SE540290C2 - Locking device and showcase including a locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking device (10) for a showcase cabinet (1) including a hinged door (2), the locking device comprising a locking bar (11), wherein the locking bar comprises an L-shaped cross-sectional profile (12) and is pivotally arranged substantially parallel to a frame (3) of the showcase cabinet and adapted to pivot about an axis (13) parallel to the frame between a locked position, wherein a front flange (14) of the L-shaped profile is engaged with a flange (4) of a corresponding L-shaped profile (5) of the door, and an unlocked position, wherein the front flange of the locking bar is disengaged from the flange of the door profile.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE AND SHOWCASE INCLUDING A LOCKING DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to showcases for displaying valuable items and articles and more specifically to safety locks for such showcases.

Background art

[0002] A showcase or display case is a cabinet with one or more transparent glass surfaces used to display objects for viewing. In many locations such as stores, museums etc. showcases are used to display valuable items or articles and are therefore designed to be lockable. Showcases usually have hinged or sliding doors fitted with locks to limit access and prevent theft or robbery. See for example US 2005/0115286 or US 5,191,736. However, most common locks are relatively easy to break or force open and only engage one or a few isolated points along the frame of the door. Hence, there is a need to develop improved locks for showcases to alleviate these disadvantages.

Summary of invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved locking device for showcases. This object is achieved in a first aspect of the present invention by a locking device for a showcase cabinet including a hinged door, the locking device comprising a locking bar, wherein the locking bar comprises an L-shaped cross-sectional profile and is adapted to be pivotally arranged inside the showcase cabinet substantially parallel to a frame of the showcase cabinet and adapted to pivot about an axis parallel to the frame between a locked position, wherein a front flange of the L-shaped profile is engaged with a flange of a corresponding L-shaped profile in the door, and an unlocked position, wherein the front flange of the locking bar is disengaged from the flange of the door profile, wherein the front flange of the locking bar is arranged to engage an inwardly protruding flange of the door profile the such that the front flange is not exposed to the outside of the showcase cabinet when the locking bar is in the locked position. The interlocking engagement between the flanges of the profiles of the locking bar and the door, respectively, creates a strong locking device able to resist and withstand attempts of breaking along the whole length of the profiles.

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the locking device further comprises a cam arranged in contact with the locking bar and adapted to move the locking bar between the locked position and the unlocked position in response to rotary motion of the cam. The rotary motion of the cam controls the position of the locking bar and also maintains the locking bar in the locked position. Preferably, the cam comprises a cam roller arranged to roll along the surface of the locking bar when the cam rotates. The cam roller facilitates movement of the cam surface along the surface of the locking bar and also maintains contact there between at all times.

[0005] In an alternative embodiment, the locking device further comprises an electric motor arranged to drive the rotary motion of the cam. The electric motor ensures reliable and accurate control of the cam, both movement and position. Preferably, the electric motor is adapted to be operated by means of a wireless signal from an external device. Thereby, the locking device can be remotely actuated in a quick and simple manner.

[0006] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking bar extends along substantially the entire frame of the showcase cabinet. By providing a locking bar extending along substantially the entire length of the door, the strength of the locking device is increased in that engagement between the locking device and the door extends the whole length of the length of the door.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the locking device further comprises a biasing member arranged to bias the locking bar to the unlocked position. Preferably, the biasing member comprises a resilient spring attached to the locking bar to pull the locking bar away from engagement with the door profile. This assists in releasing the locking bar to enable opening of the door when the showcase is unlocked.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, the locking bar is made from steel such as structural steel.

[0009] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a showcase cabinet including a hinged door, comprising a locking device according to any one of the preceding claims.

Brief description of drawings

[0010] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a front view of a showcase cabinet comprising a locking device according to the present invention; Fig. 2a shows a top view of the locking device in the locked position; Fig. 2b shows a top view of the locking device in the unlocked position; Fig. 2c shows a top view of the locking device in the unlocked position and with the door open; Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of the locking device in the locked position; and Fig. 4 shows a close-up view of the locking device in the unlocked position.

Description of embodiments

[0011] In the following, a detailed description of a locking device according to the present invention is presented. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. It will be appreciated that these figures are for illustration only and are not in any way restricting the scope of the invention.

[0012] In Fig. 1, a front view of a showcase cabinet 1 for displaying items, especially valuable articles such as e.g. jewellery and watches, is illustrated. The showcase cabinet 1 comprises a frame 3 and a hinged door 2 fitted to the frame 3 along one side (the right side in Fig. 1) to allow the door 2 to pivot outwardly away from the showcase cabinet 1 and give access to the interior of the showcase cabinet 1. In Fig. 1 , the axis of rotation 7 of the door 2 is vertical, but the axis may also be horizontal, above or below the door 2 opening. The door 2 comprises a high strength transparent material, such as e.g. safety glass (toughened or tempered), laminated glass or acrylic of a desired thickness.

[0013] At the top of the showcase cabinet 1 and along the opposite side to the axis of rotation 7 of the door 2 (the left side in Fig. 1), components of the locking device 10 for securely locking the showcase cabinet 1 are shown. Extending along at least part of the left side of the showcase cabinet 1 is a locking bar 11. The locking bar 11 may extend any portion of the length of the frame 3. Advantageously, the locking bar 11 extends substantially the entire length of the door 2 of the showcase cabinet 1 to provide maximum security against break-in attempts. Further, the locking bar 11 is pivotally arranged substantially parallel to the frame 3 of the showcase cabinet 1 to pivot about a pivot axis 13 parallel to the frame 3.

[0014] Figs. 2a-c illustrate views of the showcase cabinet 1 and locking device 10 from above in various positions to show the function of the locking device 10. As may be seen in these figures, the portion of the locking bar 11 facing the door 2 comprises an angled cross-sectional profile 12. The cross-section of the locking bar 11 comprises a web 15 and at least one front flange 14 at the end facing the door 2 substantially perpendicular to the web 15. Such a profile 12 may also be called an L-shaped cross-section and is formed from a high strength material such as steel or structural steel. As explained above, the locking bar 11 is arranged to pivot about an axis. To this end, the locking bar 11 as a whole comprises a C-shaped cross-sectional profile, also known as a structural channel or C-beam. The C-beam comprises an additional rear flange 16 at the opposite end of the web 15, facing away from the door 2, extending in the same direction as the front flange 14. The rear flange 16 serves as a retaining edge to interact with the pivot axis 13 of the locking bar 11. Of course, the rear end of the locking bar 11 may have a different shape (not shown) suitable for attachment to or otherwise interacting or engaging with the pivot axis 13.

[0015] The locking bar 11 is arranged to be pivoted about the pivot axis 13 between a locked position, wherein the front flange 14 is engaged with the flange 4 of a corresponding L-shaped cross-sectional profile 5 protruding inwardly and facing the locking bar 11 , and an unlocked position, wherein the front flange 14 is disengaged from the flange 4 of the door profile 5. The door profile 5 extends along the side of the door 2 substantially the same length as the profile 12 of the locking bar 11. On the opposite side of the door 2, near its axis of rotation 7, there is provided an additional profile 6, having e.g. a Z-shaped cross-section with flanges extending in opposite directions from the central web, and arranged to engage with the frame 3 of the showcase cabinet 1 when the door 2 is closed to provide additional resistance and protection against breaking attempts.

[0016] In Figs. 2a and 3, the locking device 10 is shown in the locked position. The locking device 10 further comprises a cam 20 arranged in contact with the locking bar 11. The cam 20 is arranged to rotate about an axis parallel to the pivot axis 13 of the locking bar 11 to bring the locking bar 11 between the locked and unlocked positions. As shown by the arrow in Figs. 2a and 4, the cam 20 has been rotated counterclockwise whereby the camming surface of the cam 20 contacts the web 15 at points increasingly nearer to the front of the locking bar 11 to urge the locking bar 11 to pivot about the pivot axis 13 in a clockwise direction.

Thereby, the front flange 14 of the locking bar 11 is brought into secure engagement with the corresponding flange 4 of the door profile 5 to lock the showcase cabinet 1.

[0017] In order to improve the contact between the web 15 and the cam 20, the cam 20 may comprise one or more cam rollers 21. The cam roller 21 provides a smooth, continuous rolling contact with the web 15 of the locking bar 11 which reduces wear and increases accuracy of the camming motion.

[0018] In Figs. 2b and 4, the locking device 10 is shown in the unlocked position. The cam 20 has been rotated clockwise whereby the camming surface of the cam 20 contacts the web 15 at points increasingly nearer to the rear of the locking bar 11 to permit the locking bar 11 to pivot about the pivot axis 13 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow in Figs. 2b and 4. Thereby, the front flange 14 of the locking bar 11 is brought out from engagement with the corresponding flange 4 of the door profile 5 to unlock the showcase cabinet 1.

[0019] In Fig. 2c, the locking bar 11 is illustrated in the unlocked position and the door 2 has been swung open to give access to the interior of the showcase cabinet 1.

[0020] Also shown in Figs. 2-4 is an electric motor 30 connected to the cam 20 and arranged to drive the rotary motion of the cam 20. The electric motor 30 may be any motor 30 suitable for this purpose and further comprises means for communicating wirelessly or over a cable with an external device to operate the motor 30. Advantageously, the external device can be a portable communication device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer which then acts as the “key” to lock and unlock the locking device 10. Alternatively, the electric motor 30 may be operated by means of near field communication (NFC) or radio-frequency identification (RFID) between a reader (not shown) connected to the electric motor 30 and a suitable NFC/RFID) chip or tag, included e.g. in a card or keyring.

[0021] Furthermore, the locking device 10 comprises a biasing member 40 arranged to urge the locking bar 11 towards the unlocked position. This can be achieved by means of a resilient spring 40 connected e.g. to the front end of the locking bar 11 and the electric motor 30. Thus, when the cam 20 is rotated clockwise to permit counterclockwise pivoting of the locking bar 11 , the spring 40 pulls the locking bar 11 towards the electric motor 30, such that the front flange 14 of the locking bar 11 is disengaged from the flange 4 of the door profile 5.

Claims (9)

1. A locking device (10) for a showcase cabinet (1 ) including a hinged door (2), the locking device comprising a locking bar (11), wherein the locking bar comprises an L-shaped cross-sectional profile (12) and is adapted to be pivotally arranged inside the showcase cabinet substantially parallel to a frame (3) of the showcase cabinet and adapted to pivot about an axis (13) parallel to the frame between a locked position, wherein a front flange (14) of the L-shaped profile is engaged with a flange (4) of a corresponding L-shaped profile (5) of the door, and an unlocked position, wherein the front flange of the locking bar is disengaged from the flange of the door profile, characterised in that the front flange (14) of the locking bar (11 ) is arranged to engage an inwardly protruding flange (4) of the door profile (5) such that the front flange (14) is not exposed to the outside of the showcase cabinet (1 ) when the locking bar (11 ) is in the locked position.

2. The locking device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cam (20) arranged in contact with the locking bar and adapted to move the locking bar between the locked position and the unlocked position in response to rotary motion of the cam.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the cam comprises a cam roller (21 ) arranged to roll along the surface of the locking bar when the cam rotates.

4. The locking device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, further comprising an electric motor (30) arranged to drive the rotary motion of the cam.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor is adapted to be operated by means of a wireless signal from an external device.

6. The locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking bar extends along substantially the entire length of the door (2) of the showcase cabinet.

7. The locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing member (40) arranged to bias the locking bar to the unlocked position.

8. The locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking bar is made from steel.

9. A showcase cabinet including a hinged door, comprising a locking device according to any one of the preceding claims.