Patent Application
20060027003
The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-394592 filed on Nov. 25, 2003 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a locking device for a vehicle.
2. Description of Background Art
A locking device for a vehicle, is known wherein the locking device locks the steering of a handlebar. In this device, an ignition switch may include shutters for covering a key insertion slot. See, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3431585.
The steering lock 304 is for releasing the engagement (that is, a locked state) of a lock pin 308 that protrudes from a lock main body part 307 including a key cylinder and a lock plate 311 attached to the head pipe 301, when an ignition key 306 is inserted into the steering lock 304 and turned therein. More specifically, the steering lock 304 releases the foregoing engagement by drawing the lock pin 308 into the lock main body part 307. The key insertion slot is provided in an end of the lock main body part 307 and is covered with shutters (not shown) which are provided in a cover 312. The steering lock 304 enables the insertion of the ignition key 306 into the lock main body part 307 by using a magnet key 313 to open the shutters.
In the steering lock 304 provided with the shutters for closing the key insertion slot as described above, the ignition key 306 is elongated for the cover 312 housing the shutters.
The ignition key 306 described above also often serves as, for example, a key for a lid locking device for locking or unlocking a lid of a storage part provided in the vehicle and for a seat locking device for locking or unlocking a seat of the vehicle.
The lid locking device and the seat locking device will be described below.
The cam 332 sets the lid in a locked state by allowing the lid to be engaged with an unillustrated engaging part and releases engagement of the cam 332 and the engaging part, that is, unlocks the lid by turning the ignition key 306 to rotate the cam 332 around the inner shaft 331.
The arm 352 is a portion for connecting a tip of a wire extending from a locking mechanism provided on an unillustrated seat side. By rotating the arm 352 around the inner shaft 351, the wire is drawn to unlock the locking mechanism on the seat side.
The lid locking device 320 shown in
Moreover, in the seat locking device 340 shown in
It is an object of the present invention to reduce the stress on a key when used both as a key for a combination locking device including an ignition switch and a handlebar locking device and a key for a seat locking device and a lid locking device, in a locking device for a vehicle, and to miniaturize the seat locking device and the lid locking device.
The invention according to the present invention provides a vehicle having, in addition to a handlebar lock, a locking device for locking and/or unlocking accessories such as a storage box and a seat. A key insertion hole is provided up to the vicinity of an operating member provided on an end of an inner shaft of the locking device. Thus, when a key is inserted, an engaging position of tumblers provided in the inner shaft and the key comes near a base of the key.
It is possible to allow the engaging position of the tumblers provided in the inner shaft and the key to come near the base of the key, to insert the key all the way into the inner shaft and to dispose the tumblers in the vicinity of the key insertion hole.
The present invention provides a key that is also used as a key for a combination locking device for a motorcycle, which is provided with shutters covering a key insertion hole which is freely opened and closed and which includes an ignition switch and locks a handlebar.
The present invention makes it possible to lock and/or unlock the combination locking device for a motorcycle and accessories such as an inner box and a seat, by use of one key.
The present invention provides a locking device as a seat locking device wherein the key can be inserted all the way into the seat locking device.
The present invention provides a locking device as a lid locking device for a storage box wherein the key can be inserted all the way into the lid locking device for the storage box.
In the present invention, the key insertion hole is provided up to the vicinity of the operating member provided on the end of the inner shaft of the locking device. Thus, when the key is inserted, the engaging position of the tumblers provided in the inner shaft and the key comes near the base of the key. Accordingly, the key can be inserted all the way into the inner shaft, thus making it possible to reduce the moment and shear stress on the key and to reduce stress on the key. Moreover, the tumblers can be disposed in the vicinity of the key insertion hole and the overall length of the locking device can be shortened. Thus, miniaturization of the locking device can be achieved.
In the present invention, shutters cover the key insertion hole that are freely opened and closed. The key is used as the key for the combination locking device for a motorcycle, which includes the ignition switch and locks the handlebar. Thus, the combination locking device for a motorcycle and accessories such as the inner box and the seat can be locked and/or unlocked by use of one key. Accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced and costs can be reduced.
In the present invention, since the locking device is the seat locking device, the key can be inserted all the way into the seat locking device. Thus, it is possible to reduce the moment and shear stress on the key and to reduce the stress on the key. Moreover, the tumblers can be disposed in the vicinity of the key insertion hole and the overall length of the seat locking device can be shortened. Thus, miniaturization of the seat locking device can be achieved.
In the present invention, since the locking device is the lid locking device for the storage box, the key can be inserted all the way into the lid locking device for the storage box. Thus, it is possible to reduce the moment and the shear stress on the key and to reduce the stress on the key. Moreover, the tumblers can be disposed in the vicinity of the key insertion hole and the overall length of an inner box locking device can be shortened. Thus, miniaturization of the inner box locking device can be achieved.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are first operation diagrams showing operations of the locking device according to the present invention;
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are second operation diagrams showing operations of the locking device according to the present invention;
With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Moreover, in the vehicle 10, a rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11 swingably supports a power unit 28. The power unit 28 includes an engine 26 and a power transmission part 27. A rear wheel 31 is attached to a rear portion of the power unit 28 with a rear shock absorber 32 extending from a rear end of the power unit 28 and the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11. A storage box 33 is attached in an upper rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11 with a seat 34 being attached to an upper portion of the storage box 33 so as to be openable and closable.
As illustrated in
A lid 42 is attached to the front inner cover 22 so as to be freely opened and closed for getting an object to be stored in and out of the storage room 23. A lid locking device 43 is attached to the lid 42 for locking the lid 42 in a closed locking state.
A seat locking device 44 is attached to a body cover 46, for covering the sides of the vehicle body. The seat locking device 44 locks the seat 34 in a closed state.
A handlebar cover 51 covers the handlebar 18. A head lamp 52 is mounted on the vehicle with a floor step 53 being provided on which a driver and a passenger position their feet. A side stand 54 is provided together with a main stand 56. A helmet 57 is stored in the storage box 33. A grab rail 58 is provided onto which a passenger hold the vehicle. A tail lamp 61 is mounted on the rear of the vehicle. A carburetor 62 is provided together with an air cleaner 63 and a muffler 64.
More specifically, the seat locking device 44 includes: a cylindrical body 71; a key cylinder 74 which is rotatably housed in the body 71 and a key insertion hole 73 positioned therein for inserting a key 72. Plate-like tumblers 75 to 79 are provided in the key cylinder 74 so as to be movable perpendicularly to an axis. A return spring 81 generates an elastic force to rotate the key cylinder 74 in rotary direction with respect to the body 71 and returns the key cylinder 74 to its original rotational position when the key 72 is inserted into the key cylinder 74 and turned. A collar 82 is attached to one end of the body 71 for covering the return spring 81. An arm 86 is attached to a shaft part 83, which is integrally provided at a tip of the key cylinder 74, by use of a screw 84. An inner cover 91 is attached to one end of the key cylinder 74 and includes a rectangular hole 91a through which the key 72 enters. An outer cover 92 covers the other end of the body 71.
The body 71 includes a cylinder housing hole 95 which houses the key cylinder 74. In the body 71, engaging grooves 97 and 98 extending along a rotation axis 96 of the key cylinder 74 are formed in the cylinder housing hole 95.
The key 72 includes: a grip part 101 which is held by a hand; a center extended part 102 which extends from the grip part 101; and an end extending part 103 which extends from the center extended part 102. In the key 72, a magnet key 104 is provided in the grip part 101, and groove parts 72a to 72h are formed in edges of the end extending part 103 (reference numerals 72a to 72h indicating groove parts in one of the edges on both sides are omitted) so as to be symmetrical to each other across the rotation axis 96. A step part 72j is provided between the center extending part 102 and the end extending part 103. The key 72 is provided with a tip 72k.
The key insertion hole 73 is formed to have a bottom 73a with a V-shaped cross section with approximately the same shape as that of the V-shaped tip 72k of the key 72.
The key cylinder 74 is a member in which slots 106 . . . are formed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 96. In these slots 106 the tumblers 75 to 79 are movably disposed.
The tumblers 75 to 79 have rectangular holes 75a, 76a, 77a, 78a and 79a into which the groove parts 72a to 72h of the key 72 are fitted when the key 72 is inserted into the key insertion hole 73 until the step part 72j of the key 72 hits against a step part 73b provided in the key insertion hole 73. The respective tumblers 75 to 79, which are engaged with the engaging groove 97 or the engaging groove 98 in the body 71 before the key 72 is inserted, are moved by fitting the groove parts 72a to 72h of the key 72 into the rectangular holes 75a, 76a, 77a, 78a and 79a of the tumblers 75 to 79. By releasing the engagement of the tumblers 75 to 79 and the engaging grooves 97 and 98, the key cylinder 74 can be rotated with respect to the body 71.
The return spring 81 is a torsion coil spring, which has one end attached to the body 71 and the other end attached to the key cylinder 74.
The arm 86 includes: a fitting part 112 having a shaft fitting hole 111 into which the shaft part 83 is fitted; and side projecting parts 113 and 114 which project laterally from the fitting part 112 and include attachment holes 113a and 114a. A cylindrical engaging member 117 attached to a tip of a wire 116 is engaged with the attachment holes 113a and 114a.
When the key 72 is inserted into the key cylinder 74 and turned, the arm 86 is swung around the shaft part 83 to draw the wire 116 connected to an unillustrated locking mechanism on the seat side. Accordingly, a seat locked by the locking mechanism on the seat side is unlocked, thus making it possible to open the seat 34 as illustrated in
The bottom 73a of the key insertion hole 73 penetrates the return spring 81 and is provided up to a position where the bottom 73a overlaps with the collar 82 provided anterior to the return spring 81 when viewed from the side and up to the vicinity of the arm 86.
Although, in this embodiment, the seat locking device 44 is intended to unlock the seat lock, the seat locking device 44 may be intended to perform the seat lock.
The lid locking device 43 is the locking device obtained by replacing the arm 86 (see
The cam 121 includes inclined planes 122 and 123, hook parts 124 and 126 and the shaft fitting hole 111. The lid 42 (see
Although, in this embodiment, the lid locking device 43 is intended to unlock the lid lock, the lid locking device 43 may be intended to perform the lid lock.
The combination locking device 41 includes: a cylindrical body 131; a key cylinder 132 inserted into the body 131 so as to be rotatable; tumblers 135 to 142 provided in the key cylinder 132 so as to be movable perpendicularly to a rotary axis 133 of the key cylinder 132; a crank shaft 145 integrally provided on an end of the key cylinder 132; a U-shaped plate 147 swingably connected to a crank pin 146 of the crank shaft 145; a lock pin 148 attached to the U-shaped plate 147; a guide pin 152 attached to the body 131 to be inserted into a guide groove 151 provided in a side of the key cylinder 132; a body cover 153 for covering one end of the body 131; and a switch part 154 provided on the other end of the body 131.
A cylinder housing hole 131a is provided for housing the key cylinder 132 with engaging grooves 131b and 131c for engagement with the tumblers 135 to 142. A body concave part 131d is provided in the end portion of the body 131 for housing the switch part 154. A shaft supporting hole 131e is provided for supporting an end of the crank shaft 145 with slots 132a to 132h being provided in the key cylinder 132 for inserting the tumblers 135 to 142. A step part 132j is provided in the key cylinder 132 for receiving the step part 72j of the key 72. A key insertion hole 132k is provided in the key cylinder 132 for inserting the key 72. A lock plate 158 is attached to the head pipe 12 (see
The switch part 154 includes: a cylindrical turning part 164 attached to the end of the crank shaft 145 so as to be movable in an axial direction and to be rotatable integrally with the crank shaft 145. A moving contact 166 is attached to an end shaft part 165 projecting from the turning part 164 so as to be movable in the axial direction and to be rotatable integrally with the end shaft part 165. Fixed contacts 167 and 168 contact with the moving contact 166. A contact supporting member 171 is attached to an opening side of the body concave part 131d of the body 131 in order to support the fixed contacts 167 and 168.
Engaging concave part 174 . . . and 175 . . . are provided for stopping the key cylinder 132, the crank shaft 145 and the moving contact 166 at predetermined positions when the key 72 is turned (
A shutter unit 190 is provided for closing a rectangular key insertion slot 161 a provided in the cylinder cover 161 of the combination locking device 41.
The shutter unit 190 includes: a base part 192 having a through-hole 191 through which the key 72 enters; a shutter main body 194 attached to a convex shaft part 193 swingably provided in the base part 192; and a cover member 197 for covering the base part 192 and the shutter main body 194. A through-hole 196 is provided through which the key 72 enters.
The convex shaft part 193 of the base part 192 includes magnet housing concave parts 203 and 203 for housing a magnet 201 and a spring 202 for pushing the magnet 201 to the shutter main body 194 side, respectively.
The shutter main body 194 includes a shutter side concave part 205 into which the convex shaft part 193 of the base part 192 is fitted. In a bottom of the shutter side concave part 205, magnet engaging concave parts 206 and 206, with which the magnets 201 and 201 are engaged, are formed. In a position close to the shutter side concave part 205, a magnet key connection convex part 208 is formed, which is fitted into a through-hole 207 rotatably provided in the cover member 197. In the magnet key connection convex part 208, a magnet key insertion hole 211 is provided, into which the magnet key 104 of the key 72 is inserted.
The cover member 197 includes an attachment hole 215 for attaching the device to the handlebar post 17 (see
When the magnet key 104 including a magnet is inserted into the magnet key insertion hole 211, the magnet of the magnet key 104 and the magnets 201 and 201 of the shutter main body 194 repel each other. Accordingly, the magnets 201 and 201 are pushed into the magnet housing concave parts 203 and 203 against the elastic force of the springs 202 and 202, and the magnets 201 and 201 are detached from the magnet engaging concave parts 206 and 206 in the shutter main body 194. Thus, when the magnet key 104 is turned, the shutter main body 194 swings with respect to the base part 192 and the key insertion slot 161a of the key cylinder 132 is released to the outside through the through-hole 191 of the base part 192 and the through-hole 196 of the cover member 197. Consequently, the key 72 can be inserted into the through-hole 196, the through-hole 191, the key insertion slot 161a and the key insertion hole 132k.
Next, the operation of the above-described locking device will be described.
FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are first operational diagrams showing the operations of the locking device according to the present invention.
In
A bottom 361a of the key insertion hole 361 in the key cylinder 362 is positioned close to the tumbler 79. When the key 72 is inserted into the key insertion hole 361, the tumblers 75 to 79 are turned only by a portion close to the tip of the key 72. Because of the structure described above, the key 72 projects significantly from the locking device 360. A length of the projection from the inner cover 91 attached to an end of the key cylinder 362 (that is, a distance between the inner cover 91 and the grip part 101) is set to LP1. Moreover, the overall length of the locking device 360 is set to LB1.
In
In the locking device 370, since the body 371 and the key cylinder 372 are elongated, a length of the projection LP2 of the key 72 from the locking device 370 becomes shorter than the length of the projection LP1 (see
As compared with the foregoing comparative examples 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), in the seat locking device 44 of the example shown in
Thus, the length of the projection LP2 of the key 72 from the seat locking device 44 can be shortened and the overall length LB1 of the seat locking device 44 can be shortened.
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are second operational diagrams showing the operation of the locking device according to the present invention. Both FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show a state wherein the key 72 is engaged with the tumblers 75 to 79 as the device is viewed from the edge side of the key 72.
In
If twisting the key 72 by use of the torsional stress described above is equivalent to the bending of a cantilever as the key 72 is turned by use of the force F, the bending moment M1 at a fixed support point S (which is equivalent to the key insertion slot 161a shown in
In
In FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), since the bending moment M2 of the key 72 inserted into the seat locking device 44 is smaller than the bending moment M1 of the key 72 inserted into the locking device 360, bending stress on the key 72 in the seat locking device 44 is reduced. Moreover, since shear stress on the key 72 is reduced, shear stress on the key 72 in the seat locking device 44 is also reduced.
As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a first aspect of the present invention is that, in the vehicle 10 having, in addition to the combination locking device 41 as the handlebar lock, the lid locking device 43 and the seat locking device 44, which are for locking and/or unlocking accessories such as the storage room 23 as the storage box and the seat 34, the rectangular hole 91a as the key insertion hole is provided up to the vicinity of the cam 121 and the arm 86 as the operating members are provided on the end of the shaft part 83 as the inner shaft of the lid locking device 43 or the seat locking device 44. When the key is inserted, the engaging position of the tumblers 75 to 79 provided in the shaft part 83 and the key 72 comes near the base of the key 72.
Since the key 72 can be inserted all the way into the shaft part 83, the moment and shear stress on the key 72 can be reduced and the stress on the key 72 can be reduced. Moreover, the tumblers 75 to 79 can be disposed in the vicinity of the rectangular hole 91a, and the overall lengths of the lid locking device 43 and the seat locking device 44 can be shortened. Thus, miniaturization of the lid locking device 43 and the seat locking device 44 can be achieved.
A second aspect of the present invention is that the key 72 is also used as the key 72 for the combination locking device 41 for a motorcycle, which is provided with the shutter main body 194 as the shutters covering the rectangular hole 91a which are freely opened and closed and which include the switch part 154 as the ignition switch and a lock for the handlebar 18.
The key 72 is also used as the key 72 for the combination locking device 41 for a motorcycle, which is provided with the shutter main body 194 covering the rectangular hole 91a to be freely opened and closed and which includes the switch part 154 and locks the handlebar 18. Thus, the combination locking device 41 for a motorcycle and the accessories such as the storage room 23 and the seat 34 can be locked and/or unlocked by use of one key 72. Accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced and costs can be reduced
A third aspect of the present invention is that the locking device is the seat locking device 44. Since the locking device is the seat locking device 44, the key 72 can be inserted all the way into the seat locking device 44. Thus, the moment and shear stress on the key 72 can be reduced and the stress on the key 72 can be reduced. Moreover, the tumblers 75 to 79 can be disposed in the vicinity of the rectangular hole 91a, and the overall length of the seat locking device 44 can be shortened. Thus, the miniaturization of the seat locking device 44 can be achieved.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is that the locking device is a lid locking device 43. Since the locking device is the lid locking device 43, the key 72 can be inserted all the way into the lid locking device 43. Thus, the moment and shear stress on the key 72 can be reduced and the stress on the key 72 can be reduced. Moreover, the tumblers 75 to 79 can be disposed in the vicinity of the rectangular hole 91a, and the overall length of the lid locking device 43 can be shortened. Thus, the miniaturization of the lid locking device 43 can be achieved.
Note that, the locking device of the present invention may be adopted as the device for locking or unlocking a cap of a fuel tank.
The locking device for a vehicle according to the present invention is suitable for two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-394592 | Nov 2003 | JP | national |
