HYBRID BOLT FOR A LOCK MECHANISM

Abstract

Provided is a lock including a housing, a locking mechanism, and a locking member configured for displacement with respect to the housing between a closed position and an open position, defining respective open and closed states of the lock. The lock further includes a bolt configured for displacing between an unlocked position in which the locking member is free to displace between its closed and open positions, and a locked position in which the bolt prevents displacement of the locking member between its open and closed positions. The bold bolt includes a follower and an arresting bar attached to one another and configured for displacement as a single body owing to engagement between the locking member and the follower. The follower and the arresting bar include different materials.

Claims

1-75. (canceled)

76. A lock comprising a housing, a locking mechanism, a locking member configured for displacement with respect to the housing between a closed position and an open position, defining respective closed and open states of the lock, and a bolt configured for displacing between an unlocked position in which the locking member is free to displace between its closed and open positions, and a locked position in which the bolt prevents displacement of the locking member between its open and closed positions, wherein said bolt comprises a follower and an arresting bar attached to one another and configured for displacement as a single body owing to engagement between the locking member and the follower, wherein the follower and the arresting bar comprise different materials.

77. The lock according to claim 76, wherein in an unblocked state of the locking mechanism, in which the arresting bar is free to displace, displacement of the locking member from the closed position to the open position entails displacement of the entire bolt to its unlocked position, and in a blocked state of the locking mechanism, in which the arresting bar is prevented from displacement, displacement of the locking member from the closed position to the open position entails disengagement of the follower from the arresting bar, leaving the arresting bar in an arrested position, preventing further displacement of the locking member into its open position.

78. The lock according to claim 76, wherein the follower and the arresting bar are configured for disengagement with respect to one another under a predetermined threshold load applied to either of the two members.

79. The lock according to claim 78, wherein application of a load to the follower which is under the threshold load, causes either of the following displacement of the entire bolt when proper input has been provided, and resistance of the bolt when proper input has not been provided.

80. The lock according to claim 78, wherein when the arresting bar is held in place, application of a load greater than the threshold load entails disengagement of the follower from the arresting bar.

81. The lock according to claim 80, wherein such disengagement brings the lock into a malfunction state in which the follower is in a position corresponding to an unlocked position of the bolt, and the arresting bar is in a position corresponding to a locked position of the bolt, preventing displacement of the locking member into its open position.

82. The lock according to claim 78, wherein the threshold load is determined based on the attachment arrangement between the follower and the arresting bar.

83. The lock according to claim 82, wherein engagement between the follower and the arresting bar is in the form of a fixed attachment, whereby disengagement between the follower and the arresting bar takes place as a result of mechanical failure of a fail element.

84. The lock according to claim 76, wherein the follower comprises at least one follower surface configured for engaging a corresponding cam portion of the locking member.

85. The lock according to claim 76, wherein the arresting bar is made of a harder material than that of the follower.

86. A lock comprising a housing, a locking mechanism, a locking member configured for displacement with respect to the housing between a closed position and an open position, defining respective closed and open states of the lock, and a bolt configured for displacing between an unlocked position in which the locking member is free to displace between its closed and open positions, and a locked position in which the bolt prevents displacement of the locking member between its open and closed positions, wherein said bolt comprises a follower and an arresting bar attached to one another and configured for displacement as a single body, the follower being configured for engaging a portion of the locking member, wherein in an unblocked state of the locking mechanism, in which the arresting bar is free to displace, displacement of the locking member from the closed position to the open position entails displacement of the entire bolt to its unlocked position, and in a blocked state of the locking mechanism, in which the arresting bar is prevented from displacement, displacement of the locking member from the closed position to the open position entails disengagement of the follower from the arresting bar, leaving the arresting bar in an arrested position, preventing further displacement of the locking member into its open position.

87. The lock according to claim 86, wherein the follower and the arresting bar are configured for disengagement with respect to one another under a predetermined threshold load applied to either of the two members.

88. The lock according to claim 87, wherein application of a load to the follower which is under the threshold load, causes either of the following displacement of the entire bolt when proper input has been provided, and resistance of the bolt when proper input has not been provided.

89. The lock according to claim 87, wherein when the arresting bar is held in place, application of a load greater than the threshold load entails disengagement of the follower from the arresting bar.

90. The lock according to claim 89, wherein such disengagement brings the lock into a malfunction state in which the follower is in a position corresponding to an unlocked position of the bolt, and the arresting bar is in a position corresponding to a locked position of the bolt, preventing displacement of the locking member into its open position.

91. The lock according to claim 87, wherein the threshold load is determined based on the attachment arrangement between the follower and the arresting bar.

92. The lock according to claim 91, wherein engagement between the follower and the arresting bar is in the form of a fixed attachment, whereby disengagement between the follower and the arresting bar takes place as a result of mechanical failure of a fail element.

93. The lock according to claim 91, wherein the fail element is made of materials having a lower toughness or hardness as compared to the follower.

94. The lock according to claim 86, wherein the arresting bar and the follower are made of different materials.

95. A bolt for a lock according to claim 86.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a lock;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the lock shown in FIG. 1, with a front cover thereof being removed;

[0049] FIG. 3A is a schematic isometric view of a locking assembly of the locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the closed position thereof;

[0050] FIG. 3B is a schematic front view of the locking assembly shown in FIG. 3A;

[0051] FIG. 3C is a schematic front view of the locking assembly of the locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in mid way between its closed and open positions;

[0052] FIG. 3D is a schematic top view of the locking assembly shown in FIG. 3C;

[0053] FIG. 3E is a schematic front view of the locking assembly of the locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in a malfunction position thereof;

[0054] FIG. 4A is a schematic front view of a bolt of the locking assembly shown in FIG. 3A;

[0055] FIG. 4B is a schematic front view of a bolt of the locking assembly shown in FIG. 3E;

[0056] FIG. 5A is a schematic isometric view of the bolt shown in FIG. 4A;

[0057] FIG. 5B is a schematic rear isometric view of the bolt shown in FIG. 5A;

[0058] FIG. 6A is a schematic isometric view of the bolt shown in FIG. 4B;

[0059] FIG. 6B is a schematic rear isometric view of the bolt shown in FIG. 6A;

[0060] FIG. 7A is a schematic exploded view of the combination lock shown in FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 7B is a schematic exploded view of the combination lock shown in FIG. 7A, with the internal mechanism removed;

[0062] FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-section view of a portion of the housing of the combination lock shown in FIG. 7B; and

[0063] FIGS. 8B and 8C are schematic enlarged views of details shown in FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0064] It is appreciated that although the specific examples shown in and described with respect to the above mentioned figures refer to a combination lock, the subject matter of the present application can be implemented in any type of lock in which a bolt is incorporated.

[0065] Attention is first drawn to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a combination lock is shown, generally designated 1, and comprising a housing 10 and a shackle 20 configured for displacing between a locked position and an unlocked position, by virtue of entering the proper combination to the lock 1.

[0066] Turning now to FIGS. 3A to 3E, the shackle 20 comprises a shackle body 22, a shank 24, and a cam portion 25 formed with a first cam surface 26 and a second cam surface 28.

[0067] The lock 1 further comprises a bolt 30 received within the housing, and configured for selectively engaging the shackle 20 in order to prevent retraction thereof from the housing 10, and consequently preventing unlocking of the lock 1.

[0068] With particular reference being made to FIG. 3B, the bolt 30 comprises a follower 40, made of generally soft material (e.g. plastic) and an arresting bar 50 made of metal. The follower 40 and the arresting bar 50 are adjoined to one another via a tenon and mortise arrangement so that they are configured for displacing together as a single body.

[0069] In particular, the bolt 30 is configured for performing a lateral displacement between a first position preventing extraction of the cam portion 25 from the housing 10 and a second position allowing such extraction.

[0070] With additional reference being made to FIGS. 3C and 3D, the follower 40 has a body 42 formed with a follower portion 44 having a follower surface 46, and comprises a fail element 48 serving as the tenon. The arresting bar 50 also comprises a body 52, an opening formed with an egress portion 54 and an arresting portion 56, and a recess 58 serving as the mortise for the fail element 48.

[0071] Reverting now to FIG. 3B, the lock 1 is shown in a locked position, where the cam portion 25 of the shank 24 is received axially under the arresting portion 56 of the opening of the arresting bar 50, thereby preventing extraction of the shank 24 from the housing 10.

[0072] From this position, pulling on the shackle 24 entails axial movement of the cam portion 25 in an upwards direction. As a result, the cam surface 26 bears against the corresponding cam surface 46 of the follower 40, applying a load thereto attempting to displace the follower 40 laterally to the right.

[0073] Assuming a proper combination has been entered into the lock, the arresting bar 50 is free to displace together with the follower 40, resulting in the lateral rightward movement of the entire bolt 30 to the position shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

[0074] In the position shown in these figures, the bolt 30 has displaced to a sufficient amount so that the cam portion 25 of the shank 24 is located directly under the egress portion 54, allowing further extraction of the cam portion 25, thereby unlocking the lock 1.

[0075] It is also noted that in this position, both follower 40 and arresting bar 50 maintain the same relation with respect to one another (i.e. have no relative displacement therebetween), as more clearly shown in FIGS. 4B, 5A and 5B.

[0076] However, from the same position shown in FIG. 3B, if the proper combination has not been entered into the lock, the arresting bar 50 will be prevented from displacement together with the follower 40. As a result, pulling on the shank 24 and applying a load to the follower 40 will result in the lateral rightward movement only of the follower 40, without the arresting bar 50, on account of tear or breaking off of the fail element 48 and disengagement of the follower 40 from the arresting bar 50.

[0077] As a result, the lock 1 will assume the position shown in FIGS. 3E, 4B, 6A and 6B. In this position, the arresting bar 50 remains in the same position as it was, whereby the arresting portion 56 of the opening thereof is located above the cam portion 25 of the shank 24, preventing extraction of the shank 24 from the housing 10.

[0078] It should be noted that in order to allow opening of the lock, the arresting bar 50 should be displaced laterally. This displacement is originally induced by displacement of the follower 40 (due to its connection with the bar 50 via the fail element 48), and displacement of the follower is induced by its interaction with the cam portion 25 of the shackle 20.

[0079] This, once the follower 40 is disengaged from the arresting bar 50, the latter cannot displace into a desired position and the lock 1 becomes jammed. The housing 10 does not allow access to the arresting bar 50 (for security reasons) and therefore the lock 1 becomes damaged or malfunctioned with now way of reverting it back to its original position.

[0080] It is also noted that the structural integrity of the fail element 48 is designed according to the expected loads applied to the arresting bar 50 by the follower 40. In other words, the fail element 48 is configured for failing under the application of a load above a certain threshold, which defines the difference between a gentle pull on the shackle and a violent attempt of pulling out the shackle by force.

[0081] Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an exploded view of the combination lock 1 is provided, in the latter of which the combination mechanism 101 is removed for clearer representation.

[0082] It is observed that the combination mechanism 101 is retained within a housing comprising a first housing component 110 and a second housing component 120 configured for forming a full enclosure of the combination mechanism 101.

[0083] Each of the housing components 110, 120 is in the form of a shell 112, 122 respectively, each such shell 112, 122 having a first port 114, 124 configured for receiving therein a first leg of the shackle 20 and a second port 116, 126 configured for receiving therein the second leg of the shackle 20.

[0084] The first shell 112 is configured for being received within the second shell 122 so that the first ports 114, 124 are aligned with one another and the second ports 116, 126 are also aligned with one another, allowing insertion of the legs of the shackle through both ports simultaneously.

[0085] Turning now to FIGS. 8A to 8C, a cross-section of the assembled combination lock is shown in which the first sheconstitutes occupies an external part of the housing. A first sleeve 130 is inserted through the first ports 114, 124 and a second sleeve 140 is inserted through the second ports 116, 126.

[0086] In assembly, once the sleeves 130, 140 are inserted into the above ports, a purposed tool is used to form outer and inner flange portions for each of the sleeves134, 136 for the first sleeve 130 and corresponding 144, 146 for the second sleeve 140.

[0087] The flange portions prevent axial displacement of the sleeves 130, 140 with respect to the ports, and also facilitate securing the two shells 112, 122 to one another in a manner closing off the housing and preventing access to the combination mechanism 101.

[0088] It is noted that the presence of the sleeve within the ports prevents lateral displacement of the housing components 112, 122 with respect to one another, thereby preventing disengagement of the components from one another and disassembly of the housing.

[0089] In addition, the use of sleeves allows for the use of shackles 20 of various diameters (of the cross-section of the leg of the shackle) using the same housing components 110, 120. Specifically, if a smaller diameter of the shackle is required, a thicker sleeve can be used so that the shackle leg and sleeve made up a diameter corresponding to that of the ports.

[0090] Furthermore, the arrangement of housing components 110, 120 which are separate from the combination mechanism (used only to encapsulate it), allows for simplifying manufacture and reducing costs during the quality assurance tests etc. Specifically, such tests can be performed on the combination mechanism 101 itself (without the encapsulating shell), and once performed, the combination mechanism can be encapsulated in the housing.

Components

[0091] 1lock [0092] 10housing [0093] 20locking member [0094] 22shackle body [0095] 24shank [0096] 25cam portion (head) [0097] 26cam surface [0098] 28cam surface [0099] 30bolt [0100] 40follower [0101] 42follower plate [0102] 44follower portion [0103] 46follower surface [0104] 48fail element [0105] 50arresting bar [0106] 52arresting plate [0107] 54egress portion of the opening [0108] 56arresting portion of the opening [0109] 58recess (for receiving the fail element) [0110] 101combination mechanism [0111] 110first housing component [0112] 112first shell [0113] 114first port of the first housing component [0114] 116second port of the first housing component [0115] 120second housing component [0116] 122second shell [0117] 124first port of the second housing component [0118] 126second port of the second housing component [0119] 130first sleeve [0120] 132sleeve body [0121] 133inner surface of the first sleeve body [0122] 134outer flange of the first sleeve [0123] 136inner flange of the first sleeve [0124] 140second sleeve [0125] 142sleeve body of the second sleeve [0126] 143inner surface of the second sleeve body [0127] 144outer flange of the second sleeve [0128] 146inner flange of the second sleeve