DK201870292A1

DK201870292A1 - Cargo room locking device for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: DK201870292A1
Application number: DKPA201870292A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Petersen Eigil
Original assignee: Birepo A/S
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2018-05-14
Publication date: 2019-12-10
Also published as: NO20190604A1; DK180285B1; SE543810C2; SE1950550A1

Abstract

A cargo room locking device comprising a first element (30), a second element (13), a blocking mechanism (15) including a blocking element (16) with an elongated element extending in the longitudinal direction of the blocking mechanism (16), a drive mechanism (40) including an electrical motor (50) for displacing the locking element (22) movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. The drive mechanism of the cargo room locking device allows the locking element (30) to be movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. By activation of the drive mechanism, the blocking element will be enable to be moved from a blocking position, where the blocking latch extends though the aperture in the van hereby preventing displacement of the vehicle doo and unblocking position where the blocking element is moved out of engagement with the aperture in the locking bar.

Description

Summary

The invention relates to a cargo room locking device for preventing unauthorized entry into a storage compartment (cargo room) of a vehicle such as the cargo room in a van.

Background

To prevent theft of the equipment located inside the cargo room of a vehicle, one opinion is to provide the vehicle with an additional mechanical locking device, such as a padlock and or a door bolt lock with a tumbler. It has been known for several years to provide a locking device on the exterior side of the cargo room to achieve an additional protection of the cargo inside the van.

One of the disadvantages of this locking device is that the locking device is accessable from the outside of the cargo and therefore accessable for the burglar. Another disadvantage is that the locking device requires drilling of a hole onto the exterior surface of the vehicle. This obstructive mounting step prevents the vehicle owner from removing the locking device, due to the circumstance that the removal of the additional locking device requires that the hole in the vehicle needs to be repaired in the case that the additional locking device needs to be removed from the vehicle afterwards.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a cargo room locking device , which is configured to be accommodated inside the chassis of a vehicle with less components and which furthermore is able to provide additional protection for preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo room in the vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cargo room locking device , which can be retrofitted at various locations in the cargo room of the vehicle, preferably the cargo room in a van.

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According to a first aspect of the present invention, the cargo room locking device for a vehicle with a cargo room comprising a locking mechanism and a first element:

- the locking housing includes a locking element connected to a drive mechanism having an electrical motor;

- the first element is configured to be mounted and fixated in a first section of said vehicle;

- wherein the first element has a first end connected to the locking housing and has at least one cylindrical section with a first threaded outer surface extending the length of the cylindrical section;

- wherein the drive mechanism is configured for displacing the locking element between an advanced position and a retracted position being at least partially inside said first element (30).

The cargo room locking device of the present invention prevents anyone from gaining access to the interior of the cargo room in the vehicle, as the present cargo room locking device prevents anyone from opening the sliding door(s), side door(s) or the back door(s) to the cargo room in the vehicle. The locking device can advantageously be mounted at an opening of the vehicle, such as in the door frame of the chassis.

The present invention can be used in combination with the locking system provided by the vehicle manufacturer as it provides an additional locking. This allows the present cargo room locking device to be integrated with a factory door lock remote or integrated with an aftermarket alarm system for those who want to get in and out of their cargo van conveniently. Locks can also be tied into a toggle switch and hidden under your dash out of sight. As the cargo room locking device is installed inside the rear and side doors it is possible to achieve solution making the cargo room locking device tamper-proof as the additional cargo room locking device will not be visible from the outside of the vehicle. A cargo room locking device according to the invention can be made even more tamper- proof when the lock is electrically operable.

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By using a cargo room locking device comprising a locking housing and a first element, it is possible to accommodate the present cargo room locking device in a simple manner, as the installation of the present cargo room locking device can be done by simply drilling a circular hole in the chassis. It is hereby avoided that the installation would involve extensive bodywork repair, if the cargo room locking device is to be removed afterwards, which would be the case for a rental or leased van. As one hole is to be drilled into the chassis and the corresponding door, this present invention provided an attractive solution as an aftermarket installation system, as it does not require or involves an extensive installation procedure. The circular hole can easy be covered by a plug inserted into hole, which would hide the hole afterwards.

By using an electrically actuated drive mechanism for displacing the locking element located in an interior space in the chassis of the vehicle, it is ensured that even if a successful attempt is made to obstruct the existing cargo room locking device on the cargo room door of the vehicle, the is made, this additional cargo room locking device would still hinder anyone from gaining access, as the present cargo room locking device provide an additional precaution measurement.

By using a drive mechanism connected to the locking element, it is possible to achieve a movement of the blocking element between a first position (locking position), where the locking element extends though the aperture in the vehicle hereby preventing displacement of the sliding door(s), side door(s) or back door(s) locking bar and second position (unbloking position) where the locking element is moved out of engagement with the aperture in the vehicle or hole drilled into an interior wall of said vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a cargo room locking device having a locking housing and a first element comprising the steps:

- providing a locking housing including a locking element connected to a drive mechanism including an electrical motor for displacing the locking element between an advanced position and a retracted position;

DK 2018 70292 A1

- providing the first element wherein the first element has a first end connected to the locking housing and has at least one cylindrical section with a first threaded outer surface extending alongthe cylindrical section;

- drilling a first hole in a first section of a vehicle;

- mounting the locking device in said hole provided in the first section of a vehicle by connecting one fastening element on both sides of said hole.

In this context, the term “dead bolt, deadbolt or dead lock” is used to define a locking mechanism distinct from a spring bolt lock because a deadbolt cannot be moved to the open position except by rotating the key.

In this context, the term “spring bolt lock” is used to define a cargo room locking device , which uses a spring to hold the bolt in place, allowing retraction by applying force to the bolt itself. A deadbolt can therefore make a door more resistant to entry without the correct key.

In this context, the term “latchbolt or latch bolt” is used to define a latch type, which is part of a lockset having a spring-loaded bolt with an angled edge. When the door with a lachbolt is pushed closed, the angled edge of the latchbolt engages with the lip of the strike plate; a spring allows the bolt to retract. Once the door is fully closed, the bolt automatically extends into the strike plate, holding the door closed. The latchbolt is disengaged (retracted) typically when the user turns the door handle, which via the lockset's mechanism, manually retracts the latchbolt, allowing the door to open.

Detailed description

The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawing.

FIGS 1A-1B show a schematic drawing of the cargo room locking device according to a first and presently preferred embodiment, where the cargo room locking device can be moved between an advanced and a retracted position.

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FIGS 2A-2B show a schematic drawing of the cargo room locking device 10 as shown in fig 1A and fig.1B, where the cargo room locking device is installed on an interior wall 112, 122 of the vehicle 100.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a perspective and cross sectional view of the locking element connected to the actuator rod of the drive mechanism.

FIGS. 4A-4B show a perspective and cross sectional view of the fastening means used for fixation of the first element.

FIGS. 5A-5B show a perspective and cross sectional view of the second element.

FIGS. 5C-5D show a perspective and cross sectional view of the fastening means used for fixation of the cargo room locking device.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a perspective and cross sectional view of locking element used as a spring-loaded bolt in the cargo room locking device.

FIG. 7 shows a vehicle having the present cargo room locking device installed on an interior wall located on the side of the vehicle.

FIG. 8 shows a vehicle having the present cargo room locking device installed on an interior wall on the back door of the vehicle.

A preferred embodiment of the cargo room locking device for a vehicle such as a van of the present invention, identified generally as 10 in the figures. The cargo room locking device is intended for preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo room of a vehicle.

The cargo room locking device 10 is configured to be mounted and fixated in the interior space of a vehicle comprising a cargo room and at least one pivoting or sliding door as example see FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 7-8.

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FIGS. 1A-1B show the cargo room locking device 10 for a vehicle with a cargo room comprising a locking housing and a first element 30. The locking housing includes a locking element 16 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo room locking device. The cargo room locking device includes a drive mechanism 20 and a housing 22 having a number of mounting means 12. The drive mechanism 20 is used for displacing locking element 16 and the housing 22 covering the electrical motor 24 located inside the drive mechanism 20. The electrical motor 24 is positioned perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the cargo room locking device 10. The electrical motor 24 is connected to a gearing mechanism, where the electric motor turns a series of spur gears that serve as a gear reduction. The last gear drives a rack and pinion gear set that is connected to the actuator rod 17. The internal gearing mechanism is used to convert the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion needed to move the lock. A spring 14 is arranged around the actuator rod 17, where the spring is provided for achieving a latching effect of the locking element 16 in order for the locking element to function as spring-loaded bolt with an angled edge, which will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B.

The drive mechanism 20 is configured for displacing the locking element 16 between an advanced position and a retracted position. FIG 1B shows a schematical drawing of the cargo room locking device, where the cargo room locking device is in an advanced position and where the electrical motor is activated by an operator as shown in FIG 1B , the locking element 16 is moved into retracted position.

FIGS. 1A-1B show a first embodiment of the cargo room locking device 10 where the housing 22 is connected to a first end of the first element 30, more specifically on the interior wall surface of the first element 30.

FIGS 2A-2B show a schematic drawing of the cargo room locking device 10 as shown in fig 1A and fig.1B, where the cargo room locking device is installed on opposite wall portion 112, 122 of the vehicle 100. The wall portions 112, 122 are made of metal, preferably thin plated metal. The first element 30 and second element 40 is configured to be mounted and fixated in a section of a vehicle 110

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120 as shown in FIGS 2A-2B and FIGS. 7-8. The fist element 30 fixates the cargo room locking device 10 relative to the interior wall 112, 122 of the vehicle 100 and the drive mechanism 20 used for displacing the locking element 16 between an advanced position and a retracted position is arranged in the interior space 120’ of the vehicle.

As it would be evident from the FIGS, by using a spring 14 surrounding the actuator rod 17 of the drive mechanism, it is possible to allow the locking element 16 to bias between a first and a second position. This provides the further advantage that it is still possible to lock the vehicle using the existing central locking system, as the present locking is operatable independently hereof, hereby allowing the drive of the vehicle to close and open the sliding door or the back door of the vehicle afterwards.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, the drive mechanism 20 has an actuator rod 17 with a first connecting end 18 for engaging the locking element 16. For the sake of simplicity the spring 14 arranged around the actuator rod 17 has been left out on FIG. 3B.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, the fist element 30 has an opening 31 configured for allowing the locking element 16 of the locking housing to be displaced between a first and second position. The first element 30 is configured to be mounted and fixated to a second section of a vehicle 110. The first element 30 has a first end 32 and has at least one cylindrical section 33 with a first threaded outer surface 34 extending along the cylindrical section. The housing 22 of the drive mechanism 20 is inserted into the opening 31 and the drive mechanism is connected to the first element 30 by inserting a number of screws into the holes 35 located in the circumference of the first end 32. The housing 22 will arrest the inner end portion 36 positioned on the inner surface of the inner opening 31 of the first element 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, the second element 40 has an opening configured for receiving the locking element 16 of the locking housing and the second element is configured to be mounted and fixated to a second section of a vehicle

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120. The second element 40 has an elongated geometry and has at least one cylindrical section with a threaded outer surface 42 extending the length of the second element 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 5C-5D, each fastening element 50 has an threaded portion 52 and being configured for engaging the threaded portion of the first element 30 and the second element 40 for enabling a fixation of the first element 30 relative to a first section of a vehicle 110 and fixation of the second element 40 relative to a the second section of a vehicle 120. The fastening element is depicted as a flange nut having a wide flange at one end which acts as an integrated non-spinning washer severing to distribute the pressure of the nut over the part secured. The flange can be serrated to provide an additional locking action.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-5B, the locking element 16 function as a latch bolt and has an aperture located in the longitudinal direction of the locking element for allowing the connecting end 18 of the actuator rod 17 to be inserted into the aperture. A pinhole 162 is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and extends the thickness of the locking element 16. By inserting a pin through the pin hole 162 is possible to restrain the locking element 16 in a releasable manner relative to the drive mechanism 20. The locking element 16 has angled edges 163 for engaging with the second element and the spring 14 allowing the locking element (latch bolt) to retract.

The drive mechanism 20 shown in FIG 3B is connected to a first connecting end of the first element 30, more specifically on the interior wall surface of the first element 30

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, when the door with a locking element (lachbolt) is pushed closed, the angled edge of the locking element engages with the second element; the spring allows the bolt to retract. Once the door is fully closed, the bolt automatically extends into the second element, holding the door closed. The locking element will disengage (retracted) when the drive mechanism is acti

DK 2018 70292 A1 vated, which via the electrical motor retracts the locking element (latchbolt) allowing the door to open. The first element 30 and second element 40 is configured to be mounted and fixated in a section of a vehicle 110 120 as shown in FIGS 2A-2B.

The cargo room locking device 10 is configured to be accommodated inside the chassis of a vehicle and is able to provide additional protection for preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo room in the vehicle, as the present cargo room locking device prevents anyone from opening the sliding door(s), side door(s) or the back door(s) of the cargo room in the vehicle. The cargo room locking device can be retrofitted at various locations e.g. sliding door(s), side door(s) or the back door(s) of the cargo room of a van. The cargo room or cargo hold has a double walled structure comprising two skins. The

The locking element is arranged on the interior side of the van, but is not depicted with dotted lines, which would be more appropriate. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2A is referring the installation depicted in FIG. 7, whereas the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B is referring to the installation depicted in FIG. 8.

In a present preferred embodiment, the motor is an electrically driven actuator, the power source preferably consist of a low voltage (12 V) battery. A not shown control unit is configured to control the operation of said electrical motor and can receive signals from a remote control during operation of the drive mechanism. By using a control unit to operate the electrical motor, it is possible to operate the cargo room locking device from a distance and thereby utilize a remote control of the locking bar between a locking position or an open position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a cargo room locking device (10) having a locking housing (20) and a first element (30) comprising the steps:

- providing a locking housing including a locking element (16) connected to a drive mechanism (20) including an electrical motor for displacing the locking element (16) between an advanced position and a retracted position;

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- providing the first element (30) wherein the first element (30) has a first end (32) connected to the locking housing (22) and has at least one cylindrical section with a first threaded outer surface (34) extending the length of the cylindrical section;

- drilling a first hole in a first section of a vehicle (110);

- mounting the first element of the locking device in said hole provided in the first section of a vehicle (110) by connecting one fastening element (50) to the first element on both sides of said hole.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a number of specific and advantageous embodiment, it is understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the above disclosure of the above described advantageous embodiments, as the features of the above embodiments may be combined to provide additional embodiments. The additional embodiments are all construed to be part of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is to be understood compassed by any equivalent or similar structure as described above and also to be encompassed by the scope limited by the below claims defining the protective scope of the present patent application.

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Reference numbers

In the following is given a list of reference numbers that are used in the detailed description of the invention.

cargo room locking device 10 mounting means 12 spring 14 locking element 16 (latch bolt) aperture 161 pinhole 162 actuator rod 17 connecting end 18 drive mechanism 20 locking housing 22 electrical motor 24 first element 30 opening 31 first end 32 cylindrical section 33 first threaded outer surface 34 hole 35 second element 40 threaded outer surface 42 fastening element 50 threaded portion 52 power source vehicle 100 first section of a vehicle 110 first section part 112 second section of a vehicle 120 interior space 120’ first section part 122

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Claims

Claims

1. A cargo room locking device (10) for a vehicle with a cargo room, comprising a locking housing (22) and a first element (30):

- the locking housing (22) including a locking element (16) connected to a drive mechanism (20) having an electrical motor;

- the first element (30) being configured to be mounted and fixated in a first section (100) of said vehicle;

- wherein the first element (30) has a first end (32) connected to the locking housing (22) and has at least one cylindrical section with a first threaded outer surface (34) extending along the cylindrical section;

- wherein the drive mechanism (20) is configured for displacing the locking element (16) between an advanced position and a retracted position being at least partially inside said first element (30).
2. A cargo room locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a second element (40) having an opening configured for receiving the locking element (16) in an advanced position and being configured to be mounted and fixated to a second section (120) of said vehicle.
3. A cargo room locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive mechanism (20) is configured for allowing the locking element to move relative to the first element (30) without activation of said electrical motor, preferably against the action of a spring (14).
4. A cargo room locking device according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein the drive mechanism (20) includes an actuator rod (17) with a first connecting end (18) for engaging the locking element (16).
5. A cargo room locking device according to the proceeding claims 2-4, wherein the second element (40) has an elongated geometry and has at least one cylindrical section with a threaded outer surface (42) extending along the second element (40).

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6. A cargo room locking device according to the proceeding claims, further comprising a number of fastening elements (50) configured for engaging the threaded portion of the first element (30) and the second element (40) for enabling a fixation of the first element (30) relative to a first section of a vehicle (110) and fixation of the second element (40) relative to the second section of a vehicle (120).
7. A cargo room locking device according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein said electrical motor is connected to a power source for supplying power to the electrical motor and wherein a control unit is configured to control the operation of said electrical motor and can receive signals from remote control during operation of the drive mechanism.
8. A vehicle having a cargo hold comprising a cargo room locking device according to any of the claims 1-7 mounted on a wall defining said cargo hold on the inside thereof.
9. A method of mounting a cargo room locking device (10) to a vehicle according to any of the claims 1-7 comprising the steps:

- drilling a first hole in a first section of a wall (112) of said vehicle (110);

- mounting the first element (30) of the locking device in said hole provided in the first section of said vehicle (110) by connecting one fastening element (50) to said first element (30) on both sides of said hole.
10. A method of mounting a cargo room locking device comprising a further step:

- providing a second element (40) comprises an opening configured for receiving the locking element (16) and configured to be mounted and fixated to a second section of said vehicle (120);

- drilling a second hole in a second section of a wall (122) ofsaid vehicle (120).

DK 2018 70292 A1 mounting the second element (40) in said hole provided in the second section of said vehicle (120) by connecting one fastening element (50) to said second element (40) on both sides of said hole.