ES2328972T3 - DRAWER LOCK MECHANISM. - Google Patents

Abstract

Locking mechanism for drawers, the drawer being slidably housed in a fixed structure, comprising at least one swing arm (4), hinged with freedom of rotation to the drawer and exhibiting at least first locking means (6) that can be linking with a respective first portion (7) of the fixed structure to block the drawer in a closed configuration in which the drawer is fully contained within the fixed structure, the mechanism (1) further comprising a handle (17) fixed to a front portion (3) of the drawer; the handle (17) being associated with at least one swing arm (4) and executing a drawer unlocking command from the closed configuration; the at least one oscillating arm (4) having, in addition, second locking means (10) that can be linked with a respective second portion (11) of the fixed structure to block the drawer in its open configuration, in which the drawer , at least in part, protrudes out of the fixed structure; characterized by the fact that the first locking means (6) are constituted by a seat (8) exhibited in the at least one swing arm (4) and the second locking means (10) are constituted by a protuberance (12) , said protuberance (12) being intercepted by the second portion (11) of the fixed structure to block the drawer in the open configuration.

Description

Drawer lock mechanism.

The present invention relates to a mechanism Drawer lock placed on board vehicles, such as Commercial Vehicles. Anyway, it could be used very advantageously in vehicles of any type and, in addition, It could be placed on boats. On the other hand it is predisposed to be used in fixed installations that have drawers and shelves for the most varied uses.

More generally, the present invention relates to to lock sliding drawers in an open position or closed, which drawers are subjected to continuous forces of external solicitation.

It is a well known fact that drawers installed on board vehicles are subjected to acceleration forces and braking and more generally to forces oriented towards any direction depending on the position and movement of the vehicle. Depending on how such drawers are oriented, those forces may cause accidental opening of the various sliding compartments or your movement anyway uncontrolled, running the risk of objects or materials contents inside may fall.

Therefore, it becomes necessary to block the drawers safely, at least when they are in your configuration closed or alternatively, also in its open configuration. The second option is convenient when, for example, it is necessary have access to the contents of a drawer while acting forces that they tend to close it, for example when the vehicle where it is placed the drawer is parked on an inclined surface or The vehicle is accelerating or braking.

Similarly, it becomes necessary that drawers have a sufficiently practical and intuitive system to the execution of such blocking action.

In this regard, devices of different types are known complexity, suitable for blocking the sliding compartment of each drawer so as to prevent its unwanted slippage. He document DE 4,307,911, for example, publishes a closet where drawers, installed on telescopic rails, can be locked in a configuration retracted and in a configuration extended by means of rotating terminal elements that can be rotated by middle of a common lever. Document DE 19,746,825 describes the lock a drawer by means of a built-in grooved lever pushed into its closed position through the force of a spring; on each side of the drawer there is a capture lever, both joined by a command bar.

Unfortunately, those known devices are quite complex and because of that they are composed of a large number of different components. The above affects negatively in terms of component storage as well as of the effective assembly of the device, with the consequent increased management and assembly costs.

Under this situation, the technical task basic of the present invention is to provide a mechanism drawer lock that does not present such inconveniences.

Within the scope of this purpose, the objective main of this invention is to project a mechanism of drawer lock that allows the effective lock of the drawer in your closed configuration or, in addition, in an open configuration.

Another objective of the present invention is that of project a drawer locking mechanism that requires little number of components, thus restricting the materials to have in the warehouse and accelerating the assembly process.

Another objective of the present invention is that of project a drawer locking mechanism whose device Drive be simple and intuitive.

The technical task described and the objectives specified substantially are achieved by a mechanism of drawer lock, characterized by the fact that it comprises one or several of the technical solutions claimed in the claims that are ahead.

Below follows a description no exclusive and not limiting of a preferred embodiment of a drawer locking mechanism, which refers to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional view of the drawer locking mechanism of the present invention, in a closed configuration locked;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view of the mechanism of figure 1, in an unlocked configuration starting  of the closed condition;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view of the mechanism of figure 1 in an open locked configuration;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mechanism of figure 1 in a locked locked configuration.

With reference to the figures in the drawings, the number 1 denotes a drawer locking mechanism according to the present invention

The sectional view of Figure 1 is a view partial of a drawer, which slides into a structure fixed, not displayed since it is of the known type: in particular it you can see a side portion (2) and a front portion (3) of the drawer. In figure 1, the mechanism (1) includes a swing arm (4) hinged with freedom of rotation to the lateral portion (2) by means of a pivot (5). The swing arm (4) is shaped elongated and extends substantially along the portion side (2) of the drawer. The swing arm (4), in addition, is specially configured to perform the desired function of blocking. In particular, the swing arm (4) has at least first locking means (6), which can be linked with a respective first portion (7) of the fixed structure. The first blocking means (6) are preferably obtained with a seat (8) presenting the oscillating arm (4). The seat (8) can be attach with a respective projecting bolt (9), fixed rigidly to the fixed structure and defining said first portion (7) of the fixed structure. Preferably, the bolt (9) is configured in a complementary way to the respective seat (8) with which is linked.

The function of the first blocking means (6) is to achieve a locked configuration of the drawer in a closed position in which the drawer is located in a position retracted within the fixed structure.

Preferably, the swing arm (4) has, in addition, second locking means (10), attachable with a respective second portion (11) of the fixed structure. Preferably those second locking means (10) are constituted by a protuberance (12) obtained in the arm oscillating The second portion (11) of the fixed structure is constituted by a tongue (13) preferably obtained in a plate (14) rigidly connected to the fixed structure. The tongue (13) extends to the inside of the drawer and is configured  so as to intercept the protuberance (12) of the arm oscillating (4) according to an operating principle that will describe later.

The function of the second blocking means (10) is to achieve a locked drawer configuration in your open position, in which the drawer protrudes, at least in part, of the fixed structure.

In this way the swing arm (4) can move, through oscillations of modest magnitude, between a lock position, in which the drawer locks in a position open or closed, and an unlocked position, in which it is rotated with respect to the locked position, to allow the drawer movement.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment displayed in the attached drawings, and in relation to the special form of the swing arm (4), the seat (8) is located in the arm oscillating (4) near a first end (15) of the same arm oscillating (4). This first end (15) is the end closest to the front portion (3) of the drawer. The bump (12), by the opposite, it is located near the second end (16) of the arm oscillating (4), opposite the first end (15).

The mechanism (1) also comprises a handle (17), fixed with freedom of rotation to the front portion (3) of the drawer, for the execution of controls to unlock the drawer from closed or open configuration. More in details, like it can be clearly seen in figure 4, the handle (17) is shaped elongated and can rotate around its axis (18). The shaft (18) is disposed substantially parallel to the front portion (3) of the drawer and, in cases where the drawer is horizontally predisposed, the axis (18) is arranged horizontally, as can be seen in the figures.

The handle (17) moves between a position not operative, in which it achieves a drawer lock configuration, and an operative position, in which it is arranged rotated around of its axis (18) to unlock the drawer, from the lock settings.

The handle (17) comprises drive means (19), preferably rigidly fixed to the same handle and suitable for transmitting a blocking action to the swing arm (4) as a result of a rotation of the handle (17). With more level of detail, in accordance with figures 1-3, the means drive (19) are constituted by a cam (20), which transmits an oscillating movement to the oscillating arm (4). To the respect, near its first end (15), the swing arm (4) it has a cavity (21) to accommodate the cam (20), and a contact surface (22) that can be linked to the cam (twenty).

In addition, it should be clarified that in accordance with the Figure 2, the coupling between the cam (20) and the surface of contact (22) of the swing arm (4) causes the first end (15) of the swing arm (4) is lifted following a movement of clockwise rotation of the handle (17). It should be added that for bring the handle (17) back to its non-rotated configuration, shown in figure 1, when the command of Unlocking, a return action is necessary. This action of return is carried out using traction force gravitational, in particular locating the center of gravity of the swing arm (4), with respect to the pivot (5), in a position close to the first end (15) of the same swing arm (4). This means that in the configuration shown in figures 1 and 3, the swing arm (4) is in an equilibrium condition stable.

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The position of the center of gravity of the arm oscillating (4) can be adjusted by properly positioning the position of the pivot (5) or, alternatively, distributing the mass of the arm oscillating (4) predominantly in the direction of the first end (fifteen).

The principle of operation of the mechanism according to the present invention, from of a locked closed configuration (figure 1). First, the locked closed condition is determined by the seat coupling (8) with bolt (9), while the protrusion (12) is detached from the tongue (13).

When the handle (17) is turned in the direction schedule, the swing arm (4) suffers a small swing in clockwise sense that, anyway, is enough to cause the disengagement between the seat (8) and the bolt (9). After which the drawer can be thrown away from the fixed structure, also because as a consequence of the rotation of the handle (17) the second end (16) of the swing arm (4) lowers sufficiently as to allow the protuberance (12) to pass below the tongue (13) without being intercepted by it, and move beyond her. Then it is possible to release the handle (17); due to the action of gravitational traction on the swing arm (4) the handle (17) tends to return to its original non-rotated configuration, while  that the swing arm (4), having returned to its position horizontal, raise its second end (16) to the same level I had at the beginning, thus causing the protuberance (12) to be intercepted, in case the drawer tended to close again, through its respective tab (13). In this way you get the Open configuration locked, shown in Figure 3.

Starting from the open configuration locked, the drawer can be taken back to its configuration closed locked simply by turning the handle (17) in the direction schedule and pushing the drawer inside the fixed structure and then releasing the handle (17), restoring the coupling between the seat (8 and bolt (9).

To further simplify the process of moving and lock the drawer, the swing arm (4) has at least one first chamfer (23), made in proximity to the seat (8) and oriented in the direction of the pivot (5). During the stage of closing the drawer, the first chamfer (23) allows to achieve the configuration closed locked even when the operator does not act on the handle (17). Indeed, as can be seen in Figure 3 and considering that the drawer must be pushed towards the configuration closed, you can see how after a certain advance this first chamfer (23) is intercepted by bolt (9) and, by this motive, the first end (15) of the swing arm (4) is raised progressively, which substantially compensates for the rotation that could have been generated by turning the handle (17), until the seat (8) and its respective bolt (9) are coupled together automatically.

In a totally analogous way, the swing arm (4) presents a second chamfer (24), located near the protrusion (12) in the direction of the pivot (5). In particular, starting from the locked locked configuration (figure 1), after a rotation of the handle (17) necessary for Unlock the drawer, it is possible to release the handle (17). Once the drawer advanced from a certain distance, the second chamfer (24) intercepts the tongue (13), and due to the inclination of the chamfer, automatic rotation is generated clockwise of the arm oscillating which tends to allow the protuberance (12) to pass through under the tongue (13), and go beyond it. After which oscillating arm (4) tends to return to its position initial horizontal, generating the open configuration blocked up.

From the previous explanation it is clear which, due to the oscillating movement of the oscillating arm (4), the first blocking means (6) and the second blocking means (10) are never linked at the same time with the first portion (7) and the second portion (11) respectively of the fixed structure. On the contrary, when the first blocking means (6) and the respective first portion of the fixed structure (7) are linked, there is a corresponding disengagement condition between the second locking means (10) and the respective second portion (11) of the fixed structure. The above explanation is supported by  the fact that the first (6) and the second (10) blocking means achieve two different lock settings, closed and open respectively, that both cannot be active at the same weather.

In another embodiment, not shown, the mechanism (1) comprises two swing arms (4) of the type described above. Those swinging arms (4) are linked with freedom of rotation, in the same way as in the embodiment just describe, with two opposite side portions (2) of the drawer. From this mode achieve these settings, open locked and closed locked, linking, each of them, with a respective bolt (9) or a respective tongue (13).

The present invention provides advantages important.

Finally, the mechanism described reduces the quantity of components needed to a minimum, thus simplifying the storage and assembly operations and therefore reducing costs and production times.

Another advantage is related to practicality of the mechanism and its intuitive operation, which entrusts the movement and operation of locking and unlocking exclusively to a handle, without any need for intervention direct from the external over other blocking devices.

Another disadvantage is the possibility of imparting a lock condition with the drawer both open and closed, thus increasing the possibility of using this mechanism.

Finally, the special arm geometry swing allows to lock the drawer automatically in the open or closed positions, with a simple push action After unlocking operation, without any need for check if the drawer has reached the correct movement during its movement position to be locked correctly.

Claims (12)

1. Locking mechanism for drawers, drawer being slidably housed in a fixed structure, which It comprises at least one swing arm (4), hinged freely of rotation to the drawer and exhibiting at least first means of blocking (6) that can be linked to a respective first portion (7) of the fixed structure to lock the drawer in a closed configuration in which the drawer is fully contained within the fixed structure, the mechanism (1) also comprising a handle (17) fixed to a front portion (3) of the drawer; the handle (17) being associated with at least one swing arm (4) and executing an unlocking command of the drawer from the closed configuration; the at least one swing arm (4) having, in addition, second locking means (10) that can be linked to a respective second portion (11) of the fixed structure for lock the drawer in its open configuration, in which the drawer, at least in part, it protrudes out of the fixed structure; characterized by the fact that the first locking means (6) are constituted by a seat (8) exhibited in the at least one swing arm (4) and the second locking means (10) are constituted by a protuberance (12) , said protuberance (12) being intercepted by the second portion (11) of the fixed structure to block the drawer in the open configuration. 2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the swing arm (4) can move between a locked position, in which the drawer is locked, and a non-locked position, in which the swing arm (4 ) is rotated with respect to its position when it is in the locked position, to allow movement of the drawer. 3. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (17) is movable between an inoperative position in which the drawer is in its locking configuration, and an operative position, in which the handle (17) is rotated around its axis (18) to execute an unlocking operation, starting with the locking configuration. 4. Mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the axis (18) of rotation of the handle (17) is arranged parallel to the front portion (3) of the drawer. 5. Mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the handle (17) comprises drive means (19), rigidly connected to the handle (17), to generate an oscillation of at least one swing arm (4 ) under rotation of the handle (17) and then allow the drawer to be unlocked from the open or closed configuration. A mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuation means (19) comprise a cam (20). 7. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat (8) is made at a first end (15) of the swing arm (4), located near the front portion (3) of the drawer. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the first portion (7) of the fixed structure is an outstanding bolt (9), linked to the fixed structure and configured in addition to the respective seat (8) of the minus an oscillating arm (4) with which the bolt (9) is linked. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the protuberance (12) is configured at a second end (16) of the oscillating arm (4), which second end (16) is located in a position opposite the portion front (3) of the drawer. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the second portion (11) of the fixed structure is a tongue (13), connected to the fixed structure and extending towards the inner part of the drawer, to intercept the protuberance (12) of the swing arm (4) in the locked open configuration. 11. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one swing arm (4) is hinged with freedom of rotation to a lateral portion (2) of the drawer. 12. Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two swing arms (4) attached rotatably to opposite side portions (2) of the drawer, each rocker arm (4) being able to engage with a respective first (7) and second (11) portion of the fixed structure.