GB2181776A - Lock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock mechanism for a sliding gate 4 has a locking member 2 fixed to the gate and a bolt member 8 fixed to an adjacent gate post 6. The bolt member carries a bolt 10 insertable into a cylindrical opening 12 in the locking member as the gate is closed where it can be held by a retaining member 24 fixed to core 26 of a key-operated lock 16 and rotatable about an axis transverse to the inserted bolt. When the retaining member is in one position of rotation, a flat 28 leaves opening 21 unobstructed so that the gate can be opened and closed. With the gate closed the retaining member may then be rotated to bring an arcuate portion of member 24 to project into a wasted portion 30 of bolt 10 to secure the gate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lock mechanism This invention relates to lock mechanisms for securing together a pair of relatively movable parts and is concerned particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, with lock mechanisms for sliding gates.

According to the invention, there is provided a lock mechanism for locking together a pair of relativeiy movable parts, comprising a locking member to be mounted on one of the parts and a bolt member to be mounted on the other of said parts, the bolt member comprising a bolt insertable into an opening of the locking member and the locking member comprising a key-operated mechanism and a retainer rotatable by said mechanism about an axis transverse to the inserted bolt and having alternative positions of rotation in one of which it permits the insertion and removal of the bolt and in the other of which it engages in a lateral recess in the inserted bolt to prevent its withdrawal.

Preferably, said bolt recess extends circumferentially of the bolt concentric with its longitudinal axis.

The retainer may take the form of a generally cylindrical member provided with a relief of one side of its central axis, said relief being registrable with the bolt opening to permit said insertion and removal of the bolt, and rotation of the cylindrical member from that position effecting said engagement with the bolt to prevent its withdrawal.

An embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 show a detail of a sliding gate provided with a lock mechanism in accordance with the invention, the figures illustrating, respectively, closed and open positions of the gate, Fig. 3 is a side view of the lock mechanism, and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail illustrations of the unlocked and locked positions of the lock mechanism.

The illustrated lock mechanism comprises a block-like locking member 2 securely fixed to the side edge of a sliding gate 4. Fixed to an adjacent gate post 6 is a bolt member 8 from which a bolt in the form of a generally cylindrical pin 10 projects towards the locking member 2, the pin axis extending in the direction of movement of the sliding gate towards and away from the gate post.

The pin is aligned with a cylindrical opening 12 in the locking member so that when the gate is closed and the opposed faces of the locking and bolt members 2,8 are brought into abutment the pin is received in the closely fitting opening. To facilitate entry of the pin, its leading end is rounded.

Mounted in the locking member 2, with its axis perpendicular to the plane of movement of the gate is a radial pin tumbler lock 16 operated by a key 18 in known manner. Within the member 2 and behind the lock 16 is a cylindrical cavity 22 which is coaxial with the lock 16 and which intersects the opening 12. Projecting into the cavity is a closely fitting retaining member 24 that is fixed to a central corn 26 of the lock so as to be rotatable by the key 18. The retaining member is provided with a relief in the form of a flat 28, such that in a position of rotation in which the flat registers with the opening 12 it leaves the opening unobstructed. If rotated to an alternative position, an arcuate portion of the retaining member periphery protrudes into the opening.

The pin 10 has a concentric waisted portion 30 with an arcuate cross-section of radius corresponding substantially to the retaining member radius, and as can be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, in its protruding position the retaining member projects into the waisted portion of the pin with only a small clearance.

In use, therefore, while the retaining member 24 is maintained in its inoperative position, in which the flat 28 is registered with the opening for the pin 10, the gate can be opened and closed since the pin is free to enter and ieave the opening in the locking member. When the gate has been closed and the waisted portion 30 of the pin has been brought into registration with the retaining member cavity 22, the lock can be rotated by means of the appropriate key, and the retaining member is rotated thereby to trap the pin in the opening and so secure the gate. The key 18 can be inserted and removed while the retaining member is in its inoperative position and also when it is rotated 1800 therefrom to the locking position.

While the lock mechanism can take many other forms within the scope of the invention, particular features of the illustrated arrangement are its compact nature and the great resistance of the form of engagement between the pin and retaining member to any attempt to force the gate open.

1. A lock mechanism for locking together a pair of relatively movable parts, comprising a locking member and a bolt member each to be mounted on -a respective one of the parts, the bolt member comprising a bolt insertable into an opening of the locking member and the locking member comprising a key-operated mechanism and a retainer rotatable said mechanism about an axis transverse to the inserted bolt and having alternative positions of rotation in one of which it permits the insertion and removal of the bolt and in the other which it is engaged in a lateral recess in the inserted bolt to prevent its withdrawal.

2. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bolt recess extends circumferentially aorund the bolt concentric with its longitudinal axis.

3. A lock mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retainer is a generally cylindrical member provided with a relief to one side of its central axis, said relief being registrable with the bolt opening to permit said insertion and removal of the bolt, and rotation of the cylindrical member from that position effecting said engagement in the bolt recess to prevent withdrawal of the bolt.

4. A lock mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the retainer is rotatable through

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lock mechanism This invention relates to lock mechanisms for securing together a pair of relatively movable parts and is concerned particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, with lock mechanisms for sliding gates. According to the invention, there is provided a lock mechanism for locking together a pair of relativeiy movable parts, comprising a locking member to be mounted on one of the parts and a bolt member to be mounted on the other of said parts, the bolt member comprising a bolt insertable into an opening of the locking member and the locking member comprising a key-operated mechanism and a retainer rotatable by said mechanism about an axis transverse to the inserted bolt and having alternative positions of rotation in one of which it permits the insertion and removal of the bolt and in the other of which it engages in a lateral recess in the inserted bolt to prevent its withdrawal. Preferably, said bolt recess extends circumferentially of the bolt concentric with its longitudinal axis. The retainer may take the form of a generally cylindrical member provided with a relief of one side of its central axis, said relief being registrable with the bolt opening to permit said insertion and removal of the bolt, and rotation of the cylindrical member from that position effecting said engagement with the bolt to prevent its withdrawal. An embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 show a detail of a sliding gate provided with a lock mechanism in accordance with the invention, the figures illustrating, respectively, closed and open positions of the gate, Fig. 3 is a side view of the lock mechanism, and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail illustrations of the unlocked and locked positions of the lock mechanism. The illustrated lock mechanism comprises a block-like locking member 2 securely fixed to the side edge of a sliding gate 4. Fixed to an adjacent gate post 6 is a bolt member 8 from which a bolt in the form of a generally cylindrical pin 10 projects towards the locking member 2, the pin axis extending in the direction of movement of the sliding gate towards and away from the gate post. The pin is aligned with a cylindrical opening 12 in the locking member so that when the gate is closed and the opposed faces of the locking and bolt members 2,8 are brought into abutment the pin is received in the closely fitting opening. To facilitate entry of the pin, its leading end is rounded. Mounted in the locking member 2, with its axis perpendicular to the plane of movement of the gate is a radial pin tumbler lock 16 operated by a key 18 in known manner. Within the member 2 and behind the lock 16 is a cylindrical cavity 22 which is coaxial with the lock 16 and which intersects the opening 12. Projecting into the cavity is a closely fitting retaining member 24 that is fixed to a central corn 26 of the lock so as to be rotatable by the key 18. The retaining member is provided with a relief in the form of a flat 28, such that in a position of rotation in which the flat registers with the opening 12 it leaves the opening unobstructed. If rotated to an alternative position, an arcuate portion of the retaining member periphery protrudes into the opening. The pin 10 has a concentric waisted portion 30 with an arcuate cross-section of radius corresponding substantially to the retaining member radius, and as can be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, in its protruding position the retaining member projects into the waisted portion of the pin with only a small clearance. In use, therefore, while the retaining member 24 is maintained in its inoperative position, in which the flat 28 is registered with the opening for the pin 10, the gate can be opened and closed since the pin is free to enter and ieave the opening in the locking member. When the gate has been closed and the waisted portion 30 of the pin has been brought into registration with the retaining member cavity 22, the lock can be rotated by means of the appropriate key, and the retaining member is rotated thereby to trap the pin in the opening and so secure the gate. The key 18 can be inserted and removed while the retaining member is in its inoperative position and also when it is rotated 1800 therefrom to the locking position. While the lock mechanism can take many other forms within the scope of the invention, particular features of the illustrated arrangement are its compact nature and the great resistance of the form of engagement between the pin and retaining member to any attempt to force the gate open. CLAIMS

1. A lock mechanism for locking together a pair of relatively movable parts, comprising a locking member and a bolt member each to be mounted on -a respective one of the parts, the bolt member comprising a bolt insertable into an opening of the locking member and the locking member comprising a key-operated mechanism and a retainer rotatable said mechanism about an axis transverse to the inserted bolt and having alternative positions of rotation in one of which it permits the insertion and removal of the bolt and in the other which it is engaged in a lateral recess in the inserted bolt to prevent its withdrawal.

2. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bolt recess extends circumferentially aorund the bolt concentric with its longitudinal axis.

3. A lock mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retainer is a generally cylindrical member provided with a relief to one side of its central axis, said relief being registrable with the bolt opening to permit said insertion and removal of the bolt, and rotation of the cylindrical member from that position effecting said engagement in the bolt recess to prevent withdrawal of the bolt.

4. A lock mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the retainer is rotatable through substantially 180 between positions locking and unlocking the bolt.

5. A lock mechanism according to claim 2 together with claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said bolt recess has an arcuate cross-section.

6. A lock mechanism constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A sliding gate construction provided with a lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.