GB2584118A

GB2584118A - Locks

Info

Publication number: GB2584118A
Application number: GB1907198.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Powell Ian
Original assignee: Storm Environmental Ltd
Current assignee: Storm Environmental Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-22
Filing date: 2019-05-22
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-22
Also published as: GB2584118B; GB201907198D0

Abstract

A lock comprises an engaging member 21 for engaging a lock keep 3, the engaging member moves between a first and second positions, being urged towards the first position engaging the lock keep. The engaging member comprises a support and a projecting part that moves relative to the support between a closed position in which it engages the lock keep and an open position, the projecting catch 23 is urged towards the closed position. Preferably the support is a spring biased shaft rotatable about a first axis and the protruding catch 23 is biased to pivot about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The sprung catch 23 deflects upon closing contact with the keeper 35 allowing slamming of a lid such as a refuse container. The keeper may include an aperture through which the lock enters and engages behind a fixed lock engaging wall 35. The rotatable shaft may include a polygonal head 220 for a key.

Description

Title: Locks

Description of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to locks and particularly, although not exclusively, to locks for use with the lids of lidded containers, such as those in the form of refuse containers. Locks of the present invention are particularly suitable for use with lids that are made from metal or alloy, such as steel, although the locks can be used with lids that are made from other materials too.

Refuse containers, particularly those used in commercial settings, are typically subjected to impacts and battering during use. The most severe impacts often occur when the container is mounted on or dismounted from a refuse truck. Consequently, over time, locks located on the lids of containers can become misaligned from corresponding lock keeps located on the containers themselves. This misalignment can occur due to distortions across the surface(s) of the lid and / or the container, or due to the hinge between the lid and the container becoming damaged. This misalignment can result in the lock no longer being able to function properly. In such circumstances, the lid and / or the container may need to be repaired so as to realign the lock with the lock keep. In some cases, the lid and / or the container may need to be replaced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide locks which can self-align with their corresponding lock keeps.

Self-aligning lock systems are known in the art. However, in order to function properly such lock systems require that each of the lock and the lock keep have movably biased components. Therefore, if it is necessary to replace an existing non-self-aligning lock system of a lidded container with a self-aligning lock system, both of the lock and the lock keep must be replaced. It is to be appreciated that this can be relatively costly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lock system in a more cost effective manner by providing locks which can operate with conventional lock keeps (i.e. lock keeps that do not have moveably biased components).

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a lock comprising an engaging member for engaging a lock keep, the engaging member being moveable between a first position and a second position, the engaging member being urged towards the first position and being engageable with a lock keep when in the first position, the engaging member comprising a support and a projecting part, wherein the projecting part is movable relative to the support between a closed position in which it is engageable with the lock keep and an open position and wherein the projecting part is urged towards the closed position.

The engaging member may be moveable about a first axis between the first position and the second position.

The projecting part may be pivotable relative to the support about a second axis between the closed position and the open position.

The first axis may be substantially orthogonal to the second axis.

The lock may further comprise a casing.

The engaging member may be movable relative to the casing between the first position and the second position.

The support may be at least partially enclosed by the casing.

The support may be in the form of a spindle having a first end and a second end.

The first end may be adapted to receive or be received by a key.

The projecting part may be connected to the support at the second end 10 thereof.

The engaging member may be urged towards the first position by a first biasing device.

The projecting part may be urged towards the closed position by a second biasing device. Alternatively or additionally, the projecting part may be urged towards the closed position by gravity.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a lock system comprising a lock according to the first aspect of the invention and a lock keep.

According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a lid comprising a lock according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, we provide a lidded container comprising a lid according to the third aspect of the invention and a container, the container comprising a lock keep.

The lock keep may comprise a housing which defines an opening for receiving 30 the engaging member of the lock and a lock engagement portion.

The lock engagement portion may be fixed relative to the housing.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, we provided a lidded container according to the fourth aspect of the invention in the form of a refuse container.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lock system comprising a lock in accordance with the invention and a lock keep; Figure 2 is a side view of the lock of figure 1, the lock shown in a first configuration; Figure 3 is a front view of the lock of figure 1, the lock shown in the first configuration; Figure 4 is a side view of the lock of figure 1, the lock shown in a second 20 configuration; Figure 5 is a plan view of the lock of figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view showing a cross section of a lock keep; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a refuse container.

Referring first to figure 1 there is shown a lock system, indicated generally at 1, comprising a lock 2 and a lock keep 3. The lock keep 3 is a conventional lock keep.

The lock 2 comprises an engaging member, indicated generally at 21.

Referring particularly to figures 1 and 6, the lock keep 3 may comprise a housing, indicated generally at 30. The housing 30 may comprise a pair of opposed side walls 31, 32 and a front wall 33. Connecting members 31a, 32a may be provided at the respective ends of the side walls 31, 32 distal from the front wall 33. The connecting members 31a, 32a may be used to attach the lock keep 3 to the inside or outside wall of a container 101, such as to the container 101 of the lidded refuse container 100 shown in figure 7. The side walls 31, 32, the front wall 33 and the wall of the container 101 to which the lock keep 3 is attached together define an opening 34 for receiving the engaging member 21, in use.

The front wall 33 may slope inwardly from the opening 34 of the housing 30 towards the connecting members 31a, 32a such that the distance between the front wall 33 and the wall of the container (when the lock keep 3 is in situ) reduces from the opening 34 to an opposite end of the housing 30 from the opening 34.

The lock keep 3 may comprise a lock engagement portion 35. The lock engagement portion 35 may bridge the side walls 31, 32. The lock engagement portion 35 may be fixed relative to the housing 30.

Referring now to figures 1 to 5, the engaging member 21 of the lock 2 may comprise a support 22 and a projecting part 23.

The lock 2 may further comprise a casing 24. The support 22 may be at least partially enclosed by the casing 24. In some embodiments, the casing 24 may have a threaded outer surface 240 and an end cap 241.

In order to attach the lock to the lid 102 of the lidded container 100, the casing 24 may be inserted through an aperture in the lid 102 and fastened thereto by tightening a nut around the threaded outer surface 240 to clamp the lid 102 between the end cap 241 and the nut. Other ways of attaching the lock 2 to the lid 102 are envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The support 22 may be in the form of a spindle having a first end 22a and a second end 22b. The first end 22a may be adapted to receive or be received by a key. For instance, as best illustrated at figure 5, the first end 22a of the support 22 comprises a head 220 which is adapted to be received by a key. In some embodiments, the head 220 may have a shape which differs from that shown in the figures. For instance, in some embodiments, the head 220 may be replaced by a slot for receiving a key in a conventional manner.

The engaging member 21 is moveable between a first position (shown in figures 1 to 3) and a second position (not shown). In more detail, the engaging member 21 may be movable relative to the casing 24 between the first position and the second position. The engaging member 21 may be moveable about a first axis (defined by the line X-X) between the first position and the second position.

The engaging member 21 is biased towards the first position. In some embodiments, the engaging member 21 may be biased towards the first position by a biasing device, such as a spring, e.g. a torsion spring. In some embodiments, the biasing device may be located within the casing 24.

The projecting part 23 may be connected to the support 22 at or towards the second end 22b thereof. The projecting part 23 may be pivotably connected to the support 22 such that the projecting part 23 may be pivotable relative to the support 22 about a second axis (defined by the line Y-Y). The projecting part 23 may be pivotable relative to the support between a closed position (shown in figures 1 to 3) and an open position (shown in figure 4).

The projecting part 23 is biased towards the closed position. In some embodiments, the projecting part 23 may be biased towards the closed position by a biasing device, such as a spring, e.g. a torsion spring. In other embodiments, the projecting part 23 may be biased towards the closed position by gravity.

Operation of the lock system 1 will now be described.

Locking Referring to figure 1, the engaging member 21 is shown in its first position and the projecting part 23 is shown in its closed position. In order to close and lock the lock system 1 the lock 2 is moved towards the lock keep 3 until the projecting portion 23 of the engaging member 21 engages the lock engagement portion 35 of the lock keep 3. The lock 2 may be moved manually by a user or under gravity, e.g. as the lid 102 to which the lock 2 is attached falls relative to the container 101. Further downward movement of the lock 2 relative to the lock keep 3 causes the projecting part 23 to deflect about the axis Y-Y towards its open position. This deflection happens as the projecting part 23 rides over the lock engagement portion 35. Once the projecting part 23 has ridden over the lock engagement portion 35 the projecting part 23 reverts to its closed position and the lock system 1 is locked.

This means that access to the container 101 will require a key to unlock the lock system 1.

Unlocking When it is desired to unlock the lock system 1 a key is operatively coupled to the first end 22a of the support 22. Actuation of the key (e.g. by rotating the key by 90°) causes the support 22, and hence the engaging member 21, to rotate about the axis X-X. This causes the projecting part 23 of the engaging member 21 to disengage from the lock engagement portion 35, thereby permitting removal of the lock 2 from the lock keep 3. After the lock 2 has been removed from the lock keep 3 the key can be removed from the lock 2, thereby resulting in the engaging member 21 reverting to the configuration shown in figure 1.

The first axis (X-X) may be substantially orthogonal to the second axis (Y-Y). Advantageously, the arrangement of the X-X and the Y-Y axes enables the moveable components that are required to perform the discrete "locking action" and "unlocking action" to each be located on the lock 2 alone.

Locks 2 according to the present invention are an improvement when compared to known locks because the locks 2 of the present invention can be used with conventional lock keeps 3 which have a lock engagement portion 35 that is fixed relative to the housing. As foreshadowed previously, this is because the moveable components that are required to perform the locking and unlocking actions are each present on the lock 2.

A further advantage is that the locks 2 of the present invention can be used with lock keeps that comprise a lock engagement portion that pivots relative to the lock keep housing. Accordingly, the locks 2 of the present invention can be retrofitted within existing lock systems without having to replace the lock keep of that existing lock system. This is an improvement because it is more

cost effective than the prior art.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lock comprising an engaging member for engaging a lock keep, the engaging member being moveable between a first position and a second position, the engaging member being urged towards the first position and being engageable with a lock keep when in the first position, the engaging member comprising a support and a projecting part, wherein the projecting part is movable relative to the support between a closed position in which it is engageable with a lock keep and an open position and wherein the projecting part is urged towards the closed position.
2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member is moveable about a first axis between the first position and the second position.
3. A lock according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the projecting part is pivotable relative to the support about a second axis between the closed position and the open position.
4. A lock according to claim 3, wherein the first axis is substantially orthogonal to the second axis.
5. A lock according to any preceding claim further comprising a casing, wherein the engaging member is movable relative to the casing between the first position and the second position.
6. A lock according to claim 5, wherein the support is at least partially enclosed by the casing.
7. A lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is in the form of a spindle having a first end and a second end.
8. A lock according to claim 7, wherein the first end is adapted to receive or be received by a key.
9. A lock according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the projecting part is connected to the support at the second end thereof.
10. A lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging member is urged towards the first position by a first biasing device.
11. A lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the projecting part is urged towards the closed position by a second biasing device.
12. A lock system comprising a lock according to any preceding claim and a lock keep.
13. A lock system according to claim 12, wherein the lock keep comprises a housing which defines an opening for receiving the engaging member of the lock and a lock engagement portion.
14. A lock system according to claim 13, wherein the lock engagement portion is fixed relative to the housing.
15. A lid comprising a lock according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
16. A lidded container comprising a lid according to claim 15 and a container, the container comprising a lock keep.
17. A lidded container according to claim 16, wherein the lock keep comprises a housing which defines an opening for receiving the engaging member of the lock and a lock engagement portion.
18. A lidded container according to claim 17, wherein the lock engagement portion is fixed relative to the housing.
19. A lidded container according to any one of claims 16 to 18 in the form of a refuse container.