EP1286318A2 - Coin deposit lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin deposit lock has a housing (30, 40) in which a coin or key is used to move a key bolt (10) between two end positions in a lock chamber formed by the housing and a function part (20) that interacts with the key bolt to cause blocking of coin or key. The key bolt moves linearly along an axis within the housing. The function part is controlled by contours on the key bolt that cause it to move in a continuous manner to block key or lock.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a coin deposit lock, in particular for use in shopping trolleys.

For example, to secure and properly store shopping carts in the parking lot in front of a supermarket it has been increasing in recent years It has become common to equip shopping carts with coin deposit locks. The Function of such coin deposit locks is that the removal of an empty one Shopping carts at the start of shopping, for example, from a number of parked Shopping cart, is only possible if by inserting a coin in the coin deposit lock released the locking of a key in the coin deposit lock usually connected to the next shopping trolley by a chain is. The inserted coin is therefore a deposit during the purchase inside the coin deposit lock and cannot be removed from the outside.

If, after the purchase has been made, the empty shopping cart is sent to the customer provided row of shopping carts is brought and inserted into this row is reversed from the sequence described with the next Keys attached to the shopping cart are entered into the coin deposit lock again and the inserted coin is released for withdrawal.

If all shopping carts in the area of a supermarket with such similar coin deposit locks are usually equipped achieved or at least promoted that theft of shopping carts is avoided or be minimized and that after shopping the buyers empty the shopping trolleys bring them back to the places provided for this To get deposit coin again.

Such coin deposit systems therefore reduce the operator of the respective supermarket expenses for new shopping trolleys and personnel expenses to search the otherwise usually far beyond the Customer parking lot scattered shopping carts.

State of the art

The construction of such coin deposit locks places relatively high demands the robustness and mechanical stability of the design, since the Coin deposit systems are exposed to all weather influences, with careful use cannot be expected by the customer, repair and replacement expenses must be reduced as much as possible at no additional cost let develop.

A variety of known systems (e.g. DE 199 32 287 A1, EP 0 286 460) according to the preamble of claim 1 points to performing the above Processes functional parts with contours on when a coin is inserted a coin chamber the key held in a key chamber, which is the connection with the next shopping cart, release and vice versa.

The functional parts used in the known systems lead to this in one Level of the coin deposit lock shifts and / or rotations to the alternating engagement of the functional parts in the movement path of the coin and Allow keys.

In particular, rotary movements require a relatively high level of manufacturing precision Guaranteeing the proper functioning of the coin deposit lock. The necessary Components are often bulky.

DE 28 20 112 C2 shows a coupling mechanism with a bolt, which means a control contour performs a combined pushing and lifting movement, if an inserted pawn coin bridges a blocking section and lifting of the bolt and thus the release of the shopping cart. For removal additional control parts are required for the coin (fastening part, retaining pin, driver, ect.), which respond to the insertion into the next shopping cart. A Transfer of this special solution to coin deposit locks with one level alternatively insertable coin or key is not possible.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the invention to further develop the coin deposit locks of the generic type, that with simple structural measures control the locking and Release positions of coin and key only through linear movements the functional parts is reached.

This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of the patent claim 1 solved.

The basic idea of the invention is essentially instead of a rotation a vertical movement into the kinematics of the coin or to introduce key control, i.e. the third room dimension in the control the coin deposit lock functions. This enables the complete No turning or swiveling movements and simplifies assembly Generic coin deposit locks essential, without any restrictions in its function or practical suitability.

The preferred arrangement of only one functional part creates space for one large clear cross section within the key chamber and thus for one Key with the appropriate cross-section, as it is made of a plastic key Stability reasons is required. The large cross-section in connection with accordingly creates large internal contours of the housing for locking the conditions for extreme tensile forces without damaging the coin deposit lock.

Further advantageous refinements and advantages emerge from the description below and the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1:

Eine Aufsicht auf das erste Ausführungsbeispiel erfindungsgemäße Münzpfandschloss ohne Gehäuseoberteil, mit dem Schlüssel im Münzpfandschloss

Figur 2:

das Funktionsteil in Aufsicht und Schnitt,

Figur 3:

den Steuerriegel in Aufsicht und Schnitt,

Figur 4:

Steuerriegel und eingesetztes Funktionsteil in Aufsicht und Schnitt,

Figur 5:

eine Explosionsdarstellung im Schnitt der Einheit von Steuerriegel, Funktionsteil, Gehäuseoberteil und Gehäuseunterteil,

Figur 6:

einen ersten Schnitt der zusammengesetzten Komponenten der Figur 5 mit der Münze im Münzpfandschloss,

Figur 7:

die Funktionseinheit gemäß Figur 6 im Schnitt mit dem Schlüssel im Münzpfandschloss,

Figur 8:

eine erste Aufsicht auf das Münzpfandschloss zur Darstellung der Manipulationssicherung,

Figur 9:

eine zweite Aufsicht gemäß Figur 9 in einer anderen Position des Funktionsteils,

Figur 10:

das Funktionsteil eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels in Aufsicht und Schnitt,

Figur 11:

den Steuerriegel des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels in Aufsicht und Schnitt, und

Figur 12:

eine Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels des Münzpfandschlosses in Aufsicht und Schnitt mit Kugeln als Funktionsteilen.

Three exemplary embodiments of the coin deposit lock according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to drawings, in which:

Figure 1:

A view of the first exemplary embodiment of a coin deposit lock according to the invention without an upper housing part, with the key in the coin deposit lock

Figure 2:

the functional part in supervision and cut,

Figure 3:

the control latch in supervision and cut,

Figure 4:

Control bolt and inserted functional part in supervision and section,

Figure 5:

an exploded view in section of the unit of control latch, functional part, upper housing part and lower housing part,

Figure 6:

5 shows a first section of the assembled components of FIG. 5 with the coin in the coin deposit lock,

Figure 7:

6 the functional unit according to FIG. 6 in section with the key in the coin deposit lock,

Figure 8:

a first view of the coin deposit lock to show the tamper protection,

Figure 9:

9 shows a second view according to FIG. 9 in a different position of the functional part,

Figure 10:

the functional part of a third embodiment in supervision and section,

Figure 11:

the control bolt of the third embodiment in plan and section, and

Figure 12:

a representation of a third embodiment of the coin deposit lock in supervision and section with balls as functional parts.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a top view of the opened housing, i.e. on a lower housing part 30, in which the moving parts consisting of only two components are inserted are, consisting of a functional part 10 (shown hatched) and a control bolt 20 (shown with thick contours).

The components of control latch 10 and functional part 20 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 without the lower housing part 30, each shown in plan and section.

The functional part 20 is in the first embodiment shown (Figure 1-9) from a single molded part, for example as an injection molded part or in particular as a metal stamped part, the coin-side section 21 protrudes over the coin chamber M. and widened like a fork at its end facing the coin slot; to the Fork ends are two first locking elements 21A, 21B in the form of lugs or Shaped cams pointing towards the lower housing part 30, which in the coin blocking position reach behind and block the coin slot-side contour of the coin 50 (Figure 6).

Opposite the coin-side section 21 extends a key-side section 22 into the key chamber S, which has a second locking element at its end 22A in the form of a pin which extends upwards to the upper housing part 40 (FIG 5) shows and in a corresponding recess 61 of the key 60 in the Key lock position engages (Figure 7). The is particularly important here step-shaped cross-sectional structure of the functional part 20 such that a common horizontal plane E-E (Figure 2) on the coin side the underside of the coin side Section 21 forms, on the key side, the top of the key-side section 22. This facilitates the principle according to the invention shown in the exemplary embodiment the "coin lock from above" or "key lock from below", of course vice versa.

Key-side and coin-side sections 21, 22 have X-X in the longitudinal axis of the functional part 20 has a circular cutout 24A, 24B, in each of which a Pin 41, 31 on upper housing part 40 or lower housing part 30 can be inserted, such as this is particularly evident from the two arrows in FIG. 5. The two cones 31 and 41 form guide contours for the molded part 20, which ensure that the Molding 20 only vertically between its two end positions (coin blocking position and key lock position) is displaceable, the upper end position of the molded part 20 is defined such that the first locking elements 21A, 21B Release coin 50 and second locking element 22A blocks key 60 (Figure 7), and in its lower end position (Figure 6) the first locking elements 21A, 21B reach behind the coin 50 and the second locking element 22A the key 60 releases.

To control this vertical movement between the two end positions described (Lock position for coin and lock position for key) has the molding 20 laterally two wing-like lugs 23A, 23B, their median plane opposite the plane E-E is inclined by an angle α. These wing-like approaches 23A, 23B form a first control contour on the molded part 20, which between the vertical stroke the two end positions, controlled by the control bolt 10, causes. This is the control bolt is constructed as follows (Figure 3):

The control latch 10, which is preferably designed as a plastic injection-molded part, has a central section 10C running transversely to its longitudinal axis Y-Y, and two elongated legs 10A, 10B, so that the H-shaped one shown in FIG Structure arises. In each of the two legs 10A, 10B is the control bolt side second guide contours for the vertical stroke of the molded part 20 around the Angle α slant inclined to the horizontal or a shape 13A, 13B, into which the wing-like projections 23A, 23B as the functional part side Intervene control contours for the vertical stroke (Figures 4 and 5) with the inevitable consequence that a horizontal displacement of the control bolt 10 in its longitudinal axis Y-Y between its two end positions for the vertical stroke of the Functional part 20 leads.

Here, the control bolt 10 is in the coin lock position of the functional part 20 (Figure 6) in its key-side end position, in the key lock position of the functional part 20 (FIG. 7) in its end position on the coin side.

For this purpose, the components control latch 10, functional part 20, lower housing part 30 and upper housing part 40 are assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 5, which results in the cuts shown in Figures 6 and 7, coin blocking position in Figure 6 and key lock position in Figure 7. The guide pins 31 and 41 reach through the corresponding recesses 24A, 24B of the functional part 20th

On its underside, the control bolt 10 has a recess 14 into which one 6 and 7 spring 70 is inserted, between the two

6 and 7 via a cam 32 of the lower housing part 30 is guided so that the respective end portion of the movement of the control bolt 10th is supported in a latch-like manner by the spring 70 as soon as it reaches the top of the cam 32 has overcome in the respective direction.

A guide contour 15 on the underside of the control bolt 10 engages in a corresponding one Groove 35 of the lower housing part 30 and defines the two lateral ones End positions of the control bolt 10, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIG. 6 and 7 should be indicated.

The handling of the coin deposit lock is as follows:

The initiation of the vertical stroke of the functional part 20 between its two end positions is controlled by coin 50 and key 60, respectively; For this are the outer contours of the control bar 10 to the shape of the coin 50 and the Shape of the control bolt 60 adapted such that when the key is inserted 60 a front side of the flank in the coin locking position shown in FIG the key 60 an outer contour of the control bolt 10 after passing one certain insertion position and the control bolt 10 in the direction shifts to the coin side in its longitudinal axis Y-Y. This horizontal shift immediately results in the vertical stroke of the molded part 20 explained above, whereby the second locking element 22A of the molded part 20 in the recess 61 of the Engages key 60 and blocks it, but at the same time also the coin-side, first locking elements 21A, 21B out of engagement with the coin slot-side contour of the Coin 50 come out, so on the last section of the linear displacement of the control bar 10, the coin 50 is partially ejected and removed can be. The coin deposit lock is then in that shown in Figure 7 Key lock position.

Conversely, the introduction of a coin 50 into the coin slot causes the edge contour of the coin 50 on the coin lock side, the control bolt 10 at suitable Contact contours acted upon and shifted towards the key 60, which has the consequence that the molded part 20 lowers down, the first locking elements 21A, 21B reach behind the coin slot-side contour of the coin 50 and these lock, but on the key chamber side the second locking element 22A Opens opening 61 of the key 60 again and this can be removed. The coin deposit lock is then again in that shown in Figure 6 Münzsperrposition.

Figures 8 and 9 again show a top view of the lower housing part with the inserted components control latch 10 and functional part 20, in the additional Contour designs are highlighted, which in this way prevents manipulation of the coin and key insert than allow for only a minimal Deviation up to the angle β of 3 ° -5 ° this oblique loading of the coin-side and key-side stop structures of the control slide 10 already blocking the coin deposit lock. Only one exactly in the longitudinal axis Y-Y pushing movement of coin 50 or key 60 make it possible the securing contours 16 and 17 on the control bolt 10 the bottleneck in the bottom Counter contours to pass 36.37.

In Figure 8, the blocking position is shown when the key 60 is not in the axis Y-Y is inserted in Figure 9 the blocking position when the coin 50 is not in the Y-Y axis is introduced, i.e. if the key or coin are not the two the flanks of the control bar which are hatched in FIGS. 8 and 9 are facing them 10 for actuating the linear displacement of the control bolt 10 simultaneously apply. First a linear alignment of the respective introductory part, coin or key, caused by sliding the securing contour 16 or 17 on the respective oblique edge section of the counter contour 36, 37 the passage by the narrowed cross section of this counter contour, and thus the initiation of the functions described above.

This means that the coin deposit lock must be tampered with Hand and a suitable aid must be excluded.

The coin deposit lock according to the invention also enables simple coin identification by the clear distance between the two locking contours 21A, 21B of the functional part 20 (sets the minimum diameter of the coin 50) and the width of the coin slot (sets the maximum diameter of the coin 50).

Figures 10 and 11 show a second embodiment; Figure 10 shows one Modification of Figure 2 with a modified functional part 20 ', accordingly FIG. 12 shows a modification of FIG. 3 with a correspondingly modified one Control bar 10 '.

In this exemplary embodiment, the functional part 20 'has first control contours in the central transition area two upper sliding surfaces 25A, 25B and two lower ones Sliding surfaces 26A, 26B, the upper sliding surfaces 25A, 25B in cooperation a lowering of the functional part with the second control contours of the control bolt 10 ' 20 ', the inwardly displaced lower sliding surfaces 26A, 26B a lifting of the functional part 20 '. The inclination and shape of the sliding surfaces can be designed with a view to an optimized movement sequence, in particular by choosing the angles α and / or β, or by specifying a concave or convex Curvature of their surfaces.

The second control contours of the control bolt 10 'are arranged accordingly and trained:

Upper contact tabs 18A, 18B slide open with their hatched area the upper sliding surfaces 25A, 25B of the functional part 20 ', lower contact lugs 19A, 19B slide on the lower sliding surfaces 26A, 26B.

The functional sequence is therefore not when inserting the coin and key identical, but can by the specific division of the first (25.26) and second (18,19) control contours on the functions "lifting" and "lowering" a functional "Hysteresis" have an improved adaptation to any given predefined coin sizes and key geometries. Otherwise the second embodiment corresponds in detail to the above in structure and function explained first embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a third exemplary embodiment in top view and section approximately corresponding to FIG. 1 of the coin deposit lock according to the invention, in which instead of one-piece functional part 20 several functional parts 2A, 2B, 2C in the form of balls be used. Instead of the interaction between the wing-like Formations of the functional part and the corresponding slots in the control bar in the first embodiment explained above occur here on the part of Control bolt 10 ramp-like flattened stop surfaces (in the representation of the FIG. 10 shown in thick hatching) which act on the balls 2A, 2B, 2C in such a way that they alternate vertically in the path of movement of coins and keys can be introduced so that they alternate coin and key lock or unlock.

The exemplary embodiments described can be on the coin side and on the key side can also be combined with each other, both coin and key side thus with suitable modification of the control bolt 10 self-sufficient functional units, that control the desired locking and unlocking processes for coins and keys can.

The first and the second embodiment have the advantage that it can only be used needs two moving components. However, all embodiments come completely without definition and constructive realizations of swivel axes to a horizontal shift of a control part in locking and release positions implement a functional part.

Claims (15)

Coin deposit lock with a control bolt that can be moved by key or coin between two end positions in a housing forming a coin chamber and a key chamber and at least one functional part that interacts with the control bolt and causes the coin or key to be locked, characterized in that the control bolt (10) is linear in its longitudinal axis (YY) in the housing (30, 40), and that the functional part (20) / the functional parts (2A, 2B, 2C), controlled by second control contours of the control bolt (10) at least substantially perpendicular to the movement of the Control bar (10) executes / executes movements to lock the coin (50) or key (60). Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that a single functional part (20) is provided which has a first control contour (23A, 23B) which is guided on or in the second control contour (13A, 13B) of the control bolt (10) in such a way, that the linear displacement of the control bolt (10) is converted into a vertical displacement of the functional part (20). Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (20) is shaped and arranged in such a way that its coin-side section (21) above / below the coin (50) and its key-side section (22) below / above the key (60 ) lies. Coin deposit lock according to claim 3, characterized in that on the underside / top of the coin-side section (21) at least one first locking element (21A, 21B) is provided, which engages behind the coin (50) in the locked position behind the coin slot. Coin deposit lock according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one second locking element (22A) is provided on the top / bottom of the key-side section (22), which engages in the key (50) in the locked position. Coin deposit lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the first control contour of the functional part (20) is formed by wing-like lateral projections (23A, 23B), the plane of which forms an angle (α) with the bottom / top of the sections (21, 22) Functional part (20) forms. Coin deposit lock according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the second control contours of the control bolt (10) are two laterally formed slots (13A, 13B), the axis of which also forms the angle (α) with the plane (E'-E '), and in which the wing-like lugs (23A, 23B) engage and are guided. Coin deposit lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the first control contour of the functional part (20 ') is formed by two upper sliding surfaces (25A, 25B) and two lower sliding surfaces (26A, 26B) which are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the functional part (20') and whose surfaces form an angle (α ', β') with the bottom / top of the sections (21 ', 22') of the functional part (20 '). Coin deposit lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the surfaces of the sliding surfaces (25A, 25B; 26A, 26B) are convex or concave. Coin deposit lock according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that the second control contours of the control bolt (10 ') are formed by two upper contact lugs (18A, 18B) and two lower contact lugs (19A, 19B), which are symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the control bolt (10 ') are arranged so that either the upper contact lugs (18A, 18B) act on the upper sliding surfaces (25A, 25B) or the lower contact lugs (19A, 19B) on the lower sliding surfaces (26A, 26B) and depending on the direction of movement of the control bolt ( 10 ') cause the functional part (20') to be raised or lowered. Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (20) has two recesses (24A, 24B) by means of which it is guided vertically in pins (31, 41) of the lower housing part (30) and the upper housing part (40). Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the control bolt (10) has a receptacle (14) for a spring (70) which is guided between the end positions of the control bolt (10) via a cam (32) in the lower housing part (30) that an ejection movement of coin (50) and key (60) is generated at the end of the movement path of the control bolt (10). Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the control bolt (10) has a guide contour (15) which is guided in a groove (35) of the lower housing part (30) which defines the end positions of the control bolt (10). Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the control bolt (10) has securing contours (16, 17) which are guided in counter-contours (36, 37) of the lower housing part (30) such that the coin deposit lock is activated by a coin (50) or Keys (60) can only be inserted when inserted in the longitudinal axis (YY) of the control bolt (10), or a prior forced centering of the coin (50) or key (60) is effected. Coin deposit lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part is formed by at least one ball (2A, 2B, 2C) in the coin chamber (M) and the key chamber (S).

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