Lock and lock catch

Abstract

A lock suitable for locking an airline trolley, the lock comprising a body, at least two locking arms housed within the body, and biasing means arranged to urge a first locking arm and a second locking arm towards a maximum limit. The at least two locking arms are configured to resist removal of a latch inserted into the lock. The at least two locking arms are tied to each other such that the at least two locking arms can be reversibly moved relative to each other, and the amount of movement of the first locking arm relative to the second locking arm is at most to a maximum limit. A lock catch for use with the lock and a kit are further disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock and a latch suitable for locking an aviation trolley. Background Art

[0002] Locking devices are used to lock the doors of various aviation trolleys. Aviation trolleys are trolleys used to distribute high-value cargo and consumables to flight passengers during flight.

[0003] These carts are easy targets for thieves who want the supplies held in the airline carts. These carts are loaded with supplies in the warehouse and then transported to the airport for transfer to the aircraft. Theft can occur anywhere along the route the carts travel from the warehouse to the aircraft.

[0004] Two methods can be used to lock a typical locking device (such as the locking device disclosed in EP 1672607 B1) to a trolley door by using different lock catches. A plastic U-shaped lock catch can be passed through a locking point located on the door of the trolley and then inserted into the lock. The plastic lock catch is easily broken by hand and can be removed at will by the crew on the aircraft. Alternatively, a metal U-shaped lock catch can be used instead of a fragile plastic lock catch. These metal lock catches require a cutting tool to remove, so as to release the trolley door to access the cargo inside. The appropriate lock catch can be selected when the trolley is loaded and supplies are being loaded.

[0005] Plastic latches are suitable by themselves for low-value cargo (such as free airline meals). Metal latches are used to restrict access to higher-value cargo, such as duty-free items that can be purchased in-flight.

[0006] While using metal locks increases security, these locks are susceptible to other forms of attack and circumvention, such as prying, shimming, and bumping, which allow criminals to access restricted supplies. These techniques may be non-destructive to the lock or lock, and therefore may not detect such attacks and unauthorized removal of supplies. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a lock suitable for locking an airline trolley, the lock comprising: a body; at least two locking arms housed within the body; wherein the at least two locking arms are configured to resist removal of a lock catch inserted into the lock; the at least two locking arms are tied to each other so that the at least two locking arms can be reversibly moved relative to each other, wherein the amount of movement of the first locking arm relative to the second locking arm has a maximum limit; and the lock further comprises a biasing device arranged to push the first locking arm and the second locking arm toward the maximum limit. By biasing the at least two locking arms toward the maximum limit (representing the maximum separation or opening distance of the two arms relative to each other), the engagement of the locking arms with the lock catch inserted therein is ensured. Tying the movement of the two arms together ensures that the pair of arms must move together when at the maximum limit, thereby facilitating the removal of a broken lock catch from the lock, as the removal of one leg releases the locking arm to swing into engagement with the other lock catch leg.

[0008] Suitably, the thickness of the at least two locking arms is less than the thickness of the lock catch. One way to defeat such a lock is to insert a shim into the gap between the lock catch leg and the lock body (or into another hole in the lock body), the shim catches on one of the locking arms, and the perpetrator can then push the locking arm out of engagement with the lock catch leg via the shim, thereby releasing the lock and gaining access. Having the locking arms be of a smaller size than the lock catch legs means that if a shim is inserted, it cannot catch on the locking arms, as the larger lock catch ensures that the shim overruns its target.

[0009] Preferably, the maximum limit corresponds to the distance between two legs of the catch. Ensuring that the maximum limit corresponds to the distance between two legs of the catch ensures that the locking arm is engaged with the catch in a locking engagement when at the maximum limit.

[0010] Suitably, the movement is a rotation about a pivot point so that the two locking arms can rotate relative to each other about the pivot point.The pivot point may be provided at any suitable location, such as at the end of an arm, or at an intermediate point along the length of one or both arms.

[0011] Preferably, the at least two locking arms are tied at the pivot point, which can thus serve a dual purpose, allowing the arms to move relative to each other, but also defining this movement and the extent of the movement allowed.

[0012] Suitably, the maximum limit is set by providing at least one of the at least two locking arms with a shoulder arranged to coincide with the path of travel of another of the at least two locking arms. The shoulder interferes with the path of travel of the opposing locking arm thereby preventing the locking arm from moving past the shoulder.

[0013] Preferably, at least one of the at least two locking arms includes a ramp, thereby allowing the breaking leg of the lock to pass completely through the at least one of the at least two locking arms. Thus, the ramp acts as a one-way permission door, thereby allowing the leg to be pushed through and past the relevant arm, but not withdrawn in the opposite direction.

[0014] Suitably, the body comprises an aperture arranged to allow the breakaway leg of the catch to pass through the lock. Thus, the leg of the catch can be inserted into the lock and can pass straight through the body, through the locking arm, and out of the body aperture.

[0015] Preferably, once the breaking leg has completely passed the at least one of the at least two locking arms, the at least two locking arms arranged at their maximum limit are free to move in unison within the body to release the other broken leg of the shackle from the lock. In this way, the locking arm can swing or otherwise translate in a direction that does not engage the other leg of the shackle, thereby allowing the remainder of the shackle to be removed from the lock.

[0016] Suitably, the lock further comprises a cover arranged to cooperate with the body to form a lock housing, wherein the cover further comprises at least one aperture arranged to receive at least one leg of the catch.

[0017] Preferably, the body includes an attachment point by which the body can be attached to a third party item, such as a trolley for use on an airline.

[0018] According to another part of the present disclosure, a lock buckle suitable for use with the lock described herein is provided, wherein the lock buckle includes at least two legs, the size and spacing of the at least two legs are determined to be placed in the body, and these legs include one or more corresponding snap-in grooves to capture corresponding locking arms of the at least two locking arms, wherein the lock buckle further includes at least one breaking point located intermediate the at least two legs.

[0019] Suitably, the latch is formed from metal or plastic, thereby allowing the end user to select the most suitable latch for the application, wherein metal latches are more difficult to remove than plastic latches as tools are required rather than hand removal alone.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one breaking point is arranged on the buckle so that the buckle can be broken by hand by a user, thus eliminating the need for additional cutting tools to enable the buckle to perform its function and ensuring easy removal in environments where such tools may be prohibited (e.g. during flight). This can be achieved by arranging the at least one breaking point adjacent to the body or towards the midpoint between the respective ends of the buckle.

[0021] The locks and buckles described herein may be provided as a kit.A trolley, such as an airline trolley, may be pre-equipped with a lock as described above, and optionally with a buckle as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number indicates the figure number that first introduces the element.

[0023] Figure 1 A cross section of the lock is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A and Figure 2 B shows a first example of a buckle.

[0025] Figure 3 A second example of a buckle is shown.

[0026] Figure 4 The lock catch is shown inserted into a lock (shown in cross-section).

[0027] Figure 5 A broken lock shackle (shown in cross-section) is shown inserted into a lock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "lower", and "downward" refer to directions referenced in the drawings and are relative to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly", and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described elements, respectively, and the specific meanings are apparent from the context of the description.

[0029] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning.

[0030] Further, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc. merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are referenced and is not intended to imply that the objects so described are necessarily in a given order temporally, spatially, in rank, or in any other manner.

[0031] Like reference numerals are used throughout to depict like features.

[0032] Figure 1 The body 104 of the lock 102 is shown in cross-section. In use, the body 104 is permanently attached to the airline trolley and is coded with an indelible marking image (such as by laser engraving) to meet airline marking requirements. It is also intended to retain the body 104 with the airline trolley to which it is attached via the attachment point 116, so that the body cannot be transferred between flights. The body 104 is formed, for example, of a cover (not shown), a body shell, at least two locking arms 106, and a biasing device 108, such as but not limited to a spring clip.

[0033] The body 104 has an attachment point 116 to allow a rope or other means to attach the body to the airline trolley. The attachment point 116 can be in any form suitable for performing its function. Figure 1 As shown, the attachment points 116 are through holes, but this is not required.

[0034] The body shell is asymmetrical about the latch locating holes. A hole is provided for each leg of the latch. One of these holes is arranged so that a larger portion of one of the legs of the latch needs to be inserted, or in other words, the body shell receives a larger portion of at least one leg of the latch than the other leg of the latch. This "high edge" (at Figure 1 The trolley lock hole is a ring provided on the door and jamb of the trolley through which the lock catch is inserted and thereby prevents the trolley from being opened when locked. Providing a "high edge" on the body 104 prevents the trolley from being forced open by minimizing the maneuverability of the lock and preventing criminals from using leverage points to force the trolley lock open.

[0035] The cover (not shown) is arranged to cover and seal the body shell, thereby protecting the lock from the intrusion of dust and dirt, providing mechanical protection from impact and knocking, and prohibiting those who wish to avoid or destroy the lock from accessing the lock mechanism. In order to ensure that the cover cannot be separated from the body shell when the lock is in use, the cover is provided with a lock retainer. The lock retainer can be arranged as a hole in the cover, which captures the lock leg when the lock is inserted into the body shell. This means that the cover cannot be removed unless the lock is removed from the body. Once the cover has been permanently fixed (for example but not limited to welding) to the body and the lock is inserted, the cover cannot be forcibly removed from the body without destroying the lock, thereby providing a trace of tampering.

[0036] As discussed above, various locks are provided for the end users to choose from, and they select the most suitable lock according to their requirements. Figure 2 A and Figure 2B shows a first example buckle 202 formed of a brittle material such as plastic. The plastic locking buckle 202 is flexible and can be deformed in a first extended form ( Figure 2 A) and folded form (or folded form) ( Figure 2 B) Switch between.

[0037] The buckle 202 has two breaking points, one breaking point 210 enables the buckle to be easily removed by a user and is located on the leg of the buckle so that the buckle can be squeezed.

[0038] The second breaking point 210 ensures that if the trolley is forced open without intentionally removing the lock catch, the lock catch breaks. This second breaking point 210 is located at or about the apex of the lock catch, so that pulling the lock away from the airline trolley causes the legs of the lock catch 202 to break. The apex of the lock catch is naturally located where it aligns with the hole of the airline trolley, so it is clear that this breaking point 210 does not need to be located at the apex as such, but rather at a location on the lock catch that aligns with the hole of the airline trolley when the lock is at rest on the airline trolley but in the locked position.

[0039] The shackle 202 includes at least two legs 204 such that the shackle 202 is generally "U" shaped. Each of the at least two legs 204 includes one or more trapping wells 206 arranged to align with and engage with the locking arms 106 of the lock to securely hold the shackle in place within the body. It will be apparent that the traps need not be wells, but rather any feature that allows for secure clamping between the associated portions of the lock 102 and the shackle 202.

[0040] The lock catch 202 is asymmetrical and has an area of ​​increased thickness midway between the ends of at least two legs 204 toward the apex. This area of ​​increased thickness prevents the airline trolley from being opened after being locked by rotating the metal lock catch perpendicular to the locking hole. The area of ​​increased thickness resists such manipulation of the lock.

[0041] Figure 3 A second example buckle 302 is shown, which is similar to Figure 2The buckle 302 of the embodiment of the present invention shares similar features provided with similar reference numerals. To avoid unnecessary repetition, these features will not be discussed again. The buckle 302 is formed of a material that requires a tool to break one or more of the at least two legs 204 at a breaking point 210. The buckle 302 is provided with a single breaking point 210 on one of the at least two legs 204 because the natural elasticity of the material is sufficient to make a second breaking point 210 (similar to the buckle 202) towards the apex of the buckle 302 redundant.

[0042] Suitable materials are typically metals such as steel, or may be equivalent materials such as reinforced polymer composites, provided the material is not easily broken by hand.

[0043] Similar to the lock catch 202, the lock catch 302 is also asymmetrical and has an area of ​​increased thickness midway between the ends of the at least two legs 204 toward the apex. This area of ​​increased thickness prevents the airline trolley from being opened after being locked by rotating the metal lock catch perpendicular to the locking hole. The area of ​​increased thickness resists such manipulation of the lock.

[0044] Figure 4 The lock 102 is shown working with a lock catch 202 inserted therein. The locking arms 106 engage into snap grooves 206 on at least two legs 204 of the lock catch 202. As the lock catch 202 is inserted, one of the locking arms 106 moves toward the center of the body 104 (e.g., by rotation). A biasing device 108 (e.g., but not limited to a spring clip) acts on both locking arms 106 simultaneously (although separate biasing devices may be provided, one for each locking arm 106), thereby forcing each of the locking arms 106 outward relative to the center of the body 104, so that the locking arms 106 engage with the snap grooves 206 on each of the at least two legs 204 of the lock catch 202.

[0045] Thus, the lock 102 acts as a one-way door, allowing the at least two legs 204 to be inserted in a single direction and past the locking arm 106, but not back.

[0046] Figure 5 The lock 102 is shown in a partially unlocked state in further operation. When the user intends to open the lock, at least one of the at least two legs 204 of the shackle 202 is broken at the breaking point 210. Depending on which shackle is used, if the shackle is used Figure 2 This can be done by hand, or if using a lock 202 Figure 3 The lock 302 can be performed by using a cutting tool. The following is for ease of discussion Figure 2 202, but these discussions also apply to Figure 3 Lock 302.

[0047] Once at least one of the two legs 204 of the buckle 202 has been removed, the locking arms 106 move in unison because the locking arms 106 are tied together. Although the broken leg can remain in the body 104, the broken leg can be completely withdrawn from the body 104 via the hole 114, as long as sufficient clearance is provided within the body 104 to allow the broken leg to move away from the locking arm 106.

[0048] Here, "tied" means coupled or otherwise associated with one another so that the maximum relative movement between the locking arms 106 may not be exceeded. Once the broken leg moves away from the locking arms 106, the locking arms 106 move to fill the gap left by the displaced broken leg. The movement of the locking arms 106 into the gap in unison has the effect of disengaging at least one of the locking arms 106 from engagement with at least another of the at least two legs 204, which in turn releases the remaining unbroken one of the at least two legs 204 and allows the now broken shackle to be removed from the body, thereby opening the lock and allowing the cart to be opened.

[0049] The trolley may be pre-equipped with a lock as described above, and optionally with a lock catch as described above. The idea is that the lock is permanently attached to the trolley so that it cannot be separated from the trolley, no matter where the trolley travels. The trolley may be pre-locked with the lock catch, or simply provided with a lock ready for attaching the lock catch and thereby locking the door of the trolley.

[0050] A trolley is typically a trolley for use on an airliner, including a door, with locking points (typically a pair of metal rings, secured to the trolley body and trolley door, respectively). Such trolleys usually include one or more wheels attached to the trolley base to allow easy transfer of the trolley.

[0051] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above detailed examples are described by way of example only without any limiting meaning, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0052] In the description and claims of this document, the words "comprise" and "contain" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description part and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, this specification should be understood as contemplating plural as well as singular forms, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0053] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of such features and / or steps. The invention is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any of the steps of the method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A lock suitable for locking an aviation trolley, the lock comprising: ontology; at least two locking arms housed within the body; wherein, The at least two locking arms are configured to resist removal of a lock catch inserted into the lock; The at least two locking arms are tied to each other such that the at least two locking arms are reversibly movable relative to each other, wherein The amount of movement of the first locking arm relative to the second locking arm has a maximum limit; and the lock further comprises A biasing device is arranged to urge the first locking arm and the second locking arm towards the maximum limit.

2. The lock according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the at least two locking arms is smaller than the thickness of the lock buckle.

3. The lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The maximum limit corresponds to the distance between the two legs of the buckle.

4. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The movement is a rotation about a pivot point, and optionally wherein the at least two locking arms are tied at the pivot point.

5. The lock according to claim 4, wherein: The maximum limit is set by providing at least one of the at least two locking arms with a shoulder, the shoulder being arranged to coincide with a path of travel of another of the at least two locking arms.

6. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: At least one of the at least two locking arms includes a ramp to allow a breaking leg of the lock catch to completely pass through the at least one of the at least two locking arms.

7. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The body includes an aperture arranged to allow a breakaway leg of a lock catch to pass through the lock.

8. The lock according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: Once the breaking leg has completely passed the at least one of the at least two locking arms, the at least two locking arms arranged at the maximum limit are free to move in unison within the body to release the other breaking leg of the shackle from the lock.

9. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The lock further comprises a cover arranged to cooperate with the body to form a lock housing, wherein the cover further optionally comprises at least one hole arranged to receive at least one leg of the lock catch.

10. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 or 9, wherein: The body includes an attachment point.

11. A lock catch suitable for use with a lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The lock buckle includes at least two legs, the size and spacing of which are determined to be placed in the body, and the legs include one or more corresponding snap-in grooves to capture corresponding locking arms of the at least two locking arms, wherein the lock buckle further includes at least one breaking point located in the middle of the at least two legs.

12. The lock buckle according to claim 11, wherein: The buckle is formed of metal or plastic, and optionally wherein the at least one breaking point is arranged adjacent to the body or towards a midpoint between respective ends of the buckle.

13. A kit comprising a lock according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a lock catch according to any one of claims 11 or 12.

14. A trolley comprising a lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. The trolley of claim 14, further comprising a lock as claimed in claim 11 or 12, and optionally wherein: The trolley is an aviation trolley.

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