GB2309480A

GB2309480A - Lock and lockable box

Info

Publication number: GB2309480A
Application number: GB9601622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Christopher Robey; Victor Henry Lucas; Sean Mcnulty
Original assignee: Velos Perforex Ltd
Current assignee: Velos Perforex Ltd
Priority date: 1996-01-26
Filing date: 1996-01-26
Publication date: 1997-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-26
Also published as: GB2309480B; GB9601622D0

Abstract

The lock 5 comprises a lock barrel 9 which is mounted within a rotatable bezel 10. Rotation of the bezel controls a spring-biased latch arm 14. The lockable box 1, for example, a cash box, may by virtue of this latch arm remain latched whilst it is in its unlocked condition. The lock barrel can be set to a position in which an abutment 16 it projects can engage a formation on the box to resist latch arm unlocking movement.

Description

Lock and lockable box The specification relates to a lock and a lockable box, in particular, but not exclusively, a lockable box for cash, valuables or the like.

Boxes for cash or money and strong boxes for valuables and the like are well known and come in many forms. Generally the boxes comprise a main body portion forming a well in which cash or other valuables may be stored, which is closed with a lockable lid.

The locking mechanisms for such boxes are often key operated barrel locks. These comprise an inner barrel portion, generally known as a lock barrel, which is rotatable within an outer sleeve, generally called a bezel.

The lock barrel is a substantially cylindrical member with a plurality of slots housing spring-biassed locking pins. When no key is present the pins extend beyond the surface of the lock barrel and engage a recess of the bezel. When the correct key is inserted, however, the locking pins are retracted so that they are flush with the surface of the lock barrel, thus allowing the lock barrel to rotate within the bezel.

In the known lock mechanisms, the bezel is located fast in position with respect to the box so that a turning force on the correct key rotates the lock barrel within the bezel. Attached to the end of the lock barrel remote from the key slot, is a locking arm.

Rotation of the lock barrel by the key causes the locking arm to rotate between locked and unlocked positions. Usually, the lock mechanism is located on the main body portion of the box and the locking arm locks against a portion of the lid to hold it closed against the main body portion. In its unlocked position, the lid is free to open.

In such boxes1 because the key is required to operate the locking arm, the box is either in a locked condition or an unlocked condition.

There may be situations, however, where it would be desirable to have a box which allows easy access to its contents at certain times and be completely lockable at others.

Thus, viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides a box for cash, valuables or the like, having a locking mechanism for locking a lockable portion of the box in a closed poSition, wherein the locking mechanism comprises latch means for keeping the lockable portion closed when the lockable portion is in an unlocked condition.

The box may be any shape or size, and any part or portion of it may be lockable. However, in its preferred form, the box is generally rectangular and comprises two halves, a main body portion and a lid, for example, like the known cash boxes described above.

Boxes of this type are traditionally fitted with a carrying handle on their lid. This means that before the box can be lifted by the handle, the box has to be locked, which in some instances may involve the task of first finding the key. Thus, the present invention provides an improvement for this situation, as the box, for example, may be lifted by a carrying handle fitted to the lid without a danger of its contents being spilled, because the latch means is able to keep the two halves of the box held closed together, even though the box is unlocked.

In a preferred embodiment, the latch means is arranged to be locked in its latched position. Thus, the latch means can also serve as a locking member.

Preferably the lock comprises a key operated lock barrel which is rotatable in a bezel as discussed above.

Thus, the lock barrel preferably has retractable locking pins to selectively engage with the bezel and thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween.

However, in contrast to the known boxes, preferably the bezel and the latch means are together rotatable with respect to the box. In this preferred embodiment, it is the action of the operator rotating the bezel with respect to the box which moves the latch means between its latched and unlatched conditions, not the action of rotating the key in the lock. This difference enables the barrel lock to be operated in a manner different from the known locking system, enabling the provision of a lockable latch means.

In order to assist rotation of the bezel and latch means with respect to the box, the bezel may be provided with one or more projections against which an operator may exert a rotating force. Also, preferably the bezel is provided with a cylindrical surface in the region where it engages a hole in the box, the hole similarly having a cylindrical surface to allow rotation of the bezel therein. The latch means is preferably locked with the bezel for rotation therewith by cooperating flat surfaces.

In its preferred form the latch means is biased towards its latching position. Thus, the lockable portion of the box will automatically latch when it is closed. In its preferred form, the latch means comprises a member in the form of a plate which extends from the bezel and which is provided with a hook for engagement with a portion of the box. The outer edge of the hook, ie the edge furthest from the bezel, is preferably provided with a camming surface for engagement with a portion of the box to urge the hook against the biasing as the lockable portion of the box is moved to its closed position.

Preferably, the biasing is provided by a resilient member such as a leaf spring arranged to engage a portion of the box, although other types of spring and other forms of biasing such as magnets are also envisaged.

In one preferred embodiment, a leaf spring extends circumferentially of the bezel and is arranged to be urged outwardly when the bezel and the latch means are rotated to release the latch means from the latched position. Such a leaf spring preferably extends circumferentially for an angle of greater than 90 , preferably about 1200. Preferably the end of the leaf spring which engages the box is formed as a curved surface or shoe to enable it to slide more easily over the engaging surface.

Preferably the locking mechanism includes a lock member, for example in the form of a lock plate, which extends from the lock barrel. Preferably the lock member is coupled so as to rotate with the lock barrel, in a similar fashion to the locking arm described above for the known barrel locks. For example, this may be achieved by providing interengaging teeth on the engaging surfaces of the lock barrel and the lock member. A "C"-shaped spring clip may be used to retain the lock member in position.

In a preferred embodiment therefore, a lock member is arranged to rotate with the lock barrel and to abut against a portion of the box in the locked condition such that rotation of the lock member in one direction is blocked thereby.

Thus, in the locked condition, rotation of the latch means is blocked in one direction by the latch means engaging a portion of the box, and is blocked in the other direction by the lock member abutting against a portion of the box.

When the bezel and the lock barrel are unlocked from one another, the lock member can be rotated away from the blocking portion of the box. The latch means is then free to be rotated from its latched position to its unlatched position by rotating the bezel, thereby unlatching and opening the lockable portion of the box.

Thus, viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides a lock comprising a lock barrel which is rotatably mounted in a bezel, the lock barrel being selectively lockable to the bezel to prevent relative rotation, wherein the bezel is provided with a latch member and the lock barrel is provided with a member for restricting the rotation of the lock barrel.

Such a lock may be suitable for a variety of articles, such as doors or lids for desks and cupboards, for example. Preferably the lock is used in conjunction with a box, such as a box for cash, valuables or the like, preferably a box as described above. When mounted in such a box, the member extending from the lock barrel preferably engages a portion of the box to restrict the rotation of the lock barrel. This may be a moulded lug or member of the box, or perhaps one of its surfaces.

The bezel is preferably formed of plastics material as this can be cheaper than the previously formed steel bezels. The bezel may also include indicators to show the direction of rotation required to unlatch the box.

Preferably the bezel is rotated by the operator in an anticlockwise direction to unlatch the box, since rotation in this direction is believed to be easier for the majority of people, particularly those who are right-handed.

In a preferred embodiment, the lock mechanism assembly includes a spring member to take up any slack in the mechanism in the axial direction of the lock barrel. This compensates for tolerances in the components.

The preferred box has a main body portion and a lockable lid, and includes a carrying handle on its lid.

Preferably this is hinged in a recess of the lid to allow the box to be stacked stably. Preferably the lid extends downwardly at the front, preferably in an arc as this enables improved access to the contents of the box, particularly if the box includes a tray and items are intended to be stored under the tray. In such an embodiment, the locking mechanism may be fitted to the lid.

In its preferred form, the box is moulded from a plastics material which enables such features to be easily formed. For example, a small rim can be provided on the box adjacent the bezel to restrict its rotational movement and thereby prevent damage caused from overrotation. A lip may also be formed below the locking mechanism on the main body portion to enable the two halves of the box to be easily pushed apart.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred box; Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of the box of Figure 1; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled locking mechanism from the inside of the box; Fig. 4 shows another perspective view of the locking mechanism from a different angle inside the box.

As shown in Figure 1, the box 1 has a lockable portion in the form of a lid 2 and a main body portion 3, the two halves being hinged together along their rear surface. The lid 2 includes an arc-shaped downwardly extending portion 4 which holds a locking mechanism 5.

Below the locking mechanism 5 is shown a small lip 6 which can be pushed against by the operator to open the two halves 2,3 of the box 1. A hinged carrying handle 7 is provided in a recess 8 of the lid 2.

The locking mechanism 5 comprises a lock barrel 9 which is mounted in a bezel 10. The lock barrel 9 includes a slot 11 for a key (not shown) to be inserted for locking the locking mechanism 5. The bezel 10 can be rotated with respect to the box 1 by the operator exerting a rotating force against the two projections 12,13 for unlatching the locking mechanism.

Figure 2 shows the components of the locking mechanism 5 in greater detail. The mechanism 5 comprises a lock barrel 9, a bezel 10, a hook plate 14, a locating cup 15, a lock plate 16 and a C-shaped spring clip 17.

The lock barrel 9 is a standard lock barrel and contains a plurality of spring-biased locking pins which are housed in slots (not shown). At the end of the lock barrel 9 remote from the key slot 11 is provided a plurality of notches 18 which extend circumferentially.

The lock barrel 9 is rotatable in the bezel 10, the degree of rotation being defined by the abutment of a lug 19 on the lock barrel 9 with protrusions 20 which extend longitudinally in the bezel 10. In this embodiment, one of the four protrusions 20 provided on the inside surface of the bezel 10 is shorter than the rest to allow the lug 19 of the lock barrel 9 to rotate through an angle of 90".

The locating pins (not shown) of the lock barrel 9 extend into the recess 21 between the protrusions 20 to selectively lock the lock barrel 9 and the bezel 10 together.

The bezel 10 is provided with a cylindrical surface 22 in the region where it engages the surface of a hole in the box 1 to allow rotation of the bezel 10 with respect to the box 1. The wall of the box 1 is trapped between the front end 23 of the bezel 10 and the locating cup 15. The bezel 10 may include small lugs (not shown) on the rear surface of the front end 23 for limiting the degree of rotation of the bezel against the rims 24 of the lid 2 shown in Figure 1.

The hook plate 14 engages a rear portion 25 of the bezel 10, the hook plate 14 being rotatable with the bezel 10 by the action of the co-operating flats 26,27 of the bezel 10 and hook plate 14 respectively.

Similarly, the locating cup 15 engages the rear portion 25 of the bezel 10 and it too includes flats 28 for rotation with the bezel 10. The locating cup 15 has a sleeve portion 29 with a slot 30 which fits around the hook plate 14 and presses up against the wall of the box 1. The locating cup 15 also includes a leaf spring 31 which extends circumferentially around the sleeve portion 29 of the locating cup 15, the leaf spring having a shoe 32 for engagement with a blocking portion 38 of the box 1 (see Figure 4). Further spring means 33 are provided on the locating cup 15 to compensate for any axial play due to tolerances.

The lock plate 16 has a plurality of teeth 34 arranged around a hole therein for engagement with the notches 18 of the lock barrel 9. The lock plate 16 is retained in place by the C-shaped spring clip 17 which fits into a recess 35 in the notched end of the lock barrel 9.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled locking mechanism 5 when viewed from the inside of the box. In the figure, the lid 2 has been removed for clarity.

As shown, the hook 36 of the hook plate 14 latches onto an L-shaped member 37 attached to the main body portion 3 of the box 1. The locking mechanism 5 is shown in its locked condition with the lock plate 16 extending at 180O to the hook plate 14.

Figure 4 shows the locking mechanism 5 in the same condition, but this time the main body portion 3 of the box 1 is omitted for clarity. As shown in this figure, the lock plate 16 abuts against a blocking member 38 located on the lid 2 of the box 1. When the lock barrel 9 is locked within the bezel 10, blocking member 38 restricts the rotation of the lock plate 16 in one direction, preventing the hook plate 14 from unlatching from the L-shaped member 37.

Thus, the hook plate 14 and lock plate 16 are locked apart at an angle of 1800. To unlock the locking mechanism 5, the correct key is rotated in the lock barrel 9, thereby rotating the lock barrel 9 and swinging lock plate 16 through an angle of preferably 90D in the direction A of the hook plate 14. When the lock plate 16 is in the unlocked position, the angle between the lock plate 16 and the hook plate 14 is 90 , which allows the hook plate 14 to be unlatched from the L-shaped member 37 by rotating the bezel 10 and the hook plate 14 in the direction B. Once unlatched, the lid 2 may be opened.

Since the hook plate 14 is biased by the leaf spring 31 acting on blocking member 38, the locking mechanism 5 may latch automatically as the lid 2 is moved towards its closed position. To enable the hook plate 14 to latch more easily, the end of the hook 36 furthest from the bezel 10 is provided with a camming surface 39 to engage with the top of the L-shaped member 37 and deflect the hook 36 against the biasing action of the leaf spring 31.

The hook plate 14 is preferably constructed of steel and is punched to shape. The bezel 10 is preferably moulded from plastics. The lock plate 16 is also preferably constructed from steel which is punched to shape. The box itself is preferably moulded from plastics so that it may include features such as screw holes in its base for securing the box to a worksurface, for example.

Thus, there has been described a box which has an improved mechanism allowing the box to be kept closed whilst it is unlocked. Moreover, the illustrated barrel lock provides a unique manner of operation and permits the possibility of providing a lockable latch, which has many applications and can be used with articles other than boxes.

Claims

1. A box for cash, valuables or the like, having a locking mechanism for locking a lockable portion of the box in a closed position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises latch means for keeping the lockable portion closed when the lockable portion is in an unlocked condition.

2. A box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch means is arranged to be locked in its latched position.

3. A box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lock comprises a key operated lock barrel which is rotatable in a bezel, the bezel and the latch means being together rotatable with respect to the box.

4. A box as claimed in claim 3, wherein a lock member is arranged to rotate with the lock barrel and to abut against a portion of the box in the locked condition such that rotation of the lock member in one direction is blocked thereby.

5. A box as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the latch means is resiliently biased to its latched position.

6. A box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilience is provided by a leaf spring arranged to engage a portion of the box.

7. A box as claimed in claim 6, wherein the leaf spring extends circumferentially of the bezel and is arranged to be urged outwardly when the bezel and the latch means are rotated to release the latch means from the latched position.

8. A lock comprising a lock barrel which is rotatably mounted in a bezel, the lock barrel being selectively lockable to the bezel to prevent relative rotation, wherein the bezel is provided with a latch member, and the lock barrel is provided with a member for restricting the rotation of the lock barrel.

9. A box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 having a locking mechanism comprising a lock as claimed in claim 8.

10. A box as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

11. A lock as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.