DE20109671U1 - Locking a partition element and a partition element with such a device - Google Patents

Description

Hüppe Form Room Divider Systems GmbH, Cloppenburger Strasse 200,
26133 Oldenburg

Locking device of a partition wall element and
a partition wall element with such a device

The invention relates to a locking device for a movable or displaceable partition wall element forming part of a partition wall, with a locking element which is mounted on the partition wall element so as to be movable between a rest position and a locking position and which engages with an engagement section in the locking position in a recess provided on a part of the building, and to a partition wall element with such a device.

Usually, such a locking device is provided on the lower section of a partition wall element near the ground and serves to lock the partition wall element in one or more specific installation positions on the floor of a building, for which purpose the recess is made accordingly in the floor. In this

In this design, the locking element is usually mounted so that it can move in the vertical direction and, in its rest position, is essentially completely retracted into the partition wall element and, in its locking position, is extended downwards out of the partition wall element. In addition, the locking element usually has the shape of a rod and the engagement section is formed at the free end or at the head, with which the locking element engages in the open recess in its locking position.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this point that the recess serving as an abutment can of course not only be provided in the floor of a building, but also in other parts of the building, such as the ceiling, in which case the locking device should be arranged accordingly on the upper section of the partition wall element. In any case, the recess should be arranged in a fixed position in order to be able to lock the partition wall element in its desired installation position in conjunction with the locking device.

A locking device of the type mentioned at the beginning is disclosed, for example, in DE 199 11 780 A1. In this known locking device, the locking element consists of a vertically arranged and vertically movable pin which is actuated by a Bowden cable and whose free end or head, in the locking position, engages in a sliding bushing which sits in the recess.

Another locking device is known from DE 92 12 791.6 U1, which is intended for locking and unlocking a door of a movable partition wall element and has a first locking means in the upper section and a second locking means in the lower section. The first locking means serves to lock the door in its closed position on the partition wall element, while the second locking means is intended to produce a stationary joint in the floor,

when the partition wall element is in its desired installation position. Furthermore, this known locking device is provided with a control device which controls the operation of the two locking means in such a way that unintentional unhinging of the door is avoided.

Although the known devices have more or less proven themselves in practice, there is a need to further improve the locking effect of the device and, in particular, to realize a locking without significant play in a simple manner.

This object is achieved in that, in a locking device of the type mentioned at the outset, the locking element is designed such that, in its locking position, its engagement portion can be brought into frictional engagement with the recess.

With the help of the invention, a locking mechanism without play or at least almost without play can be realized in a particularly simple construction.

Preferably, the shape of the engagement portion of the locking element can be changed so that the engagement portion of the locking element wedges itself in the recess.

In a currently particularly preferred embodiment, the cross section of the engagement section of the locking element can be enlarged in such a way that the engagement section of the locking element can be brought into contact with the recess under pressure and can preferably be expanded in the locking position. In this embodiment, the engagement section is therefore widened and pressed against the wall of the recess, whereby the frictional engagement is achieved in a particularly simple and clever manner.

A currently particularly preferred development of the previously described embodiment is characterized in that the engagement section of the locking element has a flexible wall to form a bead directed outwards essentially transversely to its longitudinal extension. The flexible wall can preferably form a, in particular elastic, sleeve-shaped cuff which can be compressed in the axial direction to form the aforementioned bead. By compressing the sleeve-shaped cuff consisting of the flexible wall in this way, a bead directed radially outwards is created, so that the engagement section of the locking element has a larger cross-section at the location of the bead, which then brings about the desired wedging in the recess when the locking element is in its locking position in the recess with its engagement section. In order to form the bead by applying pressure to the flexible sleeve-shaped cuff in the axial direction, the locking element should have a stamping section which exerts pressure on the sleeve-shaped cuff, preferably acting essentially in the direction of the locking position, in particular when the engagement section of the locking element rests on the bottom of the recess, which then forms an abutment. The stamping section thus presses the sleeve-shaped cuff against an abutment, whereby the sleeve-shaped cuff is then compressed accordingly and the bead projecting radially to the side is formed accordingly.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this point that other measures for increasing the cross-section for the desired frictional engagement with the recess are of course also conceivable. For example, an alternative option could be to inflate the sleeve-shaped cuff with air, which would result in a corresponding radial bulge.

A further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the locking element has a holding section on which the engagement section is movably mounted, the engagement section being movable between a first, preferably distal, and a second, preferably proximal, position relative to the holding section, the holding section taking the engagement section from the rest position into the locking position while the engagement section is in its first position relative to the holding section, and in the locking position bringing the engagement section into its second position relative to the holding section and thereby triggering the frictional engagement with the recess. Preferably, the engagement section should be spring-loaded into its first position relative to the holding section. In addition, the holding section should have a stop against which the engagement section comes into contact in its second position and which triggers the frictional engagement in the locking position as the holding section continues to move. Preferably, the stop can be brought into contact with the previously mentioned stamp section.

Finally, an actuating element is expediently coupled to the holding section of the locking element and moves the locking element between its rest position and its locking position.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a partition wall element with a

enlarged overview of a preferred embodiment of the locking device; and

Fig. 2a

to 2f different views and operating positions of the

Locking device.

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Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a partition wall element 1 which has a partition wall element sheet 2 which usually consists of a metal frame and two cover plates fastened to it on both sides. Support members 4 are fastened to the upper side 2a of the partition wall element sheet 2 and are mounted on roller carriages 6. The roller carriages 6 run on the underside of a running surface 8a forming a guide rail 8. The guide rail 8 has a central slot (not shown here) which runs in the longitudinal direction and thus in the direction of movement of the partition wall element 1 and through which the support members 4 are guided, the running surfaces of the guide rail 8 formed by the underside 8a being provided on both sides of this central slot. Usually, each partition wall element has two roller carriages 6, each with a support member 4 fastened to it, as can be seen in Fig. 1. The partition wall elements of the type shown in Fig. 1 are used to jointly form a movable partition wall, so that the partition wall element 1 shown in Fig. 1 is part of such a partition wall.

In the lower edge section 2b, a locking device 10 is arranged within the partition wall element 2, as can be seen in the cut-out enlarged individual illustration at the bottom right in Fig. 1. The locking device 10 has a rod-shaped locking element 12 which is arranged in a vertical orientation and is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction, i.e. in the direction of its longitudinal extent, and thus vertically between a rest position and a locking position. In Fig. 1, the locking element 12 is shown in solid lines in its upper rest position I, in which the locking element 12 is completely retracted within the partition wall element 1. In its lower locking position II, as can be seen in Fig. 1 by means of dashed lines, the locking element 12 is extended with its free lower end from the underside of the partition wall element 1.

To move the locking element 12 between its rest position and its working position

position, a drive 14 is provided which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is arranged within the partition wall element 1 in its lower edge section 2b. As can be seen schematically in Fig. 1, the drive 14 in the exemplary embodiment shown consists of an electric servomotor, on whose output shaft (not visible in Fig. 1) a pivot arm 16 is seated radially, which is coupled at its free end to the locking element 12, whereby the rotary movement of the drive 14 is converted into a linear movement of the locking element 12. The drive 14 is connected to a control device (not shown in the figures), which can be provided inside or outside the partition wall element 1. Sensors 17 are also connected to this control device, which monitor the movement of the locking element 12 and in particular indicate when the locking element 12 is in its rest position I or its locking position II.

In the base 18, on or above which the partition wall element 1 is to be arranged in a desired assembly position for constructing a partition wall with other partition wall elements, a recess is formed at the location of the desired assembly position, into which a base sleeve 20 is let. The base sleeve 20 is closed within the base 18 and open towards the surface of the base 18 and thus encloses a cavity which forms the actual recess. The base sleeve 20 is arranged and dimensioned in the base 18 such that the locking element 12 in its locking position II engages with its lower free end in the cavity of the base sleeve 20 forming the recess, as can be seen in Fig. 1 by dashed lines. In its locking position II, the locking element 12 rests on the closed lower end of the base sleeve 20, which will be explained in more detail below.

In Fig. 2, the locking element 12 of the locking device 10 of Fig. 1 is shown individually and in different operating positions.

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The aforementioned ground sleeve 20 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2b. As can be seen there, the ground sleeve 20 has an opening 20a on its upper side, which is approximately at the level of the surface of the ground 18 (see Fig. 1), which is surrounded by a radially outward-facing, circumferential flange-like edge 20b. As can also be seen in Fig. 2, the ground sleeve 20 is essentially closed at its lower end 20c located in the ground 18.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the locking element 12 has a sleeve-shaped holding section 22 which is open at its lower end 22a. The opposite upper end 22b of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 is designed as a fork head to which the free end of the swivel arm 16 is articulated via a joint 24 (see also Fig. 1). A rod 26 is arranged coaxially within the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 and is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the sleeve-shaped holding section 22. The sleeve-shaped section 22 is movable relative to the rod 26 between a first position, as can be seen in Fig. 2a to c, and a second position, as shown in Fig. 2e and f. As Fig. 2 also shows, the rod 26 has a greater length than the sleeve-shaped section 22; Specifically, the rod 26 is more than twice as long as the sleeve-shaped section 22.

At the end facing the ground 18 (Fig. 1) and thus the ground sleeve 20, the rod 26 is provided with a head 26a, the diameter of which is significantly larger than that of the rod 26 and corresponds approximately to the diameter of the sleeve-shaped section 22. The head 26a is attached to the said lower end of the rod 26 in a rotationally and movement-proof manner and can also optionally be connected to the rod 26 in one piece.

The head 26a forms a shoulder pointing towards the sleeve-shaped section 22, on

on which a sleeve-shaped cuff 28 rests, which consists of an elastic material, such as plastic or rubber. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve-shaped cuff has the shape of a cylinder, the outside diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the head 26a. On the end face of the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 facing the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 there is a first O-ring 30. On this first O-ring 30 in turn rests a tube 32 with one end face, which is arranged coaxially to the rod 26 and the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 and thus encloses the rod 26. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2b, the tube 32 is significantly shorter than the rod 26 and ends with its other end in the position shown in Fig. 2a and b just below the lower open end 22a of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22. The inner diameter of the tube 32 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod 26, so that the rod 26 and the tube 32 can move relative to each other. The outer diameter of the tube 32 is in turn smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22, so that a relative movement is also possible between these two elements.

Furthermore, a second O-ring 34 is provided which rests on the first O-ring 30 in the position shown in Fig. 2a and b. The inner diameter of this second O-ring 34 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tube 32, so that a relative movement can also take place between the tube 32 and the second O-ring 34. The outer diameter of the second O-ring 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve-shaped collar 28 and the head 26a and also larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22. On the side of the second O-ring 34 facing the sleeve-shaped holding section 22, a spiral spring 36 rests with one end, which encloses the tube 32 and is thus arranged coaxially to the sleeve-shaped holding section 22, the rod 26 and the tube 32. The spiral spring 36 extends into the cavity of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 and rests with its other end on the

Cavity of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 delimiting inner end 22, which at the same time also forms the underside of the fork-shaped upper end 22b of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22.

Since, as already mentioned, the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 and the rod 26 are arranged to be movable relative to one another, this also applies to the head 26a and the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 carried by it. The spiral spring 36 is now arranged and designed such that it prestresses the head 26a with the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 into a proximal position relative to the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 as shown in Fig. 2a and b.

The mode of operation of the locking element 12 shown is explained below.

In Fig. 2a and b, the locking element 12 is shown in its rest position I (see also Fig. 1).

When the drive 14 (Fig. 1) is actuated, the swivel arm 16 is swiveled downwards, whereby the locking element 12 is moved in the direction of the ground sleeve 20 until the head 26a and the sleeve-shaped collar 28 have disappeared into the ground sleeve 20 and the second O-ring 34 rests on the flange-like edge 20b of the ground sleeve 20. This position is shown in Fig. 2c.

During the movement that has taken place so far, the sleeve-shaped holding section 22, which is accordingly carried along by the swivel arm 16, remained stationary relative to the rod 26. With continued movement of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 by corresponding loading from the swivel arm 16, the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 migrates against the pressure of the spiral spring 26 along the rod 26 in the direction of the ground sleeve until the hollow space of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22

limiting inner end 22c comes into contact with the facing end face of the tube 32. This position is shown schematically in Fig. 2d, whereby the spiral spring 36, which is compressed during this movement process, is not shown. In contrast, Fig. 2d shows that in the position shown, the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 is still a small distance from the second O-ring 34 which is already resting on the flange-like edge 20b of the base sleeve 20.

This slight distance is bridged by the continued movement of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22, whereby the tube 32 resting on the inner end 22c is now carried along by the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 during this continued movement of the latter and is thereby subjected to a movement relative to the rod 26 in the direction of the ground sleeve 20. In this way, the sleeve-shaped section 22 applies pressure to the first O-ring 30 and thus to the sleeve-shaped sleeve 28 resting thereon via the tube 32. Since the sleeve-shaped sleeve is made of elastic material, this leads to the sleeve-shaped sleeve 28 being compressed in the axial direction and thereby forming a circumferential bead that bulges radially outwards, as can be seen in Fig. 2e in dashed representation and Fig. 2f in cross section.

Since during the movement sequence from the position shown in Fig. 2c the lower end of the rod 26 rests with the head 26a on the substantially closed lower end 20c of the ground sleeve 20, the head 26a forms an abutment, while the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 is compressed in the axial direction by the continued movement of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 via the tube 32 and the first O-ring 30.

Due to the described formation of the bead, the sleeve-shaped sleeve 28 now comes into contact with the side wall of the base sleeve 20 under radial pressure and thus into frictional engagement with it. In this way, the locking element

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12 is securely locked into the ground sleeve 20 without play.

While in Fig. 2a to c the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 on the one hand and the head 26a and the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 on the other hand are in a distal position to each other, with the locking element 12 simultaneously assuming its rest position I (Fig. 1), in Fig. 2e and f the sleeve-shaped holding section on the one hand and the head 26a and the sleeve-shaped cuff 28 on the other hand are in a proximal position to each other and at the same time the locking element 12 is also in its locking position II (Fig. 1). The sleeve-shaped holding section 22 now rests with its lower end 22a facing the base sleeve 20 on the second O-ring 34, which in turn rests on the flange-like edge 20b of the base sleeve 20, so that a further downward movement of the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 is no longer possible.

At this point, for the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the sleeve-shaped holding section 22 is provided at its upper end 22b with a bore not shown in more detail in the figures, through which the rod 26 can extend, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 2c to f.

While the movement sequence of the locking element 12 from the rest position I to the locking position II has previously been described in detail, it should be mentioned for the sake of completeness that to release the locking element 12 from the ground sleeve 20, the steps described take place in exactly the reverse order.

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Claims (13)

1. Locking device of a movable or displaceable partition wall element ( 1 ) forming part of a partition wall, with a locking element ( 12 ) which is mounted on the partition wall element ( 1 ) so as to be movable between a rest position (I) and a locking position (II), which engages with an engagement section ( 28 ) in its locking position (II) in a recess ( 20 ) provided in a building part ( 18 ), characterized in that the locking element ( 12 ) is designed such that in its locking position (II) it can be brought into frictional engagement with the recess ( 20 ) with its engagement section ( 28 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) can be changed such that the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) wedges itself in the recess ( 20 ). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross section of the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) can be enlarged such that the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) can be brought into contact with the recess ( 20 ) under pressure. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) is designed such that it is expandable in the locking position (II). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the engagement portion ( 28 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) has a flexible wall for forming a bead directed outwards substantially transversely to its longitudinal extension. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible wall forms a, preferably elastic, sleeve-shaped cuff ( 28 ) which can be compressed in the axial direction to form the bead. 7. Device according to claim 6, in which the recess ( 20 ) has a bottom ( 20c ), characterized in that the locking element ( 12 ) has a stamp section ( 32 ) which exerts a pressure on the sleeve-shaped cuff ( 28 ), preferably acting essentially in the direction of the locking position (II), in particular when the engagement section ( 26a , 28 ) rests on the bottom of the recess, which then forms an abutment. 8. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking element ( 12 ) has a holding section ( 22 ) on which the engagement section ( 28 ) is movably mounted, the engagement section ( 28 ) being movable between a first, preferably distal, and a second, preferably proximal, position relative to the holding section ( 22 ), the holding section ( 22 ) taking the engagement section ( 28 ) from the rest position (I) into the locking position (II) while the engagement section ( 28 ) is in its first position relative to the holding section ( 22 ), and in the locking position bringing the engagement section ( 28 ) into its second position relative to the holding section ( 22 ) and thereby triggering the frictional engagement with the recess ( 20 ). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the engagement portion ( 28 ) is resiliently ( 36 ) prestressed into its first position relative to the holding portion ( 22 ). 10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the holding section ( 22 ) has a stop ( 22c ) against which the engagement section ( 28 , 30 , 32 ) comes into contact in its second position and which triggers the frictional engagement in the locking position (II) upon continued movement of the holding section ( 22 ). 11. Device according to claims 7 and 10, characterized in that the stop ( 22c ) can be brought into contact with the stamp section ( 32 ). 12. Device according to at least one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that an actuating element ( 16 ) is coupled to the holding section ( 22 ) of the locking element ( 12 ) and moves the locking element ( 12 ) between its rest position (I) and its working position (II). 13. Partition wall element with a device according to at least one of the preceding claims.