CN220890666U - Locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses a locking device, which comprises: a housing; a post inserted into the housing, movable vertically relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, the post being at least partially external to the housing in the locked position; a slider at least partially housing the post, movable longitudinally relative to the housing between a free position and an active position; and a link, a first end of the link being pivotally connected to the post and a second end of the link being pivotally connected to the slider such that movement of the slider is translated into movement of the slider by the link.

Description

Locking device

Technical Field

The present application relates to a locking device, and more particularly, to a sliding locking device.

Background

A locking device is a common device for securing or unlocking a first object to or from a second object. In the environment of use, there is a continuous search for miniaturization and modularization of locking devices. This requires continuous optimization of the structure of the respective components of the locking device and the connection relationship between the components on the basis of satisfying the necessary locking function and the necessary strength of the locking device. Thus, new challenges exist for the design of locking devices.

Disclosure of utility model

A locking device according to the present application is characterized in that the locking device comprises: a housing; a post inserted into the housing, movable vertically relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, the post being at least partially external to the housing in the locked position; a slider at least partially housing the post, movable longitudinally relative to the housing between a free position and an active position; and a link, a first end of the link being pivotally connected to the post and a second end of the link being pivotally connected to the slider such that movement of the slider is translated into movement of the slider by the link.

In one embodiment, the pivot axis of the first end of the link and the pivot axis of the second end of the link are both substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the first end of the link is closer to the unlocked position in the vertical direction and the active position in the longitudinal direction than the second end of the link when the post is in each position.

In one embodiment, the slider comprises: a bottom wall; two side walls opposite to each other, extending from two side edges of the bottom wall in the vertical direction, respectively; wherein a receiving slot is formed between the bottom wall and the side wall to receive the connecting rod, the second end of the connecting rod is located in the receiving slot, and the first end of the connecting rod is located at least partially in the receiving slot when the post is located in the locked position.

In one embodiment, each of the side walls is provided with: a side wall aperture located proximate to the bottom wall allowing the second end of the link to be pivotally connected to the slider; a locating portion located at the top end of each of the side walls and extending in the longitudinal direction configured to abut against the first end of the link.

In one embodiment, each of the side walls is further provided with: and tapered grooves extending from each of the side wall holes to the top of the slider, and the tapered grooves gradually increasing in size in the vertical direction from the side wall hole to the top.

In one embodiment, the connecting rod comprises: the first end and the second end are respectively positioned at two ends of the connecting rod body; the first end includes two prongs spaced apart in a lateral direction, a head of the post being interposed between the two prongs, and a pin pivotally connecting the head to the first end.

In one embodiment, each bifurcation of the first end is provided on the outside with a thickening surrounding the pin and having a thickness greater than that of the connecting rod body; the pin extends no further than the thickening.

In one embodiment, the thickening abuts against a locating portion of a side wall of the slider when the post is in the locked position.

In one embodiment, the second end of the connecting rod is provided with a pivot shaft which extends outwards from two sides of the second end in the transverse direction and is inserted into a side wall hole of the side wall; the pivot shaft is integrally formed with the link or is a separate component inserted into the link.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises: an upper surface in which a housing hole is formed, the column passing through the housing hole such that the column is movable in the vertical direction relative to the housing without being rotatable; and a lower surface in which an elastic member receiving portion is formed, in which an elastic member is received, the elastic member biasing the post toward the locking position with respect to the housing.

In one embodiment, the bottom wall of the slider abuts against and slides along the upper surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, the column comprises: a head proximate the unlocked position and pivotally connected to a first end of the link; a tail portion adjacent to the locking position, the tail portion having a dimension in a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction that is greater than the head portion such that the head portion can pass through the housing aperture, the tail portion being accessible to the spring receiving portion but not through the housing aperture; one end of the elastic piece is abutted against the top end of the elastic piece accommodating part, and the other end of the elastic piece is abutted against the tail part.

Drawings

Fig. 1A to 1F are front, rear, left, right, top and bottom views, respectively, of a locking device according to the present application, fig. 1G and 1H being different-angle perspective views, respectively, of the locking device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the housing of the locking device at different angles, respectively;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the post of the locking device;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the slider of the locking device at different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the connecting rod of the locking device at different angles, respectively;

FIG. 7A is a top view of the locking device in a locked state;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the state corresponding to FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a top view of the locking device in an unlocked state;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the state corresponding to FIG. 8A;

fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in fig. 8A.

List of reference numerals:

100. Locking device

110. Shell body

111. Upper surface of

112. Shell hole

113. Lower surface of

114. Elastic piece accommodating part

115. Mounting part

120. Column

121. Head part

122. Tail part

123. Column hole

130. Sliding block

131. Bottom wall

133. Side wall

134. Side wall hole

135. Cone-shaped groove

136. Positioning part

137. Pressing part

138. Hollowed-out part

139. Accommodating groove

140. Connecting rod

141. First end

142. Second end

143. Connecting rod body

144. Bifurcation part

145. Thickening portion

146. Pivot shaft

150. Pin

160. Elastic piece

Detailed Description

Although the utility model is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the utility model is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the utility model.

The description of the directions of "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", etc. are referred to herein for convenience of understanding only, and the present utility model is not limited to these directions but may be adjusted according to actual circumstances.

The locking device 100 according to the present application is generally described with reference to fig. 1A to 2. The locking device 100 includes: the device comprises a housing 110, a column 120, a slider 130, a connecting rod 140, a pin 150 and an elastic member 160. The housing 110 is used to mount the locking device 100 to a first item (not shown) and the post 120 can be extended from the housing 110 to engage a second item (not shown) or retracted into the housing 110 to disengage the second item so that the first item is locked to or unlocked from the second item.

More specifically, the post 120 is inserted into the housing 110 and is movable vertically relative to the housing 110 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The post 120 is at least partially located outside the housing 110 in the locked position for engagement to a second object. The slider 130 at least partially accommodates the post 120 and is movable longitudinally relative to the housing 110 between a free position and an active position. A first end 141 of the link 140 is pivotally connected to the post 120 and a second end 142 of the link 140 is pivotally connected to the slider 130 such that movement of the slider 130 is translated into movement of the slider 130 by the link 140. The pin 150 is used to pivotally connect the post 120 to the link 140. The spring 160 is used to bias the post 120 toward the locked position. The specific structure and operation of the components will be described in detail below.

For ease of understanding, the direction of movement of the post 120 is referred to herein as vertical, the direction of movement of the slider 130 is referred to as longitudinal, and the direction of extension of the pivot axis 146 of the link 140 is referred to as lateral. It should be understood, however, that the names of these directions are not limiting of the location and mounting direction of the locking device 100 of the present application. Moreover, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse directions need not be exactly perpendicular to each other, but may be at an angle.

A specific structure of the housing 110 is described with reference to fig. 3A to 3B.

The housing 110 has a vertically extending cylindrical shape with an upper surface 111 and a lower surface 113. The upper surface 111 has a housing aperture 112 formed therein, and the post 120 passes through the housing aperture 112 such that the post 120 is vertically movable relative to the housing 110 without rotation. For example, the housing aperture 112 may be provided as a non-circular aperture, and the head 121 of the post 120 has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the housing aperture 112 (fig. 4). The lower surface 113 of the housing 110 has an elastic member receiving portion 114 formed therein, in which an elastic member 160 is received, such that the elastic member 160 biases the post 120 toward the locking position with respect to the housing 110.

The sectional area of the elastic member receiving portion 114 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction may be larger than the sectional area of the case hole 112, so that the elastic member receiving portion 114 is formed as a space having a large opening at a lower end and a small opening at an upper end. The housing 110 may also be provided with a mounting portion 115, specifically, for example, disposed at the periphery of the elastic member receiving portion 114 and extending downward from the lower surface 113. The mounting portion 115 is used to mount the housing 110 to a first object (not shown). The mounting portion 115 may be a caulking edge, or may be a socket portion, a welded portion, or the like. The position and form of the mounting portion 115 may be changed accordingly according to actual mounting requirements.

In the present embodiment, the side surface of the housing 110 is formed as a cylindrical surface, however, in other embodiments, the side surface of the housing 110 may be formed as an elliptical shape, a prismatic surface, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface 111 and the lower surface 113 of the housing 110 are parallel to each other, however, in other embodiments, the upper surface 111 and the lower surface 113 of the housing 110 may be inclined with respect to each other, and may be formed as curved surfaces.

The specific structure of the column 120 is described with reference to fig. 4.

The post 120 is generally vertically extending rod-like and includes a head 121 and a tail 122. The head 121 is proximate the upper end (i.e., unlocked position) and is pivotally connected to the first end 141 of the link 140. The head 121 has a post hole 123 therein to allow a pin 150 to pivotally connect the head 121 to the first end 141 of the link 140. The tail 122 is near the lower end (i.e., the locked position). The tail 122 has a larger dimension in a section perpendicular to the vertical than the head 121 so that the head 121 can pass through the housing aperture 112 and the tail 122 can enter the spring receiving portion 114 without passing through the housing aperture 112.

A specific structure of the slider 130 is described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B. The slider 130 includes a bottom wall 131, opposite side walls 133, a pressing portion 137, and a hollowed portion 138.

The bottom wall 131 is located at the lower end of the slider 130. Two side walls 133 extend vertically upward from the two side edges of the bottom wall 131, respectively. An accommodating groove 139 is formed between the bottom wall 131 and the side wall 133 to accommodate the link 140.

Each side wall 133 is provided with a side wall hole 134 and a positioning portion 136, respectively. The sidewall aperture 134 is positioned proximate to the bottom wall 131, allowing the second end 142 of the link 140 to be pivotally connected to the slider 130. A locating portion 136 is located at the top end of each sidewall 133 and extends longitudinally configured to receive a first end 141 of the link 140.

More specifically, the positioning portion 136 is located at one end of the accommodating groove 139 near the active position (i.e., the left end in fig. 5A), and extends over about half the length of the accommodating groove 139 in the longitudinal direction. The sidewall hole 134 is adjacent to one end of the receiving groove 139 near the free position, and may be provided as a through hole penetrating the sidewall 133 or a blind hole located only inside the sidewall 133. The detent 136 is for abutting against the first end 141 of the link 140, and more particularly against a thickening 145 at the first end 141 (see fig. 6A, 6B) to prevent the first end 141 and the post 120 connected to the first end 141 from moving beyond the locked position. In the present embodiment, the positioning portion 136 is provided as a groove recessed into the side wall 133. However, it should be appreciated that depending on the setting of the locking position of the post 120, the detent 136 may have a different vertical depth, may be vertically flush with the side wall 133, and may even extend vertically upward from the side wall 133 to form a protrusion.

Each side wall 133 may also be provided with a tapered slot 135, respectively. A tapered groove 135 extends from each sidewall hole 134 to the top of the slider 130, and the dimension of the tapered groove 135 in the vertical direction gradually increases from the sidewall hole 134 to the top. The tapered slot 135 is used to insert the second end 142 of the link 140 into the slider 130.

The slider 130 may have an end wall at an end near the free position, and an outer side of the end wall may form a pressing portion 137 for operation. A hollowed-out portion 138 may be formed between the pressing portion 137 and the accommodating groove 139 to reduce weight.

The specific structure of the link 140 is described with reference to fig. 6A to 6B. The link 140 includes a link body 143, a first end 141, and a second end 142.

The link body 143 has a substantially rod shape. The first end 141 and the second end 142 are located at both ends of the link body 143, respectively. The first end 141 includes two prongs 144 spaced apart in the lateral direction, each prong 144 being provided with a pin 150 aperture, respectively. The head 121 of the post 120 is inserted between the two prongs 144 and a pin 150 pivotally connects the head 121 to the first end 141 (see fig. 7A, 7C). In this way, since the post 120 is located between the two crotch portions 144 in the lateral direction, the space occupied by the post 120 in the lateral direction can be reduced.

The outer side of each bifurcation 144 of the first end 141 of the link 140 is provided with a thickening 145, respectively, the thickening 145 surrounding the pin 150 and having a thickness greater than that of the link body 143. The pin 150 does not extend beyond the thickened portion 145. When the post 120 is in the locked position, the thickened portion 145 abuts the locating portion 136 of the side wall 133 of the slider 130 (see fig. 7A). In this way, the link 140 is supported by the side wall 133 of the slider 130, and the space occupied by the pin 150 in the lateral direction can be reduced.

The second end 142 of the link 140 is provided with a pivot shaft 146, and the pivot shaft 146 extends laterally outwardly from both sides of the second end 142, respectively, and is inserted into the sidewall hole 134 of the sidewall 133. The pivot shaft 146 is integrally formed with the link 140 or is a separate component inserted into the link 140.

The connection relationship between the components of the locking device 100 according to the present application and the operation of the locking device 100 will now be described.

Referring first to fig. 7A-7C, the locking device 100 is shown in a locked state. The housing 110 is vertically disposed such that the upper surface 111 of the housing 110 is in a longitudinal and transverse plane. The slider 130 is disposed above the housing 110 and abuts the upper surface 111 of the housing 110. The post 120 passes vertically through the housing 110, and a tail 122 of the post 120 protrudes from below the housing 110 to engage a second object (not shown). The elastic member 160 is disposed in the elastic member receiving portion 114 of the housing 110, and may be particularly disposed in a closed space formed by the elastic member receiving portion 114 of the housing 110 and the tail portion 122 of the post 120. The spring 160 abuts the tail 122 of the post 120 to bias the post 120 toward the locked position (below fig. 7A-7C). The head 121 of the post 120 protrudes from above the housing 110, extends into the receiving slot 139 of the slider 130, and is pivotally connected to the first end 141 of the link 140 by a pin 150. The second end 142 of the link 140 is pivotally connected to the sidewall aperture 134 of the slider 130.

Due to the form fit between the housing 110 spring receiving portion 114 and the tail portion 122 of the post 120, the post 120 is defined to be vertically movable relative to the housing 110, but not laterally and longitudinally movable relative to the housing 110. The post 120 is defined as non-rotatable relative to the housing 110 due to the form fit between the housing bore 112 (fig. 3A) of the housing 110 and the post 120.

Since the post 120 is biased downward by the elastic member 160, the head 121 of the post 120 drives the link 140 downward, and the link 140 in turn drives the slider 130 downward, so that the slider 130 abuts against the upper surface 111 of the housing 110. Since the link 140 is connected to the post 120 and the slider 130 by the laterally extending pin 150 and the pivot shaft 146, respectively, the post 120, the link 140, and the slider 130 cannot move laterally relative to each other or oscillate about a vertical axis. Thus, the slider 130 is defined to be movable only in the longitudinal direction.

The link 140 extends in an oblique direction with the second end 142 closer to the locking position (below 7A-7C) and the free position (to the right in fig. 7C) than the first end 141, so that the link 140 biases the slider 130 toward the free position under the action of the post 120. Without external forces, the slider 130 tends to move toward the free position. The first end 141 of the link 140 (specifically, the thickened portion 145 at the first end 141) abuts against the positioning portion 136 of the slider 130 such that the first end 141 is at least partially received in the receiving groove 139 of the slider 130 to reduce the volume of the link 140 and the post 120 exposed. In some embodiments, the post 120 and the link 140 may be fully received in the slider 130 when the locking device 100 is in the locked position.

When the locking device 100 is in the locked state, the thickened portion 145 of the link 140 abuts the positioning portion 136, preventing the post 120 from continuing to move toward the locked position, and also preventing the slider 130 from continuing to move toward the free position. Thus, the mating relationship between the thickening 145 and the locating portion 136 can be used to limit the displacement travel of the slider 130.

With continued reference to fig. 7A-7C, when the user needs to change the locking device 100 to the unlocked state, he presses the pressing portion 137 of the slider 130, so that the slider 130 moves toward the active position (left side of fig. 7A-7C) against the biasing force transmitted from the link 140, and thus the locking device 100 transitions to the unlocked state shown in fig. 8A-8C. In the process, the slider 130 drives the second end 142 of the link 140 to move leftward. Since the first end 141 of the link 140 is connected to the head 121 of the post 120 and cannot move in the longitudinal direction, the first end 141 of the link 140 moves upward such that the link 140 rotates from an inclined angle toward a vertical angle. The first end 141 of the link 140 moves the post 120 upward against the biasing force of the resilient member 160 such that the post 120 moves to the unlocked position.

Referring to fig. 8A-8C, the locking device 100 is shown in an unlocked state. Compared to the locking device 100 in the locked state, the slider 130 has moved leftward (the active position), the post 120 has moved upward (the unlocked position), and thus the tail 122 of the post 120 is retracted into the accommodating space of the housing 110, thereby disengaging the second object (not shown).

When the user needs to switch the locking device 100 from the unlocked state to the locked state, only the slider 130 needs to be released, the column 120 moves downward under the biasing force of the elastic member 160 such that the first end 141 of the link 140 moves downward and the second end 142 of the link 140 moves rightward such that the slider 130 moves rightward, thereby returning to the locked state shown in fig. 7A to 7C.

In summary, the present application provides a locking device, which has a structure that is as simplified and compact as possible, and the components are mutually matched and limited, so that the locking device has good stability.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only. Many modifications, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the utility model. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the utility model.

Claims (13)

1. A locking device, characterized in that the locking device (100) comprises:

A housing (110);

-a post (120) inserted into the housing (110) movable vertically with respect to the housing (110) between a locked position and an unlocked position, the post (120) being at least partially outside the housing (110) in the locked position;

A slider (130) at least partially housing the post (120) and being movable longitudinally with respect to the housing (110) between a free position and an active position; and

-A link (140), a first end (141) of the link (140) being pivotally connected to the post (120), a second end (142) of the link (140) being pivotally connected to the slider (130) such that movement of the slider (130) is translated into movement of the slider (130) by the link (140).

2. The locking device of claim 1, wherein:

The pivot axis (146) line of the first end (141) of the link (140) and the pivot axis (146) line of the second end (142) of the link (140) are both substantially perpendicular to the vertical and the longitudinal directions.

3. The locking device of claim 1, wherein:

In each position of the post (120), a first end (141) of the link (140) is closer to the unlocked position in the vertical direction and to the active position in the longitudinal direction than a second end (142) of the link (140).

4. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the slider (130) comprises:

A bottom wall (131);

Two side walls (133) opposite to each other, extending from both side edges of the bottom wall (131) in the vertical direction, respectively;

Wherein a receiving groove (139) is formed between the bottom wall (131) and the side wall (133) to receive the link (140), a second end (142) of the link (140) is located in the receiving groove (139), and a first end (141) of the link (140) is located at least partially in the receiving groove (139) when the post (120) is located in the locked position.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said side walls (133) is provided with:

A side wall aperture (134) located proximate to the bottom wall (131) allowing a second end (142) of the link (140) to be pivotally connected to the slider (130);

a positioning portion (136) located at a top end of each of the side walls (133) and extending in the longitudinal direction, configured to abut against a first end (141) of the link (140).

6. The locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that each of said side walls (133) is further provided with:

A tapered groove (135) extends from each of the side wall holes (134) to a top of the slider (130), and a dimension of the tapered groove (135) in the vertical direction gradually increases from the side wall hole (134) to the top.

7. The locking device according to any one of claims 5-6, wherein the connecting rod (140) comprises:

A connecting rod body (143), wherein the first end (141) and the second end (142) are respectively positioned at two ends of the connecting rod body (143);

the first end (141) comprises two branches (144) spaced apart in the lateral direction, the head (121) of the post (120) being interposed between the two branches (144), a pin (150) pivotally connecting the head (121) to the first end (141).

8. The locking device of claim 7, wherein:

-the outer side of each bifurcation (144) of the first end (141) is provided with a thickening (145), respectively, the thickening (145) surrounding the pin (150) and having a thickness greater than the connecting rod body (143);

the pin (150) extends no further than the thickening (145).

9. The locking device of claim 8, wherein:

When the post (120) is in the locked position, the thickened portion (145) abuts against a locating portion (136) of a side wall (133) of the slider (130).

10. The locking device of claim 7, wherein:

A pivot shaft (146) is arranged at the second end (142) of the connecting rod (140), and the pivot shaft (146) extends outwards from two sides of the second end (142) along the transverse direction respectively and is inserted into a side wall hole (134) of the side wall (133);

The pivot shaft (146) is integrally formed with the link (140) or is a separate component inserted into the link (140).

11. The locking device of claim 1, wherein:

The housing (110) includes:

-an upper surface (111) in which a housing aperture (112) is provided, the post (120) passing through the housing aperture (112) such that the post (120) is movable in the vertical direction relative to the housing (110) without rotation;

A lower surface (113) in which a spring receiving portion (114) is formed, in which a spring (160) is received, the spring (160) biasing the post (120) toward the locked position relative to the housing (110).

12. The locking device of claim 11, wherein:

The bottom wall (131) of the slider (130) abuts against the upper surface (111) of the housing (110) and slides along the upper surface (111).

13. The locking device of claim 12, wherein:

The column (120) comprises:

A head (121) proximate the unlocked position and pivotally connected to a first end (141) of the link (140);

-a tail (122) adjacent to the locking position, the tail (122) having a dimension in a section perpendicular to the vertical that is larger than the head (121) such that the head (121) can pass through the housing aperture (112), the tail (122) being able to enter the spring receiving portion (114) without passing through the housing aperture (112);

One end of the elastic piece (160) is abutted against the top end of the elastic piece accommodating part (114), and the other end is abutted against the tail part (122).