GB2080396A

GB2080396A - Latch

Info

Publication number: GB2080396A
Application number: GB8118756A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Ltd
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Ltd
Priority date: 1980-06-18
Filing date: 1981-06-18
Publication date: 1982-02-03
Also published as: NO812052L; EP0042310B1; EP0042310A1; ATE3660T1; GB2080396B; DE3160390D1; NO154891C; NO154891B

Abstract

A cam (3) is rotatable to move one or two resilient latching arms (20) at the end of which may be latching means (25) engageable on a hasp (4) to catch or lock an article. The cam (3) or casing (1) has a follower (18) which acts in a groove with a ramped bottom dividing the groove into two portions and preventing the cam from being totated from the second back to the first portion. When the cam is in a first position (x) with the follower in the first portion the latching means are held open and are inoperative for latching, the key is then inserted to move the can so the follower is in the second portion, wherein the cam is movable between positions (y) and (z) in which the latching means open and close respectively and wherein the key is removable in position (z).

Description

1 GB 2 080 396 A 1 1

SPECIFICATION 65 Figure 5 is a plan view of the catch or lock of

Catch or lock Fig. 1 with the cam in a groove second portion and latched, and, The present invention relates to a catch or lock. Figure 6 is a plan view of the catch or lock of A catch or lock in accordance with the Fig. 1 with the cam in the groove second portion invention comprises a rotatable cam, means in or 70 and unlatched.

on the cam for accepting a key so that the cam In Figure 1 of the drawings a catch or lock is can be rotated, at least one latch arm and a hasp, shown formed from four main parts, namely a the latch or latches being biassed into casing 1, a double latch member 2, a cam 3 and a engagement with the cam, the latch or latches hasp 4.

being engageable with the hasp for locking, the 75 The casing as shown in Figures,3 and 4 arrangement being such that on insertion of the comprises a stud 5 engageable with a hole in the key into the catch or lock the cam may be rotated latch member 2, and a protrusion 6 with a tapped to disengage the latch or latches from the hasp, hole 7 to receive a screw 8, the screw 8 and stud wherein a casing is provided, and wherein a 5 firmly locating the latch member's rear portion 9 groove is provided on the casing or cam with a 80 on the casing. The casing also has a key aperture ramped bottom so as to divide the groove into two 12 surrounded by a bearing protrusion 13 for portions, the cam or casing having a follower engaging with a recess 14 in the cam 3. Also the engaging in the groove, the ramp being such that casing has a groove 15 which has a ramped first the cam can be moved by the key from the first portion 16 and a second portion 17. The groove portion to the second portion but not in reverse, 85 receives a follower 18 projecting from the bottom the key being able to be inserted or removed when of the cam and the follower can rotate anti the latch or latches are disengaged at a first clockwise over the ramp in the groove from position of the cam when the follower is in the first position X in Fig. 1 and into the second portion 17 groove portion and the key being able to be but cannot rotate clockwise from second portion received or inserted when the latch or latches are 90 17 to first portion 16 because of the ramp.

engaged at a second position of the cam when the -- The double latch member 2 as shown in follower is in the second groove portion, the cam Figure 5 comprises a rear portion 9 firmly located being movable to a third cam position when the to the casing as described above, resilient portions follower is in the second groove portion at which 20 extending from the fixed rear portion 9, cam third position the latch or latches are disengaged. 95 engaging portions 21 which overlie a circular The arrangement provides a very simple lock flange 22 of the cam so as to hold the cam onto which is economical to mould and can be the casing, and latch portions 24 terminating in operated by a simple key which is preferably hooks 25 which engage with barbs 26 of the hasp.

double bitted. The cam 3 is formed with a central triangular The advantage of the above arrangement is 100 portion 30 in which a recess 32 for a key 33 that the catch or lock can be in a semi- having a double bit 34. The portion 30 also has a permanently disengaged condition when the cam hole 35 to receive the stem end 36 of the key. The follower is in the first portion and is inoperative. cam also has follower 18, a retaining flange 22 This is particularly useful for a dispenser for paper and recess 14 as already described.

towels and the like which some operators prefer to 105 The hasp is formed as described with two barbs be unlocked. In this case the cover is retained by 26 extending either side of a stem 38 (see Fig. 6).

suitable non-locking means such as a stud In order to ensure that when the key is inserted springing into a hole. If the dispenser operator in the cam that the latch portions 24 are pot requires the cover to be lockable, the cam follower forced out of engagement with the hasp a bridge is turned by the key to the second groove portion 110 40 secured to the casing may be provided (see where the lock or catch is fully operative. Figs. 4 and 5).

Preferably the cam is substantially triangular in A plug (not shown) can be fitted in casing key shape and two latches are provided, the cam aperture 12 if the lock is not to be operative.

acting between the latches so that on rotation of The lock is normally supplied with the plug in the cam both latches are disengaged from the 115 aperture 12 and the lock is in a non-locking state hasp. as shown in Fig. 1 with the follower 18 in position The invention will now be described by way of X. If it is required to use the lock the plug is example with reference to the accompanying removed, the key inserted in cam 3 into aperture drawings in which: 32 and the cam rotated so that the follower Figure 1 is a plan view of a catch or lock 120 snaps over the ramp into second groove portion according to the invention with the cam in a 17 on reaching position Z as shown ir. Fig. 5 the groove first portion and unlatched, key can be removed and the lock is latched. To Figure 2 is a cross section of part of Fig. 1 taken unlatch the lock the key is reinserted and the cam on AA with a key for operating the lock, moved to position Y as shown in Fig. 6. In this Figure 3 is a plan view of the catch or lock of 125 position the key cannot be removed because Fig. 1 showing the casing only, recess 32 is misaligned with aperture 12. When Figure 4 is a cross-section of the casing of the cam is in position Z as shown in Fig. 5 the Fig. 3 taken on BB showing particularly the hasp 4 can be sprung in locking engagement with groove, latch member 2.

2 GB 2 080 396 A 2 It will be obvious from the fact that the cam 3 has an equilateral triangular shape that starting at position X (as in Fig. 1) where the key is insertable and the latch member is open, the cam is movable after key insertion through 1201 to position Y (as in Fig. 6) where the latch member is again open. Thence the cam moves through a further 601 to position Z (as in Fig. 5) where the key is removable and the latch member is closed. The total cam movement being 180' (the arcuate length of the groove being slightly greater to allow for cam follower thickness and the first portion 16 of the groove 15 is about 1200 and the second portion 17 about 600 with an allowance for cam follower thickness.

A particular use for the lock described above as in a dispenser for paper towels and such like where some operators prefer the dispenser to be permanently unlocked whilst some operators prefer a lockable dispenser.

It will be appreciated that the casing 1 can form part of an article to be locked that is being integral 70 with the object being locked or else the casing can be a plate or the like which is attached by attachment means such as screws to the object being locked.

It will also be appreciated that whilst the 75 follower is described as being on the cam and the groove in the camng, the reverse is within the scope of the invention and would be equally effective. Also the groove can be circular with the second portion 1201 and the first portion 2401 in arcuate length.

Claims

1. A catch or lock comprising a rotatable cam (3), means (12) in or on the cam for accepting a key (33) so that the cam can be rotated, at least one latch arm (20) and a hasp (4), the latch or latches being biassed into engagement with the cam, the latch or latches being engageable with the hasp for locking, the arrangement being such that on insertion of the key into the catch or lock the cam may be rotated to disengage the latch or latches from the hasp, wherein a casing (1) is provided, and wherein a groove (15) is provided on the casing or cam with a ramped bottom so as to divide the groove into two portions (16), (17), the cam or casing having a follower (18) engaging in the groove, the ramp being such that the cam can be moved by the key (33) from the first portion (16) to the second portion (17) but not in reverse, the key (33) being able to be inserted or removed when the latch or latches are disengaged at a first position (X) of the cam when the follower is in the first groove portion (16) and the key (33) being able to be received or inserted when the latch or latches are engaged at a second position 0 of the cam when the follower is in the second groove portion (17), the cam being movable to b - third cam position (Y) when the follower is in the - second groove portion (17) at which third position, the latch or latches are disengaged.

2. A catch or lock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cam (3) is substantially triangular. 65

3. A catch or lock as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein the latch is formed as a member with a securing portion (9) which is secured to a casing (1), resilient arms (20) extending from the securing portion either side of the cam (3) to latching means (25) engageable either side of the hasp (4).

4. A catch or lock as claimed in Claim 3 wherein a bridge means (40) extends over the arms (20) to prevent undue movement in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the cam.

5. A catch or lock as claimed in Claims 3 or 4 wherein the cam (3) is provided with a circular retaining portion (22) which is engageable under the arms (20) to retain the cam between the arms and the casing.

6. A catch or lock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the groove (15) and cam follower (18) act so as to guide the cam in its arcuate movement.

7. A catch or lock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the groove (15) extends substantially over 1800, the first portion extending over substantially 601.

8. An article to be caught or locked having the catch or lock of any of Claims 1 to 7 and a further catch for use to ensure the retention of the article in the closed position when the cam is in the first position (X).

9. A catch or lock substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. An article to be caught or locked substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1982. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London. WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

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