US3553984A

US3553984A - Locking device

Info

Publication number: US3553984A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred T Grumbach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-21
Filing date: 1969-05-21
Publication date: 1971-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-12

Abstract

A LOCKING DEVICE INCLUDES A CATCH MEMBER SECURED TO A FIRST STRUCTURE AND A CLASPING MEMBER SECURED TO A SECOND STRUCTURE, THE CLASPING MEMBER DEFINING A CIRCULAR CHANNEL HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE SIDE IN A POSITION TO RECEIVE THE CATCH MEMBER TO LOCK THE FIRST AND SECOND STRUCTURES TOGETHER. A TRAIN MEANS PREFERABLY IN THE FORM OF A SERIES OF BALL BEARINGS IS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY DISPOSED IN THE CIRCULAR CHANNEL AND HAS ITS ENDS ENGAGING THE CATCH MEMBER WHEN THE CATCH MEMBER IS RECEIVED IN THE OPENING TO HOLD THE CATCH MEMBER TO THE CLASPING MEMBER. A RELEASING MEANS CHANGES THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CONFIGURATION OF THE TRAIN MEANS IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO MOVE THE ENDS OF THE TRAIN MEANS OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CATCH MEMBER TO THEREBY RELEASE THE CATCH MEMBER.

Description

Jan, 12", 1971 gR QA lH' 3,553,984

1 LOCKING DEVICE firmed may 21. 1969 gill g 27/ I30 J Q FIG. 2

INVENTOR ALFRED T. GRUMBACH B) ATTOIQ/V VS United States Patent US. CI. 70-99 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A locking device includes a catch member secured to a first structure and a clasping member secured to a second structure, the clasping member defining a circular channel having an opening in one side in a position to receive the catch member to lock the first and second structures together. A train means preferably in the form of a series of ball bearings is circumferentially disposed in the circular channel and has its ends engaging the catch member when the catch member is received in the opening to hold the catch member to the clasping member. A releasing means changes the circumferential configuration of the train means in such a manner as to move the ends of the train means out of engagement with the catch member to thereby release the catch member.

This invention relates generally to locking devices and more particularly to an improved positive catch member and clasping device for securement directly to first and second structures such as a door and a door jamb to enable locking and quick releasing of the structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many available locking devices such as might be used for sliding glass doors, covers on boxes, and the like ordinarily comprise a catch member cooperating with a clasping member. It is desirable in such devices particularly when used on household doors of the sliding type that positive locking can be assured and that the same be relatively tamper proof. In devices presently available, certain elements within the clasping member are arranged .to interfit with hook projections or the like on the catch member. If suflicient force is applied in an attempt to withdraw the catch member, these elements can become bent or damaged and the security of the lock impaired.

Aside from security, a desirable provision in such locks is that the same automatically assume a locked position in response to simply closing of the door or reception of the catch member in the lock so that no positive action is required to effect a locking position after the door has been closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel locking device particularly suitable for sliding glass doors as might be provided in conventional residential homes wherein positive securement is assured by a means which are substantially immune from damage as a consequence of extraordinarily high forces applied in an effort to separate the lock or impair its integrity.

Briefly, the invention contemplates the provision of a catch member preferably in the form of a cylindrical rod provided with diametrically opposite dimples adjacent a freely extending end portion thereof. This catch member may be secured to a first structure such as a sliding glass door. Cooperating with the catch member is a clasping member arranged to be secured to a second structure such as a door jamb. This clasping member is in the form of a casing defining an interior circular channel having Patented Jan. 12, 1971 a side opening positioned to receive the cylindrical rod when the first structure or door is closed against the second structure or jamb.

Within the circular channel there is provided a train means preferably in the form of a series of ball bearings. The end balls are arranged to be received respectively in the diametrically opposite dimples on the cylindrical rod when the same is received through the opening of the channel. In the locking position the balls are all touching each other and it is not possible to withdraw the rod unless a force of sufficient magnitude is applied as would crush one of the ball bearings. Accordingly, great strength is assured.

The clasping member also includes a releasing means including means for receiving one of the balls from the train or series of ball bearings radially beyond the outer wall of the channel in such a manner that the train of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a residential sliding glass door structure incorporating the locking device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view partly broken away and partly in cross section illustrating the parts of the locking device when in locked position; and,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the device when in a releasing position to permit opening of the door or other structure with which the device is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional sliding door 10 having a front edge 11 arranged to engage a door jamb or frame portion 12 when the door is closed. Arranged to be rigidly secured to the front edge 11 of the door 10 is a catch member 13. A cooperating clasping member 14 in turn is arranged to be embedded in the door jamb 12 in a position to cooperate with the catch member 13 to lock the door 10 in its closed position. While a sliding glass door structure has been shown it should be understood that the catch member 13 and clasping member 14 may be provided on any type of first and second structures to be locked together.

Refering now to FIG. 2, the catch member 13 and clasping member 14 are illustrated in greater detail. As shown, the catch member 13 is in the form of a cylindrical rod with a free extending or projecting end. This rod includes diametrically opposite dimples 13a and 14a adjacent to its free end.

The clasping member 14 in turn takes the form of a casing 15 defining an interior annular wall 16 and a core portion 17 These portions respectively define a circular channel within the casing 15 designated generally by the numeral 18. This channel includes an opening 19 at one side positioned to radially receive the cylindrical rod 13 when the sliding door 10 of FIG. 1 is moved to its closed position in the direction of the arrow.

A train means in the form of a series of

ball bearings

20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 is circumferentially positioned within the channel 18, all in touching relationship when in the positions shown. The ends of this train means are defined by the

balls

20 and 26 and are received in the

dimples

13a and 13b respectively in the rod 13 to thereby positively lock the rod in the channel or casing 15.

The central core 17 of the casing includes a cut out portion 27 of sufficient size to receive a ball. This cut out portion faces the ball 23 in the channel and includes a first compression spring 28. This compression spring extends between the ball 23 and through the core 17 to engage the end of the cylindrical rod 13. A second compression spring 29 in turn is provided on the outer channel wall bearing against the opposite side of the ball 23 in a radial direction tending to move the ball 23 into the cutout portion 27. The first compression spring 28 is stronger than the compression spring 29 so that the ball 23 will normally be urged into the channel to the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, it will be noted that the center of the ball 23 lies beyond a straight line drawn between the centers of the

balls

22 and 24 on either side of the ball 23 as indicated by the dimension d. As a result, and in view of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, it will be evident that any attempt to withdraw the cylindrical rod 13 to the right simply exerts a compression force between the

end balls

20 and 26 tending to circumferentially contract the ball train. However, since the balls are all in touching contact with each other and because of the confinement to the balls by the outer wall 16 of the channel 18, it is not possible for the balls to move and thus the cylindrical rod '13 is locked in its shown position.

The clasping member assembly is completed by a releasing means in the form of a pivoted lever 30 mounted to the tailpiece of a conventional key lock 31 by way of a slot 32. This lever includes an upper flat surface portion 33 substantially flush with the interior wall 16 of the channel 18 at its lower portion. The outer wall of the channel at this point defines a means for permitting one of the balls such as the ball 25 to move radially outwardly beyond the wall when the surface 33 of the lever is swung out of the way of the ball.

With respect to the foregoing, it will be noted that the lever includes a cavity 34 for receiving one of the balls when the lever is moved. A small compression spring 35 is provided in the casing structure bearing against the left side of the lever 30 to normally hold the lever in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 so that all of the balls are secured within the circular channel.

FIG. 3 illustrates the relative positions of the various elements making up the clasping member when the cylindrical rod -13 has been withdrawn during an unlocking operation.

OPERATION With the foregoing description of the various parts of the locking device in mind, its entire operation will now be described. Assume initially that the sliding glass door is closed so that the cylindrical rod 13 is received in the clasping member 14 all as depicted in FIG. 2. As described heretofore, in this position, the train of balls cannot move since they are all in touching engagement with each other, the

end balls

20 and 26 being received in the

dimples

13a and 13b. So long as the releasing means in the form of the lever 30 remains in the position shown in FIG. 2, which position is normally maintained by the spring 35, it is not possible to withdraw the rod 13. Even excessively large forces applied in an attempt to remove the rod merely applies compression forces to the ball bearings which may be formed of hardened steel.

If now it is desired to open the door, a person will insert a key in the key way slot 32 associated with the lever 30 and swing the lever 30 to the left as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 compressing the spring 35. This action permits the ball 25 to drop into the cavity 34 thereby relieving the compression forces between the train of balls.

With the relief of these compression forces, the rod 13 may be withdrawn slightly as a result of exerting pressure on the door to slide the same open. As the rod is withdrawn, pressure is relieved from the first compression spring 28 in the cut out portion 27 thereby permitting the second spring 29 to urge the ball 23 into this cut out portion 27. This action results in further relief in the circumferential train of balls permitting the end balls to fully separate from the

dimples

13a and 13b and allow complete withdrawal of the rod 13.

Normally, the operator will relax his pressure on the key in the key way 32 and permit the lever 30 to return to its upright position by means of the spring 35. At this point the key may be withdrawn.

With reference still to FIG. 3, when the lever 30 returns to its upright position, it will urge the ball 25 back into the channel between the

balls

24 and 26. This action can easily take place since the ball 23 has now been moved into the cut out portion 27 and there is ample room in the channel for the

balls

24 and 26 to expand and receive the ball 25 therebetween. The balls may thus assume the position of the balls shown in FIG. 2 except that the ball 23 will be in the cut out portion 27 and held there by the second spring 29.

If now the sliding glass door 10 of FIG. 1 is closed, the cylindrical rod will pass into the opening 19 and the extreme end thereof will engage the

balls

20 and 26 to urge the same away from each other in the circular channel. This action can take place since the ball 23 is in the cut out portion 27 and there is ample room in the channel for the balls to expand. As the rod 13 is urged further between the

balls

20 and 26, it will engage the end of the first spring 28 exerting a pressure thereon which will tend to move the ball 23 between the

balls

22 and 24. This action results since the spring 28 is stronger than the opposing spring 29.

With further insertion of the rod 13, there will be further pressure on the spring 28 and thus the ball 23 will be urged radially outwardly into the channel between the

balls

22 and 24. This increased movement of the ball 23 is communicated through the train of balls to the

end balls

20 and 26 which will be urged against the outer periphery of the rod 13 and into the

dimples

13a and 13b. The dimensioning of the channel and the balls is such that when the ball 23 is fully urged between the

balls

22 and 24, the

balls

20 and 26 will be seated in the dimples 13a and 1312. Since the channel is designed such that the ball 23 may be moved to a position in which its center is slightly beyond a straight line drawn between the centers of the

balls

22 and 24, an over centering action takes place which positively prevents the ball 23 from being urged back into the cut out portion 27 when circumferential pressure is exerted on the

end balls

20 and 26 tending to squeeze the ball 23. Accordingly, the rod 13 is positively locked in place and all of the elements are in the initial positions illustrated in FIG. 2.

If desired, a key way entrance corresponding to 32 may be provided on the opposite side of the casing structiure for operation from the exterior of the sliding glass oor.

It should be understood that while the clasping member is shown on the jamb and the catch member on the door, these members could, and in many instances would be, reversed or mounted the other way. That is, the clasping member would be mounted on the door and the catch member on the jamb.

While the locking device of this invention has been described particularly in conjunction with sliding glass doors, it will be evident, as mentioned heretofore, that the device may be used with any types of structures wherein a locking action is desired and high strength and high integrity securing of the structures are the primary ends in view.

What is claimed is:

1. A locking device comprising:

(a) a catch member for securement to a first structure;

and

means comprises a series of ball bearings, said catch memher having dimples formed on opposite surfaces, the end balls of said series of ball bearings constituting said ends and being receivable in said dimples respectively to engage said catch member.

(b) a clasping member for securement to a second structure to which said first structure is to be locked, said clasping member defining a circular channel having an opening in one side in a position to receive said catch member; train means circumferen- 5 tially movable in said circular channel and having ends engaging in said catch member when said catch member is received in said opening to hold said catch member to said clasping member; and

(c) releasing means in said clasping member for altering the configuration of said train means in a manner to move said ends from engagement with said catch member to thereby free said catch member.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said train 3. A device according to claim 2, in which said re- 4. A device for locking a first structure to a second structure comprising, in combination:'

(a) a catch member in the form of a cylindrical rod secured to and extending from said first structure and including diametrically opposite dimples adjacent to its extending end;

(b) a clasping member secured within said second structure in the form of a casing having an interior circular channel with an opening in one side in a position to receive said cylindrical rod in a radial direction when said first structure is to be locked to said second structure, said circular channel in cluding a series of ball bearings in successive touching positions to define a train of balls the end balls 40 of which are received in said dimples respectively when said cylindrical rod is received radially in said circular channel to thereby lock said rod in said casing; and

(c) releasing means in said casing intercepting said channel at a point circumferentially spaced from said opening, said releasing means including means for receiving one of said balls radially beyond the outer wall of said channel so that upon operation 50 of said releasing means, the train of balls can be circumferentially contracted sufiiciently to move the end balls from said dimples and thereby permit withdrawal of said rod.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which the inner circumferential wall of said circular channel is defined by a core having a cut out portion facing said channel of sufiicient size to receive a ball, said core supporting a first compression spring having one end engaging the ball facing said out out portion and its other end extending through said core in alignment with said opening for engagement by said rod when received in said opening; a second compression spring in the outer wall of said channel engaging the opposite side of said ball facing said cut out portion for urging said ball into said cut out portion when said rod is withdrawn, said first spring being stronger than said second spring so that when said rod is received in said opening to engage said first spring, said ball is urged radially out of said out out portion into said channel thereby circumferentially extending said ball train to force the end balls thereof into said dimples and lock said rod in said channel, said releasing means being operable to return said one of said balls into said channel prior to the receiving of said rod in said opening.

6. A device according to claim 5, in which said ball facing said cut out portion when urged back into said channel has its center position beyond a straight line drawn between the centers of the balls on either side thereof to thereby positively lock said ball train against further movement until said releasing means is again operated, said releasing means including a lever having an end surface flush with the outer wall of said channel to hold the ball train in locked position and including a cavity positionable upon pivoting of said lever to receive said one of said balls radially beyond said outer wall to release said ball train.

7. A device according to claim 6, including a 'key lock for pivoting said lever whereby said device can only be operated by a key designed to fit said key lock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 312,195 2/1885 Ford 292- 2,469,201 5/ 1949 Mikkelsen 292252 3,125,790 3/ 1964 Gaylord 292-15X 3,129,024 4/ 1964 Schuessler et al. 2 921 5 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner A. G. CRAIG, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 24244; 292-23, 252, 341.15