TW202308883A - Lock comprising a coated closing hoop - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock comprising a lock body having a locking mechanism; and a coated closing hoop that is movable relative to the lock body between a closed position and an open position, wherein the closing hoop can be locked to the lock body by means of the locking mechanism in the closed position. At least one section of the closing hoop is coated with a coating based on a thermoplastic polyurethane, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness in the range from 50 to 93. The present invention further relates to the use of such a lock for securing a two-wheeler, in particular a bicycle, against theft.

Description

Locks Including Coated Closures

The present invention relates to a lock comprising a lock body having a locking mechanism; and a coated closure collar.

Closure ring members are usually made of metallic material, especially steel, to provide sufficient stability and safety. For this purpose, the metal material is as hard and corrosion-resistant as possible. As a result, the closure rings may damage (eg scratch) the objects (eg two-wheeled vehicles) to which they are secured. This is especially important when the surface of the fixed object is painted.

In order to protect the object to be fastened, the metal material of the closure ring can be clad, ie coated. In this respect, known locks use coatings based on polypropylene (PP) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). However, it has been found that coatings based on PP or ABS do not provide satisfactory protection of painted surfaces and are themselves prone to scratching. Additionally, these coatings can become brittle and corroded when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (i.e. sunlight). Parts of the coating may thereby peel off, not only losing the protective effect of the coating on the object to be fastened, but also risking injury to the user due to the formation of corners.

Coatings are also known in which materials such as PP and thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) based on EPDM in a PP substrate (such as the commercially available product Santoprene) are combined in different areas so that the first part of the closure ring is coated with PP and The second part is coated with TPV. Using this dual group consisting of PP and TPV Sub-coating does provide better protection of the object to be secured, but used TPVs show signs of optical wear relatively quickly. Oil resistance is also not satisfactory, so there is a demand for improvement. In addition, the production of two-component coatings requires complex tools and production processes and is therefore more complex and expensive to produce than one-component coatings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock which does not damage the object to be secured and which is still UV, weather and oil resistant.

This object is achieved by a lock according to claim 1, comprising a lock body having a locking mechanism; and a closure collar, wherein at least a part of the closure collar is coated with a coating based on thermoplastic polyurethane, and wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane The Shore A hardness ranges from 50 to 93.

Coatings based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have proven to be particularly wear-resistant, scratch-resistant and weather-resistant. The Shore A hardness is in the range of 50 to 93, which achieves a very high protection effect on the fixed object from scratches, and at the same time brings a pleasant feeling to the user. TPU-based coatings can be realized as one-component coatings, resulting in lower production costs than known two-component coatings.

Shore A hardness is determined according to DIN ISO 7619-1 (3s). Unless otherwise indicated, all standards mentioned here refer in each case to the version in force on April 1, 2021.

When referring herein to a coating based on TPU, it is meant that the proportion of TPU in the coating is greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, relative to the polymer proportion of the coating. The polymer proportion of the TPU-based coating can also be 100% by weight relative to the polymer proportion.

The coating is preferably applied to the closure ring part with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular of 0.8 to 3 mm. If the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, it is difficult to apply the coating during injection molding. Coatings thicker than 5 mm offer no further advantage in terms of protective effect compared to thinner coatings. In addition, for coatings thicker than 5 mm, the cooling time during injection molding increases significantly, reducing productivity.

Also, preferred coatings are one-component coatings. As already mentioned, one-component coatings are easier to produce than coatings comprising several components, such as two-component coatings. The term "single-component coating" in this context means that the lock ring or its parts, such as the locking rod or connecting rod, have only one coating, that is, no two coatings are provided on the lock ring (for example, in areas that are separated from each other). different materials as coatings.

According to a preferred further development, the surface of the coating, in particular formed as a one-component coating, has first and second regions with different surface structures. Thus, the first area may be smooth and the second area may be rough. The smooth areas appear shiny, while the rough areas appear matte. Due to the excellent resistance of TPU, the locking ring can be marked in a simple manner during the production of the coating, wherein the first and the second region are designed according to the marking. Additional printing of markings here can be omitted, further simplifying the manufacture of the lock.

In this regard, it is preferred that at least a portion of the coating has a gloss value of greater than or equal to 60 GU, more preferably greater than or equal to 65 GU, even more preferably greater than or equal to 70 GU. Coatings with such a gloss value are perceived by users as high gloss.

It is further preferred that at least a portion of the coating has a gloss value of less than or equal to 20 GU, more preferably less than or equal to 15 GU, even more preferably less than or equal to 10 GU. Coatings with this gloss value are perceived by the user as matte.

In particular, the surface of the coating formed as a one-component coating preferably has a first and a second region, wherein the gloss value of the first region is greater than or equal to 60GU, more preferably greater than or equal to 65GU, even more preferably greater than or equal to equal to 70GU, and the second area has less than or equal to 20GU, more preferably less than or equal to Gloss values of less than or equal to 15 GU, even more preferably less than or equal to 10 GU. High-gloss areas and matt areas on the coating surface are thus combined so that the closure ring can be designed both tactilely and visually.

The gloss values named here can be determined according to DIN EN ISO 2813.

For example, the gloss value of a coating or parts thereof can be set in such a way that the injection molding tool used to produce the coating is polished to produce a glossier surface with a higher gloss value, or roughened to produce a glossy surface with a lower gloss value. Matt finish.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes are generally linear polymers with hard and soft segments in their polymer backbone. Its formation usually occurs when a polyol and a diisocyanate react with each other to form urethane groups. In this regard, hard segments can be generated, for example, by reaction of diisocyanates with short-chain polyols. Conversely, soft segments can be obtained by reacting diisocyanates with long-chain polyols. Those skilled in the art can set the Shore A hardness by selecting the kind of polyol used, the kind of diisocyanate used and their ratio to each other. Suitable TPUs having a Shore A hardness in the range of 50 to 93 are available, for example, under the trade name Elastollan from BASF and from Covestro under the trade name Desmopan.

According to the invention, the coating has a Shore A hardness of 50 to 93. The hardness of the coating is preferably 55-90, more preferably 60-88, even more preferably 65-85. The Shore A hardness of the TPU-based coating is within this range, and at the same time, the protected object has a good protective effect and the coating has good durability.

The TPU is preferably a polyether-based TPU or a polyester-based TPU, especially a polyether-based TPU. In polyether-based TPU, polyether is used as polyol in the production of TPU, and in polyester-based TPU, polyester is used in production as polyol. The polyols preferably have an average molecular weight Mn of 500 to 5000 g/mol, in particular 800 to 2500 g/mol. Exemplary polyether polyols are polytetrafluoroethylene Hydrofuran, in particular, has an average molecular weight Mn in the range of 500 to 5000 g/mol, and may optionally be used in combination with 1,4-butanediol. However, other polyether polyols and polyester polyols are also suitable. The average molecular weight can be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene standards. Due to the use of this TPU, the coating has a very good protective effect on the protected object, preventing it from being scratched and so on. In addition, the coating itself has excellent scratch and abrasion resistance as well as UV and weather resistance.

TPU can preferably be reacted with polyols and diisocyanates, especially by at least one selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate (HMDI ), toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and diisocyanates of the group 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI). Due to the use of this kind of TPU, the coating has a good protective effect on the protected object and prevents it from being scratched. In addition, the coating itself is extremely scratch-resistant, UV-resistant and weather-resistant.

In particular, TPU can be obtained by polyol, especially polyether polyol or polyester polyol, preferably polyether polyol, and diisocyanate, especially with at least one selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diphenylmethane Isocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate (HMDI), toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 4,4'-dicyclohexyl TPU obtained by reaction of diisocyanates of the methane diisocyanate (H12MDI) group. Due to the use of this kind of TPU, the coating has a good protective effect on the protected object and prevents it from being scratched. In addition, the coating itself is extremely scratch-resistant, UV-resistant and weather-resistant.

It should be understood that the coating may be pigmented.

Preferably, the coating is substantially free of plasticizers, in particular completely free of plasticizers. Plasticizers are usually present in the coating of closure rings based on PP, ABS, soft PVC or thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) based on EPDM in PP substrates. Over time, this plasticizer may be removed from the coating material Escape. Depending on the plasticizer used, escapes are not harmless to health. Furthermore, due to the escape of plasticizers, the properties of the material may change, i.e. the material may become brittle. Conversely, TPU-based coatings can be made substantially free of plasticizers, since the material properties can be set without the use of plasticizers by arranging the hard and soft segments of the polymer backbone.

According to the invention, the TPU of the coating preferably has an elongation at break of 550% to 1000%, especially 650% to 900%. Elongation at break can be measured according to DIN 53504-S2.

The coating preferably has a wear of 50 mm ³ or less, especially 48 mm ³ or less. There is indeed no limit to the lower limit of the wear, but in particular a wear of 15 mm ³ or more, more especially 20 mm ³ or more, even more especially 25 mm ³ or more has proven adequate. When the wear is 50 mm ³ or less, especially 48 mm ³ or less, the coating exhibits excellent durability. Wear can be measured according to ISO 4649-A.

The scratch resistance is preferably at least 8N, more preferably at least 10N, further preferably at least 12N. The scratch resistance values given here refer to the force required to leave a mark on the sample surface as measured by a durometer. A suitable durometer is an Elcometer 3092 durometer. The present invention is not limited by an upper limit of scratch resistance. However, the scratch resistance is preferably 20N or less, more preferably 18N or less, even more preferably 15N or less, considering a preferred combination of parameters hardness, elongation at break, and abrasion.

Preferably, 50% or more of the outer surface of the closure ring is covered by the coating. More preferably, the closure ring is covered by the coating up to 60% or more, even more preferably up to 70% or more, even more preferably up to 80% or more. At a coverage of at least 50%, the closure ring generally has sufficient surface coated to protect the object to be secured from scratching. The protective effect increases with the degree of coverage. Thus, also an object of the present invention, is that the outer surface of the closure ring is covered by the coating as much as 85% or more, as much as 90% or more, or even as much as 95% or more.

The lock is preferably a joint lock, and the closure ring is a jointed bar hoop having a plurality of connecting bars pivotally connected to each other and a locking bar, wherein the first of the connecting bar hoops One end is permanently fixed to the lock body, and the locking bar forms a movable second end of the connecting rod ring, wherein the locking bar can be selectively introduced into or released from the lock body. In this aspect, the coating is applied to at least one selected from the group consisting of a connecting rod and a locking rod. The coating is applied in particular at least to the connecting rods whose ends are permanently attached to the lock body and the locking rod, since they are arranged outwardly in the folded state of the connecting rod rings. According to a further development of the invention, the coating is applied to the locking rod and all connecting rods.

Preferably, the coating is applied to 50% or more of the outer surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of connecting rods and locking rods; more preferably, the closure ring is covered by the coating up to 60% , even better up to 70% or more, even more preferably up to 80% or more. The protective effect increases with the degree of coverage. Accordingly, it is also an object of the present invention that the outer surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of connecting rods and locking rods is covered by the coating up to 85% or more, up to 90% or more, or even more up to 95% or more. The above-mentioned degrees of coverage can be achieved simultaneously on all connecting rods and on the locking rods.

According to another embodiment, the lock has a rigid closure collar, ie the lock is a ring lock. The ring lock has a U-shaped closed loop, wherein the two ends of the U-shaped closed loop can be selectively introduced into or released from the lock body.

The lock is preferably a two-wheeler lock, especially a bicycle lock.

The invention also concerns the use of a lock according to the invention for securing two-wheeled vehicles, especially bicycles, against theft.

10: Chain lock

12: lock body

14: Connecting rod ring

16: connecting rod

18:Lock lever

19: matrix

20: Coating

20a: Groove

22: Rivet

24: first end

26: Second end

28: shell

30: key opening

32: key

34: Introducing the opening

36: endpoint

38: opening

40: First area

42: Second area

44: Vertical edge

46: surface

110: ring lock

112: lock body

114: Closed ring

114a: first end

114b: second end

116: closed opening

118: Shell

120: coating

B: point of line segment

C: point of line segment

The invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. They represent only possible embodiments, of which further embodiments can be seen from the description and claims.

Fig. 1 shows the perspective view of link lock;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the connecting rod connecting the ring lock;

Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view along line segment B-B of the connecting rod of Figure 2;

Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view along line segment C-C of the connecting rod of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the ring lock.

The linkage lock 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a lock body 12 and a closed ring fixed thereon, the closed ring configured as a connecting rod ring 14 . The connecting rod rings 14 can be folded together to form a compact unit, and in this state, preferably can also be locked to the lock body 12 by a locking mechanism (not shown) provided in the lock body 12 . In the unlocked state of the hitch lock 10, the connecting rod loop 14 can be folded apart in a known manner to form a loop for locking the two-wheeler or securing it to another object (eg a bicycle rack).

The connecting ring 14 detail has a plurality of connecting rods 16 , one of which is configured as a locking rod 18 . Both the connecting rod 16 and the locking rod 18 are flat and have a base body 19 preferably made of steel. The base body 19 is surrounded by a coating 20 of TPU in order to avoid damage to the locked two-wheeler. The connecting rod 16 and the locking rod 18 are hingedly connected to each other by corresponding rivets 22 such that the connection axes run parallel or coaxially to each other and the connecting rod ring 14 can be folded together in a yardstick manner. In the folded state of the connecting rod ring 14, the longitudinal axes of the connecting rod 16 and the locking rod 18 extend parallel to each other in a plane. The first end 24 of the connecting rod ring 14 is formed by the free end of the locking rod 18 which acts as a locking part. The locking portion can be locked to the lock body by a locking mechanism. The second end 26 of the connecting rod ring 14 is hingedly Connected to the lock body 12. As shown in FIG. 1 , the coating 20 may have grooves 20a, or even have portions exposing the substrate 19 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the lock body 12 includes a substantially parallelepiped-shaped housing 28 made of plastic. The second end 26 of the connecting rod ring 14 is flush with the side wall of the housing 28 . On the top side of the housing 28 a key 32 can be introduced into the lock body 12 through a key opening 30 . The direction of introduction of the key 32 is perpendicular to the plane of extension defined by the connecting ring 14 in the folded and locked state.

In a region situated opposite the second end 26 of the connecting rod ring 14 , the lock body 12 also comprises an introduction opening 34 through which the locking rod 18 can be introduced into the lock body 12 along its longitudinal axis. When the locking lever 18 is introduced into the insertion opening 34 , it is substantially surrounded in a form-fitting manner by the boundary of the insertion opening 34 of the outer housing 28 .

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the connecting rod 16 of the linkage lock 10 . The base body 19 coated with the coating 20 made of TPU has openings 38, 38 at its opposite ends 36, 36, through which the openings 38, 38 can be hingedly connected to adjacent connecting rods 16 (Fig. 2 not shown in ) or locking lever 18 (not shown in FIG. 2 ). The connecting rod 16 is almost completely covered by the coating 20 . However, the coating 20 is discontinuous in the area of the openings 38, 38, allowing the connecting rod 16 to be hinged to the adjacent connecting rod 16 (not shown in FIG. 2) or locking rod 18 (not shown). connect.

Due to the coating 20 consisting of TPU, a first region 40 is provided in which the coating has a different surface structure than the second region 42 . As shown by way of example in FIG. 2 , the first region 40 may extend along a longitudinal edge 44 of the connecting rod 16 , wherein the longitudinal edge 44 extends from one end point 36 to the other end point 36 of the connecting rod 16 . This first region may also be present on the surface 46 between the oppositely disposed longitudinal edges 44 . The different surface textures are preferably selected such that one of the first region 40 and the second region 42 appears glossy and the other appears matte. This means two One of the areas 40, 42 is smooth and therefore shiny, while the other is rough and therefore matte.

According to a preferred embodiment (not shown in the figures), first and second regions 40 and 42 with different surface structures are distributed on the surface of the connecting rod 16 so as to produce markings (for example with a mark). Accordingly, the first region 40 may have a gloss value greater than or equal to 60 GU and the second region 42 may have a gloss value less than or equal to 20 GU. It is true that some conventional plastic coatings (e.g. based on PP) can also be used to provide areas with a different surface structure, but these do not have sufficient scratch and weather resistance, so especially smooth areas will be very difficult. Lose their luster quickly and marks appearing on different surface structures will not be recognizable after a short time. In contrast, TPU-based coatings with a Shore A hardness in the range of 50 to 93 have exceptionally high scratch resistance, allowing permanent coatings to be engineered through smooth and rough areas of the coating with different gloss values. Exterior. It should be understood that the coating 20 may additionally have individual or combinations of the aforementioned features.

The thickness of the coating 20 of the connecting rod 16 can be seen to be uniform in the section of the line segment B-B (FIG. 3a) or C-C (FIG. 3b) as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. As mentioned above, the thickness is preferably in the range of 0.8 mm to 5 mm, especially 0.8 to 3 mm. Here, the thickness of the coating layer 20 refers to the thickness in the direction normal to the surface of the substrate 19 .

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a ring lock 110 according to the present invention. The ring lock 110 includes a lock body 112 and a closure ring 114 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the closure ring 114 is U-shaped and has a first end 114 a and a second end 114 b leading into the closing opening 116 of the lock body 112 . The lock body 112 includes an outer shell 118, a locking mechanism (not shown) and an inner shell (not shown). The locking mechanism 20 and the inner housing 22 are arranged inside the outer housing 118 and are protected from damage by the latter. A coating 120 consisting of TPU having a Shore A hardness ranging from 50 to 93 is applied to the closure ring member 114, i.e. the closure ring member 114 covered by the coating 120 . It should be understood that the coating 120 may additionally have individual features of the aforementioned features or any desired combination thereof. The housing 118 consists of metal and can additionally be covered with a plastic outer film (not shown), which can likewise be based on the above-mentioned TPU.

Fig. 4 shows the closure ring member 14 in the closed position, wherein the first end 114a and the second end 114b of the closure ring member 14 are locked in the lock body 112 by the locking mechanism 20 (not shown).

Table 1 below gives a comparison of different coatings for closure rings, wherein the materials listed as comparative examples represent typical materials for coating closure rings.

(1)根據DIN ISO 7619-1(3s)測定 (2)根據DIN 53504-S2測定 (3)根據DIN ISO 4649-A測定 (4)使用Elcometer 3092測定

(1) Measured according to DIN ISO 7619-1 (3s) (2) Measured according to DIN 53504-S2 (3) Measured according to DIN ISO 4649-A (4) Measured with Elcometer 3092

The TPUs mentioned in Table 1 are polyether based TPUs, commercially available from BASF under the trade name Elastollan 1175 A. TPV is an EPDM-based TPV with a PP matrix, commercial Named Santoprene. The TPV, PP, PVC and ABS values listed in Table 1 represent coatings based on the aforementioned materials, commonly used to coat closure rings for bicycle locks.

Among the coatings shown in Table 1, only TPU-based coatings exhibit scratch protection effects on fixed objects and good UV resistance, weather resistance, and oil resistance.

110: ring lock

112: lock body

114: Closed ring

114a: first end

114b: second end

116: closed opening

118: shell

120: coating

Claims (19)

A lock (10, 110) comprising a lock body (12, 112) having a locking mechanism; and a coated closure collar member movable relative to the lock body (12, 112) between a closed position and an open position ( 14, 114), wherein the closure ring (14, 114) can be locked to the lock body (12, 112) by a locking mechanism in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the closure ring (14, 114) is coated There is a coating (20, 120) based on thermoplastic polyurethane, and wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness of 50 to 93. A lock (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the coating (20, 120) has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular 0.8 to 3 mm. A lock (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coating (20, 120) is a one-component coating. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the coating has a GU greater than or equal to 60 GU, more preferably GU greater than or equal to 65 GU, even more preferably GU greater than or equal to 70 GU gloss value. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the coating has a GU less than or equal to 20 GU, more preferably GU less than or equal to 15 GU, even more preferably GU less than or equal to 10 GU gloss value. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the coating (20, 120) has first and second regions (40, 42) with different surface structures. A lock (10, 110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first region (40) has a gloss value greater than or equal to 60GU, and the second region (42) has a gloss value less than or equal to 20GU. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the coating (20, 120) has an elongation at break of 550% to 1000%, in particular 650% to 900%. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (20, 120) covers 70% or more of the outer surface of the closure ring (14, 114), in particular is 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (20, 120) has a scratch resistance of 8N or higher, in particular 10N or higher, or 12N or higher Rubbing. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (20, 120) has a wear of ^50mm3 or less, in particular ^48mm3 or less, measured according to ISO 4649-A Less wear and tear. A lock (10, 110) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (20, 120) is substantially free of plasticizers. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is polyether thermoplastic polyurethane or polyester thermoplastic polyurethane. A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane can be combined with polyols selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HMDI), toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI) group of diisocyanates obtained by reaction. A lock (10) as described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock (10) is a joint lock, and the closure ring is a connecting rod ring (14), and the connecting rod ring (14) has a pivotable A plurality of connecting rods (16) and locking rods (18) are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first end of the connecting rod ring (14) is permanently fixed to the lock body (12), and the locking rod (18) forms the movable second end of the connecting rod ring (14), wherein the locking rod (18) can be selectively introduced into the lock body (12) or from the lock Body (12) releases. A lock (10) according to claim 15, wherein the coating (20, 120) is applied to at least one selected from the group consisting of the connecting rod (16) and the locking rod (18), in particular at least applied to the connecting rod (16) whose ends are permanently fixed on the lock body (12) and the locking rod (18), and in particular to the locking rod (18) and all connecting rods (16) . A lock (110) as described in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, wherein the lock is a ring lock (110) comprising a U-shaped closure collar (114), wherein the U-shaped closure collar ( The two ends (114a, 114b) of 114) can be selectively introduced into or released from the lock body (112). A lock (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock (10, 110) is a two-wheeled vehicle lock, in particular a bicycle lock. Use of a lock (10, 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 for securing two-wheeled vehicles, especially bicycles, against theft.

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