AU606514B2 - Locking device - Google Patents

Description

-1-606514 C 0 M 1 0 N W E A L T H OF A U S T R A L I A PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICA tm

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(Original) FOR OFFICE USE Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicants: IAN GEOR.3E LAYCOOK and--HEI~NZ- *ARLBUDWE& Address of Applicairts: 3 -Melis-sa, Court, Mo-orooibark. 3138.,-and (00( M1)Y+-a*1 H JfrC- LE-t-6-6Monbulk/Sevi Ile, Road, -WandnEast-31-3-9, 0>0,10A(.CA 81.s, both.4n--t-he State- of~Vce-a V, Commonwealth- of.. Austr.alia-.

A-u k b Actual Inventor(s):JOHN ANTHONY GASKELL Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000.

Complete speciip4 for the invention entitled: tq (-pc 7 "LOCKING DEVICE" The following statement is a full description of this inventici including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 "LOCKING DEVICE" This invention relates generally to a locking device for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device which facilitates the selective interchange of key elements.

The term "key elements" as used herein includes within its scope normal key-like instruments, as well as for example tokens such as disks, coins or the like, cards or any other suitable elements.

One particular and preferred application of the present invention relates to a locking device for controlling the use of trolleys or carts of the general type used in supermarkets and at airports. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application, however, it is to be understood that this is not to be taken as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. It will become readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art that the locking device of the present invention could be adapted for use in a wide variety of applications. By way of example only, the locking device of the invention could find application in the control of use or monitoring of locker room keys for gymnasiums, motor pools and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved locking device which is capable of enabling selective interchange of key elements and is relatively simple in construction and is designed to inhibit unauthorised tampering.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking device which is capable of enabling selective interchange of at least first and second key elements, the locking device comprising: a main housing having first and second deposit stations which, in use, are associated with first and second key elements respectively, each said deposit station having an access. through which the associated key element can be I:lj

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2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 deposited or retrieved; key element retention means including a first retention section associated with the first deposit station and first key element and a second retention section associated with the second deposit station and second key element, each said retention section being capable of adopting a hold position in which when the key element associated therewith is disposed within the associated deposit station it is inhibited from removal therefrom, and a release position in which the key element can be retrieved from its associated deposit station, said first and second retention sections being arranged so that when one is in said hold position the other is in said release position; biasing means urging said first retention section into said release position and said second retention section into said hold position; and catch means operable to hold said first retention means in said hold position and said second retention mean in said release position; catch means operable to cause said first retention means to be held in said hold position against the action of said biasing means said catch means being released by depositing said second key element in said second deposit station.

Preferably the retention sections of the retention means are operable as a result of the depositing of one of the key elements in its associated deposit station via the access. It is further preferable that the retention means is biased so that one retention section is normally urged into the hold position and the other is normally urged into the release position. Thus, in operation, a first key element may be disposed in its associated deposit station which has its associated retention section normally in the hold position so as to inhibit retrieval thereof. Subsequent location of a second key element within the other deposit station will cause its associated retention section to adopt its retention position and the first retention section to adopt its release position thereby permitting retrieval of 890414, arsspe.008,1 laycock, 3 1 the first key element while the other key element is held 2 within the associated deposit station. Catch means may be 3 provided for holding the second retention section in its 4 hold position against the normal bias placed on the retention means. The catch means may be adapted for release 6 by repositioning of the first mentioned key element in its 7 associated deposit station.

S8 In one preferreJ form, the retention means comprises at S9 least one arm-like member which is disposed within the main housing and mounted for pivotal movement which movement H 11 causes the retention sections to adopt either their hold or S12 release position. Preferably the retention sections are I 13 disposed at opposite end portions of the arm-like member and

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14 each includes a triggering part which is engageable by the associated key element to cause the pivotal movement of the S16 arm. Each retention section of the pivotal arm further i 17 includes a keeper part which in the hold position inhibits 18 removal of the key element from the deposit station. The 19 triggering and keeper parts of the retention section may be defined by the same part. Preferably the retention means I 21 comprises two pivotally mounted arms of the type described 22 above the arms being complementary with respect to each 23 other.

24 The main housing of the device may take any suitable configuration and in one form comprises a block like body 26 preferably comprising two parts which are securable S27 together. Although many materials could be used in the 28 construction of the main housing it is preferable that metal S29 such as, for example, steel, aluminium or the like are used.

The form of the deposit stations may be determined by 31 the form of the key elements used in conjunction with the 32 locking device. In one particular application, one of the 33 key elements may be in the form of a coin or similar token 34 and the other key element may be in the form of a key member comprising a body portion forming a handle with a shank 36 projecting therefrom. The free end of the shank may have a 37 head and a neck forming a shoulder on the shank. Preferably 38 the head is tapered outwardly from the free end towards the 890414. arsspe.008,laycock.

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61 a 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 S 20 21 22 23 24 p 25 26 27 28 29

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f 30 S 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 neck.

In the particular application where the locking device is used in conjunction with supermarket trolleys, the latter mentioned key member is secured to the main housing by means of a flexible member such as a chain. In use, trolleys ce be connected together by depositing the key mounted on one trolley member attached to one housing into the deposit station in the housing of another locking device mounted on another trolley. The main housing of the locking device may include means for mounting the housing to the trolleys and such means may comprise a mounting hole or cavity which extends through the housing, the handle of the trolley being receivable within this hole.

One of the deposit stations (hereinafter referred to as the "first deposit station") may be in the form of a cavity within the main housing with the access comprising a slot in a wall of the housing through which a key element in the form of a coin or similar token can be deposited. The slot and the cavity may be relatively shallow having a thickness only slightly greater than the thickness of the coin which is used as the key element. The access slot and cavity are disposed in a plane within the main housing.

The other of the deposit stations (hereinafter referred to as "the second deposit station") may comprise a hole which extends into the main housing from a side wall thereof and opens from that side wall surface so that that opening defines the access to the second deposit station. The key element in this case may be in the form of the key member described above, the shank of the key member being insertable into the hole through the opening. Preferably the axis of the hole forming the second deposit station is generally at right angles to the plane of the access slot and cavity of the first deposit station.

In a preferred form the retention means comprises a pair of arms as described above. Each arm may be in the form of a plate like member disposed on opposite sides of the deposit stations and pivotally mounted for movement in the general plane of the access slot and cavity or a plane 890414 arsspe. 008 laycock 27 5 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 S 16 17 18 00 19 00 C 20 6 21 22 23 24 006 2 S 25 26 0000 .000 27 28 29 o 0 0 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 generally parallel thereto.

The first retention section for the first deposit station may comprise a triggering projection and a keeper projection spaced apart by preferably a curved wall section of the plate. The triggering projection is disposed inwardly of the keeper projection with respect to the access slot. The pivot pin for each plate is positioned so that the triggering projection when engaged by a coin as it enters the cavity causes the plates to pivot so that the keeper projection at least partially closes the access slot thereby entrapping a coin within the cavity. Preferably the radius from the pivot pin to the free end of the triggering projection is less than that from the pivot pin to the keeper projection. This particular configuration inhibits unauthorised movement of the plates through the access slots.

The second retention section for the second deposit station may comprise an arcuate and preferably semi-circular end wall on each plate which when in abutting relation form an aperture which is generally co-axial with the hole defining the second deposit station. The aperture formed by the two plates is smaller than the dimension of the head of the shaft of the key element. As such when the head is inserted into the aperture, the two plates are forced apart and when aligned with the neck portion the two plates can close behind the head thereby inhibiting its removal from the deposit station.

Biasing means may be provided to urge the plate or plates into a position where the second retention section is normally in the hold position. The biasing means may be in the form of a pair of springs mounted within the housing and operatively engaging the respective plates. Thus by insertion of the coin into the access slot it engages the triggering projections on the plates and pivots the plates against the action of the springs.

As mentioned earlier, a catch means may be provided to hold the second retention section in a release position and/or hold the first retention section in the hold position 890414 arsspe.008, laycock, -7 6 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 after the key member has been retrieved. The catch means may in one form comprise a cylindrical plug which is mounted within a recess generally co-axial with the access hole and biased so that it is urged towards the plate members.

Biasing may be affected by means of a spring disposed within the recess. Thus when the key member is removed from the second deposit station the plug is urged so as to position itself between the plates and retain them apart and- thereby maintain the first retention section in the hold position.

Preferably the outwardly facing peripheral edge of the cylindrical plug is tapered to a fine edge thereby inhibiting unauthorised access of the plug.

In another form of the invention the catch means comprises a catch plate disposed in a recess at one end of said hole the catch plate being biased towards the hole and mounted for pivotal movement so that when the key member is removed the catch plate moves to a position where it holds the second retention means in the release position and thereby holds the first retention means in the hold position. The catch plate may have undercuts thereon which when the second retention means is in the release position are engaged by tabs on one end part of the semi-circular end wall defining the second retention section.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of locking devices according to the present invention attached to trolleys; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of one half of the main body of one form of locking device according to the present invention in a first operative position; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the locking device taken along the line III III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 with the locking device in a second operative position; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the locking device taken along the line V V in Figure 4; 890414,arsspe.008, laycock.

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i r .1 i :i r iI :r1 j fj i i j i i 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 S 20 S 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of one half of the main body of another form of locking device according to the present invention in a first operative position; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII VII in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a similar view to that of Figure 6 with the locking device in a second operative position; Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX IX in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of part of the locking device shown in Figures 6 9.

Referring to the drawings where, as far as possible like reference numerals have been used for like parts in both embodiments the locking device generally indicated at 1 comprises a main housing 7 which is formed of two parts 9 and 11 which can be secured together in such a manner so as to inhibit unauthorised separation. The main housing 7 is adapted to be mounted to the handle 61 of a trolley 60 the handle 61 being received in the mounting hole 10 in the main body 7 and securely fixed.

The locking device 1 is adapted for use with a key member 40 which comprises a handle 47 and a shank 45. The key member 3 is connected to the housing by means of a chain 46. The free end of the shank 45 comprises a head 41 having a tapered wall and a neck 42 defining a shoulder 43.

The main housing 1 has a first deposit station 18 therein in the form of a cavity 19 with an access slot 13 throlgh which another key member in the form of a coin 70 or similar token can be deposited. A further flange 14 is disposed remote from the access slot 13 and forms a platform upon which the coin 70 can seat when in the cavity.

A second deposit station 16 in the form of a hole 17 is disposed in the main housing 7. The hole 17 extends through the housing 7 to an opening in a wall thereof the opening defining an access opening 15 through which the key member 40 can be inserted into the hole 17. As shown the axis of the hole 17 is at right angles to the plane of cavity 19.

The locking device 1 further includes a retention 890414,irsspe.08,laycock.

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1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 S 16 17 18 19 i t 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 mechanism 20 comprising a pair of plate like members 21 and 23 disposed within the housing and mounted on pins 24 and 25 for pivotal movement thereabout.

Each plate like member 21 and 23 comprises separate first and second retention sections 31 and 33 and 26 and 27 respectively. The retention sections 26 and 27 comprise a triggering projection 28 and 29 and a keeper projection and 32.

The second retention sections 31 and 33 comprise arcuate walls 35 and 34 which when moved into the hold position form an aperture of smaller diameter than the hole 17. Springs 38 and 39 urge the plate members into a position where deposit station 19 is in the release position and deposit station 17 is in the hold position.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the locking device further includes catch means 50 in the form of a cylindrical plug 37 having an inner part 37a and an outer part 37B which is mounted in a recess in the housing co-axial with the hole 17 and is urged by a spring 38a in the direction of the hole 17 so that it can hold the two plate members apart against the action of the springs 38 and 39.

As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the catch means 50 in this embodiment comprises a catch plate 52 disposed within a recess in the main body and includes a hole 53 formed therein and a control edge 52 engageable by key member The wall 55 of catch plate 52 is convex in shape and undercuts 58 and 59 are provided which co-operate with tabs 56 and 57 on the plate members 21 and 23.

The operation of the form of locking device as described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 will hereinafter be explained.

In the particular application relating to supermarket trolleys, each trolley has a locking device mounted to its handle. When the trolleys are not in use they are connected together by the key member 40 (which is attached to a housing 7 by chain 46) of one locking device being inserted into the deposit station hole 17 of another locking device.

thus, when not in use, the trolleys can be secured together 890414, arsspe.008, laycock, M P_ PU;E*~__IUrXI-- r-UIl- i ilill 9 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 t4 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 in banks.

When a person requires a trolley a coin 70 is inserted into deposit station cavity 19 via access slot 13. As the coin 70 is inserted it engages triggering projections 28 and 29 on the plates 21 and 23. This causes the plates to pivot so that the keeper projections 20 and 22 at least partially close the access slot 13 thereby inhibiting retrieval of the coin At the same time walls 35 and 34 are spread apart so that the second retention sections adopt the release position thereby enabling removal of the key member 40 from the deposit station hole 17. Thus a trolley is freed from the bank for use.

As the key member 3 is removed the catch in the form of plug 37 is moved by a spring (not shown) to a position between walls 35 and 34 thereby preventing their return to the hold position under the action of springs 38 and 39. In this position, the keeper projections are in the hold position and prevent retrieval of the coin.

For a user to retrieve their coin, the trolley is simply returned to the bank and the key member 40 inserted into the deposit station hole 17 of a locking device on an adjacent trolley. This moves the plug 37 and the keeper projections to the release position under the action of springs 38 and 39 whereby enabling retrieval of the coin The walls 34 and 35 are at the same time located within the neck 42 on the shank 45 and thus the key member 3 cannot be removed.

Operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 9 is essentially the same as that described above except that the catch plate 52 pivots under the action of spring 38a.

As best seen in Figure 6, when the coin 70 is positioned within cavity 19 and key 40 removed from hole 17 the tabs 57 on the lower section of walls 34 and 35 engage the undercuts 58 and 59 on catch plate 52 and the upper section of walls 34 and 35 overlap the catch plate 52. Thus the walls 34 and 35 are held in spaced relation from one another and the coin 70 is retained in cavity 19 by virtue 890414.arsspe.008 laycock.

1 10 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 of sections 26 and 27 on the plates 21 and 23.

It will be noted that in the above described position there is a slight clearance between the sections 26 and 27 and the coin 70 for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent. When key 40 is inserted into the hole 17 it first engages the upper sections of walls 34 and 35 and causes the two plates to move slightly further away from one another, this being possible as a result of the clearance between sections 26 and 27 and the coin 70. When the tabs 57 are clear of the undercuts 58 and 59 the catch plate 52 can be depressed or pivotally moved by key 40 so that it adopts the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 whereby the plates can move into a position whereby the key 40 is held captive by walls 34 and 35. This arrangement makes it particularly difficult to tamper with the lock so as to cause unauthorized opening thereof with anything but the key It will be appreciated that many variations are available beyond that disclosed with reference to the preferred embodiments. For example, more than two key elements and associated deposit stations could be provided for each locking device. Each locking station could, for example, have a primary key element operable to cause release of a plurality of secondary key elements.

Furthermore, the type of key element can vary considerably.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without department from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

890414, arsspe.008,aycock,

Claims (3)

1. 2. A locking device according to claim 1 wherein said retention means comprises at least one pivotal member disposed within said housing for pivotal movement whereby said first and second retention sections are caused to adopt
2. 890411. arsspe.008,claims, I 12 either said hold or release position. 3. A locking device according to claim 1 wherein said retention means comprises two pivotal members each being disposed within said housing for pivotal movement whereby said first and second retention sections are caused to adopt either said hold or release positions. 4. A locking device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the or each said pivotal member comprises a plate like element with said first retention section at one end portion of said plate like element and said second retention section at the other end portion of said plate like element. A locking device according to claim 4 wherein each said retention section comprises a triggering part which is engageable by the key element associated therewith to cause pivot movement of the or each said plate like element and a keeper part which in the hold position inhibits removal of the key element from the deposit station. l0 6. A locking device according to any preceding claim wherein said first deposit station comprises a cavity within said main housing and said access comprises a slot in a wall of said housing through which the key element associated therewith can be deposited or retrieved, and said second i deposit station comprises a hole which extends into said main housing from another wall of said main housing with an opening thereto in said another wall defining said access to said second deposit station. *4dL S7. A locking device according to claim 6 wherein said access slct is disposed in a plane generally at right angles to the axis of said hole ahd said pivotal members being pivotable in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said access slot. 8. A locking device according to claim 6 or claim 7 890411.arsspe.008,claims, 13 wherein said triggering part and said keeper part for said first retention section comprises respective projections on the or each said plate at said one end portion and spaced apart by a curved edge of said plate member said triggering projection being disposed inwardly of said keeper projection with respect to said access slot. S9. A locking device according to claim 8 wherein said triggering part and said keeper part for said second retention section comprise an arcuate end wall at said i second end portion on the or each said pivotal member said arcuate end wall being adapted to move into and out of said i hole thereby engaging or disengaging the key member so that i in the hold position the key element is held captive. i! A locking device according to claim 9 wherein said catch means comprises a plug which is disposed within a recess co-axial with said hole said plug being biased towards said hole said plug being arranged so that when the key member is removed it moves to a position where it holds the second retention means in the release position and thereby holds the first retention means in the hold position. i 11. A locking device according to claim 9 wherein catch Smeans comprise a catch plate disposed in a recess at one end of said hole said catch plate being biased towards said hole and mounted for pivotal movement so that when the key member I is removed the catch plate moves to a position where it 'iolds the second retention means in the release position and thereby holds the first retention means in the hold position. 890412,arsspe.008, claims. -14 12. A locking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 14th day of April, 1989 Z-AN-~GEORGE. -LAYCOCK. and. HE-I.NZ -KARL .WDWEG- By their Pat .nt Attorneys (Ov? 2 DAVIES COLLISON 4J(. 000 0 00 t 0 0 0
3. 890412.arsspe. 008. claims.