Patent Application
20080289379
This invention relates generally to a cylinder lock. More specifically, the invention relates to a self-locking cylinder lock.
The use of locks to store and protect household, office, personal and other items of the like is commonplace. For example, walk-in storage units use a lock to prevent individuals without a key from opening of a storage unit door. A sliding bolt mechanism is typically secured to the door and has a tongue member that extends beyond and sometimes into a doorjamb when the door is closed. One type of lock that can be used with such a sliding bolt mechanism is a cylinder lock, sometimes referred to as a plug lock. The cylinder lock can be inserted into an aperture within the sliding bolt mechanism and prevent the tongue member extending beyond the doorjamb from being retracted. Likewise, the cylinder lock can be removed from the sliding bolt mechanism, thereby allowing the tongue member to retract, by inserting and rotating a key within the lock.
However, rotation and insertion of the key within the cylinder lock can be cumbersome. For example, metal roll Lip doors commonly used in the construction of self storage units move freely within channels on either side of the doorway. The doors are typically of the “roll up” style with an overhead spring, and when pulled in a downward direction unroll and travel down the two channels mounted on each side of the door frame. After being pulled down into a closed position, a latch tongue is engaged into the door channel or frame. Yet given the flexibility requirements of a door that can roll up and roll down, insertion of a cylinder lock into a latch hole of such a door can be challenging for a user. Even more so, the cylinder lock requires evenly applied pressure from the key within the cylinder lock key way in order to lock and unlock the cylinder. Thus a handful of keys or a large key ring can create a difficult task for a user attempting to insert and lock a cylinder lock into the door. In addition, when used with outdoor storage units, weather elements such as rain, snow and the like can make such an operation even more difficult. Therefore, there is a need for a self-locking cylinder lock wherein a key is not required in order to insert the lock into a bolting mechanism aperture and secure the mechanism and door in a locked position.
A self-locking removable cylinder lock not requiring a key for the lock to be inserted into a latch aperture and secured in a locked position is provided. The lock includes a cylindrical tumbler-key plug and a locking pin positioned in a generally normal direction to a central axial axis of the tumbler-key plug. The locking pin is operable to move in a generally radial inward direction without the use of a key when the cylinder lock with the locking pin is inserted into a latch aperture. The locking pin is also operable to move in a generally radial outward direction when the locking pin exits the lock aperture. The locking pin is spring loaded with a spring that applies a force on the locking pin in a generally outward direction and yet allows the locking pin to retract when force is exerted in a generally inward direction on the pin.
The locking pin has an external end with an arcuate surface that affords for the movement of the locking pin in a generally inward direction when the lock is inserted within the latch aperture. The external end of the locking pin also has a catch surface. The catch surface prevents removal of the lock from the latch aperture once the lock is inserted within the aperture and the locking pin exits a rearward end. The catch surface can be L-shaped with generally flat surfaces that engage rearward end surfaces of the latch aperture and prevent removal of the lock.
The locking pin also has an internal end with a spring aperture operable to accept the spring. Between the external end and internal end of the locking pin, a retraction pin slot is included that can accept a retraction pin. The retraction pin is part of a keyed tumbler mechanism that upon rotation retracts the locking pin in a generally inward direction towards the axial axis.
The cylinder lock has a stationary mechanism that prevents rotation once placed and secured within the latch aperture. One embodiment of the present invention uses a stationary mechanism that includes a first flat region on the outer wall of the lock that is generally parallel with a second flat region on the inner wall of the latch aperture once the lock is inserted within the aperture.
The present invention comprises a simple to use self-locking removable cylinder lock not requiring a key for the lock to be inserted into a latch aperture and secured in a locked position. As such, the present invention has utility as a lock for providing convenience to and protection of items for a user. The lock of the present invention is a cylinder lock with a cylindrical tumbler-key plug and a locking pin operable to move in a generally radial inward direction without the use of a key when the lock is inserted into a lock aperture. The locking pin can also move in a generally radial outward direction when the locking pin exits the latch aperture. The locking pin can be spring-loaded with a spring that affords for the pin to remain in an extended position unless retracted with the use of a key or pushed upon with a force.
Referring now to
Turning now to
The tumbler-key plug 200 has a front end 210, a rear end 220 and at least one flat plug surface 230. Within the flat plug surface 230 is a pin aperture 240 wherein at least one locking pin 300 can fit within. The locking pin 300 includes a push pin 302 and a spring 304.
An enlarged perspective view of a locking pin 300 is shown in
Between tie internal end 310 and external end 320 is a body 330. The body 330 can include a variety of shapes and cutouts wherein a retraction pin slot 332 is formed. In the embodiment shown in
Turning to
A side view of the operation of the locking mechanism of the present invention is illustrated in
To remove the lock 10 from the latch A, the key 101 is inserted into the key tumbler mechanism 100 and rotated. Rotation of the key 101 affords for the rotation of retraction pin 110 within retraction slot 332 and retraction of locking pins 300 as illustrated in
It is appreciated that elimination for the need of a key to lock a cylinder lock in a storage unit door can reduce the difficulty of using the lock and thus affords a more user friendly locking mechanism. It is also appreciated that given a scenario in which an individual has just agreed to rent a storage unit after inspection of the unit, a manager, caretaker and/or employee of the facility can retain the cylinder lock of tie present invention at the time of the agreement, and as a service to the renter, insert the lock into the appropriate unit door after the tenant/key holder has left the premises. This feature can save the manager and the tenant time since the tenant does not have to travel back to the storage unit to lock it down after having just inspected the same unit.
The lock 10 with the key tumbler mechanism 100, tumbler-key plug 200 and locking pin 300 can be manufactured from any material known to those spilled in the art, illustratively including metals, alloys, plastics, ceramics and combinations thereof. In addition, the key tumbler mechanism 100 and locking pin assembly can be lubricated as required. Although the figures illustrate the use of two locking pins 300, the use of one locking pin 300 is within the scope of The present invention.
The foregoing drawings, discussion and description are illustrative of specific embodiments of the present invention, but they are not meant to be limitations upon the practice thereof. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching presented therein. It is the following claims including all equivalents which define the scope of the invention.
