AU767004B2 - Locking system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0o11 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

C

I

FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S S *5 *94* TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Namne of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: LOCK IT WELL PTY LTD Gregory Rainer Howe CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, 3101, Victoria, Australia LOCKING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 09/O8/99,jbl 0005. cs,1 -2- This invention relates to a locking system and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a locking system for allowing operation of electrically powered devices or circuits.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking system that is easy to assemble and readily adaptable to differing lock cylinders.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking system which strengthens the integrity of the system.

With this and other objects in view the present invention provides a locking system including a housing for location of a lock cylinder therein, a plate member affixed to the rear of said housing to limit rearward movement of said lock cylinder, an actuator means coupled to said lock cylinder to allow said lock cylinder to control operation of said actuator means, and said actuator means is affixed to said plate member on the other side thereof to said housing.

In a practical embodiment said actuator means is affixed to said plate member in an offset manner to allow affixing of said plate member to said housing. In order to prevent rotation of said lock cylinder said plate member may include stop members between which a part of said lock cylinder can be located.

o* o In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a locking system made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1 with the face plate removed; Fig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 2 with the locking cylinder removed; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the locking system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front exploded perspective view of the locking system shown in Fig. 1; cc a and ooo oooo Fig. 6 is a rear exploded perspective view of the locking system shown in Fig. 1.

02/09/03,eh10005.spc,2 3 In the drawings there is shown a locking system 10 which is secured to a panel 1 2. The locking system 10 includes a face plate 14, housing 16, plate member 18, actuator means 20 and lock cylinder 22. Actuator means 20 is usually a multi-position switch mechanism for controlling operation of motors or circuits.

Such mechanisms are commercially available in various sizes and function options.

Actuator means 20 may also be a mechanical arrangement for unlocking a door or hatch. Lock cylinder 22 has a key slot 24 for a key (not shown) and can be of any commercially available type. In this embodiment lock cylinder 22 has a T-shaped extension 26 to assist in preventing rotation of lock cylinder during key operation.

Housing 16 is a plastics moulding and preferably formed of a non-conductive S" material to assist in electrical insulation. A back plate 28 provides a flat surface to allow affixing to panel 12 by adhesive or other suitable means. Mounting holes are provided in the preferred embodiment for reception of threaded fasteners or nails 32 which secure housing 16 to panel 12. A tubular section 34 projects from the front of back plate 28 and has its internal diameter corresponding with the diameter of lock cylinder 22 for a smooth and flush fit. A slot 36 cooperates with a cut-out 38 in back plate 28 for projection therethrough of T-shaped extension 26.

At the rear of back plate 28 is a hollow extension 40 for supporting lock cylinder 22. In this embodiment hollow extension 40 has a keyhole shape section to provide an offset part 42 for containing T-shaped extension 26 (Fig. In this embodiment T-shaped extension is a sloppy fit in offset part 42 but can be a firm fit if required.

Threaded bores 44 are provided for affixing plate member 18 thereto by screws 46.

Plate member 18 has a profile complementary with the profile of hollow extension 40. An aperture 48 allows the rear of lock cylinder 22 to have direct access to actuator means 20 or indirect access via coupling member 50. Plate member 18 is affixed to actuator member using screws 52 through bores 54,56.

Bores 54 are recessed to prevent the screw heads of screws 52 from protruding and interfering with the smooth abutment with hollow extension 40. Stop members 58, in the form of projections, are provided on the front surface of plate member 18 to hold T-shaped extension 26 therebetween. Stop members 58 will prevent 09/08/99. jb0005.spe.3 rotation of lock cylinder 22. The shape, number and orientation of stop members 58 can be varied to suit the shape of the lock cylinder 22. Bores 60 allow screws 46 to affix plate member 18 to housing 16.

Coupling member 50 has a circular disk 62 with a lug 64 on one side and a pinion 66 on the other side. To assist in the prevention of egress of moisture or grit from entering actuator member 20, disk 62 maybe stepped with a complementary step section within aperture 48. This will provide a tortuous path for any foreign contaminants. Pinion 66 meshes with a complementary recessed spline 68 in actuator means In use, pinion 66 of coupling member 50 is aligned and inserted into spline 58. Aperture 48 of plate member 18 is pushed over coupling member 50 to abut actuation means 20 and is secured thereto by screws 52. Housing 16 is affixed to panel 12 by screws 32. Lock cylinder 22 is inserted into hollow extension 40 to abut the front of slot 36. The preassembled combination of actuator means and plate member 18 is located on the rear of lock cylinder 22 and the T-shaped extension 26 is placed between stop members 58. Lug 64 is coupled to lock cylinder 22 to transmit rotative forces. Plate member 18 is pushed home to abut hollow extension 40 and secured thereto by screws 46. Face plate 14 can then •be attached to panel 12 to complete assembly. The off-set coupling of actuator means 20 to housing 16 allows easy access of lock cylinder 22 by the removal of screws 46. Plate member 18 provides additional security from a thief trying to hammer lock cylinder 22 inwardly. Plate member 18 will act as a back stop for lock cylinder to prevent damage to actuator means The preferred embodiment can be readily changed to suit requirements. For example, lug 64 can vary in shape to allow for direct drive from lock cylinder 22 or to allow 90 degree free movement of key slot 24 before radial movement of coupling member The invention will be understood to embrace many further modifications as will be readily 30 apparent to persons skilled in the art and which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention, there having been set 02/09/03,eh 1 0005.spc,4 forth herein only the broad nature of the invention and a certain specific embodiment by way of example.

09/08/99, jbl0005.spe,5

Claims (9)

1. A locking system including a housing for location of a lock cylinder therein, a plate member affixed to the rear of said housing to limit rearward movement of said lock cylinder, an actuator means coupled to said lock cylinder to allow said lock cylinder to control operation of said actuator means, and said actuator means is affixed to said plate member on the other side thereof to said housing.

2. The locking system of claim 1, wherein said actuator means is affixed to l0 said plate member in an offset manner to allow affixing of said plate member to said housing.

3. The locking system of claims 1 or 2, whereby to prevent rotation of said lock cylinder said plate member includes stop members between which a part of said lock cylinder can be located.

4. The locking system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said housing has a central section for holding the main section of said lock cylinder and an offset part for S: locating a radial extension of said lock cylinder which assists in limiting or preventing 20 rotation of said lock cylinder within said housing.

5. The locking system of claim 4, wherein said plate member has a periphery corresponding with the periphery of said housing where said plate member and housing are affixed.

6. The locking system of claim 5, wherein said plate member is affixed to said housing by fasteners passing through the offset part of said housing.

7. The locking system of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said radial extension of said lock cylinder abuts said plate member to limit said rearward movement of said lock cylinder. 02/09/03,eh I 0005.spc,6

8. The locking system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lock cylinder is coupled to said actuator means by a coupling member which engages both of said actuator means and said lock cylinder.

9. The locking system of claim 8, wherein said coupling member is a disk having cooperating means on opposing surfaces thereof to cooperate with said actuator means and said lock cylinder. A locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 n d day of September, 2003 LOCK IT WELL PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys CALLINAN LAWRIE I 02/09/03,eh 0005.spc,7