GB2283528A - Lock arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock arrangement 10 for use on a closure member in the form of a door 12 operable across an opening, and particularly on the back door of a container of a goods transporting vehicle. The arrangement 10 comprises an engagement member 14 which extends across the door 12 to engage the container 16 on which the door is hung, at two locations on opposite sides of the opening to retain the door across the opening. The engagement member 14 comprises a first part 18 and a second part 20 interconnectable with the first part 18. The length of the first part 18 can be shortened eg by cutting, as required so as to be adaptable for use across doors of different sizes. The first and second parts 18, 20 are interconnected by a pin 54 to prevent relative axial rotation therebetween, but are attached to the door to be rotatable together thereon. <IMAGE>

Description

Lock Arrangement The present invention relates to a lock arrangement and particularly but not exclusively to a lock arrangement for use on container doors of goods vehicles.

The doors on containers of goods vehicles vary in size according to many factors, such as the carrying capacity and design of the vehicle. To accommodate these variations, locking mechanisms for such vehicles are conventionally provided in kit form comprising only some of the necessary components for the mechanism. The party fixing the mechanism to the vehicle is left to source the remaining components, which are generally the ones that vary in size and length according to the particular door. Once these components have been sourced, then it is often necessary for the party to weld together some of the kit and sourced components.

This is inconvenient, laborious and often causes damage to the door.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate some or all of these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a lock arrangement for use on a closure member operable across an opening, the arrangement comprising an engageable member extendable across the opening and engageable with means on opposite sides of the opening to retain the closure member across the opening the engagement member being formed such that the length thereof can be determined for use with any particular size opening.

Preferably the engagement member comprises first and second interconnectable parts. Preferably at least one of said parts is formed to enable its length to be determined as required and remain interconnectable with the other part. The length of said one or both parts may be determined by removal of a portion thereof, for instance by cutting.

Preferably the first and second parts are interconnectable by means of respective male and female formations. Preferably the length of the female formation can be shortened as required.

One of said parts may be longer than the other.

The longer part is preferably the part comprising the female formation.

Preferably the first and second parts are rotatably mounted on the closure member, to enable engagement of the engagement member across the opening.

Each part is preferably mounted on the closure member by at least one mounting bracket, in which the part is rotatable. The or each bracket may comprise a bush.

The first and second parts may be circular in cross-section, with the female part being cylindrical.

Preferably means is provided to restrain the first and second parts from rotating relative to one another. The restraining means may comprise a member locatable through both said male and female formations when interconnected. The member may be locatable through aligned apertures in said parts. The member may comprise an elongate pin. A plurality of restraining members may be provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the first and second parts may be shaped so as to prevent relative rotation.

A handle may be provided to facilitate rotation and operation of the engagement member. The handle is preferably rigidly attached to the engagement member.

Attachment means may be provided to enable attachment of the handle once the length of the engagement member has been determined. The attachment means may comprise a collar located around the engagement member, and preferably located around the connection between the first and second part. Preferably the collar is rigidly attached about the connection by said rotation restraining means, which are preferably locatable through one or more apertures in the collar.

The connection between the first and second parts may be made by the use of pins or any other suitable means.

The engagement member may comprise engaging means at each end thereof engagable with corresponding formations on the means on opposite sides of the opening. The engaging means may comprise a generally cam-shaped member, which is locatable in a formation shaped to enable entry of the cam-shaped member therein when the engagement member is at one rotational orientation on the closure member and the closure member is closed, and to retain the cam-shaped member therein when the engagement member is rotated away from said orientation.

Preferably further retaining means is provided to retain the engagement member in a predetermined rotational orientation thereon. The further retaining means is preferably operable to retain the engagement member against further rotation when the cam-shaped member is retained in said formation.

A kit of parts for a lock arrangement comprising parts substantially as described in any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows first and second parts of an engagement member according to the present invention, in a disconnected condition; Fig. 2 is a side view of a restraining collar according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the restraining collar of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Fig. 5; and Fig. 5 shows a locking arrangement according to the present invention in position for use across a door.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a locking arrangement 10 for use on a closure member in the form of a door 12 operable across an opening, the arrangement 10 comprising an engagement member 14 which extends across the door 12 to engage the container 16 on which the door is hung, at two locations A and B on opposite sides of the opening to retain the door across the opening. The length of engagement member 14 can be determined as required so as to be adaptable for use across openings of different sizes.

In more detail, the engagement member 14 comprises a first part 18 and a second part 20 (see Fig. 1). The first part 18 comprises an elongate tube, to one end of which is attached a cam 22. The other end 24 of the first part 18 is open. Brackets 25 are locatable around the first part 18 to secure it to the door 12 as will be described.

The second part 20 is also elongate, but of shorter length than the first part 18. A cam 28 is attached to one end 26 of the second part 20. The other end 30 of the second part 20 comprises a projection 32 which is slidably locatable in the open end 24 of the first part 18. A securing bracket 34 is locatable around the second part 20 as will be described.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the arrangement 10 further comprises a collar 36 comprising a cylindrical body 38 and lugs 40 extending from one side thereof.

Aligned apertures 42 extend through the lugs 40. Two generally parallel aligned pairs of apertures 44, 46 are formed in opposing sides of the cylindrical body 38.

A handle 48 is attachable between the lugs 40.

One end 50 of the handle 48 may comprise an aperture which is alignable with the apertures 42 in the collar 36 to enable a rivet 52 to attach the collar 36 and handle 48 together. Two restraining pins 54 are provided locatable through the collar 36 and the first and second parts 18, 20 to hold the parts 18, 20 together and prevent relative rotation as will be described.

When the locking arrangement 10 is to be fitted across a door 12, for instance the back door of a container of a goods transporting vehicle, two cam engaging members 56 are attached to the container 60, one above and one below the door 12. The members 56 are located generally toward the edge 58 of the door when closed, opposite to the pivotal mounting P on the container 16.

Each cam engaging member 56 comprises a back plate 60 including two apertures (not shown) through which mounting bolts 62 extend into the container 16 to mount the cam engaging member 56 thereon. Extending from the back plate 60 is a first lug 64 whose free end curves toward the centre of the member 56. A second lug 66 also extends from the back plate 60 and curves toward the first lug 64 for a greater distance than the first lug 64, such that the lugs 64, 66 define an opening 68 therebetween through which the cams 22, 28 can pass when in one relative rotational orientation, and behind which the cams 22, 28 can be retained when in a different orientation.

The distance between the cam engaging members 56 is then measured, and the length of the first part 18 chosen such that when the parts 18, 20 are interconnected the engagement member 14 extends up the door 12 with the cams 22 engageable with the cam engaging members 56. The length of the first part 18 is determined by cutting the end 24 thereof, for instance with a hacksaw. When the first part 18 is of appropriate length, the projection 32 is slid into the end 24 of the first part 18 until the end 24 abuts the second part 20 at the base of the projection 32. The engagement member 14 is then positioned against the door 12 and the cams 22, 28 engaged in the corresponding cam engaging members 56. The appropriate positions are then marked on the door 12 for the brackets 25, 34 to be bolted thereto. The door 12 is then do idled to receive the various bolts 70.The collar 36 is slid onto one of the parts 18, 20, and preferably the part 20, and the parts 18, 20 are then connected as described above. The engagement member 14 is then mounted on the door 12 using the bolt 70.

The first and second parts 18, 20 are rotatable beneath the brackets 25, 34.

The collar 36 is then located over the junction between the first and second parts 18, 20 (Fig. 5), and two holes drilled through the collar 36, the end 24 of the first part 18 and the projection 32. Retaining pins 54 are then passed through the apertures and the ends riveted thereover. These hold the first and second parts 18, 20 against relative rotation, hence removing the need for welding as aforesaid, and also retaining the collar 36 in position. The handle 48 is then attached to the collar 36 as described above. A latch 72 of conventional design is bolted to the door 12, to retain the handle 48 when the door is in the closed condition.

The lock arrangement 10 is then operable in a conventional way. Fig. 5 shows the lock arrangement holding the door 12 in a closed position. The cams 22, 28 are located in the cam engaging members 56, and the handle 48 is retained behind the latch 72 which prevents further rotation of the engaged member 14. The door 12 is thereby locked. To unlock the door 12, the latch 72 is moved to allow the handle 48 to be pivoted in a direction out of the page of Fig. 5. This causes the engagement member 14 to rotate and hence the cams 22, 28, until the latter are in a position where they can pass through the opening 68 and thus the door 12 can be opened.

It is to be appreciated that the lock arrangement as described above provides a simple an efficient lock arrangement which can be adapted to fit on doors of various sizes. Moreover the necessity for welding is obviated, thus removing the problem of damage to the door through such technique.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the means restraining relative rotation between the first and second parts 18, 20 may be of any form. The first and second parts may be so formed to interengage to prevent such rotation, for instance by shape or keys.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (37)

1. A lock arrangement for use on a closure member operable across an opening, the arrangement comprising an engageable member extendable across the opening and engageable with means on opposite sides of the opening to retain the closure member across the opening, the engagement member being formed such that the length thereof can be determined for use with any particular size opening.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the engagement member comprises first and second interconnectable parts.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, in which at least one of said parts is formed to enable its length to be determined as required and remain interconnectable with the other part.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the length of said one or both parts is determined by removal of a portion thereof.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, in which the portion is cut off.

6. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which the first and second parts are interconnectable by means of respective male and female formations.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, in which the length of the female formation is shortened as required.

8. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 7, in which one of said parts is longer than the other.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, in which the longer part is the part comprising the female formation.

10. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 9, in which the first and second parts are rotatably mounted on the closure member, to enable engagement of the engagement member across the opening.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10, in which each part is mounted on the closure member by at least one mounting bracket, in which the part is rotatable.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, in which the or each bracket comprises a bush.

13. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 12, in which the first and second parts are circular in cross-section.

14. An arrangement according to claim 13, in which the female part is cylindrical.

15. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 14, in which means is provided to restrain the first and second parts from rotating relative to one another.

16. An arrangement according to claim 15, in which the restraining means comprises a member locatable through both said male and female formations when interconnected.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16, in which the member is locatable through aligned apertures in said parts.

18. An arrangement according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which the member comprises an elongate pin.

19. An arrangement according to any of claims 16 to 18, in which a plurality of restraining members is provided.

20. An arrangement according to any of claims 10 to 19, in which the first and second parts are shaped so as to prevent relative rotation.

21. An arrangement according to any of claims 10 to 20, in which a handle is provided to facilitate rotation and operation of the engagement member.

22. An arrangement according to claim 21, in which the handle is rigidly attached to the engagement member.

23. An arrangement according to claim 21 or claim 22, in which attachment means is provided to enable attachment of the handle once the length of the engagement member has been determined.

24. An arrangement according to claim 23, in which the attachment means comprises a collar locatable around the engagement member.

25. An arrangement according to claim 24, in which the collar is locatable around the connection between the first and second part.

26. An arrangement according to claim 24 or claim 25, in which the collar is rigidly attached about the connection by said rotation restraining means.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, in which the restraining means is locatable through one or more apertures in the collar.

28. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 27, in which the connection between the first and second parts is made by the use of pins or any other suitable means.

29. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the engagement member comprises engaging means at each end thereof engagable with corresponding formations on the means on opposite sides of the opening.

30. An arrangement according to claim 29, i hich the engaging means comprises a generally cam-shaped member.

31. An arrangement according to claim 30, in which the generally cam-shaped member is locatable in a formation shaped to enable entry of the cam-shaped member therein when the engagement member is at one rotational orientation on the closure member and the closure member is closed, and to retain the cam-shaped member therein when the engagement member is rotated away from said orientation.

32. An arrangement according to any of claims 10 to 31, in which further retaining means is provided to retain the engagement member in a predetermined rotational orientation thereon.

33. An arrangement according to claim 32, in which the further retaining means is operable to retain the engagement member against further rotation when the cam-shaped member is retained in said formation.

34. A kit of parts for a lock arrangement according to any of the preceding claims.

35. A lock arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.