention aims to offer a simple, economical and easy-to-implement solution to improve the safety and comfort of passengers and crew on board a boat.

[0018] The invention, according to one embodiment, consists of closing a boat opening, such as a porthole or a door, with an opening formed by two leaves sliding parallel to each other in horizontal rails of the opening's frame. One of the leaves is called the "master leaf." It can be locked to the opening's frame by a conventional locking system, with actuation means on the leaf allowing it to be manually unlocked to slide. The other leaf is called the "slave leaf." It is locked by default to the opening's frame by a locking system, but it does not have an actuation means for manually unlocking it.

[0019] During opening, the master leaf, when it slides in front of the slave leaf, can act on the slave leaf's locking system to simultaneously: - unlock the slave leaf of the opening frame, to allow it to slide, and - lock the slave leaf to the master leaf, so that it can only slide with the master leaf.

[0020] On the contrary, during closing, when the slave leaf reaches its closed position, its locking system can, at the same time: - lock the slave leaf of the opening frame in its closed position, and - unlock the slave leaf of the master leaf, to allow the master leaf to slide towards its own closing position.

[0021] Thus, the user can be assured, when the master leaf is locked in the opening frame, that the slave leaf is also locked in the opening frame.

[0022] The invention can also be defined as an opening for closing an opening in a ship's cabin, said opening being comprised of at least two leaves extending in planes parallel to each other, each of said leaves being movable in translation between a closed position, in which said leaves together close said opening, and an open position in which said leaves are essentially superimposed one on top of the other, outside of said opening, a first of said leaves, called the master leaf, having means for locking its position relative to the frame of the opening in its closed position, these locking means being actuable by a user, the second of said leaves, called the slave leaf, having means for locking its position relative to the frame of said opening, these locking means not being operable by a user, the master leaf having means of actuation allowing the sliding movement of the master leaf in front of the slave leaf, from its open position to its closed position, to simultaneously cause: - unlocking the locking mechanisms for the position of the slave leaf relative to the frame of said opening, and - the joining of the slave leaf and the master leaf.

[0023] Advantageously, the sliding movement of the master leaf and the slave leaf, which are fixed together, from their closed position to their open position, simultaneously causes, when the slave leaf reaches its closed position: - the locking of the means for locking the position of the slave leaf relative to the frame of said opening, and - the separation of the slave leaf and the master leaf.

[0024] Advantageously, the locking means of the slave leaf are actuated by a pin, movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and the actuating means of the master leaf have an inclined face suitable for moving the movable pin towards its unlocking position, to ensure the unlocking of the locking means of the position of the slave leaf with respect to the frame of said opening, and to retain the movable pin in its unlocking position to ensure the securing of the slave leaf to the master leaf.

[0025] The invention can also be defined as an opening for closing an opening in a boat cabin, this opening being made up of at least two leaves extending in planes parallel to each other, each of the leaves being movable in translation in substantially horizontal rails, between a closed position and an open position, a first of these leaves, called the "slave leaf", having reversible locking means capable, when in a locked position, of blocking the position of the slave leaf relative to the opening, in the closed position of the slave leaf, these locking means being controlled by actuating means comprising at least one control element movable between a first position, in which the actuating means maintain the locking means in a locked position, and a second position,in which the actuation means maintain the locking means in an unlocked position in which they do not block the position of the slave leaf relative to the opening, a second of the leaves, called the "master leaf", having an actuation part capable of coming into contact with the control element, when the master leaf moves towards its opening position in front of the slave leaf whose position is blocked in its , closing position, in order to place the control element in its second position, and to secure the slave leaf to the master leaf.

[0026] Thus, the slave leaf is permanently locked, either in the open position or to the master leaf. Therefore, there is no risk that this slave leaf will not be properly locked when the master leaf is locked in the closed position.

[0027] Advantageously, the actuating means of the locking means of the slave leaf include return means capable of placing these locking means in their locked position, in the absence of external action on the actuating means.

[0028] These return means ensure that the slave leaf is locked in the open position when it is not secured to the master leaf. They also ensure that the control element remains in contact with the actuating part, thus securing the slave leaf to the master leaf.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the means for actuation of the locking means of the slave leaf comprise a pin that is substantially vertically movable on the face of the slave leaf facing the master leaf, between a high position corresponding to the first position and a low position corresponding to the second position.

[0030] Such a movable pin constitutes an easily accessible means of actuation for the actuating part.

[0031] Preferably, the actuating piece has an inclined plane suitable for moving the pin from its high position to its low position, when the master leaf moves towards its closing position in front of the slave leaf whose position is blocked in its closing position.

[0032] This movement of the pawn can, advantageously, be done by opposing the action of the means of return.

[0033] Advantageously, the actuating piece has a notch suitable for locking the pin, relative to the master leaf and in its lower position.

[0034] The retention of the pin in the notch can advantageously be achieved by the action of the return means.

[0035] Preferably, the master leaf has reversible locking means capable of blocking its position relative to the opening, in the closed position of the master leaf.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the opening includes means for blocking the movement of the slave leaf, when this slave leaf and the master leaf, joined together, move towards their closing position and the slave leaf reaches its closing position.

[0037] Advantageously, the continued movement of the master leaf towards its closing position, when the slave leaf attached to the master leaf has reached its closing position, leads to the loss of contact between the actuating part and the control element, causing the control element to move into its first position, and the separation of the slave leaf and the master leaf.

[0038] The invention also relates to a boat cabin opening equipped with an opening as described above. Description of the figures

[0039] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures, among which: - Fig. 1 represents an opening formed by a master leaf and a slave leaf, in its closing position, in which the leaves together close an opening. - [Fig.2] is a detail view of a corner of the main leaf of the opening of [Fig.1] in its closed position, - [Fig.3] is a detailed view of a corner of the slave leaf of the opening of [Fig.1] in its closed position, - Figure 4 represents the opening of Figure 1 during its opening, in a position in which the master leaf largely covers the slave leaf, - [Fig.5] is a detailed view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening of [Fig.1], in the position shown by [Fig.4], - Figure 6 represents the opening of Figure 1 during its opening, in a position where the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf, - [Fig.7] is a detailed view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening of [Fig.1], in the position shown by [Fig.6], - [Fig.8] is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening of [Fig.1], in the position in which the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf and is joined to this slave leaf, - [Fig.9] represents the opening of [Fig.1] during its movements between its closed position and its open position, in a position in which the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf and is fixed to this slave leaf, - [Fig. 10] is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening of [Fig. 1], during the closing movement of the opening, in the position in which the slave leaf is blocked in its locking position. Description of the implementation methods

[0040] Figures 1 to 10 represent the opening 1, allowing an opening 2 (represented schematically in dotted lines on the figures) of a boat cabin to be closed, in different positions of this opening 1.

[0041] Conventionally, the opening 2 has a substantially rectangular shape, defined by an upper edge 24, a lower edge 23, and lateral edges. Among these lateral edges, the edge located on the right in the figures is designated as the proximal edge 21 of the opening 2, and the edge located on the left is designated as the distal edge 22 of the opening 2.

[0042] The opening 1 is formed by two sliding leaves which are respectively designated, in the following description, as master leaf 11 and slave leaf 12. The face of each of these leaves that is visible in the figures is arbitrarily designated as the front face of the leaf, and the opposite face is designated as the rear face of the leaf. Each of these leaves 11 and 12 may be formed by a solid panel or a glazed panel, which may consist of a frame surrounding a pane of glass.

[0043] Conventionally, the upper edges 24 and lower edges 23 of the opening 2 are equipped with rails allowing the master leaf 11 and the slave leaf 12 to slide in parallel planes. These rails (not shown in the figures) extend beyond the proximal edge 21 of the opening 2, to allow the leaves to slide out of the opening 2, parallel to a fixed panel 25 extending beyond the proximal edge 21 of the opening 2.

[0044] During their movements, the master leaf 11 and the slave leaf 12 can overlap at least partially, with the front face of the slave leaf 12 facing the rear face of the master leaf 11.

[0045] Each of these leaves 11 and 12 has a substantially rectangular shape, defined by an upper edge mounted to slide in one of the rails of the upper edge 24 of the opening 2, a lower edge mounted to slide in one of the rails of the lower edge 23 of the opening 2, and lateral edges. Among these lateral edges, the edge of each leaf located on the right in the figures is designated as the proximal edge of the leaf, and the edge located on the left is designated as the distal edge of the leaf.

[0046] In the configuration represented by [Fig.1], the opening 1 formed by the leaves 11 and 12 is in its closing position, in which the master leaf 11 and the slave leaf 12 together close the opening 2.

[0047] In this position, the peripheral area of ​​the master leaf 11 which is close to its distal edge 112 is in contact, preferably sealed, with the distal edge 22 of the opening 2. The peripheral area of ​​the slave leaf 12 which is close to its proximal edge 121 is in contact, preferably sealed, with the proximal edge 21 of the opening 2. Furthermore, the peripheral area of ​​the master leaf 11 which is close to its proximal edge 111, and the peripheral area of ​​the slave leaf 12 which is close to its distal edge 122, are in contact, preferably sealed, with each other. Finally, the mounting of the lower and upper edges of each of these master 11 and slave 12 leaves in the rails equipping the opening also ensures a contact, preferably watertight, between the leaf and the lower 23 and upper 24 edges of the opening 2. These contacts, if they are watertight, ensure the sealing of the closure of the opening 2 by the opening 1, in its closed position.This sealing can be achieved by means known in themselves to a person skilled in the art, which will not be described in further detail.

[0048] In a conventional manner, the opening 1 has locking means capable of blocking the position of each of the master 11 and slave 12 leaves relative to the opening in their closed position represented by [Fig.1].

[0049] Thus, [Fig.2] is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf 11, formed between its distal edge 112 and its upper edge 114. This figure shows a locking means consisting of a bolt 115 which, in its locked position represented by [Fig.2], protrudes from the upper edge 114 of the master leaf 11.

[0050] When the master leaf 11 is in its closed position represented by [Fig.1], the bolt 115 can move into its locking position to engage in a corresponding housing provided in the upper rail of the opening 2. It thus blocks any sliding of the master leaf 11 in the rail.

[0051] In the unlocked position, on the contrary, the bolt 115 is retracted into the master leaf 11 and does not protrude from the upper edge 114 of this leaf. It therefore no longer penetrates the housing of the upper rail, which allows the master leaf 11 to slide in the rail.

[0052] This locking means is advantageously associated with actuating means, which may be provided near the distal edge 112 of the master leaf 11, capable of moving the bolt 115 from its locked position shown in [Fig. 2] to its unlocked position, and vice versa. This actuating means may advantageously be manually operated and may be associated with a handle for moving the master leaf 11 in translation.

[0053] Of course, a person skilled in the art will be able to implement various, self-known, means of locking the position of the master leaf 11 in the opening 2. They will also be able to implement means actuation mechanisms, preferably manually actuation, which are well known in themselves and will therefore not be described in further detail.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a corner of the slave leaf 12, formed between its proximal edge 121 and its upper edge 124. This figure shows a locking means consisting of a bolt 125 which, in its locked position represented by Fig. 3, protrudes from the upper edge 124 of the slave leaf 12. In the particular embodiment represented by the figures, the bolt 125 is double, the two elements constituting it moving together.

[0055] When the slave leaf 12 is in its closed position represented by [Fig.1], the bolt 125 can move into its locking position to engage in a corresponding housing provided in the upper rail of the opening 2. It thus blocks any sliding of the slave leaf 12 in the rail.

[0056] In the unlocked position, on the contrary, the bolt 125 is retracted into the slave leaf 12 and does not protrude from the upper edge 124 of this leaf. It therefore no longer penetrates the housing of the upper rail, which allows the slave leaf 12 to slide in the rail.

[0057] This locking means is advantageously associated with actuation means, which may be provided near the proximal edge 121 of the slave leaf 12, capable of moving the bolt from its locked position shown in [Fig. 3] to an unlocked position, and vice versa. These actuation means for the bolt 125 are, however, not designed to be operated manually.

[0058] The means for actuating the bolt 125 comprise, in the embodiment shown, a control element consisting of a pin 126 projecting from the front face of the slave leaf 12. This pin 126 is integral with the bolt 125 and can move translationally within a horizontal slot 127 provided on the front face of the slave leaf 12, between an upper position, shown in [Fig. 3], in which the bolt 125 is in its locked position, and a lower position, shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, in which the bolt 125 is in its unlocked position. In the embodiment shown, return means such as a spring, not visible in the figures, tend to push the bolt 125 back towards its locked position when a mechanical action fails to hold the pin 126 in its lower position.

[0059] Of course, a person skilled in the art will be able to implement different variants, known per se, of the means for locking the position of the slave leaf 12 in the opening 2. They will also be able to implement actuation means of another type known to a person skilled in the art, these actuation means however having, for the implementation of the invention, an element of mobile control between a position corresponding to the locking position of the locking means and a position corresponding to the unlocking position of the locking means.

[0060] To open the door 1, when it is locked in its closed position, the user must operate the actuation means of the bolt 115 to move the bolt 115 from its locked position to its unlocked position. When the bolt 115 is in its unlocked position, the user can slide the main leaf 11 into the rails of the opening 2, its distal edge 112 moving away from the distal edge 22 of the opening 2.

[0061] Figure 4 represents the master leaf 11 during this movement, which is symbolized by arrow 31. In the position represented by this figure, the master leaf 11 largely covers the slave leaf 12, whose position in the opening 2 is locked by the bolt 125. Its movement opens part of the opening 2, between the distal edge 22 of the opening 2 and the distal edge 112 of the master leaf 11.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the corners of the main leaf 11 and the slave leaves 12, formed by the proximal edge and the upper edge of each of these leaves, in the position represented by [Fig.4]. As this figure shows, the master leaf 11 carries an actuating piece 116, intended to come into contact with the pin 126 constituting the control element of the actuating means of the bolt 125 of the slave leaf 12, when the master leaf 11 comes to completely, or almost completely, cover the slave leaf 12.

[0063] When, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the master leaf 11 almost completely covers the slave leaf 12, the actuating piece 116 comes into contact with the pin 126. According to the invention, the actuating piece 116 has a configuration allowing it to move the pin 126 from its position corresponding to the locking position of the bolt 125 to its position corresponding to the unlocking position of the bolt 125, under the effect of the displacement, symbolized by the arrow 32, of the master leaf 11 relative to the slave leaf 12, in a direction tending towards a greater covering of the slave leaf 12 by the master leaf 11.

[0064] In the embodiment shown, the actuating piece thus has an edge forming an inclined plane 1161 which, when the master leaf 11 moves in a direction tending to make it cover the slave leaf 12, exerts pressure on the pin 126, tending to push it downwards. Thus, the actuating piece 116 pushes the pin 126 back to its lower position, driving the bolt 125 to its unlocked position, as shown by arrow 33.

[0065] It is therefore the movement of the master leaf 11 relative to the slave leaf 12, tending to the covering of the slave leaf 12 by the master leaf 11, which causes the unlocking of the position of the slave leaf 12 relative to the opening 2.

[0066] The actuating piece 116 of the master leaf 11 also includes means for securing the slave leaf 12 to the master leaf 11, when the bolt 125 is held in the unlocked position by the actuating piece 116.

[0067] In the embodiment shown, these means of securing are constituted by a notch 1162, located at the end of the inclined plane 1161, suitable for receiving the pin 126 when the movement of covering the slave leaf 12 by the master leaf 11 continues, after the pin 126 has been pushed back into its lower position by the inclined plane 1161.

[0068] The pin 126 housed in this notch 1162, as shown in [Fig. 8], is held in place by the action of the spring tending to push the pin 126 upwards. This holding of the pin 126 has the dual effect of maintaining the bolt 125 in its unlocked position, and of locking the slave leaf 12 and the master leaf 11 together, which are then free to slide together relative to the opening 2.

[0069] The slave leaf 12 and the master leaf 11 can thus be slid together, as schematically shown by arrow 34 on [Fig.9], towards an open position in which they are at least partially superimposed on the fixed panel 25. They can be locked in this open position, for example by engaging the bolt 115 in a corresponding housing provided in the upper rail of the opening 2.

[0070] From this open position, the slave leaf 12 and the master leaf 11 can also be slid together towards their closed position, approaching the distal edge 22 of the opening, as schematically shown by arrow 35 in [Fig.9].

[0071] Advantageously, locking means (not shown) prevent the slave leaf 12 from moving within the rails of the opening 2 when it reaches its closed position, thus preventing it from approaching the distal edge 22 of the opening. Figure 10 is a detailed view showing the corners of the master leaf 11 and the slave leaf 12, formed by the proximal and upper edges of each leaf, during this closing movement, in the position where the slave leaf is locked by these locking means.

[0072] The continued movement of the master leaf 11 towards the distal edge 22 of the opening and towards its closed position, schematically represented by arrow 36 in [Fig. 10], then causes the pin 126 to disengage from the notch 1162. This pin then slides, under the effect of the return means pushing it upwards, towards its position high, by driving the bolt 125 to its locking position, as shown by arrow 37.

[0073] The bolt 125 thus locks the position of the slave leaf 12 relative to the opening 2, in the closed position of this slave leaf, while the master leaf 11 can continue its movement towards its closed position, or it can be locked in the opening 2.

[0074] Advantageously, the position of the slave leaf 12 relative to the opening 2 is thus not intended to be unlocked independently of the master leaf 11. This slave leaf 12 is thus permanently locked, either to the opening 2 when it is in its closed position, or to the master leaf 11 when it is in another position.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Opening (1) for closing an opening (2) of a boat cabin, said opening being made up of at least two leaves (11, 12) extending in planes parallel to each other, each of said leaves (11, 12) being movable in translation in substantially horizontal rails, between a closed position and an open position, a first of said leaves, called the "slave leaf" (12), having reversible locking means capable, when in a locked position, of blocking the position of said slave leaf (12) relative to said opening (2), in said closed position of said slave leaf (12), said locking means being controlled by actuating means comprising at least one movable control element between: - a first position, in which said actuation means maintain said locking means in said locking position, and - a second position, in which said actuation means maintain said locking means in an unlocked position, in which they do not block the position of said slave leaf (12) relative to said opening (2), a second of said leaves, called the "master leaf" (11), having an actuating part (116) adapted to come into contact with said control element, when said master leaf (11) moves towards its open position in front of said slave leaf (12) whose position is blocked in its closed position, in order to: - to place said control element in said second position, and - to secure the said slave leaf to the said master leaf. Opening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuating means of said locking means of said slave leaf (12) include return means capable of placing said locking means in said locking position, in the absence of external action on said actuating means.

3. Opening according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating means of said locking means of said slave leaf (12) comprise a pin (126) movable substantially vertically, on the face of said slave leaf (12) facing said master leaf (11), between a high position corresponding to said first position and a low position corresponding to said second position.

4. Opening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuating piece (116) has an inclined plane (1161) capable of moving said pin (126) from said high position to said low position, when said master leaf (11) moves towards its closing position in front of said slave leaf (12) whose position is blocked in its closing position.

5. Opening according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said actuating piece (116) has a notch (1162) capable of locking said pin (126), relative to said master leaf (11) and in said lower position.

6. Opening according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said master leaf (11) has reversible locking means capable of blocking its position relative to said opening (2), in said closing position of said master leaf (11).

7. Opening according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means for blocking the movement of said slave leaf (12), when said slave leaf (12) and said master leaf (11), joined together, move towards their closing position and said slave leaf (12) reaches its closing position.

8. Opening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the continued movement of said master leaf (11) towards its closed position, when said slave leaf (12), which is fixed to said master leaf (11), has reached its closed position, results in the loss of contact between said actuating part (116) and said control element, leading to:

9. - the passage of said control element into said first position, and - the separation of said slave leaf (12) and said master leaf (11). Boat cabin opening, characterized in that it is equipped with an opening according to any one of the preceding claims.

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