GB2551497A

GB2551497A - Floating locking mechanism for locking tools

Info

Publication number: GB2551497A
Application number: GB1610562.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Morgan Kenworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-17
Filing date: 2016-06-17
Publication date: 2017-12-27
Also published as: GB201610562D0

Abstract

A flat locking mechanism comprising a sprung tab defined by a slot 208. The locking mechanism is fitted into a modular folding pocket tool body alongside the tool it is intended to lock by way of pivot holes 210 located at either end of the locking mechanism. The sprung tab has integrated front stop 207 and back stop 208 that press against the rear and side of a tool (such as a key) when the tool is rotated to extend from the pocket tool body, preventing the tool from further rotation and effectively locking it in position until the finger tab 206 on the inclined sprung tab is pressed, allowing the tool to rotate once more.

Description

Floating locking mechanism for locking tools

This invention relates to locking tools, specifically a method of independently locking such tools in an open position, restricting its motion and preventing locking tools from closing unexpectedly, particularly when such locking tools are assembled next to free moving, non-locking tools such as keys, typically found in new parallel key(s) assembly units.

While there are many varieties of locking mechanisms developed for knives and tools, there are none specifically for parallel key(s) assembly units, which require both locking and non-locking tools to be nested in close proximity to each other. While attempts have been made at making locking tools for such parallel key(s) assembly units, these are limited to only working when tools are in close proximity to the outer exterior of the parallel key(s) assembly unit handles, thus limiting the amount of tools that can be added and restricting the ergonomics of a tool’s positioning. The inability to lock the tools in its deployed position also places serious limitations on the use of such tools in a parallel key assembly unit, as the tools are more prone to slip and thus may cause damage to the user. A locking mechanism adds extra safety for a user when using locking tools on tougher tasks over a longer period and frequent usage.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes to lock locking tools whilst they are nested parallel to and/or opposite to non-uniform tools such as but is not limited to keys and hex tools. To simplify the assembly process so to allow the end user to simply and effectively add and remove various locking and/or non-locking tools without compromising the locking function of any chosen tool in the overall structure of a parallel key(s) assembly units, optimise space usage and functionality of a locking tool.

The inventions will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompany drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the floating click lock spring from an aerial viewpoint.

Figure 2 shows the side profile of the inclined bend of the floating click lock spring.

Figure 3 shows a locking tool with a locking interface being locked by the floating click lock spring, wherein the floating click lock spring’s front and back locking edges are engaged with the locking tool to minimise and/or stop forward and backward movement, so to keep the locking tool in an open position.

Figure 4 shows the side profile of one configuration of the floating click lock spring assembled within a parallel key(s) assembly unit in which keys and other non-locking tools are positioned above and below the locking tool. The interface finger tab being pressed down to deflect the floating click lock spring, and allow the locking tool to be folded into the body of the parallel key(s) assembly unit.

Figure 5 shows the interface finger tab of the floating click lock spring being pressed and the locking tool being spun to a closed position within the parallel key(s) assembly unit.

Figure 6 shows the floating click lock spring assembled in a typical pocket parallel key(s) assembly unit with various locking and non-locking tools.

In figure 1, the present invention encompasses a single floating click lock spring 200 with a front stop 207 and a back stop 208. In figure 1 and 2, the interface finger tab 206 provides access for the user to release the locking tools without restricting the number of tools added or compromising the safety and ergonomic of a tool’s positioning. In figure 3, the floating click locking spring 200 locking the locking tool 201, which may be placed facing in multiple directions upward, downward and/or to the left or right side of the handle 204. The floating click lock spring 200 will engage at points with tools of a locking configuration 201 so to restrict the movement of the locking tool 201 in a set open position. In this open position the blade or tool element is extended away from the handle 204 and is exposed. Each locking tool 201 has a working portion that extends away from the handle 204 when it is in an open position, and a tang portion, which is located about the pivots 209 within the opening of the handle 204. When the locking tool 201 is in its open position the floating click lock spring 200 engages at the front stop 207 and the back stop 208 with the tang portion of the locking tool, so to lock the locking tool in its open position. For assembly purpose in figure 5, the floating click lock spring 200 can be placed anywhere along the two pivots 209, regardless of the quantity and size of the tools 201 and 205 above or below it. The floating click lock spring 200 may sit next to non-locking tools 205 and locking tools 201 without impeding the movement of non-locking tools 205, thereby allowing a full 360° rotation of the said non-locking tools 205. In figure 4, the inclined portion of the floating click lock spring is based resiliently toward its first position, and is in a preferred embodiment of the invention. In figure 5, a lock body (A) is provided to manually move the interface finger tab 206 to its second position from its first position. The second position in which the front stop 207 and the back stop 208 is moved away (A) from the locking surface portion of the tang to allow the tool to move from its open position to a closed position. The handle 204 defined therein and at least one locking tool element 201 pivotally attached to the handle 204 at one end, whereby in figure 4 the locking tool element 201 is movable, between an open and closed position (B) and is received in the opening space between the handles 204. In figure 4 and 6, the position of the floating click lock spring maybe placed directly next to the handle 204 or on top of other tools 201, 205, and in any position and/or configuration within the two handles 204. In figure 6. the floating click lock spring can be used with but is not limited to elongated parallel sandwich style handles 204.

Claims

1. A floating locking mechanism for locking tools characterised by a single spring with a minimum of two pivot holes at opposite end, compromising of an attachment means for attaching the floating click lock spring in a parallel key(s) assembly unit, with integrated back and front stops for restricting the movement of locking tools, and a depressible interface finger tab for the means of disengaging the floating click lock spring from the locking tool, allowing free movement of said locking tool.

2. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the floating click lock spring holes are positioned towards the opposite ends of the floating click lock spring so the spring will not rotate when assembled in relation to locking, non-locking tools and handles.

3. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the single spring has a cutaway slot.

4. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the slot is bent at an inclined angle in relation to the main floating click lock spring’s body.

5. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the inclined portion of the floating click lock spring has ample surface to form an interface finger tab that may be pressed down to flatten the inclined portion of the floating click lock spring in relation to its main body.

6. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein a sufficient edge parallel to the bend line of the inclined portion of the floating click lock spring may act as a resistance to forward movement of locking tools.

7. A floating locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the inner edges of the inclined portion of the floating click lock spring may act as a resistance to backward movement of locking tools.