EP0133193B1 - Combination lock for suitcases or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

In a closure for a valise and the like, with hook latches on both sides of a central combination lock, the latches being displaceable by manual actuation into a release position, this displacement being locked, when the combination of the lock is not properly set, by a blocking part of the combination lock which is displaceable into the release position by spring action, a swing yoke surrounding the combination lock in U-shape and having central section and U-yoke arms with ends, each said end, respectively, having a pivot point, a manually actuatable single push key adjacent the combination lock, single push key comprising said central section of said swing yoke. angle levers, each of said angle levers having a first arm and a second arm, each said first arm forming a hook swing latch, and respectively ones of said U-yoke arms, adjacent said pivot point, operatively acting upon said second arm of a respective said angle lever.

Description

The invention relates to a lock for suitcases or the like, with locking elements provided on both sides of a central permutation lock, which can be moved into the release position by means of a pushbutton, which pushbutton is blocked if the key secret is set incorrectly by a permutation lock blocking part which can be moved into the release position under spring action and which of the middle section of a bracket which includes the permutation lock in a U-shape is formed.

A closure of the type in question is known from GB-A-2 090 905. The push button is formed by a U-shaped bracket that can be moved in the U-plane. A displacement of the same leads via a cable to a withdrawal of the locking elements located on both sides of the permutation lock. Along with the displacement of the pushbutton, a rocker which interacts with the permutation lock blocking part is pivoted. If the pushbutton is relocated with the key secret set incorrectly, the pushing forces exerted on the pushbutton are transferred directly to the rocker and then to the permutation lock blocking part. This means that the forces are directed directly into the lock interior and put a strain on the locksmith, combined with a risk of destroying the permutation lock.

Furthermore, a closure is known from US-A-4 094 392, each hook latch being seated on its own spring-loaded slide which carries a release handle at the end. The ends of the slide facing the centrally arranged permutation lock are angled and act together with angled ends of the permutation lock blocking part. If the key secret is set incorrectly, the angled ends of the slide and locking part engage in the coupling, so that the opening forces are directed directly into the corresponding components of the permutation lock. You also always need two hands to open the case to be able to move both sliders. Such a design is therefore not suitable for the disabled, for example, arm amputees.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a generic closure in a manner which is advantageous in terms of use in terms of production technology in such a way that easier operation with a favorable design, in particular with regard to the power transmission, is made possible.

This object is achieved in the case of a closure of the type in question in that the bracket is designed as a swivel bracket with the blocking point assigned to the central section and with an axis of rotation running through the ends of the bracket legs, which bracket arms in turn act on the one angle arm of angle levers near their axis of rotation, which form locking elements with their other angled legs in the form of hook latches.

As a result of such a configuration, a generic closure of increased utility value is specified. Due to the favorable leverage, firstly, the design of the swivel bracket, the middle section of which forms the attack button that can be determined for opening the case, in the form of a one-armed swivel lever, and secondly, the actuation of the angle lever near the pivot point of the swivel bracket, opening the case requires little effort . Another advantage can be seen in the fact that the number of required components of a closure designed in this way can be kept low while achieving cost-effective production and simple assembly of the closure.

Incorrect actuation of the lock is prevented by the middle section carrying a case-position securing lever on its back. The middle section thus fulfills another function. The case layer securing lever is designed so that the lid can only be opened when the case is in a corresponding position. Thus, the case layer securing lever prevents z. B. in the carrying position moving the swivel bracket.

It is then advantageous if the middle section is provided on its rear side with projections, of which, in the case of incorrectly set key secrecy, there are locking flanks of a locking bar, which locking bar is placed on the locking part of the permutation lock designed as a slide by way of the plug-in latching connection. This allows the slide to be easily assigned to the locking bar of the permutation lock, which can happen, for example, after the latter has been installed.

Advantages in use also result from the fact that the permutation lock and the push button are located in the region of a retraction of the case wall. This prevents unintentional larger forces from acting on the middle section. Furthermore, the protected location means that the swivel bracket is not caught and torn off with other objects. This is essential for the perfect technical function and use of the permutation lock.

In terms of assembly technology, it is favorable that the housing of the permutation lock is locked in a receiving cavity in the region of the bottom of the retraction of the case wall.

A stabilizing measure is characterized by the fact that the locking bar runs on the bottom of the recess of the case wall. A special embodiment of the lock according to the dependent claims 3-6 solves the problem of the risk of destruction of the permutation lock if the key secret is set incorrectly. If the swivel bracket is actuated when the key secret is incorrectly set, the force applied to the locking bar is orthogonal to its direction of release. The after this is not loaded in its direction of action, which could lead to the destruction of locking components. The corresponding forces are rather directed via the locking bar into the bottom of the trunk wall recess.

So that the case lid can be closed if the key secret is set incorrectly, the angle lever forming the latch head on one leg sits on bearing pins arranged near the pivot bracket pivot point and running parallel to the lid edge, beyond which, seen from the pivot bracket pivot point, the pressure point of the U -Bend arm extends, with a case empty between the U-bracket leg and angle lever is provided.

Components are also saved in that the angle lever is loaded by a latch spring on its leg acted upon by the U-bracket leg. The latter serves to simultaneously load the swivel bracket, so that additional spring components are not required for this purpose.

• Fig. 1 eine Teilansicht eines mit einem entsprechenden Verschluss ausgestatteten Koffers,
• Fig. 2 den Schnitt nach der Linie 11-11 in Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 einen Längsschnitt durch den Koffer im Bereich der Einziehung unter Veranschaulichung des Permutationsschlosses bei richtig eingestelltem Schlüsselgeheimnis,
• Fig. 4 den Schnitt nach der Linie IV-IV in Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 den Schnitt nach der Linie V-V in Fig. 3,
• Fig. 6 eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung, wobei der Kofferboden auf einer Unterlage aufliegt bei beaufschlagter Drucktaste,
• Fig. 7 eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch ebenfalls bei auf einer Unterlage aufgelegtem Koffer entsprechend der Freigabestellung der Hakenschwenkfalle und
• Fig. 8 einen Schnitt durch das Permutationsschloss im Bereich einer Sperrhülse, -wobei der Schnitt senkrecht zur Sperrhülsen-Lagerachse verläuft.

Further advantages and details of the subject matter of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings. It shows

• 1 is a partial view of a suitcase equipped with a corresponding lock,
• 2 shows the section along the line 11-11 in Fig. 1,
• 3 shows a longitudinal section through the case in the area of the confiscation, illustrating the permutation lock when the key secret is set correctly,
• 4 shows the section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3,
• 5 shows the section along the line VV in Fig. 3,
• 6 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, the case bottom resting on a base when the pushbutton is acted on
• Fig. 7 is a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, but also when the case is placed on a support in accordance with the release position of the hook swivel trap and
• 8 shows a section through the permutation lock in the area of a locking sleeve, the section running perpendicular to the locking sleeve bearing axis.

The case shown has a bowl-shaped case lid 1 and a suitably designed case bottom 2. The case lid 1 and case bottom 2 taper on the side opposite the hinge axis, not shown. The case lid 1 forms a central indentation 3 in the region of its taper. The legs 4 'of a U-shaped handle bar 4 extend between the side walls 3' of the retraction. The ends of the legs 4 'are penetrated by pins 5, which in turn enter into lugs 6. The latter are part of a sealing strip 7 running around the edge of the cover, which is in positive engagement with a sealing strip 8 running around the edge of the case bottom 2, see in particular FIG. 2. The sealing strips 7, 8 can be glued, for example, to the material of the case cover or case bottom.

The retraction 3 is created so large that the handle 4 can pivot into a hiding position.

In the area of the retraction 3 there is a permutation lock 9. Its housing 10 is locked into place in the area of the bottom 12 of the retraction 3, including webs 11 on the bottom. The bottom 12 is formed by a cap 13 running on the inside of the case, which is fastened in the area of the tapering of the case cover 1 by means of screws 14 which engage in molded projections 15 of the sealing strip 7. Lugs 16 extend from the bottom 12 and engage behind corresponding projections 10 ′ of the housing 10.

With regard to the permutation lock 9, it is a push-button combination lock, as disclosed, for example, by DE-OS 3,038,481. In the housing 10, three push buttons 17 are guided, which pass through openings 18 of a cover plate 19 assigned to the recess 3. When they are shifted, the pushbuttons 17 rotate disks 20 that have number symbols and are located behind viewing windows 21 of the cover plate 19. These disks 20 are rotatably arranged on bearing axles 22, which receive locking sleeves 23 standing in clutch engagement with the disks 20. Each locking sleeve 23 is equipped with an edge-side engagement space 24, which engagement spaces cooperate with projections 25 of a slide 26 forming the locking part. A compression spring 27 loads the slide 26 in such a way that the projections 25 endeavor to engage in the engagement spaces 24 of the locking sleeves 23. However, this is only possible if the key secret is set correctly. Then the slide 26 assumes the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8. Transversely directed fingers 28 extend from the slide 26, onto which a locking bar 29 is placed by way of the plug-in latching connection. The locking bar 29 runs on the floor 12 of the confiscation. There, the floor forms a guide projection 30, see FIG. 2. The surface of the locking bar 29, which is exposed at the top, forms locking flanks, in front of which projections 31 of a pushbutton 32 lie. One end of the locking bar 29 is equipped with a niche 29 'of the same shape as the projection 31. If the key secret is set correctly, the latter is aligned with one projection 31 of the pushbutton 32, while the other projection 31 can pivot past the end face of the locking bar 29 on the face side thereof, according to the corresponding length dimensioning.

The aforementioned pushbutton 32 is formed by the central section of a swivel bracket 33 comprising the permutation lock 9 in a U-shape, the legs 33 'of which rest around pins 34, which in turn sit in lugs 35 of the cap 13. The legs 33 'act on the angle lever 36 near their fulcrum Swivel bracket pivot point run parallel to the lid edge. One leg 38 of the angle lever 36 opens into a trap head 39 which engages behind a shoulder 40 of the case base 2 in the locked position. The shoulder is part of the sealing strip 8. It extends in a molded engagement opening 41 of this sealing strip. A compression spring 42 supported on the base 12 loads the other leg of the angle lever 36 in such a way that its stepped leg end 36 'comes in front of the U-bracket leg 33' of the swivel bracket 33. Its relocation is limited by confiscation 3. Compression springs, not shown, load the swivel bracket 33 in the outward direction. In the corresponding area, the cover plate 19 forms a passage opening 43 for the push button 32 there. In the exemplary embodiment, the leg 38 of the angle lever 36 which opens into the trap head 39 lies between the pivoting pivot point (pin 34) and the pressure point 44 of the U-shaped bracket 33 'and the angle lever 36, cf. in particular FIG. 4. The end 36' is curved there .

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cap 13 fastened on the inside of the cover has the greatest width in the area of the recess 3. From there it passes over a step 13 'into narrower sections 13 "which overlap the angle levers 36.

So that the case lid 1 cannot be opened in any position, a case position securing lever 45 is provided. The latter is shaped into a frame, one frame leg 45 'of which is pivotably articulated in the rear region of the central section - pushbutton 32. The other frame leg 45 ″ is opposite a blocking step 46 starting from the cap 13. The case position securing lever 45 acts by gravity. If the case is in the carrying position according to FIG. 2, the securing lever 45 steps in front of the blocking step 46. Then the push button 32 cannot be actuated even when the key secret is set correctly. The correctly set key secret causes the projections 31 of the pushbutton 32 not to lie in the path of the locking flanks of the locking strip 29. The case layer securing lever 45 can also be designed as a solid molded part made of plastic.

To open the case lid 1, the position shown in FIG. 6 is to be brought about. This means that the case bottom 2 rests on a base. Now, due to the force of gravity, the safety lever 45 moves away from the locking step 46. The pushbutton 32 can be displaced in the inward direction, one projection 31 of which enters the recess 29 'of the locking bar 29 and the other projection 31 in front of the front side of the locking bar. During this displacement, the U-bracket legs 33 'act on the angle levers 36 and pivot them against spring loading, the latch head 39 moving away from the locking shoulder 40 of the case bottom. The case lid 1 can thus be opened.

After releasing the pushbutton 32, it returns to its basic position due to the spring-loaded angle lever 36. When the case lid is closed, the angle lever 36 is pivoted accordingly as a result of the latch heads 39. It is also possible to close the case lid if the key secret is incorrectly set due to the empty trap between the U-shaped arm 33 'and the angle lever 36.

If greater pressure loads are exerted on the pushbutton 32 when the key secret is set incorrectly and the case lid 1 is closed, its projections 31 act on the upper locking flanks of the displaced locking bar 29. However, these pressure loads are absorbed by the bottom 12 of the cap and are not passed into the device of the permutation lock 9 .

Should the bowl-shaped case lid 1 z. B. get a greater thickness, the retraction 3 is to be placed so that it maintains its angular position. Then the same locking mechanism can be used without modification.

Claims (8)

1. A lock for suitcases or the like, having locking devices provided on both sides of a central combination lock (9), said locking devices being moved into the release position by means of a push button (32), which, if the secret combination used is incorrect, is blocked by means of a locking part (29) of the combination lock, which can be moved into the release position by the action of a spring and which is formed by the central section of a stirrup (32) surrounding the combination lock in a U-shaped manner, characterised in that the stirrup is designed as a rocking stirrup (33), having a blocking point associated with the central section (push button 32) and having a swivel axis which extends through the ends of the stirrup arms (33'), said stirrup arms (33'), in turn, near their swivel axis, acting upon first angle arm of bell cranks (36), which, with their other angle arms (38), in the form of hook swivel latches, form locking devices.

2. A lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the central section (push button 32) has a safety catch (45) sensitive to the position of the suitcase mounted at the rear.

3. A lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the central section (push button 32) is provided at the rear with projections (31), in front of which locking flanks of a locking bar (29) lie if the secret combination used is incorrect, said locking bar (29) being mounted on the locking section of the combination lock (9), which is in the form of a slide (26), by means of a snap-in conec- tion.

4. A lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the combination lock (9) and the push button (32) are situated near a recess (3) in the wall of the suitcase.

5. A lock according to claim 4, characterised in that the housing (10) of the combination lock (9) is engaged in a hollow (11) near the bottom (12) of the recess (3) in the wall of the suitcase.

6. A lock according to claim 3, characterised in that the locking bar (29) is guided along the bottom (12) of the recess (3) in the wall of the suitcase.

7. A lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the bell crank (36), one of the arms (38) of which forms the head of the latch (39), is seated on pivot pins (37) which are arranged near the pivot point (34) of the rocking stirrup and extend parallel to the edge of the cover, on the other side of which, loked at from the pivot point (34) of the rocking stirrup, the pivot point (44) of the U-shaped arm (33') extends, wherein lost motion of the latch is provided between the U-shaped stirrup arm and the bell crank (36).

8. A lock according to claims 1 and 7, characterised in that on the arm acted upon by the U-shaped stirrup arm (33'), the bel crank (36) is spring loaded by a latch spring (42).

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