WO2013156693A1

WO2013156693A1 - Ratchet locking system

Info

Publication number: WO2013156693A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali ABOU ASKAR; Jean-Gilles LIOGIER
Original assignee: Intech Auvergne
Priority date: 2012-04-16
Filing date: 2013-04-15
Publication date: 2013-10-24
Also published as: FR2989395B1; EP2839087A1; EP2839087B1; FR2989395A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for locking a slab on a receiving frame comprising: - a body (3b) rigidly connected to a cover member (29) of the slab, - a locking finger (4) that is movable in a housing provided in the body (3b) and intended to bear on the receiving frame in a locked position, - a first elastic member (5) for driving the finger (4) into the locked position, and - a return member (9) for returning the finger (4) into an unlocked position, against the action of the first elastic member (5). The locking position in particular comprises a ratchet (51) for blocking the finger (4) in the unlocked position, the ratchet being rigidly connected to a second elastic member (16) linked to the body of the locking system, the return member comprising an actuation surface (9) intended to be moved by pressure from a blocking tool (13).

Description

RATCHET LATCH SYSTEM

The technical sector of the present invention is that of slab fastening systems used in particular to form vertical partitions, horizontal or inclined.

The patent application FR2940988 teaches ceiling tiles equipped with fastening means which are unlocked by means of a magnet producing a magnetic field.

However, it appears a problem for vertical slabs for which it is necessary to unlock all the fastening means at the same time. Indeed, if one unlocks the fixing means, there is a high probability that the locking means which is no longer subject to the action of the magnetic field is locked again to the frame receiving the slab. The same problem arises in the case of slabs equipped with a large number of fastening means such as the housings described in the patent application FR2940988.

An apparatus sufficiently wide to produce a magnetic field over the entire surface of the slab would unlock all fasteners at the same time and thus remove the slab. Such an apparatus, in the case of large slabs, however, would be too bulky and too heavy a weight to allow a user to handle it easily. It is common to use vertical slabs having a length of several meters over a width of about one meter.

The object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new locking system for a slab.

The subject of the invention is therefore a system for locking a slab on a reception frame comprising:

a body integral with a slab cover element,

a locking pin movable in a housing made in the body and intended to bear on the receiving frame in a locked position,

a first elastic member for driving the finger in the locked position, and a member for restoring the finger in an unlocked position against the action of the first elastic member,

characterized in that it comprises a pawl for locking the finger in the unlocked position, the pawl being secured to a second elastic member connected to said body, the restoring member comprising an actuating surface intended to be displaced by the support of a blocking tool.

According to a feature of the invention, the second elastic member comprises a tongue accessible when the slab is disassembled, arranged so that an action on the tongue unblocks the pawl and releases the finger of said unlocked position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is formed in one piece with the second elastic member.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is intended to be fixed against the edge of an opening made in a rail to which the body is fixed.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the pawl is positioned to remain unlocked along the stroke traversed by the finger between the locked position and intermediate positions of engagement of the slab in its receiving frame.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body comprises a passage made vis-à-vis the actuating surface of the return member.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the return member comprises a pivoting pin held in a housing of the body, the axis being fixed to at least a first drive arm of the finger against the action of the first elastic member and at least one second support arm of the actuating surface, the first arm being arranged against a lateral lug integral with the finger.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the second arm comprises at its end opposite the pivoting axis, a tooth cooperating with an angular portion constituting the integral pawl of the second elastic member. According to another characteristic of the invention, the second elastic member is integral with a first tooth constituting the pawl and intended to cooperate with a second tooth integral with the finger, the return member being secured to the finger.

Another object of the invention relates to a slab intended to be maintained in a receiving frame and comprising at least one locking system according to the invention.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the slab comprises an access port to the actuating surface of the locking system of the locking device, this orifice being arranged to allow the insertion of the locking tool. blocking which is then pushed or pivoted relative to the slab to bring and lock the finger in the unlocked position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the slab comprises a covering element in the form of a fabric arranged to allow the insertion of the locking tool which is then pushed or pivoted relative to the slab to act on the actuating surface of the locking system return member and to move and lock the finger in the unlocked position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the slab comprises L-shaped rails joined together so as to form an insertion frame covering at least in part the frame for receiving the slab, at least one of the locking systems being disposed in an angle of the insertion frame, said locking system being fixed to the two rails forming this angle.

Another object of the invention relates to a partition formed by slabs according to the invention, the slabs being held in one or more receiving frames. Such a partition may be vertical or inclined. Such a partition can be arranged horizontally to form a floor or a ceiling.

A first advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the locking systems can be unlocked one after the other since the locking of the finger is assured.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the locking system can be easily rebooted.

Other features, advantages and details of the invention will be better understood on reading the additional description which will follow of embodiments given by way of example in relation to drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a slab fixed in its receiving frame;

FIG. 2 represents an exploded view of a locking system;

- Figures 3 to 5 show each side view of the locking system of Figure 2, without the lateral sides of the body of the locking system;

- Figure 6 shows a perspective view showing the front and top faces of a locking system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear and bottom faces of the locking system of FIG. 6;

- Figures 8 to 10 each show a side view of the locking system of Figure 6, without the lateral sides of the body of the locking system;

- Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a locking system;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the front and top faces of the locking system of FIG. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the front and bottom faces of the locking system of Fig. 11;

- Figure 14 shows a perspective view in section of a locking system, in the locked position, a slab mounted in its receiving frame;

- Figure 15 shows a perspective view in section of a locking system, in the unlocked position, a slab mounted in its receiving frame;

FIG. 16 represents a perspective view of a slab before it is mounted in a reception frame; FIG. 17 represents a view of the non-visible face of a partition.

The invention will now be described in more detail. Figure 1 shows an example of cover plate 29 comprising rails 23 fixed on its non-visible face. Locking systems 1 are fixed to the rails against the edge delimiting an opening 22 in the rail 23. The slab comprising the cover plate 29, the rails 23 and the locking systems 1 is inserted in the receiving frame 53 and y fixed automatically. Locking systems will now be described in more detail.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a locking system. It consists here of a body 3a comprising a front face 32 for fixing against a rail vis-à-vis the locking system. This rail vis-à-vis the locking system is part of the slab itself.

The body 3a is of substantially parallelepipedal shape and equipped with a wing 41 lateral. This lateral vane 41 serves for attachment to a side rail of the slab and comprises a bore for receiving a screw. The locking system is generally disposed in an angle of an insertion frame constituted by the rails and forming part of the slab.

The body 3a receives a return member 55a, a first elastic member 5, a finger 4 and a sleeve 39.

The body 3a comprises:

- A housing 33 for the locking pin 40 disposed in its sheath 39, of a shape adapted for a translation of the finger relative to the body 3a,

a housing 18 for an axis 11 guided in rotation with the return member 55a and

two housings 34 for arms 10 and 12 of the return member 55a.

These housings 18, 33 and 34 of the body are open on the front face of the body 3a, the front face 32 being intended to be fixed against the edge of an opening made in a rail as will be explained below. So, the finger of locking can emerge through this opening.

The housings 34 of the arms 12 of the return member are arranged on each side of the housing 33 receiving the finger 4. The housing 18 of the axis of the return member 55a is disposed at the front of the body and at- above the housing 33 for the finger.

The housing 18 of the axis guided in rotation 11 of the return member 55a comprises an upper wall of which two teeth 57 project slightly downwards, a bottom wall and two inner branches 58 arranged vis-à-vis from the top wall. The axis 11 of the return member is for example forcefully introduced into its housing 18 in the body 3a. The internal branches 58 are deformed elastically when the shaft 11 passes under teeth 57 which then maintain the axis 11 in its housing 18.

The return member 55a is in the form of an axis

11 of substantially cylindrical form secured to two pairs of arms 10 and 12. The arms 10 and 12 are flat and extend in a plane parallel to the geometric axis of the axis 11 of the return member 55a. The arms of the same pair are parallel to each other.

The finger 4 is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped in which is formed a bevel 40. This bevel 40 is formed on the front part of the finger and is intended to come against the receiving frame of the slab. The finger 4 comprises lateral pins 19 of cylindrical shape.

The first elastic member 5 is in the form of a helical spring. This spring 5 may be metal.

The sleeve 39 is of substantially parallelepipedal shape and comprises a front flange 35 and rear clips 36. A lateral groove 37 is formed on each side of the sleeve 39. The flange 35 is intended to abut around and outside the opening made in the rail vis-à-vis the locking system.

The sheath of rectangular section is guided in translation in the housing 33 of the finger and is fixed by the clips 36 projecting from the rear of the housing body 33. The translational guide of the finger 4 in its sheath 39 can be made by two lugs 19 integral with the finger 4 and arranged on each side of the finger to slide in the lateral grooves 37 of the sheath 39. The finger translation guide relative to the sheath can be achieved by the housing 38 of complementary shape to that of the finger 4 and corresponding substantially to the section of the finger.

During assembly, the finger 4 is introduced with the spring 5 into the body 3a. The first elastic member 5 is disposed between the rear face of the finger 4 and the inner wall of the body, the beveled portion 40 of the finger being oriented upwards.

The return member 55a is inserted into the body 3a, the arms of the return member coming from either side of each of the lugs.

The body 3a is then placed against the edge of a cut made in a rail coming opposite the locking system. A lateral fixation of the locking system may be provided in particular to stiffen the structure of the slab.

The sleeve 39 is then introduced into the opening of the rail to enter the housing 33 of the finger. The flange 35 is placed in abutment against the rail and the clips 36 are locked at the rear of the body 3a.

The references at the top and bottom of the locking system correspond to a horizontal slab inserted from the bottom to the top for a ceiling. Of course, the slabs can also be arranged vertically or inclined or even horizontal to form a floor for which the slabs are then inserted from top to bottom.

Additional details appear on the figures

3 to 5 illustrating three functional positions of the locking system la. The side walls of the lock system body have been removed for the purposes of the description.

In Figure 3, the finger 4 is disposed in a locked position which corresponds to the position in which the locking system is located before the insertion of the slab into its receiving frame. The finger 4 is in position projecting maximum and its bevelled portion 40 is disposed opposite the receiving frame before the insertion of the slab. After insertion, the finger 4 finds its maximum projecting position to bear against the receiving frame. The portion coming against the receiving frame in the locked position is that opposite the bevel 40.

The first elastic member 5, resting on the body, pushes the finger and keeps it in locked locked position. The return member 55a does not exert any action on the finger 4, the lugs 19 of the finger 4 simply coming into contact with the arms 12 of the return member and thus keep them in the position shown. The rail, not shown, to which the locking system is attached, is disposed between the bearing face 32 of the body and the collar 35.

Clips 36 fixing the sheath appear at the rear of the body.

A plate 42 for holding an insulating plate is disposed at the rear of the body. This wafer 42 is arranged parallel to a cover plate of the slab.

The return member 55a comprises an actuating surface 8 disposed on its arm 10 positioned above the lug 19. This link arm 10 carrying the actuating surface 8 comprises, at its end, a projecting tooth 14 cooperating with the pawl 45. This tooth 14 cooperates with a bearing surface 45 forming an angular portion of a second elastic member 17 disposed at the rear of the body. The second elastic member 17 comprises a tongue 20 arranged to be accessible at least when the slab is removed. The tongue 20 is in the form of a salient angle.

The body 3a is formed in one piece with the second elastic member 17. The body comprises at least one passage 6 disposed vis-à-vis the actuating surface 8 of the return member. The passage 6 is arranged in particular in the lower part and at the rear of the body 3a of the locking system la. 4 shows a position of the finger 4 during ^'the insertion of the slab in its reception part. The reception frame, not shown, then comes against the outer face of the flange 35. Thus, the finger 4 is flush with the outer surface of the flange 35. It is also possible to have a clearance between this flange 35 and the reception frame of the flange 35. slab in which case the finger is recessed with respect to its locking position shown in Figure 2, but remains slightly protruding from the flange 35. The representation in Figure 4 corresponds in fact to a maximum necessary retreat of the finger 4 when the insertion of the slab into its reception frame.

The return member 5 does not disturb the incoming and outgoing translation movement effected by the finger 4. In particular, even if the lugs 19 of the finger come into contact with one of the arms of the return member 55a, the tooth 14 protruding from it does not hang against the ratchet integral with the second elastic member 17. The return member 55a does not block the finger 4 in its intermediate positions, when inserting the slab in its receiving frame and thus achieves the automatic locking of the slab in its receiving frame.

FIG. 5 shows the locking position of the finger 4, that is to say the maximum retracted position of this finger in its housing 39. A locking tool 13 is inserted into the body 3a through the passage 6 and bears against the actuating surface 8 of the return member 55a to push it into a locking position of the pawl 45 against the projecting tooth 14 at the end of the return member 55a. Due to the locking of the pawl 45, the return member 55a remains in this same position when the locking tool 13 is removed.

The arms 12 of the return member 55a bear against the lugs 19 of the finger 4 which is held in a retracted position such that it can no longer lock against the receiving frame of the slab. The return member holds the finger in the unlocked position despite the action of the first elastic member 5 compressed between the finger and body.

By positioning all the locking systems in the unlocked position, the slab can be removed.

Once the slab is removed from its receiving frame, the tongue 20 of each second elastic member 17 is accessible to a user. By acting on the tongue 20, the second elastic member 17 is deformed and disarms the pawl. The finger 4 then returns to its locked position as shown in FIG. 3. The second elastic member 17 is notably pulled backwards and deformed under the action of the user, and then returns to the front when the user Release the tongue 20. The user can act on the tongue 20 with his fingers or with a tool.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view showing the top and the front of an alternative embodiment of the locking system while Figure 7 shows the bottom and the rear of this locking system.

The locking system comprises the same body 3a, the same finger 4 and the same sleeve 39 as the locking system previously described in relation to Figures 2 to 5, the same references being used for the same elements.

We find the passages 6 shown in perspective in Figure 7 and the tabs 20 disposed at the end of the second elastic members 17. Side slots 56 formed in the body 3a delimit the lateral edges of the second elastic members 17.

It appears in Figure 6 curved arms 46 of the return member which will be explained below.

Figures 8 to 10 show side views of this embodiment ^'of the locking system shown in Figures 6 and 8 of which the side walls of the body have been removed for clarity of description.

In Figures 8 to 10, the return member which comprises its curved arms 46 and 43 integral with the shaft 11, is associated with a spring 47 tending to separate this return member from the upper wall of the body 3a. We could also use this return member in cooperation with a helical spring as described in connection with Figures 2 to 5.

In Figure 8, the finger 4 is in the locked position which is also the position in which it is before the slab is inserted into its receiving frame.

In FIG. 9, the finger is recessed under the action of the receiving frame pushing the finger 4 by its bevelled portion 40, the finger being able to return to its locked position when the receiving frame no longer acts on it. this.

In Figure 10, the finger 4 is blocked by the pawl 45 in an unlocked position. The locking tool 13 is used to bring the locking system into this position. The system remains in this position when ^* the clamping die 13 is withdrawn. The user can subsequently release the finger by acting on the tongue 20 of the second elastic member 17.

The first elastic member 47 is in the form of a spring comprising two arms connected to one another by a portion wound on itself. This first elastic member 47 acts on the return member 55b and on the body 3a, so that the return member tends to push the finger into its locked position.

It is the arm 43 of the return member which pushes the finger towards its locked position. The lugs 19 can then be pushed by each of the two pairs of arms of the return member.

It is also possible to complete the action of this spring 47 by a helical spring 5 as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

As shown in Figure 9, the lugs 19 act on the rear arms 43 without causing the locking of the pawl, while the rear arms 43 maintain their action on the lugs 19 to automatically return the finger in the locked position.

In FIG. 10, the arm 46 before the return member pulls on the finger while the pawl is locked for keep your finger in an unlocked position. The lugs are then only in contact with the arm or arms 46 before the return member.

The locking of the pawl and its release are carried out in the same way as described in relation with FIGS. 3 to 5.

Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a locking system 1b.

This locking system lb comprises a body 3b comprising a housing 44 for the finger and a housing 48 for the portion secured to the finger 4 and constituting the actuating surface 9. These housings are made so that the finger 4 and the portion forming the actuating surface 9 are movable in translation relative to the body 3b.

The body 3b comprises a front face 32 for fixing to a rail of the slab. The housings 44 and 48 are open on the front of the body which is intended to be fixed on the edge of an opening made in the rail of the slab. This rail also includes openings for fixing screws inserted in bores on the front face 32 of the body.

The body 3b comprises a slat 16 movable elastically with respect to the body 3b and constituting the second elastic member. This strip 16 comprises a tongue 21 at its end protruding from the rear face of the body. This strip 16 is made in one piece with the body 3b.

The body 3b comprises an opening 7 disposed vis-à-vis an inner surface of the wafer 16 constituting the second elastic member.

The first elastic member 5 is intended to bear against a face of the finger opposite its bevelled portion 40 and an inner wall of the body 3b. The first elastic member 5 is in the form of a helical spring. This coil spring is for example made of metallic material.

The finger is of substantially parallelepiped shape and comprises a bevelled front portion 40 facing the receiving frame before the insertion of the slab. The finger comprises on its upper face a tooth 15 constituting part of the pawl for locking in the unlocked position.

The finger comprises on its underside a constituent portion of the actuating surface 9. This concave actuating surface 9 delimits an open housing vis-à-vis the opening 7 made in the lower wall of the body.

This portion secured to the underside of the finger further defines a stop 49 extending perpendicular to the underside of the finger. This stop 49 limits the movements of the finger in translation relative to the body, when the body is fixed to the rail which comes against its front face 32.

During assembly the finger and the first elastic member 5 are inserted into the body 3b and the front face 32 of the body 3b is fixed on the peripheral edges of an opening made in the rail. The locking finger thus leaves through this opening.

The locking system of FIG. 11 is shown in perspective, in its locked position, in FIGS. 12 and 13. The front face 32 and the top of this locking system 1b are shown in FIG. 12. The front face 32 and the below the locking system are shown in Figure 13.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the passage 7 made in the body is disposed opposite the actuating surface 9.

Moreover, the translational stop surface 49 comes in the plane of the front face 32 of the body. This surface 49 is indeed intended to bear against the rail, when the support face 32 is fixed against the rail. The finger then passes, in the locked position, through this opening in the rail.

The locking system is fixed to the rail for example by screwing or gluing.

A lateral fastening element 50 also makes it possible to hold against a lateral rail. This fastener lateral 50 is in the form of lug cooperating with a bore made in the side rail.

Figures 14 and 15 show perspective and sectional views of a slab equipped with a locking system.

In FIG. 14, the locking system is in the locked position, before the locking tool 13 acts on the actuating surface 9.

In Figure 15 the locking tool 13 drives the finger 4 in the unlocked position and blocked by the pawl. When the locking tool is removed, the locking system then remains in this unlocked position and allows to remove the slab from its receiving frame.

The locking tool is inserted into a through hole 24 formed in the cover plate 29 of the slab and opening in front of the passage made in the locking system. This plate which constitutes the covering element of the slab is generally rigid. Such a plate may be replaced by another covering element such as a flexible sheet of plastic material or a square of fabric, the cover element then being fixed to the insertion frame of the slab.

In the case of a covering element constituted by a fabric, it is possible to avoid making a hole in the covering fabric, the latter simply being disassembled locally for the passage of the locking tool.

The locking tool is pushed or pivoted relative to the slab to lock the pawl.

The locking tool comprises for example one or more projecting rods for actuating the return member. A protruding rod of the locking tool is for example of cylindrical or pointed form such as a needle.

The second elastic member 16 comprises a tooth 51 projecting towards the finger 4 cooperating with the tooth 15 of the finger 4 projecting towards the second elastic member 16. The tooth 51 integral with the second elastic member constitutes the pawl.

After the slab has been removed, the user acting on the tongue 21 at the end of the second organ elastic 16 away from the finger 4 and unlock the ratchet. The finger 4 then returns to its locked position.

The receiving frame of the slab includes T-shaped rails. The slab bears against a front plate of the receiving rail, this front plate being attached to the leg of the T.

The slab comprises an insertion frame comprising L-shaped rails, referenced 23. Each L-shaped rail 23 comprises a portion 25 parallel to the plate 29 covering the slab and two portions 26 and 27 perpendicular thereto. A first of these portions 27 is disposed on the edge of the cover plate 29 and serves for the positioning of the slab relative to a groove 40 made in the receiving rail. The other perpendicular portion 26, set back from the edge of the slab, comprises the opening 22 for the passage of the locking finger. This other perpendicular portion 26 serves in particular for fixing the locking system.

A slab 2 is shown in FIG. 16 before being inserted into a receiving frame 53. This slab 2 comprises four locking systems 1b arranged in the four internal angles of the insertion frame. The insertion frame comprises L-shaped rails 23 as described in connection with FIGS. 14 and 15.

The cover plate of the slab is for example equipped with a multitude of holes to be used as a slab of the acoustic type.

Figure 17 shows a partition 31 formed by slabs 2 held in receiving frames 53. Such a partition 31 may be horizontal to be a constituent of a ceiling or a floor. Such a partition may also be vertical or inclined.

FIG. 17 shows a non-visible face of the partition 31. It notably appears that the reception rails forming the reception frames 53 are masked by the slabs on the side of the apparent face of the partition 31, as shown by the corresponding dashed lines at the edges of the slabs. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows other embodiments. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered as illustrating the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A locking system (1a, 1b, 1c) of a slab (2) on a receiving frame (53) comprising:

a body (3a, 3b) integral with a covering element (29) of the slab (2),

- A locking finger (4) movable in a housing formed in the body (3a, 3b) and intended to bear against the receiving frame in a locked position,

a first elastic member (5, 47) for driving the finger (4) in the locked position, and

- a return member (55a, 55b, 9) of the finger (4) in an unlocked position, against the action of the first elastic member (5, 47),

characterized in that it comprises a pawl (45, 51) for locking the finger (4) in the unlocked position, the pawl being secured to a second elastic member (16, 17) connected to the body of the locking system, the return member comprising an actuating surface (8, 9) intended to be displaced by the support of a locking tool (13).

2. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second elastic member (16, 17) comprises a tab (20, 21) accessible when the slab (2) is disassembled, arranged to an action on the tongue (20, 21) releases the pawl and releases the finger (4) from the unlocked position.

3. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is formed in one piece with the second elastic member (16, 17)

4. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (la, lb) is intended to be fixed against the edge of an opening (22) made in a rail (23) to which the body is fixed.

5. locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl is positioned to remain unlocked along the stroke traveled by the finger (4) between the position locked and intermediate engagement positions of the slab in its receiving frame.

6. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body comprises a passage formed vis-à-vis the actuating surface of the return member.

7. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return member (55a, 55b) comprises a pivoting shaft (11) held in a housing (18) of the body (3a), the axis (18) being fixed to at least one first arm (12, 46) for driving the finger (4) against the action of the first elastic member (5) and at least one second arm ( 10, 43) for supporting the actuating surface (8), the first arm being arranged against a lateral lug (19) integral with the finger (4).

8. Locking system (la, lb, le) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second arm (10, 43) comprises at its end opposite the pivoting axis (11), a tooth (14). ) cooperating with an angular portion (45) constituting the integral pawl of the second elastic member (17).

9. locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second elastic member (16) is integral with a first tooth (51) constituting the pawl and intended to cooperate with a second tooth (15) integral with the finger (4), the return member (9) being integral with the finger (4).

10. Slab (2) intended to be held in a receiving frame (53) and comprising at least one locking system (la, lb, le) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Slab (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a. access port to the actuating surface of the locking system return member (1a, 1b, 1c), this opening being arranged to allow insertion of the locking tool (13) which is then pushed or pivoted relative to the slab (2) to bring and lock the finger in the unlocked position.

12. Slab (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a cover element in the form of a fabric arranged to allow the insertion of the locking tool (13) which is then pushed or pivoted relative to the slab (2) to act on the actuating surface of the locking system of the locking device (la, lb, le) and to bring and lock the finger in the unlocked position.

13. Slab (2) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it comprises L-shaped rails (23) joined together so as to form an insertion frame covering at least partly the frame of receiving (53) of the slab (2), at least one of the locking systems (1a, 1b, 1c) being disposed in an angle of the insertion frame, said locking system being fixed to the two rails (23) forming this angle.

14. Partition (31) formed by slabs (2) according to one of claims 10 to 13, the slabs (2) being held in one or more receiving frames (53).