SK129996A3 - A lock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock mechanism includes a lock bolt mechanism (6), for instance a key actuated mechanism, having a lock bolt (20a) and a latch bolt mechanism (4) including a latch bolt (9) and actuated by a follower lever (17). Movement of the lock bolt (20a) between its terminal positions is generated and stepped-up, or geared, through the medium of a connecting rod (24) and a transmission lever (22). The mechanism also includes a locking lever (32) and a coupling lever (27) and a dogging lever (31) by means of which the follower lever (17) of the latch mechanism (4) can be actuated to retract the latch bolt (9), for instance by turning a key. The lock mechanism is constructed in accordance with a module system for adaptation to different backsets and centre distances, cylinder/knob. The lock mechanism is adapted to suit differing backsets by using one or more connecting rods (24) having one or more alternative points (24a) of pivotal attachment to the transmission arm. The remainder of the lock bolt mechanism remains essentially unchanged when making such adjustments, possibly with the exception of the coupling lever (27). With regard to the latch bolt mechanism, a press rod (10) having a length commensurate with a relevant backset is exchangeably mounted in position while the remainder of the latch mechanism (4) remains essentially unchanged. Quick-release levers (39) of different lengths commensurate with different cylinder-knob centre-to-centre distances can be exchangeably mounted on a pivot shaft (38) in the region of the edge of the lock housing distal from the latch and lock bolts.

Description

Lock mechanism

Technical field

The invention relates generally to a lock comprising a latch mechanism and a latch mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The latch mechanism of such locks is normally activated by means of a knob or similar crank by means of a gear wheel and a gear lever. The locking pawl mechanism comprises a locking pawl which is often activated by a cylinder lock from the outside of the door into which the lock assembly is inserted and by a knob or a corresponding mechanism from the inside of the door. The latch mechanism may also be activated in other ways, for example by means of a cylinder lock on both sides of the door, in conjunction with a quick exit or quick release function.

One or both of the lock mechanisms are often adapted to the motor-operated operation, and in this case one or both latches may be moved to their locking and / or release position in response to a trigger pulse delivered to the motor. Motor-operated locking mechanisms are also known in the art, which only open or release the motor.

Different countries have different standards in terms of the number of times the key must be turned in the lock to fully extend the locking latch, such as a fixed latch. Swedish and other Nordic standards require the key to be turned only once, for which purpose the locking means of the cylinder lock and the knob activate the latch by means of a transmission mechanism that amplifies the movement of the driving means. It is necessary to ensure that when the locking movement is completed, the latch is positioned in a precisely defined position so that, for example, after the key has been removed from the lock and the key has been reinserted, the cylinder locking means are able to engage at the intended location. in the meantime, if the latching mechanism would in the meantime be able to assume an intermediate position. This problem is emphasized in the case of locks that are motor-operated or equipped with a quick-release escape function.

Standards in other countries require the key to be rotated twice to fully eject the latch. In this respect, it is possible to lock in half, i. remove the key after just one turn of the key, but also lock the night by turning the key two turns.

Another problem is that locks that are used for different purposes and in different contexts must necessarily have different so-called offset or lock depths and different center-to-center distances between the knob and cylinder of the cylinder lock. (Offset refers to the distance between the bottom of the hole in which the lock assembly is inserted and the center axis of the handle or knob, while the lock depth refers to the distance between the rear plane of the lock assembly and that axis.) Different countries also have different standards for such depths and cc (center to center) distance and it is clear that adapting the lock assembly to meet different standards will often require the reconstruction of critical parts of the lock assembly, especially if it is necessary to simultaneously adjust the latch mechanism so that the latch is fully extended after one turn key.

The work associated with adapting the locks to meet different standards is also complicated by the fact that lock designs of the type described herein are often subject to additional special requirements and desires, for example, the desired lock structure may be such that upon locking the latch mechanism also lock the latch by continuing to turn the key.

In some cases, lock assemblies serving in public places and in local social facilities such as cinemas, etc., are required to have some form of fast exit mechanism. For example, a lock mechanism whose latch cannot be actuated externally must be capable of being opened in response to simple movement by a knob or handle from the inside of the door, for example in an emergency. This quick release function will require a different type of connection means between the snap mechanism and the snap mechanism. Adjusting the locks to meet different offset standards (this also includes lock depths) and c-c distances in accordance with the above is associated with difficulties in designing the lock mechanisms,. to achieve the above separate functions.

Article titled Schlage Mortise Locks, published on p. 23 to 27 of the May 1993 edition of The National Locksmith, describes a number of features of a lock of the kind mentioned, as well as a number of tests carried out on that lock. Among other things, the possibility of changing the lock side of the lock unit without opening the lock is disclosed. This change can be achieved by folding the screw from one side of the lock cover to the other.

The construction of the lock is relatively complex and includes a number of components. The article does not describe how this lock structure can be easily adapted to the altered or standard offset and c-c distance of the cylinder lock knob, and it is clear that a compact design of the lock mechanism would require a drastic reconstruction of the mechanism as a whole if, for example, the offset is reduced.

DE-A1-34 00 618 (Karrenberg), DE-C2-30 37 018 (Fliether) and EP-Al-0 535 497 (CISA) disclose interlocking structures of a kind related to the present invention, the latter of which also describes a lock mechanism that includes a quick release function. However, none of these documents suggests a design process to change the offset and / or c-c distance of the button operated cylinder locks.

Further examples of prior art can be found in US-A 4,516,798 (Bergen), US-A 4,671,089 (Fleming et al.) And DE-A1-3 540 848 (Schindler).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates more specifically to a lock having a lock mechanism of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The basic object of the invention is to construct a lock mechanism of this kind with a modular concept, and more particularly a structure in which, when adapting the lock mechanism to different spacings, the main part of the lock mechanism remains unchanged, while several lock parts easily change and adapt to accommodate the spacing changes.

The basic object of the invention also includes the possibility of meeting one or more of the above-mentioned special requirements that apply to a lock mechanism of this kind, such as requirements such as a single turn key lock function and functional settings to adjust the lock to various specific wishes or requirements such as a function in which the latch is activated with a lock key and a function that allows the lock to be released quickly with a knob, a handle, etc.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to construct a lock mechanism in accordance with a modular system that is readily adaptable to offset variations.

Another object is to provide a lock mechanism in which activation of the cylinder lock by a single turn of the key provides the ability to activate the latch function through the cylinder lock and, if necessary or required, a quick release function by allowing the latch to be retracted by a knob or handle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lock mechanism of the above type in which, in a preferred embodiment, it is ensured that the locking pawl is positioned in its release position when the cylinder lock engaging means reaches a recess on the connecting rod or crossbar to cooperate in sliding to its locked position.

These and other objectives are met by the locking mechanism according to

- 5 of the invention, which has essentially the features set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Because the tie rod transfers the movement of the cylinder lock driving means to the transfer arm, which directly activates the latch and causes the transmission of the driving means movement with respect to the latch mechanism, all that needs to be done to adjust the lock mechanism to different spacings is to replace the inserted tie rod with another or to change the active rod length, which in the case of minor offset variations, requires only the connection of the transmission arm to another convenient pivot point on the tie rod, said rod having a plurality of, for example, four such pivot points.

Thus, an important feature of the locking mechanism of the present invention is the formation of a connecting rod which is activated by the driving means of the cylinder lock and which is easily replaceable and / or which provides alternative means of coupling with the interacting elements, thereby permitting the transmission.

In the case of large offset variations, it is normally necessary to replace the entire connecting rod, the replacement rod having essentially the same construction as the replaced rod, and preferably also having several alternative pivot points that can be used to meet different offset requirements.

Claim 2 defines a preferred embodiment of the lock mechanism of the present invention, which includes the function of the preferred concomitant transmission. The torque required to retract the latch and lock latch when turning the key is very small compared to the torque required in the known locking mechanisms due to the pantograph mechanism.

Claim 3 defines an arrangement that ensures that the lock is in the locked state even if the connecting rod remains in an intermediate position when rotating in any direction.

In the lock mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that the remainder of the latch mechanism, except for the connecting arm, remains substantially unchanged. Thus, in the case of larger offsets, a connecting arm of greater length may be required.

In order to adapt the snap mechanism to different offset requirements, it is advantageous to insert a push rod with a length adapted to the actual offset, interchangeable between the gear wheel and the gear lever, leaving the rest of the snap mechanism substantially unchanged.

In the case of particularly large offsets, the lock cover may be provided with separate guiding means, otherwise the distance between the piston rod of the clip and the gear carrier where the piston guide is normally located would be too great.

In order to allow the lock assembly to be adapted to different center distances between the snap mechanism knob and the cylinder lock cylinder of the latch mechanism, the lock mechanism will preferably be constructed as defined in claims 6 and 7.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lock housing provided with a handle and a cylinder lock and a lock mechanism cover according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the lock housing of FIG. 1 from above with the housing cover removed. The lock housing and associated lock mechanism is intended for relatively small offsets or depths of the lock assembly and for frequently occurring center distances between the crank and cylinder axis. The latch and lock latch mechanisms are both shown in their latching and locking positions.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 1, but

Ί shows the locking pawl in its retracted or lock-release position, this being achieved by a cylinder lock key.

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 2 and 3, and shows the state of the locking mechanisms after continued rotation of the key, during which the latch also moves to its release position.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 2 to 4, and illustrates a situation in which from the initial position of FIG. 2 has actuated the snap mechanism crank to move the latch latch to its release position, while at the same time the quick release lever has activated the latch rod connecting rod to also move the latch to its release position.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 5, and illustrates the situation that prevails when the snap mechanism crank is released so that the latch latch assumes a latched position. The resulting state of the locking mechanisms corresponds to FIG. 2, however, in which the corresponding state is achieved by moving the pawl to its release position from the starting position shown in FIG. 1, using a key.

Fig. 7 illustrates a lock mechanism according to the present invention when used in a lock housing designed for much larger offsets, both lock mechanisms being in a state that corresponds to the initial state shown in FIG. 1, t. j. with the latch and the latch in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 to 6 illustrate a lock assembly 1 according to the present invention housed in a lock housing 2 which includes a lock post 3 and which covers a crank or knob operated snap mechanism 4 and a latch mechanism 6, for example a fixed latch mechanism that is controlled by a cylinder lock 5. The two locking mechanisms 4 and 6 are designed to interact with each other and are constructed in accordance with a so-called modular system to allow easy adaptation of the locking assembly to offsets of different sizes and different center distances between the crank handle 8 and the cylinder lock cylinder axis 7. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 6, is intended for relatively small offset and normally occurring, i. frequently occurring, c-c distances. The modular design of the lock assembly means that most of the components housed in the lock housing will have the same design and dimensions for use with different spacings and c-c distances. Only a few components need to be replaced to use the lock assembly with the appropriate offset. As will be described in detail below, one and the same tie rod can be used to accommodate the lock assembly to four different spacings, while for deeper offsets the tie rod can be exchanged for a longer tie rod in principle of the same design, for example in accordance with the embodiment shown in Fig. 7th

The snap mechanism 4 housed in the housing 2 comprises a support element 12 for a gear wheel 13 with a square cross-section shaft 13e into which the crank 8 is inserted. The gear wheel 13 has a support projection or arm 13a. which engages one end of the push rod or column 10, the other end of which engages with the gear lever 17 rotatably mounted on the rotary shaft 18. The upper end 17a of the gear lever engages between the arms 11a. 11b. located at a distance from each other on the piston rod 11, which carries a latch bolt 9 at one end thereof. The other end of the piston rod 11 is located in the guide 12a. formed on the element 12 supporting the gear wheel.

The crank-operated gear 13 rotates or tilts against the action of a spring 14 mounted in the spring holder 15.

The transmission lever 17 is also actuated by a spring 19 which abuts the rotary shaft 18 of the transmission lever 17 and also to the lever part 17b. However, the spring may be positioned differently from that shown, or may be adjacent directly to the support arm 11a.

The gear wheel 13 has another support arm 13b. which actuates a so-called quick-release lever 39 rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 38 at the end of the housing 2 remote from the latches and acting to allow the latch mechanism to be retracted by the crank 8 in the manner described below.

The locking latch mechanism 6 housed in the housing 2 is actuated by a cylinder lock 5. Alternatively, the mechanism 6 may be actuated by other means from the inside and outside of the door.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking pawl mechanism comprises a locking pawl means 20 which are guided in a rectilinear manner in a guide groove or channel 20c. The locking paw means include a locking pawl 20a and two support arms 20b.

The mechanism also includes a link bar 24 having a recess 24b for engaging a follower 7a belonging to a cylinder lock cylinder 7, said follower acting to move the link bar 24 between two end positions.

Rotatably coupled to the connecting rod 24 is a transmission lever 22 that rotates about a rotating shaft 21 at one end thereof. The transmission lever 22 has a portion 22a. which engages between two support arms 20b on the latch means

20. The transfer lever 22 transmits the movement of the connecting rod 24 to the latch means 20 in a manner that escalates (moves) the movements of the driver 7a. This escalation or movement of the drive member allows the locking pawl 20a to be fully extended to a securely locking position with only one turn of the key (not shown) of the cylinder lock 5.

As shown, the connecting rod 24 is; provided at one end thereof with four openings 24a. These holes may alternatively be used to accommodate the lock assembly to different offset requirements by attaching the central pivot pin 22c to the transfer arm 22 in the respective hole. When the offset is greater than the offset to which the lock assembly is set, the left hole of the holes 24a may be used. while the right opening 24a is used if a smaller offset is required. If the offset is greater than the offset to which the illustrated lock assembly can be adapted, it is necessary to replace the shown tie rod 24 with a longer tie rod 24 'that includes a plurality of additional openings 24`a in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 7th

The connecting rod 24 also interacts with the locking lever 32 for the locking latch means 20, said lever 32 being able to rotate on a pin 43 located in the channel 20c at the latch 20. When the locking latch 20 is in its locking position, the locking arm 32 acts that it prevents the latch from being pushed in. When the transmission lever 22 is rotated to release the latch 20, the locking lever 32 is actuated by the arm 22b. formed on the inside of the lever 22, thereby pivoting the locking lever 32 upwardly about the pin 43 to allow the latch to be pulled into its release position.

The connecting rod 24 also cooperates with a connecting lever 27 which is rotatably mounted at one end on the rotary shaft 26 and which supports the support arm 27a. The coupling lever 27 is movable together with the coupling rod 24. so that when the latch 20 is moved to its locking position, the rod 24 and the lever 27 are moved to a position in which the cylinder lock drive member 7a can pass along the support arm 27a.

When the latch 20 is in its lock release position, the coupling lever 27 is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 3, in which the drive member engages the support arm 27a. when the driver 7a continues to rotate beyond the position in which the latch is fully retracted. After the engagement member 7a and the support arm 27a engage on the linkage lever, the linkage lever 27 pivots around the pivot shaft 26 as the linkage lever 27 and the engagement member 7a continue to rotate as shown in FIG. 4th

The lock mechanism also includes a catch lever 31 which forms a transmission link through which the snap mechanism can be actuated by a latch mechanism to release the latch. The drive lever 31 is pivotable about a pivot shaft 30 and has a protrusion 31a at one end thereof. which is actuated by the coupling lever 27 when the lever is rotated under the influence of the driver 7a. Under the driving effect of the follower, the follower 31 is pivoted about its pivot pin 30 and the support member 31b at the upper end of the follower is brought into engagement with the lower portion 17c of the transmission lever 17 so that rotation of the follower 31 pulls the latch 9 through 17th

The latch mechanism also includes an actuating lever 34 which is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the rotary shaft 33. and having at its other end a pivot pin 23 which is connected to the rear end of the tie rod 24 opposite the transmission lever 22. The tie rod 24 thus forms part of a pantograph coupling mechanism that includes four pivot points 21, 22c. 33. The connecting rod 24 is thereby displaced substantially directly when actuated by the entrainment member 7a which engages in the recess 24b. when the key is turned in the cylinder lock cylinder 7.

Thus, the control lever 34 has the important function of ensuring that the tie rod is positioned in its end position when the driver 7a is to engage a recess 24b in the tie rod 24, i. prevent the tie rod from taking an intermediate position that would make such a snap impossible.

For this purpose, the control lever 34 comprises a recess 34a. with which the drive member 7a engages in the event that the coupling lever is located in an intermediate position during the rotation of the drive member. When the driver comes into contact with the protrusion 34a on the control lever 34, the lever pivots upward about its rotating shaft 33 so that the rotating shaft 23 connecting the control lever 34 to the connecting rod 24 is moved to the right in the figures and the connecting rod 24 it assumes its end position in which the latch mechanism is fully retracted into its release position lock and the driver 7a can engage the recess 24b in the tie rod 24, or bring the mechanism to its locking state.

When the locking latch is withdrawn from the position shown in FIG. 2, as a result of which the driver is rotated in a clockwise direction, the driver is engaged with the recess 24b on the connecting rod.

As explained above, when the locking mechanism is moved to its locking position, the coupling lever 27 and its support arm 27a are moved to the left in the figures, i. the driving member 7a passes along and optionally engages with the support arm 27a. During this passage of the driver 7a, the latch is pushed into its end locking position, i. so as to secure the locking state of the latch. When the latch mechanism is brought to its lock release state, in which the latch 20a and the link lever 27 are in the position shown in FIG. 3, the continued rotational movement of the drive member 7a causes the member to impact the support arm 27a. thereby displacing the latch pawl into its release position by the driver lever 31 and the gear lever 17 as shown in FIG. 4th

Fig. 5 shows how the latch pawl 6 and the latch pawl 20a both retract by actuating the crank of the snap mechanism. In this regard, the locking pawl mechanism is actuated via the quick release lever 39 located at the edge of the lock housing remote from said latches, said quick release lever 39 being actuated by a support arm 13b on the gearwheel to rotate about the pivot shaft 38. The lower end 39b of the quick release lever 39 thereby engages the abutment surface 24e on the link bar 24, thereby sliding the locking pawl 20a into its lock release position.

If the quick release function is not required, the quick release lever 39 can be omitted or removed.

It can be seen that when adjusting the lock to different center distances with respect to the crank and cylinder lock, both the snap mechanism and the locking latch mechanism can be left essentially unchanged, and that the only components to be adjusted are the drive lever 31 and the quick release lever 39. The scope of the invention as defined in the following claims also includes other constructions in which certain additional components, such as the gear lever 17, are alternatively replaced or replaced with it.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the offset is much greater than the offset in the embodiments shown in other figures. The snap mechanism 4 and the snap mechanism 6 are in the embodiment of FIG. 7 substantially unchanged despite greater offset.

As regards the snap mechanism 4, only the push rod 10 has been replaced by a longer push rod, designated here as 10 '. In addition, the mechanism has been provided with a separate guide 41 for the plunger rod 11 of the latch 9 as the plunger rod 11 does not reach its standard guide comprising a recess 12a in the support member 12.

As mentioned above with respect to the latching mechanism, the connecting rod 24 of the previous embodiments has been replaced by a longer connecting rod 24 'that includes a plurality of holes 24' and interacting with the pivot pin 22c on the transmission lever 22. The connecting lever 27 of the previous embodiments also exchanged for a longer coupling lever 27 ', which is generally formed by adding an extension portion to the forward end of the coupling lever of the same construction as used in the previous embodiments of Figures 1 to 6.

As in the previous embodiments, if the latch 20 were located in an intermediate position, the protrusion 34a actuated to fully retract the latch 20 into its lock release position. The lock can then be brought to the locked state in the normal manner.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the lock assembly can be adapted to meet the requirements for a substantially greater offset, leaving both the snap mechanism and the locking pawl mechanism substantially unchanged. This was made possible by the construction of the lock in accordance with a customized modular system.

The described and illustrated lock assemblies also provide the advantages mentioned in the introduction, i. 7, the driver 7a when rotating on the control lever 34 so that the lock assembly includes a control function that ensures that the driver can always be brought from the intermediate position to the locking lever. lock release position. The mechanisms also include advantageous transmission means that produce a low torque when actuated with a lock key, especially when the latch 9 is moved into its lock release position by the driver arm 31 in accordance with FIG.

The lock mechanism of the present invention is therefore easily adaptable to engine operation while substantially eliminating the risk of failure.

When the lock assembly is adapted to operate with an engine (not shown in the figures), the electric motor is mounted in the lock housing 2, for example, in a space available at the top of the housing. The engine output shaft may be provided with a hinge or similar means so that part of the shaft will follow the rear edge of the lock sleeve when the lower end of the shaft is coupled to the control lever 34 and pivot the control lever to move the lock-latch mechanism 6, and this can be applied by the latch mechanism 4 between their end positions. The engine output shaft will also include a freewheel clutch that ensures that the engine is disengaged when the locking pawl mechanism is actuated manually by a key.

When the motor-operated lock also includes a quick release function, it is essential that this disconnection is achieved extremely quickly at any time during engine operation. Quick release lever 39 _; designed for a motor-operated lock assembly, it will therefore include idling means between its lower portion 39b and the support arm 24e on the connecting rod 24. At idling, the connection at the print-and-pull device breaks. The device reconnects or attempts to reconnect if the extreme positions plus time do not agree with the unlock or lock command.

In the case of a motor operated lock assembly, the control lever 34 cannot actuate the snap mechanism 4 to draw the latch 9 into its lock release position. The motor-locked locking pawl mechanism 6 therefore actuates the driver lever so that the latch pawl 9 is moved into its lock release position simultaneously with the locking pawl 20a.

In addition, in the case of a motor-operated lock assembly, it will not be possible to start the engine when the driver 7a has left its rest position, shown, for example, in FIG. 2, 5 and 6.

In the above-described and illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the latch mechanism is actuated via a cylinder lock and / or motor. It will be understood, however, that the mechanism may be actuated in other ways, for example by means of a knob or a crank from one side of the lock assembly. In the case of locks equipped with a quick release function, i. locks that use the quick release lever 39, current regulations prohibit actuation of the lock by a knob or a crank.

One important characteristic of the described and illustrated embodiments is that the coupling lever 27 is provided with support means 27a. is driven by the control lever 34 or vice versa, and that the connecting arm 27 can be used for several offsets. The support means 27a has the shape shown in the figures to create space and produce a large transmission step-up effect in a single key turn. It is also important that the locking lever 32 is able to lower despite the slowing of movement of the locking pawl means 20 when the pawl is brought into its locking position. This provides effective positive control as the latch moves to its locking position. The device also ensures that the driver 7a is not positioned in the recess 24c in the tie rod 24 when a quick release is initiated at the same time as the lock is released by the key from the outside, i. when the mechanism is actuated by one person on each side of the door into which the lock assembly is mounted.

The skilled artisan will recognize that other embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS A lock mechanism comprising a) a latch (9) which is actuated by means of a knob or a crank by means of a spring-operated gear (13), a push rod (10) and a gear lever (17); b) a latch mechanism (6), which is actuated by a cylinder lock (5) and the associated driver (7a), and which comprises: c) a locking pawl means (20) that are guided in a linear motion and include a locking pawl (20a) and a support means (20b); d) a connecting rod (24) comprising a recess (24b) for engagement with the driver (7a) for moving the connecting rod (24) between the two end positions, e) a transmission lever (22) which is pivotally mounted at one end to the rotary shaft (21) and which is pivotally connected to the connecting rod (24) and having a portion (22a) that engages between the supporting means (20b) on the latch means (20) for transmitting and increasing the movement of the connecting rod (24) to the latch means (20), f) a locking lever (32) which cooperates with the locking pawl means (20) as well as the transmission lever (22) and is rotatably mounted on the pivot pin (43), wherein when the locking pawl means is in its locking position, the locking the lever (32) prevents the said means from dropping, and when the transfer arm is rotated to retract the locking latch means (20), it passes into. a release position that allows the said latch means to be pulled into their release position lock, S) a coupling lever (27) which is provided with support means (27a) and which is rotatably mounted at one end to the rotary shaft (26) and is movable together with the coupling rod (24) so that when the means (20) The locking lever will move to a position in which, in addition to the supporting means (27a), the driving member (7a) can cause the pivoting movement of the cylinder lock (5) and ensure that the locking means (20). the latches have been in the extended locking position, and when the latch means (20) is moved into their release position lock, they assume a position in which, as the drive member continues to rotate in the lock release direction, the drive member engages the support means (27a). the coupling lever (27) pivots about its rotating shaft (26) at one end of said lever, characterized in that: h) the locking mechanism is constructed in accordance with a modular system adapted to different offsets, in order to allow the locking mechanism to be adapted to different offsets, the connecting rod (24) comprises one or more alternative points (24a) for pivotal connection to the transmission arm, or a plurality of tie rods (24, 24 ') of different lengths, each having one or more such alternative pivot points (24a, 24'a), said tie rod (s) being interchangeable with the transmission lever (22). A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a control lever (34) which is pivotable about a shaft (3) at one end thereof and which carries a pivot pin (23) which is connected to the other end. a rear end of the tie rod (24) opposite the transmission lever (22) such that the tie rod (24) will form part of a pantograph coupled mechanism with four pivot points (21, 22c, 33, 23). Lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the control lever (34) comprises a protrusion (34a) which is positioned such that when the key is turned to bring the lock mechanism into the locked state and the mechanism is not completely released, the mechanism (6) actuating the locking pawl (7a) so that the control lever (34) drives the locking pawl mechanism to a fully releasing lock position in which engagement between the locking member (7a) and the recess (24b) is secured on the connecting lever .. Lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when it adapts to different spacings, the locking pawl mechanism (6) remains substantially unchanged in other respects, possibly with the exception of the coupling lever (27). Lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a push rod (10) with a length adapted to the respective offset is interchangeable mounted between the gear wheel (13) and the gear lever (17), the rest of the snap mechanism (10). 4) remains substantially unchanged at different offsets. A lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a replaceable drive lever (31) which is pivotally mounted on the rotary shaft (30) and which has a length adapted to a respective distance from the center to the center to accommodate mechanism of different center distances between the handle or knob of the mating mechanism and the cylinder lock cylinder (6) of the locking pawl. Lock mechanism according to claim 6, comprising a quick release lever (39) between the sprocket mechanism (13) of the snap mechanism and a connecting rod (24) of the latch mechanism (6), characterized in that the quick release levers (39) of different lengths it can be replaceably mounted on a rotary shaft (33) located in the region of the edge of the lock sleeve remote from the latch and lock latch. Lock mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the pivotable driving lever (31) carries at one end a member, for example a protrusion (31a), which is actuated by the coupling lever (27) when it pivots under the effect the driving member (7a) so as to swing the driving lever (31), bearing at its other end support means (31b) for engaging the gear lever (17), which actuates the latch (9) so that rotation of the driving lever ( 39) causes the latch (9) to retract. A lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an engine control accessory and comprising an electric motor housed in the lock housing (2), characterized in that the engine output shaft is connected to the control lever (34) via disengaging clutch means for rotating the control lever, and hence the locking pawl mechanism (6) and possibly also the latch pawl mechanism (4) between its end positions. Locking mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that the disengaging clutch means act to ensure that the engine is disengaged when the locking pawl mechanism (6) is actuated manually by means of a key.