EP0871943B1 - Coin and/or card-operated deposit lock - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP96/05788 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 11, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 11, 1998 PCT Filed Dec. 20, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/25693 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 17, 1997A deposit lock for interconnection of shopping or luggage trolleys or the like, having a housing attachable to the shopping trolley and having on one side an opening for inserting a coupling member and on the other side a opening for inserting a coin and/or a card. An inside of said housing has a holding device for fixing the coupling member in position and a receiving device for secure enclosure of the inserted coin or card, and a release mechanism which releases the coupling member when the coin or card is inserted, and releases the coin or card when the coupling member is inserted. The deposit lock operates in a reliable manner because the release mechanism has a rocker with a swivel pin oriented transversely with respect to the direction of insertion of the coupling member or the coin or card and parallel to the plane of the coin or card, and by inserting the coin or card the rocker can be pivoted in the one direction in which the holding device releases the coupling member, and by inserting the coupling member the rocker can be pivoted in the other direction in which the receiving device releases the coin or card.

Description

The invention relates to a deposit lock for coupling together Shopping or baggage car or the like. With a attachable to the shopping cart Housing that has an insertion opening for a coupling link on one side and on another side an insertion opening for a coin and / or has a card and in its interior a holding device for Setting the coupling link and a receiving device for the secured Including the inserted coin or card and a trigger mechanism owns the release link when the coin or card is inserted and the coin or card is released when the coupling link is inserted, the trigger mechanism having a pivot axis, which are parallel to the plane of the coin or card and across to Direction of movement of the coupling link or coin or card in Deposit lock is aligned, and the trigger mechanism at least has an arm pivotable about the pivot axis, which by inserting the coupling member into the insertion opening in one direction is pivotable, whereby the receiving device, the coin or the card releases.

A deposit lock of this type is specified in WO 90/07167. Here points a trigger mechanism an arm pivotable about a pivot axis which secures a coupling element against pulling out in a swivel position, one coin can be removed from the deposit lock and another The coin secures the coin against removal, the coupling member is released. The coin inserted into the housing is conveyed a slide in the housing moves.

In a deposit lock shown in FR 2 645 306 A is a two-armed Swivel lever provided, the two swivel arms with respect to the Swivel axis are arranged on opposite sides. The coin works by inserting it into the housing facing you Swing arm on, the opposite swivel arm the coupling link releases. If the coupling link is inserted, the coin will be out of it Bracket released. The swivel axis is perpendicular to the coin plane.

Another deposit lock is specified in EP 0 572 879 A2. With this Known deposit lock is inserted during the insertion of the card or coin a control part that moves a locking bolt from a locking to a unlocked position moved. The locking bolt is rotatable and via a crank mechanism connected to the control part in the form of a carriage or carriage.

The invention has for its object a deposit lock of the aforementioned Way of providing another, a reliable backup of the coupling link or the inserted coin or card Has structure.

This object is achieved with the features specified in claim 1 solved. Accordingly, it is provided that the trigger mechanism is a Multi-arm rocker has the rocker with respect to its pivot axis on the one side facing the insertion opening of the coupling member Holding device for the coupling link and front leg for actuation by the coin or card has the rocker with respect to its pivot axis on the opposite of the holding device and the front legs and the insertion opening of the coin or card facing the rear leg shows that the coin or card by inserting it into the Deposit lock acts on the front leg in such a way that the seesaw and thus the holding device in the direction releasing the coupling member swivel while the hind legs secure the coin or card Swivel position, and that the coin or card by means of the hind legs located behind the rear edge of the coin Holding elements or the card-securing holding pieces against removal is secured.

The trigger mechanism designed in this way becomes a reliable one Actuation of the locking mechanisms with a central element in Shape of the seesaw achieved. At the same time, additional control elements can be operated with the rocker to refine the functional sequence and the locking mechanisms be operated.

It is provided that the holding device is arranged on the rocker Catch hook is formed, the coin and card is not inserted from above or below or laterally in a fixing section of the coupling member engages, the rocker by means of spring force in the assigned pivot position is held, the holding device for the coupling part is simple trained, a safe function is guaranteed.

The seesaw is uncoupled, in which the coin or card is secure enclosing position reliably held that when inserting the coin or card is moved in the direction of insertion, the one Locking piece itself has or operated, which in the inserted state of Coin or card interacts with a counterpart of the seesaw and the rocker counter to the pivoting direction caused by the spring force supports such that the coupling member is released. For this, only one simply trained and operated latch required. Here is advantageously provided that the slide the rocker on which the insertion opening side of the coin or card with respect to the swivel axis supports and that the slider one to the other, with respect to the coupling member has the projecting portion facing the pivot axis, the with its front area connects to the coupling link. Thereby the rocker is held securely in the decoupling position. To reconnect the latch only needs to be pushed back slightly with the coupling element be, after which the holding device of the coupling element snaps in and that Coupling element is held securely.

By taking measures that the slide in the fixed state of the coupling link in the direction of insertion of the coin or card, supported on the Rocker is spring-loaded so that it is inserted when the coin is inserted or card and pivoting of the rocker released from the support and is driven towards the coupling element and this after release moved at least partially out of the housing by the holding device, and that when pushing in the coupling member, the slide counter the spring force is pushed back and the rocker for pivoting accordingly releases their spring preload, the coupling link at Inserting the coin or card safely released and when inserting of the coupling link this again reliably determined.

It is further provided that in the insertion opening of the coupling member on the Coupling element coordinated locking elements are provided with which a push back is prevented by other means, the Seesaw against unauthorized release e.g. by means of a flat object secured so that the coin or card is not easily unauthorized can be removed. The coupling element thus has the function of real key.

The design of the deposit lock such that the rocker can be pivoted with the coin or card a sled with at least one stop for the card and at least one actuation approach for the coin and that the rocker is at least one against the direction of displacement of the Has slide-acting inlet bevel, with counter-bevels adapted to it of the slide cooperates in such a way that the seesaw when moving the slide in the direction of insertion of the coin or card against the Spring force is pivoted, results in a simple operation with a few parts and reliable function.

It is still favorable for the simple structure if the stops for the card on the side of the slide facing away from the seesaw its front area in the direction of insertion of the coin or card and the Operating approaches for the coin on the side of the rocker facing the Slides are arranged in the rear area and that the card slot and the coin slot on the stops or actuation approaches corresponding sides of the carriage are arranged.

Unauthorized release of the coupling part and decoupling of cars will thereby making it difficult that at least one latch with the slide in the housing is provided against displacement blocking elements and that the Latches when inserting the card or coin into one position brought in which the carriage is released to move. Here the bars can be easily inserted by inserting the card or coin actuate if it is intended that the latches move around with respect to the insertion level the card or coin has vertical axes pivoted and are pressed inwards by means of spring force in such a way that the slide is pressed by means of the locking pin provided on the bolts is locked, and that the bolt Have attachments and attachment elements, via which they can use the card or coin when inserted against the spring action to the outside are pivotable so that the locking pin allows the carriage to be moved release.

Through the measures that the holding pieces for enclosing the card and holding elements for enclosing the coin in the receiving device perpendicular to the rear area of the hind leg in the direction of insertion protruding towards the coin or card level in the direction of the coin or card are attached, the inserted coin or card on their behind the rear edge when the coupling link is removed and the Rocker is pivoted against the spring force, the accommodation of the Actuators and thus the simple structure of the deposit lock favors.

With regard to the construction and manufacture of the deposit lock, it is still favorable if the slide in guides on the inside of the side housing walls is engaged and the pivot axis in bearings of the side housing walls is engaged.

Fig. 1

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht des Pfandschlosses sowie eines Koppelgliedes, einer Karte und einer Münze und

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Pfandschlosses.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a partially sectioned side view of the deposit lock and a coupling link, a card and a coin and

Fig. 2

a plan view of the deposit lock shown in Fig. 1.

The one shown in FIG. 1 in a sectional side view and in FIG. 2 in a top view Deposit lock has in a housing 1 a rocker 3 and one arranged above it Carriage 5 and a slider 2 arranged underneath. The rocker 3 is approximately in its middle section mounted on a pivot axis 3.1, which in the two Long side walls of the cuboid housing 1 is fixed, e.g. by resting or by means of screws. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the rocker 3 on the in Representation left side of the pivot axis 3.1 two front legs 3.5 and on the right side of the pivot axis 3.1 two rear legs 3.6. Under the front legs 3.5 is the rocker 3 against rocking by means of a rocker spring 11 supported resiliently downwards.

Between the front legs 3.5, the seesaw detects one in its lower area front pointing section, which has a catch hook 3.3 at its front free end with a deflection slope 3.32 provided at the end and at that of the free one End of the side of the deflection slope 3.32 has a retaining shoulder 3.31. At the Top of the front legs 3.5 are each directed away from the free end Inlet slopes 3.4 are provided. At the rear of the rear legs are 3.6 upwardly projecting holding pieces 3.7 for a card 8 and holding elements 3.8 for a Coin 9 provided. In the middle of the rocker 3 is in the lower, rear Area provided a section that a counterpart 3.2 for a locking piece 2.1 of the Slider 2 forms.

The catch hook 3.3 of the rocker 3 protrudes into the clear space of one formed in the housing 1 Insertion opening 14 for a key-like coupling element 7. In the coupling element 7, a fixing section 7.1 is recessed into which, in the pushed-in state Coupling element 7, i.e. when pivoted up by the spring force of the rocker spring 11 Front legs 3.5 of the catch hook 3.3 engages, the retaining shoulder 3.31 the Coupling member 7 secures against pulling out.

The slide 2 has an end portion of the coupling element 7 that is pushed in front area with an upward projection 2.2 on which the coupling member 7 abuts with its free end. The rest of the slide 2 runs under the pivot axis 3.1 to the rear, being approximately in the middle arranged between the front legs 3.5 and the back legs 3.6 and in the Housing 1 is guided. On the back of the slide 2 is by means of a Slide spring 10 supported on the housing so that it presses against the coupling member 7 is biased.

If the front legs 3.5 of the rocker 3 are pivoted upwards, the is supported Slide 2 with the locking piece 2.1 on the rocker 3, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

Above the rocker 3, the carriage 5 is on the longitudinal side walls of the housing 1 in Longitudinally arranged displaceably mounted. The carriage 5 is on its left front in the figure below with one on the inlet slope 3.4 Rocker 3 provided counter-slopes 5.4 and also has in his front area at least one upstanding stop 5.1 for the by a Insert opening 6.3 of the housing 1 into a card slot 6.1 inserted card 8. The Card slot 6.1 is formed on the top of the housing 1 and can for example be closed at the top of the housing with a lid that can be inserted into a cover receptacle 6 of the housing 1. The carriage 5 can for example by sloping the housing side walls outwards and upwards snapped into grooves formed below on the housing side walls or but inserted into such grooves from the back or front of the housing become. On the underside facing the rocker 3, the carriage 5 has in its rear area downwardly projecting actuation approaches 5.5, which laterally in the Range of a coin slot 6.2 protrude that for the in the coin slot 6.2 over a Corresponding insertion opening 6.4 of the housing 1 coin 9 to be inserted form.

The carriage 5 also has one on its underside in the rear section Recess 5.2, into which an upward projection of the slide 2 extends, to limit the slide back if necessary. In addition, in the Carriage 5 also in its rear section 2 essentially angular Recesses 5.3 provided, in the upstanding locking pin 4.1 of Bars 4 arranged on both sides protrude. The two bars 4 are vertical Axles pivotally mounted and by means of locking springs 12 on the long side walls of the housing 1 supported so that they are pressed inwards and with their Bolt pin 4.1 on the recessed rear side walls of the recesses 5.3 of the carriage 5 and support it against being pushed forward lock. This is the state in which the coupling member 7 is inserted and the Front leg 3.5 of the rocker 3 pivoted upwards and the card 8 and the Coin 9 are not introduced.

To release the coupling element 7, either the coin 9 is inserted into the coin slot 6.2 or the card 8 inserted into the card slot 6.1. With the coin 9 the bars 4 detected on inwardly projecting approach elements 4.3, and during the further Inserting the coin 9, the two bars are pivoted outwards so that the Bolt pin 4.1 pivoted away from the offset rear walls of the recesses 5.3 become. By further inserting the coin 9, it presses against it actuating approaches 5.5 of the carriage 5 projecting below, so that the carriage 5 after slides in the front. The carriage 5 presses with its counter bevels at the front 5.4 against the inlet slope 3.4, so that the rocker 3 with its front legs 3.5 is pivoted downward against the rocker spring 11. This gives the catch hook 3.3 the coupling member 7 free. Furthermore, the slide 2 is no longer on the rocker 3, but is pressed forward due to the force of the locking spring 12, so that Coupling member 7 with the projection 2.2 of the slide 2 is pushed out while the locking piece 2.1 of the slide 2 under the counterpart 3.2 of the rocker 3rd pushes. Furthermore, the rear legs 3.6 swing upwards and prevent them with behind the rear edge of the coin 9 advancing holding elements 3.8 that the Coin can be removed.

A displacement corresponding to the above displacement of the carriage 5 can can also be achieved by means of the card 8 if it is inserted through the insertion opening 6.3 in the card slot 6.1 is inserted. The inserted card bumps with her Front edge of the stop 5.1 of the carriage 5, so that the carriage 5 to the front is pushed and with its counter slope the rocker 3 over the inlet slope 3.4 pushes down. By swiveling the front legs 3.5 and thus also of the hook 3.3, the coupling member 7 is released. Again, the slider 2 pushed forward by means of the slide spring 10 and drives the coupling member 7 out. The rocker 3 is also prevented from swinging up with the locking piece 2.1 locked. When swiveling the front leg 3.5 of the rocker 3 swivel Rear leg 3.6 upwards, so that with the holding pieces 3.7 attached to it Card 9 is secured against removal. When the card is inserted, the Bolt 4 moved outwards that the card with the extensions 4.2 cooperates.

To release the coin 8 or the card 9, the coupling member 7 is inserted. At the The slide 2 is inserted by abutting the end region to be inserted Coupling member 7 on the projection 2.2 against the bias of the slide spring 10 pushed back so that the locking piece 2.1 under the counterpart 3.2 Rocker 3 is pushed out. This causes the seesaw to pivot according to the force the rocker spring 11 with the front legs 3.5 upwards. The catch hook 3.3 enters the fixing section 7.1 of the coupling member 7, so that the coupling member by means of Holding paragraph 3.31 is held. The carriage 5 slides through either Interaction of the inlet slope 3.4 with the counter slope 5.4 or by means of a additional spring to the rear against the direction of insertion of the coin 9 or card 8. When the front legs 3.5 are swung up, the rear legs 3.6 pivot accordingly down, so that the holding elements 3.8 of the rocker 3 the rear edge of the Release coin 9 and this can be removed. Accordingly, the card 8 released by swiveling the holding pieces 3.7 down and can be removed.

To avoid that the coin 9 or the card 8 with the coupling member removed from the housing 1 by manipulation with one in the insertion opening 14 inserted element and swinging down the rocker can be removed without authorization can, the slide 2 can advantageously with e.g. laterally in the insertion opening 14 arranged, spring-mounted hook elements to be secured. The coupling member 7 is then trained accordingly to the hook elements in the manner of a key function push back and release the slider 2.

The coin 9 or the can via other deflection mechanisms than those described Card 8 against by laterally pivotable or slidable holding elements Take out be secured, these holding elements operated by means of the rocker become.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the coin 9 or the card 8 already locked during the first third of the pivoting movement of the rocker 3, while the coupling member 7 also remains locked. In the last third of the Pivoting movement of the rocker 3, the coupling member is released. Becomes the coupling link 7 is inserted, this is already locked while the card 8 or coin 9 is still are locked. Due to the further pivoting movement of the rocker 3, the card 8 or the coin 9 then released.

The deposit lock can be arranged in different positions on the car to be secured be. Housing 1 is accommodated in a correspondingly adapted manner outer holding device without further possible and appropriate.

Claims (12)

1. Deposit lock for interconnection of shopping trolleys or luggage trolleys or the like comprising a housing (1) attachable to the trolley and having on its one side an insert opening (14) for inserting a coupling member (7) and on its other side a plug-in opening (6.3. 6.4) for a coin (9) and/or card (8) and having inside a holding device (3.31) for fixing the coupling member (7) in position and a receiving device for securely lock in the plugged coin (9) or card (8) as well as having a release mechanism for releasing the coupling member (7) if the coin (9) or card (8) will be inserted and for releasing the coin (9) or card (8) if the said coupling member will be inserted, the said release mechanism having a swivel axle (3.1) oriented in parallel to the plane of the coin (9) or card (8) and transversely to the moving direction of the coupling member (7) or coin (9) or card (8) within the deposit lock, the said release mechanism having at least one swivel arm swivellable about the swivel axle (3.1) and in such a direction by inserting the coupling member (7) into the insert opening (14) that the said receiving device releases the coin (9) or card (8),
   characterized in that

   the release mechanism comprises a seesaw (3, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6) having several arms,

   the seesaw (3) comprises the holding device (3.1, 3.31) for the coupling member (7) with regard to its swivel axle (3.1) on such a side facing the insert opening (14) of the coupling member (7) and comprises front legs (3.5) being operated by the coin (9) or card (8),

   the seesaw (3) comprises back legs (3.6) with respect to its swivel axle (3.1) on such a side opposite to the holding device (3.3, 3.31) and the front legs (3.5) and facing the plug-in opening (6.3, 6.4) of the coin (9) or card (8),

   the coin (9) or card (8) acts upon the front legs (3.5) by its insertion into the deposit lock in such a way that the seesaw (3) and by this the holding device (3.3) swivel in a direction releasing the said coupling member, while the back legs (3.6) swivel into a position securing the coin (9) or card (8) and

   the coin (9) or card (8) is secured against removing by means of holding elements (3.8) positioned on the back legs (3.6) and grabbing behind the back rim of the coin (9) or by means of holding peaces (3.7) securing the card (8).
2. Deposit lock according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the holding device (3.3, 3.331) is a catch hook positioned on the seesaw (3) and hooking from above or below or the side into a fixing section (7.1) of the coupling member (7) if the coin (9) or card is not plugged in, the seesaw being held in the related swivel position by means of a spring force.
3. Deposit lock according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that, if the coin (9) or card (8) will be inserted, a slide (2) will be moved in the insertion direction and that the slide (2) itself has or acts upon a locking peace (2.1) acting together with a counterpeace (3.2) of the seesaw (3) if the coin (9) or card (8) will be inserted, and supporting the seesaw (3) opposite to the swivel direction defined by the spring force in such a way that the coupling member (7) will be released.
4. Deposit lock according to claim 3,
   characterized in that

   the slide (2) supports the seesaw (3) on the seesaw side facing the plug-in opening of the coin (9) or card (8) with respect to the swivel axle (3.1) and

   the slide (2) comprises a section projecting to the other side facing the coupling member (7) with respect to the swivel axle (3.1), and which front area (2.2) gets connection with the coupling member (7).
5. Deposit lock according to claim 4,
   characterized in

   that the slide (2) in the fixed position of the coupling member (7) is born with spring bias in the insertion direction of the coin (9) or card (8) and by support on the seesaw (3) in such a way that the slide will be released from the support if the coin (9) or card (8) will be inserted and the seesaw (3) will be swivelled and in such a way that the slide will be driven towards the coupling member (7) and will be moved at least partly out of the housing (1) if the coupling member (7) has been released by the holding device (3.3, 3.31) and that the slide (2) will be driven back against the spring force by pushing the coupling member (7) and releases the seesaw (3) for swivelling according to the spring bias.
6. Deposit lock according to one of claims 3 to 5,
   characterized in

   that blocking elements are provided within the insert opening (14) of the coupling member (7) and that the blocking elements are well-suited to the coupling member (7) and prevent a push back of the slide (2) by other means.
7. Deposit lock according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that

   for swivelling the seesaw (3) by the coin (9) or card (8) a carriage (5) is provided comprising at least a stop (5.1) for the card (8) and at least an activating attachment (5.5) for the coin (9) and

   the seesaw (3) comprises at least an entering slope (3.4) acting against the pushing direction of the carriage (5) and co-operating with counterslopes (5.4) of the carriage (5) which counterslopes are well-suited to the entering slopes such that the seesaw (3) will be swivelled against the spring force if the carriage will be pushed in the insertion direction of the coin (9) or card (8).
8. Deposit lock according to claim 7,
   characterized in that

   the stops (5.1) for the card (8) are positioned on the carriage (5) side turned away from the seesaw (3) and positioned on the front area of the carriage (5) with respect to the insertion direction of the coin (9) or card (8),

   the activating attachments (5.5) for the coin (9) are positioned on the carriage (5) side facing the seesaw (3) and positioned on the back area of the carriage (5) and

   the card slot (6.1) and the coin slot (6.2) are positioned on the carriage (5) sides assigned to the stops (5.1) respectively to the avtivating attachments (5.5).
9. Deposit lock according to claim 7 or 8,
   characterized in

   that at least one bolt (4) is provided having elements (4.1) blocking the carriage against shifting and that the bolts (4) are brought by insertion of the card (8) or coin (9) into the housing (1) in such a position that the carriage will be released for shifting.
10. Deposit lock according to claim 9,
    characterized in that

    the bolts (4) are swivellably born about axles which are perpendicular with respect to the insertion plane of the card (8) or coin (9),

    the bolts (4) are pressed inwardly by means of a spring force such that the carriage (5) will be blocked by means of bolt journals (4.1) provided on the bolts (4) and

    the bolts (4) are provided with attachment peaces (4.2) and attachment elements (4.3) via which they are swivellable outwardly by means of the card (8) or coin (9) if the latters will be inserted against the spring force so that the bolt journals (4.1) release the carriage (5) for shifting.
11. Deposit lock according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in

    that the holding peaces (3.7) for locking the card (8) and the holding elements (3.8) for locking the coin (9) within the receiving device (6.1, 6.2) are fixed on the back area of the back legs with respect to the insertion direction in such a way that they stick out perpendicularly of the coin or card plane towards the coin (9) or card (8), the inserted coin (9) or card (8) being grabbed behind its back rim if the coupling member (7) has been taken out and the seesaw (3) has been swivelled against the spring force.
12. Deposit lock according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in

    that the carriage (5) is engaged in guides positioned on the insides of the side walls of the housing and that the swivel axle (3.1) is engaged in bearings positioned on side walls of the housing.

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