IE20020497A1 - Improvements in locking assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking assembly is described. The locking assembly provides a locking arrangement for mounting a cylinder lock having a faceplate and a barrel onto a mounting member. The mounting arranging comprises a reinforcement plate against which or through which securing bolts for the cylinder lock can be applied. The reinforcement plate typically has at least one flat edge portion, and the arrangement further comprises abutment means on the mounting member having a flat portion against which the flat edge portion of the reinforcement plate abuts to inhibit rotation of the reinforcement plate. The invention also describes a security post assembly incorporating such a locking assembly. <Figure 2>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKING ASSEMBLIES The present invention relates to locking assemblies and in particular to a mounting arrangement for a locking assembly. The invention also relates to improvements in security post assemblies of the type used to block driveways, gateways, roads, car park entrances, car park spaces and the like, or as additional protection in front of windows or doors of business premises.

Background Art Locking assemblies of the type known as cylinder locks are well known in the art. They comprise a pin tumbler arrangement mounted within a cylinder and which are activatable by a key inserted into the cylinder. Typically, the cylinder portion of the lock is internally mounted within the device (such as a door) to be locked, with only the front face plate of the lock, defining the key hole to which the key is presented, available for inspection. This mounting arrangement requires the formation in the substrate of a large aperture through which the cylinder may pass. Generally cylinder locks are used in substrates of substantial thickness, e.g. wooden doors of 30-60 mm thickness. To retain the lock within the device to be small locked, a locking plate of circular outline is usually provided. Bolts are inserted through two holes in the locking plate. The leading ends of these bolts enter into internally screw-threaded apertures in the body of the lock cylinder (or in lugs extending therefrom). Tightening of the bolts causes the locking plate and the face plate of the lock to be drawn together. A problem with this known mounting arrangement is that an unscrupulous person may be able to rotate the whole cylinder lock and thus actuate the mechanism operated by the cylinder lock. The difficulty in mounting a cylinder lock is particularly acute when the substrate is a thinwalled member such as a shutter or metal door due to the size of the hole cut in the member, the tendency of the cylinder to rotate in this hole, the reduction of strength around the hole and the absence of a thick substrate against which a conventional OPEN TO POT’ JC T-OPECTION UNDER SECTsOM TS ΑΠύ RULE 23 MSI............ locking plate can be applied. Expensive security locks are often used for such applications, instead of the relatively cheap rim cylinder locks.

One example of a thin-walled substrate is a hollow tubular post for a security post assembly. U.S. Patent No. 4,567,740 (European Patent Application No. 0,104,939) of the present inventor describes and shows in figures 14-17 a security post assembly comprising a base tube adapted to be sunk into the ground or other base, and a post which fits into the mouth of the tube. A cover plate fixed to an arm hinged to the base tube cooperates with a padlock housing secured to the post. Figures 18-19 show an alternative security post assembly in which the post is not removable from the base tube but is hingedly attached thereto and can be folded down into a non-operative position.

Furthermore British Patent No. 2,209,785 A of the present inventor describes an improvement to a security post similar to that of Figures 14 to 17 of US-A-4,567,740 but with a locking mechanism mounted inside the post having a bolt adapted to be extended through an aperture in a wall of the post.

Although both these assemblies have been well received, some users find them awkward to use because the locking mechanism is located at or close to ground level. This problem is particularly acute for users wearing clothing in which it is difficult or embarrassing to bend down to ground level. There is a further disadvantage with the known locking arrangements as the user may be set upon by unscrupulous persons while in the crouched position necessary to activate the lock.

There is therefore a need to provide both an improved mounting arrangement for cylinder type locks and also to provide an improved security post to be used with known base tube portions.

Summary of Invention Accordingly this present invention provides a cylinder lock mounting arrangement for mounting a cylinder lock having a face plate and a barrel onto a mounting member having a wall with an aperture defined therein dimensioned to allow all of the lock except the face plate to pass therethrough, the cylinder lock having internally screw-threaded apertures therein to receive securing bolts, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises: a reinforcement plate against which or through which the securing bolts can be applied, the reinforcement plate having at least one flat edge portion, and abutment means on the mounting member having a flat portion against which the flat edge portion of the reinforcement plate abuts to inhibit rotation of the reinforcement plate.

Suitably at least one side edge of the reinforcement plate is flat. Preferably two opposed side edges of the reinforcement plate are flat.

In one aspect, the reinforcement plate is moveable and in particular has a slot dimensioned to receive and co-operate with the cylinder lock, the reinforcement plate being slideable between cylinder lock engaging and non-engaging positions, 0 wherein, in use, upon receipt of the lock (except the face plate) through the aperture in the mounting member wall, the reinforcement plate is slideable to the engaging position so as to co-operate with at least a portion of the cylinder lock, and the securing of the cylinder lock to or against the reinforcement plate urges the lock face plate towards the wall of the mounting member.

In other embodiments the reinforcement plate may have an aperture instead of a slot, the aperture being dimensioned to receive an actuating part of the cylinder lock.

In effect, the reinforcement plate replaces part of the area of the mounting 0 member which was removed in order to allow the lock barrel to pass through it. The invention is particularly suitable for substrates having a wall thickness not greater than about 7.5 mm, more particularly in the range of 1 mm - 5 mm, especially 1.5 - 3.5 mm.

The reinforcement plate is suitably dimensioned to co-operate, when in the engaging position, with inner abutment means on the mounting member, the cooperation of the plate and the said abutment means preventing any rotation of the reinforcement plate and cylinder lock relative to the mounting member. The abutment means may suitably be a portion of the mounting member (such as side walls of a tubular post) or may be attached to the mounting member.

In one embodiment the mounting member is a tubular post, particularly a security post for use in a security post assembly, the aperture being formed in one wall of the post and the reinforcement plate being dimensioned so as to abut against at least one other wall of the post. Desirably, in such embodiment the reinforcement plate is dimensioned to engage with two opposite walls of the post.

In another embodiment, the mounting member is provided with defining means, the defining means defining a channel within which the reinforcement plate is receivable. Preferably the adoption of the engaging position by the reinforcement plate is effected by a sliding of the plate within the channel defined by the defining means. Desirably, the defining means comprise at least one engaging member located on the inner surface of the wall in which the lock receiving aperture is fonned. This embodiment has wide applicability for a variety of mounting members, particularly thinwalled planar mounting members such as shutters and metal doors, for which cylinder locks were regarded as unsatisfactory in the past.

The lock mounting arrangement of the invention facilitates a novel development in security post assemblies.

The present invention also provides a security post assembly comprising: a) b) c) d) a base tube adapted to be secured in the ground or other base and having an open mouth, a hollow tubular post adapted to be brought into axial alignment with the base tube, means to inhibit movement of the tubular post in the axial direction away from the base tube, actuating means for activating the means to inhibit movement of the tubular post, said means being located in an end region of the tubular post remote from the base tube.

The end region of the tubular post remote from the base tube (herein also referred to as the top region) preferably extends not more than one half of the length of the post, more preferably not more than one third of the length of the post, from the top end i.e. the end of the post remote from the base tube.

Preferably the lower end of the tubular post is a sliding fit in the base tube.

Desirably, the base tube further comprises a cover plate hingedly attached thereto, the base cover plate being swingable to a raised position in which it permits entry of the post into the tube.

The means for inhibiting movement of the tubular post may suitably comprise cooperating engagement structures located substantially in a lower region of the post and on the underside of the cover plate. The lower region of the post is suitably a region which extends not more than one-third of the length of the post from the lower end, suitably not more than about one quarter of the length of the post from the lower end. The engagement structure most suitably is spaced from the lower end of the post by slightly more than the length of the end portion which fits into the base tube, so that when the post is installed in the base tube the engagement structure is located above but adjacent to the mouth of the base tube.

The engagement structure located substantially in a lower region of the post preferably comprises a slideable bolt adapted to extend through an aperture in the post and co-operate with a receiver structure carried on the underside of the cover plate (the underside being the side which is underneath the cover plate when it is closed down on the base tube but which faces the post when the cover plate is raised and the post is installed in the base tube).

The receiver structure desirably comprises a flange projecting downwardly from the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the hinge attachment to the tube. The receiver structure desirably comprises three flange portions forming a U-shape structure.

The post desirably carries a U-shape guard projecting therefrom around the aperture. In such embodiments it is desirable that the two U-shaped structures are complementary. One of the U-shaped structures may be provided with a substantially vertically oriented projection which is insertable in an aperture in the other U-shape structure.

The bolt in its retracted position is preferably substantially contained within the tubular post and in its extended position extends at least partially out through an aperture so as to engage with the receiver structure.

The location of the bolt in a lower region of the post is preferably in such a position in the post that the bolt is extendible into the receiver structure when the cover plate is in the raised position.

Preferably the means for activating the means to inhibit movement of the tubular post comprises a cylinder lock mounted in an upper region of the tubular post and activatable by a key at said upper region. The cylinder lock desirably comprises a barrel which is housed within the tubular post and a face plate which, when the barrel is mounted within the tubular post, abuts with or fits into an outer wall of the tubular post.

According to one aspect of the invention, the post is provided with a cylinder lock mounting arrangement as defined above.

In one embodiment, the bolt is biased towards the extended position, the 5 activation of the cylinder lock effecting an adoption of the retracted position of the bolt within the tubular post and allowing a removal of the post from the base tube.

The cylinder is preferably mechanically connectable to the bolt, a rotation of the key within the cylinder lock effecting a corresponding movement of the bolt from an extended position to a retracted position.

In another embodiment, the bolt requires an active actuation to effect movement to both extended and retracted positions.

In such an embodiment a rotation of the key within the cylinder effects a movement of the bolt from the retracted to the extended and from the extended to the retracted positions.

The invention also provides a security post assembly comprising a base tube 0 adapted to be sunk into the ground or other base and having an open mouth, a post which fits into the mouth of the tube, a cover plate hingedly attached to the tube so as to be swingable to a raised position in which it permits entry of the post into the tube, and a locking mechanism inside the post having a bolt adapted to be extended through an aperture in a wall of the post, wherein the cover plate carries on its underside a receiver portion adapted to receive the bolt, the locking mechanism being located in such a position in the post that the bolt is extendible into the receiver portion when the cover plate is in the raised position and wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by an actuation means located in a portion of the post remote from the locking mechanism.

Several embodiments of mounting arrangement and security post assembly in accordance with the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a security post assembly according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a cut away view of the post of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a base tube for use in the assembly of the present invention, Figure 4 is a section through a combined tube and lower part of a post, Figure 5A is an exploded view of an upper portion of the post of Figure 2, showing a mounting arrangement for mounting of the cylinder lock within the post, Figure 5B is a view similar to Figure 5A, showing an alternative actuation system, Figure 6A is a view from above of the post and mounted cylinder lock of Figure 5A, Figure 6B is a similar view of the post and mounted cylinder lock of Figure 5B, showing the alternative actuation system Figure 7 is a view from above (similar to Figure 6A - 6B) of an alternative mounting arrangement for a different cylinder lock, Figure 8 is an exploded view of a mounting arrangement for the bolt in a post of the present invention, Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement of Figure 8, when assembled, Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative mounting arrangement, Figure 11 is a perspective view of the further alternative mounting arrangement, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a round post, showing the mounting arrangement for the cylinder lock, Figure 13 is a perspective cut-away view showing one embodiment of a mounting arrangement of the present invention for mounting a cylinder lock onto a planar surface.

Figure 14 is a view from above of a mounting arrangement similar to Figure 13, Figure 15 is a view from above (similar to Figure 14) of a mounting arrangement for a cylinder lock of the kind shown in Figure 7.

Detailed Description of the drawings Figures 1-4 show a security post assembly 1 comprising a tubular post 2 and a base tube 3 according to the present invention. The tubular post 2 comprises a predominantly hollow rectangular structure with four vertical walls or faces 60, 61, 62, 63 and a handle 71 adapted to enable the post to be lifted and lowered. An inverted Ushaped guard plate 70 is welded to one side of the post 2, just above an aperture 73 provided in the wall, through which a bolt 10 can slide. The plate 70 comprises a roof portion 87 and side limbs 88. A locating pin 75 projects downwardly from the roof portion of the guard plate 70. The post 2 has a stop 80 on the face 63 opposite to that which carries the guard plate 70. The stop 80 and the bottom edge of the guard plate 70 limit the extent to which the post 2 is inserted into the tube 3.

The base tube 3 shown in Figure 3 is similar to that described in my British Patent Specification GB 2 209 785 and is also predominantly rectangular in shape. It has base flanges 4,5 provided on a lower surface of the tube and which are perpendicular to the hollow section of the base tube. In normal use the base tube is sunk into the ground 90 or another base, e.g. of concrete.

The base tube 3 has a cover plate 76 which carries on its underneath surface a Ushape flange 81. The cover plate is hingedly attached to an outwardly projecting portion 78 of the base tube 3 by a hinge rod 77 passing through the side limbs 86 of the flange 81. When the cover plate is in its lowered position (not shown in the drawing), the flange 81 is received inside the open mouth 93 of the tube 3 and the cover plate 76 rests on top of the tube.

When the cover plate is swiveled up to its raised position shown in Figures 1,3 and 4, it permits the post 2 to be lowered into the tube 3 until stop 80 and guard 70 prevent further downward movement of it. The cover plate stands up beside the post 2 and the upper part of the flange structure 81 on the cover plate 76 fits neatly within the downwardly-open guard plate 70 on the post. One side limb 86 of the flange 81 fits between one side limb 88 of the guard plate and the aperture 73. The locating pin 75 on the guard plate 70 enters into a hole 82 in the roof portion of the flange 81. This arrangement is seen in Figure 4.

The cover plate 76 and its U-shaped flange 81 define a protected receiver structure for receiving the bolt 10 of the locking mechanism of the present invention. The locking mechanism is actuable by an actuation mechanism provided in an upper portion of the post 2.

The top of the tubular post is closed by a metal cap plate 95 which is provided on its underside with a pair of flanges or angle members which lie alongside the side walls 61,62 of the post. The cap plate 95 is secured by a pair of rivets 96 which pass through the lower ends of the limbs of the handle 71 and through the side walls 61,62 into the flanges or angle members (not shown) on the plate 95. These rivets 96 are secure against tampering but may be removed if required by a locksmith in order to gain access to the locking mechanism for servicing or repair.

Figure 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B show two embodiments of a mounting arrangement for an actuation mechanism of the present invention. The actuation mechanism comprises a cylinder lock 13 mounted in an upper portion of the lock post 2, remote from the base tube 3, and adjacent to the top of the post. This cylinder lock 13 provides a means for activating the locking bolt and is operable by a key 14. The cylinder lock comprises a barrel portion 15a which is receivable within an aperture 9 provided within a front wall 60 of the tubular post 2. The aperture 9 is of sufficient diameter to allow passage of not only the barrel portion 15a but also screw-threaded lugs 19a which extend tangentially from the barrel. The lock further comprises a face plate 15b of greater diameter than the aperture 9, so when the lock is fully mounted the face plate 15b abuts against the front wall 60 of the post 2, as shown in the view from above of a fully mounted lock in Figure 6A.

Once the barrel portion 15 is received within the tubular post a rigid metal reinforcement plate 17 having a slot 18 dimensioned to co-operate with the barrel 15 is moved downwardly such that it engages with the barrel 15 inside the front wall 60 of the post but forwardly of the lugs 19a. The slot 18 is defined by two side edges 18a, 18b extending upwardly from a lower surface 17a of the reinforcement plate 17. The two edges 18a, 18b are separated by a distance slightly greater than the outer cylindrical profile of the barrel portion 15a and taper inwardly such that when lowered onto the barrel the two walls 18a, 18b will abut the cylindrical portion of the barrel. The barrel also comprises a rib 15c projecting radially above the cylindrical portion of the barrel, and the slot 18 in the reinforcement plate further extends upwardly so as to form a mateable rib-receiving portion 18c, adapted to receive the rib 15c. Once the reinforcement plate 17 is lowered onto the barrel such that the rib is fully mated with its corresponding slot, the barrel is then secured against the reinforcement plate 17 by means of bolts 19 insertable through the internally screw-threaded lugs 19a on the barrel. The tightening of the bolts against the locking plate increases the separation between the lugs 19a and the reinforcement plate 17, and thus effects a tightening of the face plate 15b against the exterior of the front wall 60, while urging the reinforcement plate 17 against the interior of the front wall. If desired the reinforcement plate may be provided with countersunk holes adapted to receive the leading ends of the bolts 19, in order to ensure accurate location of the reinforcement plate relative to the cylinder lock.

The cylinder lock is mechanically connectable by means of a connecting rod 20 to the locking bolt 10 such that the key-operable cylinder lock located in the upper portion of the post can activate the locking bolt 10.

The mechanical connection between the cylinder lock and the connecting rod 20 is provided by an actuating member 21 extending rearwardly from the barrel 15a of the lock and rotatable about its longitudinal axis in response to a key-operated rotation of the locking mechanism of the cylinder lock. The actuating member 21 is supported on one end by the barrel 15a, and on the opposing end by an aperture 45 provided in a carrier plate 25 welded to the back wall of the tubular post. The aperture 45 is sufficiently large to permit rotation of the actuating member 21, but prevents downward bending of the actuating member when in use to lift the connecting rod 20.

The actuating member 21 is fixed to a cam 22 which is inter-engageable with the rod 20. The movement of the cam 22 effects an upward movement of the rod 20 which in turn effects a retracting movement of the locking bolt provided in the lower portion of the tubular post, whereas a downward movement of the rod 20 permits or effects an extending movement of the locking bolt. In the embodiment of Figure 5A and 6A, the cam 22 is a flat strip which is downwardly inclined at one end. The upper end of the rod 20 is a sliding fit in an elongated aperture in the downwardly inclined end portion of the cam 22, and the top of the rod is provided with an adjustable clamping head 20b which prevents the rod escaping from engagement with the cam.

In the embodiment of Figure 5B and 6B, the cam 22 is an angle section having one flange 22a in a horizontal position like the cam 22 in Figure 5A and the other flange 22b extending vertically upwardly therefrom. The top of the connecting rod 20 is fixed to the vertical flange 22b at one end thereof by a threaded pin-and-nut connection 20a, which allows pivoting of the top of the rod 20 relative to the cam 22 as the cam moves. This embodiment provides a more rigid cam than that shown in Figure 5A. The rod 20 may also be of greater diameter than that shown in Figure 5A to increase the rigidity of the whole mechanism, e.g. a diameter of about 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) as described below with reference to Figure 10.

In both embodiments, two stop members 23,24 are also provided on the carrier plate 25. The stop members 23,24 are provided to limit the degree of rotation of the actuating member 21 and attached cam 22, thereby preventing complete rotation of same in response to a rotation of the key within the lock. In the embodiment of Figure 5B and 6B, the pins are shorter than in the other embodiment, to avoid contact with the vertical flange 22b of the cam 22. Instead of pins as shown in the drawings, the stop members may be blocks or protrusions on the carrier plate 25.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the reinforcement plate 17 may be provided with angular end portions 26,27 substantially at right angles to the main portion of the reinforcement plate. The end portions provide flat end surfaces which abut against side walls 61, 62 of the tubular post. This inter-engagement prevents any rotation of the reinforcement plate 17 within the tubular post and thus prevents rotation of the cylinder lock as a whole.

Figure 7 is a view from above of an alternative reinforcement plate 30 which may be used for a cylinder lock having a larger barrel 28 than that hereinbefore described. This type of lock does not have screw-threaded lugs extending tangentially from the barrel. Instead, it has screw-threaded apertures in its rear face. Extending from the rear face is a cylindrical actuating portion 28a of a substantially smaller diameter than the barrel. The barrel is not provided with a rib extending radially upwardly. Therefore a different arrangement of reinforcement plate is required to prevent rotation of the cylinder lock relative to the post. In this case, the reinforcement plate 17 has a smaller slot 18 to receive the actuating portion 28a, and the slot has no rib-receiving portion 18c. The plate is inserted with its main portion against the back of the barrel 28 and its end portions 26,27 extending forwardly. The end portions 26,27 provide flat end surfaces which abut against the side walls 61,62 and define the distance between the main portion of the reinforcement plate and the front wall 60. The plate has two holes adjacent to the slot 18, aligned with the screw-threaded apertures in the rear face of the barrel 28. Screws 19 are then inserted through the holes in the plate 17 and into the apertures in the barrel 28, to secure the cylinder lock to the plate 17. The free ends of the end portions 26,27 interact with the front wall 60, so that the tightening of the screws 19 effects a tightening of the face plate 15b of the lock against the front wall.

The actuating mechanism in the embodiment of Figure 7 is similar to that of Figure 6A (as illustrated) or may be similar to that of Figure 6B.

Figures 8 and 9 show a mounting arrangement 9 for the bolt 10 provided in the lower portion of the post 2. As seen in the exploded view of Figure 8, the bolt 10 is slideably housed within a housing 11, a portion thereof being specifically dimensioned to receive the bolt. The bolt is biased normally to an extended position out of the housing, as shown in Figure 9, by a spring 12 also housed within the housing and acting on the bolt 10. A retraction mechanism having an actuation plate 31 is rotatably mounted to the housing 11. The plate 31 is provided with a mounting aperture 32 adapted to enable the plate to rotate about a mounting thread 33 on an angle section above the housing 11, with which thread 33 the plate is engageable and to which it is secured using a nut 34 that is threadably receivable on the end portion of the mounting thread 33. The plate further comprises a slot 35 adapted to act on a pin 30 which passes through a slot 40 in the housing 11 and is attachable to the bolt 10 by entry into an aperture 41. The plate is connectable to the actuation means provided in the upper portion of the post by means of the rod 20 that is connected at a first end to the plate at connection position 36 and at a second end to the cam 22 of the actuation mechanism. A levering of the cam effected by a rotation of the key in the cylinder lock effects a rotation of the actuation plate 31. This rotation effects a movement of the slot 35 against the pin 30 thereby retracting the bolt into the housing. The relaxation of the cam allows the slot 35 to return to its rest position, allowing the biasing effects of the spring within the housing to cause the bolt to return to its extended position, as shown in Figure 9.

The entire locking mechanism is mountable to a mounting plate 37 which is fixable through an aperture 42 by means of a pin 38 to side wall 61 of the post 2, as shown in Figure 2. A second mounting plate 39, substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate may if desired be provided so as to engage with a second wall 63, thereby providing a more robust mounting to the tubular post 2.

The bolt 10 has a beveled leading edge with an angular inclination of about 30 degrees to the vertical. When the post 2 is lowered into the base tube 3, the leading edge of the bolt 10 encounters the top portion of the flange 81 on the cover plate, and the bolt is pushed back to its retracted position. Even if the key 14 is not in the cylinder lock 16, so that the cam 22 cannot move, the rod 20 in the embodiment of Figure 5A and 6A can rise by virtue of the sliding fit of the upper end of the rod in cam 22, to allow rotation of the actuation plate 31 (clockwise in Figure 9). The bolt 10 is retracted through hole 73 provided in the wall 60 of the post. When the continuing downward movement of the post 2 into the base tube 3 causes the bolt 10 to pass the flange 81, the spring 12 causes the bolt to extend into the space inside the receiver structure of the cover plate 76 and its flange 81. If an attempt is then made to lift the post 2 out of the tube 3, the lock-bolt 10 comes into contact with the top portion of the flange 81 and therefore upward movement is prevented. The guard plate 70 reinforces the protection provided by the U-shaped flange 81 and prevents any access to the lock-bolt 10 by unscrupulous persons trying to tamper with the locked assembly. Locating pin 75 also prevents the cover plate 76 being forced away from the guard plate 70.

In order to remove the post from the base tube, key actuation is required to lift the rod 20 and cause retraction of the bolt 10 out of engagement with the receiving structure.

Figure 10 shows a bolt-mounting arrangement for the alternative embodiment of Figure 5B and 6B, using a rigid connecting rod 20 of about 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) diameter which is fixed at its top end to the cam 22. With a rigid rod and fixed connection of this kind, retraction of the bolt 10 would not be possible without rotation of the cam 22 by operation of the key 14. Therefore a second slot 43 is provided in the actuation plate 31, the lower end of the connecting rod 20 being slideabie in this second slot by means of a threaded pin and nut 44 passing through the slot. When the bolt 10 encounters the flange 81 during entry of the post into the base tube, the actuation plate 30 is free to rotate to allow the bolt to retract, due to sliding movement of the end of rod 20 in the slot 43. However when it is desired to retract the bolt by key-operation , the lifting of the rod 20 causes the pin-and- nut 44 to engage the end of the slot 43 and rotate the actuation plate 31.

In the embodiments hereinbefore described the bolt is biased to an extended position. Figure 11 shows an alternative arrangement wherein biasing means are optional and the bolt must be actively actuated to an extended and a retracted position.

In the embodiment, a rigid rod 20 is used as in Figure 10, the top end of the rod being fixed to the cam 22 as in Figure 5B and 6B. No slot 43 is provided in the actuation plate 31. Therefore the mechanism has two fixed positions, depending upon the position of the cam 22 operated by the cylinder lock 16. The bolt 10 cannot be retracted or extended without use of the key. The leading edge of the bolt 10 is not beveled as it does not retract upon engagement with the flange 81. This embodiment provides a more positive locking mechanism than that in the previous embodiments in that the bolt 10 is locked in its extended position.

Similarly to that described in GB -A- 2 209 785, the lock-bolt of the present invention remains above ground level 90 and therefore is less susceptible to rust and corrosion than if it was located in a part of the post which enters into the base tube below ground level 90.

The cover plate 76, with its flange 81, is of a heavier and more robust construction than the cover plates in prior art security post assemblies. A plate may be secured on the underneath face of the cover plate 76, inside the flange 81, to weight the cover plate structure to one side of hinge 77, and to strengthen the cover plate structure. When the post is not in use, the cover plate 76 lies flat on the top edge of the base tube and is not easily dislodged.

Figure 12 shows an alternative mounting arrangement for the cylinder lock in a tubular post having an upper part of round cross-section. The arrangement is generally similar to that of Figures 5B and 6B. A slideable reinforcement plate 117 has flat side edges and, when pressed by the screws 19, it abuts at each side edge against the curved wall of the post 102, and thus is secured against rotating. The curved wall of the post is flat along a vertical line and effectively defines a channel which co-operates with the flat side edges of the reinforcement plat. A support plate 125 is welded at both side edges to the curved wall of the post, forming a chord across the circular hollow space inside the tube.

If the aperture to receive the cylinder lock were of smaller diameter than the lock face plate 15b, the face plate would project at each side from the wall of the post. Therefore in this embodiment the aperture 109 is cut with a diameter marginally greater than that of the face plate 15b, so that the face plate sits into the aperture. A backing sleeve 108 is provided inside the post, with an internal diameter similar to the aperture 9 in previous embodiments i.e. smaller than the diameter of the face plate 15b. The sleeve 108 provides a recessed plane surface inside the aperture 109 against which the face plate 15b abuts. The sleeve is welded or otherwise secured to the wall of the post and effectively forms a part thereof. All of the lock except the face plate passes through the aperture in the wall as defined by the sleeve 108.

In an alternative embodiment, the backing sleeve 108 is replaced by a mounting rim which fits between the face plate 15b and the outer surface of the front wall, the mounting rim having an internal diameter smaller than that of the face plate, having a plane front surface and having a curved rear surface which sits against the front wall around the aperture 109.

In the post of Figure 12, the upper portion of the round cross section is spliced to a lower portion of rectangular cross section so that the lower portion of the post is the same as in Figures 1-4. If the splice is made in the region of the guard plate 70 the joint can be made with little visual impact and the rectangular lower portion of the post fits into a base tube as in the previous embodiments. In other respects the embodiment of Figure 12 corresponds to the other embodiments previously described.

In the erect locked position of Figure 1 the assembly of any of the abovedescribed embodiments provides a strong rigid security post. The locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism can be carried out at a convenient height for the user. Thus this operation can also be carried out by the user without bending. The post can then be lowered to the ground or taken away for temporary storage. When the user wants to re-erect the post, he/she needs only to lower the tubular post 2 downwardly into the base tube 3. In the embodiments of Figures 8 and to 10, the lowering of the post into the tube effects a retraction of the bolt 10 into its housing 11 until the bolt senses the presence of the receiving portion within the cover plate 76 of the base tube. This presence of the receiving portion enables an extension of the bolt outwardly from the post and the securing of the post within the tube. Key actuation is required to effect a subsequent retraction and removal of the post from the tube. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the post is fully inserted into the tube with the bolt retracted, and a key activation is required to extend the bolt to engage with the receiver portion of the cover plate. When the post is to be removed from the tube, key activation effects the retraction of the bolt, which allows removal of the post. Again, this operation is done at a convenient height for the user.

Apart from the convenience of operating the locking mechanism without bending down to ground level, the assembly of the invention also reduces the vulnerability of the user to a surprise attack which could occur while the user is bent over and trying to operate the locking mechanism at ground level. When the assembly is being used at night, the locking mechanism can be illuminated more easily (either by ambient lighting or by a torch) when it is near the top of the post rather than at or close to ground level.

Figure 13 shows the mounting of the cylinder lock onto a thin planar member 91 such as a shutter or steel door, and the consequent modification required to the reinforcement plate 93. As the substrate is not tubular, there are no side walls 61,62 provided, and as such there is a requirement to provide an alternative means to prevent rotation of the reinforcement plate. The present invention achieves this maintenance of the reinforcement plate by providing guide members 92 fixed to the inner surface of the wall 91, the guide members defining a channel dimensioned to receive a slideable reinforcement plate 93 similar to the plate 17 but without end members 26, 27. The reinforcement plate 93 has flat side edges. It will be appreciated that one or more guide members could be utilised to achieve the effect of maintaining the plate 93 in position once it has engaged with the barrel 15a of the cylinder lock. The lock, when used in such planar wall environments, could be used to activate the bolting mechanisms of mortise locks or the like, or indeed used in combination with the bolting mechanism described with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

The guide members 92 may project rearwardly from the door 91 for only a short distance, for example slightly greater than the thickness of the reinforcement plate 93, sufficient to define a channel. However Figure 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the guide members are wing portions 92a, 92b of a U-shaped metal saddle member which also provides the carrier plate 125. The carrier plate 125 may suitably be spaced about 2 inches (50 mm) from the door 91. The carrier plate has an aperture 45 to receive the rear end of the actuating member 21, and carries stop members 23,24 as in previous embodiments. The actuating member 21 can be connected to a variety of different operating mechanisms. In assembling this embodiment, the lock barrel is inserted through the door 91, the reinforcement plate 93 is slid into place on the barrel, the screws 19 are tightened, and then the U-shaped saddle member is brought into position with the wings 92a, 92b abutting the flat side edges of the reinforcement plate 93. The saddle member is then welded to the door 91. Figure 14 shows from above an embodiment similar to Figure 13, the only significant difference being the off-centre location of the lock relative to the reinforcement plate and saddle member.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide members 92 may be fixed to the door 91 before the lock is installed. The U-shaped saddle member may then have wings 92a, 92b which are more widely spaced so that they fit outside the guide members.

Figure 15 shows from above a further embodiment using the different cylinder lock of Figure 7. A reinforcement plate 117 with perpendicular end portions 126, 127 is used in a similar manner to Figure 7. Figure 15 illustrates a special embodiment useful with a very light door e.g. having a plate thickness of about 1.5 mm. A supplementary reinforcement plate 93 is used inside the door 91. This supplementary plate 93 has an aperture or slot in it to receive the barrel 28 of the lock. The end portions 126,127 are slightly longer than the distance between the rear face of the barrel 28 and the supplementary plate 93, so that as the bolts 19 are tightened the end portions 126, 127 press the supplementary plate 93 against the door 91.

With a thicker door, e.g. of about 3 mm thickness, the supplementary reinforcement plate 93 may not be necessary.

The embodiment of Figure 15 has a U-shaped saddle member as in Figure 14. The wings 92a and 92b of the saddle member fit outside the end portions 126,127 of the reinforcement plate 117 and provide the guide members against which the flat end surfaces of the end portions 126,127 abut to prevent the reinforcement plate 117 from rotating.

In the embodiment of Figure 15, it is not necessary for the reinforcement plate 117 to have a slot 18. Instead it may have an aperture which is slightly larger in diameter than the actuating portion 28a of the cylinder lock 28. Instead of being inserted by sliding the reinforcement plate perpendicular to the axis of the lock (as in previous embodiments), the reinforcement plate may be brought in from the rear in a direction parallel to the axis of the lock.

In an alternative version of the embodiment of Figure 15, the end portions 126, 127 of the reinforcement plate may be integrated into the wings 92b, 92a of the saddle member so that the main portion of the reinforcement plate is fixed to and forms a bridge between the wings 92b and 92a. The flat edges of the reinforcement plate abut against the wing portions 92b, 92a and are welded thereto, thus further ensuring that there is no rotation of the reinforcement plate. The leading ends of the wing portions 92b, 92a press against the edge regions of the supplementary reinforcement plate 93, which is extended sidewardly as compared to Figure 15.

The embodiment of Figure 15 may be useful with thicker planar members than the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14, as it is not necessary for the reinforcement plate to fit between the planar member 91 and lugs on the barrel. For example a cylinder lock of the type shown in Figure 15 having a barrel length of about 20 mm may be used with a planar member having a thickness in the range of 7.5 - 20 mm, or even greater if the reinforcement plate is spaced from the rear of the barrel 28.

The embodiments of Figures 13-15 are suitably for a wide variety of uses on planar doors, for example vehicle doors, electrical cabinets, computer cabinets, and the like.

The terms up, down, “upper”, “lower”, raised, lowered, erect, front, rear and the like are used herein to refer to the position of the assembly as shown in the drawings and without limiting effect.

Claims (31)

1. A cylinder lock mounting arrangement for mounting a cylinder lock having a face plate and a barrel onto a mounting member having a wall with an aperture defined therein dimensioned to allow all of the lock except the face plate to pass therethrough, the cylinder lock having internally screw-threaded apertures therein to receive securing bolts, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises: a) a reinforcement plate against which or through which the securing bolts can be applied, the reinforcement plate having at least one flat edge portion, and b) abutment means on the mounting member having a flat portion against which the flat edge portion of the reinforcement plate abuts to inhibit rotation of the reinforcement plate.

2. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one side edge of the reinforcement plate is flat, and preferably wherein two opposed side edges of the reinforcement plate are flat.

3. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the reinforcement plate has a slot dimensioned to receive and co-operate with the cylinder lock, the reinforcement plate being slideable between cylinder lock engaging and nonengaging positions, wherein, in use, upon receipt of the lock, except the face plate, through the aperture in the mounting member wall, the reinforcement plate is slideable to the engaging position so as to co-operate with at least a portion of the cylinder lock, and the securing of the cylinder lock to or against the reinforcement plate urges the lock face plate towards the wall of the mounting member.

4. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the reinforcement plate has an aperture, the aperture being dimensioned to receive an actuating part of the cylinder lock.

5. A mounting arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reinforcement plate is suitably dimensioned to co-operate, when in the engaging position, with inner abutment means on the mounting member, the co-operation of the plate and the said abutment means preventing any rotation of the reinforcement plate and cylinder lock relative to the mounting member.

6. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein the abutment means may suitably be a portion of the mounting member, such as side walls of a tubular post, or may be attached to the mounting member.

7. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the the mounting member is a tubular post, particularly a security post for use in a security post assembly, an aperture being fonned in one wall of the post and the reinforcement plate being dimensioned so as to abut against at least one other wall of the post.

8. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the reinforcement plate is dimensioned to engage with two opposite walls of the post.

9. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the mounting member is provided with defining means, the defining means defining a channel within which the reinforcement plate is receivable.

10. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the adoption of the engaging position by the reinforcement plate is effected by a sliding of the reinforcement plate within the channel defined by the defining means.

11. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the defining means comprise at least one engaging member located on the inner surface of the wall in which the lock receiving aperture is fonned.

12. A security post assembly comprising: iStt a) a base tube adapted to be secured in the ground or other base and having an open mouth, b) a hollow tubular post adapted to be brought into axial alignment with the base tube, c) means to inhibit movement of the tubular post in the axial direction away from the base tube, d) actuating means for activating the means to inhibit movement of the tubular post, said means being located in an end region of the tubular post remote from the base tube. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the end region of the tubular post remote from the base tube extends not more than one half of the length of the post, more preferably not more than one third of the length of the post, from the end of the post remote from the base tube. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the lower end of the tubular post is a sliding fit in the base tube.

13. 15. The security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the 2 0 base tube further comprises a cover plate hingedly attached thereto, the base cover plate being swingable to a raised position in which it permits entry of the post into the tube.

14. 16. The security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the 2 5 means for inhibiting movement of the tubular post comprises cooperating engagement structures located substantially in a lower region of the post and on the underside of the cover plate.

15. 17. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the lower region of 3 0 the post is a region which extends not more than one-third of the length of the post from the lower end, suitably not more than about one quarter of the length of the post from the lower end.

16. 18. The security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 17 wherein the engagement structure most suitably is spaced from the lower end of the post by slightly more than the length of the end portion which fits into the base tube, so that when the post is installed in the base tube the engagement structure is located above but adjacent to the mouth of the base tube.

17. 19. The security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the engagement structure located substantially in a lower region of the post comprises a slideable bolt adapted to extend through an aperture in the post and co-operate with a receiver structure carried on the underside of the cover plate.

18. 20. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the receiver structure comprises a flange projecting downwardly from the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the hinge attachment to the tube.

19. 21. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the receiver structure desirably comprises three flange portions forming a U-shape structure.

20. 22. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein the post carries a Ushape guard projecting therefrom around the aperture, the two U-shaped structures being complementary to one another.

21. 23. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the bolt in its retracted position is substantially contained within the tubular post and in its extended position extends at least partially out through an aperture so as to engage with the receiver structure.

22. 24. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein the location of the bolt in a lower region of the post is in such a position in the post that the bolt is extendible into the receiver structure when the cover plate is in the raised position.

23. 25. The security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 24 wherein the means for activating the means to inhibit movement of the tubular post comprises a cylinder lock mounted in an upper region of the tubular post and activatable by a key at said upper region.

24. 26. The security post assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein the cylinder lock comprises a barrel which is housed within the tubular post and a face plate which, when the barrel is mounted within the tubular post, abuts with or fits into an outer wall of the tubular post.

25. 27. A security post assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 26 wherein the post is provided with a cylinder lock mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

26. 28. A security post assembly as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein the bolt is biased towards the extended position, the activation of the cylinder lock effecting an adoption of the retracted position of the bolt within the tubular post and allowing a removal of the post from the base tube.

27. 29. A security post assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein the cylinder is mechanically connectable to the bolt, a rotation of the key within the cylinder lock effecting a corresponding movement of the bolt from an extended position to a retracted position.

28. 30. A security post assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein the bolt requires an active actuation to effect movement to both extended and retracted positions.

29. 31. A security post assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein a rotation of the key within the cylinder effects a movement of the bolt from the retracted to the extended and from the extended to the retracted positions.

30. 32. A security post assembly comprising a base tube adapted to be sunk into the ground or other base and having an open mouth, a post which fits into the mouth of the tube, a cover plate hingedly attached to the tube so as to be swingable to a raised position in which it permits entry of the post into the tube, and a locking 10 mechanism inside the post having a bolt adapted to be extended through an aperture in a wall of the post, wherein the cover plate carries on its underside a receiver portion adapted to receive the bolt, the locking mechanism being located in such a position in the post that the bolt is extendible into the receiver portion when the cover plate is in the raised position and wherein the locking mechanism 15 is actuated by an actuation means located in a portion of the post remote from the locking mechanism.

31. 33. A locking arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as illustrated in Figures 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.