DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] This invention relates to a locking device for an electrical panel . In particular, this invention relates to a locking device for an electrical panel suitable for use in particular in hygienic conditions , such as may exist , for example , in the food industry .

PRIOR ART

[0002] As is well known, there are speci fic regulatory standards for equipment , and in particular for electrical panels , for use in environments where particular attention to hygienic aspects is required, such as in the food industry .

[0003] In the subsequent description of this invention, for illustrative purposes , reference will be made to applications relating to electrical panels ; however, the principles of this invention may also be applied to other types of devices and/or containers , in ways that will appear obvious to the person skilled in the art .

[0004] The obj ect of these regulations is to make the equipment free of critical issues from a hygiene perspective .

[0005] One of these critical issues lies in the presence of contact surfaces between two metallic components . Regulations require that components exposed to the environment have no metal-to-metal contact surfaces . In ef fect , in the gap between the two surfaces there may be stagnation of material , such as liquid, which could lead to the proli feration of bacteria .

[0006] For this reason, the standards require a gasket or bushing made of non-metallic material to be placed between two metallic surfaces , such that the possibility of material stagnation in the gap is precluded .

[0007] Locking devices are thus known, which are made of metallic material , in which a metal part generally rotates a quarter turn to release a latch and allow the cover of the electrical panel to be opened .

[0008] In this type of lock, the rotating metal part is separated from the cover made of metallic material by means of a polymer bushing .

[0009] In order to open and close the cover, the end of the locking device on which a raised form is provided must be engaged with a tool provided with a counter- form seat with respect to the raised form .

[0010] The prior art , while widely used and appreciated, is not without its drawbacks .

[0011] Once the device latch is disengaged, since there is no handle provided, the operator must attempt to li ft the cover of f the body of the electrical panel . This operation is certainly not easy, since at the interface between the body and the cover there is a sealing gasket , which, when the cover is closed, causes a suction ef fect on the cover that prevents it from being opened easily .

[0012] In addition, the locking device configurations of the prior art suf fer from wear of the bushing interposed between the cover and the device . In ef fect , the locking of the device with respect to the cover is achieved by pressing the bushing between the cover and the device . I f the elements are not tightened properly, the bushing may wear out prematurely .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The need for solving the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art is therefore f elt .

[0014] Therefore , the need is felt to provide a locking device that allows easier opening of the cover with respect to the body of the panel .

[0015] In addition, there is a need for a locking device that allows the wear of the bushing between the metal part of the locking device and the cover to be drastically reduced .

[0016] Again, there is a need for a locking device to improve the hygienic performance of the device during working conditions in particularly protected environments .

[0017] This requirement is satis fied by a locking device according to claim 1 , and by an electrical panel comprising said locking device according to claim 10 . DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred and non-limiting embodiments thereof , wherein :

[0019] - Fig . 1 shows schematically a side view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] - Fig . 2 shows schematically a front view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] - Fig . 3 shows schematically a side view in cross section of a locking device according to an embodiment of this invention;

[0022] - Fig . 3A and 3B show schematically two details of Fig . 3 ;

[0023] - Fig . 4 shows schematically a perspective view of a portion of a panel according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0024] Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated with the same reference numerals .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In Fig . 1 , a locking device 12 according to the present invention is indicated with the reference number 12 .

[0026] The locking device 12 comprises a body 14 and a rotating element 16 . The body 14 is provided with a striker collar 18 proj ecting in a radial direction, and with an insertion portion 20 adapted to be inserted within a hole 22 provided on a locking element 24 .

[0027] In this discussion, " locking element" 24 means , for example , a cover of an electrical panel 120 as shown in Fig . 4 . In any event , as mentioned above , such reference is given for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting with respect to possible applications to which the principles of this invention may be applied .

[0028] The locking device 12 further comprises a fastener 26 adapted to engage a thread 28 provided on the insertion portion 20 , so as to tighten a portion of the locking element 24 between the striker collar 18 and said fastener 26 .

[0029] The striker collar 18 is provided with a first bushing 30 made of a polymeric material , adapted to be interposed between the striker collar 18 and the locking element 24 . [0030] The rotating element 16 is provided with a rotating head 32 , an elongated shank 33 housed within a through- hole 34 provided on the body 14 , and, in a position opposite to the rotating head 32 , with locking means 36 such that a rotation of the rotating head 32 causes a rotation of the locking means 36 .

[0031] At the interface between the rotating element 16 and the body 14 , which in use is exposed, a second bushing 38 made of a polymeric material is provided .

[0032] According to a possible embodiment , the striker collar 18 may comprise a radial seat 40 for the first bushing 30 .

[0033] Advantageously, the radial seat 40 may be substantially a step wherein the first bushing 30 may be housed .

[0034] As seen, for example , in Fig . 3B, the first bushing 30 may protrude in a longitudinal direction toward the locking means 36 from the radial seat 40 . Advantageously, the longitudinal extension of the bushing 30 may allow an adj ustment of the pressure to which the bushing 30 is subj ected, since the bushing will deform until metal-to- metal contact is made between the body 14 and the locking element 24 .

[0035] In this way, the first bushing 30 may be adapted to be interposed between the body 14 and the locking element 24 to avoid an exposed metal-to-metal contact zone .

[0036] According to a possible embodiment , the rotating head 32 may proj ect in a radial direction with respect to the body 14 . Advantageously, the second bushing 38 may be radially interposed between the body 14 and the rotating head 32 .

[0037] One such embodiment is shown, for example , in the example in Fig . 3A. Advantageously, the portion of the second bushing 38 axially arranged between the rotating head 32 and the body 14 may be minimi zed .

[0038] In this way, the portion of the second bushing 38 that in use is subj ect to the axial resultant of the forces acting between the rotating head 32 and the body 14 is minimal . This axial resultant depends essentially on the tightening between the locking means and the rotating element . Thus , the forces applied on the second bushing 38 are essentially design forces due to the coupling with the rotating head and the body, and thus may be established in the des ign so that they are not dependent on how the locking device i s installed .

[0039] According to a possible embodiment , the first bushing 30 and the second bushing 38 may be made of silicone .

[0040] According to a possible embodiment , the rotating head 32 may comprise a containment portion 44 adapted to partially contain the second bushing 38 . The containment portion 44 may have a substantially C-shaped longitudinal section facing the longitudinal axis x of the locking device 12 .

[0041] Thus , once the second bushing 38 has been coupled between the rotating head 32 and the body 14 , the C shape of the containment portion 44 is adapted to prevent accidental extraction of the second bushing 38 from the rotating head .

[0042] According to a possible embodiment , the rotating head 32 may comprise a raised form 46 adapted to be engaged by a counter- form seat to rotate said rotating head 32 relative to said body 14 .

[0043] The raised form may be, for example , a trilobate form, hexagonal form, or the like .

[0044] As seen, for example , in Fig . 3 , the locking means 36 may comprise a lever 48 proj ecting in a radial direction, adapted to engage corresponding striking means .

[0045] According to a possible embodiment , the lever 48 may comprise a first portion 482 arranged substantially longitudinally, and a second portion 484 , distal to the body 14 , having a substantially radial development .

[0046] In addition, the lever 48 may be attached to the rotating element 16 by means of a screw 50 . [0047] According to a possible embodiment , the fastener 26 may have an outer surface having a substantially hexagonal cross section adapted to engage with a corresponding key to lock the body 14 in place with respect to the locking element 24 .

[0048] The advantages of this invention over the prior art are therefore now apparent .

[0049] First , the locking device 12 may be advantageously used in electrical panels intended for use in environments subj ect to EHEDG and hygienic design guidelines .

[0050] In addition, it may be used in enclosures/ structures for electrical and pneumatic components , etc . made of stainless steel , where one or more quarter-turn locks are required .

[0051] Advantageously, enclosures/ structures in this category are installed in environments ( such as in meat processing, pharmaceuticals ) where the level of contamination and deposition must be minimi zed and easily removable .

[0052] In addition, the locking device according to this invention has two possibilities for being locked, either by means of a tool adapted to engage the form provided on the rotating head, or directly with the hands , since the radial head protrudes radially . [0053] Again, all exposed metal-to-metal interfaces are separated from each other by bushings made of polymeric material .

[0054] In addition, bushing wear may be controlled at the design stage , since it is independent of installation conditions .

[0055] A person skilled in the art will be able to make modi fications to the embodiments described above and/or substitute described elements with equivalent elements in order to satis fy particular requirements without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims .