GB1227731A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,227,731. Locks. S. KNAUL, A. PILVET and H. S. WOLFE. 11 Jan., 1968 [14 Oct., 1966], No. 46175/66. Heading E2A. A lock mechanism comprises a mounting member having a cylindrical bore therein, a plug rotatably mounted in the bore, a locking element rotatable between locking and unlocking positions, a series of slotted tumbler elements carried by the plug and individually movable between a first configuration at which the slots are misaligned and a second configuration at which the slots are aligned, a rocker element carried by the plug and wherein the plug is freely rotatable within the bore of the mounting member and the locking element is normally disengaged therefrom, the rocker element being movable from a first position at which it permits free rotation of the plug independently of the locking element, to a second position in which it couples the plug with the locking element for actuating the latter. In the arrangement according to Figs. 1, 2 and 8 as applied to a coin drawer 10 of a coin-freed vending machine, a locking element 16 rotatably mounted on a stud 17 at the rear end 18 of the drawer, is controlled by a mechanism housed in a cylinder 23 at the. opposite end of the drawer. The mechanism comprises a rotatable plug body having a key slot 31 communicating with slotted pins 35 slidably arranged in grooves in the body, and biassed towards the key slot 31. A rocker element 43 pivoted on the plug body is formed with abutments 46 which are adapted to engage with slots 39 when these are aligned by the correct key, in which position, an abutment 47 at the other end of the rocker element 43 is engageable with a lock actuating member 21 of the element 16 when the plug body is subsequently rotated by a key 28, Fig. 8, the rocker element being weighted at that end having abutment 47. The key comprises a body portion 49 carrying a row of fingers 51 which are enterable into the key slot 31 to engage the corresponding pins 35 in the plug body and to align the slots 39. The fingers 51 are adjustably clamped in grooves 53 in the body portion 49 by a cross member 56. In another arrangement, Figs. 9-13 (not shown), the rocker element is biassed towards its inoperative position by a spring (59), the locking element in this embodiment being a rotatable shaft 60 carrying a screw-threaded rod (61) which is engageable in a threaded opening in a compartment wall (11) and a lock actuating member (65) being carried on a disc (64) carried by the shaft (60). Rapid rotation of the key overcomes the bias of the spring (59) to allow the rocker element to engage member (65) and rotate the rod (61) into or out of engagement with the wall (11). The pins may be replaced by discs or disc sectors and may be moved by combination lock means instead of by a key. In a further arrangement, Fig. 14 (not shown), the rocker element is moved positively into its operative position by a pin (91) on the key, which trips a toggle spring associated with the rocker element. In a further arrangement, Figs. 15-17, a cylinder 100 comprises a section 104 secured by pins 106 to a section 105, the section 104 housing a clutch ring 107 carrying a latch member 109. A cylinder 112 biassed to the position shown by a spring 125 carries a set of four tumblers 114, and a pivoted rocker element 115, one end 118 of which is engageable with the clutch ring 107 and the other end 126 of which is engageable with the tumblers 114. A key 120, comprises a hollow cylinder 121 for a slidable plug 122 having fingers 123. In use, the key is inserted to displace tumblers 114 to a position at which slots therein are aligned. Further movement displaces cylinder 112 against spring 125 until the latter overcomes a ball catch 124 in the key, which causes the cylinder 112 parts mounted thereon to accelerate and the element 115 to pivot so that its end 126 enters the aligned slots in the tumblers and the end 118 engages the toothed face of the clutch ring to permit rotation of the ring and the latch member 109 by the key.