GB2430232A

GB2430232A - Flat key-locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2430232A
Application number: GB0518907A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas James Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-16
Filing date: 2005-09-16
Publication date: 2007-03-21
Also published as: GB0518907D0

Abstract

A key-locking mechanism for example for securing an object to a flat surface comprises fixing plates 1 which are secured to the object and a body 2 which secures to the surface and receives formations projecting from the plates. A rod 8 is held is a position to retain the formations by sliding tumblers 10 which are secured by a backing plate 9. The insertion of a key 3 causes fingers 4 to move the tumblers to positions in which grooves 11 align to allow release movement of the rod 8. The tumblers can be moved to a locking position by another set of fingers 4.

Description

Flat Locking Mechanism This invention relates to a locking mechanism, key

and fixings which can be used to lock objects close up to flat surfaces. It has already been trialled for painting security and is envisaged as having applications in many other fields e.g. bike / scooter locks as well as an easier lock for the elderly.

Specific benefits to art security are that this mechanism is quick release and can be made very flat (just 12mm thick). Paintings need to be fixed to walls to prevent "snatch" theft. Traditional security approaches have been to use mirror plates and security screws and more recently there are secure hanging systems which need at least 3 people to hang and take down a painting. Mirror plates look unsightly on the wall, can be inappropriate for large pictures, do not enable the necessary airflow to the back of a canvas; for best long term conservation and do not allow easy dismounting in the event of an emergency or product sale in a commercial gallery. The latter system (secure hanging systems) aren't really locks but a more awkward hanging system needing many people to take down the picture and hence be too difficult for a quick theft attempt. In contrast this invention isn't for picture hanging i.e. it is not for taking the weight. . . it is for securing, it acts as a secure but quick release lock. The picture can be hung in the normal way (chains, screws, rods etc) without security and this lock fits to the bottom of the painting to firmly secure that edge to the wall. Should there be a theft attempt the painting is as strong as the frame, yet should there be need for a quick release it can be done by I person in just a few seconds.

Other embodiments currently considered are: - Bike locking racks enabling a system for city wide rental and locking at the storage centres. The bike would be locked in the rack and the key dropped into a deposit box. The benefit of small size is less important but the ability to "dock" the frame up to a surface would make it simple to use.

- A lock for the elderly where the motion does not require rotation (difficult with arthritis) but a simple push of the key.

- Display case locks. These require a system to lock the case after it has been filled with objects. It is envisaged that a small flat lock at the base of the case would provide a simpler and more secure solution to current circular locks.

- Other embodiments will occur when locking an object to a surface and then where the object moves away perpendicular to the surface rather than at a tangent to that surface. e.g. it will enable the development of a lockable door latch (to replace a conventional latch, padlock and chain).

In accordance with the present invention there are 3 main components.

- A flat key with fingers of differing lengths (comprising the code).

- A fixing plate (front side) that fixes to the object, the back of which locks into the body.

- The body (block) fixes to the wall (rear side) and accepts the fixing plate inside it.

The mechanism functions as follows: Typically the fixing plate would screw into the object and the back would be hook shaped (or other fixings) and insert into the body.

The body would screw into the wall. The key is inserted and locks / unlocks the system.

Typically the key would be inserted from below and move the tumblers (or sliders) inside the body. These tumblers have slots machined into them the position of these slots corresponds with the key code. When the key has been correctly inserted the slots in the tumblers are all aligned and allow the metal bar inside the body to move away from the fixing plate (its hooks or fixings) thus releasing the fixing plate.

The body of the locking mechanism is typicailyrectangular and has machined out of it a number of grooves within which the tumblers (sliders) move. In addition the body has a number of slots (holes) into which enter the fixings of the fixing plate. Finally it has a groove normally perpendicular to the tumbler grooves into which sits the rod. A back plate is fitted onto this to keep the tumblers and rod from failing out.

it is envisaged that in a future embodiment springs or some other system may be included to enable the tumblers to stay locked whatever the orientation of the lock.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figures Ia, Ib, 2a, 2b and 2c).

Figure la shows the locking mechanism in plan view with the key 3 inserted into the underside of the body 2 and the fixing plate(s) I in front.

Figure lb shows the key 3 and fingers 4 (all same length) Figure 2a shows the main body 2 with the grooves 5 machined out and slots 6 for the fixings of the fixing plate and a deeper groove 7 which accepts the rod (not shown).

Figure 2b shows a cut out section of the body with fixing plate 1, rod 8 and back plate 9.

Figure 2c shows and exploded view of all the components (except key) with fixings 1, body 2, grooves for tumblers 5, slots for fixings 6, the deeper groove for the bar 7,the bar 8 the tumblers 10 and slots in each tumbler 11 and back plate 9.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 1. A locking mechanism which can be locked by inserting a locking

key into the locking mechanism; and unlocked by inserting an unlocking key into the locking mechanism.
2. A locking mechanism which is designed to be flat in profile and can be manufactured to be less than 12mm in thickness.
3. A locking mechanism comprising a body portion having: a. a rear side to be fixed to a wall, surface or mount; b. a front side opposite the rear side, the front side having an opening for receiving part of an object to be locked to the wall (surface or mount); and c. a third side (and even fourth side) having an opening for receiving a key to lock andlor unlock the locking mechanism,
4. A locking mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the body portion has a maximum depth between the front and rear sides which is less than 10mm.
5. A locking mechanism according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the mechanism can be locked by inserting a locking key into the opening; and unlocked by inserting an unlocking key into the opening.
6. A locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of tumblers which can be set in a locked position by engaging the tumblers with a locking key, and set in an unlocked position by engaging the tumblers with an unlocking key.
7. A locking mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the tumblers are non load bearing when the mechanism is in its locked state.
8. A locking mechanism according to claim 6 or 7 further comprising a locking member which is engaged in a locked position by the tumblers when the tumblers are set in their locked position, and can be released from its locked position when the tumblers are set in their unlocked position.
9. A method of securing an object to a wall or surface or support, the method comprising: a. mounting the object to the wall or surface or support by means of one or more mounting members; and b. locking the object to the wall by inserting a key into a locking mechanism positioned between an edge of the frame and the wall.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the edge of the object is locked by the locking mechanism less than 1.5cm from the wall.

CLAIMS 2
11. A method according to claims 10 or 11 wherein the key is inserted into the locking mechanism from below a lower edge of the object.
12. A key for locking and unlocking a locking mechanism as described in preceding claims, the key comprising a locking portion which can lock the locking mechanism by pushing the locking portion into the locking mechanism; and an unlocking portion which can unlock the locking mechanism by pushing the unlocking portion into the locking mechanism.
13. A key according to claim 12 wherein the locking and unlocking portions are on different sides of the same key.
14. A key according to any preceding claim wherein the unlocking portion comprises a plurality of fingers protruding from a side of the key, at least two of the fingers being of different length.
15. A key according to any preceding claim wherein the fingers can be adjustable in length.
16. A key comprising a plurality of fingers, each finger having a plurality of weakened portions distributed along its length, whereby the length of each finger can be adjusted by snapping the finger at a selected one of its weakened portions.
17. A key according to any preceding claim where in the locking portion comprises a flat side of the key.
18. A locking mechanism and key as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.