Locking device for an opening leaf of a boat, and opening leaf equipped with such a locking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an opening leaf for closing an opening of a boat cabin, consisting of at least two translatably movable wings: a slave wing (12) which has locking means capable of immobilizing it in its closed position, these locking means being controlled by a control element which is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a master wing (11) which has an actuating part (116) able to come into contact with the control element, when the master wing (11) moves towards its open position in front of the slave wing (12) with the latter immobilized in its closed position, in order to place the control element in its unlocking position, and to secure the slave wing (12) to the master wing (11).

Description

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 specifically to the movable shutters intended to close these openings. Previous art

[0002] The cabins of habitable boats feature a number of openings. These openings may be portholes, or access points such as doors or hatches. These openings can typically be closed by hinged doors or sliding panels, making the cabin 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] Typically, the panels that make up the openings can be movable, rotating around hinges. However, when the movable panels are in the open position, they can encroach on the available space in the cabin, which can be problematic in the confined spaces of a boat cabin.

[0005] It is also known that the movable sashes 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. In such a case, the sashes are often held by substantially horizontal and parallel rails, each rail guiding the upper or lower edge of the movable sash.

[0006] When the movable leaf is in a position in which it does not obstruct the opening, it is usually placed opposite a fixed wall element of the boat cabin, subsequently 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 size of openings in boat cabins, particularly to improve light 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 off by a plurality of sliding sashes in parallel tracks. Thus, for example, using two sliding sashes to close an opening allows these sashes, in their open position, to overlap in front of a fixed panel whose surface area is approximately half the size of the opening.

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

[0009] However, when weather conditions deteriorate, those responsible for closing the openings may forget to check that one of the doors is locked in the closed position. In such a case, when the boat is subjected to strong pitching and / or rolling movements, the unlocked door can be pulled towards its open position. This movement of the door can create a risk of a passenger's finger or limb becoming trapped between the door and the frame, thus compromising safety. Furthermore, by leaving the opening at least partially open, it can allow rain, wind, or waves to enter 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 the boat cabins.

[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 shuttered position.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide a locking device that allows the leaves to be kept 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 harsh 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 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 can, when it slides in front of the slave leaf, act on the locking system of the slave leaf to, at the same time: unlock the slave leaf from the frame of the opening, 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 arrives in its closed position, its locking system can, at the same time: lock the slave leaf from the opening frame, in its closed position, and unlock the slave leaf from the master leaf, to allow the master leaf to slide into its own closed position.

[0021] Thus, the user can be assured that when the master leaf is locked in the opening frame, 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 boat cabin, said opening being made up 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 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 slave leaf, having means for locking its position relative to the frame of said opening, these locking means not being actuable by a user,The master leaf having actuation means 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: the unlocking of the locking means of 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 joined together, from their closed position to their open position, simultaneously causes, when the slave leaf reaches its closed position: the locking of the locking means of the position of the slave leaf with respect to the frame of said opening, and the disengagement 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 relative 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 leaf, 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 closed 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 to the opening 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 mechanisms ensure that the slave leaf remains locked open when it is not connected 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 actuating the locking means of the slave leaf include a pin that is substantially movable vertically, 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 pawl provides 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 upper position to its lower 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 recall.

[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 peg 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 locking 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 to 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 figures among which: Figure 1 represents an opening formed by a master leaf and a slave leaf, in its closed position, in which the leaves together close an opening; Figure 2 is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf of the opening in its closed position; Figure 3 is a detail view of a corner of the slave leaf of the opening in its closed position; Figure 4 represents the opening during its opening, in a position in which the master leaf largely covers the slave leaf; Figure 5 is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening, in the position shown in Figure 6; Figure 7 represents the opening during its opening.In a position where the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf, this is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening, in the position represented by this, this is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening, in the position where the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf and is fixed to this slave leaf, this represents the opening during its movements between its closed and open positions, in a position where the master leaf almost completely covers the slave leaf and is fixed to this slave leaf, this is a detail view of a corner of the master leaf and the slave leaf of the opening, during the closing movement of the opening, in the position where the slave leaf is blocked in its locked position.

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

[0041] Typically, the opening 2 has a roughly rectangular shape, defined by a superior border 24, a inferior border 23, and lateral borders. Among these lateral borders, the border on the right in the figures is designated as the proximal border 21 of the opening 2, and the border on the left is designated as the distal border 22 of the opening 2.

[0042] The opening 1 is formed by two sliding leaves, which are respectively designated, in the following description, as the master leaf 11 and the 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 can be formed by a solid panel or a glazed panel, which may consist of a frame surrounding a pane of glass.

[0043] Typically, the upper edges 24 and lower edges 23 of the opening 2 are fitted 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 the, 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 the.

[0049] Thus, la is a detailed 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 la, protrudes from the upper edge 114 of the master leaf 11.

[0050] When the master leaf 11 is in its closed position represented by the, 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 other hand, 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 mechanism is advantageously combined with actuating means, which may be located near the distal edge 112 of the master leaf 11, capable of moving the bolt 115 from its locked position shown in the diagram to its unlocked position, and vice versa. This actuating mechanism may advantageously be manually operated and may be combined 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 different variants, known in themselves, of the means of locking the position of the master leaf 11 in the opening 2. He will also be able to implement means of actuation, preferably manually actuable, which are well known in themselves and will therefore not be described in more detail.

[0054] Figure 1 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 figure 1, 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 the, 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 other hand, 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 mechanism is advantageously combined with actuation means, which may be located near the proximal edge 121 of the slave leaf 12, capable of moving the bolt from its locked position shown in the diagram to an unlocked position, and vice versa. These actuation means for the bolt 125 are, however, not designed for manual operation.

[0058] The means for actuating the bolt 125 include, 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 a raised position, represented by the figure, in which the bolt 125 is in its locked position, and a lowered position, represented by 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 lowered position.

[0059] Of course, a person skilled in the art will be able to implement different variants, known in themselves, of the means for locking the position of the slave leaf 12 in the opening 2. He will also be able to implement actuation means of another type known to a person skilled in the art, these actuation means having, however, for the implementation of the invention, present, on the face of the slave leaf 12 which faces the master leaf 11, a movable control element 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 sash 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] The figure represents the master leaf 11 during this movement, which is symbolized by the 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] This is a detailed view representing the corners of the master leaf 11 and the slave leaf 12, formed by the proximal and upper edges of each of these leaves, in the position shown in the figure. 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 completely, or almost completely, covers 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 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 the figure, is held in place by the action of the spring which tends 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 the diagram, 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 on the.

[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 1 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 closing position, schematically represented by arrow 36 on the, then pushes 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 upper position, driving the bolt 125 to its locking position, as represented 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 closing position, or to the master leaf 11 when it is in another position.

Claims

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 control element movable between: a first position, in which said actuating means maintain said locking means in said locked position, and a second position,in which said actuating 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 "master leaf" (11), having an actuating part (116) capable of coming 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: place said control element in said second position, and to secure said slave leaf to 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. 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. 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. Opening according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said actuating piece (116) has a notch (1162) suitable for locking said pin (126), relative to said master leaf (11) and in said lower position. 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). 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. Opening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the continuation of the movement of said master leaf (11) towards its closing position, when said slave leaf (12) attached to said master leaf (11), has reached its closing position, causes the loss of contact between said actuating part (116) and said control element, resulting in: 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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