GB1565341A

GB1565341A - Anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB1565341A
Application number: GB349/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Neiman SA
Current assignee: Valeo Neiman SA
Priority date: 1977-01-12
Filing date: 1978-01-05
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: DE2800980B2; FR2377506A1; ES233411U; ES233411Y; IT7819217A0; IT1158424B; DE2800980A1; DE2800980C3; FR2377506B1

Description

(54) ANTI-THEFT DEVICE (71) We, NEIMAN S.A., a French Body Corporate, of 39 Avenue Marceau, 92400 Courbevoie, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to a chain and lock which can be used especially as anti-theft device for a two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle, a moped or a motor cycle.

The renewed outbreak of thefts, especially of two-wheeled vehicles, has resulted in the development of numerous detachable locking devices which can have various and multiple applications.

The most effective devices have proved to be apparatuses comprising a chain of which one extremity is equipped with a locking device which can cooperate with any link of the chain to ensure the locking of an object and/or its fixing to a fixed object. In the case of a two-wheeled vehicle such a device permits of locking the vehicle and possibly of attaching it to a fixed point such as a tree, a traffic sign, railings, etc.

These known devices, to be effective, necessitate the use of a chain of high quality and a reliable and strong locking device. These qualities of course involve a high cost price and sometimes complicated use.

The present invention aims at obtaining a locking device of quality and strength at least equal to those of the best known devices while permitting simplified assembly, a reduced cost price and very simple use.

To this end the invention provides a lock and chain of the type comprising a chain equipped at one end with a locking device capable of cooperating with any link of the chain, characterised in that the said locking device comprises a casing fixed to the said extremity of the chain, a dog protruding from the said casing and equipped with a nose a lever mounted for pivoting in the said casing about a spindle fast with the casing and protruding to the exterior of the said casing, the protruding extremity of the said lever comprising a nose directed oppositely to the nose of the said dog, a security lock cylinder rotating in the said casing and controlling a cam which in the locking position ensures the blocking of the said lever and in the unlocked position ensures liberty of movement of the said lever.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a view in lateral elevation of a locking device mounted on the extremity of a lock chain according to one example of embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the locking device according to Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is an axial sectional view, partially broken away, of the locking device according to Figures 1 and 2 in the locking position; FIGURE 4 is analogous with Figure 3, the device being in the unlocked position, and FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a part of the locking device according to Figures 1 to 4, fixed to one extremity of the chain.

The device according to the invention comprises a chain 1 on one extremity of which there is fixed a locking device 2. In the example of embodiment as described the device 2 comprises a casing 3 constituted by cutout metallic plates 3t, 32, etc. which are stacked and assembled by rivets 4. The external plates 31 and 38 are complete whereas the inner plates 32 to 37 comprise an aperture 6 (Figures 3 to 5) extending out to the periphery in such manner as to form a cavity extending to the exterior of the casing 3. Moreover the central parts 33, 34, 35 and 3" comprise a protuberance 7 (Figure 5) equipped with an extension 8 of the aperture 6, the first link 11 of the chain 1 being lodged in the aperture 8 before assembling of the plates.The plate 34 (Figure 5) further comprises a dog 9 terminated by a nose 10.

The cavity formed by the apertures 6 in the plates serves for the reception of a security lock constituted in known manner by a body 11 and a cylinder 12 controlled by a key 13. The body 11 is retained in the cavity by cooperation of protuberance 14 of the casing 3 with recesses 15 of the body 11.

The cylinder can be retained in translation by any conventional means such as a washer or circlip.

The plate 32 is formed by two half plates in such manner as to form a passage to the exterior for a lever 16 equipped with a nose 17 opposite to the nose 10 of the dog 9. The lever 16 pivots about a spindle 18 fast with the casing 3 and is returned by a spring 19 into the position of separation of the noses 17 and 10. The lever 16 further comprises a heel piece 20 cooperating with a cam profile 21 formed on the extremity of the cylinder 12 opposite to the key 13.

In one position of the cylinder 12 (Figure 3) the heel piece 20 is on a high part of the cam profile 21 and the lever 16 cannot pivot.

This is the locking position in which the noses 10 and 17 bear upon the inner edges of a link la of the chain 1, thus ensuring shackling of the chain. In this position the key 13 can be withdrawn from the cylinder 12.

In the other position of the cylinder 12 (Figure 4) the heel piece 20 is opposite to a low part of the cam profile 21 and the lever 16 can pivot against the action of its spring 19, permitting the introduction and extraction of the catch formed by the noses 10 and 17 in the link, the noses then separating from one another by the action of the spring 19. In this position the key 13 cannot be extracted.

In the example as described the noses 10 and 17 are opposite and the locking is effected by their separating movement. It is understood that the noses can be situated opposite to one another the locking being effected by their movement together around the exterior of a link or from both sides of the wire constituting a link.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A lock and chain of the type comprising a chain equipped at one extremity with a locking device which can cooperate with any link of the chain, a casing fixed to the said chain extremity, a dog protruding from the said casing and equipped with a nose, a lever mounted for pivoting in the said casing about a spindle fast with the casing and protruding to the exterior of the said casing, the protruding extremity of the said lever having a nose placed oppositely to the nose of the said dog, a security lock cylinder for rotating in the said casing and controlling a cam which in the locking position ensures blocking of the said lever and in the unlocking position ensures liberty of pivoting of the said lever.

2. A lock and chain as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said pivoting lever is returned by a spring.

3. A lock and chain as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the said noses are opposed and are moved away from one another in the locking position.

4. A lock and chain as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the said noses are turned towards one another and are moved towards one another in the locking position.

5. A lock and chain as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the said casing is constituted by a stack of metallic plates cut out in such manner as to form a lodgement for the security lock and for the said end link of the chain.

6. A lock and chain as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the said lever comprises a heel piece cooperating with a cam profile fast with the lock.

7. A lock and chain substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. by a key 13. The body 11 is retained in the cavity by cooperation of protuberance 14 of the casing 3 with recesses 15 of the body 11. The cylinder can be retained in translation by any conventional means such as a washer or circlip. The plate 32 is formed by two half plates in such manner as to form a passage to the exterior for a lever 16 equipped with a nose 17 opposite to the nose 10 of the dog 9. The lever 16 pivots about a spindle 18 fast with the casing 3 and is returned by a spring 19 into the position of separation of the noses 17 and 10. The lever 16 further comprises a heel piece 20 cooperating with a cam profile 21 formed on the extremity of the cylinder 12 opposite to the key 13. In one position of the cylinder 12 (Figure 3) the heel piece 20 is on a high part of the cam profile 21 and the lever 16 cannot pivot. This is the locking position in which the noses 10 and 17 bear upon the inner edges of a link la of the chain 1, thus ensuring shackling of the chain. In this position the key 13 can be withdrawn from the cylinder 12. In the other position of the cylinder 12 (Figure 4) the heel piece 20 is opposite to a low part of the cam profile 21 and the lever 16 can pivot against the action of its spring 19, permitting the introduction and extraction of the catch formed by the noses 10 and 17 in the link, the noses then separating from one another by the action of the spring 19. In this position the key 13 cannot be extracted. In the example as described the noses 10 and 17 are opposite and the locking is effected by their separating movement. It is understood that the noses can be situated opposite to one another the locking being effected by their movement together around the exterior of a link or from both sides of the wire constituting a link. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A lock and chain of the type comprising a chain equipped at one extremity with a locking device which can cooperate with any link of the chain, a casing fixed to the said chain extremity, a dog protruding from the said casing and equipped with a nose, a lever mounted for pivoting in the said casing about a spindle fast with the casing and protruding to the exterior of the said casing, the protruding extremity of the said lever having a nose placed oppositely to the nose of the said dog, a security lock cylinder for rotating in the said casing and controlling a cam which in the locking position ensures blocking of the said lever and in the unlocking position ensures liberty of pivoting of the said lever.