TWI741080B - Folding lock having an automatic function - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding lock having an automatic function includes a lock body that accommodates a latching mechanism and includes a jointed bar hoop that has a plurality of jointed bars pivotably connected to one another and a closing bar. A first end of the jointed bar hoop is permanently fastened to the lock body and a second end of the jointed bar hoop has the closing bar. The jointed bar hoop is foldable together into a yardstick configuration in which the jointed bars and the closing bar extend in parallel with one another. The lock body has a reception opening, with the closing bar being automatically latchable to the lock body by means of the latching mechanism by introducing the closing bar into the reception opening. The closing bar is only partly introduced into the reception opening of the lock body in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop without the closing bar being latched to the lock body.

Description

Folding lock with automatic function

The invention relates to a folding lock with automatic function. Such a folding lock includes a lock body accommodating a locking mechanism, and includes a connecting strip hoop having a plurality of connecting strips and a closing strip, wherein the plurality of connecting strips are pivotally connected to each other. The first end of the connecting strap is permanently fastened to the lock body, and the second end of the connecting strap has a closing strap. The connecting strip hoop can be folded together into a yardstick configuration, in which the connecting strip and the closing strip extend parallel to each other. The lock body has a receiving opening, wherein by inserting the closing bar into the receiving opening of the lock body, the closing bar can be locked to the lock body by a locking mechanism.

Such folding locks are used, for example, to fix the two-wheeled vehicle to a bicycle support, to fix the two-wheeled vehicle to a lamp post, etc., or to protect the two-wheeled vehicle from unauthorized riding. To this end, the connecting strips of the connecting strips that are connected to each other in an articulated manner or in a row are unfolded to form an open loop that is guided to surround, for example, the frame part of a two-wheeled vehicle and a bicycle support, a lamp post, etc., or only guide through two Wheel rims. Then, the closing bar forming the second free end of the connecting bar hoop is locked to the lock body, thereby closing the loop and thus protecting the two-wheeled vehicle from unauthorized movement or unauthorized riding.

The connecting strip and the closing strip can be folded together to form a compact arrangement, the so-called yardstick configuration, for authorized users to transport the folding lock. To this end, the connecting bar and the closing bar are pivoted in a foldable yardstick, and thus become aligned parallel to each other.

The automatic function can be set to simplify the operation of the folding lock lock. This means that by inserting the closure strip into the receiving opening of the lock body, the closure strip (and thus the second end of the connecting strip hoop) can be automatically locked to the lock body by the locking mechanism. For example, the locking mechanism may have a preloading latch that temporarily moves from the closed position to the release position by inserting the closure bar into the receiving opening of the lock body to overcome the preload and temporarily move from the closed position to the release position, and once the closure bar is completely Inserted into the receiving opening, the latch will return to the closed position again due to preloading. Thus, the locking bar can be locked to the lock body without the need for active activation of the lock cylinder for this purpose, for example by a related key.

A folding lock with automatic function according to the preamble of item 1 of the scope of patent application is known from DE102013210475A1.

As known from DE202005013390U1, when not in use, a designated type of folding lock can be stored and transported in a storage device (for example, a pocket or holder). To this end, the connecting bars are folded together into this compact yardstick configuration. Such storage devices usually include a retaining portion joined around the periphery of the connecting strips folded together, wherein a lock body protrudes from the retaining portion so that a user can grasp it to remove the folding lock.

However, for folding locks with automatic functions, it may prove disadvantageous that the locking mechanism must be actively actuated (for example, released by a corresponding key) to fix the two-wheeled vehicle as desired, that is, first release the connecting strap or hoop from the lock body The second end of the strip is closed and thus an open loop is formed after removal from the storage bag. Conversely, if the closure strip is so short that the connecting strip hoop can be folded together without inserting the closure strip into the lock body, the closure strip can then be pivoted out in the yardstick configuration in an undesirable manner according to its pivotable connection. Make the operation of connecting the strap worse.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a folding lock that is easier to operate and has an automatic function.

This objective is achieved by a folding lock with the features of item 1 of the scope of the patent application. Specifically, the closing bar in the yardstick configuration of the connection bar is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, and the closing bar is not locked To the lock body.

Because not only an automatic function for closing the bar locking is provided at the lock body, but it is not necessary to actively actuate the locking mechanism in order to connect the aforementioned unfolding of the bar hoop to form an open loop, the folding lock according to the present invention simplifies the process during the locking process. deal with. Alternatively, the folding lock can be stored and transported in a folded state in a compact yardstick configuration, wherein the connecting strap can be directly unfolded into an open loop after being removed from the corresponding storage device. Thus, the folding lock combines the advantages of the automatic function of the locking mechanism with the simple operation of attaching the connecting strap to the two-wheeled vehicle for fixation.

The lock body and the connecting strap are adapted to enable the connecting strap to adopt a yardstick configuration, and the closing strap is partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, but will not be locked to the lock body. Therefore, the connecting strip hoop adopts a stable transportation position, even if the closing strip is not locked to the lock body. Since the closing bar has protruded into the receiving opening of the lock body instead of being locked to the lock body, the closing bar can be supported by the lock body in one or more directions, for example, the lock body can be used in two opposite directions Support the closure strip. This support of the corresponding part of the closure strip can be carried out, for example, by a part of the housing of the lock body. Thus, the connecting strip cuff can form a freely pivotable arrangement compared to the closing strip, which is sufficiently stable for comfortable operation (for example, being grasped and gripped by the user around the connecting strip). Since the length of the closing bar is selected accordingly, and the arrangement of the locking mechanism in the lock body is consistent with the length of the closing bar, this stable transportation position can be realized in a simple structure.

According to an advantageous embodiment, when the closure is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body and is not locked to the lock body, the closing bar can be prevented from pivoting by the lateral boundary of the receiving opening of the lock body. Therefore, as long as the closing bar has not been locked to the lock body, it is possible to prevent in a simple manner the closing bar in the configuration of the connecting bar hoop code ruler from pivoting outward in an unintentional manner according to its hinged connection with the adjacent connecting bar. When the closing bar is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, it is preferable to prevent the closing bar from pivoting in two mutually opposed pivoting directions.

The boundary of the receiving opening of the lock body may specifically peripherally surround the closing strip inserted into the receiving opening. In this process, the corresponding end of the closing strip is preferably surrounded by the boundary of the receiving opening in a substantially shape-matching manner.

If the closing bar is completely inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, the closing bar initially only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body can be automatically locked at the lock body.

According to an embodiment, the lock body and the connecting strap are adapted so that when the closing strap is not locked to the lock body, the connecting strap can only become a yardstick configuration. Therefore, the user can immediately see that the folding lock is not in the locked state, that is, the state when the connecting strap adopts a compact yardstick configuration.

If the connecting bar band can only be configured with a yardstick with a non-locking closing bar, the closing bar can be prevented from being locked to the lock body by accident or due to vibration during transportation, for example, by simply inserting the closing bar completely into the receiving opening More specifically, the connecting strap is in a yardstick configuration and is held by a storage device (for example, peripherally grasped around).

Specifically, the lock body and the connecting strap may be adapted such that when the closing strap is locked to the lock body, the connecting strap must adopt a different configuration from the yardstick configuration.

According to an embodiment, the length of the closing bar is shorter than the length required for the closing bar to be inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body and locked to the lock body in the yardstick configuration of the connecting bar band.

The length of the closure strip may also be longer than the length required so that the closure strip will not be inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body but will protrude into the receiving opening in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip hoop.

Regarding a locking mechanism with an automatic function, the locking mechanism may include a latch and a preloading device that preloads the latch to a closed position, wherein the latch is not completely inserted into the receiving opening through the closing strip. The lock member overcomes the preload and temporarily moves from the closed position to the release position, wherein when the closure strip is fully inserted into the receiving opening, the preload device is adapted to move the latch member back to the closed position again. Specifically, through the incomplete insertion into the receiving opening, the closing strip can adopt an intermediate position, which is set between the position where the closing strip is partially inserted into the receiving opening and the fully inserted position from the closing strip to the receiving opening.

In order to cooperate with the latch member, the closing bar may have a locking portion, which in the locked position of the latch member is effectively engaged with the latch member to lock the closing bar to the lock body. The locking part of the closure strip may for example comprise a raised part, a groove or an opening.

The latch may for example be configured as a rotary bolt, a pivot bolt or a linearly displaceable latch.

The locking mechanism may have a lock cylinder, wherein the lock cylinder can be actuated by the relevant key to temporarily move the latch from the closed position to the release position against the preload, so as to release and remove the closing bar from the receiving opening of the lock body.

Regarding the fixing of the connecting strap to the lock body, the first end of the connecting strap can be directly and permanently fastened to the lock body, and the first end of the connecting strap can be fastened to the fastening portion or the fastener protruding laterally from the lock body. Fixed to the connecting strip protruding from the side of the lock body.

The first end of the connecting strap can be connected to the lock body in a rigid or pivotable manner.

According to an embodiment, the lock body may extend along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the connecting strip is permanently fastened to a fastening portion or connecting strip protruding laterally from the lock body and rigidly connected to the lock body, and wherein the lock body The receiving opening of the lock body is arranged to be aligned with the fastening part or the connecting strip with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock body. In other words, the first end and the second end of the connecting strap may be arranged to be aligned with each other on the same side of the lock body. When the closure strip is partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body as here, this enables a specific compact form of the connecting strap to be formed in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strap.

In the yardstick configuration of the connecting bar cuff, the longitudinal axis of the connecting bar and the longitudinal axis of the closing bar preferably extend parallel to each other in a plane.

It is also preferred that the lock body extends along or along the longitudinal axis, wherein, in the yardstick configuration, the longitudinal axis of the lock body extends in a plane spanning the longitudinal axis of the connecting bar and the longitudinal axis of the closing bar.

Alternatively or additionally, the lock body may extend along the longitudinal axis, wherein, in the yardstick configuration, the hinge axes of the connecting bars of the connecting bar extend parallel to each other, and the longitudinal axis of the lock body is parallel to the hinge axis of the connecting bars .

It is also preferred that in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strap, the lock body is arranged in the extended plane of the connecting strap, so that the lock body and the connecting strap together form a flat bag.

According to an embodiment, the closure strip can be inserted axially into the receiving opening of the lock body with respect to its longitudinal axis. However, alternatively, it is also possible to rotate laterally and inwardly into the receiving opening.

The connecting strips of the connecting strip hoop are preferably formed along a straight line and formed flat with respect to their length and width.

It is further preferred that the first end of the connecting strap hoop is permanently fastened to the first end of the lock body, wherein the receiving opening of the lock body for receiving the closing strap is provided at the second end of the lock body.

10: Folding lock

12: lock body

14: Connect the hoop

16: connection bar

18: closed strip

22: Rivet

24: first end

26: second end

28: key port

30: lock cylinder

32: key

34: Acceptance

36: connecting axis

38: Latch

40: preload device

42: Protruding locking part

R: double arrow

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained by way of example only with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are marked with the same reference signs.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the folding lock in an unlocked state, in which the connecting strap is in a yardstick configuration; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the folding lock in an unlocked state according to Figure 1; and third Figure shows a schematic diagram of the folding lock in a locked state according to Figure 1, wherein the connecting strap is in a configuration different from that of the yardstick.

The folding lock 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a lock body 12 and a connecting strap 14, and the connecting strap 14 is fastened to the lock body 12. The lock body 12 contains a locking mechanism with an automatic function. In the unlocked state of the folding lock 10, the connecting strap 14 can be unfolded and formed into an open loop in a known manner, and the formed open loop can be placed around a part of a two-wheeled vehicle or other items. Then, since the free end of the connecting strap 14 is completely inserted into the lock body 12, the free end of the connecting strap 14 can be automatically locked to the lock body 12 by the locking mechanism. As a result, the formed loop is closed, and the two-wheeled vehicle is blocked or fixed to the corresponding article (for example, a bicycle rack).

The connecting strip cuff 14 includes a plurality of connecting strips 16 and closing strips 18. Each of the plurality of connecting bars 16 and the closing bars 18 is formed flat. The connecting strip 16 and the closing strip 18 are sequentially connected to each other in a hinged manner by corresponding rivets 22, so that the connecting axes extend parallel to each other or coaxially to each other. As shown in the figure, the connecting strip cuff 14 can thus be folded together into a so-called yardstick configuration to form a compact unit in which the connecting strip 16 and the closing strip 18 extend parallel to each other in a plane. The first end 24 of the connecting strap 14 is connected to the lock body 12 in a hinged manner. The second end 26 of the connecting strap 14 is formed by the free end of the closing strap 18, the free end of which is used to lock the closing strap 18 to the lock body 12, which will be explained below.

The lock core 30 can be accessed through the key opening 28 at the lock body 12, and the key 32 can be inserted into the lock core 30 and the lock core 30 can be activated by rotating the core body. The lock body 12 also includes a receiving opening 34 to which the closing strip 18 can be inserted along the longitudinal axis of the closing strip 18. When the closing strip 18 has been inserted into the receiving opening 34, the closing strip 18 is substantially surrounded by the peripheral boundary of the receiving opening 34 in a shape-matching manner.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the folding lock according to Figure 1. In Figure 2, the hinged connection between the connecting strip 16 (at the first end 24) and the lock body 12, and the connecting strip 16 (at the second end 26) and the closing strip 18 are shown Articulated connection.

In Figure 2, the basic elements of the locking mechanism housed in the lock body 12 are shown by dotted lines. The lock core 30, the movable latch 38 and the pre-loading device 40 shown in Figure 2 can be identified, wherein the movable latch 38 is coupled to the lock core 30, and the pre-loading device 40 is in the direction of rotation The lock cylinder 30 is preloaded, and thus the latch 38 is also preloaded in the direction of the closed position. The raised locking portion 42 can also be identified at the end of the closing strip 18.

In the state shown in FIG. 2, the closing strip 18 is only partially inserted into the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12. Therefore, the closing bar 18 is not locked to the lock body 12. Instead, when viewed in the direction of insertion, the closure of the strip 18 The raised lock portion 42 is still in front of the latch 38. Thus, as explained, the folding lock 10 is in an unlocked state, wherein the connecting strap 14 adopts a yardstick configuration.

In this transport position of the connecting strap 14, the folding lock 10 can be comfortably stored and carried in a storage device (eg, a pocket or holder) that engages around the periphery of the connecting strap 14 that is tightly folded together. Since in the unlocked state of the folding lock 10, the closure strip 18 also protrudes into the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12 and thereby prevents unintentional pivoting, the connecting strip hoop 14 forms a stable arrangement that can be comfortable for the user Grasp and hold, for example, when the user initially only grasps the folding lock 10 at the lock body 12 for removal from the storage device.

In the state shown in Fig. 2, since the connecting strap 14 can only adopt the yardstick configuration in the unlocked state, the user can also directly see that the folding lock 10 is not in the locked state.

Fig. 3 shows a representation corresponding to Fig. 2 and shows the folding lock 10 in a state where the closing strip 18 is now locked to the lock body 12. To this end, the closure strip 18 is inserted deeper from the position according to Figure 2, but first does not completely enter the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12, where the protruding locking portion 42 of the closure strip 18 resists its preloading. The latch 38 is temporarily pushed back from the closed position to the released position. As a result of the subsequent full insertion of the closure strip 18 into the receiving opening 34, the raised locking portion 42 of the closure strip 18 is moved past the latch 38, however, the preloading device 40 moves the latch 38 again via the rotatable lock cylinder 30 Return to the closed position so that the latch 38 is engaged after the raised locking portion 42 and reaches the state shown in FIG. 3. Figure 3 The double arrow R indicates the backward pushing and repeated engagement of the latch 38. Therefore, the closing bar 18 is automatically locked to the lock body 12 by fully inserting the closing bar 18 into the receiving opening 34 (automatic function), and the lock cylinder 30 does not have to be actively activated by the necessary key 32.

However, only when the connecting strap hoop 14 leaves the yardstick configuration according to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible for the closing strap 18 of the folding lock 10 to be completely inserted into the receiving opening 34. This can be seen in Figure 3 that the four central connecting strips 16 are located on the lock body 12 in an obliquely aligned manner, that is, relative to the illustration according to Figure 3, the four central connecting strips 16 pivot away from the paper. The connecting bar 16 shown on the right side of FIG. 3 is also pivoted so that its effective length is reduced in the projection according to FIG. 3.

10‧‧‧Folding lock

12‧‧‧Lock body

14‧‧‧Connecting the hoop

16‧‧‧Connecting strip

18‧‧‧Closed Article

22‧‧‧Rivets

24‧‧‧First end

26‧‧‧Second end

28‧‧‧Key port

30‧‧‧Lock cylinder

32‧‧‧Key

34‧‧‧Receiving Port

Claims (10)

A folding lock (10) with automatic function, comprising a lock body (12) and a connecting bar hoop (14). The lock body (12) accommodates a locking mechanism, and the connecting bar hoop (14) has a plurality of connecting bars (16) And a closing strip (18), the plurality of connecting strips (16) are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first end (24) of the connecting strip hoop (14) is permanently fastened to the lock body (12), and the connection The second end (26) of the bar band (14) has the closing bar (18), wherein the connecting bar band (14) can be folded together into a yardstick configuration, in which the plurality of connecting bars ( 16) and the closing strip (18) extend parallel to each other; wherein the lock body (12) has a receiving opening (34); and wherein the closing strip (18) can be inserted into the receiving opening by the closing strip (18) (34) and automatically locked to the lock body (12) by the locking mechanism, wherein, in the yardstick configuration of the connecting bar hoop (14), the closing bar (18) is only partially inserted into the receiving opening ( 34) without having to lock the closing strip (18) to the lock body (12). The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the closing strip (18) is only partially inserted into the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12), the lock body passes through The lateral boundary of the receiving opening (34) of (12) blocks the pivoting of the closing bar (18). The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein, by completely inserting the closing strip (18) into the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12), the closing strip (18) It can be automatically locked to the lock body (12). The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein, when the closing strip (18) is not locked to the lock body (12), the connecting strip hoop (14) only Able to enter the yardstick configuration. The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the length of the closing strip (18) is smaller than that such that the closing strip (18) can be inserted into the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12) And the closing strip (18) can be locked to the required length of the lock body (12) in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip hoop (14). The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the length of the closing strip (18) is greater than such that the closing strip (18) does not protrude in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip hoop (14) To the required length in the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12). The folding lock (10) described in the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the locking mechanism includes a latch (38) and a preloading device (40), and the preloading device (40) uses the latch (38) Preload to the closed position; wherein the incomplete insertion of the closing strip (18) into the receiving opening (34) enables the latch (38) to overcome the preload and move from the closed position Temporarily moved to the release position; and wherein, when the closure strip (18) is fully inserted into the receiving opening (34), the preloading device (40) is adapted to move the latch (38) back to The closed position. The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein, in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip hoop (14), the longitudinal axis of the plurality of connecting strips (16) and the closing strip (18) The longitudinal axes of) extend parallel to each other in the plane. The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein, in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strap (14), the lock body (12) is along the longitudinal axis The line extends, wherein the longitudinal axis of the lock body (12) extends in a plane spanning the longitudinal axis of the plurality of connecting bars (16) and the longitudinal axis of the closing bar (18). The folding lock (10) described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein, in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strap (14), the lock body (12) is arranged in the extension of the connecting strap (14) The lock body (12) and the connecting strip hoop (14) together form a flat bag in the plane.

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