WO2006092009A1

WO2006092009A1 - Locking device

Info

Publication number: WO2006092009A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000261
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Martin Stuckey
Original assignee: Burgundy Trial Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-03-02
Filing date: 2006-03-02
Publication date: 2006-09-08

Abstract

A locking device (10) comprising a locking member (21), a shaft housing (20) and a latch means (40), wherein when the latch means (40) attachable to said locking member (21), is placed in an engaged position, the latch means (40) cooperates with the shaft housing (20) thereby enabling the locking member (21), the shaft housing (20) and the latch means (40) to move, or alternatively to be held, substantially in unison and when the latch means (40) is placed in a disengaged position, the locking member (21) and the latch means (40) are substantially movable together relative to the shaft housing (20).

Description

LOCKING DEVICE

FIELD

The invention generally relates to a locking device. In particular, the invention relates to a locking device for use on a door, lid, top or the like. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to this particular application. It should be appreciated however that the present invention is not limited to that application only.

BACKGROUND

Sheet metal enclosures are commonly used for a number of domestic and commercial applications, particularly for storage of items and electrical enclosures. Barriers, doors lids, tops or the like for entry into and exit of such enclosures also necessarily require a handle with a latch or locking mechanism for security and safety. These handle and lock mechanisms primarily function to provide an exterior locking means, thus preventing unauthorised personnel from entering the otherwise secure enclosure. In the past, conventional locking mechanisms have been designed primarily for exterior security purposes, with no regard to the locking mechanism being irreversible from the inside of an enclosure. A door with a locking mechanism that is not internally irreversible is very dangerous in that personnel may be trapped inside an enclosure, with possibly life-threatening consequences.

Conventionally, handles on barriers for sheet metal enclosures have been either a fixed locking member that is rotated by means of the external handle or a spring-loaded bolt arrangement. The latter device is inconveniently adapted from a domestic or commercially used bolt arrangement and is not designed for the particular purpose of barriers for sheet metal or similar enclosures. The adaptation of these domestic arrangements is therefore neither convenient, nor cost effective.

A primary requirement of handle and locking devices for functional enclosures is that each is. inexpensive to purchase and install. Despite the danger of installing a locking handle means are prevented from moving independently of the shaft housing and the locking device is thereby placed in a locked condition,

In a further pr eferr ed embodiment, the locking member is non-linear and is arranged to provide for releasable engagement of the latch means with the shaft housing and being adapted to engage the shaft housing on a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the shaft housing. In this form, the locking member is preferably of a substantially S- or Z-shaρed configuration. Preferably, the shaft housing is of a substantially tubular unitary construction and has a collar or annulet located thereupon wherein the collar or annulet is formed with a cut-out region on a portion thereof.

More preferably, the latch means is a spring-loaded push-button bolt assembly comprising a push-button bolt member and a spring positioned thereupon or operable, therewith. The bolt member is preferably substantially receivable within an opening provided in a bolt housing which is attachable to the locking member. Alternatively, the bolt housing is formed integral with the locking member. Preferably, the bolt housing is moulded with and/or within the locking member.

In either of the above preferred embodiments of the invention, the latch means preferably cooperates with the shaft housing by a reversible tongue and groove mechanism.

The latch means preferably comprises a tongue member of a substantially L-, U- or bar-shaped configuration, wherein the tongue member is attachable to and cooperabte with the bolt member. In this arrangement, the groove which is the cut-out region/s of the shaft housing is/are adapted to coact with the tongue member to place the shaft housing in an engageable or lockable setting. In a most preferred form, when the spring of the bolt assembly is in its substantially relaxed state, the tongue member is in working engagement with the cut-out region of the collar, whereby the locking device is placed in a locked condition. In a most preferred form, the end of the tongue member remote from the attachable end thereof is shaped, preferably tapered, to facilitate coaction with the shaft housing, and most preferably, with the cut-out region of the shaft housing. To place the locking device in an unlocked condition, the bolt member is urged to place the spring in a substantially compressed state, thereby removing the tongue member from cooperation with the cut-out region of the collar or annulet member of the shaft housing. In this way, the locking member and the latch means are able to move together and independently of the shaft housing.

The locking device further preferably comprises a mounting plate both for attaching the device to a door, lid, container or the like, and for securing and/or protecting the working parts of the latch means. The plate is provided with suitable securement points such as recesses to receive attachment means for fixing the device to the door, lid, top or the like.

The present invention is advantageous in that the locking device, when, compared to conventional devices, is less expensive, has fewer moving parts, is easier and cheaper to maintain and install.

DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description with reference to, and used in conjunction with, the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 is a plan view of a locking device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the device of FIG 1 through A-A; FIG 3 is an exploded view of the locking device as shown in FIGs 1 and 2;

FlG 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of part of the shaft housing for the locking device, as shown in FIGs 1 and 2;

FIG 5 is a cross-sectional view through A-A of FIG 4;

FlG 6 is a plan view of a locking device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG 6 through A-A;

FIG S is an exploded view of the locking device as shown in FIGs 6 and 7; FIG 9 is a plan view of a locking device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown, in FIG 9 through A-A;

FIG 11 is an exploded view of the locking device as shown in FIGs 9 and 10; FIG 12 i$ a plan top view of the shaft housing of the locking device of FIGs 9 and 10;

FIG 13 is a side view of the part of FlG 12;

FIG 14 is a plan bottom view of the shaft housing of the locking device of FIGs 9 and 10;

FIG 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the shaft housing of FIG 13 through A-A;

FIG 16 is a side view of the bolt member of the latch means of the locking device of FIGs 9 and 10;

FIG 17 is a top plan view of the bolt member of FIG 16;

FIG 18 is a bottom plan view of the bolt member of FlG 16;

FIG 19 is a perspective view of the bolt member of FIG 16;

FIG 20 is cross-sectional view of the bolt member of FIG 19 through A-A; FIG 21 is apian view of the tongue member of the locking device of FIGs 9 and 10;

FIG 22 is a side view of the tongue member of FIG 21 ;

FIG 23 is a cross-sectional view of the tongue member of FIG 21 through A-A; and FIG 24 is a perspective view of the locking device of FIGs 9 and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to all the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring initially to FIGs 1 to 5, an assembled and exploded view of an embodiment of the locking device 10 is shown. The locking device 10 generally consists of a locking member 21 (preferably in the form of a bar), a shaft housing 20, preferably comprising internal and external boss pieces 20a and 20b and a . latch means 40, preferably comprising a tongue member 11 and a tongue housing 12 therefor, that combine to form a device 10 that maybe placed in a locked or unlocked position upon or relative to a locking shaft 18, with a user thereof able to transfer the device 10 to and from a locked or unlocked position. The locking device 10 can be the internal door handle assembly, where a different or even a standard door handle assembly is positioned on the other side of the door.

Locking member 21 is preferably of a substantially strip configuration in the form of a substantially planar bar, having a substantially rounded first end and a substantially square cut second end. The locking member 21 preferably comprises a passageway 24 through which at least a part of a locking shaft 18 is receivable or alternatively- the locking shaft 18 is attachable to the base of the shaft housing 20 remote from the latch means 40.

Latch means 40 can be in the form of a dog-clutch mechanism. This mechanism preferably comprises tongue member 11 having a substantially L-shaped configuration and having a base member lib with a support member lie substantially perpendicular tiiereto. The base member 1 Ib acts as a stepped end portion of the tongue member 11. To the support member lie of tongue member 11, there is provided and located thereon a tongue pin 11a and an operating stem 13. When assembled within the housing 12, the stepped end portion lib of tongue member 11 substantially protrudes from and relative to the underside of tongue housing 12 and is able to extend through locking member tongue aperture 25 to protrude from and relative to the underside of locking member 21.

Tongue housing 12 is preferably of a complementary shape to house the support member lie of member 11. In the present embodiment, housing 12 is a substantially U- shaped housing having a first end, which is substantially closed, and a second open end and having outwardly extending flange members 14b by which the housing 12 can be releasably fixed to the locking member 21 by a variety of fastening means 16. Tongue pin 11a, substantially surrounded by internal spring 15, is substantially receivable within and can cooperate with an aperture 14a located at the first end of tongue housing 12. Housing 12 is also provided with a slot opening 14, preferably oblong, adapted to receive operating stem 13 therethrough. The tongue member 11 can move slidably within the housing 12 and its degree of slidable movement can be dictated by the size and shape of the slot opening 14. Slot 14 has two relative positions, one labelled A and the other labelled B. Contained within the length, of the locking member 21 is the tongue aperture 25 adapted to cooperate with the tongue member 11 and a further aperture 24 adapted to receive the shaft housing 20. The apertures 24 and 25 can be of any suitable size and shape and their relative positioning on the bar 21 and relative to one. another and to the ends of the bar 21 is variable. In this preferred embodiment, aperture 25 is substantially rectangular being adapted to receive and cooperate with part or all of the stepped end portion 1 Ib of tongue member 11. Aperture 24, on the other hand, in this preferred embodiment, is substantially circular so as to receive and cooperate with the shaft housing 20. The looking member is primarily adapted to provide a resilient block and locking mechanism when the device 10 is in its locked position. Locking member 21 is further adapted to provide a base for the tongue housing 12,. which may be releasably fixed thereto via outwardly extending flange members 14b.

The shaft housing 20 comprising boss pieces 20a and 20b are preferably substantially annular in shape both having an integral substantially open tubular member 34 substantially centred thereon where the tubular member 34a relates to internal boss piece 20a and tubular member 34b relates to external boss piece 20b. External boss piece 20b is of substantially the same outer diameter as internal boss piece 20a. Tubular member 34a is adaptable to be snugly receivable within tubular member 34b. In this situation, the outer diameter of tubular member 34a is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of tubular member 34b. The open tubular member 34 generally provides a shaft opening 19 within which the locking shaft 18 can be located. Therefore, locking shaft 18 is adapted or suitably sized to be received and extend through open tubular members 34a and 34b. On tubular members 34a and 34b, there are positioned or located alignment means. In one form, these are cooperating apertures 26a, which arc preferably threaded apertures, which are used to align the positioning of the boss pieces 20a and 20b relative to one another and whereby through the location of boss bolts 26 when preferably screwed into the apertures 26a act to releasably hold the boss pieces 20a and 20b in alignment and to minimise relative movement therebetween. The boss bolts 26 can be of a sufficient length whereby they are able to pass through the apertures 26a and. when a shaft 18 is positioned within the shaft opening 19 of tubular members 34a and 34b, it is releasably securely retained thcrewithin. The apertures 26a are substantially perpendicularly arranged with respect to the plane of movement of tongue member 11 in its engagement with boss pieces 20a and 20b. Bolts 26 are preferably threaded inwardly through the integral tubular members 34a and 34b of boss pieces 20a and 20b respectively, to exert a lockable pressure upon the exterior of the locking shaft 18. The boss bolts 26 may be released and re-threaded at any time to allow adjustment of the position of the entire device at any desired point along the shaft 18,

In an alternative embodiment, the tubular member 34 of either or both boss pieces 20a and 20b may be of sufficient length, whereby the tubular member 34 can itself act as the locking shaft 18. In this form, the end(s) of the relevant tubular member(s) 34 remote from its substantially annular base is fashioned to be able to receive and/or cooperate with a suitable handle member (not shown). Ih this form of the invention, one can dispense with the need for a separate shaft as the shaft housing 20 itself acts as the shaft 18.

Internal boss piece 20a further includes a boss piece cleft or cut-out region 23a that is preferably substantially U-shaped and is adapted to receive the stepped end portion lib of tongue member 11, when device 10 is placed in the locked position.

External boss piece 20b further includes a boss piece cleft or cut-out region 23b that is preferably substantially U-shaped and adapted to also receive and cooperate with portion lib of tongue member 11, when the device 10 is placed in the locked position. Cleft 23b is positioned in substantially direct alignment with cleft 23a of boss piece 20a so as to effect simultaneous engagement of both boss pieces 20a and 20b by tongue member 11, when the device 10 is in the locked position,

The aperture 25 allows movement of the stepped end portion 11b of tongue member 11 from engagement with the internal boss piece cleft 23a in a locked position, as achieved and shown when stem 13 is substantially at position A of slot 14, to movement of the end portion 11b away from the cleft 23a in the unlocked position when stem 13 is substantially at position B of slot 14. Locking member 21 is sandwiched between internal boss piece 20a and external boss piece 20b at its substantial centre and is adapted to be movable. Preferably, it can rotate freely on a single plane about the locking shaft 18 when device 10 is in the unlocked position. Alternative embodiments

With particular reference to FIOs 6 to 10, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This alternative preferred embodiment differs in that it employs a substantially S- or Z-shaped configuration of locking member 21a. This locking member 21 a is arranged to support a push-button type of latch means 40, which can engage the external boss piece 20b from a substantially perpendicular angle to the plane of the collective boss pieces 20a and 20b. Ia this embodiment, the locking member 21a is bent in such a manner so as to allow a person with a gloved hand enough access to the locking member 21a without interference from the back of the door, lid, top etc., to which the device 10 is mounted.

The latch means 40 may comprise a bolt member 27 (for example, a suitably tapered push-button bolt) housed within a bolt housing 29, preferably of a substantially rectangular configuration. The latch means 40 also includes a tongue member 30, which is of a substantially L-shaped configuration, having a base member 30b with a support member 30a positioned substantially perpendicular thereto. The base member 30b acts as a stepped end portion of the tongue member 30. To the support member 30a, there is positioned an opening 30c which may or may not extend through the tongue member 30. Opening 30c may be of the same size and shape as a passageway 29a extending through bolt housing 29. The passageway 29a of bolt housing 29 is preferably positioned slightly off-centre. In a preferred embodiment, the passageway 29a may have an internal step situated therein such that spring 28 can rest or sit thereupon to enable the spring 28 to be retained between bolt member 27 and bolt housing 29. In an alternative form, the opening 30c may be of a slightly smaller size and/or shape than passageway 29a such that the spring 28, when positioned within the passageway 29a, will not pass through the opening 30c. In this form, the support member 30a can act as a rest for the spring 28. Within the bolt housing 29, there are also preferably provided openings (not shown) into which engagement means 31 (preferably bolts) can be releasably secured to releasably retain the bolt housing 29 in engagement with the locking member 21a,

In a further preferred form, an alternative internal boss piece 20c having no boss piece cleft or cut-out region is used. In this embodiment, only external boss piece 20d includes a boss piece cleft or cut-out region 23d to receive and cooperate with tongue member 30, and most preferably with that part of the support member 30a which is free or hangs free 30d from the base member 30b. Furthermore, locking member 21a comprises a first locking member bend 32 and a second locking member bend 33.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG 8, push-button bolt 27, having a bolt pin region 27a, which is substantially surrounded by spring 28, is substantially receivable within bolt housing 29 via passageway 29a via the opening in the first face of the bolt housing 29 and out through an opening in the opposite face (not shown). Bolt pin region 27a of bolt member 27 cooperates and engages tongue member 30 via the opening 30c in fhe support member 30a of the tongue member 30. The opening 30c may be a threaded aperture whereby an end of the bolt pin region 27a can conveniently be releasably screwed into tongue member 30. Bolt member 27 resiliently holds tongue member 30 in engagement with boss piece cleft 23d of . external boss piece 20d in a locked, preferably default, setting. Internal boss piece 20c can further include a shaft opening 19, which is adapted to receive the locking shaft 18 therethrough in preferably tight but releasable factional engagement and is also adapted to provide a linear support means for locking member 21a to facilitate 360 degree rotational movement of the locking member 21a about the locking shaft 18, when the device 10 is in the unlocked position. Boss bolts 26 via apertures 26a affix boss pieces 20c and 20d to the locking shaft 18 along any desired length of the shaft. Locking member 21a is sandwiched between boss pieces 20c and 20d and co-acts with the locking shaft 18 as before. When the engagement means 31 hold the bolt housing 29 to the locking member 21a, portion 30b sits within locking member tongue aperture 25 with the free end 30d of the support member 30a being able to engage and cooperate with the cleft 23d of the external boss 20d. As before, the alternative embodiment, with the tubular member 34 of either or both boss pieces 20c and 20d itself being able to function as the locking shaft 18, is available.

In a further preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGs 9 to 11, bolt housing 29 is formed integral with the locking member or S- or Z-shaped locking member or bar 21a. In this embodiment, latch means 40 comprising push-button style bolt assembly having bolt member

27 housed within the bolt housing 29 also includes a tongue member 30, which is of a substantial bar-shaped configuration, having an attachment opening therein for attachment via opening 30c to the end of bolt pin region 27a of bolt member 27 by fastener means 35. The shaft housing 20 is preferably of substantially tubular construction and has a collar or annulet 36 located thereupon wherein the collar or annulet 36 is formed with a partial cut-out region 36a on a portion thereof. Cut-out region 36a has a closed end 36b for co-acting with and retaining free end 30d of tongue member 30 in contact with the shaft housing 20, thereby placing shaft housing 20 in an engageable or lockable, preferably default, setting. Shaft housing 20 and cooperating tongue member 30 are receivable by locking member 21a through suitably shaped openings 22 in the underside of locking member 21a.

The end of bolt pin region 27a of bolt 27 is provided with an opening 27b for securing tongue member 30 thereto by passing a fastener means 35, preferably a rivet, through opening 30c into opening 27b. Alternatively, opening 30c may be a threaded aperture whereby an end of the bolt pin region 27a can conveniently be releasably screwed into tongue member 30.

Shaft housing 20 is provided with a shaft opening 19 through which locking shaft 18 is receivable. Locking shaft 18 may be held in shaft opening 19 by any suitable means.

The locking member 21a further preferably comprises openings 21b in the underside thereof for receiving a mounting plate 50, which plate 50 is provided with suitable recesses

50a for receiving securing means 50b for securing the working parts of the latch means 40 therein, recesses 50c for attaching the device 10 to a door, lid, container or the like (not shown) and recess 5Od for receiving the locking shaft 18 therethrough.

Device assembly

To assemble the first embodiment of the device 10, as shown in FIGs 1 to 5, internal boss piece 20a, having tubular member 34a, is partly or wholly inserted within the shaft aperture 24 of the locking member 21. External boss piece 20b, having an integral tubular member 34b,. slides over tubular member 34a of internal boss piece 20a to sandwich locking member 21 therebetween. Boss bolts 26 are threaded through apertures 26a into the aligned boss pieces 20a and 20b, and when a force is exerted, the locking shaft 18 when located within shaft opening 19, is securable at the desired length along that shaft 18, The deft regions 23a and 23b of both bosses are aligned so as to also align with the tongue aperture 25. With internal spring 15 placed over tongue pin 11a, tongue member 11 is located within the housing 12, where operating stem 13 protrudes into slot 14 and part of the pin 11a protrudes through aperture 14a. The tongue housing 12 is then affixed onto locking member 21 by fastening means 16. When so located, the internal spring 15 is under compression and is so biased that the stem 13 is positioned within slot 14 as shown in FIG 1 at position A. At position A, the device 10 is in the default locked position.

To assemble the second preferred embodiment of the device 10, and referring particularly to FIG 8 and related detailed drawings, spring 28 is placed over bolt pin region 27a of push-button bolt 27, which is placed into the bolt housing 29, via the passageway 29a.

By applying compression or pressure upon the spring 28, the bolt member 27 can co-act with tongue member 30. Bolt member 27 may conveniently be screw-fitted into opening 30c on tongue member 30. The bolt housing 29 is affixed to locking member 21 a by bolts 31. When the bolts 31 engage the bolt housing 29, portion 30b of the tongue member 30 sits within tongue aperture 25. Bolt member 27 resiliently forces the free or overhanging end 30d of the support member 30a of tongue 30 to sit within the alternative boss piece cleft 23d of external boss piece 20d in a locked, preferably default, setting.

In reference to both the above-described embodiments, the shaft opening 19 of boss pieces 20a and 20b or 20c and 20d may be of any convenient size and shape to accommodate different sized handle shafts as necessary.

To assemble the third embodiment of the device 10, according to FIGs 9 to 11, shaft housing 20 having a collar or annulet 36 is inserted within the opening 22 of the locking member 21 a. The cut-out region 36a of shaft housing 36 is aligned to receive the free end 30d of tongue member 30. Spring 28 placed over bolt pin region 27a of bolt member 27 and the bolt assembly (i.e. the bolt member 27, bolt pin. region 27a and spring 28) is placed within opening 29a of bolt housing 29 formed integral with locking member 21a. and the opening 27b at the end of bolt pin region 27a is aligned with opening 30c of tongue member 30, whereby tongue member 30 is affixed to bolt member 27 by a fastener means 35, preferably a rivet, inserted through opening 30o into opening 27b. When, the spring 28 is in its relaxed condition, tongue member end 30d of the tongue member 30 is in contact with, the closed end 36b of cut- out region 36a of collar 36. In this position, the locking device 10 is in the locked default position. When bolt member 27 is resiliently urged, the spring 28 is placed under compression so causing tongue member end 30d to be removed from contact with closed end 36b. In the position, locking member 21a and latch means 40 arc together released from engagement with shaft housing 20, thereby placing the device in aα unlocked condition.

In reference to any of the above described embodiments, the shaft opening 19 may be of any convenient size and shape to accommodate different sized handle shafts 18 as necessary.

Use of device

With reference to the first preferred embodiment of FIGs 1 to 5, due to the resistance of spring 15 upon tongue pin 11a, when located within the tongue housing 12, stem 13 is positioned at location A of the slot 14. When in this A position, the stepped portion 1 Ib sits within aperture 25 and is forced into the cleft regions 23a and 23b of the boss pieces 20a and 20b, respectively, which boss pieces 20a and 20b sandwich the locking member or bar 21 therebetween. A suitable locking shaft 18 is positioned within shaft opening 19 and is itself held in place by the boss bolts 26 fed through apertures 26a, which also hold both boss pieces 20a and 20b in contact and in alignment with respect to each other and to the locking member 21 , when the locking member 21 is in its locked condition as shown in FIG 1.

With reference to the second preferred embodiment of FIGs 6 to 8, when the spring 28 restliently holds free end 30d of tongue member 30 in engagement with boss piece cleft 23d of external boss piece 20d in a locked, preferably default, setting. Internal boss pieces 20c and 20d each further include a shaft opening 19, which opening is adapted to receive the locking shaft 18 therethrough in preferably tight but releasable factional engagement and is also adapted to provide a linear support means for locking member 21a to facilitate 360 degree rotational movement of the locking member 21a about the locking shaft 18, when the device 10 is in the unlocked condition. Boss bolts 26 via apertures 26a affix boss pieces 20c and 20d to the locking shaft 18 along any desired length of the shaft Locking member 21a is sandwiched between boss pieces 20c and 20d and co-acts with tile locking shaft 18 as before.

With reference to the third preferred embodiment, as illustrated by FIGs 9 to 11, when the spring 28 of the bolt assembly is in its substantially relaxed state, the tongue member 30 is in working engagement with the cut-out region 36a of the collar 36, whereby the device 10 is placed in a locked condition and when the bolt member 27 of the bolt assembly is urged to release the free end 30d of tongue member 30 from cooperation or contact with the closed end 36b of cut-out region 36a of the collar 36, the device 10 is placed in an unlocked condition.

In use, the device 10 is positioned within a door cavity (not shown) or on the face of the door. To that part of the locking shaft 18, which protrudes from the door to the area outside of the closed environment, one may add any suitable handle means (not shown).

Inside the closed area and wherein the device 10 is located, if the door to which the device 10 is attached accidentally closes or is locked, the device 10 may be unlocked by simply moving stem 13 from position A to position B, which causes the stepped, portion 11b of the tongue member 11 to disengage .from the clefts 23a and 23b of the boss pieces 20a and 20b, respectively, thereby permitting free rotation of the locking member 21 relative to the boss pieces 20a and 20b and thus the locking shaft 18. A suitably sized handle or grip member may be added to stem 13 to facilitate the movement of the stem 13 from position A to position B,

In the second preferred embodiment of FIGS 6 to 8, a person, accidentally trapped behind a door within the closed area carrying the device 10 of the present invention, can simply unlock the device 10 from inside by depressing the bolt member 27, which causes the overhang or free section 30d of the support member 30a of tongue member 30 to disengage from the cleft 23d of boss 20d, thereby enabling substantially free movement of locking member 21a relative to the boss pieces 20c and 20d and the handle shaft 18 held in shaft opening 19. The locking member 21a can be rotated relative to or about its aperture 24 by pulling down or lifting up section 32a of locking member 21a, such that the end 32a of the first bend section 32 of the of locking member 21a may act as the internal handle of the device 10 when fitted to a door and bar 21a can pivot relative to or about the shaft 18 located in aperture 24.

In the third preferred embodiment as shown in FIGs 9 to 11, the trapped person can unlock the device 10 by depressing bolt member 27, which causes the tongue member end 30d of tongue member 30 to disengage from closed end 36b of cut-out region 36a of collar 36, thereby enabling substantially free movement of locking member 21a and latch means 40 together relative to the shaft housing 20,

All the above described embodiments of the device 10 are of particular use when a trapped user desires to exit through the locked door. In this event, a user may release the latches as described above allowing the locking member 21 or 21a to be rotated in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The substantially free movement of the locking member 21 or 21a about the locking shaft 18 then allows the trapped user to open the door, while the outside door handle itself still remains in a locked condition. The locking member 21 or 21a may then be rotated back to its default position, wherein the spring-loaded arrangement causing internal spring 15 or 28, respectively, to operate on tongue member 11 or 30, will cause the tongue members 11 or 30, respectively, to re-engage within the boss piece clefts 23a and 23b or 23c, or closed end 36b, respectively and effectively re-fix the locking member 21 or 21a to the boss mechanism, for re-use of the device as a security mechanism.

The locking device 10 may conveniently be attached to the door, lid, container or the like via mounting means 50 through apertures 50c provided therein.

Each part of the device 10 is preferably manufactured from any suitable material known in the art. The choice of material used will be dictated by the environment in which the device 10 is to be used. For example, if the device 10 is to be used in a potentially water- corrosive environment, the make-up or composition of each of the parts would be duly selected upon the extent of its potential exposure to the environment i.e. in a freezer, the material selected would be stainless steel The handle may also appropriately be coated with a suitable plastics material to prevent damage to a hand being placed upon a frozen handle.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises" , "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced.

Claims

1. A locking device comprising a locking member, a shaft housing and a latch means, wherein when the latch means attachable to said locking member, is placed in an. engaged position, the latch, means cooperates with the shaft housing thereby enabling the locking member, the shaft housing and the latch means to move, or alternatively to be held, substantially in unison and when the latch means is placed in a disengaged position, the locking member and the latch means are substantially movable together relative to the shaft housing.

2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft housing is an assembly arranged so as to substantially sandwich, part of the locking member therebetween whereby movement of or substantially free rotation of the locking member and the latch means about or relative to the shaft housing is permitted when the latch means is disengaged therefrom.

3. A locking device according to claim 2, wherein the assembly is comprised of an internal boss piece and an external boss piece, wherein at least part of the internal boss piece is substantially receivable within the external boss piece,

4. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking member comprises a passageway through which at least a part of a locking shaft is receivable.

5. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a locking shaft is attachable to the base of the shaft housing remote from the latch means.

6. A locking device according to claim 5, wherein the locking device capable of fixable attachment to a door, lid, top or the like is in engageable contact with, a separate handle member positioned on the other side of a door, the engageable contact being by way of the shaft housing itself acting as the locking shaft or via a locking shaft acting in cooperation with the shaft housing, whereby the separate handle member connected to the locking shaft may then be placed in a locked condition.

7. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the latch means comprises a dog-clutch mechanism including a slidable member locatable within a member housing, wherein the slidable member is releasably securable to said locking member, the locking member being spring-loadable, whereby the shaft housing is placed in an engageable or lockable default setting.

8. A locking device according to claim 4, wherein the locking member is of a substantially planar strip configuration with the locking shaft housed partially within the shaft housing and positioned substantially perpendicular thereto.

9. A locking device according to claim 5, wherein the locking member is of a substantially planar strip configuration with the locking shaft attached to the shaft housing and positioned substantially perpendicular thereto.

10. A locking device according the any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the shaft housing assembly is provided with at least one cut-out region whereby the shaft housing can be brought into working engagement with the latch means.

11. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is non-linear and is arranged to provide for releasable securement of the latch means being adapted to engage the shaft housing on a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the shaft housing.

12. A locking device according to claim 11, wherein the locking member is of a substantially S- or Z-shaped configuration.

13. A locking device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the shaft housing is of a substantially tubular unitary construction.

14. A locking device according to claim 13, wherein the shaft housing has a collar or annulet located thereupon wherein the collar or annulet is formed with a cut-out region on a portion thereof.

15. A locking device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the latch means is a push-button bolt assembly comprising a push-button bolt member, a bolt pin region and a spring positioned thereupon, or operable therewith.

16. A locking device according to claims 15, wherein the bolt member is substantially receivable within, an opening provided in a bolt housing which is attachable to or formed integral with the locking member.

17. A locking device according to claim 16, wherein the bolt housing is formed integral with the locking member.

18. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the latch means cooperates with the shaft housing by a reversible tongue and groove mechanism.

19. A locking device according to claim 18, wherein the latch means comprises a tongue member of a substantially L-, U- or bar-shaped configuration, wherein the tongue member is formed with an opening whereby the tongue member is attachable to and cooperable with the bolt member.

20. A locking device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the cut-out region is adapted to coact with the tongue member to place the shaft housing is placed in an engageable or lockable default setting.

21, A locking device according to claim 20, wherein when the spring of the bolt assembly is in its substantially relaxed state, the tongue member is in working engagement with the cut- out region of the collar, whereby the device is placed in a locked condition.

22. A locking device according to claim 20, wherein when the spring of the bolt assembly is in its substantially compressed state, the tongue member is removed from cooperation with the cut-out region of the collar and the device is placed in an unlocked condition.