Lockable signalling column

The invention relates to a signaling column with levels which are assembled by a relative pivoting limited in amplitude and interconnected by axially-extending conductors. The body of a level includes a locking bar which extends axially to penetrate an opening in an adjacent level and abuts an edge of the opening on a rotation attempt. The ends of the bar may be displaced and the opening is of such a size as to accommodate the top end of a relevant bar and the bottom end of the bar above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a signaling column composed of signaling levels, in particular optical signaling levels, which are superposed on one another and fixed to one another by pivoting about the axis of the column.

II. Description of Related Art

The levels of such a column each have a body which comprises a lateral wall and a cover, and accommodate a signaling member and conductors which are distributed over the periphery of the body and extend parallel to the axis to ensure an electrical connection with the signaling member. Such a column is known, for example, from the document FR 2 128 998. The body comprises means for assembling to the adjacent body by pivoting of limited amplitude and means for interconnecting which ensure, during pivoting, a continuing connection between the different levels.

The various levels are assembled by relative pivoting, preferably by a bayonet-type mounting of a body of a level on the body of an underlying level. The mounting is very simple, which means that the dismantling is also very simple. To replace a level or to work on the signaling member of a level, it suffices to pivot the upper level, with the levels which are superposed thereon, in order to dismantle the entire part of the column surmounting the relevant level. It is sometimes desirable to prevent instant dismantling of a level relative to the underlying level, in order to avoid intervention by an unauthorized operator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to lock the levels in a manner which is simple and well adapted to the configuration of a signaling column and which provides the desired protection against untimely dismantling.

According to the invention, the body has a lock consisting of a bar which extends axially with a first end accessible by a tool and a second end capable of penetrating an opening of the adjacent body and capable of abutting against an edge of the opening to prevent the pivoting of the body, the bar being displaceable to adopt two axially distinct positions, one a retracted locked position and the other an extended unlocked position.

The opening is preferably made in an upper face of the cover which is perpendicular to the axis of the column and the bar preferably has a uniform section over its entire length. The ends of the locking bar may be offset, the opening being dimensioned to accommodate the first end of the relevant bar and the second end of the adjacent bar.

The first end of the bar, which is preferably its upper end, may advantageously have an eyelet for operating the tool and may be countersunk relative to the upper surface of the cover in the locked position, the operation being facilitated by the opening having a radially flared shape.

The bar may be easily guided in translation in the axial direction of the column by guide surfaces provided in the upper cover and guide elements provided in the lower part of the body.

The detailed description which follows illustrates an embodiment given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The signaling column C illustrated in the figures comprises a plurality of superposed signaling levels or modules A. As is seen inFIG. 1, the column C extends along a vertical axis X and has four levels A1-A4fixed to one another, the lowest level A1being fixed to a base B which ensures the passage of electrical conductors, the uppermost level A4being preferably covered by a lid D. The column may, naturally, have a variable number of levels. One level is mounted onto an underlying level by a bayonet-type movement, with pivoting of limited amplitude, for example at an angle of less than 30°.

The body10of a level A accommodates a plurality of conductors20in the form of beads (seeFIGS. 4 and 6). These conductors ensure the supply and transmission of signaling signals toward the various levels, which obviously assumes an interconnection of the ends20a,20bof the homologous conductors belonging to the superposed levels. The body10has a cylindrical or prismatic wall11with an axis X. The wall11is translucent and, for example, colored when the signaling is illuminated, and may be opaque in other cases. The body is provided with an upper cover12, of which the upper face12aextends transversely to the axis X. The cover12is provided on its periphery with a plurality of inwardly curved passages13and, on the inside, insulating contacts14adjacent to these passages and designed to receive clip connectors14awhich accommodate the ends20a,20bof conductors to be interconnected. On its lower part, opposing the cover, the body10has retaining elements15for the lower ends20bof the conductors20and a lower part16. The lower part16is provided with shapes18for coupling to the upper part17of the underlying level, for example of the bayonet type, to cooperate during assembly by pivoting with homologous coupling shapes19of the underlying level. The cover12bears a signaling member E to which the ends20aof the conductors20accommodated in the body of the relevant level are connected.

A lock30consisting of an axial bar extends inside the body10, substantially over the height thereof. The bar30is essentially rigid and guided in translation in the direction X by guide surfaces21provided in the cover12and guide elements22provided in the lower part of the body. The bar30may, at its upper end30a, pass through an opening23made in the cover12, by being guided in this opening, to project beyond the surface12aof the cover12; the end30aof the bar30is not widened and has an eyelet31to receive the tip of a tool T. At its lower end30b, the bar30is guided in the elements22and may penetrate an opening of the cover12of the underlying level, preferably consisting of the opening23already provided in this cover. It is noteworthy that the opening23has, on the one hand, an edge23aradially flared towards the outside and, on the other hand, a lateral abutment edge23b.

The opening23is, therefore, dimensioned to accommodate the upper end30aof the bar30of the relevant level and the lower end30bof the superposed level. It will be noted that the bars are formed with ends30a,30bwhich are slightly radially offset, and have a uniformly straight section over their entire length.

The locking bar30is capable of adopting an upper unlocked position, in which its upper end30aprojects relative to the upper surface12aof the cover, and a locked lower position, in which its upper end30ais countersunk relative to the surface12a. The maintenance of these positions is partially ensured by the friction against the guide surfaces21,22. It is preferable to provide stop elements32, such as snap connections or hard points, to maintain the bar in these two positions.

The mounting of one level of the column on the underlying level will be explained with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. To be assembled to the underlying level (for example denoted in this case A1), the upper level (for example denoted in this case A2) is initially advanced in the direction X, with axial interlocking of the lower part16of A2into the upper part17of A1. Then the operator pivots the body of A2about the axis X to obtain the interlocking of the shapes18of A2onto the shapes19of A1. During these coupling movements, the locking bar30of A2is in the upper unlocked position so as not to act on the cover of A1. The pivoting is carried out over an angle which depends on the configuration of the elements13,14a,20, in this case of the order of the angular extension of the passages13. When the pivoting is terminated, the lower ends20bof the conductors20of A2are inserted in the connectors14aof A1. The assembled position is thus confirmed and secured by the operator who lowers the bar30of A2, manually or by means of the tool T, in guided translation through the opening13, the surfaces21and the elements22. The translation is carried out until the insertion of the end30bof the bar in the opening23of the cover of A1. As is seen inFIG. 7, the end30bof the bar30of A2is accommodated adjacent to the end30aof the bar30of A1and thus contributes to the blocking of said bar.

When attempting to dismantle A2, the locking bar30abuts against the lateral edge23bof the opening23. To remove the level A2it is necessary to unblock its bar30by raising by means of the tool T in order to bring the bar into the position indicated inFIG. 8. The introduction of T into the eyelet24is facilitated by the flared form provided to the external radial edge23aof the opening23.