GB2138881A - Supplementary lock and storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit (e.g. for blocking a keyhole), comprises a storage and operating unit 1,2,3 that accommodates up to two attachable cylinder locks 5,6, each lock having a plug 5 that is in deployment rendered non-rotatable when its longitudinal projection 7 is inserted within a cavity (eg keyhole) of a recipient structure, the plug being mounted within a rotatable shell 6 constructed with projecting lugs 8 that insert into a circular track 12, Fig. 5, that encircles an integral component of a host fastening, the shell 6 and lugs 8 then being rotated into a secured position as shown in Fig. 5 before the operating unit 1,2,3 is withdrawn to prevent relative rotation of plug 5 and shell 6 so locking them in place. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Supplementary lock and storage unit This invention relates to the attachment of a cylinder lock to a track that encircles a component of a host fastening the effectiveness of which depends essentially on one of two axially related components having a rotary action while the other remains static, examples being, a cylinder lock related to a door of a vehicle, or a threaded fastening in the form of a nut and belt assembly.

A door substantially secured within location by a cylinder lock can only be secure up to the extent of that lock's limitations, an item of equipment secured by a nut and bolt assembly can only remain so for as long as the nut is attached to the bolt.

According to the present invention there is provided host fastenings, a circular track, a storage unit with diametrically opposed key and spigot groupings, on each grouping is located an attachable cylinder lock, and an outer casing in which the attachable lock is embodied, the arrangement being that the track encircles an integral part of a host fastening, projections that extend longitudinally from the plug of the attachable lock are inserted into static recipient cavities in the host fastening, simultaneous with the insertion of radially spaced lugs projecting from the outer cylinder of the attachable lock into the track, the effect of the insertions being that both the plug of the attachable lock, and the inner cylinder of the storage unit, are rendered static, so facilitating the rotatation of the outer cylinder of the storage unit, which transmits that rotary action to the rotatable outer cylinder or shell of the attachable lock, the storage unit is then withdrawn leaving the lock, embodied within a casing, attached to the host fastening.

The invention is relevant to the prevention of vehicle theft, for it provides a secondary fastening that is time consuming if tackled, and visually revealing if by-passed.

The deployment of an attachable lock with a nut and bolt assembly that is related to the securing an item of equipment within a designated location affords an extra measure of protection for the type of equipment used in offices, schools, hospitals and leisure related premises, of which:- computers- typewritersadding machines- recording equipment- medical and clinical- equipment- gaming machinesand kitchen equipment are examples in a catalogue of goods that are stolen Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, the first embodiment with reference to Figs. 1-4 and 5, the second with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a storage unit at each end of which is located an attachable cylinder lock that has a plug located off a central axis within a rotatable shell.

Figure 2 illustrates an attachable cylinder lock with a plug centrally located within a rotatable shell, extending longitudinally from the plug is a projection in the form of a solid rectangular key, and from the shell project inwardly directed lugs, also, a nut with a track.

Figure 3 illustrates a bolt with a square section of shank, a keyway in the form of a slot, a washer, and a substantially cylindrical casing.

Figure 4 illustrates from an end elevation, a plug, a key stub, spigots, shell, and a casing of an attachable cylinder lock.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of inwardly directed lugs inserted within an outward facing track, also a key stub inserted within a host lock.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 and 5 of the drawing, there is two cylinder locks located on a storage unit that comprise an inner cylinder 1 located off a central axis within a rotatable outer cylinder 2, projecting longitudinally in opposite directions from the inner cylinder 1 are keys 3 that activate the locks, projecting likewise from the outer cylinder 2 are spigots 4 inserted within spigot housings located in the shell 6 of the attachable lock.An attachable lock is comprised of a plug 5 eccentrically located within rotatable shell 6 from the plug 5 extending longitudinally are a key stub 7 and spigots 9 that insert into a keyhole, and spigot housings located in the plug 11 of the host lock, the shell 6 is constructed with projecting lugs 8 that are inserted into the track 1 2 of the host lock, wherein, by a rotary action transmitted from the outer cylinder 2 of the storage unit by spigots 4 to the shell 6 they are rotated, and subsequent to a locking action that follows the withdrawal of the storage unit, they are therein contained, simultaneously, the eccentric rotation of the shell 6 has enabled the semi-circle section of the casing 10 to accord with an adjacent projection, the attachable lock is thereby supported and buttressed.

The track described in the first embodiment has cutaway sections in the outer flange that allow the lugs to be inserted into the track.

Variants of the components described in the first embodiment are: A track that is a seperate component, in the form of a flanged ring with cutaway sections in the outer flange, it encircles all or part of the host lock, and may be inserted into the host lock housing prior to lock being installed.

Where the plug of the host lock is pressed inward as part of a press button mechanism, a sunken circular track, and sunken longitudinal access slots are machined or moulded in the plugs outer surface, an attachable lock would prevent an inward movement.

A storage unit that divides vertically into two viable sections, each section storing, and in deployment activating one attachable lock.

The method of combining both sections being that each section has one spigot and one spigot housing, the spigot of one inserting into the housing of the other, and vice versa, the spigots are retained in the housings by a spring loaded ball arrangement which gives a snap on effect.

A spring loaded ball arrangement within the spigot housing in the shell 6 that accommodates spigots 4.

The circular track that is inward facing in order to accommodate outwardly directed lugs.

Lugs that have an extra member the effect being that the tongue of the lug is directed backward into a slot encircling the inside wall of the track's outer flange.

A range of outer casings each with a shape or conformation that enables part of the casing to make contact with a surrounding structure, for example a wall of a door handle cavity, a projecting stud, or where a vehicle lock is located directly within a door handle structure there is provided a casing that is saddle like in it's conformation, that straddles the door handle structure and is thereby rendered static, and in that state prevents the lock being twisted or wrenched.

A circular casing that is independant of the surrounding structure, it's role being to revolve freely so as to prevent a positive gripping of the attached lock shell.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing in which: A bolt 20 accommodating one or more washer/s 24 is located within a hole in a designated surface, over and on the bolt 20 is located an hole in an immovable part of an item of equipment, over and on a square section of shank of the said bolt is located a square orifice in an otherwise blank end of a cylindrical casing 22 and the casing is thereon secured by the application of a threaded nut 1 7 that has as part of it's structure a circular track 18 with cutaway sections of its outer flange allowing an insertion of radially spaced lugs 1 6 forming part of an attachable lock's structure, the nut 1 7 is tightened to a degree that ensures, by varying the number or thickness of the washers 24 that the outer surface of the nut 1 7 and the end of the bolt 20 are flush, and, that the slot 1 9 of the nut 1 7 is matched with tfhe slot 21 of the bolt 20 to form a single recipient keyway that accommodates and renders static a key 15 that projects longitudinally from the plug 13 of the attachable lock, simultaneous with the insertion of the key 15, there is an isertion of several radially spaced lugs 1 6 projecting from the shell 14 of the attachable lock, into an outward facing circular track 18, the storage unit is rotated and withdrawn leaving an attached lock embodied within the casing, a cylindrical plastic dust cap/seal that has one blank end and an open end that has a encircling inwardly directed lip, the lip is located over and on the shell 14 and pressed into the cavity between the shell 14 and the interior wall of the casing 22 until it springs into a groove that encircles the shell 14 of the attachable lock, on removing the lock the dust cap/seal (not shown on the drawing) is punctured and pealed from attached lock, on further deployment a new cap/seal is used.

Variants of the components in the above described second embodiment are: A casing with a sunken track that encircles it' interior wall for an accommodation of lugs that are outwardly directed from the shell of an attachable lock, sunken longitudinal slots equal in number to that of the lugs facilitate the entry of the said lugs into the track.

An attachable lock that has outwardly directed lugs that insert into and are contained within a sunken track encircling the interior wall of a casing.

A threaded bolt with a diametrically central rectangular socket that accommodates and renders static a square projection extending longitudinally from the plug of an attachable lock.

A fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described, without reference to the accompanying drawing: A threaded bolt with a square section of shank, a plain nut, an attachable cylinder lock that comprises a plug with a projection that is constructed with two outwardly directed solid rectangular keys, embodying the plug is a rotatable shell constructed with outwardly directed lugs projecting from it's body, a substantially cylindrical casing with a square orifice in an otherwise blank end, and two sunken longitudinal keyways in the interior wall that run from the blank end to the open end of the casing, at a point between the both ends of the casing the keyways are broken by a sunken track that encircles the interior wall, also provided is a storage unit as described in any of embodiments 1-2 or 3, or any of the variants therein. Subsequent to a casing being located on a bolt and secured by the application of a nut, the solid rectangular keys, and the projecting lugs are inserted into the keyways to an extent that the keys enter the furthermost section of the broken keyway, and the lugs align with the circular track, the storage unit is then rotated, and withdrawn, leaving the lock attached.

Variants of the components in the above described fourth embodiment of the invention are: An attachable cylinder lock wherein the plug has a projection with more or less than the two outwardly directed keys described.

An attachable cylinder lock wherein the shell has more or less than the two outwardly directed lugs described.

A substantially cylindrical casing that has more or less than the two longitudinally arranged keyways described.

The attachable cylinder locks applicable to all embodiments and variants herein before described, have mechanisms that allow a plug to be rendered static in deployment, and a rotatable shell that rotates to a degree that a locking action is facilitated, examples being:a pin tumbler mechanism, a disc tumbler mechanism, or a side bar cylinder mechanism.

The radial spacing between the lugs that project from the shell of an attachable lock may be irregular so as to ensure that they may only be inserted into, or withdrawn from a circular track, in one specific position.

The spacing between cutaway sections in the flange of a circular track may be irregular in order to accommodate irregularlly spaced lugs projecting from the shell of an attachable lock.

Claims (14)

1. A supplementary lock and storage unit comprising host fastenings, a storage unit that accommodates and activates up to two attachable cylinder locks, each lock has a plug that is in deployment rendered static when it's projections are inserted within cavities located in part of a fastening assembly, the plug is embodied within a rotatable shell constructed with projecting lugs that insert into, are rotated by a rotary action of the storage unit, and subsequent to a locking action that follows the withdrawal of the storage unit, are contained within a circular track that encircles an integral part of the fastening, the lock is thereby attached, a storage unit comprises an inner cylinder with keys that project diametrically in opposite directions, embodying the inner cylinder is a rotatable outer cylinder with projecting spigots that transmit a rotary action to the shells of attachable cylinder locks, also provided is a casing.

2. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to claim 1 wherein the storage unit divides vertically into two viable sections each accommodating and activating one attachable cylinder lock.

3. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the plug of the attachable lock is centrally located within a rotatable shell.

4. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the plug of the attachable lock is eccentrically located within a rotatable shell.

5. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to claims 1-2-3 or 4 wherein the attachable cylinder lock has a pin tumbler mechanism.

6. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to claims 1-2-3 or 4 wherein the attachable cylinder lock has a disc tumbler mechanism.

7. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the attachable cylinder lock has a side bar cylinder mechanism.

8. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the plug of an attachable lock has a projecting key stub, and projecting spigots

9. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the plug of the attachable lock has solid rectangular keys that insert into keyways formed by the matching of a slot in a nut, with a slot in a bolt.

10. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein outwardly directed lugs insert into an inward facing circular track.

11. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein inwardly directed lugs insert into an outward facing circular track.

1 2. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the circular track is constructed as part of the host fastening structure.

1 3. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the circular track is a seperate attachable component from the host fastening:

14. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein the circular track, and longitudinal keyways that accommodate the keys and allow access to the lugs, are constructed within the interior wall of the casing which has one open end, and a square orifice in an otherwise blank end.

1 5. A supplementary lock and storage unit according to any of the preceeding claims wherein part of the casing is supported, buttressed, or contained by part of a surrounding structure.

1 6. A supplementary lock and storage unit constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.