EP0280872A1 - Device for securing a cover closing an opening - Google Patents

Abstract

On a cover for an opening, which cover comprises a frame (1) and a lid or grating (2), an elastically deformable, bar-shaped closing element (8) is provided on the lid or grating (2), which closing element (8) forms one part of a locking device (7), while the other part of the locking device (7) is a retaining element (8) which is a groove (12) which is arranged in the frame (1) and in which a closing finger (11) arranged on the closing element (8) can catch under elastic deformation of the closing element (8). The lid or grating (2) is thereby held in the frame (1) in a positive-locking simple manner. …<IMAGE>…

Description

The invention relates to a device for securing a cover that closes an opening and is composed of a frame and a cover or grate, the cover or grate being secured by a locking device against the unwanted displacement or removal of the cover.

The invention relates to the field of road equipment in which covers for openings, e.g. of shafts, canals, water drains are used, with the cover or grate covering the opening, but for certain purposes, e.g. Controls is removable. Such covers are not only on streets, but also in atriums, halls, floors in buildings and the like. used.

Covers are known in many designs. They consist essentially of a frame and a lid or a grate, the upper edge of the frame and the lid generally being flush with the bottom surface. The cover or grate of such a cover is intended to withstand all the stresses that occur, without being displaced or even lifted out of the frame.

To reduce weight, the lid or grate is increasingly being built as lightly as possible. Here, materials are also used that have a higher strength, e.g. Spheroidal graphite cast iron. In such a known cover GB-PS 1 539 677 a grate is used, which consists of several spaced bars arranged side by side, each connected to the adjacent bar at opposite ends. Thanks to this serpentine connection of the bars, the grate as a whole is an elastic element that can be compressed and inserted into the frame, where it can be snapped into the frame when relaxing. A disadvantage of this design, however, is that because of the relatively high elasticity, the cover can be elastically deformed when it is passed over by vehicles, so that it can jump out of the frame.

This is where the invention comes in, which is based on the object of designing a device of the type described in the introduction in such a way that removal from the frame is reliably avoided even when the cover or grate is formed in a material of higher strength.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one elastically deformable, rod-shaped closing element is provided either on the substantially dimensionally stable frame or on the substantially dimensionally stable lid or grate, which is designed as one part of the locking device, while the other part the locking device is a locking element which is arranged in the cover or grate or in the frame and into which the closing element can be snapped using its elastic deformability.

• Fig. 1 eine schematisch dargestellte Draufsicht eines in einem Rahmen eingesetzten Rostes mit einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung,
• Fig. 2 eine Teilansicht des Rostes und des Rahmens nach Fig. 1 in vergrösserter, räumlicher Darstellung,
• Fig. 3 eine schematisch dargestellte Draufsicht eines weiteren, in einem Rahmen eingesetzten Rostes mit einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung,
• Fig. 4 eine schmatisch dargestellte Draufsicht eines Rostes für eine Abdeckung,
• Fig. 5 eine schematisch dargestellte Draufsicht eines Rahmens für einen Deckel oder einen Rost,
• Fig. 6 eine Teilansicht des Rahmens nach Fig. 5 in vergrösserter, räumlicher Darstellung,
• Fig. 7 eine schematisch dargestellte Draufsicht eines in einem Rahmen eingesetzten Rostes mit einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung,
• Fig. 8 ein Detail der Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 7,
• Fig. 9. eine Ansicht einer Betätigungsgabel für die Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 7,
• Fig. 10 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht eines Rostes mit einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung ähnlich derjenigen nach Fig. 7 in räumlicher Darstellung,
• Fig. 11 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht eines Sperrelementes für eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 10 in räumlicher Darstellung,
• Fig. 12 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht einer Lagerung für einen Rost nach Fig. 10 oder Fig. 14,
• Fig. 13 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht einer weiteren, im Rahmen vorgesehenen Lagerung für einen Rost nach Fig. 10 oder Fig. 14,
• Fig. 14 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht eines Rostes mit einer weiteren Verriegelungsvorrichtung in räumlicher Darstellung,
• Fig. 15 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht eines Wasserablaufes, dessen Rost mehrteilig ausgebildet ist, wobei die Rostteile ähnlich dem Rost gemäss Fig. 10 und 14 mit Verriegelungsvorrichtungen versehen sind, und
• Fig. 16 eine schematisch dargestellte Ansicht eines Rostes mit randseitigen Schliesselementen.

The invention is shown in the drawing in several exemplary embodiments and described below. Show it:

• 1 is a schematic plan view of a grate used in a frame with a locking device,
• 2 is a partial view of the grate and the frame of FIG. 1 in an enlarged, spatial representation,
• 3 shows a schematically represented top view of a further grate inserted in a frame with a locking device,
• 4 is a schematic top view of a grate for a cover,
• 5 is a schematic top view of a frame for a lid or grate,
• 6 is a partial view of the frame of FIG. 5 in an enlarged, spatial representation,
• 7 shows a schematically illustrated top view of a grate inserted in a frame with a locking device,
• 8 shows a detail of the locking device according to FIG. 7,
• 9 is a view of an operating fork for the locking device of FIG. 7,
• 10 is a schematic view of a grate with a locking device similar to that of FIG. 7 in a spatial representation,
• Fig. 11 is a schematically illustrated view of a locking element for a locking device according to FIG. 10 in a spatial representation,
• 12 shows a schematically represented view of a bearing for a grate according to FIG. 10 or FIG. 14,
• 13 shows a schematically represented view of a further bearing provided in the frame for a grate according to FIG. 10 or FIG. 14,
• 14 is a schematic view of a grate with a further locking device in a spatial representation,
• 15 is a schematically illustrated view of a water drain, the grate of which is formed in several parts, the grate parts being provided with locking devices similar to the grate according to FIGS. 10 and 14, and
• Fig. 16 is a schematic view of a grate with edge-side closing elements.

The cover shown in Fig. 1 has a frame 1, in which a grate is inserted. The grate 2 is composed of crossing bars 3, 4 and is arranged such that free end parts 5, 6 protrude above the last bar in each case at the ends of the bars. The grate 2 is supported with its end parts 5, 6 on an inside support flange 9 of the frame 1.

A locking device 7 is arranged in each of the two corners of the cover shown in FIG. 1. The locking device 7 is composed of a locking element 8 and a locking element 10, see FIG. 2, the locking element 8 being designed as a specially shaped end part the same position as the end part 5 is arranged. The closing element 8 differs from the end part 5 in that it has a thinner wall thickness and a lower overall height, see FIG. 2. The closing element 8 reduces its overall height towards its free end and ends in a closing finger 11 which is in a groove 12 protrudes in frame 1. The groove 12 is additionally covered by a lip 13 which forms part of the edge of the frame 1. The lip 13 extends only into the area of the closing finger 11.

For positive locking of the grate 2 in the frame 1, it is necessary for the closing element 8 to be pivoted elastically sideways so that it can snap into the groove 12. To remove the grate 2, an elastic deformation of the closing element 8 must be carried out again until the closing finger 11 is located outside the groove 12 and the lip 13. The bending position is indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the grate used in FIG. 3 in the frame 1, the locking device 7 is designed similarly to that according to FIG. 1. The closing element 8 is designed as an elastically deformable arm which is designed with a hinge 15. The band joint 15 can be, for example, a band element known from plastics. In this case, the closing element 8 does not need to be given a special shape, but only requires the closing finger 11 at the free end, which is inserted into the groove 12 in the frame 1. If the wall thickness of the frame 1 is sufficient, there is no need to form a lip, but the groove 12 is guided upwards at one end to which point the closing element 8 has to be bent.

In the same way, 1 locking device 7 can be provided in each corner of the frame. However, it is also possible to provide two opposite end parts 5 with a pin 16, see FIGS. 10 and 14, which fit into a slot 38 or 43 of the frame 1, see FIGS. 12 and 13, can be inserted as a bearing for the pin 16. If the locking elements 8 of the two locking devices 7 arranged on the opposite side are engaged, the pin 16 can no longer be moved out of its slot 38 or 43.

In Fig. 4 a grate 2 is shown schematically, the rods 3, 4 are arranged in any manner. It is essential here that the frame 2 has no free end parts, but the rods 3 are delimited by edge rods 18. So that the locking device 7 can be used, the edge bars 18 are shortened at the corners of the grate 2, so that a free end part 5 is formed, which can be designed as a closing element 8.

The closing element 8 forms the continuation of a rod 3, on which project short end parts 6 with which the grate 2 is supported on the support flange of the frame, see also FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a frame 1, on which elastically flexible closing elements 8 are arranged parallel to the one frame side, the roots 19 of which lie on opposite frame sides, see also FIG. 6.

From Fig. 6 it can be seen that a protruding holding finger 20 is arranged at the free end of the closing element 8, which forms an undercut 21 for a finger provided on the grate, not shown. To insert a grate into the frame 1 according to FIG. 6, the two closing elements 8 must be elastically deformed laterally. If the grate or the cover is then inserted, the two closing elements can spring back into their normal position, in which they hold the frame in a form-fitting manner. To simplify the manufacture of the frame 1, this can be at the corners, where the free end of the closing element 8 ends, two parts are divided and then assembled.

The locking devices 7 described are all similar and consist of an elastically flexible closing element 8 and a dimensionally stable locking element 10. The elastically flexible closing element 8 can either be arranged in the cover or grate 2, see FIGS. 1-4, or also in the frame 1, see Fig. 6. In the latter case, the dimensionally stable locking element is a closing finger arranged on the grate or cover 2.

The locking devices 7 described in FIGS. 7-15 also work in this way. They are variants and mainly concern constructive deviations.

A cover with a grate 2 is shown schematically in FIG. 7, the grate 2 having cross bars 24 and longitudinal bars 25, the latter forming edge bars 25 with projections 26 at the ends. With the projections 26, the grate 2 is mounted on the support flange 14 of the frame 1.

Between the projections 26, dimensionally stable locking element 10 is fastened in the support flange 14 of the frame 1, see also FIG. 8. The locking elements 10 have a concave, mutually directed surface area 28, under which a recess 29 is located. A locking element 8 engages in this recess 29. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the closing element 8 is an angled arm, the foot part 30 of which is supported on the rods 24, 25. A leg 31 adjoins the foot part 30, the free end of which engages in the recess 29 in the normal position. The convexly curved part 28 of the locking elements 10 is used for this purpose. The grate 2 can be pressed down with a certain force, as a result of which the two legs 31 are deformed in such a way that they slide over the curved part 28 and then snap into the recess 29.

To remove the grate 2, it is necessary to press the two legs 31 together, which is possible with the help of the fork-shaped tool 33 shown in FIG. 9. For this purpose, the two arms 34 of the tool 33 form a slot 36 and have bevels 35 directed towards one another, as a result of which the end of the slot 36 is large enough that the arms 34 can be pushed over the two legs 31, whereby the legs are elastically bent toward one another and thereby the grate 2 can be lifted.

In the same way, on the opposite side, not shown, of the grate 2, the corresponding closing elements 8 can be deformed by the tool 33 and the grate 2 can be lifted out of the frame 1 on this side. For the form-fitting mounting of the grate 2, four locking devices 7 are required, two of which are each arranged in mirror image.

The grate 1 shown in FIG. 10, consisting of longitudinal bars 25 and cross bars 24, has a locking device 7 similar to that in FIG. 7. As with all other grates, the cross bars 24 and longitudinal bars 25 are dimensionally stable and only the closing elements 8 are elastically deformable. 10, these closing elements are obliquely inclined rods arranged at the corners of a longitudinal and a transverse rod, which interact with a locking element 10, see FIG. 11, of the frame 1, not shown. In this case, the closing elements 8 must be spread out so that they can snap under the projection 37 of the locking element 10. On the opposite side of the locking device 7 2 pins 16 are arranged on the end faces of the grate, which are guided in grooves 38 of the frame 1, see Fig. 12. The grate 2 can thus first be inserted into the grooves 38 and then with simultaneous deformation of the Closing elements 8 in the Locking elements 10 are snapped onto the frame 1, whereby a form-fitting mounting of the grate 2 in the frame 1 is achieved.

The pegs 16 can also be supported according to FIG. 13, a section 42 with a greater wall thickness being provided in the frame 1, into which a slot 43 is incorporated, which is also used as a mount for the pegs 16 on the end faces of the grate 2 is provided.

The grate according to FIG. 14 is designed similarly to that in FIG. 10, but the closing elements 8 are designed as bars 45 running parallel to the longitudinal bars 25. The rods 45 are arranged on a dimensionally stable end part 5 and protrude with a cam 46 into the projection 37 of the locking element 10. To engage the rods 45, they must be elastically deformed inward so that they can be pushed over the projection 37. The concavely curved shape of the projection 37 creates the possibility that the grate 2 can be released from the locking element 10 with a certain force. It is therefore a form-fitting connection that is released after a certain force is exceeded.

15 shows the use of the grates according to FIGS. 10 and 14 as a row grate, with which a drainage channel 47 is covered. Here, several locking devices 7 are provided, which consist of individually or in pairs arranged, elastically deformable locking elements 8, which are similar to the locking devices shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 14. The corresponding locking elements 10 are provided on the edge of the drainage channel 47. 16 shows a further grate 2, which has adjacent, curly slots 48. Two opposite grate edges are formed as a closing element 8, which by means of a flexible web 49 with the rest of the Grate 2 is connected. This remaining part of the grate forms a dimensionally stable part, since the bars 50 lying between the slots 48 are connected to one another at both ends.

At the ends of the locking elements 8, locking fingers 11 are provided, which can snap into the locking element of the frame, not shown. As can be seen from FIG. 16, the closing fingers 11 can also be arranged offset by 180 ° at the end of the closing elements 8, as is shown in broken lines in FIG. 16.

An elastically deformable material is to be used for the locking elements 8 of the locking devices 7. Since the lids and grids 2 are usually made in one piece, this is suitable, e.g. ductile cast iron in the form of spheroidal graphite or meehanite cast iron. But a plastic, possibly reinforced, is also possible.

Instead of the grids 2 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 16, lids can also be used, with corresponding recesses having to be provided for the locking devices 7.

Claims (10)

1. A device for securing an opening closing, from a frame (1) and a cover or grate (2) composed cover, the cover or grate by a locking device (7) from the unwanted displacement or removal of the cover or grate is secured, characterized in that at least one elastically deformable, rod-shaped closing element (8) is provided either on the substantially dimensionally rigid frame (1) or on the essentially dimensionally rigid lid or grate (2), which is part of the locking device ( 7) is formed, while the other part of the locking device is a locking element (10) which is arranged in the cover or grate (2) or in the frame (1) and in which the closing element can be latched using its elastic deformability. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element is an elastically deformable web (8) with a closing finger (11), the closing finger in a groove (12) in the frame (1) for positive locking of the cover or grate ( 2) can be snapped in (FIG. 2). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element is a rod (8) with a hinge (15) (Fig. 3). 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (7) from two on the edge of the cover or grate (2) arranged in a mirror-image position, elastically deformable closing elements (8) and two on the frame (1) attached cam-shaped locking elements (10) is assembled. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two closing elements (8) are designed as unwound, elastically deformable legs (31) (Fig. 7). 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two locking elements (8) assigned to the locking elements (8) with a convexly curved sliding part (28) for guiding the locking elements when inserting the cover or grate (2) into the frame (1 ) and is provided with a subsequent recess (29) for engaging the closing elements (Fig. 8). 7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two closing elements (8) in an edge recess of the cover (2) or in the corner of an intersection of two bars (24, 25) of the grate (2) are arranged and against each other extend the frame (1) (Fig. 10). 8. Device according to Fig. 4 or 5, characterized in that a locking device (7) with the two closing elements (8) is arranged on opposite sides of the cover or grate (2). 9. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking device (7) on one side of the cover or grate (2) are arranged, while on the opposite side a pivot bearing (16, 38, 43) is provided, wherein the pivot bearing is composed of a pivot pin (16) fastened to the end faces of the cover or of the grate (2) and on each bearing groove (38, 43) in the frame (1) (FIGS. 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 ). 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element is an elastically deformable, rod-shaped web (8) attached to the frame (1), at the free end of which a holding finger (20) forming an undercut (21) for receiving an finger attached to the lid or grate is provided (Figs. 5 and 6).

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