CONTAINER UNIT COMPRISING SUCH ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the field of the manufacture of container units which may be, for example, cabinets or technical compartments for containing electrical terminals, elements and/or devices for the operation of communication networks (telephone, computer, etc.) and/or the like. In particular, the invention relates to a locking/unlocking assembly of a lock of the type comprising at least one electrically operated device.

STATE OF THE ART

A container unit, as known, defines at least one internal volume or compartment in which devices, apparatuses, machines, systems or generically objects of different type and function are placed. Specifically, the compartment is defined by at least one fixed portion and by at least one movable portion, that is, movable with respect to the fixed portion to allow access to the compartment itself. Such displacement may be straight, as in the case of drawer-type container units, or around a rotation axis when the movable portion assumes the configuration of a door.

Typically, a container unit is provided with closing means for closing and opening the container unit, i.e. for preventing or allowing access to said compartment. In a first, more traditional type, these means are mechanically operated and provide a mechanical lock the opening or closing thereof requires the use of a key or a mechanical actuating tool.

In a second, more recent type, the closing means are electromechanical, i.e. they comprise, in addition to a mechanical lock, at least one electromechanically operated device for switching the condition of the mechanical lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. In the unlocked condition, an operator can manually switch the lock into an open or closed condition, typically using a handle or other operating component associated with the movable portion of the container unit.

Over the last few years, the demand for container units provided with electromechanical closing devices has increased significantly. As part of the capillary construction of telephone and/or communication networks, for example, the demand for cabinets for containing electrical terminals and devices has greatly increased, allowing on the one hand the correct functioning of the network and on the other hand for authorized operators to operate in inspection and/or control interventions of such devices and of the network in general.

In this type of cabinet, the electromechanical device comprises an actuator which is controlled by a control unit usually powered by a battery, an electrical network, a solar cell or other power source. Typically, the control unit is able to connect (through wireless technology, Bluetooth or NFC) to an external computerized device (for example a tablet or smartphone device), i.e. remote from the lock. Such computerized device acts as an interface between the user and the control unit. Through it, after completing the recognition and/or authorization procedures, the operator sends instructions to the control unit which translates them into commands for the actuator which in turn, based on the command received, locks or unlocks the lock. In some cases, the computerized device may be configured to communicate with a more complex computerized platform as described for example in the patent application IT 102020000019357 filed by the Applicant.

The actuator consists of an electromechanical device which moves an operating element between at least a locking position and an unlocking position. When the locking position is reached, the locking element interacts directly with a component of the lock, locking the movement thereof and therefore preventing the container unit from opening. On the other hand, in the unlocked position, the locking element does not intervene on any component of the lock and the container unit can be opened.

The correct operation of the closing means is therefore strictly dependent on the reliability of the actuator and/or of the components designed to allow the operation thereof. However, for various reasons the actuator or any other component of the electromechanical device may fail and the lock may remain locked. This situation can occur, for example, when the actuator breaks down, or when the power supply goes out/is interrupted or when communication between the control unit and the computerized device used by the operator fails. In any case, if a fault occurs when the locking element takes up the locked position, the lock remains locked.

In most cases, upon the occurrence of such a fault, the operators proceed to pick the lock or drastically intervene on the fixed and/or movable portion of the container unit in order to create a useful opening to access the internal volume. However, this inevitably results in damage to the structure of the container unit which in many cases compromises its use or at least requires expensive repair operations. In some cases, the container unit is designed to allow reactivation of the actuator in the event that the failure is caused by an interruption in the power system. In particular, holes are provided on the fixed and/or movable portion for the insertion of electric pins and/or other tools adapted to reach, directly or indirectly, the actuator, allowing the actuation thereof. However, this type of solution is completely ineffective if the failure affects the actuator or jeopardizes the correct functioning and/or structural integrity thereof.

SUMMARY

In view of the above considerations, the main task of the present invention is to provide a locking/unlocking assembly of a lock of a container unit which allows the aforementioned drawback to be solved. Within the scope of this task, a first object of the present invention is to provide an unlocking/locking assembly of the type comprising at least one electromechanically operated device in which the lock may be unlocked even in the event of a failure of said electromechanically operated device. Another object, linked to the previous one, is to provide a locking/unlocking assembly in which, in the event of a failure, the lock may be unlocked without causing any damage to the structure of the container unit and/or without having to provide openings on the structure aimed at such unlocking in the design step. Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking/unlocking assembly of a lock which is made up of a relatively small number of components, which may be easily assembled together. Another object is to provide a locking/unlocking assembly which is reliable and easy to manufacture at competitive costs.

The Applicant has found that the aforementioned tasks and objects can be achieved by providing a locking/unlocking assembly comprising a first electrically operated device, which can be associated with a (fixed or movable) portion of the container unit, and a mechanically operated device, manually activated, associated with an operating element of the lock, wherein the two devices cooperate to lock the lock and wherein the second device can be operatively disengaged from the first device so as to release the operating element of the lock in the case in which it cannot be unlocked, due to a fault, by activating the first device.

In particular, the present invention relates to a locking/unlocking assembly of a lock of a container unit, wherein said unit comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion and wherein said lock comprises an operating element which, following of a displacement thereof, releases the movement of said movable portion with respect to said fixed portion. The assembly according to the invention comprises a first device, which can be connected to a fixed portion or to a movable portion of the unit and which includes a first locking element and first electromechanical moving means which displace said locking element between a locking operating position and an unlocking operating position.

According to the invention, the locking/unlocking assembly further comprises a second device connectable to said actuating element of the lock, wherein said second device comprises a second locking element which, in a first operating position, engages the first locking element, when the latter takes up said locking position. Said second device further comprises second moving means of mechanical type for displacing the second locking element between said first operating position and a second operating position wherein said second locking element is disengaged from said first locking element (even when the latter takes up said locking position. In particular, said second moving means can be activated manually through the use of a mechanical actuating key.

By virtue of the present invention, it is therefore possible to manually unlock the lock by intervening on the second device if the unlocking cannot be completed by means of the first electrically activated device, due to a fault or in any case a malfunction of the same. Advantageously, the unlocking of the lock simply requires the use of a mechanical actuating key. Basically, in case of failure of the first device, the second device still allows access to the internal volume of the unit.

According to the invention, the second means for moving the second device comprise a lock cylinder which includes a first body and a second cylindrical body inserted, at least partially, in a cylindrical seat defined in the first body, wherein said second body can be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof by means of a key. In particular, such rotation takes place at least between a first angular position and a second angular position, in which said first body is connectable to the actuating element of the lock and in which the second locking element is rotatably integral with said second body in a manner to take up said first operating position when the second body takes up the first angular position and so as to take up the second operating position when the second body takes up the second angular position.

According to the invention, said second locking element is a pin integral with the second body and cantilevers relative to the first body; such pin comprises an end portion defining a recess which gives the end portion a substantially "hook-like" configuration. Such a pin is coaxial with the second body of the lock cylinder so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, said lock cylinder is selected from the group consisting of Euro profile, round profile, oval profile, interchangeable profile.

According to a possible embodiment thereof, said recess is defined by a first surface which extends on a first plane inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis and by a second surface which extends on a second plane inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis; such surfaces are mutually arranged so as to converge towards said longitudinal axis.

According to an embodiment, the first moving means of the first device comprise an actuator which moves the first locking element along a straight displacement direction between the locking operating position and the unlocking operating position.

Preferably, the actuator comprises an electric motor which drives a toothed transmission element meshing with a rectilinear rack associated with the first locking element.

Preferably, said displacement direction is substantially inclined/incident with respect to the rotation axis of the second body of the lock cylinder.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first locking element is provided with a free end which engages into the recess when the first locking element takes up said locking position and when said second locking element takes up said first operating position.

Preferably, said free end comprises a contact surface at least partially facing towards the cylinder and said actuator of the first moving means is configured in such a way as to allow a predetermined elastic displacement of the locking element starting from said locking position towards said unlocking position, wherein such elastic displacement is determined as a result of a force acting on the contact surface.

The present invention also relates to a container unit comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion defining an internal volume, wherein said unit comprises closing/opening means which include a lock provided with an actuating element which, following a predetermined displacement thereof, releases the possible displacement of said movable portion with respect to said fixed portion. The container unit according to the invention is characterized in that said closing/opening means comprise a locking/unlocking assembly of said lock according to the present invention, wherein the first device and said second device of the locking/unlocking assembly are connected to one of the (fixed or movable) portions and to the actuating element of the lock, respectively.

According to a possible embodiment thereof, said actuating element of said lock is a handle hinged to the movable portion so as to rotate with respect to a first rotation axis and with respect to a second rotation axis orthogonal to each other. Preferably, the movable portion is hinged to the fixed portion so as to rotate with respect to a further rotation axis, and wherein said first rotation axis and said second rotation axis are orthogonal to said further rotation axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, shown by way of a nonlimiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure l is a perspective view of a container unit which comprises a locking/unlocking assembly of a lock according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a partially sectional view of the container unit of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a front view of the container unit of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view according to line IV-IV of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 and Figure 6 are a perspective view and an exploded view, respectively, of a locking/unlocking assembly according to the present invention;

- Figure 7 is a partially sectional perspective view of the container unit of Figure 1, with the lock in a locking configuration;

- Figure 8 is a perspective view of the locking/unlocking assembly of the container unit of Figure 7;

- Figure 9 is a partially sectional perspective view of the container unit of Figure 1, whit the lock in a second configuration;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the locking/unlocking assembly of the container unit of Figure 9;

- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the locking/unlocking assembly of Figures 8 and 10 in a further operating configuration;

- Figure 12 is a further partially sectional view of the container unit of Figure 1;

- Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views from different observation points of the container unit of Figure 1 in an open condition.

The same reference numerals and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the present invention therefore relates to a locking/unlocking assembly, generally indicated with reference numeral 1, of a lock 5 of a container unit 2.

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression “ container unit 2” (or also “unit 2”) is meant to indicate a structure, portable or fixed, comprising at least a first portion 2A and at least a second portion 2B which delimit an internal volume V in which objects in general can be contained. The definition of unit 2 therefore includes fixed or portable containers, electrical cabinets for telephone-computer networks (or in general for telecommunications), cabinets that can be installed indoors or outdoors, cabinets for containing drugs, special materials, generic cabinets for industrial use, furniture and other functionally and/or constructively equivalent structures.

Again for the purposes of the present invention, the term “lock 5” generically indicates the set of mechanical components which, in a closed configuration, lock the two portions 2A, 2B together in order to prevent access to said internal volume V, while in an open configuration they release the displacement of the movable portion 2B and therefore allow such access. The lock 5 comprises at least an actuating element 50 which, following a predetermined movement, carried out manually, switches the configuration from open to closed and vice versa.

Overall, the lock 5 and the locking/unlocking assembly 1 configure closing means of said unit 2. In particular, the locking/unlocking assembly 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “assembly 7”) intervenes on the lock 5 so as to prevent, in a locked condition, the displacement of the actuating element 50. Instead, in a unlocking condition of the lock 5, such displacement is allowed in order to allow the opening of the assembly 2 or access to its internal volume V.

According to the invention, the locking/unlocking assembly 1 comprises a first electrically operated device 10 intended to be stably connected to one of the two portions 2 A, 2B of the unit 2 (i.e. to the fixed portion 2A or to the movable portion 2B) to remain integral therewith. Such first device 10 comprises a first locking element 11 and moving means 15 (hereinafter also referred to as “first moving means 15” of electromechanical type which move said first locking element 11 between a locking operating position and an unlocking operating position. The locking/unlocking assembly 1 further comprises a second device 20 intended to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the actuating element 50 of the lock 5.

Such second device 20 comprises a second locking element 22A which, in a first operating position, engages the first locking element 11 indicated above when the latter takes up the locking position, In particular, in this condition, the two locking elements 11, 22A, following their mutual engagement, prevent the displacement of the second device 20 and therefore of the actuating element 50 integral therewith, with respect to the portion (2A or 2B) of the unit 2 to which the first device 10 is integral.

The second device 20 further comprises moving means 20A of mechanical type (hereinafter also referred to as “ second moving means 20 A") for moving said second locking element 22A between the first operating position and a second operating position upon reaching of which the two locking elements 11, 22A are disengaged. In particular, said second moving means 20A allow said second locking element 22A to be displaced between the (first and second) operating positions even if the first locking element 11 takes up the locking position. According to the invention, the second moving means 20A may be activated manually by means of a removable mechanical key. Basically, the mechanical key 24 allows the movement (i.e. that is the displacement of the second locking element 22A from the first operating position to the second operating position and vice versa) to be activated. In the absence of the mechanical key 24, such displacement is instead prevented.

In general, according to the invention, the two devices 10, 20 of the assembly 1 cooperate to lock the lock 5. In a condition of normal operation of the first device 10, the second locking element 22A of the second device 20 constantly takes up the first operating position and the locking or unlocking of the lock 5 occurs due to the displacement of the first locking element 11 between the locking and unlocking position.

In the event that the first locking element 11 remains steady in the locked position, due to a failure of the first moving means 15, the second moving means 20A of the second device 20 may be activated, through the key 24, to disengage the second locking element 22A from the first locking element 11. This disengagement releases the displacement of the actuating element 50 of the lock 5 with which the second device 20 is integral.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second moving means 20A of the second device 20 comprise a "dock cylinder ' (hereinafter also indicated with the reference numeral 20A) which includes a first body 21 (hereinafter also indicated by the term “ stator 21") and a second cylindrical body 22 (hereinafter also indicated as “rotor 22”) inserted, at least partially, in a cylindrical seat defined in the first body 21. The rotor 22 is made rotatable, about a longitudinal axis 200 thereof, following the insertion of a key 24 inside a seat 24B defined longitudinally in the rotor 21. Such rotation takes place between at least a first angular position and at least a second angular position.

The operating principle of a “lock cylinder'' is well known to those skilled in the art. It is in fact known that cavities are defined in the stator and in the rotor, in each of which a pin and a counter-pin slide, pushed by a spring. Following the insertion of the key 24, and due to the encryption thereof, the pins and counter-pins are placed in a position such as to release the rotation of the rotor 22 with respect to the stator 21. On the contrary, in the absence of the key 24, such pins and counter-pins are arranged in their respective cavities in such a way as to prevent any rotation of the rotor 22.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the lock cylinder is of the type commonly referred to by the name “European cylinder ' as can be recognized in Figure 5 by the shape of the stator 21. However, another type of cylinder could be used instead of a European cylinder, for example a round profile cylinder, an interchangeable profile cylinder, an oval profile cylinder or a pump cylinder. These devices are considered to be the prior art and are known to those skilled in the art and for this reason they are not described in detail. At the same time, a person skilled in the art is also able to recognize, among the various existing ones, other types of cylinders known and usable for the purposes of the present invention as alternatives to the types indicated above.

In this embodiment, the stator 21 of the lock cylinder 20A is intended to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the actuating element 50 of the lock 5. Therefore, the second device 20 remains integral with the lock 5 itself during the opening of the container unit 2.

In this preferred embodiment, said second locking element 22A is integral in rotation with the rotor 22 in such a way that it rotates about the longitudinal axis 200 of the rotor itself (see for example Figure 5). Therefore, the second locking element 22A takes up the first operating position when the rotor 22 takes up the first angular position and takes up the second operating position when the rotor 22 takes up the second angular position.

The insertion of the key 24 in the rotor 22 releases the rotation of the latter with respect to the stator 21. Therefore, in the condition of the key 24 inserted, the rotor 22 may be rotated manually from the first angular position to the second angular position, thus causing the displacement of the second locking element 22A from the first operating position to the second operating position in which it is disengaged from the first locking element 11, assuming that this is locked in the locked position, due to a fault.

As shown in the figures, preferably said second locking element 22A is a pin (hereinafter also indicated with reference numeral 22A) integral with the rotor 22. Said pin 22A cantilevers relative to the first body 21. Said pin 22A comprises an end portion 221 (indicated in Figure 6) defining a recess 25 which gives it a substantially “hook-like” configuration.

As further clarified below, the condition of mutual engagement (condition which determines the locking of the lock 5) between the two locking elements 11, 22A is reached following the insertion of a portion/end 11B of the first locking element 11 into the recess 25 so as to prevent a displacement of the pin 22A according to a transversal trajectory, i.e. inclined/incident, with respect to the displacement trajectory of the first locking element 11. In practice, such transverse trajectory coincides with the displacement direction envisaged for the actuating element 50 of the lock 5.

Preferably, the pin 22A is mounted so as to be coaxial with the rotor 22 of the cylinder 20A, that is, so as to rotate about the longitudinal axis 200 (see again Figure 6, for example). In the solution shown in the figures, the pin 22A is supported by a support portion 27 integral with the first body 21 that defines a rotation seat of the pin itself (see Figure 8). In particular, the pin 22A is connected to the rotor 22 through a radial pin 23 or another functionally equivalent connection means such that the rotor 22 and the pin 22A rotate synchronously about the longitudinal axis 200.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), the pin 22A could be made in a single body with the rotor 22. In practice, the pin 22A could be a part of the cylindrical body defining the rotor 22. This solution would avoid the need to provide a mechanical connection between pin 22A and rotor 22 to synchronize the rotation.

The present invention also relates to a container unit 2 (or unit 2) which comprises a locking/unlocking assembly 1 according to the present invention. In this regard, the unit 2 shown in the figures is a cabinet, which may be used indoors or outdoors, for example to contain electrical material and/or devices for the operation of a telephone network or more generally of a communication network. In the case illustrated, the movable portion 2B of the container unit 2 consists of a door (also indicated below with reference numeral 2B) hinged to the fixed portion 2A (also referred to as body 2A) so as to rotate about a reference axis 300.

Again with reference to the figures, the lock 5 of the unit 2 comprises an actuating element 50 in the shape of a handle (indicated hereinafter with reference numeral 50) integral with the door 2B. More precisely, the handle 50 is hinged to the door 2B so as to rotate with respect to a first rotation axis 301 and with respect to a second rotation axis 302, respectively orthogonal to each other and also orthogonal to the rotation axis 300 of the door 2B with respect to the body 2 A of the container unit 2.

The sectional view of Figure 4 shows the unit 2 in closed configuration and allows a possible embodiment of the lock 5 to be seen, which comprises locking rods 31, installed on the inner side 200B of the door 2B, that, following the rotation of the handle 50 about said rotation axes 301, 302, engage or disengage from stop brackets 32 stably fixed to the fixed portion 2A of the container unit 2. The stop brackets 32 are fixed to the outer side of a perimeter frame 33 (clearly visible in Figure 13) that extends on the open side of the fixed portion 2A, i.e. the side intended to be closed by the door 2B.

In alternative solutions, the locking rods 31 and the brackets 32 could be replaced by other functionally equivalent elements. In fact, in general, the lock 5 comprises first locking elements, integral with the movable portion 2B during the rotation about the main axis 300, and second locking elements, integral with the fixed portion 2A, wherein the first locking elements can be displaced through the handle 50 between an engagement position (door 2B constrained to body 2A) and a disengagement condition (door 2B released from body 2A).

With reference again to Figure 4, in the illustrated solution, the first device 10, in particular the first body 21 of the cylinder 20A of the locking/unlocking assembly 1 is fixed to the inner side 33B of the perimeter frame 33. The latter comprises an opening 33C (shown in Figure 13) for positioning the second locking element 22A, that is, the pin 22A integral with the rotor 22 of the cylinder 20A. In particular, when the unit 2 is closed (internal volume V not accessible), the pin 22 A emerges in a position below the first device 10 so as to interact with it according to the principles of the present invention. During the opening of the unit 2, the pin 22A moves integrally with the cylinder 20A (in its turn fixed to the handle 50) emerging from the opening 33C (see Figures 12 and 14). In the closing phase, the same opening 33C allows the repositioning of the pin 22A.

In the solution illustrated in the figures, an interface element 58 is provided (see Figures 4 to 6) fixed on the outer side of the door 2B and to which the handle 50 is hinged through hinge means (not visible) defining the first rotation axis 301 defined above (see Figure 3). In the closed configuration, the handle 50 rests against the interface element 58, while in the opening phase, the handle 50 moves away by rotating with respect to the interface element 58 about said rotation axes 301, 302 as better specified later on. In this regard, the door 2B defines a passage 225 (indicated in Figure 14) to allow the movement of the cylinder 20A when the handle 50 rotates away from the door 2B.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, in particular in Figure 6, the handle 50 comprises a through cavity 56 and a cradle 57 on the inner side 5B, i.e. the side facing the unit 2. Overall, the cavity 56 and the cradle 57 define a seat in which the stator 21 of the cylinder 20A is stably fixed so that it is integral in its movements with the handle 50. At least one phase of the displacement of the handle 50 and therefore of the cylinder 20A takes place on a displacement plane P (indicated in Figure 12) which is substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis 301 of the handle 50. Basically, during this first phase, the axis of the rotor 22 of the cylinder 20A remains on said displacement plane P.

Preferably, the stator 21 is arranged so that its front side 21A (opposite to the rear side 21B shown in Figure 11 with respect to which the pin 22A emerges) remains on the same plane of the outer side 50A of the handle 50 (opposite to the inner one 50B) to facilitate insertion of the key 24 (see Figures 1 and 2 again).

Figures 6, 8 and 10 show further preferred, but non-exclusive, features of the locking/unlocking assembly 1 according to the invention applied to the unit 2. With reference in particular to Figure 10, the recess 25 is defined by a first surface 251 that develops over a first plane R1 inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 200 of the rotor 22 and by a second surface 252 that develops on a second plane R2 substantially orthogonal to the same longitudinal axis 200. The two surfaces 251, 252 are mutually arranged so as to converge towards said longitudinal axis, that is, so that the recess 25 has a pointed shape towards the longitudinal axis 200, where this shape is considered on said displacement plane P containing the longitudinal axis 200 and considering the pin 22A in the first operating position (rotor in the first angular position). In the solution illustrated, the two reference planes Rl, R2 define an acute angle of inclination p, that is, less than 90°. In particular, the second surface 252 extends on a substantially radial plane with respect to the longitudinal axis 200.

According to an alternative embodiment, the surfaces defining the recess 25 could develop on not inclined planes. In any case, the surfaces defining the recess 25 re configured so that a portion of such a recess is converging toward the axis so ad to provide the “hook shape” above indicate, considering it on said displacement plane P containing the longitudinal axis 200 e with the pin 22A in the first operating position. In the illustrated solution, the end portion 221 (indicated in Fig. 6) has one or more inclined faces 255 (indicated in Fig. 5) which, as a whole, confer a tapered configuration towards the end portion 26 of the pin 22A, which remains between the recess 25 and an end surface 226 (indicated in Fig. 8) of the pin 22A. The end portion 26 itself comprises further inclined faces 254 (see Fig. 5) giving it a tapered configuration towards the end surface.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, in addition to the end portion 221 defining the recess 25, the pin 22A comprises an intermediate portion 222 (indicated in Figure 6) between the end portion 221 and the stator 21. The axial extension of the intermediate portion 222 depends on the position, evaluated with respect to the handle 50 in the closed position (i.e. in the condition of Figure 3), in which the recess 25 must be placed to interact with the first locking element 11.

In a first possible embodiment thereof, only schematically shown in the figures, the first moving means 15 of the first device 10 comprise an actuator 15A controlled by a control unit 15B, which moves the first locking element 11 along a straight displacement direction 410 between the locked position and the unlocked position. Preferably, the first locking element 11 is in the shape of a rod comprising a free end 1 IB which engages in the recess 25 of the pin 22A when the engagement condition indicated above occurs (pin 22A in the first operating position, first locking element in the locking position).

In a first possible embodiment, the actuator 15A may be a solenoid which controls the first locking element 11 according to its state of excitation. In an alternative but functionally equivalent embodiment, the actuator 15A may comprise an electric motor which drives a toothed transmission element meshing with a rack associated with the first locking element 11. The electric motor, which may be operated in both directions of rotation, determines the rotation of the transmission element which results in linear displacement, along the displacement direction 410, between the locking and unlocking positions. In both cases, the first moving means 15 may comprise an electrical power supply module 15B (for example a battery) and a control unit 15C designed to control the actuator 15 A.

In general, the first device 10 may assume any configuration functionally equivalent to those indicated above and useful for the purpose. In particular, the actuator 15A and/or the modules 15B, 15C may take different embodiments provided that, as a whole, they allow the required displacement for the first locking element 11 to be achieved. Precisely due to the many possible embodiments, in Figure 8 the components 15 A, 15B, 15C of the first moving means 15 have been schematized only with a simple rectangle.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the operation of the locking/unlocking assembly 1 applied to the container unit 2 is described below. Figures 1-4, 7 refer to the container unit 2 in the closed configuration and the lock 5 locked. In this configuration, the handle 50 is therefore in the position shown in Figures 3 and 8, i.e. in contact with the interface element 58 integral with the door 2B (see Figures 1-4 in particular). Figure 8 is a view according to an observation direction orthogonal to the displacement plane P containing the longitudinal axis 200 of the rotor 22.

With reference to such figure, in the locking configuration of the lock 5, the rotor 22 takes up the first angular position and the locking element 11 takes up the locking operating position. The end 1 IB of the first locking element 11 is inserted in the recess 25 of the pin 22A and therefore the displacement of the handle 50 in the opening direction indicated by the arrow F is prevented. In fact, the end 11B constitutes an impediment to translation along the longitudinal axis 200 of the stator 21 of the cylinder 20A. In detail, the end 26 of the pin 21 cannot translate, in the direction of the arrow F, beyond the position of the free end 1 IB. This impediment determines the locking of the handle 50 which translates precisely into the locking of the lock 5.

Figures 9 and 10 refer to a configuration whereby the unit 2 is closed, but the lock 5 is unlocked, wherein the release is determined by the first device 10. In particular, in normal conditions, the release of the lock 5 provides for the activation of the first moving means 15 which move the first locking element 11 along the displacement direction 410 until it reaches the release position (position of the free end 1 IB dashed in Figure 10). Upon reaching this last position, the free end 1 IB is placed outside the recess 25 or in a position which no longer prevents the cylinder 20A from moving in the direction of the arrow F, i.e. it no longer prevents the displacement of the handle 50 with respect to the door 2B. Therefore, the handle 50 can be moved manually by the user.

In this regard, Figures 12 to 14 show the sequential steps that lead to the complete opening of the unit 2. Following the release of the lock 5, the handle 50 is manually rotated about the first rotation axis 301 or is rotated by a certain angle x with respect to the door 2B (see Figure 12). During this first rotation, the handle 50 and consequently the cylinder 20A move along the displacement plane P defined above. Thereafter, the handle 50 is rotated about the second rotation axis 302 outward, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. In particular, this second rotation (about 302) determines the disengagement of the first elements (rods 31) of the lock 5 from the second locking elements (stop brackets 32), i.e. the release of the two portions 2A,2B. The subsequent reclosing of the unit 2 involves two opposite rotations: a first rotation about the second axis 302 to align the handle 50 and the cylinder 20A connected to it with the displacement plane P and a second rotation, about the first axis 301 to bring back the handle and the cylinder in the position in which the lock 5 can be locked (condition of Figures 8 and 10).

Figure 11 instead refers to the case in which a malfunction of the first device 10 occurs as a result of which the first locking element 11 cannot return to the unlock position, thus hampering the unlocking of the lock 5. When this situation occurs, by means of the key 24, the rotor 21 and the pin 22 A are manually rotated from the first angular position (shown in Figure 8) to the second angular position upon reaching which, the free end 11 is outside the recess 25. In this condition, the two locking elements 11 and 22A are disengaged. In fact, the end portion 221 of the pin 22, which forms the “hook”, is oriented, with respect to the free end 11B of the first locking element 11, in such a way as to allow the translation of the cylinder 20A in the direction of the arrow F (displacement direction of the handle 50).

In a preferred embodiment, visible in the figures, the free end 1 IB of the locking element 11 has a contact surface 110 (indicated in Figure 8) configured so as to be inclined, i.e. facing, towards the stator 21. Furthermore, the actuator 15A of the first moving means 15 is configured in such a way as to allow a predetermined elastic displacement of the locking element 11, starting from the locking position, towards the unlocking position, wherein such displacement is determined as a result of a force acting on said contact surface 110, preferably in a direction substantially orthogonal to the displacement direction 410 of the locking element 11 itself.

The expression “elastic displacement” is meant to indicate a displacement such that the locking element 11 returns to take up the locking position again as soon as the force acting on the contact surface 110 ceases. As shown in the figures, the contact surface 110 is preferably flat and has an inclination substantially corresponding to that of the first surface 251 defining the recess 25.

Advantageously, such elastic displacement allows, in any condition, the lock 5 to be locked again without reactivating the second moving means 20 A, that is, without using the key 24. In the malfunctioning condition of the first device 10, after having unlocked the lock 5 (in the manner indicated above described in the comment of Figure 11) and after having opened the unit 2 through the handle 50 (in the manner described in the comment of Figures 12 to 14), the key 24 can be immediately removed from the rotor 22 after having returned it to the first angular position. To lock the lock 5 again, the handle 50 is aligned with the displacement plane P to then be pushed towards the door 2B in a rotation about the first axis 301. When the cylinder 20A approaches its working position (i.e. at the end of this rotation), the end portion 26 of the pin 22A intercepts the contact surface 110 of the free end 11B of the locking element 11 pushing it towards the unlocked position, i.e. triggering the elastic displacement. At the end of the rotation, that is when the cylinder 20A takes up the working position again (Figures 3 and 8), the contact between the end portion 26 and the contact surface 410 ceases and the free end 1 IB returns to the locking position, thus restoring the locking of the lock 5.

In a possible embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first device 10 could be integral with the movable portion 2B, while the actuating element 50 of the lock 5, and therefore the second device 20, could be associated with the fixed portion 2A. Basically, the arrangement of the two devices can vary according to the configuration of the container unit 2 and/or of the lock 5.

In general, the solutions described above allow the intended task and objects to be fully accomplished. In particular, the locking/unlocking assembly allows the lock to be unlocked even in the event of a fault in the electrical part, normally responsible for locking/unlocking the lock itself. The locking/unlocking assembly in the embodiments described, and in other equivalent embodiments, may be implemented by means of a relatively small number of components which may be easily assembled together. Advantageously, the locking/unlocking assembly according to the invention may also be used to lock/unlock a lock of a movable structure (for example in the form of a door or gate) generally designed to allow access to a space at least partially confined by a fixed structure to which such movable part is operatively associated.