EP0740730A1

EP0740730A1 - Locking apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0740730A1
Application number: EP95907172A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulf Sandberg
Original assignee: LILJENBERG AB
Current assignee: LILJENBERG AB
Priority date: 1994-01-17
Filing date: 1995-01-16
Publication date: 1996-11-06
Also published as: SE9402436L; WO1995019484A1; AU1548595A; SE9402436D0

Abstract

A locking apparatus includes a lock housing (3) and a dial (2) with a plurality of locking elements (50, 60) disposed so that they are located on a circle periphery. The dial is rotary in the lock housing so as to switch the locking apparatus from a locked to open position. The locking elements are axially adjustable between a starting position and a lower position. The dial is surrounded by a ring provided with arrest devices (39a) facing towards the centre axis of the apparatus. With previously selected locking elements set in lower positions, each one of the actuated locking elements turns to face its recess (53) each towards its arrest device. The recesses are dimensioned such that, when the dial is turned, the arrest devices pass through the recesses and are not prevented by the locking elements. When at least one of the selected locking elements is not moved to the lower position, the arrest device (39a) abuts against the locking element and prevents the dial from being turned.

Description

LOCKING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a locking apparatus according to the preamble to the independent claim.

In many contexts, there are needs for a locking apparatus which is of simple mechanical construction, which is easy to reprogramme and which is mechanically durable. As a rule, it is desired that the locking ap- paratus also be fully capable of withstanding attempts at vandalism. Moreover, wishes have been expressed in the art that the locking appa¬ ratus be capable of being opened by means of a code mechanically en¬ tered into the apparatus. Needs for locking apparatuses possessing the above-outlined properties exist in, for example, public spaces, schools, hospitals, work places.

The desiderata listed above are attained by means of a locking appara¬ tus according to the characterizing clause of the independent claim.

Expedient embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the ap¬ pended subclaims.

The present invention affords a mechanically simple apparatus which satisfies extremely high demands on security and dependability and which is simple and economical to produce.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail herein- below, with reference to a number of drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

Figs. la,b are side elevations of a key housing;

Fig. lc shows the key housing seen from beneath;

Fig. 2a shows a dial seen from beneath;

Fig. 2b shows a section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2a; Figs. 2c,d show sections corresponding to the section according to Fig. 2b and, in addition, including spring means and locking elements inserted in the dial;

Figs. 3a,b are side elevations of locking elements;

Fig. 4a is a partially sectioned side elevation of a lock housing;

Fig. 4b shows a section taken along the line B-B in Fig. 4a;

Fig. 4c shows the lock housing seen from beneath;

Fig. 4d is a section corresponding to the section C-C in Fig. 4c and with a cover plate fixed to the lock housing;

Fig. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 6a-c show views corresponding to the those of Figs. 2b-2d of an alternative embodiment;

Figs.7a,b,8a,b are side elevations of alternative embodiments of the locking elements;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a base plate;

Fig. 10 is an exploded view in cross section of an alternative embodiment; and

Figs. 10a,b show top plan views of two of the parts in the embodiment according to Fig. 10.

The key housing 1 shown on a magnified scale in Figs, la-c comprises a cylindrical portion 10 with a substantially cylindrical defining sur- face 16 at least in that region 19 of the key housing where arrest means, described below, are provided. The cylindrical portion is termi¬ nated at the bottom by an end surface 14 and at the top by an end plate 11 in which is provided a key hole (not shown in the drawings). The cy- lindrical portion is, in its upper area, provided with a number of ap¬ ertures 17 through which project a number of arrest devices 12 which are operated by means of a key. The positions of the arrest devices are determined by whether the key is inserted or not into the key housing. When a key is wholly inserted into the key housing, all arrest devices are actuated such that they have assumed positions inside the cylindri¬ cal surface 16 of the key housing. In this regard, the key housing cor¬ responds with locking devices currently available on the market.

In the lower region of the key housing, there is provided a through hole 15 intended to accomodate a locking pin 13.

Figs. 2a-d show a dial 2 comprising a body 20 composed of a tubular portion 22 and a flange-like portion 25 hereafter designated retainer portion 25, whose outer diameter is greater than that of the tubular portion. A through-going central cavity 21 passes through both the tubular portion 22 and the retainer portion 25. In the area of the transition between the tubular portion 22 and the retainer portion 25, the central cavity 21 is provided with a shoulder 29 in which the inner diameter of the cavity changes from a greater size in the tubular portion to a smaller size in the flange portion. The shoulder forms an abutment surface for the end plate 11 of the key housing.

In the area of the retainer portion, the central cavity 21 forms a sub¬ stantially cylindrical surface 24 which is provided with at least one axial through-going recess 23. In the event of more than one recess 23 being provided, partly cylindrical surfaces 24 are formed therebetween. The geometric centre axis of the dial carries reference numeral 49 in the figures.

The retainer portion 25 includes a first portion 71 located most proximal the tubular portion 22, and a subjacent, second portion 72 of smaller diameter at the outer substanially cylindrical defining surface of the portion (cf Figs. 2b and 5).

A number of through-going, substanially cylindrical recesses 26 are ac- comodated in the retainer portion 25, these recesses being parallel with the the centre axis 49 of the dial. A shoulder 28 is disposed in the recesses, in which shoulder the diameter of the recesses changes so that the diameter is less in that part of the recess which is turned to face upwards in the figure. As is apparent from the embodiment shown in the figure, the recesses are generally placed so as to form the pe¬ riphery of a circle.

Most often, the recesses 26 are placed equidistant from one another, but varying distances between the recesses occur in certain embodi- ments. Embodiments also occur in which the recesses are of different spacing to the centre axis of the dial and are, for example, disposed on concentric circle peripheries. In the figure, the recesses are shown in one embodiment in which they are disposed throughout the entire cir¬ cumference of a circle periphery. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in other embodiments, the recesses are dis¬ posed in groups or only along a part of the circle periphery.

In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 26 are placed such that they are wholly surrounded by the first portion 71 of the retainer por- tion 25, while being only partly surrounded by the second portion 72 of the retainer portion. In this, the recesses form apertures in the cy¬ lindrical outer defining surface 73 of the portion 72 and, in that part in which they are surrounded by the portion 72, the recesses are of partially cylindrical form. The shoulder 28 of the recesses is located in the first portion 71 of the retainer portion 25. In other embodi¬ ments, the cross section of the recesses is polygonal, oval or provided with one or more beads or grooves disposed in the axial direction of the recesses.

The dial is, as a rule, also provided with a number of cylindrical ap¬ ertures 27 which extend a distance into the retainer portion 25. The apertures are intended to accommodate resilient members 70 shown in Fig. 2c,d as springs 70. The springs are accommodated only partly in the apertures 27.

In a further embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6a-6c, a groove 75 is provided in the first portion 71 at the retainer portion 25. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiment according to Figs. 2b-2d.

Figs. 3a,b show two embodiments of locking elements 50,60. The locking elements are of similar construction and include an upper portion 51,61, an intermediate portion 52,62, a groove 53,63 located beneath the intermediate portion and a lower portion 54,64 located beneath the intermediate portion 52,62 and provided with a flange 55,65 for guiding the locking elements in the through-going recesses 26 of the dial. Ref- erence numerals 57,67 relate to end surfaces of the upper parts 51 and 61, respectively, and reference numerals 58,68 relate to end surfaces of the lower parts 54 och 64, respectively. The lower portion 54,64 of the locking elements 50,60 includes an end portion 56,66 defined by the end surface 58,68.

The embodiment of the locking element illustrated in Fig. 3a will here¬ after be generally designated code element 50. The end portion 56 of the code element 50 is of a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the groove 53. The diameter of the groove 53 has been selected such that, with the code element placed in any of the recesses 26 of the dial, the cylindrical defining surface of the groove will at most reach to the contemplated cylindrical surface which includes the outer defin¬ ing surface 73 of the dial in the second portion 72 of the retainer portion 25.

The embodiment of the locking element illustrated in Fig. 3b will here¬ after be generally designated blind element 60. The end portion 66 of the blind element 60 is of a diameter which is less than the diameter of the groove 63 of the blind element. The diameter of the end portion 63 has been selected such that, with the blind element placed in any of the recesses 26 of the dial, the cylindrical defining surface of the end portion will at most reach the contemplated cylindrical surface which includes the outer defining surface 73 of the dial in the second portion 72 of the retainer portion 25.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7a,7b, the locking elements 50,60 have been provided with grooves 59a,69a in their upper portions 51,61, disposed in a lower region of the upper portion 51,61, as a rule in an area close to the transition of the upper region into the intermediate portion 52 or in the region of this transition. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8a,8b, the upper portion 51,61 of each respective locking element 50,60 has been provided with an additional groove 59b,69b disposed above the first groove 59a,69a.

Even though locking elements were described above as of substantially cylindrical cross section, the cross section of such locking elements is of course adapted to the cross section which, in accordance with the foregoing, is occasionally selected for the recesses 26 of the retainer portion 25 in the dial 2. It is ensured that the locking elements can¬ not rotate about their centre axis once they have been placed in the recesses 26 at the dial by, for example, selecting polygonal cross sec- tions.

Figs. 2c,d show the dial 2 with locking elements 50,60 inserted in the recesses 26. In the right-hand portion of the figures, the dial is shown with a code element 50 and, in the left-hand portion of the fig- ures, with a blind element 60. In Fig. 2c, the locking elements are lo¬ cated in their starting positions and, in Fig. 2d, in the actuated po¬ sitions hereinafter referred to as lower positions. It will be apparent from the figures that the locking elements are dimensioned such that, in the lower position, the upper end surfaces 57,67 of the upper por- tions 51,61 of the locking elements are located substantially on a plane with surrounding material of the upper surface of the retainer portion 25 in its first portion 71. In the starting position, the lower end surfaces 58,68 of the locking elements are located on a plane with the lower surface of the retainer portion 25 in its second portion 72. Further, in the lower position the grooves 53,63 of the locking elements 50,60 are located such that, in the axial direction of the elements, a part of the groove is located outside the bottom surface 74 of the second portion 72 and a part inside this surface.

As illustrated in Figs. 6b and 6c, a resiliently returnable device 76, for example a spring element 76, is inserted in the groove 75 in the first portion 71 at the retainer portion 25. With the locking elements placed in the recesses 26 of the retainer portion 25, the resiliently returnable device abuts against the locking elements 50,60. When the locking elements according to that embodiment shown in Figs. 7a,b are located in their starting positions, the resiliently returnable device exercises a retentive action on the locking elements in that the device abuts against the locking elements in the grooves 59a,69a of each re¬ spective locking element. The dimensions of the grooves of the locking elements and the size of the return force are determinative of how steadily each respective locking element is retained in its upper posi¬ tion. The grooves 59a,69a of the upper portions 51,61 of the locking elements 50,60 thus lie on the level of the groove 75 of the first por¬ tion 71 of the retainer portion 25 when the locking elements are in their starting position.

When the locking elements according to Fig. 8a,8b are employed, a sec¬ ond groove 59b,69b of the upper portion 51,61 of the locking elements 50,60 lie on the level of the groove 75 of the first portion 71 of the retainer portion 25 when the locking elements 50,60 are in their lower positions, i.e. the spring element 76 cooperates with grooves

59a,59b,69a,69b of the locking elements 50,60 in both the lower posi¬ tion and starting position of the locking elements 50,60 when the lock¬ ing elements 50,60 according to Figs. 8a,8b are employed. In the embodiment where the locking elements are provided with two grooves 59a,59b;69a,69b, the distance between the grooves determines the length of displacement of the locking elements between starting position and lower position.

The lock housing 3 (cf Figs. 4a-d) includes a central cavity 30 which is surrounded by a cylindrical wall 31. The cavity has an inner diameter which entails that the dial 2 fits with slight clearance into the cavity. The dial is thereby rotatable about its centre axis 49 once it has been placed in the lock housing 3. The lock housing has a bottom 33 (cf Fig. 4a) provided with a centre hole 34 for accommodating the lower portion of the key housing 1. A short distance above the bottom 33, the lock housing is provided with a locking ring 36 (cf Figs. 4a,b) whose width (height) is less than the width of the grooves 53,63 of the locking elements 50,60. The locking ring turns a number of recesses 38 towards its and the lock housings' geometric centre axis 81, these re¬ cesses being dimensioned such that, once the dial 2 has been placed in the lock housing 3, the locking elements 50,60 pass through the re- cesses 38 of the locking ring unimpeded by the locking ring in the axial direction of the apparatus.

The recesses 38 of the locking ring are surrounded by arrest devices 39a which are defined by partially cylindrical surfaces 39 which are turned to face towards the centre axis 81 of the locking ring. The ra¬ dius of the partially cylindrical surfaces 39 slightly exceeds the con¬ templated cylindrical surface which is formed by the outer defining surface 73 of the dial 2 in the second portion 72 of the retainer por¬ tion 25. This entails that the radius of the above-disclosed partially cylindrical surfaces 39 of the locking ring 36 slightly exceeds the ra¬ dius of the cylindrical outer defining surface 73 of the second portion 72 of the retainer portion 25, whereby the dial 2 within the lock housing 3 is rotary about its geometric axis 49. Fig. 4a also shows the lock housing inserted in a bore in, for example, a hatch 82, door 82, etc.

Fig. 4c shows the lock housing 3 from beneath. In the illustrated em¬ bodiment, the bottom 33 of the lock housing is, on its under side, pro¬ vided with abutments 40,40a against which a bolt 18 (described below) abuts whereby rotary movement of the bolt and thereby the key housing is restricted.

The centre hole 34 of the lock housing is, in the illustrated embodi¬ ment, dimensioned in order, with the key housing 1 placed in the dial and the dial 2 inserted in the lock housing 3, to permit the cylindri¬ cal portion 10 of the key housing 1 to project out through the hole. In the assembled state, the cylindrical portion 10 of the lock housing projects out so far through the centre hole 34, of the bottom 33 that, as is shown in Fig. 4c, it has become possible to place a locking pin 13 under the bottom of the lock housing, the pin being passed into the hole 15 of the cylindrical portion. The key housing 1 is retained in place in the lock housing partly by the locking pin 13, and partly in that the end plate 11 of the key housing abuts against the shoulder 29 of the dial 2. This abutment occurs because the spring means 70 applies forces against the dial which are directed from the bottom of the lock housing.

The locking pin 13 also fixes the bolt 18 to the key housing, whereby the bolt follows the rotational movement of the cylindrical portion 10 (the key housing). On this rotational movement, the bolt 18 is moved between two end positions where the one end position corresponds to the situation that the door 82, hatch 82, etc. in which the locking appara¬ tus is mounted cannot be opened, while the other end position corre¬ sponds to the situation that the door/hatch 82 can be opened.

Fig. 4d shows in particular how a safety plate 41 is provided below the bottom 33 of the lock housing. Between the bottom of the lock housing and the safety plate, a gap 42 is formed along a portion of the circum¬ ference of the apparatus. The bolt 18 projects out through this gap in order to be switched between the end regions of the gap. The safety plate is, as a rule, removably fixed to the lock housing. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the above described bolt merely constitutes one example of an operating device suitable to be combined with the above-disclosed locking apparatus.

In one alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, the safety plate 41 and the locking bolt 18 according to the earlier embodiment are re¬ placed by a bottom plate 85 and another locking bolt 83. The bottom plate 85 displays a groove 84 for accommodating the locking bolt 83 which, with the aid of a spring 86, is pretensioned to a normally lock¬ ing position. The locking bolt 83 has, at that short end which projects out beyond the circumference of the bottom plate 85, a first raised portion 87a and, at the opposite short end, a second raised portion 87b. In the part of the locking bolt 83 between the raised portions 87a,87b, an elongate recess 44 is provided. The bottom plate 85 further displays a central, circular bracket 43 which receives the lower por¬ tion of the key housing 1 when the lock is assembled. The elongate recess 44 of the locking bolt 83 surrounds the central bracket 43. In the normally locking position, a spring 86 presses the locking bolt to the left according to the figure, so that the one end of the recess 44 abuts against the bracket 43. The bottom plate 85 moreover displays two raised portions 88a,88b on both sides of the groove 84 in which raised portions 88a,88b, recesses 89 are provided for receiving the locking pin 13. The bottom of the lock housing 3 displays two abutments 40,40a (cf Fig. 4c) against which strikes the bolt 18 of the earlier embodi¬ ment. In this alternative embodiment, the abutments 40,40a abut against the first raised portion 87a of the locking bolt 83 and one of the raised portions 88a of the bottom plate 85, respectively. The key housing 1 is connected to the locking bolt 83 by means of the locking pin 13 whose position, when the lock is mounted in place, is shown by broken lines in Fig. 9. The locking pin 13 is of a length which exceeds the width of the locking bolt 83 and groove 84 in the bottom plate 85, respectively. The locking pin 13 abuts against the second raised portion 87b of the locking bolt 83. When the locking elements 50,60 of the lock have been moved to a position in order to open the lock, the dial 2 may be rotated, whereupon this rotational movement is transferred via the key housing 1 and the locking pin 13 to the locking bolt 83. The locking bolt 83 then moves to the right according to Fig. 9, in which event the door or the like in which the lock is mounted may be opened.

In the assembled locking apparatus, that part of the cylindrical por¬ tion 10 of the key housing which includes the arrest devices 12 is lo- cated in the central cavity 21 of the dial and beneath the shoulder 29. The lock housing is of such orientation that the arrest devices of the lock housing project out in one of the axially through-going recesses 23. This implies that, when the dial is rotated, the lock housing also accompanies this rotation. When the key is inserted in the lock hous- ing, the arrest devices are displaced to that position in which they are wholly inserted in the lock housing. The arrest devices thereby do not prevent the lock housing from being rotated in relation to the dial. It is obvious that, in the assembled locking apparatus, the geo¬ metric centre axis of the locking apparatus corresponds with the geo¬ metric centre axis of the key housing, the dial and the lock housing.

Fig. 5, which shows the assembled locking apparatus but without key housing inserted, illustrates the placing of the locking elements 50,60 in the retainer portion 25 of the dial 2. It will be apparent from the figure that the locking elements are located in the starting position, in which event the end surfaces 58,68 of the locking elements are lo- cated a distance from the upper defining surface of the bottom 33 of the lock housing. In one preferred embodiment, the distance between the retainer portion 25 of the dial and the bottom 33 of the lock housing is selected such that, once the locking elements 50,60 have been moved into abutment against the bottom of the lock housing, the locking ele- ments will have assumed those positions in which the arrest devices 39a of the lock housing pass through the grooves 53 of the code elements. It will be obvious that, in other embodiments, the locking elements 50,60 and the dial are provided with cooperating arrest devices for ad¬ justment of the locking elements in correct lower positions.

Figs. 10,10a and 10b show a further embodiment of the present inven¬ tion.

In this embodiment, use is made of the same key housing 1 as in earlier embodiments.

The dial 2 consists of two separate parts, a tubular part 22a and a re¬ tainer part 25a. The tubular part 22a of the dial is, at its lower end, provided with wedges or keys 95 which cooperate with key ways 94 pro- vided on a circular surface 93 in the retainer portion 25a. This will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

Analogous with earlier embodiments, the retainer portion 25a displays apertures 26 for receiving code elements 50 and blind elements 60, a groove 75 for receiving a return spring device 76, etc. As opposed to previous embodiments, the retainer portion 25a of the dial displays a recess 99 for storing a spacer 90. The recess 99 opens downwardly as shown in the figure.

The spacer 90 displays, in a manner corresponding to that of the re¬ tainer portion 22 in earlier embodiments, axially through-going inner recesses 23 and partially cylindrical surfaces 24 for cooperation with the arrest devices 12 in the key housing 1. The outer circumference of the spacer 90 is provided with cogs 91 and recesses 92, the recesses 92 lying in register with the recesses 26 in the retainer portion 25a of the dial .

The lock housing 3a largely corresponds to the lock housing 3 according to the previous embodiments. The difference resides in the design of the bottom portion 33 and in particular its side which forms the bottom in the central cavity 30. The bottom displays a circular recess 98 which acts as spring retainer, as well as guide pins 96 which cooperate with the recesses 23 in the spacer 90. The cooperation between the sup¬ port pins 96 and recesses 23 results in the situation that the dial may only be depressed and the lock thus zeroized when the recesses 23 in the spacer 90 are in register with the guide pins 96 in the bottom por¬ tion 33 of the lock housing 3a.

In the same manner as described above, the locking ring 36 is provided in the central cavity 30 of the lock housing 3a for cooperation with the locking elements 50,60.

A spring 70a which has the same effect as the springs 70 according to the previously described embodiments is, in the assembled state, ten- sioned in between the spring retainer 98 in the lock housing 3a and a recess 97 in the spacer 90.

In the same manner as for earlier embodiments, the lock is provided with a bolt 18,83 and a safety plate 41 or bottom plate 85. Since this functions in the same way as in accordance with previously described embodiments, this is not shown here. Since the dial is designed in two parts, the tubular portion 22a and the retainer portion 25a in this embodiment, the lock is better pro¬ tected against damage or vandalism than in earlier embodiments. In the assembled state, the wedges 95 of the tubular portion 22a lie in the key ways 94 of the inner, circular surface 93 of the retainer portion 25a. The wedges 95 are held in place in the key ways 94 in that the spring 70a presses, via the spacer 90, the retainer portion 25a of the dial towards the tubular portion 22a of the dial. This is effected in that the end plate 11 of the key housing 1 abuts against the shoulder 29 in the central cavity 21 of the tubular portion 22a.

If the tubular portion 22a of the dial is turned when the incorrect elements for opening the lock are depressed, the wedges or keys 95 will be deranged from the key ways 94 against the action from the spring 70a, i.e. there is no risk that the dial is broken by rotation, since it is only the tubular portion 22a which rotates in this case. When the correct elements are depressed for opening the lock, the force from the spring 70a will be sufficient to retain the wedges 95 in the key ways 94 whereby rotation of the tubular portion 22a will, via the retainer portion 25a, be transferred to the bolt 18 in the same way as for earlier embodiments.

In one alternative embodiment (not shown), the circular surface 93 of the retainer portion 25a is provided with wedges or keys which cooper- ate with key ways in the tubular portion 22a. A person skilled in the art will further perceive that the number of cooperating wedges or keys and key ways may be varied and that the number of key ways may be larger than the number of wedges or keys. The surface provided with the key ways can moreover be in the form of a gear ring, i.e. with teeth along the entire extent of the surface.

On displacement, in an apparatus with the retainer portion 25 disposed in accordance with Fig. 6a, of each respective locking element 50,60 ^• between the starting position of the element and its lower position, the resiliently returnable device 76 constitutes a positioning device. In the embodiment of the locking element according to Figs. 7a,7b, the resiliently returnable device 76 adjusts the locking element to the correct position in the lower position and, in the embodiment of the locking element according to Figs. 8a,8b, to the correct position in both the starting position and in the lower position. This is effected by cooperation between the grooves 59a,69a and/or 59b,69b of the upper parts 51,61 of the locking elements 50,60 according to Figs. 7a,7b and 8a,8b respectively and the resiliently returnable device 76.

In order to displace an individual locking element out of the position set by the resiliently returnable device 76, the force from the spring device 76 must be overcome. That force which is to be overcome is nor¬ mally so great that the locking element 50,60 according to the embodi¬ ment illustrated in Figs. 7a,7b, will be moved wholly into abutment against the bottom 33 of the lock housing when the resiliently return¬ able device 76 releases the locking element. When locking elements 50,60 with two grooves 59a,59b;69a,69b in their upper parts 51,61 are employed, the locking elements 50,60 are also locked in their lower po¬ sitions by cooperation between the spring element 76 and the upper grooves 59b,69b. If the outer force which is applied against a locking element so as to move this is less than the force with which the resil- iently returnable device 76 retains the locking element, the locking element will be returned to its earlier position by the resiliently re¬ turnable device 76 when the applied force ceases.

In order to reset locking elements 50,60 to the starting position, the dial is moved axially by an outer force (e.g. manually) into abutment against the bottom 33 so that all locking elements are forced back by the bottom to their starting positions. Previously described spring means 70 are so dimensioned that, once the outer force has ceased, the dial is returned to its axial starting position.

When the locking elements 50,60 of the locking apparatus are located in the positions illustrated in Fig. 5 (corresponding to those shown in Fig. 2c), the locking apparatus is in the locked position. In attempts to turn the dial 2, the end portions 56 of the code elements 50 prevent the locking ring 36 from passing the code elements 50, since the defin¬ ing wall of the recesses 38 is brought into abutment against the end portions. The projecting portions 39a of the locking ring 36, with the previously described partially cylindrical surfaces 39, prevent the locking apparatus from being switched to the open position.

When any code element 50 is located in its starting position, the arrest devices 39a abut against the end portion 56 of the code element, whereby the code element prevents the locking ring 36 from being moved past the code element and the locking apparatus remains in the locked position. As a result of this function, it will also be realized that the locking apparatus can be set in the open position only if all code elements 50 are moved to the lower position.

As soon as any blind element 60 has been displaced from the position the element assumes in the starting position, the arrest devices 39a abut against the blind element in a region above the end portion 66 of the blind element. When the blind element 60 has been moved to the lower position, the abutment takes place in the groove 63 of the blind element. In that the blind element has been moved from its starting po¬ sition, it prevents the arrest device 39a of the locking ring 36 from passing the blind element and thereby the dial from being turned in the lock housing. In other words, the locking apparatus is in the locked position.

When the dial is turned, once all code elements 50 have been moved to the positions illustrated in Fig. 2d (lower positions) and all blind elements 60 are located in the starting position, the arrest devices 39a of the locking ring pass both the grooves 53 of the code elements and the end portion 66 of the blind elements, whereby the locking appa¬ ratus is set in the opened position.

In its simplest embodiment, the key housing is not included in the ap¬ paratus, but is replaced by mechanical shaft which transmits the rota¬ tion of the dial to, for example, the previously described bolt 18. In those embodiments of the present invention in which the key housing is included, the effect will be achieved that a locking apparatus which is set in the locked position may simply be set in the unlocked position by inserting the key into the key housing. In such instance, the arrest devices 12 of the key housing are displaced to positions inside the cy- lindrical defining surface 16 of the cylindrical portion, and the key housing 1 is rotated about its axis in the central cavity 21 of the dial 2. In such instance, the locking apparatus is set in the opened position.

By allowing the key housing to be included in the locking apparatus, it is possible, if desired, to modify the code for setting the locking ap¬ paratus in the opened position without causing code elements and blind elements to change places with one another. This is effected by de- pressing all code elements to the lower position and inserting the key in the key housing. Thereafter, the dial is turned to a position in which the arrest devices 12 of the key housing assume positions in register with a through-going recess 23 in the central cavity 21 of the dial, whereafter the key is removed. If, for example, the apparatus is provided with twelve locking elements placed on a circle periphery so that each locking element represents an hour of the clock and the code for opening the locking apparatus is four, five, six, eight and twelve "o'clock", the code is switched to seven, eight, nine, eleven and three "o'clock", in that the dial is turned clockwise through 90°.

In other embodiments (not shown), individual parts from the different illustrated embodiments are combined to form new embodiments. For example, in certain embodiments the retainer portion of the two-part dial is of a form which corresponds to that illustrated in Figs. 2a-2d.

In the body of this description, for purposes of simplifying the text, use has occasionally been made of the designations upper, lower, right, left and similar expressions. These expressions only relate to the orientation of the apparatus in those figures to which the description refers and are by no means related to the orientation of the locking apparatus when it is in use.

The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, but a person skilled in the art will readily perceive that the present invention encompasses a large number of embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Locking apparatus comprising a dial (2) and a lock housing (3), in which the dial includes a plurality of locking elements (50,60), in which opening of the locking apparatus by switching the dial (2) depends upon the setting of said locking elements, in which the locking elements are switchable between a starting position and a lower position, in which the locking elements (50,60) are disposed in spaced apart relationship from one another along one or more circle peripheries, and in which, with at least one locking element in the lower position, the dial is rotary in the lock housing for switching the locking apparatus between open and closed position, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking elements (50,60) are displaceable parallel with the centre axis of each respective circle periphery for displacement between the starting position and lower position of each respective locking element; and that with one or more previously selected locking elements (50) displaced to the lower position, a first recess (53) disposed in the locking element occupies a position in which a device (39a) projectingly disposed on the lock housing (3), on rotation of the dial (2) in relation to the lock housing (3), passes through said recess (53).

2. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lock housing (3) is pro¬ vided with a plurality of devices (39a) projecting out towards the geometric centre axis (80) of the apparatus, the defining surfaces (39) of said devices located most proximal the centre axis being located at substantially the same distance from the centre axis (80) .

3. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking elements (50,60) are provided in two separate versions; and that the locking ele- ments in a first version entitled code elements (50) are provided with said first recess (53).

4. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the code element (50) includes a lower portion (54) which, with the code element in the starting position or in an intermediate position between the starting posi- tion and the lower position, prevents the projecting device (39a) from passing the code element.

5. The locking apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking element (50,60) in a second version entitled blind element (60) is provided with a locking portion (63), as a rule a groove which, with the blind element placed in the lower position, prevents the projecting device (39a) from passing the blind element (60).

6. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the blind element is provided with a lower portion (64), which, with the blind element in the starting position, permits the projecting device (39a) to pass the blind element.

7. The locking apparatus as claimed in anyone or more of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the dial (2) includes an annular retainer portion (25) provided with a number of cavities (26) oriented in the axial direction and in which the locking elements (50,60) are disposed; and that the locking elements are dimensioned, on displacement to the lower position, to abut against the bottom (33) of the lock housing (3).

8. The locking apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the retainer portion (25) is axially displacable from a starting position towards the bottom (33) of the lock housing; and that one or more resiliently returnable devices (70) are provided to return the dial (2) to the starting position.

The locking apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e i z e d in that the dial (2) is provided with a through-going, substanially cylindrical central cavity (21) accom¬ modating a key housing (1); that the central cavity (21) includes a portion (22) which is provided with at least one recess (23); and that the key housing includes a cylindrically formed portion (10) of an outer diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of the central cavity (21) in order to make it possible for the key housing to be rotated in the central cavity (21).

10. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the key housing (1), in a region (19) corresponding to the portion (22) provided with recesses (23) of the central cavity (21) is provided with at least one arrest de¬ vice (12) disposed, when a key is inserted in the key housing, to be retracted in the key housing and, in the absence of a key in the key housing to be projecting therefrom and thereby fix the key housing against rotational movement in the central cavity (21).

11. The locking apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking elements (50,60) cooperate with means for the correct adjustment of the starting positions of the locking element (50,60) and/or their lower positions.

12. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device for correct adjust¬ ment of the positions of the locking elements (50,60) consists of an elasticly resiliently returnable device (76) which cooperates with grooves in the locking elements (50,60).

13. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the elasticly resiliently re¬ turnable device consists of a spring element (76) in the form of a closed ring, the spring (76) lying in a groove (75) in the retainer portion (25) of the dial (2), and abutting against the side of the locking elements (50,60) facing away from the centre of the lock; and that the spring element (78) lies in grooves (59a,69c,89b,69b) in the upper portion (51,61) of the locking elements (50,60).

14. The locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the dial (2) comprises two sepa¬ rate parts, a tubular part (22) and a retainer part (25); that one or more wedges or keys (95) in the one part of the dial cooperate with key ways (94) in the other part; that the wedges or keys (95) depart from the key ways (94) against the action of the spring (70a) and permit movement between the two parts (22,25) of the dial when the locking elements (50,60) are in positions which lock the lock; and that, as a result of the action of the spring (70a) no movement takes place between the two parts (22,25) of the dial when the locking elements (50,60) are in positions which open the lock and the tubular part (22) of the dial is rotated.