SECURITY LOCK FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a security lock for vehicles, especially for the cargo compartments of lorries or vans, but also usable on other doors. The lock system uses a clamp having two halves or plates such that same hold a bolt, increasing the contact area in the event of a possible attack or leverage, and, if the surface of the vehicle becomes deformed, the two halves jam the bolt, further increasing security and reducing the possibility of opening. Using this invention, the system of inside opening by means of a cable is eliminated. Now, opening from the inside is performed by rotating a shaft or handle perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle, preventing the vehicle from being accessed from the outside.

Claims

1. Security locking device for vehicles, with a protruding element which holds a bolt, and a receiving element with a release lock, wherein the bolt possesses a conic or truncated-cone head and a narrow section, and that the receiving element comprises a clamp whose jaws define a grip that surrounds all or most of the bolt's narrow section, and which is opened by the lock (pushing against one or more return springs) by means of an actuator.

2. Security locking device according to claim 1, whose clamp, actuator and bolt are all located between plates of a resistant material, joined respectively to the protruding and receiving element.

3. Security lock according to claim 1, which in addition comprises a crank for the use of opening the clamp from the inside of the vehicle.

4. Security locking device according to claim 3, whose actuator is an eccentric plate located between the two halves of the clamp, connected in rotation to the cam lock and the crank from the interior of the vehicle.

5. Security locking device according to claim 3, which comprises a second actuator connected to the crank in order to open the clamp.

6. Security locking device according to claim 4, whose crank is coaxial to the cam lock.

7. Security locking device according to claim 4, whose crank is not coaxial to the cam lock, and is connected mechanically to the actuator by means of approximately parallel connecting rods.

8. Security locking device according to claim 4, whose crank is not coaxial to the cam lock, and is connected mechanically to the actuator by means of crossing connecting rods.

9. Security locking device according to claim 5, whose second actuator is a scissor-type mechanism.

10. Security locking device according to claim 1, in which the lock is electronic.

11. Security locking device according to claim 10, in which the electronic lock is wireless.

12. Security locking device according to claim 1, which comprises a mechanical and an electronic lock in parallel disposition, both of which are capable of opening the clamp independently.

Description

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

[0015] For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included:

[0016] FIG. 1: It provides an exterior frontal view, in perspective, of an example of the device.

[0017] FIG. 2: It shows a back view of the previous example.

[0018] FIG. 3: It shows the protruding part from the example in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] FIG. 4: It provides an assembly view of the clamp in an open position, without gripping the bolt.

[0020] FIG. 5: It shows a view of the previous example from a different angle, but with the clamp closed around the bolt.

[0021] FIG. 6: It shows the assembly view of another example where the lock and the crank possess independent actuators.

[0022] FIG. 7: It shows the assembly view of another example where the lock and the crank possess independent actuators

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the following, one briefly describes an embodiment of the invention as an illustrative and not limited example of this.

[0024] The different embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 follow the same premise. The security locking device comprises two external elements. The first one will be fixed to a moving surface (hinged or sliding), and the other one to another surface or to some kind of frame, depending on the kind of door (one-fold, two-fold, sliding . . . ). The first element shall be called protruding element (1), and the second one will be the receiving element (2). Either of the two parts can be the one fixed to the moving surface, but usually preferably, it should be the receiving element (2). In this case, the protruding element (1) would stay immobile through the opening or closing process, although as has been mentioned, it can be on another moving surface and therefore be also mobile.

[0025] The receiving element (2) contains the cam lock (3), which will itself follow the usual security measures for this technology (anti-drill pins, uncopiable keys, etc.). The insertion of the key into the lock (3) and its turning shall produce a rotatory motion on an actuator (4) (which faces the vehicle's interior so as to not be accessible from the outside). This actuator (4) can take many shapes, as can be seen in the different examples represented, as long as its rotation causes the opening of the clamp (5), opposing one or more (traction or compression) springs (unreferenced). These springs shall be lodged in some notches (6) on the clamp's (5) side.

[0026] The clamp (5) shown in the figures is composed of two symmetric halves, each of which is articulated at a shaft (7) on its tip. On the other tip, they possess a curved jaw (8) in order to grip a bolt (9) fixed to the protruding element (1). Both the jaws (8) and the bolt (9) possess inclined surfaces, in order for the bolt's (9) movement to be able to separate the clamp's (5) two halves (pushing against the spring coils) so that it opens, and can then grip the bolt (9). For example, the bolt (9) will have a conical or truncated-cone head (10) and a narrow section (11). In the closed position, the clamp's jaws (8) surround all or most of the bolt's (9) narrow section (11). In this way, it is impossible for the bolt (9) to escape the clamp (5). If so desired, the narrow section (8) can also have an inclined surface so as to facilitate its opening.

[0027] The bolt (9) can be formed out of only a single piece or out of several. For example, an element with a narrow section (11) and a head (10) which is fixed to a plate or casing by inner or outer threads.

[0028] To avoid access to the clamp (5) from the outside, the group formed by clamp (5), actuator (4) and bolt (9) is located between plates (12, 13) joined to the protruding and receiving elements (1, 2) respectively. These plates (12, 13) will be made from a resistant material, such as a tempered steel or something with similar properties. Preferably, there will be a plate on both sides of the elements, protecting them from any angle.

[0029] The preferred actuator (4), would be, due to its simplicity, an eccentric plate. Turning it causes the two halves of the clamp (5) to retract against the spring or springs.

[0030] For safety reasons, among others, it is necessary to permit the opening of the lock from the interior of the vehicle. For this purpose, a crank (14) is used, which can be coaxial to the lock (3), or not. When they are coaxial, the plate, which constitutes the preferred actuator (4), will be mechanically joined to both of them. Preferably by means of a differential, so that the crank's (14) rotation be independent from the lock's (3). In other words, the turning of the crank (14) will neither produce nor require any rotation on the lock's (3) part, and vice versa. Another way to obtain this result would be for the actuator to be comprised of two independent parts, each of which corresponding to one of the two aforementioned elements (lock or crank).

[0031] If the lock (3) and crank (14) are not coaxial, the actuator (4) can then be fixed to one of the two and joined to the other by the use of connecting rods (15). The connecting rods (15) can be approximately parallel if the lock (3) and the crank (14) have the same direction of rotation (FIG. 5). If what we wish is for them to have opposite direction of rotation, then the connecting rods (15) will cross.

[0032] An example can be seen in FIG. 6 where the crank (14) possesses its own second actuator (4), which in this case is a scissor-type mechanism that multiplies the opening generated by the turning of the crank (14), which has a slight eccentricity.

[0033] Another example is shown in FIG. 7, where the crank (14) has its own second actuator (4). In this case it is of smaller size and it coincides with two small projections on the clamp's (5) interior.