GB2625745A - A lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock comprises a rod comprising a plurality of first notches (21 fig 1) arranged along a line of first notches and a plurality of second notches (22 fig 1) arranged along a line of second notches, the rod being moveable longitudinally into a locking or unlocking arrangement, a casing comprising a hole therethrough e.g. for receiving a key cylinder (13 fig 1), and first and second holes through which the rod protrudes; and a latch 30 comprising a pivot at a first end and a latch hook 31 at a second end, the latch being biased into a first position, e.g. by a spring, towards the line of first notches of the rod such that the latch hook engages one of the first notches to prevent longitudinal motion of the rod. The latch further comprises a first latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a first of the second notches and a second latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a second of the second notches. The latch allows either end of the rod to be used as a locking bolt (lefthand or righthand orientation), for example on a garage door.

Description

A LOCK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of locks, and in particular the field of locks for a garage and doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Locks can be fixed to doors and have a protrusion which extends to prevent the door opening. Conventionally the protrusion extends one way from the device and thus different devices must be manufactured depending on whether the protrusion is to extend out of the left-hand side or the right-hand side of the device. Needing to manufacture both left and right had devices adds to manufacturing complexity.

Additionally, each lock has a different cylinder locking mechanism necessitating a different key for each device This can cause confusion as many keys may be necessary.

It is therefore desirable manufacture a lock which can be both right and left handed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising.

a rod comprising a plurality of first notches arranged along a line of first notches and a plurality of second notches arranged along a line of second notches, the rod being moveable longitudinally, a casing comprising a hole therethrough and first and second holes through which the rod protrudes; a latch comprising a pivot at a first end and a latch hook at a second end, the latch being biased into a first position with the latch hook biased towards the line of first notches of the rod such that the latch hook engages one of the first notches to prevent longitudinal motion of the rod, the latch further comprising a first latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a first of the second notches and a second latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a second of the second notches.

The lock can therefore be used to move the rod in both directions such that it extends further out of the left hand side or the right hand side.

Additionally, the lock does not have a fixed locking mechanism and any suitable locking mechanism with a protrusion can be used.

The latch is preferably spring loaded towards the line of first notches of the rod such that the latch hook remains engaged with a first notch.

Each of the latch notches is superimposed on a second notch such that engagement of the second notch engages the corresponding latch notch. Therefore, when a latch notch is engaged, a second notch is simultaneously also engaged. Engaging the latch notch disengages the latch hook from a first notch such that the rod is able to move longitudinally and the simultaneous engagement with a second moves the rod.

The latch is preferably pivoted such that engagement of one of the latch notches pivots the latch from the first position into a second position in which the latch hook does not engage any of the first notches and the rod can be moved longitudinally.

The rod is preferably configured to be moved longitudinally by engagement with the second notch onto which the corresponding latch notch was superimposed The rod preferably extends out both ends of the casing.

The line of first notches and the line of second notches are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the rod. Preferably, a second notch is arranged between two first notches. The second notches alternate with the first notches. The distance between the first and second latch notches is preferably the same as, or a multiple of the distance between adjacent second notches.

The second latch notch may be a partial notch. For example it may be half a notch such that a protrusion can engage in a first direction but not the opposite direction.

The lock may further comprise a locking mechanism arranged within the hole, the locking mechanism comprising a protrusion configured to engage the latch notch and second notch onto which the latch notch is superimposed.

The rod preferably comprises cast stainless steel. Preferably the latch also comprises cast stainless steel as cast stainless steel has been found to be particularly robust and long lasting.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cut away of the lock; Figure 2 depicts a latch; Figure 3 depicts a cross section of the lock in a first position; Figure 4 depicts a cross section of the lock in a second position and Figure 5 depicts a cross section of the lock in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

Figure 1 depicts a cut away of a lock according to the invention. The lock comprises a case 12, one side of which has been removed. The case comprises a hole 13 therethrough (the portion of the case not depicted also comprises a hole) and also a pivot point 15.

The rod comprises a plurality of first notches 21 arranged in a line. It also comprises a plurality of second notches 22 also arranged in a line. In this example, the first and second notches are arranged on opposite sides of the rod. In particular, each first notch is arranged between two second notches.

Within the case is a rod 20 having a cylindrical cross section at either end.

However, in the middle portion, in which the notches are formed, may have a flat cross section. Either ends of the rod extend out of first 16 and second 17 holes in the case and it is the ends of the rod which perform the locking action to prevent a door being opened. When no notches are engaged the rod can move longitudinally to protrude further out of the first hole or the second hole.

Figure 2 depicts a latch 30, which is not depicted in the cut away of figure 1.

The latch 30 has a first latch notch 32 and a second latch notch 33 and these can be engaged by protrusion(s) to move the latch. As depicted in figure 2 the second latch notch may be a partial latch notch. Both of the latch notches are configured such that they can be engaged by a protrusion. The latch further comprises a latch hook 31 which can engage the first notches of the rod and prevent longitudinal motion of the rod.

Figure 3 depicts a cross section of the lock comprising the latch. The latch 30 is attached to the pivot 15 such that it can pivot. The latch hook 31 engages a first notch 21 to prevent the rod 20 from moving longitudinally. As can be seen, the first latch notch 32 lines up, or is superimposed on a second notch 22. The second latch notch 33 lines up, or is superimposed on another second notch 22. The distance between the first and second latch notches is either the same as the distance between the second notches or an integer multiple of the distance between second notches.

Figure 4 depicts the latch being engaged by a protrusion 41 from a locking mechanism 40. The protrusion engages both the first latch notch 32 and the second notch 22 over which the latch notch is superimposed. As the protrusion is rotated clockwise the latch is pivoted and the latch hook 31 is lifted out of engagement from the first notch 21 such that the rod is free to move longitudinally. The protrusion simultaneously engages the second notch and, by continued rotation of the protrusion (controlled by rotation of a key, not depicted, in the locking mechanism), moves the rod longitudinally to the right.

Figure 5 depicts a protrusion 41 engaging the second latch notch 33 which, in this example is a partial notch. As the protrusion is rotated anti-clockwise the latch is pivoted and the latch notch lifted out of engagement with the first notch. The protrusion simultaneously also engages a second notch and continued rotation moves the rod to the left.

Figures 4 and 5 depict ways in which the rod can be moved either to the left or to the right so that the lock can be used on either side of a garage door.

The second notches may each have a semi-circular shape to facilitate easy rotation of the protrusion along the second notch. The first notches may have a rectangular or square shape.

At each end of the line of first notches there may be a stop to prevent the latch mechanism from moving any further long the rod, and therefore prevent the rod from moving any further.

The rod is preferably made of cast stainless steel as this as been found to withstand the friction and rotation involved in repeated engagement with protrusions from the locking mechanism. Similarly the latch is also preferably made of cast stainless steel so that it may also withstand the frication and rotation involved in repeated engagement and rotation by protrusions.

In this way any locking mechanism with a rotatable protrusion may be used.

Advantageously, a locking mechanism using the same key as other locks at a user's property may be used.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS: A lock comprising: a rod comprising a plurality of first notches arranged along a line of first notches and a plurality of second notches arranged along a line of second notches, the rod being moveable longitudinally; a casing comprising a hole therethrough and first and second holes through which the rod protrudes; a latch comprising a pivot at a first end and a latch hook at a second end, the latch being biased into a first position with the latch hook biased towards the line of first notches of the rod such that the latch hook engages one of the first notches to prevent longitudinal motion of the rod, the latch further comprising a first latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a first of the second notches and a second latch notch arranged to be superimposed on a second of the second notches.
2. 2. The lock according to claim 1 wherein latch is spring loaded towards the line of first notches of the rod.
3. 3. The lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the latch notches is superimposed on a second notch such that engagement of the second notch engages the corresponding latch notch.
4. 4. The lock of claim 3 wherein the latch is pivoted such that engagement of one of the latch notch pivots the latch from the first position into a second position in which the latch hook does not engage any of the first notches and the rod can be moved longitudinally.
5. 5. The lock of claim 4 wherein the rod is configured to be moved longitudinally by engagement with the second notch onto which the corresponding latch notch was superimposed.
6. 6. The lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the line of first notches and the line of second notches are arranged on opposite sides of the rod.
7. 7. The lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a second notch is arranged between two first notches.
8. 8. The lock of any one of the preceding claims wherein the second latch notch is a partial notch.
9. 9. The lock of any one of the preceding claims wherein the rod extends out both ends of the casing.
10. 10. The lock of any one of the preceding claims wherein the distance between the first and second latch notches is the same as, or a multiple of the distance between adjacent second notches.
11. 11. The lock of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a locking mechanism arranged within the hole, the locking mechanism comprising a protrusion configured to engage the latch notch and second notch onto which the latch notch is superimposed.
12. 12. The lock of any one of the preceding claims wherein the rod comprises cast stainless steel.
13. 13. The lock of any one of the preceding claims wherein the latch comprises cast stainless steel.S