WO2015162129A1

WO2015162129A1 - Lock with increased strength

Info

Publication number: WO2015162129A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/058596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Filippo Mastalli
Original assignee: Ulock S.R.L.
Priority date: 2014-04-22
Filing date: 2015-04-21
Publication date: 2015-10-29

Abstract

A lock (1) with increased strength, which comprises a body (2) for supporting a closure element (3) that can be inserted at least partially in a corresponding accommodation seat (4) and means (5) for moving the closure element (3) between a closed configuration, in which it protrudes at least partially from the supporting body (2) and is engaged in the seat (4), and an open configuration, in which it is retracted within the supporting body (2) and is disengaged from the seat; the closure element (3) is a separate element with respect to the movement means (5, 8).

Description

LOCK WITH INCREASED STRENGTH

The present invention relates to a lock with increased strength.

Locks are known which are generally used for controlling access to a determined place or space, and also as protection from theft of vehicles of the type of bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles.

Such locks are, substantially, constituted by a slideable closure element, called a "latch", which has a head that can be engaged in a corresponding seat, and means for moving the closure element between a closed configuration, in which the latch is kept with the head engaged in the corresponding seat, and an open configuration, in which the latch is disengaged from the seat.

Several types of locks exist which usually differ in the nature of such actuation means, which can be of the mechanical, electric or electronic type.

In applications in which the lock is used to prevent the relative movement of two parts, one of which is mobile and one fixed, the latch and the corresponding movement systems are associated with one of such parts while the seat is defined on the other part.

In some applications the locks are incorporated into padlocks constituted by a closure body, called a "case", which includes the lock proper, and by a U-shaped shank, called a "shackle", with one end, called the "eye", contoured so as to interfere with the head of the latch.

In the closed configuration the closure body and the shackle are associated with each other temporarily integrally so as to define a closed loop, while in the open configuration the body is disengaged from the shackle, at least at the contoured end.

In any case conventional locks usually have latches with an elongated shape which are moved by sliding parallel to their longitudinal extension, and the abutment surfaces between the head of the latch and the corresponding seat are usually flat or, at the most, cylindrical.

These conventional locks are not devoid of drawbacks among which is the fact that, owing to the shape structure of the coupling between the seat and the head of the latch, any force to which the lock is subjected, for example if an attempt is made to force it open or even just owing to accidental impact or traction, is transferred to the movement elements, with the risk of damaging them or causing phenomena of wear which penalize the reliability and lifetime thereof.

Furthermore, most conventional locks must be actuated by a force exerted by the user, in order to pass from an open configuration to a closed configuration or vice versa. The user, for example, must act on the key inserted in a lock, rotating it with sufficient force to move the latch.

The latter disadvantage is particularly relevant if the user who intends to open or close the lock is a physically weak person or has motor difficulties in the upper limbs, as happens for example in some elderly persons, such that it can become impossible or at least difficult to exert a sufficient force to actuate a lock.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks in the background art by providing a lock with increased strength which makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the mechanical stresses transferred to the movement elements following attempts at forced entry or accidental impacts or traction, so as to not prejudice the operation and/or the lifetime thereof.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to devise a lock with increased strength which is flexible in use and can both be used for controlling access to places or spaces, and be incorporated in padlocks for locking property or bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a lock with increased strength which can be opened or closed by way of actuation means of the electric type, such as for example a small electric motor.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a lock with increased strength which can be integrated and controlled electronically with mobile devices in common use, such as for example smartphones or tablet PCs.

Last but not least, another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure, that is easy and practical to implement, safe in use and effective in operation, and low cost.

This aim and these and other objects are achieved by the present lock with increased strength, comprising a body for supporting a closure element that can be inserted at least partially in a corresponding accommodation seat and means for moving said closure element between a closed configuration, in which it protrudes at least partially from said supporting body and is engaged in said seat, and an open configuration, in which it is retracted within said supporting body and disengaged from said seat, characterized in that said closure element is a separate element with respect to said movement means.

The closure element is preferably substantially spherical or cylindrical with the curved surface of the solid being adapted to be engaged by the movement means and the closure element being adapted to be moved by rotation or combined rotation and translation in a channel for sliding.

This aim and these and other objects are also achieved by a closure padlock, characterized in that it comprises a lock as indicated above and a U-shaped shackle provided with a first end that is contoured so as to define said seat and with a second end that is opposite the first one and is associated with said supporting body at least in the closed configuration, the supporting body being provided with a hole for the insertion of said first end and into which said opening faces.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a lock with increased strength, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a padlock incorporating the lock with increased strength, according to the invention, in the closed configuration;

Figure 2 is a schematic and partial perspective view of the supporting body of the lock according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view from above of the padlock in Figure 1 with the supporting body seen in cross-section;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view from below of the padlock in Figure 1 with the supporting body seen in cross-section;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the padlock in Figure 1.

With reference to the figures, a lock with increased strength is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

The lock 1 comprises, substantially, a body 2 for supporting a closure element 3 that can be inserted at least partially in a corresponding accommodation seat 4 and means 5 for moving the closure element 3 between a closed configuration, in which it protrudes at least partially from the supporting body 2 and is engaged in the seat 4, and an open configuration, in which it is retracted within the supporting body 2 and is disengaged from the seat 4.

The closure element 3 is a structurally separate element from the movement means 5, 8 by which it is actuated. Preferably, the closure element 3 is substantially spherical.

As a consequence the seat 4 also consists of a recess in the shape of a spherical cap or a cylindrical sector.

This particular shape makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the transmission of mechanical stresses to the movement means 5 if the lock is subjected, for example, to attempts at forced entry, or accidental impacts or traction, so as to not cause damage or wear thereto.

Such reduction of the mechanical stresses transmitted to the movement means 5 comes about because any type of external force that is exerted in the event of the above mentioned attempts at forced entry, or accidental impacts or traction, is discharged directly and almost completely on the closure element 3 which is substantially spherical.

In essence, the spherical closure element 3 isolates the mechanical components that constitute the movement means 5 from any form of force originating from outside, thus also acting as a kind of cushion that absorbs such external forces and which protects the movement means 5 from damage or wear, so as to not prejudice the operation and/or the lifetime thereof.

Inside the supporting body 2 there is a channel 6 for sliding the spherical closure element 3 between the open configuration and the closed configuration, which has an opening 7 that faces the seat 4 in the closed configuration. Conveniently the opening 7 is substantially circular with a diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter of the spherical closure element 3, so as to allow such element to protrude from the supporting body 2 in the closed configuration, without exiting completely therefrom.

The movement means 5 are adapted to actuate the sliding of the spherical closure element 3 along the channel 6 according to a working direction D toward/away from the seat 4.

More specifically, the movement means 5 comprise a cam 8 that is in contact with, but structurally separate from, the spherical closure element 3, which acts as a cam follower. Preferably the cam 8 is of the cylindrical type, or the like, and the movement means 5 comprise means 9 for the rotary actuation of the cam about a rotation axis R which is substantially parallel to the working direction D.

The rotation axis R and the working direction D are mutually spaced apart and do not coincide, in that the cam 8 has an inclined ramp 10 that is wound around at least one arc of circumference that is centered on the rotation axis R and on which the spherical closure element 3 is arranged in contact in the working direction D. The possibility is not ruled out, however, that the cam can be of the translating type.

The cam 8 is arranged in a corresponding accommodation 18 defined in the supporting body 2.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the closure element 3 could also be cylindrical, with the curved surface of the cylinder facing and in contact with the thrust cam 8 and the axis of the cylinder arranged at right angles to the direction of movement.

The sliding channel 6 has, in this case, a substantially rectangular profile for the sliding of the closure element 3, while the opening 7 is substantially rectangular with a cross-section that is smaller than the rectangular cross-section of the cylindrical closure element 3, so as to allow such element to protrude from the supporting body 2 in the closed configuration, without exiting completely therefrom.

In particular, the opening 7 can have a length that can be greater than or equal to the axis of the cylinder and a height less than the diameter of the cylinder.

The actuation means 9 can be of the mechanical or electric type.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuation means 9 are of the electric type and comprise an electric motor 11 the rotating shaft 12 of which is connected to the cam 8, directly or by way of adapted reducing gears if necessary. If connected directly, the rotating shaft 12 defines the arrangement of the rotation axis R.

Advantageously the actuation means 9 can have a battery 13 that supplies power to the motor 11 and is associated with the supporting body 2 or is directly accommodated within it.

Preferably, inside the supporting body 2 there are respective compartments 16 and 17 for accommodating the electric motor 11 and the battery 13.

Alternatively, according to the specific application, there can be a connection of the electric motor 11 to an external power supply.

Furthermore, there can be electronic means 19 of managing and controlling the movement means 5, in particular of the actuation means 9, which are thus adapted to electronically control the transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration or vice versa, such electronic means 19 being of the type of a conventional printed circuit board (PCB).

The electronic means 19 can be functionally connected to a sensor 14 for detecting the presence of the seat 4 proximate to the opening 7 for the closing actuation of the movement means 5. The sensor 14 can be arranged in a corresponding accommodation 15 associated with the supporting body 2, or defined therein, proximate to the opening 7.

In this manner the lock 1 closes automatically when the seat 4 is arranged at the opening 7.

In a further embodiment of the lock 1 , the movement means 5 can be controlled remotely by the user, by way of mobile devices in common use, such as for example a smartphone, or a tablet PC, in order to pass from an open configuration to a closed configuration or vice versa.

In such embodiment, the electronic means 19 of management and control comprise a wireless communication module, for example a Bluetooth module, which is adapted to allow the electronic means 19 to receive an opening or closing command sent by the user using a mobile device.

The user could thus command the opening and/or the closing of the lock 1 by way of one or more taps on the touch screen of his/her mobile device.

Alternatively, the user could also command the opening of the lock 1 by way of a button arranged outside the supporting body 2, which is activated by a sensor that detects the presence in the vicinity, for example within a radius of 2 meters, of the mobile device of the user, while the closing actuation of the movement means 5 is controlled by the proximity sensor 14.

The sensor can in particular be a wireless chip, for example the above mentioned Bluetooth module, adapted to detect the presence of a mobile device that is registered as a device for locking and unlocking the padlock. Once the connection is established between the mobile device and the padlock, it can even be possible to command the opening of the padlock by way of a shaking operation. Such operation can be a shaking of the mobile device, where the mobile device detects the shaking thereof according to the known art and sends the corresponding information to the padlock, commanding the opening thereof, or it can be an action on the padlock proper which can be detected by optional adapted sensors in the padlock. In this case the padlock, once the action of the user has been detected and the connection with a mobile device associated therewith has been established, can automatically command its own opening.

Similarly, once the connection is established between the padlock and the mobile device, the closing of the padlock can also occur automatically by bringing together the respective parts of the padlock that are adapted to engage with each other for the closure.

It should be noted that the lock 1 can be used for controlling access to places or spaces, and thus can be installed with the supporting body connected to one of two parts, of which generally one is fixed and one movable, and the seat connected to or defined directly on the other part.

For example the lock 1 can be used to lock doors or windows, or furniture doors or drawers.

The lock 1 can be, likewise, incorporated in conventional padlocks for use both for controlling access to spaces or places, and for protection from theft of items, bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles.

In the figures, in fact, merely for the purposes of example, the lock 1 is applied to a padlock 100.

The padlock 100 comprises a U-shaped shackle 101 that is provided with a first end 102 which is contoured so as to define the seat 4 and with a second end 103, arranged opposite to the previous end, which is associated with the supporting body 2 at least in the closed configuration.

The supporting body 2 is provided with a hole 120 that is connected to the opening 7 for inserting the first end 102 in the closed configuration.

Preferably the second end 103 has a curved shape and is insertable in a corresponding cavity 104 that is associated with the supporting body 2 in the closed configuration.

Alternatively the second end 103 could be articulated to the supporting body 2.

The shackle 101 is generally made of metallic material and the sensor 14 can be of the type of a conventional proximity sensor that detects the placement of the shackle in the closed configuration in order to actuate the movement means 5.

In more detail, the supporting body 2 is constituted by two elongated and contoured half-shells 105 and 106 that are coupled together so as to define the hole 120, the accommodation 15, the channel 6 and the compartments 16 and 17.

The shells 105 and 106 are kept coupled by a pair of elastic retaining rings 108 which are accommodated in respective annular recesses 109 that are defined on the half- shells.

One of the two half-shells 105 has a flattened area 110 for accommodating the printed circuit 19 which is connected to the terminals 111 and 112 applied to the battery 13. The other half-shell 106 has, at the end directed toward the second end 103 of the shackle 101 , an axially protruding eyelet 113. The eyelet 113 can in particular act as a key for the extraction of the central body of the device in order to replace the battery accommodated therein.

The supporting body 2 comprises, further, a housing 114, inside which the half-shells 105 and 106 are accommodated, which is constituted by a tubular element 115 that is closed at the ends by respective plugs 116, 117 and is provided with a first slot 118 that is aligned with the hole 120 for the introduction of the first end 102 and with a second slot 119 at the cavity 104 for the introduction of the second end 103.

The longitudinal extension of the housing 114 is greater than that of the half-shells 105, 106 and the cavity 104 is defined inside the housing between the half-shells 105, 106 and the plug 117.

Operation of the present invention can be inferred from the foregoing description.

By way of example, the lock 1 according to the present invention can be used for locking cabinets and the like which are present nowadays in many public places (gyms, swimming pools etc.) for the purpose of storing one's personal effects, in particular if such personal effects cannot be brought into the public place, as is the case with metallic items which cannot be brought into banks and must be left in the lockers provided outside.

Obviously the lock 1 according to the present invention can also be used for locking cabinets and the like which are present in private places, for example for locking a set of drawers in an office or for locking the medicines cabinet in a residence.

In practice it has been found that the invention as described achieves the intended aim and objects and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the lock according to the invention and the padlock obtainable therefrom have improved strength over the conventional solutions.

Furthermore the lock according to the invention and the padlock obtainable therefrom make possible various different applications and modes of use.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection claimed herein.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2014A000740 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A lock (1) with increased strength, comprising a body (2) for supporting a closure element (3) that can be inserted at least partially in a corresponding accommodation seat (4) and means (5) for moving said closure element (3) between a closed configuration, in which it protrudes at least partially from said supporting body (2) and is engaged in said seat (4), and an open configuration, in which it is retracted within said supporting body (2) and disengaged from said seat, characterized in that said closure element (3) is a separate element with respect to said movement means (5).

2. The lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting body (2) comprises a channel (6) for the sliding of said closure element (3) between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the movement means (5) being adapted to actuate with alternating sliding the closure element (3) along a working direction (D) toward/away from said seat (4).

3. The lock (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said channel (6) has an opening (7) that faces said seat (4) and is substantially circular, with a diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter of said closure element (3), said closure element (3) being substantially spherical.

4. The lock (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said channel (6) has an opening (7) that faces said seat (4) and is substantially rectangular, with a cross-section that is smaller than the maximum cross- section of said closure element (3), said closure element (3) being substantially cylindrical and being arranged with a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to said sliding direction (D).

5. The lock (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means (5) comprise a cam (8) in contact with said closure element (3).

6. The lock (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said movement means (5) comprise means (9) for the rotary actuation of said cam (8) about a rotation axis (R) that is substantially parallel to said working direction (D).

7. The lock (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said rotation axis (R) and said working direction (D) are mutually spaced apart, the cam (8) having an inclined ramp (10) that is wound around at least one arc of circumference that is centered on said rotation axis (R) and on which said closure element (3) is arranged in contact in said working direction (D).

8. The lock (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (9) comprise a motor (11) of the electric type.

9. The lock (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said actuation means (9) comprise a battery (3) which supplies power to said electric motor (11) and is associated with said supporting body (2).

10. The lock (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises electronic means (19) for the control and management of said movement means (5).

11. The lock according to claim 10, characterized in that said electronic means (19) are connected functionally to a sensor (14) for detecting the presence of said seat (4) proximate to said opening (7) for the closing activation of said movement means (5).

12. The lock according to claims 10 or 11, characterized in that said electronic means (19) comprise a wireless communication module, which is adapted to allow the electronic means (19) to receive an opening or closing command sent by a mobile device.

13. The lock according to claim 12, characterized in that said wireless communication module is a Bluetooth module.

14. A closure padlock (100), characterized in that it comprises a lock (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims and a U-shaped shackle (101) provided with a first end (102) that is contoured so as to define said seat (4) and with a second end (103) that is opposite the first one and is associated with said supporting body (2) at least in the closed configuration, the supporting body (2) being provided with a hole (120) for the insertion of said first end (102) and into which said opening (7) faces.

15. The padlock (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that said second end (103) is associated so as to be articulated with said supporting body (103).

16. The padlock (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that said second end (103) has a curved shape and can be inserted in a corresponding cavity (104) associated with said supporting body in the closed configuration.