GB2278879A

GB2278879A - Locking assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2278879A
Application number: GB9411735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Stokes
Original assignee: GRAYSPEED LEISURE PRODUCTS LIM
Current assignee: GRAYSPEED LEISURE PRODUCTS LIM
Priority date: 1993-06-10
Filing date: 1994-06-10
Publication date: 1994-12-14
Also published as: GB9411735D0

Abstract

A locking assembly, comprises a housing 28 and an element 16 slidable in the housing 28 between a first position and a second position, the element 16 being lockable in its first position by a removable locking device engagable with said element 16 through an aperture 32 in said housing 28 and coacting with abutments on said housing 28 to resist movement of the element 16 relative thereto. The locking device is preferably a padlock and it engages pin 20 supported in member 16. As shown member 16 is a removable parking post, in another embodiment (figs 2, 3, not shown) a pivoted parking post employs a sliding bolt element locked as described above. In a further embodiment (figs 4, 5, not shown) a sliding bolt element is locked to a keeper in the manner described above. <IMAGE>

Description

LOCKING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a locking assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking assembly comprising a housing and an element slidable in the housing between a first position and a second position, the element being lockable in its first position by a removable locking device engagable with said element through an aperture in said housing and coacting with abutments on said housing to resist movement of the element relative thereto.

Preferably said abutments are edge regions of said aperture.

Preferably, the element is provided with a pin arranged such that when the element is in its first position, the pin is accessible through said aperture in said housing, said locking device being a padlock arranged to extend through said aperture, the hasp of the padlock extending around the pin so that cooperation of the padlock with said abutments restricts movement of said element with respect to the housing.

Preferably the padlock is of the type in which the hasp is driven between its open and closed positions by the rotation of a key-operated locking mechanism thereof.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking post incorporating the locking assembly of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a latch incorporating the locking assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a parking post incorporating a locking assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative form of parking post; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further type of parking post; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a latch for use in securing a door or the like; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of part of the latch illustrated in Figure 4.

The parking post illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a post 12 in the form of an elongate box-section steel member, one end of which is closed by a plastics cap 14. Welded to the other end of the post 12 is a locking element 16 of box-section steel, the dimensions of which are such as to allow an end thereof to extend within the post 12. One face of the element 16 is formed with a rectangular aperture 18, a pin 20 being welded within the element 16 adjacent the aperture 18, and extending transverse to the length of the post 12, between two opposite faces of the element 16.

The parking post further includes a base 22 comprising a rectangular steel base plate 24 provided with four apertures 26, one being provided adjacent each corner of the base plate 24. An end of a first box-section steel housing member 28 of length generally equal to the length of the element 16 is welded to the centre of the base plate 24, a second similar housing member 30 being provided with a side thereof welded to the base plate 24. The housing members 28, 30 are thus at right angles to one another and each is provided with a generally rectangular aperture 32 of dimensions generally equal to the dimensions of the aperture 18 provided in the element 16.

In use, the base 20 is securely mounted at the entrance to a driveway, parking space or the like, for example by bolting the base plate 24 to the ground using the apertures 26 provided therein. The post 12 is then positioned generally vertically with the element 16 extending within the first housing member 28, the apertures 18, 32 provided in the element 16 and the first housing member 28 aligning with one another. Once in this position, a padlock of the type comprising a generally circular body and a hasp movable in an arc of circle centred on the lock axis between an open position and a closed position by rotation of the key-operated locking mechanism of the padlock (such locks sometimes being referred to as Discus locks) is used to secure the post 12 to the base 22. This is achieved by positioning the padlock so that the body thereof extends through the apertures 18, 32 provided in both the first housing member 28 and the element 16, and then rotating the key to move the hasp to its closed position such that the hasp extends behind the pin 20. Such a position is similar to that illustrated in Figure 5.

It will be recognised that removal of the padlock is prevented by the engagement of the hasp around the pin 20, and that withdrawal of the post 12 from the base 22 is prevented by engagement of the body of the padlock with the housing member 28. With the parking post arranged as described above, vehicular access to the area guarded by the post and to provide access the padlock must be released and the post 12 removed from the base 22.

The parking post may be securely stored in a generally horizontal position, in use, by inserting the element 16 into the second housing member 30 and locking the element 16 in this position by positioning the padlock so as to extend through the apertures 18, 32 in the manner described above. It will be recognised that in this position, the post 12 and padlock are both secured to the base 22 and so the likelihood of theft or loss of these items is reduced.

As illustrated, a hook or ring 40 may be secured to the upper end of the post 12 so as to provide a mounting for securing a chain or rope to the parking post, if desired.

The parking post illustrated in Figure 2 also comprises a post 50 in the form of an elongate box-section steel member, one end of which is closed by a plastics cap 52. A pair of steel side plates 54 are welded to opposite faces of the other end of the post 50. Adjacent its free end each side plate 54 is provided with an aperture, the apertures in the two side plates 54 being aligned.

The parking post further includes a base 56 comprising a steel base plate 58 provided with four apertures 60 adjacent the corners of the plate 58 for securing the base 56 at the entrance to a parking space, driveway or the like. An end of an upstanding box-section steel member 62 is welded to the centre of the base plate 58. Apertures are provided in two opposite walls of the box-section steel member 62, the apertures being aligned with one another. A bolt extends through the apertures in the side plates 54 and the apertures provided in the box-section steel member, and a self-locking nut 64 engages the free end of the bolt extending through the apertures, the nut 64 and bolt pivotally securing the post 50 to the base 56. A cover 66 is welded to one of the side plates 54 to restrict access to the nut 64 so that the nut 64 can only be accessed when the post 50 is pivoted to a position in which it extends generally horizontally, in use.

A locking element 68 in the form of an elongate steel box-section member is slidable within the post 50 between a first position in which, when the post 50 extends generally vertically, in use, the lower end of the element 68 engages within the box-section steel member 62, preventing the post 50 from pivoting with respect to the base 56, and a second position in which the element 68 is completely withdrawn from the member 62. A steel rod 70 is secured to an upper end of the element 68, the rod 70 extending through an aperture provided in the cap 52, and being provided with a suitable knob 72 or other handle so that movement of the element 68 between its first and second positions can be effected by moving the knob 72 away from or towards the cap 52.

Corresponding rectangular apertures are provided in one side of the post 50 and in a side of the element 68 so as to align when the post 50 is in its upright position and the element 68 is in its first position. A pin is provided within the element 68 extending transversely between two opposite faces thereof adjacent the aperture.

As illustrated in Figure 5, in order to lock the parking post in its upright position, the element 68 is moved to its first position and a padlock 74 of the type described with reference to the first embodiment is positioned so as to extend through the apertures provided in both the post 50 and the element 68, and the locking mechanism operated to move the hasp so as to extend around the pin. It will be understood that in the locked position removal of the padlock 74 from the parking post is restricted as the hasp extends behind the pin, and sliding movement of the element 68 with respect to the post 50 is restricted due to abutment of the body 76 of the padlock 74 with both the ends oi the aperture in the post.

As shown in Figure 2, a guard 78 is bolted or welded to the post 50 adjacent the aperture. The guard 78 restricts access to the apertures provided in the element 68 and the post 50 to reduce the risk of injury, for example to the operators fingers when moving the element 68 from its first position to its second position. The padlock 74 is slidable within the guard 78 between rest position in which the body 76 of the padlock 74 does not obstruct movement of the element 68 and in locked position in which the padlock cooperates with the element 68. The provision of the guard 78 also reduces the risk of loss or theft of the padlock 74.

A third type of parking post is illustrated in Figure 3. This parking post is similar to that illustrated in Figure 2, and like references are used to denote like parts. The element 68 of the Figure 3 parking post protrudes from the upper end of the post 50. Three elements of box-sections steel are welded to one another to form an inverted U-shaped structure 80, the upper end of the element 68 being welded to the centre of the inverted U-shaped structure 80. The base plate 58 of the parking post illustrated in Figure 3 includes additional box-section elements welded thereto to form housing members 82 for the ends of the inverted Ushaped structure 80 when the parking post is in its upright position.

Operation of the parking post of Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 2 with the exception that rather than moving a knob to raise or lower the element 68, the upper end of the element 68 or part of the inverted Ushaped structure 80 can be moved. With the element 68 and structure 80 in an upright first position, a padlock 74 is positioned so that its body 76 extends through the rectangular apertures 84, 86 provided in the post 50 and element 68, and the key-operated locking mechanism is operated to move the hasp so as to extend around the pin 88.

The parking post illustrated in Figure 3 does not include the nut cover 66 or lockguard 78 provided on the parking post illustrated in Figure 2, but in practice these additional features may be provided so as to restrict access to the nut of the bolt used to pivotally mount the post 50 upon the base plate 58 and to captivate the padlock 74 and reduce the risk of injury as described above. The Figure 3 parking post also includes a second aperture 90 and pin 92 provided in the element 68 to enable locking of the parking post in a collapsed position. It will be recognised that these features may be omitted if this function of the parking post is not required.

Figure 4 illustrates a latch 100 for use with a door, gate or similar structure. The latch 100 comprises a housing 102 arranged to be secured to a door, the housing 102 comprising a box-section steel member 104 mounted upon a base plate 106, the base plate 106 being provided with a plurality of apertures 108 for use in securing the housing 102 to the door. A latch member 110 is slidable within the housing 102, the latch member 110 also comprising a box-section steel member of length greater than the length of the housing 102. A ring 112 is welded to one surface of the latch member 110, the ring 112 extending through a slot 114 which extends along one surface of the housing 102.

It will be recognised that the ring 112 forms a convenient handle for sliding the latch member 110 within the housing 102, the slot 114 limiting sliding movement of the latch member 110 with respect to the housing 102.

The latch 100 further comprises a keep 116 comprising a box-section steel member 118 one end of which is closed, the member 118 being mounted upon a plate 120 provided with a plurality of apertures 122 for use in securing the keep 116 to a door frame of the like. The keep 116 is arranged so that on closing the door, the latch member 110 is slidable to a locked position in which an end of the latch member 110 extends from the housing 102 and into the box-section member 118 of the keep 116.

A rectangular aperture 124 is provided in a surface of the box-section member 118 of the keep 116, a similar aperture 126 being provided in the latch member 110 so as to align with the aperture 124 when the latch member 110 is in its locked position. A pin 128 is provided within the latch member 110 extending between two opposite faces thereof adjacent the aperture 126.

When the door is closed and the latch member 110 in its locked position, a padlock 130 ofthe type described above may be inserted so that the body 132 thereof extends through the apertures 124, 126 provided in the keep 116 and the latch member 110 and the locking mechanism operated to move the hasp 134 so as to pass behind the pin 128 as illustrated in Figure 5. It will be recognised that in this position removal of the lock 130 is prevent by the hasp 134 extending around the pin 128 and sliding movement of the latch member 110 with respect to the keep 116 is restricted by abutment of the body 132 of the lock 130 an end or ends of the aperture 124.

A second aperture 136 and pin 138 are provided at the other end of the latch member 110 such that when the latch member 110 is withdrawn from its locked position, the second aperture 136 is exposed through the slot 114 and the padlock 130 may be inserted into the second aperture 136 and the hasp 134 moved so as to extend around the second pin 138 to lock the latch member 110 in an open position. It will be recognised that such an arrangement is useful, for example, where the latch is used on gates or doors of factory buildings as the padlock is secured to the lock 100 and cannot become lost, and unauthorized locking of the door or gate cannot take place.

In order to reduce corrosion of the various parts of the parking posts and lock, the steel parts are preferably galvanised or provided with a coating, for example paint or a plastics coating. In the case of the parking posts, it will be recognised that the provision of a bright coloured coating will increase the visibility of the parking posts and so reduce the risk of accidental damage due to vehicle drivers failing to see the parking post.

Claims

1. A locking assembly comprising a housing and an element slidable in the housing between a first position and a second position, the element being lockable in its first position by a removable locking device engagable with said element through an aperture in said housing and coacting with abutments on said housing to resist movement of the element relative thereto.

2. A locking assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said abutments are edge regions of said aperture.

3. A locking assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the element is provided with a pin arranged such that when the element is in its first position, the pin is accessible through said aperture in said housing, said locking device being a padlock arranged to extend through said aperture, the hasp of the padlock extending around the pin so that cooperation of the padlock with said abutments restricts movement of said element with respect to the housing.

4. A locking device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the padlock is of the type in which the hasp is driven between its open and closed positions by the rotation of a key-operated locking mechanism thereof.

5. A parking post comprising a base and a post, the post being lockable to the base in an upstanding position by means of a locking assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A parking post as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the base is provided with the housing of the locking assembly, the post including the element of the locking assembly.

7. A parking post as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the base is provided with a second housing similar to the first housing enabling the post to be locked in a generally horizontal position in use.

8. A parking post as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the post is pivotally mounted on the base, the post defining the housing of the locking assembly, the element being slidable within the housing such that in its first position, an extension of the element protrudes from the post and is receivable within a retainer provided on the base to secure the post in an upstanding position.

9. A parking post as claimed in Claim 8, further comprising means for retaining the locking device.

10. A parking post as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9; further comprising actuator means for moving the element between its first and second positions.

11. A parking post as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, further comprising an inverted U-shaped member attached to the upper end of the element, the base being provided with retainer means for receiving the free ends of the inverted U-shaped member.

12. A parking post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A latch comprising a latch body, a keep, and a locking assembly of the type claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 for locking the latch body to the keep.

14. A latch as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the keep defines the housing of the locking assembly, the element of the locking assembly being slidable within the latch body between the first position in which the element is lockable in the housing, and the second position.

15. A latch as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the element is provided with a pin positioned to enable the element to be locked in the second position using the locking device.

16. A latch as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the element is provided with a handle for transmitting sliding movement to the element.

17. A latch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A locking assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.