TW201823573A - Folding lock having an automatic function - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding lock having an automatic function includes a lock body that accommodates a latching mechanism and includes a jointed bar hoop that has a plurality of jointed bars pivotably connected to one another and a closing bar. A first end of the jointed bar hoop is permanently fastened to the lock body and a second end of the jointed bar hoop has the closing bar. The jointed bar hoop is foldable together into a yardstick configuration in which the jointed bars and the closing bar extend in parallel with one another. The lock body has a reception opening, with the closing bar being automatically latchable to the lock body by means of the latching mechanism by introducing the closing bar into the reception opening. The closing bar is only partly introduced into the reception opening of the lock body in the yardstick configuration of the jointed bar hoop without the closing bar being latched to the lock body.

Description

 Folding lock with automatic function  

The present invention relates to a folding lock having an automatic function. Such a folding lock includes a lock body that houses a locking mechanism and includes a connecting band having a plurality of connecting strips and a closure strip, wherein the plurality of connecting strips are pivotally coupled to each other. The first end of the connecting cuff is permanently secured to the lock body and the second end of the connecting cuff has a closure strip. The connecting ties can be folded together into a yardstick configuration in which the connecting strips and the closing strips extend parallel to each other. The lock body has a receiving opening, wherein the locking strip can be locked to the lock body by a locking mechanism by inserting the closure strip into the receiving opening of the lock body.

Such a folding lock is used, for example, to fix a two-wheeled vehicle to a bicycle bracket, to fix the two-wheeled vehicle to a lamppost, etc., or to protect the two-wheeled vehicle from unauthorized riding. To this end, the connecting strips of the connecting strips that are connected to each other in an articulated manner or are connected to each other are unfolded to form an open loop that is guided around a frame portion such as a two-wheeled vehicle and a bicycle bracket, a lamppost, etc. or only through two The rim of the wheeled car. The closure strip forming the second free end of the connecting band is then locked to the lock body, thereby closing the loop and thereby protecting the two-wheeled vehicle from unauthorized movement or unauthorized riding.

The connecting strips and the closing strips can be folded together to form a compact arrangement, a so-called yardstick configuration, for authorizing the user to transport the folding lock. To this end, the connecting strips and the closing strips are pivoted in a foldable yardstick and thus become aligned parallel to one another.

Automated features can be set to simplify the operation of the folding lock. This means that the closure strip (and thus the second end of the coupling strip) can be automatically locked to the lock body by a locking mechanism by inserting the closure strip into the receiving opening of the lock body. For example, the locking mechanism can have a preloading latch that temporarily moves from the closed position to the released position by inserting the closure strip into the receiving opening of the lock body against preloading, and once the closure strip is fully Inserted into the receiving opening, the latch is again returned to the closed position due to preloading. Thus, the locking strip can be locked to the lock body without the need to actively actuate the lock cylinder for this purpose, for example by means of an associated key.

A folding lock with an automatic function according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2013 210 475 A1.

As is known from DE 20 2005 013 390 U1, a folding lock of a specified type can be stored and transported in a storage device (for example a pocket or holder) when not in use. To this end, the connecting strips are folded together into the compact yardstick configuration. Such a storage device typically includes a retaining portion that engages around a perimeter of the folded tie that is folded together, wherein the lock body projects from the retaining portion to enable a user to grasp to remove the fold lock.

However, for a folding lock with an automatic function, it can prove to be disadvantageous that the locking mechanism must be actuated actively (for example by means of a corresponding key release), fixing the two-wheeled vehicle as desired, ie first releasing the connecting band from the lock body or The second end of the strip is closed and thus forms an open loop after removal from the storage bag. Conversely, if the closure strip is so short that the connecting strip can be folded together without inserting the closure strip into the lock body, then the closure strip can then pivot out in the yardstick configuration in an undesired manner depending on its pivotal connection. Deteriorating the operation of the connecting band.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding lock having an automatic function that is easier to handle.

This object is achieved by a folding lock having the features of claim 1 of the patent application, in particular, the closure strip in the yardstick arrangement of the connecting strip is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body without locking the closure strip To the lock body.

The folding lock according to the invention simplifies the locking process, since the automatic function for closing the bar locking is provided not only at the lock body, but also without the aforementioned unfolding of the connecting band to form an open loop to actively actuate the locking mechanism deal with. Alternatively, the folding locks can be stored and transported in a folded, folded configuration in a compact yardstick configuration wherein the connecting cuffs can be unfolded directly into an open loop after being removed from the respective storage device. Thus, the folding lock combines the advantages of the automatic function of the locking mechanism and the simple operation of attaching the connecting cuff to the two-wheeled vehicle for fixation.

The lock body and the connecting band are adapted such that the connecting band can be configured in a yardstick such that the closing strip portion is inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body without being locked to the lock body. Thus, the connecting band adopts a stable transport position even if the closing strip is not locked to the lock body. Since the closure strip has protruded into the receiving opening of the lock body instead of being locked to the lock body, the closure strip can be supported in one or more directions by the lock body, for example, in two opposite directions by the lock body Support the closure strip. Such support of the corresponding portion of the closure strip can be performed, for example, by a portion of the housing of the lock body. Thus, the connecting cuff can form a free pivoting arrangement compared to the closure strip that is sufficiently stable for comfortable operation (eg, grasped and gripped by the user around the tether). Since the length of the closure strip is correspondingly selected and the arrangement of the locking mechanism in the lock body coincides with the length of the closure strip, such a stable transport position can be achieved in a structurally simple manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment, when the closure is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body and not locked to the lock body, the closure strip can be prevented from pivoting by the lateral boundary of the receiving opening of the lock body. Thus, as long as the closure strip has not yet been locked to the lock body, the closure strip in the configuration of the connection strip yard can be prevented from pivoting outward in an unintentional manner in accordance with its hinged connection with the adjacent connection strip in a simple manner. When the closure strip is only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, the closure strip is preferably prevented from pivoting in two mutually opposite pivot directions.

The boundary of the receiving opening of the lock body may specifically surround the closure strip inserted into the receiving opening. In this process, the respective ends of the closure strip are preferably surrounded by the boundaries of the receiving opening in a substantially shape-matching manner.

If the closure strip is fully inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body, the closure strip that is initially only partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body can be automatically locked at the lock body.

According to an embodiment, the lock body and the connecting band are adapted such that when the closure strip is not locked to the lock body, the connecting band can only be converted into a yardstick configuration. Thus, the user can immediately see that the folding lock is not in the locked state, that is, when the connecting band is in a compact yardstick configuration.

If the connecting band can only be configured with a yardstick with a non-locking closure strip, the closure can be prevented from locking to the lock body due to accidents or, for example, during vibration due to vibration, by simply inserting the closure strip into the receiving opening. More specifically, the connecting cuff is in a yardstick configuration and held by a storage device (eg, peripherally gripped around).

In particular, the lock body and the connecting band may be adapted such that when the closure strip is locked to the lock body, the connecting band must be configured differently than the yardstick configuration.

According to an embodiment, the length of the closure strip is such that in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip the closure strip will be inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body and the length required to lock to the lock body is short.

The length of the closure strip may also be such that in the yardstick configuration of the attachment strip the closure strip will not be inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body and will protrude to the length required in the receiving opening.

With regard to a locking mechanism having an automatic function, the locking mechanism can include a latch and a preloading device that preloads the latch into the closed position, wherein the latch is not fully inserted into the receiving opening by the closure strip The lock temporarily moves from the closed position to the release position against preloading, wherein the preloading device is adapted to move the latch back to the closed position again when the closure strip is fully inserted into the receiving opening. Specifically, by the incomplete insertion into the receiving opening, the closure strip can assume an intermediate position that is disposed between the position in which the closure strip is inserted into the portion of the receiving opening and the fully inserted position of the closure strip to the receiving opening.

To cooperate with the latch, the closure strip can have a locking portion that, in the locked position of the latch, is operatively engaged with the latch to lock the closure strip to the lock body. The locking portion of the closure strip can for example comprise a raised portion, a groove or an opening.

The latch can be configured, for example, as a rotating bolt, a pivot bolt or a linearly displaceable latch.

The locking mechanism can have a lock cylinder, wherein actuating the lock cylinder by the associated key can cause the latch to temporarily move from the closed position to the release position against preloading to release the removal closure strip from the receiving opening of the lock body.

With regard to securing the connecting band to the lock body, the first end of the connecting band can be directly and permanently fastened to the lock body, the first end of the connecting band can be fastened to the fastening portion protruding laterally from the lock body or tightly Fastened to the connecting strip protruding from the side of the lock body.

The first end of the connecting band is rigidly or pivotally connected to the lock body.

According to an embodiment, the lock body may extend along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the connecting strip is permanently fastened to a fastening portion or a connecting strip projecting laterally from the lock body and rigidly connected to the lock body, and wherein the lock body The receiving opening is arranged to be aligned with the fastening portion or the connecting strip with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock body. In other words, the first end and the second end of the connecting band can be arranged to align with each other on the same side of the lock body. This enables a particularly compact form of the connecting cuff to be formed in the yardstick configuration of the connecting cuff when the closure strip is partially inserted into the receiving opening of the lock body as herein.

In the scale configuration of the connecting strip, the longitudinal axis of the connecting strip and the longitudinal axis of the closing strip preferably extend parallel to each other in a plane.

It is further preferred that the lock body extends along or along the longitudinal axis, wherein in the yard scale configuration, the longitudinal axis of the lock body extends in a plane across the longitudinal axis of the connecting strip and the longitudinal axis of the closure strip.

Alternatively or additionally, the lock body may extend along a longitudinal axis, wherein in the yardstick configuration, the hinge axes of the connecting strips of the connecting strips extend parallel to each other, and the longitudinal axis of the lock body is parallel to the hinge axis of the connecting strip .

It is further preferred that in the yardstick configuration of the connecting cuff, the lock body is disposed in an extended plane of the connecting cuff such that the lock body and the connecting cuff together form a flat bag.

According to an embodiment, the closure strip can be inserted axially with respect to its longitudinal axis into the receiving opening of the lock body. Alternatively, however, it can also be rotated laterally inward into the receiving opening.

The connecting strips of the connecting strips are preferably formed in a straight line and are formed flat with respect to their length and width.

It is further preferred that the first end of the connecting band is permanently fastened to the first end of the lock body, wherein the receiving opening of the lock body for receiving the closure strip is disposed at the second end of the lock body.

10‧‧‧Fold lock

12‧‧‧Lock body

14‧‧‧Connecting band

16‧‧‧Connecting strip

18‧‧‧Closed strip

22‧‧‧ Rivets

24‧‧‧ first end

26‧‧‧ second end

28‧‧‧ key port

30‧‧‧Lock core

32‧‧‧ key

34‧‧‧Acceptance

36‧‧‧connection axis

38‧‧‧Latches

40‧‧‧Preload spring

42‧‧‧Uplift lock section

R‧‧‧Locking movement

The invention will be explained by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

1 is a perspective view of a folding lock in an unlocked state in which a connecting band is in a yardstick configuration; FIG. 2 is a view showing a folding lock in an unlocked state according to FIG. 1; and a third The figure shows a schematic view of the folding lock in the locked state according to Fig. 1, wherein the connecting band is in a different configuration than the yardstick configuration.

The folding lock 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a lock body 12 and a connecting band 14 that is fastened to the lock body 12. The lock body 12 houses a locking mechanism with an automatic function. In the unlocked state of the folding lock 10, the connecting band 14 can be unfolded and form an open loop in a known manner, and the resulting open loop can be placed around a portion of the two-wheeled vehicle or around other items. Then, since the free end of the connecting band 14 is fully inserted into the lock body 12, the free end of the connecting band 14 can be automatically locked to the lock body 12 by the locking mechanism. Thereby, the formed loop is closed and the two-wheeled vehicle is blocked or fixed at the corresponding item (for example, a bicycle frame).

The connecting band 14 includes a plurality of connecting strips 16 and a closing strip 18. The plurality of tie bars 16 and closure bars 18 are each formed flat. The connecting strip 16 and the closing strip 18 are connected to one another in a hinged manner by corresponding rivets 22 such that the connecting axes extend parallel to one another or coaxially to each other. As shown, the connecting ties 14 can thus be folded together into a so-called yardstick configuration to form a compact unit, wherein the connecting strips 16 and the closing strips 18 extend parallel to each other in a plane. The first end 24 of the connecting band 14 is hingedly coupled to the lock body 12. The second end 26 of the connecting band 14 is formed by the free end of the closure strip 18, the free end of which is used to lock the closure strip 18 to the lock body 12, as will be explained below.

The lock cylinder 30 can be accessed via the key opening 28 at the lock body 12, and the key 32 can be inserted into the lock cylinder 30 to rotate the core to actuate the lock cylinder 30. The lock body 12 also includes a receiving opening 34 into which the closure strip 18 can be inserted along the longitudinal axis of the closure strip 18. When the locking body 18 has been inserted into the receiving opening 34, the closing strip 18 is substantially surrounded by the peripheral boundary of the receiving opening 34 in a form-fitting manner.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the folding lock according to Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the articulated connection between the connecting strip 16 (at the first end 24) and the lock body 12, and the connecting strip 16 (at the second end 26) and the closure strip 18 are shown. Articulated connection.

In Fig. 2, the basic elements of the locking mechanism housed in the lock body 12 are shown by broken lines. The lock cylinder 30, the movable latch 38 and the preload spring 40 shown in Fig. 2 can be identified, wherein the movable latch 38 is coupled to the lock cylinder 30, and the preload spring 40 is along the direction of rotation The lock cylinder 30 is preloaded and thus the latch member 38 is also preloaded in the direction of the closed position. The ridge locking portion 42 can also be identified at the end of the closure strip 18.

In the state shown in Fig. 2, the closing strip 18 is only partially inserted into the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12. Thus, the closure strip 18 is not locked to the lock body 12. Instead, the ridge locking portion 42 of the closure strip 18 remains in front of the latch member 38 as viewed in the direction of insertion. Thus, as explained, the folding lock 10 is in an unlocked state in which the connecting band 14 is configured in a yardstick.

In this transport position of the connecting cuff 14, the folding lock 10 can be comfortably stored and carried in a storage device (e.g., a pocket or holder) that engages around the perimeter of the tightly folded connecting cuffs 14. Since the closure strip 18 also protrudes into the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12 in the unlocked state of the folding lock 10 and thereby prevents unintentional pivoting, the connecting strip 14 forms a stable arrangement which can be comforted by the user It is grasped and held, for example, when the user initially grasps the folding lock 10 only at the lock body 12 to be removed from the storage device.

In the state shown in Fig. 2, since the connecting band 14 can be configured only by the yardstick in the unlocked state, the user can directly see that the folding lock 10 is not in the locked state.

Fig. 3 shows the folding lock 10 in a state where the closing bar 18 is now locked to the lock body 12 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2. To this end, the closure strip 18 is inserted deeper from the position according to Fig. 2, but first does not completely enter the receiving opening 34 of the lock body 12, where it is resisted by the ridge lock portion 42 of the closure strip 18 The latch 38 is temporarily pushed back from the closed position to the released position. As a result of the subsequent insertion of the closure strip 18 fully into the receiving opening 34, the raised locking portion 42 of the closure strip 18 is moved through the latch 38, however, the preload spring 40 moves the latch 38 again via the rotatable cylinder 30 Returning to the closed position, the latch member 38 is engaged after the ridge locking portion 42 and reaches the state shown in FIG. In Fig. 3, the rearward push and the repeated snap-in of the latch member 38 are indicated by the double arrow R. Thus, the closure strip 18 is automatically locked to the lock body 12 (automatic function) by the full insertion of the closure strip 18 into the receiving opening 34 without the need to actively actuate the lock cylinder 30 by the necessary key 32.

However, the closure strip 18 of the folding lock 10 may only be fully inserted into the receiving opening 34 only when the connecting band 14 is disposed away from the yardstick according to Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen in Figure 3, the four central connecting strips 16 are located on the lock body 12 in a diagonally aligned manner, i.e., the four central connecting strips 16 pivot away from the paper surface relative to the illustration according to Figure 3. The connecting strip 16 shown on the right side of Fig. 3 is also pivoted such that its effective length is reduced in the projection according to Fig. 3.

Claims (10)

 A folding lock (10) having an automatic function, comprising a lock body (12) and a connecting band (14), the lock body (12) accommodating a locking mechanism, the connecting band (14) having a plurality of connecting strips (16) and a closing strip (18), the plurality of connecting strips (16) being pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first end (24) of the connecting strip (14) is permanently fastened to the lock body (12), and the connecting strip The second end (26) of the hoop (14) has the closure strip (18), wherein the attachment strip (14) can be folded together into a yardstick configuration, in the yardstick configuration, the attachment strip (16) and The closure strips (18) extend parallel to each other; wherein the lock body (12) has a receiving opening (34); and wherein the closure strip (18) is capable of inserting the closure strip (18) into the receiving opening (34) And automatically locked to the lock body (12) by the locking mechanism, wherein in the yardstick configuration of the connecting band (14), the closing strip (18) is only partially inserted into the receiving opening (34) It is not necessary to lock the closure strip (18) to the lock body (12).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the closing strip (18) passes through the lock body when it is only partially inserted into the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12) The lateral boundary of the receiving opening (34) of (12) blocks the pivoting of the closure strip (18).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the closing strip (18) is fully inserted into the receiving opening (34) of the locking body (12), the closing strip (18) Can automatically lock to the lock body (12).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the connecting strip (14) can only enter the yardstick configuration when the closing strip (18) is not locked to the lock body (12) .    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the length of the closing strip (18) is less than the receiving opening (34) that enables the closing strip (18) to be inserted into the locking body (12) And the closure strip (18) is capable of locking to the length required for the lock body (12) in the yardstick configuration of the connection strip (14).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the length of the closing strip (18) is greater than such that the closing strip (18) does not protrude in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip (14) To the desired length in the receiving opening (34) of the lock body (12).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch (38) and a preloading device (40), the preloading device (40) the latching member (38) preloading into the closed position; wherein incomplete insertion of the closure strip (18) into the receiving opening (34) enables the latching member (38) to overcome the preload from the closed position Temporarily moving to the release position; and wherein the preloading device (40) is adapted to move the latch (38) back again when the closure strip (18) is fully inserted into the receiving opening (34) The closed position.    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip (14), the longitudinal axis of the connecting strip (16) and the closing strip (18) The longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other in a plane.    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip (14), the lock body (12) extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the lock body The longitudinal axis of (12) extends in a plane that spans the longitudinal axis of the connecting strip (16) and the longitudinal axis of the closure strip (18).    The folding lock (10) of claim 1, wherein in the yardstick configuration of the connecting strip (14), the lock body (12) is disposed at an extension of the connecting strip (14) In the plane, the lock body (12) and the connecting band (14) together form a flat bag.