GB2518993A

GB2518993A - Telecommunications enclosure door locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2518993A
Application number: GB1420566.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brendan Mcdermott
Original assignee: Tyrone Fabrication Ltd
Current assignee: Tyrone Fabrication Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-19
Filing date: 2014-11-19
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-19
Also published as: GB2518993B; GB201420566D0

Abstract

A telecommunications enclosure door locking mechanism comprising first and second locking rods 12, 13, connected to a rotational cam actuator 11 having a latch portion 11a, and a cam stopper 20 preventing over rotation. The cam stopper has a first web 21 and a perpendicular protruding second web 22; a first edge of the stopper abuts the first rod when rotated 90 degrees in a first direction (fig.4); a second edge of the stopper abuts the second rod when rotated 90 degrees in a second direction preventing further rotation of the actuator. Rod guides for the ends of locking rods may be provided.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENCLOSURE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved locking apparatus, in particular to a locking apparatus for the door of a telecommunications enclosure.

Background to the Invention

Locking mechanisms for cabinet doors having a locking handle on one side of the door and locking cam and locking rods on the reverse side are well known. Many of such locking mechanisms suffer the problem of over-rotation of the handle and/or locking cam such that the locking rods fall loose from their guides. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved locking mechanism that mitigates this problem.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved telecommunications enclosure door locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a handle, an actuator cam and first and second locking rods; wherein the handle is in communication with the actuator cam; wherein the actuator cam comprises a generally T-shaped member having a latch end and two wings, the latch end being adapted to engage and disengage in use with a frame of the enclosure to which the door is mounted; wherein each locking rod has a proximal end and a distal end, the respective rods being pivotally mounted at their respective proximal ends between a respective wing of the actuator cam on one side and the cam stopper on the other side; wherein the cam stopper comprises a bracket having a first web and a projection in the form of a second web extending substantially orthogonally from said first web in the direction of the actuator cam, wherein the second web comprises spaced apart opposing first and second side edges) wherein the first side edge is adapted to abut the first locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees in a first direction and wherein the second side edge is adapted to abut the second locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees in an opposite (second) direction; and wherein abutment of the respective first and second side edges against the respective first and second locking rods prevents further rotation of said locking cam in the respective first and second directions.

In this way, the cam stopper limits the degree of rotation of the actuator cam.

Advantageously, the cam actuator, locking rod and the cam stopper assembly being held together by means of bolts which extend through apertures provided in the respective wings of the actuator cam, and corresponding apertures at the proximal ends of the locking rods and corresponding apertures provided in the cam stopper.

Conveniently, the locking mechanism further comprises locking rod guides that are mounted to the door, each guide being located on the door at location such that it is adapted to receive a distal end of a rod which extends there through.

By limiting the degree of rotation of the actuator cam, the locking rods are prevented from falling out of their respective rod guide.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet incorporating locking mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the cabinet preferably being a telecommunications enclosure.

Various examples and aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the entire description thereof, including the figures) which illustrate a number of exemplary aspects and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different aspects and implementations, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of', "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of', "including", or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.

All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice versa.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a locking handle on one side of an exemplary door of a telecommunications enclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the locking mechanism shown on the inside of the door, the locking mechanism being in an unlocked configuration; Figure 3 is a schematic detailed illustration of the locking mechanism shown on the inside of the door, the locking mechanism being in a locked configuration; Figure 4 is a schematic detailed illustration of the locking mechanism shown on the inside of the door, the locking mechanism being in an unlocked configuration; Figure 5 is a schematic front elevation of the locking mechanism shown in a locked configuration; Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the locking mechanism shown in a locked configuration; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the locking mechanism shown in a locked configuration; and Figures Ba, Sb and Sc are schematic detailed illustrations of a cam stopper in accordance with the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a locking handle 2 mounted to the exterior of a door 1 of a telecommunications enclosure or cabinet. Locking handle 2 is shown as a swing handle, however it will be appreciated that any handle type may be employed.

With reference to Figure 2, there is shown the reverse side of the door in which a locking mechanism 10 is visible) the locking mechanism comprising an actuator cam 11 that is in communication with the handle 2 (Figure 1).

As shown in Figure 3, actuator cam 11 comprises a generally T-shaped member having a latch end ha and wings llb, llc. Latch end ha is adapted to engage and disengage in use with the frame of the enclosure to which the door 1 is mounted.

Each locking rod 12, 13 has a proximal end and a distal end, the respective proximal ends 12b, 13b being adapted for pivotal connection to a respective wing llb, llc of actuator cam 11.

Pivotal mounting of the locking rods to the actuator cam 11 may be effected by any suitable means. In the embodiment shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, the rods 12, 13 are shown connected to the actuator cam 11 by means of bolts 14 which extend through apertures (not shown) in the respective wings llb, llc of actuator cam 11 and corresponding apertures at the proximal ends of rods 12, 13. Bolts 14 have a threaded end adapted to receive a nut 15, such as a lock nut. It will be appreciated that as an alternative to bolts) rods 12, 13 may be mounted onto respective studs formed on the actuator cam 11.

With reference to Figure 2, the respective distal ends 12c, 13c of rods 12, 13 are adapted to extend through a respective rod guide 16, 17 located on the door. Rod guides 16 and 17 are arranged so that the terminal ends of the respective rods 12, 13 are in genera' alignment with a suitably shaped complementary aperture (not shown) provided in the enclosure or endosure frame and into which said terminal ends extend when in a locking configuration.

In use, when handle 2 is rotated to closed position, actuator cam 11 is rotated so that latch end ha engages with the frame of the enclosure to which the door 1 is mounted. Such engagement may be with a suitably shaped aperture or slot, or may be behind a fold or member of said enclosure frame. This provides a first point of locking. As actuator cam 11 is rotated to close latch end ha, simultaneously rod 12 is moved upwards and rod 13 is moved downwards to engage with the top and bottom of the cabinet frame respectively. In this way) rods 12 and 13 provide second and third points of locking.

As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, latch end ha of actuator cam 11 may be provided with a crank or bend 111.

To prevent the distal ends 12c, 13c of rods 12, 13 from falling out of guides 16 and 17 when the handle 2 or actuator cam 11 is over rotated for example when the door is being opened or is lying open, there is provided a cam stopper 20 as shown by way of example in Figures 2-5, 7 and Ba -Bc.

Cam stopper 20 is a bracket adapted to span between the respective proximal ends 12b, 13b of rods 12, 13 where they are connected to cam actuator 11. Cam stopper comprises a first web 21 portion and a projection 22 which extends outwardly from one edge of the first web portion 21. In one embodiment as shown in the Figures, projection 22 is a second web portion arranged substantially orthogonal to the first web portion 21.

With reference to Figures Ba-Bc, first web 21 portion comprises spaced apart apertures 21a, 21b, the apertures being separated at a distance such that said cam stopper can be fixed across the bolts 14 or other fixtures by which locking rods 12, 13 are pivotally mounted to actuator cam 11. In this way) the respective proximal ends of the locking rods 12, 13 are maintained between the actuator cam 11 on one side and the cam stopper 12 on their opposing side.

In use, the second web projects in the direction of the actuator cam as shown in Figures 4 and 7. The second web portion 22 comprises spaced apart opposing first 221 and second 222 side edges) wherein the first side edge 221 is adapted to abut the first locking 12 rod when the actuator cam is rotated about a certain angle of rotation in one direction (as shown in Figure 4), and the second side edge 222 is adapted to abut the second locking rod 13 when the actuator cam is rotated through about a certain angle of rotation in the opposite direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the first 221 and second 222 side edges are spaced apart such that abutment of the first side edge 221 and the first locking rod 12 occurs when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees (as shown in Figure 4) and such that abutment of the second side edge 222 and the second locking rod 13 occurs when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees in the opposite direction. It will however be appreciated that the distance y (Figure Ba) between the first and second edges controls the degree (i.e. angle of rotation) of the actuator cam before the respective side edges abut the respective locking rods. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the respective maximum angles of rotation available in each direction need not be the same, but the limits in each direction maybe different as determined by the precise location of the second web member relative to the first web member (i.e. the offset distance x shown in Figure Ba).

Thus by limiting the degree of rotation of the actuator cam, the cam stopper prevents over-rotation of said actuator cam and therefore prevents the locking rods from fallingout from rod guides 16, 17.

It will be appreciated that cam stopper 20 can be oriented in reverse such that the first side edge 221 abuts the second locking rod 13 when the actuator cam is rotated in one direction and the second side edge 222 abuts the first locking rod 12 when the actuator cam is rotated in the opposite direction. In this way, the cam stopper is versatile and can be incorporated into locking mechanisms operable in one or more directions or orientations.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a telecommunications enclosure incorporating locking mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the forgoing description and will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the invention, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiments thereof

Claims

Claims 1. A telecommunications enclosure door locking mechanism comprising a handle, an actuator cam and first and second locking rods; wherein the handle is in communication with the actuator cam; wherein the actuator cam comprises a generally T-shaped member having a latch end and two wings, the latch end being adapted to engage and disengage in use with a frame of the enclosure to which the door is mounted; wherein each locking rod has a proximal end and a distal end, the respective rods being pivotally mounted at their respective proximal ends between a respective wing of the actuator cam on one side and the cam stopper on the other side; wherein the cam stopper comprises a bracket having a first web and a projection in the form of a second web extending substantially orthogonally from said first web in the direction of the actuator cam, wherein the second web comprises spaced apart opposing first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge is adapted to abut the first locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees in a first direction and wherein the second side edge is adapted to abut the second locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated through approximately 90 degrees in an opposite (second] direction; and wherein abutment of the respective first and second side edges against the respective first and second locking rods prevents further rotation of said locking cam in the respective first and second directions.
2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam actuator) locking rod and the cam stopper assembly are held together by means of bolts which extend through apertures provided in the respective wings of the actuator cam, and corresponding apertures at the proximal ends of the locking rods and corresponding apertures provided in the cam stopper.
3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises locking rod guides that are mounted to the door, each guide being located on the door at location such that it is adapted to receive a distal end of a rod which extends there through.
4. A telecommunications enclosure incorporating a locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim.
5. A telecommunications enclosure locking mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A telecommunications enclosure door locking mechanism comprising a handle, an actuator cam and first and second locking rods; wherein the handle is in communication with the actuator cam; wherein the actuator cam comprises a generally T-shaped member having a latch end and two wings, the latch end being adapted to engage and disengage in use with a frame of the enclosure to which the door is mounted; wherein each locking rod has a proximal end and a distal end, the respective rods being pivotally mounted at their respective proximal ends between a respective wing of the actuator cam on one side and a cam stopper on the other side; wherein the cam stopper comprises a bracket having a first web and a projection in the form of a second web extending substantially orthogonally from said first web in the direction of the actuator cam, wherein the second web comprises spaced apart opposing first and second side edges, wherein the first side edge is adapted to abut the first locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated -i-through approximately 90 degrees in a first direction and wherein the second side edge is adapted to abut the second locking rod when the actuator cam is rotated O through approximately 90 degrees in an opposite (second) direction; and wherein CO abutment of the respective first and second side edges against the respective first 0 20 and second locking rods prevents further rotation of said locking cam in the respective first and second directions.2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam actuator, locking rod and the cam stopper assembly are held together by means of bolts which extend through apertures provided in the respective wings of the actuator cam, and corresponding apertures at the proximal ends of the locking rods and corresponding apertures provided in the cam stopper.3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises locking rod guides that are mounted to the door, each guide being located on the door at location such that it is adapted to receive a distal end of a rod which extends there through.4. A telecommunications enclosure incorporating a locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim.5. A telecommunications enclosure locking mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.