DK3339542T3 - FOLDING LOCK WITH AUTOMATIC - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a folding lock having an automatic function. Such a folding lock comprises a lock body which accommodates a latching mechanism; and a jointed bar hoop which 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, wherein the closing bar is latchable to the lock body by means ofthe latching mechanism by introducing the closing bar into the reception opening ofthe lock body.

Such a folding lock serves, for example, for the securing of a two-wheeler to a bicycle stand, to a lamppost or the like or for the securing of a two-wheeler against unauthorized riding away. For this purpose, the jointed bars of the jointed bar hoop connected in an articulated manner after one another or in a row next to one another are unfolded to form an open loop which, for example, is led around a frame section of the two-wheeler and the bicycle stand, lamppost or the like or is only led through a rim ofthe two-wheeler. The closing bar which forms the second, free end of the jointed bar hoop is then latched to the lock body in order hereby to close the loop and thus to secure the two-wheeler against unauthorized removal or unauthorized riding away.

The jointed bars and the closing bar can be folded together to form a compact arrangement - the so-called yardstick configuration - for the transport of the folding lock by the authorized user. The jointed bars and the closing bar are pivoted in the manner of a foldable yardstick for this purpose and are hereby brought into a parallel alignment with one another.

An automatic function can be provided to simplify the handling of the folding lock on the latching. This means that the closing bar (and thus the second end of the jointed bar hoop) can be automatically latched to the lock body by means of the latching mechanism by introducing the closing bar into the reception opening of the lock body. The latching mechanism can, for example, have a preloaded latch which is temporarily moved against the preload from a closed position into a release position by introducing the closing bar into the reception opening of the lock body and which snaps back into the closed position again due to the preload as soon as the closing bar has been completely introduced into the reception opening. A latching of the closing bar to the lock body is thus made possible without an active actuation of a lock cylinder, for example by means of an associated key, being required for this purpose. A folding lock having an automatic function in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE102013210475A1.

When not in use, a folding lock of the named kind can be stored and transported in a storage device (e.g. a pocket or holder) such as is known from DE202005013390U1. The jointed bar hoop is folded together into said compact yardstick configuration for this purpose. Such a storage device typically comprises a retaining section which peripherally engages around the folded-together jointed bar hoop, with the lock body projecting from the retaining section to be able to be gripped by the user for a removal of the folding lock.

It can prove to be disadvantageous with a folding lock having an automatic function that the latching mechanism nevertheless has to be actively actuated for a desired securing of a two-wheeler (for example by means of an associated key), namely to first release the second end of the jointed bar hoop or the closing bar from the lock body and hereby to form an open loop after a removal from a storage bag. If, in contrast, the closing bar is merely so short that the jointed bar hoop can be folded together without the closing bar being introduced into the lock body, the handling of the jointed bar hoop worsens since the closing bar can then pivot out in an unwanted manner in the yardstick configuration in accordance with its articulated connection.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a folding lock having an automatic function which is even easier to handle.

This object is satisfied by a folding lock having the features of claim 1 and in particular in that 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.

The folding lock in accordance with the invention simplifies the handling during the latching procedure since not only an automatic function for the latching of the closing bar to the lock body is provided, but the latching mechanism also does not have to be actively actuated for the preceding unfolding of the jointed bar hoop to form an open loop. The folding lock can instead be stored and transported in a folded-together state in the compact yardstick configuration, wherein the jointed bar hoop can be unfolded directly into an open loop after the removal from a corresponding storage device. The folding lock thus combines the advantages of an automatic function of the latching mechanism with a simple handling on the attaching of the jointed bar hoop to the two-wheeler for the securing thereof.

The lock body and the jointed bar hoop are adapted such that the jointed bar hoop can adopt the yardstick configuration while the closing bar is partly introduced into the reception opening of the lock body without the closing bar, however, already being latched to the lock body. The jointed bar hoop hereby adopts a stable transport position - even though the closing bar is not latched to the lock body. Since the closing bar already projects into the reception opening of the lock body, but without already being latched to the lock body, the closing bar can be supported by the lock body in one direction or in a plurality of directions, for example in two mutually opposite directions. This support ofthe respective section of the closing bar can take place, for example, by a part of a housing of the lock body. The jointed bar hoop can hereby form an arrangement in comparison with a free pivotability of the closing bar which is sufficiently stable for a comfortable handling (for example a grasping and gripping around of the jointed bar hoop by the user). This stable transport position is made possible in a constructionally simple manner in that the length ofthe closing bar is selected accordingly and the arrangement ofthe latching mechanism in the lock body is coordinated with the length ofthe closing bar.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the closing bar can be blocked against a pivoting by a lateral bounding ofthe reception opening ofthe lock body when the closing bar is only partly introduced into the reception opening ofthe lock body and is not yet latched to the lock body. It can thus be prevented in a simple manner that the closing bar pivots laterally in an unintentional manner in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop in accordance with its articulated connection to the adjacent jointed bar as long as the closing bar is not yet latched to the lock body. The closing bar is preferably blocked against a pivoting in two mutually oppositely disposed pivot directions when the closing bar is only partly introduced into the reception opening ofthe lock body. A bounding ofthe reception opening ofthe lock body can in particular peripherally surround the closing bar introduced into the reception opening. The respective end ofthe closing bar is preferably surrounded in a substantially shape-matched manner in this process by the bounding ofthe reception opening.

The closing bar initially only partly introduced into the reception opening of the lock body can be automatically latched to the lock body in that the closing bar is completely introduced into the reception opening of the lock body.

In accordance with an embodiment, the lock body and the jointed bar hoop are adapted such that the jointed bar hoop can only be brought into the yardstick configuration when the closing bar is not latched to the lock body. It is hereby immediately visible to the user that the folding lock is not in the latched state, namely when the jointed bar hoop adopts the compact yardstick configuration.

If the jointed bar hoop can only adopt the yardstick configuration with a non-latched closing bar, it can be prevented in a simple manner that the closing bar is latched to the lock body by a complete introduction into the reception opening by accident or, for example, during transport due to vibration, in particular in that the jointed bar hoop is held (for example peripherally engaged around) by a storage device in the yardstick configuration.

The lock body and the jointed bar hoop can in particular be adapted such that the jointed bar hoop necessarily adopts a configuration differing from the yardstick configuration when the closing bar is latched to the lock body.

In accordance with an embodiment, the closing bar can have a length which is smaller than a length which would be required so that the closing bar could be introduced into the reception opening of the lock body and could be latched to the lock body in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop.

The closing bar can furthermore have a length which is greater than a length which would be required so that the closing bar would not be introduced into the reception opening of the lock body and would not project into the reception opening in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop.

As regards the latching mechanism having an automatic function, the former can comprise a latch and a preloading device which preloads the latch into a closed position, wherein the latch is temporarily moved against the preload from the closed position into a release position by an incomplete introduction of the closing bar into the reception opening of the lock body; and wherein the preloading device is adapted to move the latch back into the closed position again when the closing bar is completely introduced into the reception opening. Due to said incomplete introduction into the reception opening, the closing bar can in particular adopt an intermediate position which is disposed between the position of the closing baron said partial introduction and said complete introduction into the reception opening.

To cooperate with the latch, the closing bar can have a latching section which is in active engagement with the latch in the closed position of the latch to latch the closing bar to the lock body. The latching section of the closing bar can, for example, comprise an elevated portion, a recess or an opening.

The latch can, for example, be configured as a rotational bolt, as a pivot bolt or as a linearly displaceable latch.

The latching mechanism can have a lock cylinder, wherein the latch is temporarily movable against the preload from the closed position into the release position to release the closing bar for a removal from the reception opening of the lock body by actuation of the lock cylinder by means of an associated key.

As regards the fastening of the jointed bar hoop to the lock body, the first end of the jointed bar hoop can be directly permanently fastened to the lock body, to a fastening section projecting laterally from the lock body or to a connection bar projecting laterally from the lock body.

The first end of the jointed bar hoop can be connected to the lock body in a rigid or pivotable manner.

In accordance with an embodiment, the lock body can extend along a longitudinal axis, with the first end of the jointed bar hoop being permanently fastened to a fastening section or connection bar projecting laterally from the lock body and rigidly connected to the lock body, and with the reception opening ofthe lock body being provided in alignment with the fastening section or the connection bar with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock body. In other words, the first end and the second end of the jointed bar hoop can be arranged in alignment with one another at the same side ofthe lock body. This enables a particularly compact form of the folding lock in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop when the closing bar here, as explained, is partly introduced into the reception opening of the lock body.

The longitudinal axes of the jointed bars and of the closing bar preferably extend in a plane in parallel with one another in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop.

It is further preferred if the lock body extends along a longitudinal axis or along said longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis ofthe lock body extending within a plane which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the jointed bars and ofthe closing bar in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop.

Alternatively or additionally, the lock body can extend along a longitudinal axis, with the articulated axes of the jointed bars of the jointed bar hoop extending in parallel with one another in the yardstick configuration and the longitudinal axis of the lock body extending in parallel with the articulated axes of the jointed bars.

It is furthermore preferred if the lock body is arranged within a plane of extent of the jointed bar hoop in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop so that the lock body and the jointed bar hoop together form a flat packet.

In accordance with an embodiment, the closing bar can be introduced axially into the reception opening of the lock body with respect to its longitudinal axis. Alternatively to this, however, a lateral inward pivoting into the reception opening is also possible.

The jointed bars of the jointed bar hoop are preferably formed in a straight line and are formed as flat relative to their length and width.

It is further preferred if the first end of the jointed bar hoop is permanently fastened to a first end of the lock body, wherein the reception opening of the lock body for introducing the closing bar is provided at a second end of the lock body.

The invention will be explained in the following only by way of example with reference to the drawings. Elements which are the same or of the same kind are marked by the same reference numerals therein.

Fig. 1 shows a folding lock in a perspective view in an unlatched state in which a jointed bar hoop is in a yardstick configuration;

Fig. 2 shows the folding lock in accordance with Fig. 1 in a schematic representation in the unlatched state; and

Fig. 3 shows the folding lock in accordance with Fig. 1 in a schematic representation in a latched state in which the jointed bar hoop is in a configuration different from the yardstick configuration.

The folding lock 10 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a lock body 12 as well as a jointed bar hoop 14 fastened thereto. The lock body 12 accommodates a latching mechanism having an automatic function. The jointed bar hoop 14 can be unfolded in the unlatched state of the folding lock 10 to form an open loop in a manner known per se which can be placed around parts of a two-wheeler or around other articles. The free end of the jointed bar hoop 14 can then be automatically latched to the lock body 12 by means of the latching mechanism in that the free end of the jointed bar hoop 14 is completely introduced into the lock body 12. The formed loop is hereby closed and the two-wheeler is blocked or is secured at the respective article (e.g. a bicycle stand).

The jointed bar hoop 14 comprises a plurality of jointed bars 16 and a closing bar 18. The jointed bars 16 and the closing bar 18 are each formed as flat. The jointed bars 16 and the closing bar 18 are connected to one another in an articulated manner in series by a respective rivet 22 such that the articulated axes extend in parallel with or coaxially to one another. The jointed bar hoop 14 can hereby, as shown, be folded together into a so-called yardstick configuration to form a compact unit in which the jointed bars 16 and the closing bar 18 extend in a plane in parallel with one another. A first end 24 of the jointed bar hoop 14 is connected to the lock body 12 in an articulated manner. A second end 26 of the jointed bar hoop 14 is formed by the free end of the closing bar 18 which serves for latching the closing bar 18 to the lock body 12, as will be explained in the following. A lock cylinder 30, into which a key 32 can be introduced to actuate the lock cylinder 30 by rotating a cylinder core, is accessible at the lock body 12 via a key opening 28. The lock body 12 further comprises a reception opening 34 into which the closing bar 18 can be introduced along its longitudinal axis. When the closing bar 18 has been introduced into the reception opening 34, the closing bar 18 is surrounded substantially in a shape-matched manner by the peripheral bounding of the reception opening 34.

Fig. 2 shows the folding lock 10 in accordance with Fig. 1 in a schematic representation. In Fig. 2, the articulated axes 36 ofthe articulated connections between the jointed bars 16 and the lock body 12 (at the first end 24) and the closing bar 18 (at the second end 26) are shown.

The essential elements ofthe latching mechanism accommodated in the lock body 12 are shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2. The lock cylinder 30, a movable latch 38 coupled to the lock cylinder 30, and a preloading spring 40 which preloads the lock cylinder 30 in the direction of rotation and hereby also preloads the latch 38 in the direction of a closed position shown in Fig. 2 can be recognized. An elevated latching portion 42 can further be recognized at the end of the closing bar 18.

In the state shown in Fig. 2, the closing bar 18 is only partly introduced into the reception opening 34 ofthe lock body 12. The closing bar 18 is hereby not yet latched to the lock body 12. Instead, the elevated latching portion 42 ofthe closing bar 18 is still in front ofthe latch 38 viewed along the direction of introduction. The folding lock 10 is thus in an unlatched state, with the jointed bar hoop 14, as explained, adopting the yardstick configuration.

In this transport position of the jointed bar hoop 14, the folding lock 10 can be comfortably stored and taken along in a storage device (e.g. a pocket or a holder) which peripherally engages around the compactly folded-together jointed bar hoop 14. Since the closing bar 18 also projects into the reception opening 34 of the lock body 12 in the unlatched state ofthe folding lock 10 and is hereby blocked against an unintentional pivoting, the jointed bar hoop 14 forms a stable arrangement which can be gripped and held comfortably by the user, for example also when the user initially only grips the folding lock 10 at the lock body 12 for a removal from said storage device.

It is also directly visible to the user in the state shown in Fig. 2 that the folding lock 10 is not in the latched state since the jointed bar hoop 14 can only adopt the yardstick configuration in the unlatched state.

Fig. 3 shows the folding lock 10 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2 in a state in which the closing bar 18 is now latched to the lock body 12. For this purpose, the closing bar 18 was introduced, starting from the position in accordance with Fig. 2, even deeper, but first incompletely into the reception opening 34 of the lock body 12, whereby the latch 38 was temporarily urged back against its preload from the closed position into a release position by the elevated latching portion 42 of the closing bar 18. As a consequence of the subsequent complete introduction of the closing bar 18 into the reception opening 34 such that the elevated latching portion 42 of the closing bar 18 has moved past the latch 38, the preloading spring 40 has, however, displaced the latch 38 via the rotatable lock cylinder 30 back into the closed position again such that the latch 38 engages behind the elevated latching portion 42 and the state shown in Fig. 3 has been reached. This urging back and repeat snapping in of the latch 38 is illustrated by the double arrow R in Fig. 3. The closing bar 18 has therefore been automatically latched to the lock body 12 by the complete introduction of the closing bar 18 into the reception opening 34 without an active actuation of the lock cylinder 30 by means of the key 32 being necessary (automatic function).

This complete introduction movement of the closing bar 18 into the reception opening 34 is, however, only possible with the folding lock 10 when the jointed bar hoop 14 departs from the yardstick configuration in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2. This can be seen in Fig. 3 in that the four center jointed bars 16 lie on the lock body 12 in an oblique alignment, i.e. the four center jointed bars 16 are pivoted out of the plane of the paper with respect to the representation in accordance with Fig. 3. The jointed bar 16 shown at the right in Fig. 3 is also pivoted so that its effective length is reduced in the projection in accordance with Fig. 3.

Reference numeral list 10 folding lock 12 lock body 14 jointed bar hoop 16 jointed bar 18 closing bar 22 rivet 24 first end 26 second end 28 key opening 30 lock cylinder 32 key 34 reception opening 36 articulated axis 38 latch 40 preloading spring 42 elevated latching portion R latch movement

Claims (10)

An automatic folding lock (10), comprising a locking body (12) containing a locking mechanism, and a hinge (14) having a series of pivotally connected links (16) and a locking rod (18), a first end (24) ) of the hinge (14) is permanently attached to the locking body (12), and another end (26) of the hinge (14) contains the locking rod (18), the hinge (14) being foldable in a thumb configuration in which the joints (16) and the locking rod (18) extends parallel to each other, the locking body (12) having an opening (34), by inserting the locking rod (18) into the opening (34) the locking rod (18) can be automatically locked to the locking body (12) by means of of the locking mechanism, characterized in that the locking rod (18) in the thumb bar configuration of the hinge (14) is only partially inserted into the opening (34) of the locking body (12), without the locking rod (18) being locked to the locking body (12). The folding lock (10) according to claim 1, wherein the locking rod (18) is blocked against turning a restriction in the side (34) of the locking body (12) when the locking rod (18) is only partially inserted into the opening of the locking body (12) ( 34). Folding lock (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking rod (18) can be automatically locked to the locking body (12) by inserting the locking rod (18) completely into the opening (34) of the locking body (12). Folding lock (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge (14) can only be brought into the thumb configuration when the locking rod (18) is not locked to the locking body (12). The folding lock (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking rod (18) has a length which is less than the length that would be required for the locking rod (18) to be inserted into the opening of the locking body (12) ( 34) and locked onto the locking body (12) in the thumb bar configuration of the hanger (14). A folding lock (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking rod (18) has a length greater than the length that would be necessary for the locking rod (18) not to reach into the locking body (12). aperture (34) in the thumbstick configuration of the hanger (14). Folding latch (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch (38) and a biasing device (40) which biases the latch (38) in a locking position, the latch (38) via incomplete insertion of the latch rod (18). ) in the opening (34) of the locking body (12) can be temporarily moved against the bias from locking position to release position, the biasing device (40) being adapted to move the lock (38) back into the locking position when the locking rod (18) is fully inserted into the opening ( 34). Folding lock (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal axes of the joints (16) and the locking rod (18) extend in a plane parallel to each other in the thumbstick configuration of the hinge (14). Folding lock (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking body (12) extends along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the locking body (12) extending in a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the hinge (16) and the locking rod (18) in the hinge ( 14) inch configuration. Folding lock (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking body (12) in the thumbstick configuration of the hanger (14) is arranged in the extension plane of the hinge (14), so that the locking body (12) and the hinge (14) together form a flat package.