U.S. patent application number 14/554842 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for ventilation opening for an aeration system.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALDES AERAULIQUE. Invention is credited to Alexandre CREDOZ, Patrick DAMIZET.
Application Number | 20150153054 14/554842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50289874 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150153054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CREDOZ; Alexandre ; et
al. |
June 4, 2015 |
VENTILATION OPENING FOR AN AERATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A ventilation opening for an aeration system, in particular of
the air admission opening type, of the type comprising a body
delimiting an air conveying duct and a flap pivotally mounted on
the front facade of the body between a closed position and an open
position, and further comprising a system for blocking the flap in
the open position and in the closed position, comprising an
elastically deformable locking blade that is fastened to the flap
and provided with at least two stops and a stopping device
incorporated to the front facade of the body and presenting at
least two bearing elements, where the locking blade cooperates with
a stopping device so that the flap passes from a closed position,
wherein a stop of the locking blade bears against a bearing
element, to an open position, wherein another stop of the locking
blade bears against another bearing element, by initially pushing
the flap against the front facade and then by spacing apart the
cover from the front facade, and the flap passes from the open
position to the closed position by pushing the flap against the
front facade.
Inventors: |
CREDOZ; Alexandre;
(Shanghai, CN) ; DAMIZET; Patrick; (La Chapelle
Villars, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALDES AERAULIQUE |
VENISSIEUX |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
50289874 |
Appl. No.: |
14/554842 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/322 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/14 20130101;
F24F 13/10 20130101; F24F 7/00 20130101; F24F 2007/003 20130101;
F24F 7/06 20130101; F24F 7/04 20130101; F24F 13/1426 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/04 20060101
F24F007/04; F24F 13/10 20060101 F24F013/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 3, 2013 |
FR |
13/62020 |
Claims
1. A ventilation opening for an aeration system, in particular of
the air admission opening type, of the type comprising: a body
delimiting an air conveying duct presenting an aperture opening out
on a front facade of said body; and a flap pivotally mounted on the
front facade of said body between a closed position of obstruction
of the aperture wherein the flap is folded back against the front
facade and covers the aperture, and an open position wherein the
flap is spaced apart from the front facade to allow the passage of
air through the aperture; said opening being wherein it further
comprises a system for blocking the flap in the open position and
in the closed position, comprising an elastically deformable blade
called locking blade that is fastened to the flap and provided with
at least two stops and a stopping device incorporated to the front
facade of the body and presenting at least two bearing elements,
where the locking blade cooperates with a stopping device so that
the flap passes from a closed position, wherein a stop of the
locking blade bears against a bearing element, to an open position,
wherein another stop of the locking blade bears against another
bearing element, by initially pushing the flap against the front
facade and then by spacing apart the flap of the front facade, and
the flap (4) passes from the open position to the closed position
by pushing the flap against the front facade.
2. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein the
locking blade protrudes from an inner face of the flap and presents
at least two stops including a proximal stop and a distal stop, the
proximal stop being closer to the inner face of the flap than the
distal stop.
3. The ventilation opening according to claim 2, wherein the
stopping device presents at least two bearing elements, including a
first bearing element and a second bearing element.
4. The ventilation opening according to claim 2, wherein: in the
closed position, the proximal stop of the locking blade bears
against the first bearing element and the locking blade is in an
elastically deformed state; and in the open position, the distal
stop bears against the second bearing element and the locking blade
is in a free state; where the flap passes from the closed position
to the open position by pushing the flap against the front facade
so that the proximal stop of the locking blade leaves its bearing
against the first bearing element and recovers its free state, then
discarding the flap of the front facade of the body until the
distal stop comes to bear against the second bearing element; and
where the flap passes from the open position to the closed position
by pushing the flap against the front facade so that the distal
stop leaves its bearing against the second bearing element, and the
proximal stop of the locking blade comes into contact with the
first bearing element and the locking blade is deformed until said
proximal stop repositions to bear against the first bearing
element.
5. The ventilation opening according to claim 2, wherein the
locking blade presents a general "U" shape presenting two branches
linked by a bend, including a main branch protruding from the inner
face of the flap and a secondary branch forming a return, and the
proximal stop is provided on one of the two branches and the distal
stop is provided on the other one of the two branches, the distal
stop being closer to the bend than the proximal stop.
6. The ventilation opening according to claim 5, wherein the
proximal stop is provided on the secondary branch, in particular at
its free end, and the distal stop is provided on the main
branch.
7. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein the
locking blade presents a predefined width called main width and the
stops are in the form of enlarged elements integral with the
locking blade and each presenting a width called secondary width
greater than the main width.
8. The ventilation opening according to claim 3, wherein the first
bearing element is offset relative to the second bearing element in
the plane of the front facade of the body.
9. The ventilation opening according to claim 8, wherein the
stopping device includes a frame delimited by two opposite facing
edges, and the first bearing element is composed of at least a
first protuberance protruding from one of said edges inwardly of
the frame and the second bearing element is composed of at least
one second protuberance protruding from the same edge as the first
protuberance inwardly of the frame, the two protuberances being
shifted with respect to one another along said edge, and the
locking blade cooperates with the stopping device engaging within
said frame.
10. The ventilation opening according to claim 9, wherein the first
bearing element is composed of two facing first protuberances
protruding from the respective edges of the frame inwardly of the
frame, and the second bearing element is composed of two facing
second protuberances protruding from the respective edges inwardly
of the frame.
11. The ventilation opening according to claim 7, wherein: the gap
between the two first protuberances is substantially equivalent to
the gap between the two second protuberances and this gap is, on
the one hand, substantially equivalent to or greater than the main
width of the locking blade and, on the other hand, smaller than
secondary width of the stops; and the gap (E1) between the two
edges of the frame is substantially equivalent to or greater than
the secondary width (LS) of the stops.
12. The ventilation opening according to claim 3, wherein the first
bearing element presents a front surface, situated opposite the
flap, which forms a ramp inclined with respect to the front facade
at a non-right and non-zero angle, so that the proximal stop is
guided over this ramp when the flap (4) passes from the open
position to the closed position.
13. The ventilation opening according to claim 3, wherein the first
bearing element presents a rear surface, facing the flap, which
forms a stair defining a bearing plate for the proximal stop in the
closed position.
14. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, comprising at
least one resilient recall member interposed between the front
facade of the body and an inner face of the flap and biasing said
flap to its open position.
15. The ventilation opening according to claim 14, wherein the
recall member and the locking blade are integral, in particular by
being carried out in one-piece.
16. The ventilation opening according to claim 14, wherein the
recall member includes an elastically deformable blade called
recall blade presenting an end fastened to the inner face of the
steering wheel a lower end trapped between two stopping surfaces of
the front facade.
17. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein the flap
is a solid flap, non-perforated and pivotally mounted on the front
facade of the body, according to a pivot axis substantially
parallel to the front facade.
18. The ventilation opening according to claim 17, wherein the flap
is pivotally mounted on the front facade of the body by means of
one or several male plugs protruding from one of the inner face of
the flap and the front facade, the or each male plug being engaged
in a groove provided on the other inner face of the flap and the
front facade.
19. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein the inner
face of the flap is partially covered by a layer of compressible
material, in particular with foam, which compresses under the
effect of the initial pushing of the flap when it passes from the
closed position to the open position.
20. The ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein the
stopping device is placed on the inner or outer periphery of the
aperture of the duct opening out on the front facade, this aperture
being optionally filled with a filter which does not cover the
stopping device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to and claims the benefit of
French Patent Application Number 13/62020 filed on 3 Dec. 2013, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a ventilation opening for
an aeration system, in particular of the air admission opening
type.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the field of ventilation of building rooms, such as for
example kitchens and bathrooms, it is known to use ventilation
openings for ensuring the renewal of fresh air within the rooms, by
allowing admission of a flow of fresh air into the rooms.
[0004] Such ventilation openings can, optionally, be associated to
air flow regulating or air flow modulating devices depending on
physical parameters of the air, such as for example moisture.
[0005] According to numerous current regulations, a ventilation
opening must be shaped so that the user can manually close the
ventilation opening completely in order to interrupt the admission
of air, or on the contrary completely open the ventilation opening
in order to ensure a maximum air admission.
[0006] As such, it is known to employ ventilation openings provided
with pivoting slats placed in front of an air admission of oblong
shape, these slats being guided in rotation with a handle
translating between a closed position with the substantially
coplanar and overlapping slats, and an open position with the slats
substantially perpendicular to the air admission.
[0007] It is also known to employ ventilation openings including a
perforated air admission facade and presenting ports and a
perforated flap rotatably mounted on the back of the facade and
presenting ports identical to those of the facade, the flap being
movable between a closed position in which it completely obstructs
the ports of the facade and an open position in which the ports
completely coincide with the ports of the facade to ensure maximum
air admission through the two sets of ports.
[0008] However, these ventilation openings offer mechanisms which,
over time, take wear and reduce the sealing.
[0009] A ventilation opening for a window frame is further known
from document WO 2008/127167, comprising a flap formed by a profile
rotatably movable on a frame. This flap presents, on its free edge,
a hook shaped return that is an integral part of the flap, this
return cooperating with a stopping part movable in translation on
the frame to block the flap in the closed position. After the
return of the flap is disengaged from the stopping part, thanks to
the sliding of the stopping part, the flap is released and can be
completely opened. This aeration opening presents a first drawback
which is that the flap, once opened, is not maintained in an open
position but tilts freely (under its own weight) until it is
completely open, A second drawback is due to the complexity of the
mechanism, which implements a stopping part slidable on the
frame.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention aims to propose a ventilation opening,
to associate or not to a device for regulating air flow or
modulating air flow, which incorporates a flap mechanism blockable
in the open position and the closed position, which is easy to
manipulate, responds effectively to the sealing requirements and is
of simple and inexpensive design.
[0011] To this end, it proposes a ventilation opening for an
aeration system, in particular of the air admission opening type,
of the type comprising: [0012] a body delimiting an air conveying
duct presenting an aperture opening out on a front facade of said
body; and [0013] a flap pivotally mounted on the front facade of
said body between a closed position of obstruction of the aperture
in which the flap is folded back against the front facade and
covers the opening, and an open position in which the flap is
spaced apart from the front facade in order to allow the passage of
air through the opening; said opening being remarkable in that it
further comprises a system for blocking the flap in the open
position and in the closed position, comprising an elastically
deformable blade called locking blade that is fastened on the flap
and provided with at least two stops and a stopping device
incorporated to the front facade of the body and presenting at
least two bearing elements, where the locking blade cooperates with
the stopping device so that the flap passes from a closed position,
in which a stop of the locking blade bears against a bearing
element, to an open position, in which another stop of the locking
blade bears against another bearing element, by initially pushing
the flap against the front facade and then spacing apart the flap
from the front cover, and the flap passes from the open position to
the closed position by pushing the flap against the front
facade.
[0014] Therefore, the flap presents an edge pivotally mounted on
the front facade of the body and the flap pivots between a closed
position in which the flap is flattened against the front facade,
and an open position in which it titled about its articulation and
the edge of the flap opposite to the articulation is spaced apart
from the front facade, so that in the open position the flap is
maintained spaced apart vis-a-vis the front facade of the body,
thanks to the locking blade of the blocking system, to allow the
passage of air through the space between the flap and this front
facade.
[0015] The blocking system allows easy passage from an open
position to a closed position by pushing the flap, according to a
dual pushing mechanism: a pushing to open the flap and pushing to
close the flap.
[0016] According to one characteristic, the locking blade protrudes
from the inner face of the flap and presents at least two stops,
including a proximal stop and a distal stop, the proximal stop
being closer to the inner face of the flap than the distal
stop.
[0017] It is of course conceivable to provide a third stop on the
locking blade, or even more, to multiply the number of positions of
the flap.
[0018] According to another characteristic, the stopping device
presents at least two bearing elements, including a first bearing
element and a second bearing element.
[0019] In accordance with another advantageous characteristic of
the invention: [0020] in the closed position, the proximal stop of
the locking blade bears against the first bearing element and the
locking blade is in an elastically deformed state; and [0021] in
the open position, the distal stop bears against the second bearing
element and the locking blade is in a free state; where the flap
passes from the closed position to the open position by pushing the
flap against the front facade so that the proximal stop of the
locking blade leaves its bearing against the first bearing element
and recovers its free state, and then by spacing apart the front
part of the body until the distal stop bears against the second
bearing element; and where the flap passes from the open position
to the closed position by pushing the flap against the front facade
such that the distal stop leaves its bearing against the second
bearing element, and the proximal stop of the locking blade comes
into contact with the first bearing element and the locking blade
deforms until said proximal stop repositions to bear against the
first bearing element.
[0022] In a particular embodiment, the locking blade presents a
general "U" shape presenting two branches linked by a bend,
including a main branch protruding from the inner face of the flap
and a second branch forming a return, and the proximal stop is
provided on one of the two branches and the distal stop is provided
on the other one of the two branches, the distal stop being closer
to the bend than the proximal stop.
[0023] Such a "U" shape advantageously allows to obtain an easily
deformable locking blade which allows to create an offset between
the two stops advantageous for ensuring the blocking of the two
positions of the flap.
[0024] Advantageously, the proximal stop is provided on the
secondary branch, in particular at its free end, and the distal
stop is provided on the main branch.
[0025] In a particular embodiment, the locking blade presents a
predefined width called main width and the stops are presented in
the form of enlarged elements integral with the locking blade and
which present each a width called secondary width greater than the
main width.
[0026] Therefore, the stops on the locking blade are carried out by
enlarging this locking blade in the areas which will form the
stops; these enlargements therefore defining kinds of notches that
fulfill the function of a stop.
[0027] According to one possibility of the invention, the first
bearing element is shifted with respect to the second bearing
element in the plane of the front facade of the body.
[0028] According to another possibility of the invention, the
stopping device includes a frame delimited by two opposite facing
edges, and the first bearing element is composed of at least one
first protuberance protruding from one of said edges inwardly of
the frame and the second bearing element is composed of at least
one second protuberance protruding from the same edge as the first
protuberance inwardly of the frame, the two protuberances being
shifted with respect to one another along said edge, and the
locking blade cooperates with the stopping device by engaging
within said frame.
[0029] The present invention also concerns the characteristic
according to which the first bearing element is composed of two
first protuberances facing one another protruding from the
respective edges of the frame inwardly of the frame, and the second
bearing element is composed of two second facing protuberances
protruding from the respective edges inwardly of the frame.
[0030] Advantageously, the stopping device satisfies the following
conformation: [0031] the gap between the two first protuberances is
substantially equivalent to the gap between the two second
protuberances and this gap is, on the one hand, substantially
equivalent to or greater than the main width of the locking blade
and, on the other hand, smaller than the secondary width of the
stops; and [0032] the gap between the two edges of the frame is
substantially equivalent to or greater than the secondary width of
the stops.
[0033] According to one characteristic, the first bearing element
presents a front surface, situated facing the flap, which forms a
ramp inclined with respect to the front facade at a non-right and
non-zero angle, so that the proximal stop is guided over this ramp
when the flap passes from the open position to the closed
position.
[0034] This form of ramp allows to guide and deform the locking
blade when the flap passes from the open position to the closed
position.
[0035] According to another characteristic, the first bearing
element presents a rear surface, opposite to the flap, which forms
a step defining a bearing plate for the proximal stop in the closed
position.
[0036] Advantageously, the opening comprises at least one elastic
recall member interposed between the front facade of the body and
an inner face of the flap and biasing said flap towards its open
position.
[0037] Therefore, when passing from the closed position to the open
position, the recall member automatically ensures the gap of the
flap after the initial pushing.
[0038] Advantageously, the recall member and the locking blade are
integral, in particular by being carried out in one-piece.
[0039] In this manner, the dual function (locking and recall) is
carried out by means of a single one-piece, thereafter called
opening/closing part.
[0040] According to one possibility, the recall member includes an
elastically deformable blade called recall blade presenting an end
fastened to the inner face of the steering wheel and a lower end
trapped between two stopping surfaces of the front facade.
[0041] Therefore, this recall blade exerts a spring function and a
function of maintaining the flap very effectively: on the one hand,
when the flap is raised on its pivot axis, the recall blade traps
the flap and applies a force upwards to prevent its from escaping
and, on the other hand, in the closed position, the recall blade
bends and thus applies a transverse force which assists the opening
of the flap.
[0042] In a particular embodiment, the flap is a solid flap,
non-perforated and pivotally mounted on the front facade of the
body, according to a pivot axis substantially parallel to the front
facade.
[0043] According to one possibility of the invention, the flap is
pivotally mounted on the front facade of the body by means of one
or several male plugs protruding from one of the inner face of the
flap and the front facade, the or each male plug being engaged in a
groove provided on the other one of the inner face of the flap and
the front facade.
[0044] Advantageously, the inner face of the flap is partially
covered with a layer of compressible material, particularly with
foam, which compresses under the effect of the initial pushing when
the flap passes from the closed to the open position; this layer
therefore forming a sealing joint.
[0045] According to a particular embodiment, the stopping device is
placed on the outer or inner periphery of the aperture of the duct
opening out on the front facade, this aperture being optionally
filled with a filter which does not cover the stopping device.
[0046] Therefore, the stopping device can be housed inside the
aperture and thus inside the duct, or outside the duct.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] Other characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description
below, a non-limitative example of implementation, with reference
to the appended figures in which:
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation opening in
accordance with the invention, in a position called recessed
position in which the flap is even more open than in the open
position;
[0049] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opening of FIG. 1, with
the sealing joint and the filter in place;
[0050] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the opening of
FIG. 1;
[0051] FIGS. 4 and 5 are zoomed perspective views of the stopping
device incorporated to the front facade of the body of the opening
of FIG. 1, respectively front view (FIG. 4) and rear view (FIG.
5);
[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration in four angles of an
opening/closing part employed in the opening of FIG. 1, with, from
left to right, a front view, a side view, a back view and a
perspective view;
[0053] FIG. 7 is a median sectional view of the opening of FIG. 1
in a closed position of the flap;
[0054] FIGS. 8a to 8c are zoomed partial views of the opening of
FIG. 7 in the closed position and illustrating the cooperation of
the locking blade with the stopping device, respectively rear view
(FIG. 8a), sectional perspective view (FIG. 8b) and front view
(FIG. 8c);
[0055] FIG. 9 is a median sectional view of the opening of FIG. 1
in an open position of the flap;
[0056] FIGS. 10a to 10c are partial zoomed views of the opening of
FIG. 7 in the closed position and illustrating the cooperation of
the locking blade with the stopping device, respectively rear view
(FIG. 10a), sectional perspective view (FIG. 10b) and front view
(FIG. 10c);
[0057] FIGS. 11a to 11f are median sectional views of the opening
of FIG. 1 during the passage from the closed position (FIG. 11a) to
the open position (FIG. 11f) through the various intermediate
successive positions (FIGS. 11b to 11e);
[0058] FIGS. 12a to 12d are median sectional views of the opening
of FIG. 1 during the passage from the open position (FIG. 12a) to
the closed position (FIG. 12d) through the various intermediate
successive positions (FIGS. 12b and 12c);
[0059] FIGS. 13a to 13d are median sectional views of the opening
of FIG. 1 during the passage from the open position (FIG. 13a) to
the recessed position (FIG. 13d) through the various intermediate
successive positions (FIGS. 13b and 13c).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] For the following description, the concept "front" refers to
the inner side of the building part in which the ventilation
opening is provided for implantation, and the concept "rear" refers
to the opposite of the front.
[0061] Referring to the figures, the ventilation opening 1, in
particular of the air admission opening type, includes a body 2
delimiting an air conveying duct presenting an aperture 20 opening
out on a front facade 21 of the body 2.
[0062] The body 2 includes a shaft 22 disposed on the back of the
front facade 21 and intended to be connected to an air circulation
pipe, or even to an air flow regulating or air flow modulating
device.
[0063] The body 2 includes a stopping device 23, fixed or static,
incorporated to the front facade 21 and which includes a frame
delimited in width by two opposite facing lateral edges 24, and
delimited in height by a lower edge 25 and by the peripheral wall
26 of the front facade 21 that forms the periphery of the aperture
20 opening out in the front facade 21. In other words, the lateral
edges 24 protrude from the peripheral wall 26 inwardly of the
aperture 20 and these lateral edges 24 are linked by the lower edge
25. The two lateral edges 24 are spaced from one another by a given
gap E1.
[0064] This stopping device 23 includes a first bearing element 27
which is composed of two facing first protuberances protruding from
the respective lateral edges 24 of the frame inwardly of the
frame.
[0065] The two first protuberances 27 each present a front surface
270 which forms a ramp inclined with respect to the front facade 21
at a non-right non-zero angle, and oriented from the front to the
back towards the peripheral wall 26, in other words in a direction
opposite to the lower edge 25 of the frame.
[0066] The two first protuberances 27 each present a rear surface
271 which forms a step defining a bearing plate recessed downwardly
with respect to the top of the ramp 270; this bearing plate being
substantially orthogonal to the lateral edges 24 and to the front
facade 21.
[0067] The two first protuberances 27 are spaced from one another
by a given gap E2, where E2 is smaller than E1.
[0068] This stopping device 23 includes a second bearing element 28
which is composed of two facing second protuberances 28 protruding
from the respective lateral edges 24 of the frame inwardly of the
frame.
[0069] The two second protuberances 28 each present a front surface
and a rear surface planar and parallel to the front facade 21.
[0070] The two second protuberances 28 are spaced from one another
by the same given gap E2.
[0071] The first protuberances 27 and the second protuberances 28
are shifted with respect to one another along the corresponding
lateral edges 24, with the first protuberances 27 closer to the
lower edge 25 and the second protuberances 28 closer to the
peripheral wall 26.
[0072] The body 2 includes on the entire periphery of the front
facade 21 of the flanges protruding from the front of the front
facade 21. These flanges form a continuous border wall, and include
a lower flange 29. Slugs 30 protrude from the lower flange 29
inwardly.
[0073] The front facade 21 presents, facing the slugs 30, a hole
31.
[0074] The body 2 presents, below the lower flange 29, a groove 32.
The flanges also include an upper flange 33 facing the bottom
flange 29, and the lateral flanges 34.
[0075] The opening 1 also includes a filter 8 filling the aperture
20, this filter 8 being shaped to circumvent the frame of the
stopping device 23.
[0076] The opening 1 also incorporates a flap 4 pivotally mounted
on the front facade 21 of the body 2 between: [0077] a closed
position (FIG. 7) for obstructing the aperture 20, in which the
flap 4 is folded back against the front facade 21 and covers the
aperture 20; [0078] an open position (FIG. 9) allowing the passage
of air through the aperture 20, in which the flap 4 is spaced apart
from the front facade 21; and [0079] a recessed or free position
(FIG. 13d) in which the flap 4 is even more spaced apart from the
front facade 21 than in the open position, and the flap 4 is free
to pivot under its own weight.
[0080] The flap 4 is a solid flap, non-perforated and is pivotally
mounted on the front facade 21 of the body according to a pivot
axis substantially parallel to the front facade 21, and more
particularly substantially parallel to the lower flange 29 of the
body 2.
[0081] The flap 4 includes a solid cowl 40 delimited on its
periphery by flanges including an upper flange 41, a lower flange
42 and lateral flanges 43; these flanges 41, 42, 43 form a
continuous border wall.
[0082] The flap 4 is of greater dimensions than the front facade 21
of the body 2, so that in the closed position, the flap 4
completely oversees the front facade 21 and the flanges 41, 42, 43
of the flap 4 cover the flanges 29, 33, 34 of the body 2. The upper
flange 41 presents a slot 410 in order to be able to grip the flap
4.
[0083] The flap 4 presents an inner face 400 corresponding to the
inner face of the cowl 40 which faces the front facade 21. The flap
4 includes male plugs 44 which protrude from the inner face 400 of
the cowl 40, and which are close to the lower flange 42.
[0084] These male plugs 44 are engaged within the groove 32 of the
body 2, in order to ensure the pivoting of the flap 4.
[0085] This male plugs 44 and groove 32 assembly forms an
articulation hinge of the flap 4 in its lower portion.
[0086] The flap 4 also includes a retaining member 45 which
protrudes from the inner face 400 of the cowl 40, and which is
close to the upper flange 41. The retaining member 45 forms a notch
or a hook.
[0087] The opening 1 also includes a sealing joint 9 composed of a
compressible material layer, in particular with foam, flattened
against the inner face 400 of the cowl 40; this sealing joint 9
being shaped to circumvent the retaining member 45.
[0088] The opening 1 also includes an opening/closing part 5 which
is an elastically deformable part, and which includes a flat plate
50 and laterally presenting two lugs 51, and from which protrude
two elastically deformable blades: an upper blade called locking
blade 6 and a lower blade called recall blade 7.
[0089] The locking blade 6 protrudes orthogonally to the plate 50
and presents a general "U" shape presenting two branches 61, 62
linked by an bend 63, a main branch 61 protruding from the plate 50
and a secondary branch 62 forming a return and presenting a free
end. Therefore, the locking blade 6 is separate from the flap 4,
and this locking blade 6 is attached on this flap 4, more
specifically on the inner face 400 of the cowl 40.
[0090] The locking blade 6 presents a proximal stop 64 and distal
stop 65, the proximal stop 64 being closer to the plate 50 than the
distal stop 65, in other words the distal stop 65 is closer to the
bend 63 than the proximal stop 64.
[0091] The proximal stop 64 is provided on the secondary branch 62,
and more specifically on its free end, while the distal stop 65 is
provided on the main branch 61.
[0092] The distal stop 65 also presents an overthickness and
protrudes on the top of the main branch 61.
[0093] The locking blade 6 presents a predefined width called main
width LP and the stops 64, 65 are presented in the form of
enlargements of the locking blade 6 in two respective specific
areas, so that each stop 64, 65 presents a width called secondary
width LS greater than the main width LP.
[0094] Concerning Dimensions: [0095] the gap E2 between the
protuberances 27, 28 is, on the one hand, substantially equivalent
to or greater than the main width LP of the locking blade 6 and, on
the other hand, smaller than the secondary width LS of the stops
64, 65; and [0096] the gap E1 between the lateral edges 27 of the
frame of the stopping device 23 is substantially equivalent to or
greater than the secondary width LS of the stops 64, 65.
[0097] The recall blade 7 is a planar blade inclined with respect
to the plate 50 and which terminates by a free end 70.
[0098] In situation, the opening/closing part 5 is fastened to the
inner face 400 of the flap 4 as follows: the plate 50 is mounted on
the retaining member 45 which ensures the anchoring of the plate 50
on the cowl 40, the two lugs 51 ensuring the blocking of the plate
50 in the retaining member 45. In this way: [0099] the locking
blade 6 protrudes from the inner face 400 of the flap 4 towards the
front facade 21 of the body 2, and more specifically towards the
frame of the stopping device 23; [0100] the recall blade 7 sees its
free end 70 positioning itself between the slugs 30 and the hole 31
(as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9), and therefore this recall blade 7
finds itself interposed between the front facade 21 of the body 2
and the inner face 400 of the flap 4 and it biases the flap 4 to
its open position.
[0101] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the free end of the recall blade 7 is not
positioned between the slugs 30 and the hole 31, because the flap 4
is in a recessed position and the recall blade 7 is out of the hole
31.
[0102] The following description covers the blocking of the flap 4
in the open position and in the closed position, by means of the
locking blade 6 which cooperates with the stopping device 23. The
locking blade 6 cooperates with the stopping device 23 by engaging
within the frame, between its lateral edges 24.
[0103] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8a, 8b and 8c, in the closed position
of the flap 4, the proximal stop 64 of the locking blade 6 bears
against the rear surfaces 271 (and more specifically on the bearing
plates) of two first protuberances 27, and the locking blade 6 is
in an elastically deformed state in the direction of a closing in
between the two branches 61, 62. In this closed position, the
distal stop 65 is situated at the back, at a predefined distance
from the two second protuberances 28.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 9, 10a, 10b and 10c, in the open position
of the flap 4, the distal stop 65 bears against the rear surfaces
of the two second protuberances 28, and the locking blade 6 is in a
free state with the two branches 61, 62 more spaced apart from one
another than in the aforementioned deformed state.
[0105] This open position is an intermediate position of aperture
of the flap 4 between the closed position of FIG. 7 and the
recessed or free position shown in FIG. 13d, in which the locking
blade 6 is no longer retained on the body 2. In other words, in the
open position, the flap 4 is open (but not completely open) and the
locking blade 6 cooperates with the body 2 to maintain the flap 4
in this open position, while in the recessed position, the flap 4
is also open, but the locking blade 6 no longer cooperates with the
body 2 to retain the flap 4, the flap 4 is thereby free to tilt
completely for a complete aperture.
[0106] Therefore, in the open position (maintained by the locking
blade 6), the flap 4 pivoted by an angle comprised between 5 and
60.degree. with respect to the closed position, or even between 10
and 45.degree., and the locking blade 6 maintains the flap 4
inclined at such an angle with respect to the closed position.
[0107] The following description covers the passage from the closed
position to the open position, with reference to FIGS. 11a to
11f.
[0108] The flap 4 passes from the closed position (FIG. 11a) to the
open position (FIG. 11f), by pushing the flap 11b against the front
facade 21 so that the proximal stop 64 of the locking blade 6
leaves its bearing against the first two protuberances 27 and
recovers its free state, then by spacing apart the flap 4 of the
front facade 21 of the body 2 (under the effect of the recall blade
7) until the distal stop 65 bears against the two second
protuberances 28.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 11a, we start from the closed position
where the flanges 29, 33, 34 of the body 2 slightly compress the
sealing joint 9 to ensure the sealing; a clearance J being provided
between the flanges 29, 33, 34 and the inner face 400 of the cowl
40.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 11b, the flap 4 is then pushed towards the
body 2, as illustrated by the arrow P; the flanges 29, 33, 34 of
the body 2 highly compressing the sealing joint 9, the clearance J
enabling this pushing. Therefore, the proximal stop 64 of the
locking blade 6 leaves its bearing against the first two
protuberances 27 and recovers its free state.
[0111] Referring to FIGS. 11c to 11e, under the effect of the
recall blade 7, the flap 4 is spaced apart from the front facade 21
of the body 2 and begins to pivot (arrows RO). As the locking blade
6 recovered its free state, the proximal stop 64 passes under the
two first protuberances 27 (and more specifically between the two
first protuberances 27 and the lower edge 25 of the frame).
[0112] Referring to FIG. 11f, the pivoting of the flap 4 is
interrupted when the distal stop 65 bears against the two second
protuberances 28, and the flap 4 is therefore in its open
position.
[0113] The following portion of the description covers the passage
from the open position to the closed position, with reference to
FIGS. 12a to 12d.
[0114] The flap passes from the open position (FIG. 12a) to the
closed position (FIG. 12d) by pushing the flap 4 against the front
facade 21 so that the distal stop 65 leaves its bearing against the
two second protuberances 28, and the proximal stop 64 of the
locking blade 6 comes into contact with the two first protuberances
27 and the locking blade 6 is deformed until the proximal stop 64
repositions to bear against the two first protuberances 27.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 12a, we start from the open position with
the distal stop 65 which bears against the two second protuberances
28 and the locking blade 6 in its free state.
[0116] Referring to FIGS. 12b and 12c, the flap 4 is pushed towards
the body 2, as illustrated by the arrow P, and the flap 4 pivots in
the closing direction (arrow RF), countering the force exerted by
the recall blade 7. Therefore, the distal stop 65 leaves its
bearing against the two second protuberances 28, and the proximal
stop 64 begins to engage on the front surfaces 270 of the first two
protuberances 27.
[0117] As a reminder, these front surfaces 270 form ramps that,
progressively with the pushing P of the facade 4, will guide the
proximal stop 64 along the ramps and will compress the locking
blade 6.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 12d, once the proximal stop 64 reaches the
top of the ramps formed of the front surfaces 270 of the two first
protuberances 27, the locking blade 6 expands and the proximal stop
64 falls onto the bearing plates formed on the rear surfaces of the
first two protuberances 27.
[0119] The following description covers the passage from the open
position to the recessed position, with reference to FIGS. 13a to
13d.
[0120] Referring to FIG. 13a, we start from the open position with
the distal stop 65 which bears against the two second protuberances
28 and the locking blade 6 in its free state.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 13b, the top of the main branch 61 of the
locking blade 6 is pressed downward, as illustrated by the arrow A,
so that the distal stop 65 goes down and leaves its bearing against
the two second protuberances 28.
[0122] Referring to FIGS. 13c to 13d, the flap 4 is allowed to
open, as illustrated by the arrows RR, with the locking blade 6
which completely disengages from the stopping device 23.
[0123] In the recessed position of FIG. 13d, the flap 4 is no
longer retained on the body 2 by the locking blade 6, and therefore
the flap 4 is free to pivot and tilt completely (under its own
weight) until complete opening.
[0124] Of course the example of implementation discussed above is
in no way limiting, and other improvements and details can be given
to the opening of the invention, without departing from the scope
of the invention where other designs of the locking blade can for
example carried out.
* * * * *