EP3741932B1 - Folding lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an articulated lock, in particular for two-wheelers, with a lock body which houses a combination locking mechanism, and an articulated bar bracket which has a plurality of articulated bars which are pivotally connected to one another and a locking bar. In such an articulated lock, a first end of the articulated bar bracket can be permanently attached to the lock body, with a second end of the articulated bar bracket having the locking bar. The combination locking mechanism of such a joint lock can have a plurality of code rings rotatable about an axis of rotation and a bolt which is biased along the axis of rotation in the direction of a locking position, the bolt being movable in the direction of a release position when a locking secret is set on the code rings, and wherein the The bolt is locked in the locking position if the locking secret is not set on the code rings. The lock body has an insertion opening through which the locking bar of the articulated bar bracket can be inserted into the lock body along an insertion direction that is aligned transversely to the axis of rotation of the code rings, wherein the locking bar inserted into the lock body is locked to the lock body when the bolt is closed is in the locking position and locked.

Such a joint lock is, for example DE 10 2007 035 116 A1 known, the content of which is included in the present disclosure with regard to the basic functionality of a joint lock. Such joint locks can be used, for example, to secure a two-wheeler, for which purpose the joint rods of the joint rod bracket are connected to one another can be pivoted apart or folded in such a way that the articulated bar bracket can be guided through a section of the two-wheeler, for example a frame section, and around a stationary object, for example a bicycle stand, a lantern or a fence. The free end of the articulated bar bracket, which has the locking bar, can then be inserted into the insertion opening of the lock body and locked to it, so that the articulated bar bracket forms a closed loop that connects the two-wheeler to the stationary object and secures it to it. Furthermore, the closed loop formed by the articulated bar bracket can be guided through the spokes of one of the wheels of the bicycle in such a way that its movement is limited and unauthorized driving away can be prevented.

Such joint locks can have a combination locking mechanism by means of which a locking secret can be set in order to enable the bolt to be released for movement into the release position and to be able to release the locking rod from the lock body. Such a locking secret can, for example, consist of a predetermined number sequence selected by the user, which can be set by rotating the code rings in a viewing window of the lock body. In addition to such numerical encryption, other forms of coding are also possible, for example using different shapes, letters or colors shown on the code rings. By locking and releasing the bolt by entering a locking secret, the locking bar can be securely locked to the lock body and the locking bar can be removed as desired by the user by turning the code rings around the axis of rotation, so that no key has to be carried to operate the lock . The risk of no longer being able to operate the lock due to the loss of a key can also be counteracted. These advantages of a joint lock with a combination locking mechanism are offset by the more complicated handling of known solutions, in which the locking secret is first set and The locking mechanism must then be unlocked by manual operation. Only then can the locking rod be removed.

Out of US 6,386,005 B1 A combination lock designed as a cable lock is known. A bolt of the combination lock can be pushed back against the bias of a spring by inserting a bolt into a lock body, the spring urging the bolt into engagement with a flange of the bolt once the bolt is fully inserted.

EP 0 831 196 A2 shows a lock with a lock body in which a locking block can be locked. The lock has a bolt which is prestressed in the direction of a locking position, which can be pushed back during insertion of the locking block in order to return to the locking position after insertion and to engage behind an undercut in the locking block. In order to be able to remove the locking bolt, further actuating means are provided, by means of which the bolt can be pushed back when the locking bolt is inserted.

In EP 2 333 204 A1 A padlock is described in which a lock can be secured in a lock body by means of a prestressed pin with a rounded front end. The pin can be moved by the block against the preload when the pin is released for movement and not blocked to enable insertion and removal of the block.

US 4,896,517 A shows a wire rope lock with a housing into which a locking head of the wire rope can be inserted. A prestressed bolt can be pushed back by the locking head during insertion of the locking head in order to reach behind an undercut in the fully inserted locking head and lock the locking head. To remove the A push button can be operated to push the bolt back against the preload, whereupon the locking head is pushed out of the housing by a spring.

In addition, it is over CN 2 490 275 Y a padlock is known in which an inserted leg of a bracket can be locked either by a locking mechanism operated by a key or by a combination locking mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and convenient way to handle a joint lock with a combination locking mechanism.

This task is solved by a joint lock with the features of claim 1.

In this joint lock, the bolt and/or the locking bar has or have at least one slope which is designed to push back the locking bar when the locking bar is removed from the insertion opening of the lock body and/or when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening of the lock body prestressed bolt from the locking position to the release position. Furthermore, the combination locking mechanism is held in a holder, the holder having a stop which is designed to limit a movement of the bolt caused by the pretensioning of the bolt in the direction of the locking position. The lock body has a housing in which the holder for the combination locking mechanism is accommodated.

This holder can in particular be designed like a cage, so that the code rings can be used to set or adjust the locking secret by a user are easily accessible from the outside or a window can be provided for checking the set combination on the code rings. The stop can be integrally formed on the holder in a materially bonded manner.

The invention thus relates in general form to a joint lock with a lock body which houses a combination locking mechanism, and with an articulated bar bracket which has a plurality of pivotally connected joint bars and a locking bar, the combination locking mechanism having a plurality of code rings rotatable about an axis of rotation and a latch, which is biased along the axis of rotation in the direction of a locking position, wherein the lock body has an insertion opening through which the locking rod of the articulated bar bracket can be inserted into the lock body along an insertion direction which is oriented transversely (in particular orthogonally) to the axis of rotation of the code rings, wherein the The locking rod inserted into the lock body is locked to the lock body when the bolt is in the locking position and is locked by means of the code rings, and wherein the bolt and / or the locking rod of the articulated bar bracket has or have at least one slope which is designed to do so. when the locking bar is removed from the insertion opening of the lock body and/or when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening of the lock body, the prestressed bolt is pushed back from the locking position into a release position.

The invention is based on the fact that by pretensioning the bolt in the direction of the locking position after inserting the locking rod into the insertion opening, it is possible to hold the locking rod in the lock body without the bolt already being locked in the locking position. So it is possible to first insert the locking bar into the lock body and then adjust the combination on the code rings, with a user being comfortable and comfortable by holding the locking bar due to the pre-tension of the bolt can operate the locking mechanism with both hands. Furthermore, it can be prevented that the locking bar comes loose from the lock body unintentionally and uncontrollably by setting the locking secret in order to be able to remove the locking bar from the lock body, which could result in damage to both the articulated bar bracket and a secured object. Removal of the locking bar is only possible through a conscious and controlled action by a user, in particular by actively pulling the locking bar out of the lock body.

Because the latch and/or the locking bar has or have at least one bevel, when the locking bar moves in the insertion opening in the insertion direction (during insertion) and/or against the insertion direction (during removal), the prestressed latch can be pushed back The release position can be effected when the locking secret is set on the code rings. This causes the bolt to be (temporarily) pushed back directly by the active movement of the locking rod. However, due to the pre-tensioning of the bolt and the interaction via the slope, it is also necessary to apply increased force (in or against the insertion direction). The need for increased effort is noticeable to the user, so that incorrect operation is prevented. Nevertheless, the increased effort required does not represent a significant impairment of ease of use, since the locking rod has to be grasped and moved by the user anyway.

However, the user does not have to grasp and operate an additional control element (such as a button on the lock body); Therefore, no additional actuation steps are required for inserting or removing the locking rod. It is therefore possible to insert the locking rod into or remove it from the insertion opening without having to provide or operate any further means for this purpose. To prevent the movement of the latch in To enable the release position, it is only necessary that the locking secret is set on the code rings so that the bolt is not blocked by the code rings and movement of the bolt is blocked.

Thus, the bevel or bevels of the bolt or locking bar can be used to translate the movement of the locking bar in or against the insertion direction, i.e. a movement of the locking bar transversely to the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism, into an axial movement of the locking bar in the direction of the release position. For this purpose, the at least one slope (in particular designed as a flat surface) can run obliquely to the axis of rotation and/or the insertion direction in order to effect the locking movement. Due to the indirect drive of the bolt in the direction of the release position, the locking rod can be inserted into or removed from the insertion opening without additional actuation steps if the locking secret is set on the code rings. Nevertheless, by pre-tensioning the bolt in the direction of the locking position, it can be achieved that the inserted locking bar is held in the lock body, even if the bolt is not locked by the code rings. An unintentional or uncontrolled release of the locking bar from the lock body can thus be prevented, and by holding the locking bar, a user can conveniently adjust the combination on the code rings with both hands after inserting the locking bar into the insertion opening. This enables a particularly simple and comfortable use of the joint lock, especially with regard to inserting and removing the locking rod.

The insertion opening of the lock body mentioned in connection with the invention generally refers to the clearance visible on the outside of the lock body for inserting the locking bar and also the adjoining interior space in which the inserted locking bar extends.

In this respect, the insertion opening can also be referred to as an insertion channel for the closing rod.

It can be provided that the bolt can be temporarily moved against the preload from the locking position into the release position by inserting the locking rod into the insertion opening of the lock body when the locking secret is set on the code rings, with the bolt returning to the locking position due to its preload is moved when the locking rod is fully inserted into the lock body. The bolt can therefore be automatically moved into the release position when it is inserted, so that a user does not have to take any further steps to enable the locking bar to be inserted. By automatically moving the bolt back into the locking position due to its preload, the locking bar can be immediately held in the lock body so that the user can change the combination on the code rings comfortably and with both hands in order to lock the locking bar in the lock body. The user must ensure that the bolt is moved into the locking position before he locks it by adjusting the locking secret.

It can also be provided that the bolt can be temporarily moved against the preload from the locking position into the release position by removing the locking rod from the insertion opening of the lock body when the locking secret is set on the code rings, with the bolt being moved back in due to its preload the locking position is moved when the locking rod is completely removed from the lock body. Removing the locking bar by the user only requires setting the locking secret on the code rings, with the necessary movement of the bolt into the release position occurring automatically when the locking bar is removed. Again, the pre-tensioning of the bolt can ensure that the locking body remains in place even when it is set The locking secret is held on the code rings on the lock body and does not come away from it immediately and in an uncontrolled manner. By moving the bolt back into the locking position after removing the locking bar, the possibility of holding the locking bar in the lock body can be prepared for a subsequent reinsertion of the locking bar without the locking bar being blocked by the code rings.

In some embodiments, the at least one slope may extend along a plane that is intersected at an acute angle by the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism and/or whose normal runs within a plane that is spanned by the axis of rotation and the direction of insertion. The flat design of the slope can enable easy production and a particularly smooth interaction between the locking bar and the bolt. In particular, this slope can be cut at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism. The orientation of the at least one bevel in a plane, the surface normal of which runs within a plane spanned by the axis of rotation and the insertion direction, can also bring about a particularly smooth interaction between the locking bar and the bolt and also a defined translation of a movement of the locking bar along or against the Insertion direction allows the bolt to move axially in the direction of the release position.

The radial distance of the at least one slope from the axis of rotation can increase in the direction of the release position of the bolt. Due to this increasing radial distance of the slope from the axis of rotation, when the locking rod is inserted or removed from an insertion direction that is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation, a larger area is always left free in the direction of the release position of the bolt, so that the bolt is pushed in this direction becomes.

In some embodiments, the bolt can have a release bevel and the locking bar can have a removal bevel, which are designed to cause the prestressed bolt to be pushed back from the locking position into the release position when the locking bar is removed from the insertion opening of the lock body. The bolt and the locking bar are therefore coordinated with one another in such a way that the bolt is automatically displaced into the release position by the release bevel and the removal bevel when the locking bar is removed if the locking secret is set on the code rings. This interaction of the two bevels enables a defined and uniform locking movement and prevents the locking bar from tilting during removal.

The release slope and the removal slope can run parallel to one another and/or lie essentially against one another when the locking rod is inserted into the insertion opening. Through this parallel course of the release slope and the removal slope, a defined and uniform bolt movement can initially be made possible without the user being able to notice any fluctuations in the necessary effort or uncontrolled movements of the bolt. Furthermore, the two bevels can run essentially adjacent to one another when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening and locked by the latch that is in the locking position, so that the two bevels can cooperate immediately when the locking bar begins to be removed from the insertion opening, without this there is a noticeable delay or the locking rod clearly hits the bolt. Furthermore, movement of the locking rod in the locked state can be limited and noise production can be reduced, with slight play or tolerances between the two bevels being harmless.

In some embodiments, the bolt can have a receiving bevel and the locking bar can have an insertion bevel, which are designed to cause the bolt to be pushed back from the locking position into the release position when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening of the lock body. The receiving slope of the bolt and the insertion slope of the locking bar therefore work together in such a way that the locking bar is pushed into the release position when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening if the locking secret is set on the code rings. By matching the bolt and the locking bar to one another in this way, a defined and uniform movement of the bolt can be achieved during the insertion of the locking bar into the release position.

The receiving bevel and the insertion bevel can run parallel to one another. Through such a parallel course, a uniform movement of the bolt in the direction of the release position can be achieved during the insertion of the locking rod, without any noticeable force fluctuations occurring for the user during this bolt movement.

In some embodiments, the locking bar can have a removal bevel (in particular the removal bevel already mentioned) and a limiting bevel, which together define an engagement recess in the locking bar into which the bolt engages when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening. In particular, the limiting bevel of the locking bar can run parallel to a receiving bevel (in particular to the already mentioned receiving bevel) of the bolt, wherein the limiting bevel of the locking bar and the receiving bevel of the bolt can essentially lie against one another when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening and the bolt is in the locking position. Furthermore, the removal slope of the inserted locking rod can, as already explained, be essentially adjacent on a release slope (in particular on the already mentioned release slope) of the bolt, so that removal of the locking rod from the insertion opening is directly converted into an axial movement of the bolt in the direction of the release position. Manufacturing tolerances that lead to a slight play between the respective pairs of bevels are harmless.

In particular, the insertion depth of the locking rod when inserted into the insertion opening can be defined by the interaction of the limiting slope of the locking rod with the receiving slope of the bolt. Furthermore, a secure holding or locking of the locking rod in the lock body can be achieved through the engagement recess of the locking rod. If the insertion bevel and the limiting bevel of the locking bar interact with a respective bevel of the bolt, the bevels formed on the bolt in particular can fulfill a dual function by engaging both in the recess of the locking bar in order to securely lock it to the lock body, as well as the Pushing the bolt back in the direction of the release position when the locking rod moves in or against the insertion direction.

Due to its pretension, the latch engages in the insertion opening in the locking position (in particular transversely to the insertion direction). By limiting the movement of the bolt in the direction of the locking position by means of the stop, a maximum engagement of the bolt in the insertion opening of the lock body or the housing can be defined, especially if the locking rod is not in the insertion opening. In particular, this can ensure that the bolt does not protrude too deeply into the insertion opening when the locking bar is removed, thereby making it more difficult for the bolt to be pushed back by inserting the locking bar. By providing the stop on the holder of the combination locking mechanism, the end position of the bolt in the locking position can be defined particularly precisely and without tolerance chains because the holder, on the one hand, occupies a predetermined position within the lock body (in particular the housing) and thus to the insertion opening for the locking rod and, on the other hand, occupies a predetermined position relative to the combination locking mechanism and in particular to the bolt.

The stop of the holder can thus define a maximum engagement of the latch in the insertion opening in the locking position. Accordingly, it is possible that the latch engages less in the insertion opening when the locking bar is inserted and the movement of the latch in the locking position is limited by the locking bar. If, on the other hand, the locking rod is removed from the insertion opening, the maximum engagement of the bolt can be achieved and defined by the stop of the holder, so that in particular it is prevented that the bolt first hits the lateral boundary of the insertion opening or the lock body opposite the bolt and the bolt therefore completely passes through the insertion opening.

According to one embodiment, the maximum engagement of the latch in the insertion opening of the lock body defined by the stop may differ from a position of reduced engagement that the latch assumes when the locking bar is inserted into the insertion opening and the latch abuts the locking bar, wherein the Code rings of the combination locking mechanism can only be rotated when the bolt is in the position of reduced engagement, but not when the bolt is in the position of maximum engagement.

This can ensure that a coding set on the code rings can only be changed when the locking rod is inserted into the insertion opening. However, if the locking bar is released from the lock body after setting the locking secret, the bolt reaches the position of maximum engagement defined by the stop and the code rings are not rotatable. This can, for example, prevent accidental setting of a coding that is different from the locking secret due to accidental contact on the code rings when the locking rod is removed. Such an adjustment would lead to the bolt being locked, so that a user can only reinsert the locking rod after he has set the locking secret again on the code rings. Such unwanted locking can therefore be prevented by fixing the code rings when the locking bar is removed, so that a user can freely insert the locking bar at any time and lock it as desired.

Such a prevention of rotation of the code rings when the locking rod is removed can be achieved, for example, by the bolt in its maximum engagement protruding so far compared to the position of reduced engagement that positioning of the elements of the code rings blocking the bolt (e.g. radially inwardly directed elevations in Form of a ring section) is blocked by the bolt. In particular, a respective elevation designed to lock the latch on the code rings or connected to them can engage radially inwards into assigned blocking recesses of the latch in order to block axial movement of the latch. These elevations can be prevented from being screwed in in the position of maximum engagement of the bolt by teeth of the bolt, which separate the blocking recesses of the bolt from one another, namely by positioning the teeth of the bolt in a respective gap in the direction of rotation in front of the elevations of the code rings. Such a design of the bolt with blocking recesses and these separating teeth is made, for example, from the Fig. 2 , 3 and 6 visible (blocking recess 26).

In some embodiments, the lock body may have a biasing spring which interacts with the bolt at an end of the bolt located in the direction of the release position in such a way that the bolt moves in the direction of the Locking position is biased. As mentioned above, this pre-tensioning of the bolt can ensure that a locking bar inserted into the insertion opening is held on the lock body, even if the locking secret is set on the code rings and the bolt is accordingly not locked or blocked in the locking position. A preload spring also represents a simple and space-saving way to generate this preload, which enables use in the limited space of the lock body.

The locking rod can have a longitudinal axis and can be inserted axially into the insertion opening of the lock body with respect to the longitudinal axis, or the locking rod can be pivotable laterally into the insertion opening of the lock body. The longitudinal axis of the closing rod extends in the direction of its greatest extent. Such a respective longitudinal axis can also be defined for the joint rods, these longitudinal axes also running along the direction of the greatest extent of the respective joint rod. When the locking rod is inserted axially into the insertion opening of the lock body, it is inserted into the lock body essentially in a straight line from a direction pointing transversely to the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism. Alternatively, the locking bar can be pivoted laterally into the insertion opening of the lock body, with the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism being aligned transversely and in particular orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the locking bar when the locking bar is inserted into the lock body. The movement path of the locking rod when inserted laterally into the lock body can run in the area of the lock body, in particular in a normal plane to the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism.

The joint rods and the locking rod can be shaped in a straight line.

In some embodiments, the hinge rod bracket may be collapsible into a ruler configuration in which the hinge rods and the locking rod are aligned parallel to one another. In such a configuration, the joint rod does not form a loop or chain, but is folded compactly, which can, for example, enable the joint lock to be stowed in a holder.

In the folding ruler configuration of the articulated bar bracket, the longitudinal axes of the articulated bars and the closing bar can run parallel to one another in a plane.

The lock body can extend along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the lock body extending within a plane which, in the ruler configuration of the articulated bar bracket, is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the articulated bars and the locking bar.

In the ruler configuration of the articulated bar bracket, the lock body can be arranged within an extension plane of the articulated bar bracket, so that the lock body and the articulated bar bracket can together form a flat package.

In particular, the longitudinal axis of the lock body can run parallel to or coincide with the axis of rotation of the combination locking mechanism.

By aligning the joint rods and the locking rod in parallel and by aligning the longitudinal axis or the largest extent of the lock body in a plane spanned by these longitudinal axes, the space required by the folded joint lock can be minimized, so that the lock body and the joint rod bracket can form a flat package. This enables easy storage or transport of the joint lock, which may be particularly desirable for joint locks that are used to secure two-wheelers and are therefore frequently transported.

In some embodiments, the combination locking mechanism may include a combination adjustment mechanism disposed at an end of the combination locking mechanism toward the release position. With such a combination adjustment mechanism, it is possible to change the locking secret, i.e. the assignment of the respective rotational position of the outer sections of the code rings visible from the outside to their inner sections, which release or lock the bolt. This combination adjustment mechanism can be arranged at an end of the combination locking mechanism located in the direction of the release position, so that the combination adjustment mechanism does not affect the space required for the insertion opening and for the interaction of the bolt and locking bar.

A further embodiment not according to the invention relates, regardless of the explained bevels of the bolt and the locking bar, also to a lock (in particular articulated lock, cable lock or chain lock) with a lock body which houses a combination locking mechanism, and with a bracket (in particular articulated bar bracket, U-bolt). bracket, wire rope or chain), wherein the bracket can be inserted into at least one insertion opening of the lock body and can be selectively locked on the lock body, the combination locking mechanism having a plurality of code rings which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and a bolt which is biased along the axis of rotation in the direction of a locking position, wherein the bolt is movable in the direction of a release position when a locking secret is set on the code rings, and wherein the bolt is locked in the locking position when the locking secret is not set on the code rings, wherein the locking rod inserted into the lock body locks on the lock body is when the bolt is in the locking position and is locked, the lock body having a stop which is designed to limit a movement of the bolt caused by the pretension of the bolt in the direction of the locking position, the stop having a maximum

Engagement of the bolt in the insertion opening of the lock body is defined in the locking position of the bolt, wherein the maximum engagement of the bolt in the insertion opening of the lock body defined by the stop differs from a position of reduced engagement that the bolt assumes when the bracket is in the insertion opening is inserted and the latch rests on the bracket, the code rings of the combination locking mechanism being rotatable only when the latch assumes the position of reduced engagement, but not when the latch is in the position of maximum engagement. As a result, the already explained advantages of a stop for the bolt can also be achieved with other types of joint locks and with other types of locks, in particular two-wheeler locks. The bracket can be a flexible or a rigid bracket. The bracket can be permanently attached to the lock body at one end and only inserted into the lock body at the other end (e.g. in the case of a joint lock, cable lock or chain lock); or the shackle is inserted with two ends into a respective insertion opening of the lock body (e.g. joint lock, U-shackle lock). Furthermore, the developments not according to the invention explained above can also be transferred to such a lock with two different engagement positions of the bolt (e.g. preload spring).

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Gelenkschlosses,

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Gelenkschlosses bei entnommenem Kombinationsschließmechanismus und entnommener Hülle zur Veranschaulichung des Eingriffs des Riegels in den Schließstab in der Verriegelungsstellung,

Fig. 3:

eine Seitenansicht des in der Halterung aufgenommenen Riegels,

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht der Halterung,

Fig. 5A:

eine Draufsicht des Schließstabs,

Fig. 5B:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Schließstabs, und

Fig. 6:

eine perspektivische Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung des Zusammenwirkens des Riegels mit dem Schließstab in der Verriegelungsstellung.

The invention is explained below purely by way of example with reference to the drawings. These merely represent possible embodiments, with further embodiments appearing in the claims. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a perspective view of a joint lock,

Fig. 2:

a perspective view of the joint lock with the combination locking mechanism and cover removed Illustration of the engagement of the bolt in the locking bar in the locking position,

Fig. 3:

a side view of the bolt accommodated in the holder,

Fig. 4:

a perspective side view of the holder,

Fig. 5A:

a top view of the locking bar,

Fig. 5B:

a perspective view of the locking bar, and

Fig. 6:

a perspective view to illustrate the interaction of the bolt with the locking bar in the locking position.

Fig. 1 shows a joint lock 11, which has a lock body 13, to which a joint bar bracket 17 is articulated. The articulated rod bracket 17 comprises five articulated rods 19 and a closing rod 21, which are pivotally connected to one another via several links 22. The respective linkage 22 includes a rivet. In Fig. 1 only the articulation 22 of the closing rod 21 with the adjacent joint rod 19 can be seen. The locking bar 21 forms a free end of the articulated bar bracket 17 and can be inserted along an insertion direction E into an insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 and can either be locked there or released from the lock body 13. The insertion direction E here corresponds to the longitudinal axis A of the locking bar 21. The end 20 of the articulated bar bracket 17 opposite the locking bar 21 is permanently, but also articulated, connected to the lock body 13.

Furthermore, both the joint rods 19 and the closing rod 21 of the joint rod bracket 17 have a respective casing 18. This sheath 18 can, for example, be made of a plastic in order to provide protection against damage and to enable comfortable handling of the articulated rod bracket 17.

In the in Fig. 1 In the state shown, the joint rod bracket 17 is folded into a so-called folding rule configuration, in which the joint rods 19 and the closing rod 21 are aligned parallel to one another.

The lock body 13 houses a combination locking mechanism 15, which is surrounded by a housing (not shown) and a cover 45. The housing serves to protect against attempted break-ins and can be made of metal. The cover 45 can, for example, be made of a plastic to enable comfortable handling of the lock. Furthermore, the interior of the lock body 13 can be protected from contamination by the cover 45.

The combination locking mechanism 15 has four code rings 23, which are rotatable about an axis of rotation D. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the insertion direction E of the closing rod 21 and the axis of rotation D of the code rings 23 are aligned exactly orthogonally to one another. By turning the code rings 23, a locking secret can be set, which requires a movement of a bolt 25 (cf. Fig. 2 and 3 ) along the axis of rotation D from a locking position into a release position in order to release a recorded locking rod 21 from the lock body 13. However, by setting a combination on the code rings 23 that does not correspond to the locking secret, the bolt 25 can be locked in the locking position by internal sections of the code rings 23, not shown, engaging in a respective blocking recess 26 of the bolt 25 (cf. Fig. 2 ). Furthermore, the combination locking mechanism 15 is held in a cage-like holder 39, which has a defined positioning of the combination locking mechanism 15 in the lock body 13 is possible.

How Fig. 2 shows, the combination locking mechanism 15 includes the latch 25, which is circumferentially surrounded by the code rings 23, by means of which the locking rod 21 inserted into a side insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 can be locked on the lock body 13. This latch 25 is located in Fig. 2 in the locking position and engages in a recess 37 of the inserted locking rod 21. The bolt 25 is pretensioned in the direction of the locking position by means of a preload spring 47, so that it is possible to hold the locking rod 21 in the lock body 13 even if the locking secret is set on the code rings 23 and the bolt 25 is fundamentally designed to move against Preload is released in the direction of the release position. After inserting the locking rod 21, it can already be held on the lock body, so that a user can adjust the combination on the code rings comfortably and with both hands, without the locking rod detaching from the lock body 13 in an unwanted or uncontrolled manner. Likewise, this pretensioning of the bolt 25 in the direction of the locking position can prevent a locking rod 21 inserted into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 from immediately and uncontrollably detaching from the lock body due to the setting of the locking secret and falling out unintentionally.

Like in particular from the Figures 3 and 4 As can be seen, the holder 39 has a stop 41 which limits a movement caused by the pretension of the bolt 25 in the direction of the locking position. The stop 41 interacts with a stop point 24 of the bolt 25. Through this interaction of the stop 41 with the stop point 24 of the bolt 25, a maximum (lateral) engagement of the bolt 25 in the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 can be defined. This can prevent, for example that the bolt 25 protrudes too deeply into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 when the locking rod 21 is removed.

Furthermore, the latch 25 has a release slope 29 and a receiving slope 33 in the direction of the locking position or at its end facing away from the biasing spring 47. These bevels 29, 33 make it possible for the bolt 25 to be pushed back against the preload and thus in the direction of the release position due to the insertion or removal of the locking rod 21 in or against the insertion direction E (if the locking secret is set on the code rings 23). . These bevels 29, 33 are designed as flat surfaces and each extend in a plane that is intersected at an acute angle by the axis of rotation D of the combination locking mechanism 15. The respective radial distance of the bevels 29, 33 from the axis of rotation D increases in the direction of the release position. This design makes it possible that when the locking rod 21 is inserted in the insertion direction E or when it is removed against the insertion direction E, the locking rod 21 is able to push the latch 25 in the direction of the release position against the preload by the preload spring 27.

The in Fig. 5A and 5B Locking bar 21 shown has at its end opposite the linkage 22 an insertion bevel 35, which is first inserted when the locking bar 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13. When the closing rod 21 is inserted in the insertion direction E, this insertion bevel 35 can be aligned with the receiving bevel 33 of the in Fig. 3 shown bar 25 cooperate to enable a (temporary) pushing back of the bar 25 against the bias of the biasing spring 47 into the release position. The insertion bevel 35 of the locking rod 21 and the receiving bevel 33 of the bolt 25 can in particular be designed such that they run parallel when the locking rod 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 27 along the insertion direction E. This can be defined and smooth Allow the latch 25 to be driven from the locking position to the release position without excessive force fluctuations or inaccuracies occurring for a user.

Furthermore, the closing rod 21 (cf. Fig. 5 A and 5B ) a recess 37, which is delimited by a removal slope 31 and a limiting slope 43. Through these bevels 31 and 43 of the locking rod 21, when the locking rod 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 27, it is possible for the latch 25 to initially be in place after the latch 25 has been inserted through the explained interaction of the insertion bevel 35 of the locking rod 21 and the receiving bevel 33 of the latch 25 the release position has been pushed back, when a locking position of the locking rod 21 is reached, it can automatically engage in the recess 37 of the locking rod 21 due to its preload in order to hold and ultimately lock the locking rod 21. As a result, the locking rod 21 can be held at least non-positively on the lock body 13, even if the locking secret is still set on the code rings 23. By subsequently adjusting the combination on the code rings 23, the bolt 25 can then be locked in the locking position by the code rings 23 engaging in the blocking recesses 26 of the bolt 25. The locking rod 21 is then secured to the lock body 13 in a form-fitting manner.

The removal slope 31 of the locking rod 21 can in particular run parallel to the release slope 29 of the bolt 25 and essentially adjacent to it when, in the explained state, the locking rod 21 is inserted into the lock body 13 and the bolt 25 assumes the locking position. Likewise, the limiting slope 43 of the locking rod 21 can run parallel to and adjacent to the receiving slope 33 of the bolt 25. This enables a substantially positive engagement of the bolt 25 in the recess 37 of the locking rod 21, so that the locking rod 21 is in a defined position in the lock body 13 in the locked and in particular in the locked state held and any movements are limited, which also prevents the generation of noise. However, small free spaces between the respective opposing slopes, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, are fundamentally harmless.

To remove the locking rod 21 from the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 against the insertion direction E, the removal slope 31 of the locking rod 21 can be aligned with the release slope 29 of the bolt 25 (cf. Fig. 3 ) work together to in turn cause a (temporary) displacement of the bolt 25 from the locking position against the preload by the preload spring 47 in the direction of the release position. Of course, this assumes that the locking secret has been set on the code rings 23. Again, the parallel course of the removal slope 31 of the locking rod 21 and the release slope 29 of the bolt 25 enables a defined and uniform movement of the bolt 25 in the direction of the release position. Furthermore, through a precise engagement of the bolt 25 in the recess 37 of the locking rod 21 when the locking rod 21 is inserted into the lock body 13, it can be achieved that the translation of the movement of the locking rod 21 against the insertion direction E during removal is directly axial Movement of the bolt 25 is translated in the direction of the release position without any delays or a noticeable or audible stop of the removal bevel 31 of the locking rod 21 and the release bevel 29 of the bolt 25. As soon as the locking rod 21 is removed from the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 in this way and the insertion bevel 35 has passed the bolt 25, the bolt 25 can snap back into the locking position due to its preload, this movement, as explained, being caused by the stop 41 the holder 39 is limited. In this state, provided the locking secret is still set on the code rings 23, the locking rod 21 can be reinserted into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13.

Fig. 6 again shows the engagement of the latch 25 in the recess 37 of the locking bar 21. The latch 25 engages precisely in the recess 37 of the locking bar 21, which is delimited by the removal slope 31 and the limiting slope 43 of the locking bar 21. In particular, the limiting bevel 43 limits the depth of the insertion of the locking rod 21 into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 in the insertion direction E.

Through such a joint lock 11 or the respective interaction of the insertion bevel 35 of the locking rod 21 with the receiving bevel 33 of the bolt 25 and the removal bevel 31 of the locking rod 21 with the release bevel 29 of the bolt 25, easy handling of a joint lock 11 is made possible. In that the bolt 25 is automatically temporarily displaced in the direction of the release position when the locking rod 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 or when the locking rod 21 is removed from the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13, if this is on the code rings 23 of the combination locking mechanism 15 Locking secret is set, no further action by the user is necessary to move the bolt 25 into the release position. A user therefore only has to set the locking secret and can either insert the locking rod 21 directly into the insertion opening 27 of the lock body 13 or release it from the lock body 13, thereby driving the bolt 25 indirectly in the direction of the release position. Nevertheless, the pretension of the bolt 25 ensures that the inserted locking rod 21 is held in the lock body 13, even if the locking secret is set on the code rings 23 and the bolt 25 is therefore not locked by the code rings 23. This prevents the locking rod 21 from being accidentally released from the lock body 13.

Reference symbol list

11

Joint lock

13

Lock body

15

Combination locking mechanism

17

Joint rod bracket

18

Covering

19

Joint rod

20

permanently attached end of the joint rod bracket

21

Locking bar

22

articulation

23

Code ring

24

anchor point

25

bars

26

Blocking recess

27

Insertion opening

29

Release slope

31

withdrawal slope

33

Recording angle

35

Insertion bevel

37

deepening

39

bracket

41

attack

43

Boundary slope

45

version

47

Preload spring

A

Longitudinal axis

D

Axis of rotation

E

Insertion direction

Claims (13)

1. A joint lock (11) having a lock body (13) that accommodates a combination locking mechanism (15) and having a jointed bar hoop (17) that has a plurality of jointed bars (19) pivotably connected to one another and a locking bar (21), wherein a first end of the jointed bar hoop (17) is permanently fastened to the lock body (13) and a second end of the jointed bar hoop (17) has the locking bar (21);

   wherein the combination locking mechanism (15) has a plurality of code rings (23) rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) and a latch (25) which is preloaded along the axis of rotation (D) in the direction of a locked position, wherein the latch (25) is movable in the direction of a release position when a secret code is set at the code rings (23), and wherein the latch (25) is blocked in the locked position when the secret code is not set at the code rings (23);

   wherein the lock body (13) has an introduction opening (27) through which the locking bar (21) of the jointed bar hoop (17) can be introduced into the lock body (13) along an introduction direction (E) which is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation (D) of the code rings (23), with the locking bar (21) introduced into the lock body (13) being locked to the lock body (13) when the latch (25) is in the locked position and is blocked, characterized in that

   the latch (25) and/or the locking bar (21) has/have at least one slope (29, 31, 33, 35) that is configured to effect an urging back of the preloaded latch (25) from the locked position into the release position on a removal of the locking bar (21) from the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13) and/or on an introduction of the locking bar (21) into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13),

   wherein the combination locking mechanism (15) is held in a holder (39), wherein the holder (39) has an abutment (41) which is configured to bound a movement of the latch (25) effected by the preload of the latch (25) in the direction of the locked position,

   wherein the lock body has a housing in which the holder for the combination locking mechanism is received.
2. A joint lock (11) in accordance with claim 1,
   wherein the at least one slope (29, 31, 33, 35) extends along a plane which is intersected at an acute angle by the axis of rotation (D) of the combination locking mechanism (15) and/or whose normal extends within a plane which is spanned by the axis of rotation (D) and the introduction direction (E).
3. A joint lock (11) in accordance with claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the radial spacing of the at least one slope (29, 31, 33, 35) from the axis of rotation (D) increases in the direction of the release position of the latch (25).
4. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the latch (25) has a release slope (29) and the locking bar (21) has a removal slope (31), said slopes being configured to effect an urging back of the preloaded latch (25) from the locked position into the release position on a removal of the locking bar (21) from the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13).
5. A joint lock (11) in accordance with claim 4,
   wherein the release slope (29) and the removal slope (31) extend in parallel with one another and/or substantially contact one another when the locking bar (21) is introduced into the introduction opening (27).
6. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the latch (25) has a reception slope (33) and the locking bar (21) has an introduction slope (35), said slopes being configured to effect an urging back of the latch (25) from the locked position into the release position on an introduction of the locking bar (21) into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13).
7. A joint lock (11) in accordance with claim 6,
   wherein the reception slope (33) and the introduction slope (35) extend in parallel with one another when the locking bar (21) is introduced into the introduction opening (27).
8. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3,
   wherein the locking bar (21) has a removal slope (31) and a boundary slope (43), with the removal slope (31) and the boundary slope (43) bounding a recess (37) in the locking bar (21) into which the latch (25) engages when the locking bar (21) is introduced into the introduction opening (27).
9. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the abutment (41) defines a maximum engagement of the latch (25) into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13) in the locked position of the latch (25).
10. A joint lock (11) in accordance with claim 9,
    wherein the maximum engagement of the latch (25) into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13) defined by the abutment (41) differs from a position of a reduced engagement which the latch (25) adopts when the locking bar (21) is introduced into the introduction opening (27) and the latch (25) contacts the locking bar (21), with the code rings (23) of the combination locking mechanism (15) only being rotatable when the latch (25) adopts the position of the reduced engagement, but not when the latch (25) is in the position of the maximum engagement.
11. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the lock body (13) has a preload spring (47) which cooperates with the latch (25) at an end of the latch (25) disposed in the direction of the release position such that the latch (25) is preloaded in the direction of the locked position.
12. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the locking bar (21) has a longitudinal axis (A) and can be axially introduced into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13) with respect to the longitudinal axis (A), or wherein the locking bar (21) is laterally pivotable into the introduction opening (27) of the lock body (13).
13. A joint lock (11) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the jointed bar hoop (17) is foldable into a yardstick configuration in which the jointed bars (19) and the locking bar (21) are aligned in parallel with one another.

Images