GB2327456A

GB2327456A - Locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2327456A
Application number: GB9807644A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Christopher Nee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-09
Filing date: 1998-04-09
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-09
Also published as: GB9807644D0; GB9707047D0; GB2327456B

Abstract

A locking device comprises in a casing (12) a spring-loaded locking member (34, 28) normally urged outwards of the casing and means (38) for withdrawing the locking member into the casing.

Description

TITLE: Locking devices DESCRIPTION This invention concerns locking devices.

Of much concern to parents and other people responsible for well being of children is the ease with which children can gain access to cupboards and the like containing common household items and medicines that used properly are harmless, but which in the wrong hands can even be fatal. For example, cleaning liquids, detergents, bleaches and the like are often kept in cupboards at floor level. Medicines are kept in bathroom cupboards that can be reached even by very young children by climbing.

It would be safer for such cupboards to be locked permanently but the cost of installing locks in all necessary cupboards may be prohibitive and keeping track of keys could become a problem.

A simple locking device that can be operated by an adult but not by a child would provide a solution to the above-described problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a locking device.

According to this invention there is provided a locking device comprising in a casing a spring-loaded locking member normally urged outwards of the casing and means for withdrawing the locking member into the casing.

Preferably the locking member is a spigot extending from a carrier therefor and through an opening in the casing. The spigot is preferably urged outwards of the casing by spring means between the carrier and a wall of the casing. Preferably part of the spring means is received in a bore of the carrier.

The means for withdrawing the locking member preferably comprises one or more pusher members. Preferably the pusher members are arranged to act on the carrier for the locking member in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the locking member. That may be achieved by the carrier and pusher member or members having cooperating sloping faces, whereby movement of a pusher member inwards urges the carrier against its spring means to withdraw the locking member into the casing.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier has sloping faces at each end and a pair of pusher members, each with an oppositely sloping end face, are arranged on opposite each end of the carrier, so that pressing the two pusher members towards each other causes the locking member to withdraw into the casing.

The locking device of the invention may be used in many situations where a door or other access panel needs to be locked. The locking device may be affixed to the access panel and a hole formed in a frame into which the panel fits, so that the locking member is urged into that hole to lock the panel to its frame. Alternatively, the locking device may be on the frame and the panel provided with hole such as in an edge of the panel or by means of an added keep.

The locking device of the invention may be used not only for cupboards and the like but also for boxes, chests and other storage containers.

There are various ways in which the effectiveness of the locking device may be varied, so as to control who is capable of operating the device. The strength of the spring loading of the locking member may be varied by choice of spring. Where two pusher members are used, their size and hence the length of grip required to push them together at the same time may be varied. Thus, a small child may not be able to operate the locking device simply by not having sufficient strength or by not having a sufficiently large grip. On the other, an adult can be quite capable of operating the locking device of the invention even if a child cannot.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a section through a locking device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the locking device of Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a locking device 10 has a casing 12 having a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, end walls 18 and 20 and side walls 22 and 24. Within the casing 12 is a carrier 26 having a locking pin 28 extending therefrom and through aperture 30 in the top casing wall 14.

The carrier 26 has a bore 32 in which is received one end of a helical spring 34, whose opposite end abuts the bottom casing wall 16.

The carrier 26 has at each end facing the end walls 18 and 20 of the casing a sloping face 36, whereby the carrier has divergent end faces towards the bottom wall of the casing.

Through each end wall 18 and 20 of the casing extend pushers 38. The inwards ends of the pushers have a lip 40 to retain the pushers within the casing and the end face 42 of each pusher is sloped to match the sloping face 36 of the carrier to which it extends. Thereby, when the pushers 38 are pressed towards each other, they act on the carrier 26 to urge it towards the bottom wall 16 of the casing 12 against the action of the spring 34 in order to withdraw the locking pin 28 into the casing.

Releasing the pushers 38 will allow the locking pin 28 to move outwardly.

Thus, for example, the locking device 10 may be mounted on a door of a cupboard and a frame for the door, such as 46 in Figure 1, may be provided with a receiving hole 48 for the locking pin 28, whereby the locking device can be used to lock the door. If the ends of the pushers 38 are far enough apart and/or the spring 34 is sufficiently strong, a child may be prevented from opening the door because they cannot grip the pushers in one hand and/or cannot overcome the resistance of the spring.

The locking device of the invention may be made inexpensively and may be fitted easily to doors, access panels, box lids or in any other situation where it would be advantageous.

Claims

1. A locking device comprising in a casing a spring-loaded locking member normally urged outwards of the casing and means for withdrawing the locking member into the casing.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a spigot extending from a carrier therefor and through an opening in the casing.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spigot is urged outwards of the casing by spring means between the carrier and a wall of the casing.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein part of the spring means is received in a bore of the carrier.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for withdrawing the locking member comprises one or more pusher members.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pusher members are arranged to act on the carrier for the locking member in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the locking member.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the carrier and pusher member or members have cooperating sloping faces, whereby movement of a pusher member inwards urges the carrier against its spring means to withdraw the locking member into the casing.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the carrier has sloping faces at each end and a pair of pusher members, each with an oppositely sloping end face, are arranged on opposite each end of the carrier, so that pressing the two pusher members towards each other causes the locking member to withdraw into the casing.

9. A locking device as substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.