EP2668354B1 - Padlock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a padlock with a lock housing, a U-shaped lock bracket and a lock cylinder to selectively lock the lock bracket to the lock housing, wherein the lock cylinder has a cylinder axis and is secured by a securing element to the lock housing.

In such a padlock the lock bracket is held displaceable on the lock housing. In an open position of the lock strap, a free end of the lock strap can be guided, for example, by an eyelet of an object. In a closed position, both ends of the lock bracket are connected to the lock housing. In this closed position, the lock bracket can be locked by means of the lock cylinder via a locking device on the lock housing. For this purpose, the lock cylinder typically has a cylinder housing and a cylinder core, which is rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing with respect to said cylinder axis and can be actuated by means of an associated key. Said locking means may comprise, for example, a rotary latch which is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cylinder core, and two blocking balls which engage in response to the rotational position of the rotary latch in locking recesses of the lock bracket or can withdraw from these.

The lock cylinder forms a separate unit, which is secured to the lock housing by means of a securing element. For this it is from the patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 known to use a locking screw, which is parallel to the cylinder axis by a strap receiving channel the lock housing is inserted and screwed to a web portion of the cylinder housing. A disadvantage of this solution is that for securing the lock cylinder on the lock housing, the locking screw at the end of a strap receiving channel find only in the associated threaded hole and then must be rotated by means of a tool.

A padlock, the cylinder housing by means of a displaceably mounted and by a compression spring with respect to the cylinder axis of the lock cylinder biased radially outward securing element which engages in a securing opening on an inner side of the lock housing, is secured in US Pat. No. 3,068,682 A described. Furthermore, it is off US 3,172,279 A a padlock according to the preamble of claim 1 known.

It is an object of the invention to provide a padlock of the type mentioned, in which the lock cylinder can be easily attached to the lock housing. In particular, a releasable attachment of the lock cylinder to the lock housing should be possible, and the padlock should be made in a compact size. This object is achieved by a padlock with the features of claim 1.

The securing element is thus not inserted parallel to the cylinder axis in the lock cylinder, but the securing element is movable transversely to the cylinder axis, in particular exactly perpendicular to the cylinder axis. Here, the securing element is spring-mounted on the lock cylinder, ie, the securing element is biased (for example by means of a compression spring) in the direction of a securing position, in the the securing element cooperates with a securing opening, which is formed in the interior of the lock housing. By such an arrangement, the lock cylinder is automatically secured to the lock housing when the lock cylinder is inserted into the lock housing. The attachment of the lock cylinder to the lock housing can thus be carried out in a particularly comfortable and reliable manner, in particular without the need for using a tool.

A particular advantage of the securing element movable transversely to the cylinder axis is that despite the separate design of the lock cylinder (in particular releasably secured to the lock housing, see below), a compact design of the padlock can be achieved, for example with a width of the lock housing of, for example, at most 35 mm. In particular, it is not necessary that the lock cylinder is arranged in alignment with the respective strap receiving channel of the lock housing, so that a securing screw can be screwed into the lock cylinder through the respective strap receiving channel, as is known from the aforementioned patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 is known. In addition, the lock bracket and the respective strap receiving channel of the lock housing may have a small diameter, since it is not necessary, the diameter of the respective strap receiving channel to the size of a locking screw according to the patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 adapt. However, such a locking screw must have a certain minimum size to ensure sufficient stability of the attachment of the lock cylinder to the lock housing.

In some lock cylinders, it is desirable or necessary that a possible rotational movement of the cylinder core be limited relative to the cylinder housing. This is easily achieved by that the securing element is displaceably mounted in the cylinder housing and biased radially outward with respect to the cylinder axis by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring is supported on a Drehanschlagselement, which is also mounted displaceably in the cylinder housing and biased by the compression spring with respect to the cylinder axis radially inward , This rotation stop member engages a recess of the cylinder core, which extends with respect to the cylinder axis along a limited circumferential angle. By this engagement, the rotational movement of the cylinder core is limited relative to the cylinder housing. Unlike in the aforementioned patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 Thus, therefore, a circumferentially limited engagement recess provided on the part of the rotatable cylinder core, wherein the engaging in this recess rotation stop element can be provided in particular in a receiving channel on the part of the cylinder housing, which is required anyway for said fuse element.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the lock housing has a receiving opening for the lock cylinder, which is preferably provided on the underside of the lock housing. While the securing element is initially pushed back into the lock cylinder, the lock cylinder along the cylinder axis can be inserted into the receiving opening of the lock housing such that upon reaching an end position, the securing element snaps into the securing opening to secure the lock cylinder in the end position on the lock housing. This results in a particularly simple and secure attachment of the lock cylinder to the lock housing.

The securing element is preferably arranged on a web portion of the cylinder housing of the lock cylinder, said web portion also the tumblers of the lock cylinder (eg pin tumblers) contains. Preferably, the securing element is formed independently of the tumblers of the lock cylinder and does not extend into the cylinder core of the lock cylinder.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the lock cylinder has a key insertion opening, wherein the securing element is arranged on an end of the lock cylinder (or of said web section) facing away from the key insertion opening. In particular, the lock cylinder may include a plurality of tumblers (e.g., pin tumblers), the lock member being located behind the last tumbler with respect to the key insertion direction. At this point, the securing element is particularly well protected against manipulation to prevent unauthorized removal of the lock cylinder from the lock housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the securing element is formed by a securing pin, which is biased by means of the compression spring in the direction of a securing position. Alternatively, however, the fuse element may, for example, also be integrally formed as a safety spring, which is biased by its inherent elasticity in the direction of the securing position.

Particularly comfortable is the fastening of the lock cylinder to the lock housing when the fuse element is captively caught on the lock cylinder. For this purpose, it is preferred if the securing element is displaceably mounted in a receiving recess of the lock cylinder (in particular of said web portion of the cylinder housing), wherein the securing element has a stop portion which cooperates with a stop portion of the lock cylinder to prevent escape of the securing element from the receiving recess , As a result, it is avoided that the spring-mounted Safety element inadvertently falls out of the receiving recess or is expelled before the lock cylinder is inserted into the lock housing.

Said abutment portion of the securing element is preferably formed by an increase in diameter of the securing element, wherein the stop portion of the lock cylinder is formed by a corresponding reduction in diameter of a circumferential boundary of said receiving recess. This can be achieved, for example, in that the diameter reduction is formed by a stop ring inserted into the receiving recess of the lock cylinder.

For some applications, it is desirable that the lock cylinder is releasably secured to the lock housing in order to subsequently replace the lock cylinder or to be able to subsequently change the locking secret of the lock cylinder. This makes it possible for the manufacturer of the padlock prefabrication takes place, with a locksmith (English: locksmith) before delivery of the padlock to the final user still makes a customization (for example, by combining a particular color of the lock housing with a certain locking secret) , Thus, it can also be achieved that the user must carry a smaller number of different keys with him, as in the aforementioned patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 is explained.

For such a releasable attachment of the lock cylinder to the lock housing, it is preferred if the lock housing has two strap receiving channels for receiving a respective leg of the lock strap, said securing opening for the securing element is accessible on the inside of the lock housing via one of the two strap receiving channels and in particular is formed by a part of one of the two strap receiving channels. The respective strap receiving channel is closed by means of the associated stirrup leg when the lock strap is locked to the lock housing. In the closed position of the lock bracket, the securing element is thus not accessible. However, when the lock bracket is unlocked, that is, when the lock cylinder is brought by means of the associated key in the release position, the bracket legs can be removed from the respective bail receiving channel, so that in this way the backup opening and the securing element are accessible. The securing element can now be pushed back into a release position to selectively remove the lock cylinder from the lock housing. Here, a particular advantage is that despite the releasable securing of the lock cylinder on the lock housing, a compact design of the padlock is made possible, as explained above.

In order to facilitate the attachment of a tool for pushing back the securing element, the securing element may have a Betätigungsabschrägung, in particular at its free end. Such an actuation bevel may e.g. be formed by a circumferential chamfer.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lock housing is made in one piece and made of plastic. By using a plastic lock housing, the padlock is suitable as a so-called "lock-out" lock for securing a switch of an industrial plant, such as in the patent US Pat. No. 7,278,283 B2 is described. Such a "lock-out" lock prevents an accidental lock Activating the industrial plant while a maintenance person is working on the plant and blocking a switch associated with the industrial plant during this period by means of the padlock in an OFF position. Since in the padlock invention, the lock cylinder can be inserted straight into the lock housing until the fuse element automatically snaps into the fuse opening of the lock housing, in contrast to the two-part design according to the patent US Pat. No. 7,278,283 B2 the lock housing be integrally formed, whereby the production of the lock housing is cheaper.

A one-piece design of the lock housing also contributes to a compact design. A compact design of the padlock is particularly advantageous for use as a "lock-out" lock, since often several "lock-out" locks are attached in close proximity to each other to a cabinet or fuse box, such as in the patent US 7 148 435 B2 and in the patent US Pat. No. 6,388,213 B1 is shown.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Längsschnittansicht einer nicht beanspruchten ersten Ausführungsform eines Hangschlosses.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Detailansicht von Fig. 1.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Längsschnittansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Hangschlosses.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Detailansicht von Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 und 6

zeigen eine jeweilige Explosionsansicht der zweiten Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 3 und 4.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings. Identical or similar elements are identified therein with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

shows a longitudinal sectional view of a not claimed first embodiment of a padlock.

Fig. 2

shows a detail view of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

shows a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a padlock.

Fig. 4

shows a detail view of Fig. 3 ,

FIGS. 5 and 6

show a respective exploded view of the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 and 4 ,

This in Fig. 1 shown padlock has a lock housing 11 and a U-shaped lock bracket 13 which is held in a straight line displaceable on the lock housing 11. The lock bracket 13 has two bar arms 15, which are received in a respective strap receiving channel 17 of the lock housing 11.

The padlock further comprises a lock cylinder 19 which locks the lock bracket 13 selectively on the lock housing via a locking device 21. The lock cylinder 19 has a cylinder housing 23 with a hollow cylindrical core receiving portion 25, in which a cylinder core 27 is rotatably mounted about a cylinder axis A. The cylinder housing 23 further has an eccentric land portion 29 formed on the core receiving portion 25. In the land portion 29 and in the core receiving portion 25, a plurality of pin tumblers 31 are arranged to cooperate with a key 33 inserted into the cylinder core 27.

The locking device 21 comprises a rotary latch 35, which is rotatably coupled to the cylinder core 27, and two blocking balls 37, which are selectively urged by means of the rotary latch 35 in a respective locking recess 39 of the two bracket legs 15.

At the web portion 29 of the cylinder housing 23, with respect to the insertion direction of the key 33 behind the Stiftzuhaltungen 31, is a securing element 41 is provided which secures the lock cylinder 19 on the lock housing 11. For this purpose, the securing element 41 by means of a compression spring 43 in the direction of Fig. 1 shown biased backup position, with respect to the cylinder axis A radially outward. In this securing position, the securing element 41 engages in a securing opening 45 which is formed on the inside of the lock housing 11 and forms an axial extension of one of the two strap receiving channels 17, ie the securing opening 45 opens into the respective strap receiving channel 17.

Fig. 2 shows the fuse element 41 and its surroundings in a detailed view. It can be seen that the securing element 41 engages behind a stepped portion 47 of the lock housing 11. The securing element 41 is displaceably mounted in a receiving recess 49 of the cylinder housing 23. The securing element 41 is pin-shaped and has an axially effective stop section in the form of an increase in diameter 51. The increase in diameter 51 cooperates with a stop ring 53 which is inserted into the receiving recess 49. This prevents that despite the biasing force applied by the compression spring 43, the securing element unintentionally escapes from the receiving recess 49. In Fig. 2 It is further shown that the tip of the securing element 41 has a circumferential Betätigungsabschrägung 55.

By the transverse to the cylinder axis A spring-back, ie biased in the direction of the securing position securing element 41, the lock cylinder 19 can be attached to the lock housing 11 in a simple and reliable manner. For this purpose, the lock cylinder 19 along the cylinder axis A in the lock housing 11 until reaching the in Fig. 1 introduced end position shown, wherein the securing element 41st snaps into the securing opening 45 to secure the lock cylinder 19 to the lock housing 11. This type of attachment requires no tools.

In principle, a separate, closed securing opening 45 could be provided for the securing element 41. As in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 However, the securing opening 45 opens into the associated bail receiving channel 17, the securing element 41 is accessible when the lock bracket 13 is brought in the unlocked state of the lock cylinder 19 in its open position in which the respective bar leg 15 is removed from the bail receiving channel 17. The securing element 41 can then be completely pushed back into the receiving recess 49 with the aid of a tool, in order to allow the authorized user, for example, to change the locking secret, to remove the lock cylinder 19. The actuating bevel 55 at the tip of the securing element 41 facilitates a corresponding engagement with the securing element 41.

It should also be emphasized that the illustrated padlock can be manufactured in a compact design ( Fig. 1 is an enlarged view). In particular, the lock housing 11 may have a small width, since the web portion 29 of the cylinder housing 23 may have a small depth and it is not necessary that the web portion 29 is completely aligned with the respective bail receiving channel 17 of the lock housing 11, ie, the web portion 29th the cylinder housing 23 projects only partially into the axial extension of the respective strap receiving channel 17. The minimum width of the lock housing 11 is thus only by the minimum dimensions of the lock cylinder 19 (diameter of the cylinder core 17, minimum depth the land portion 29 for the pin tumblers 31) and the minimum wall thickness in the lateral vicinity of the lock cylinder 19. In addition, the lock bracket 13 and the respective bracket receiving channel 17 of the lock housing 11 may have a small diameter, since no loose security element with a predetermined minimum size (in particular a security screw) must be inserted through the relevant strap receiving channel 17 into the lock housing 11.

In the unclaimed embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 the receiving recess 49 for the securing element 41 is formed as a blind hole, wherein the compression spring 43 is supported on the bottom of the blind hole, ie on the cylinder housing 23.

Fig. 3 to 6 In contrast, show a claimed embodiment, in which the compression spring 43 is supported on a rotation stop member 61. The rotation stop member 61 is also displaceably mounted in the receiving recess 49, wherein the rotation stop member 61 is biased radially inwardly with respect to the cylinder axis A and wherein the receiving recess 49 is formed as a continuous bore. The rotation stopper 61 engages in an engagement recess 63 which is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder core 27 and serves as a guide groove for the rotation stopper 61. The engagement recess 63 extends with respect to the cylinder axis A along a limited circumferential angle (see. Fig. 6 ). As a result, a rotation stop is formed for the rotational movement of the cylinder core 27 relative to the cylinder housing 23, similar to that of the aforementioned patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 is known (but in reverse order).

Also, the rotation stopper 61 is pin-shaped and has an axially effective stop portion in the form of an increase in diameter 65, which cooperates with a stop portion of the cylinder housing 23 in the form of a constriction 67 to prevent inadvertent escape of the rotation stop member 61 from the receiving recess 49.

Due to the spring-back mounting of the rotation stop element 61, the illustrated rotation stop can even be selectively overcome, in order to be able to reposition the lock cylinder 19, as is also known from the patent US Pat. No. 6,425,274 B1 is known. For this purpose, the actuating opening 69 ( Fig. 5 ), through which a tool can be introduced to attach to the tip of the rotation stop member 61 and this from the engagement recess 63 (FIG. Fig. 4 ) to push back. The cylinder core 27 can then be brought into a rotational position in which the pin tumblers 31 can be replaced.

The lock housing 11 of in Fig. 1 to 6 The padlock shown can be made of plastic, whereby the padlock is particularly well suited as a "lock-out" lock.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

lock housing

13

shackle

15

stirrup leg

17

Bale-receiving channel

19

lock cylinder

21

locking device

23

cylinder housing

25

Core receiving portion

27

cylinder core

29

web section

31

pin tumbler

33

key

35

Spagnolet

37

blocking ball

39

locking recess

41

fuse element

43

compression spring

45

securing aperture

47

step portion

49

receiving recess

51

Increase in diameter

53

stop ring

55

Betätigungsabschrägung

61

Rotation stopper

63

engaging recess

65

Increase in diameter

67

constriction

69

actuating opening

A

cylinder axis

Claims (11)

1. A padlock having a lock housing (11), a U-shaped lock hoop (13) and a lock cylinder (19) in order to selectively lock the lock hoop (13) to the lock housing (11), wherein the lock cylinder (19) has a cylinder axis (A) and is secured to the lock housing (11) by means of a securing element (41),
   wherein the securing element (41) engages into a securing opening (45) at an inner side of the lock housing (11) to secure the lock cylinder (19) to the lock housing (11);
   wherein the lock cylinder (19) has a cylinder housing (23) and a cylinder core (27) which is rotatably journaled in the cylinder housing (23), wherein the securing element (41) is displaceably supported in the cylinder housing (23) and is radially outwardly pre-tensioned with respect to the cylinder axis (A) by means of a compression spring (43),
   wherein the compression spring (43) is supported at a rotary abutment element (61) which is likewise displaceably supported in the cylinder housing (23) and is radially inwardly pre-tensioned with respect to the cylinder axis (A) by means of the compression spring (43),
   characterized in that
   the rotary abutment element (61) engages into a recess (63) of the cylinder core (27) to limit a rotational movement of the cylinder core (27) relative to the cylinder housing (23).
2. A padlock in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lock housing (11) has a reception opening for the lock cylinder (19), wherein the lock cylinder can be introduced into the reception opening along the cylinder axis (A) such that, when an end position is reached, the securing element (41) snaps into the securing opening (45) to secure the lock cylinder to the lock housing in the end position.
3. A padlock in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylinder core (27) is rotatably journaled in a core reception section (25) of the cylinder housing (23), wherein the cylinder housing has a web section (29) at which the securing element (41) is supported.
4. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock cylinder (19) has a key introduction opening, wherein the securing element (41) is arranged at an end of the lock cylinder (19) remote from the key introduction opening.
5. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing element (41) is formed by a securing pin which is pre-tensioned in the direction of a securing position by means of a compression spring (43).
6. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing element (41) is displaceably supported in a reception recess (49) of the lock cylinder (19), and wherein the securing element (41) has an abutment section which cooperates with an abutment section of the lock cylinder (19) to prevent the securing element (41) from escaping from the reception recess (49).
7. A padlock in accordance with claim 6, wherein the abutment section of the securing element (41) is formed by a diameter enlargement (51), and wherein the abutment section of the lock cylinder (19) is formed by a diameter reduction of a peripheral boundary of the reception recess (49).
8. A padlock in accordance with claim 7, wherein the diameter reduction is formed by an abutment ring (53) inserted into the reception recess.
9. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock housing (11) has two hoop reception passages (17) for receiving a respective shank (15) of the lock hoop (13), wherein the securing opening (45) is accessible for the securing element (41) via one of the hoop reception passages (17).
10. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing element (41) has an actuation chamfer (55) in order to selectively be able to urge the securing element (19) back into the lock cylinder (19).
11. A padlock in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock housing (11) is formed in one piece and from plastic

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