Operating handwheel provided with locking device, particularly for operating handwheels of cabinets that can move on rails

Abstract

 An operating handwheel (10) for cabinets that can move on rails, provided with a locking device (11) comprising
- an actuation body (14), which is accommodated in a seat (16) formed on a handwheel (12) and is provided with a part (15) that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- pins (17, 117) adapted to lock the rotation of the handwheel (12), jointly connected to the actuation body (14), the cabinet having a component (18, 118) provided with containment holes (19, 119) for the pins (17, 117).
The actuation body (14) can slide for extraction from, and insertion in, the seat (16), in order to pass:
- from a first insertion configuration, in which the pins (17, 117) are inserted in the containment holes (19, 119)
- to a second extraction configuration, in which the pins (17, 117) are extracted from the containment holes (19, 119), and vice versa.
Moreover, the handwheel comprises:
- means (21) for the reversible interlocking of the actuation body (14), which are adapted to retain it when it is in a position for extraction from, or in a position for insertion in, the seat (16), which correspond respectively to the first configuration and to the second configuration;
- a key-operated lock (27), which is composed of a main body (28), which is jointly connected to the handwheel (12), and an element (30) for locking the actuation body (14) in the first configuration.
The lock (27) can be operated to close, when the actuation body (14) is in the first configuration, to prevent its transition to the second configuration.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating handwheel provided with locking device, particularly for operating handwheels of cabinets that can move on rails.

[0002] Operating handwheels are currently known which are connected to means for moving a cabinet or the like by means of a transmission shaft.

[0003] Some known handwheels have a locking device that prevents their rotation with respect to the cabinet, thus preventing the movement of said cabinet. The locking device of handwheels of this type generally comprises
- an actuation body, which is accommodated at least partially in a seat that is formed on the handwheel and is provided with a part that can be gripped by the user to operate it for extraction from, and insertion in, such seat,
- pins for locking the rotation of the handwheel with respect to the cabinet, which are jointly connected to the actuation body, the cabinet having holes for accommodating them.

[0004] The actuation body can slide in its seat, formed on the handwheel, along a direction for extraction from it and insertion therein so as to be able to pass:

- from a first configuration, for insertion in the seat, in which the pins are inserted in the holes formed in the cabinet, to contrast the rotation of the handwheel, so as to prevent movement of the cabinet,

- to a second configuration, for extraction from the seat, in which the pins are extracted from the holes, so as to allow the rotation of the handwheel and the consequent movement of the cabinet,

- and vice versa.

[0005] In order to make it easy for the operator to operate the actuation body of the locking device with a single hand, such device is arranged centrally with respect to the handwheel and the actuation body slides in the corresponding seat provided at the end of the transmission shaft that is associated coaxially with the handwheel.

[0006] The pins associated with the actuation body slide parallel to the shaft and can be inserted, for locking, in the corresponding holes arranged perimetrically to the hole where the shaft enters the structure of the cabinet.

[0007] Some currently known locking devices have a lock, which is jointly connected to the actuation body and which, when such actuation body is in the first described configuration, by closing turns a tab that is adapted to engage a tooth provided in the seat on the handwheel.

[0008] When the lock is closed, in these devices the actuation body is retained by the tab, which is engaged with the tooth, in the first configuration.

[0009] In this manner, the cabinet cannot be moved without opening the lock of the locking device, thus allowing the extraction from the seat of the actuation body and the consequent release of the rotation of the operating handwheel.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a handwheel that has a locking device that allows the operator to detect easily when the actuation body is in the first configuration or in the second configuration.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a handwheel provided with a locking system that allows to prevent the movement of the cabinet on the part of unauthorized operators.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a handwheel provided with a locking device that can be operated easily by the operator with a single hand.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a handwheel that is simple and easy to use and can be manufactured with low costs.

[0014] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an operating handwheel equipped with a locking device, particularly for operating handwheels of cabinets that can move on rails, said handwheel being connected to means for moving a cabinet, or the like, by means of a transmission shaft, said device comprising
- an actuation body, which is accommodated at least partially in a seat that is formed on said handwheel and is provided with a part that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- at least one pin for locking the rotation of said handwheel with respect to said cabinet, jointly connected to said actuation body, said cabinet having a component provided with containment holes for said at least one locking pin, said actuation body being able to slide in said seat along a sliding
direction for extraction from, and insertion in, said seat, in order to pass
- from a first configuration, for insertion in said seat, in which said at least one pin is inserted in one of said containment holes, to contrast the rotation of said handwheel, suitable for moving said cabinet,
- to a second configuration, for extraction from said seat, in which said at least one pin is extracted from said containment holes, to allow the rotation of said handwheel, suitable for moving said cabinet,
- and vice versa,
characterized in that it comprises means for the reversible interlocking of said actuation body, which are adapted to retain it in a position for extraction from said seat and in a position for insertion in said seat, said insertion position and said extraction position corresponding respectively to said first configuration and to said second configuration of said actuation body.

[0015] The above aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are also achieved by an operating handwheel equipped with a locking device, particularly for operating handwheels of cabinets that can move on rails, said handwheel being connected to means for moving a cabinet, or the like, by means of a transmission shaft, said device comprising
- an actuation body, which is accommodated at least partially in a seat that is formed on said handwheel and is provided with a part that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- at least one pin for locking the rotation of said handwheel with respect to said cabinet, jointly connected to said actuation body, said cabinet having a component provided with containment holes for said at least one locking pin, said actuation body being able to slide in said seat along a sliding direction for extraction from, and insertion in, said seat, in order to pass
- from a first configuration, for insertion in said seat, in which said at least one pin is inserted in one of said containment holes, to contrast the rotation of said handwheel, suitable for moving said cabinet,
- to a second configuration, for extraction from said seat, in which said at least one pin is extracted from said containment holes, to allow the rotation of said handwheel, suitable for moving said cabinet,
- and vice versa,
characterized in that it comprises a key-operated lock, which comprises
- a main body, jointly connected to said handwheel,
- an element for locking said actuation body in said first configuration, which is connected to said main body and can slide with respect to it in said sliding direction, substantially jointly with said actuation body, abutting thereon on abutment portions, said lock being actuatable for closure when said actuation body is in said first configuration, in order to prevent the sliding of said locking element with respect to said main body, in order to contrast the passage of said actuation body, which abuts against said locking element, from said first configuration to said second configuration.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the handwheel according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a handwheel provided with a locking device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of a detail of a locked handwheel according to the invention;

Figures 3a and 3b are enlarged-scale sectional views, taken respectively along the lines IIIa/IVa and IIIb/IVb, of a detail of a handwheel according to the invention in the released condition;

Figures 4a and 4b are enlarged-scale sectional views, taken respectively along the lines IIIa/IVa and IIIb/IVb, of a detail of a handwheel according to the invention in the locked condition.

[0017] It is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0018] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 10 generally designates an operating handwheel 12 provided with a locking device 11, particularly for operating handwheels of cabinets that can move on rails.

[0019] The handwheel 12 is connected to means for moving a cabinet or the like by means of a transmission shaft 13 that is adapted to be actuated by operating the handwheel 12. The locking device 11 comprises
- an actuation body 14, which is accommodated at least partially in a seat 16 that is formed on the handwheel 12 and is provided with a part 15 that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- at least one pin 17 for locking the rotation of the handwheel 12 with respect to the cabinet, advantageously two pins 17 that are jointly connected to the actuation body 14, the cabinet having a component 18 that is provided with holes 19 for accommodating the locking pins 17.

[0020] Conveniently, in a first embodiment, the component 18 is constituted by the wall of the cabinet, in which there are the containment holes 19 for the pins 17, perimetrically with respect to the passage hole of the transmission shaft 13.

[0021] In a second embodiment, the component 118 comprises a ring 20, in which the containment holes 119 for the locking pins 17 are provided; the ring 20 can be fixed, for example by means of screws, to a wall of the cabinet at the transmission shaft 13.

[0022] The actuation body 14 can slide in the seat 16 along a sliding direction A for extraction from, and insertion in, the seat 16, in order to pass
- from a first configuration, for insertion in the seat 16, in which the actuation body 14 has the pins 17 inserted in the containment holes 19 and thus the rotation of handwheel 12 is prevented and therefore the cabinet is locked,
- to a second configuration, for extraction from the seat 16, in which the pins 17 are extracted from the containment holes 19 and thus the rotation of the handwheel 12, and therefore the movement of the cabinet, is allowed,
- and vice versa.

[0023] A particularity of the handwheel 10 according to the invention is that it comprises means 21 for reversible interlocking of the actuation body 14, which are adapted to retain it when it is in an extraction position and in an insertion position with respect to the seat 16, such insertion and extraction positions corresponding respectively to the first configuration and to the second configuration of the actuation body 14.

[0024] Preferably, the reversible interlocking means 21 comprise:

• deformable elements for interlocking the actuation body 14 in the seat 16, which are constituted conveniently by elastically deformable wire clips 22;
• tabs 23 that protrude, parallel to the sliding direction A, from a region provided on a component of the locking device 11, chosen between the seat 16 and the actuation body 14,
• insertion holes 24 for the tabs 23, which are formed on a portion that faces such region and is provided on a component of the locking device 11 chosen between the seat 16 and the actuation body 14, on which such region is not provided, the insertion holes 24 having recesses 24b for accommodating the clips 22. The tabs 23 advantageously have:

• proximate to one of their ends, first grooves 25, which advantageously have a U-shaped cross-section, can be engaged by the clips 22, which are accommodated in the recesses 24b and deform elastically, engaging the first grooves 25 when the actuation body 14 is in the first configuration,
• proximate to their opposite end, second grooves 26, advantageously having a U-shaped cross-section, which can be engaged, in a manner similar to the first grooves 25, by the clips 22 when the actuation body 14 is in the second configuration.

[0025] When the clips 22 engage the first grooves 25 or the second grooves 26, they contrast the sliding of the actuation body 14 in the seat 16.

[0026] If the actuation body is in the first or second configuration, therefore with the clips 22 engaging the first grooves 25 or respectively the second grooves 26, the operator, in order to move the actuation body 14 along the seat 16, must in fact force it in order to cause the divarication of the clips 22, which thus disengage the first grooves 25 or the second grooves 26.

[0027] When, upon the passage of the actuation body 14 from the first configuration to the second configuration or vice versa, the clips 22 are at the first grooves 25 or at the second grooves 26, they engage them with a snap action, giving the operator the indication that the pins 17 are inserted in, or respectively extracted from, the containment holes 19, locking or respectively allowing the rotation of the handwheel 12 to move the cabinet.

[0028] Another particularity of the handwheel according to the invention is that it comprises a key-operated lock 27, which is conveniently accommodated in a compartment that is formed inside the actuation body 14.

[0029] The lock 27 comprises:

• a main body 28, which is jointly connected to the handwheel 12 and appropriately screwed onto supports 29 that protrude from the seat 16,
• a locking element 30, which is adapted to lock the actuation body 14 in the first configuration and is connected to the main body 28 and can slide with respect to it in the sliding direction A, substantially jointly with respect to the actuation body 14, abutting thereon against abutment portions 31a and 31b.

[0030] The locking element is conveniently composed of a collar 32 and a piston 33, which are jointly connected.

[0031] The collar 32 wraps around a portion of the lock 27, which is suitable for inserting a key 34 therein for its actuation and is directed toward the outside of the handwheel 12.

[0032] Further, the collar 32 abuts against the first abutment portion 31a that is formed by the perimetric internal edge of an opening 35 of the actuation body 14, from which the lock 27 protrudes outside the actuation body 14.

[0033] The piston 33 is accommodated in a cylinder that is formed inside the main body 28 so as to be able to slide therein, and is adapted to abut against the second abutment portion 31b of the actuation body 14, which faces the end of the lock 27 that lies opposite the one directed toward the outside of the handwheel 12, so as to comprise the locking element 30 between it, which abuts against the piston 33, and the collar 32 in abutment against the first abutment portion 31a.

[0034] The lock 27 can be actuated for closure, when the actuation body 14 is in the first configuration, to prevent the sliding of the locking element 30 with respect to the main body 28.

[0035] In this manner, the transition of the actuation body 14 from the first configuration to the second configuration is accordingly prevented.

[0036] When the actuation body 14 is in the first configuration, and therefore the handwheel 12 is locked, the piston 33 is in fact extended from the main body 28 and abuts against the actuation body 14, against the second abutment portion 31b.

[0037] If the lock 27 is closed, the piston 33 cannot slide along the main body 28, retracting therein, and therefore forces the actuation body 14 in the seat 16, preventing the release of the handwheel 12.

[0038] In a first embodiment, the lock 27 is advantageously of the type with automatic closure, closing automatically when the actuation body 14 is in the first configuration.

[0039] In this manner, since closure of the lock 27 occurs automatically when the handwheel 12 is locked, i.e., when the actuation body 14 is arranged in the first configuration, the operator, in order to move a cabinet in which the handwheel 12 is locked, must have the key 34 in order to open the lock 27 and thus allow extraction of the actuation body 14 from the seat 16.

[0040] In a second embodiment, the lock 27 is of the type with manual closure and can be actuated for closure by means of the key 34, under the control of the operator.

[0041] In this case, if the lock 27 is not closed, the operator is not required to open it in order to move the actuation body 14 from the first configuration to the second configuration in order to release the handwheel 12. Advantageously, the handwheel 12 provides:

• elements 36 for indicating the configuration assumed by the actuation body 14, which are connected to the handwheel 12;
• sliding seats 37 for the indicator elements 36, which are formed on the actuation body 14.

[0042] The indicator elements 36 protrude externally with respect to the actuation body 14 and are visible to the operator when the actuation body 14 is in the first configuration and are instead substantially hidden from the operator's view by the actuation body 14 when the body 14 is in the second configuration.

[0043] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, by providing a handwheel that has a locking device that allows the operator to detect easily when the actuation body is in the first configuration or in the second configuration; the snap engagement of the clips in the respective grooves in fact indicates to the operator that the actuation body is in the first or second configuration.

[0044] Further, the handwheel provided with a lock according to the invention allows to prevent the movement of the movable cabinets to unauthorized operators; if the cabinets are packed together, with the handwheels locked and the locks closed, they cannot be moved apart, thus preventing access to the material stored therein.

[0045] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0046] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0047] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2007A000342 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An operating handwheel (10) equipped with a locking device (11), particularly for operating handwheels (12) of cabinets that can move on rails, said handwheel (12) being connected to means for moving a cabinet, or the like, by means of a transmission shaft (13), said locking device (11) comprising
- an actuation body (14), which is accommodated at least partially in a seat (16) that is formed on said handwheel (12) and is provided with a part (15) that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- at least one pin (17, 117) for locking the rotation of said handwheel (12) with respect to said cabinet, jointly connected to said actuation body (14), said cabinet having a component (18, 118) provided with containment holes (19, 119) for said at least one locking pin (17, 117), said actuation body (14) being able to slide in said seat (16) along a sliding direction (A) for extraction from, and insertion in, said seat (16), in order to pass
- from a first configuration, for insertion in said seat (16), in which said at least one pin (17, 117) is inserted in one of said containment holes (19, 119), to contrast the rotation of said handwheel (12), suitable for moving said cabinet,
- to a second configuration, for extraction from said seat (16), in which said at least one pin (17, 117) is extracted from said containment holes (19, 119), to allow the rotation of said handwheel (12), suitable for moving said cabinet,
- and vice versa,
characterized in that it comprises means (21) for the reversible interlocking of said actuation body (14), which are adapted to retain it in a position for extraction from, and in a position for insertion in, said seat (16), said insertion position and said extraction position corresponding
respectively to said first configuration and to said second configuration of said actuation body (14).

2. The handwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that said reversible interlocking means (21) comprise
- deformable elements for interlocking said actuation body (14) in said seat (16),
- tabs (23) that protrude, parallel to said sliding direction (A), from a region provided on a component of said locking device (11) chosen between said seat (16) and said actuation body (14), said tabs (23) having, proximate to one of their ends, first grooves (25) that can be engaged by said deformable elements, proximate to their opposite end there being second grooves (26) that can be engaged by said deformable elements,
- holes (24) for the insertion of said tabs (23), which are formed on a portion that faces said region and is provided on a component of said locking device (11) chosen between said seat (16) and said actuation body (14), on which, since said region is not provided, said insertion holes (24) provide recesses for accommodating said deformable elements, said deformable elements, accommodated in said recesses, being adapted to deform in order to engage reversibly said first grooves (25), when said actuation body (14) is in said first configuration, and said second grooves (26) when said actuation body (14) is in said second configuration, to contrast the sliding, in said seat (16), of said actuation body (14) at least when it is in said first or second configuration.

3. The operating handwheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said deformable elements are elastically deformable wire clips (22).

4. The operating handwheel provided with a locking device (11), particularly for operating handwheels (12) for cabinets that can move on rails, said handwheel (12) being connected to means for moving a cabinet, or the like, by way of a transmission shaft (13), said locking device (11) comprising
- an actuation body (14), which is accommodated at least partially in a seat (16) that is formed on said handwheel (12) and is provided with a part (15) that can be gripped by the user to operate it,
- at least one pin (17, 117) for locking the rotation of said handwheel (12) with respect to said cabinet, jointly connected to said actuation body (14), said cabinet having a component (18, 118) provided with insertion holes (24) for accommodating said at least one locking pin (17, 117), said actuation body (14) being able to slide in said seat (16) along a sliding direction (A) for extraction from, and insertion in, said seat (16), in order to pass
- from a first configuration, for insertion in said seat (16), in which said at least one pin (17, 117) is inserted in one of said containment holes (19, 119), to contrast the rotation of said handwheel (12) suitable for moving said cabinet,
- to a second configuration, for extraction from said seat (16), in which said at least one pin (17, 117) is extracted from said containment holes (19, 119), to allow the rotation of said handwheel (12) suitable for moving said cabinet,
- and vice versa,
characterized in that it comprises a key-operated lock (27), which comprises
- a main body (28), which is jointly connected to said handwheel (12),
- an element (30) for locking said actuation body (14) in said first configuration, which is connected to said main body (28) and can slide with respect to it in said sliding direction (A), substantially jointly with said actuation body (14), abutting thereat against abutment portions (31a, 31b), said lock (27) being actuatable for closure when said actuation body (14) is in said first configuration, to prevent the sliding of said locking element (30) with respect to said main body (28), to contrast the passage of said actuation body (14), which abuts against said locking element (30), from said first configuration to said second configuration.

5. The operating handwheel according to claim 4, characterized in that said lock (27) is of the type with automatic closure and closes automatically when said actuation body (14) is in said first configuration.

6. The operating handwheel according to claims 4 and 5,
characterized in that said lock (27) is of type with manual closure and can be actuated for closure by means of a key (34) under the control of the operator.

7. The operating handwheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it provides
- elements (36) for indicating the configuration assumed by said actuation body (14), which are connected to said handwheel (12),
- seats (37) for the sliding of said indicator elements (36), formed on said actuation body (14), said indicator elements (36) being arranged so as to protrude outside said actuation body (14), in view of the operator, when said actuation body (14) is in said first configuration, and being instead substantially hidden from the operator's view by said actuation body (14) when said body is in said second configuration.

8. The operating handwheel according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component (18) of said cabinet consists of the wall of the cabinet, said containment holes (19) for said at least one locking pin (17) being formed in said wall at said transmission shaft (13).

9. The operating handwheel according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said component (118) of said cabinet comprises a ring (20) in which said containment holes (119) for said at least one locking pin (117) are formed, said ring (20) being fixable to a wall of said cabinet at said transmission shaft (13).

Drawing