Locking device

Abstract

A locking device is used for locking a first object to a second object, and is characterized in that the locking device comprises a shell with a hollow part; at least part of the column is contained in the hollow part, and the column can move between a locking position and an unlocking position in the axial direction of the shell; the ball is mounted on the side wall of the shell and moves in the radial direction of the shell; when the column is in the unlocking position, the ball abuts against the column in the radial direction to limit axial movement of the column.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a locking device, in particular a snap-on locking device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Locking devices are common devices used to secure a first object to a second object or to unsecure the first object from the second object. One form of locking device is a snap-on locking device which can be secured by a simple press action.

[0003] According to the prior art snap-on locking device, the locking device is mounted on the first object and the user presses the locking device to insert at least a portion of the locking device into the second object to secure the first object to the second object by the locking device. When unsecuring the locking device, the user operates in the reverse order.

[0004] With the continuous research on the locking device, it is desirable that the locking device has a more simplified operation, a smaller number of components, and the locking device can be kept in the unsecured position as an operating handle. SUMMARY

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present application, a locking device for securing a first object to a second object, the locking device comprising: a housing having a hollow portion; a post at least partially housed in the hollow portion and movable along an axial direction of the housing between a secured position and an unsecured position; a ball mounted to a side wall of the housing and movable along a radial direction of the housing; when the post is in the unsecured position, the ball abuts the post along the radial direction to restrict axial movement of the post.

[0006] In one embodiment, the post comprises a groove, and when the post is in the unsecured position, the ball abuts in the groove to restrict axial movement of the post; when the post is subjected to an axial pressure, the ball disengages from the groove to move the post from the unsecured position to the secured position.

[0007] In one embodiment, the groove is a circumferential groove or a partial groove around the post, and a cross section of the groove is arc-shaped to guide the disengagement of the ball.

[0008] In one embodiment, the post comprises: a first rod portion proximate to a head portion of the post, the head portion for insertion into the second object to achieve the securing; a second rod portion proximate to an engaging portion of the post, and a diameter of the first rod portion is greater than a diameter of the second rod portion; a top portion of the housing is provided with a top hole, and a diameter of the top hole allows the first rod portion to pass but prevents the second rod portion to pass to restrict a movement stroke of the post in the unsecured position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the locking device further comprises an operating member, the operating member comprising an operating member top and a cylindrical inner wall; the top wall is connected to the joint of the column, so that the operating member moves together with the column in the axial direction, and the inner wall is sleeved outside the shell.

[0010] In one embodiment, the inner side of the inner wall is provided with at least one anti-torsion part, the outer surface of the shell is cylindrical, and is provided with at least one cutaway part extending in the axial direction, the cutaway part is matched to the anti-torsion part to prevent relative rotation between the operating member and the shell.

[0011] In one embodiment, the shell is provided with a side hole, and a plug is installed in the side hole; the plug comprises a containing member and the ball, the containing member is fixed in the side hole and has a bowl-shaped surface facing the hollow part, and the ball is contained in the bowl-shaped surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, a spring is provided between the ball and the containing member, and the spring biases the ball towards the column.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the column is in the locked position, the head is engaged to the second object, and the ball is disengaged from the groove; when the column is in the unlocked position, the head is disengaged from the second object and retracted into the shell, and the ball is clamped into the groove to keep the position of the column.

[0014] According to a locking device of the present application, for locking a first object to a second object, the locking device comprises: a shell, engaged to the first object, and having a hollow part; an operating member, comprising a column part inserted into the hollow part, the operating member being movable in the axial direction of the shell between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a resilient member, comprising an engaging piece and a plurality of foot parts extending from both sides of the engaging piece in the axial direction, when the operating member is in the locked position, the foot parts abut against the side surface of the shell, and when the operating member is in the unlocked position, the foot parts abut against the top surface of the shell to keep the operating member in the unlocked position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the engaging piece is circular, is sleeved on the column part, and abuts against the lower surface of the operating member top.

[0016] In one embodiment, the foot parts are provided as two, the top end of each foot part is connected to the engaging piece and is symmetrically distributed, and the bottom end of each foot part is a free end, so that the foot parts can be elastically deformed in the radial direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, each foot is provided with an abutting portion proximate to its bottom end, the abutting portion being concave radially inward from the inner surface of the foot; when the operating member is in the unlocked position, the axial lower surface of the abutting portion abuts against the top surface of the housing, and when the operating member is in the locked position, the radially inner surface of the abutting portion abuts against the outer surface of the housing.

[0018] In one embodiment, the operating member is cylindrical, the inner wall of the operating member is sleeved outside the outer wall of the housing, and the operating member is allowed to rotate axially relative to the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the foot of the elastic member is at least partially located between the inner wall of the operating member and the outer wall of the housing; when the operating member is in the locked position, the entire foot is substantially located between the inner wall and the outer wall; when the operating member is in the unlocked position, the portion of the foot below the abutting portion is located between the inner wall and the outer wall.

[0020] In one embodiment, the distance between the two feet is substantially equal to the diameter of the outer wall of the housing, and the distance between the two abutting portions is less than the diameter of the outer wall.

[0021] In one embodiment, the column portion extends downward from the operating member top of the operating member and passes through the housing, and a locking member is connected to the lower end of the column portion; when the operating member is in the locked position, the locking member extends below the bottom end of the housing to engage the second object, and when the operating member is in the unlocked position, the locking member is retracted into the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the locking member is cylindrical and is sleeved outside the column portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figures 1A-1F are respectively a front view, a rear view, a left view, a right view, a top view, and a bottom view of a locking device according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 1G and Figure 1H are respectively perspective views of the locking device from different angles;

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device;

[0027] Figure 3A and Figure 3B are respectively perspective views of an operating member of the locking device from different angles;

[0028] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are different angle perspective views of the housing of the locking device, respectively;

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the post of the locking device;

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the plug of the locking device;

[0031] Figure 7A and Figure 7B are front and bottom views of the locking device in the locked position, respectively;

[0032] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 7A Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 7B

[0033] Figure 9A and Figure 9B are front and bottom views of the locking device in the unlocked position, respectively;

[0034] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 9A

[0035] Figures 11A-11F are front, rear, left, right, top and bottom views of a locking device according to a second embodiment of the application, respectively;

[0036] Figure 11G and Figure 11H are different angle perspective views of the locking device, respectively;

[0037] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device;

[0038] Figure 13A and Figure 13B are different angle perspective views of the operating member and post of the locking device, respectively;

[0039] Figure 14A and Figure 14B are different angle perspective views of the housing of the locking device, respectively;

[0040] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the retaining member of the locking device;

[0041] Figure 16A and Figure 16B are perspective views of the locking member of the locking device, respectively;

[0042] ​​​Figure 17A and Figure 17B These are the front view and bottom view of the locking device in the locked position, respectively;

[0043] Figure 18 It is along Figure 17B A cross-sectional view taken by the DD line in the image;

[0044] Figure 19A and Figure 19B These are the front view and bottom view of the locking device in the unlocked position, respectively;

[0045] Figure 20A It is along Figure 19A A cross-sectional view taken from the EE line in the diagram. Figure 20B It is along Figure 19B The sectional view taken by the FF line.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 100 Locking Device

[0048] 110 Operating Components

[0049] 111 Top of the operating component

[0050] 112 Inner Wall

[0051] 113 Torsional section

[0052] 114 Storage space

[0053] 115 Installation Department

[0054] 116 Column

[0055] 120 housing

[0056] 121 outer wall

[0057] 122 Hollow Section

[0058] 123 Resection Section

[0059] 124 side holes

[0060] 125 Annular Groove

[0061] 126 Top Hole

[0062] 130 columns

[0063] 131 First pole section

[0064] 132 Second section

[0065] 133 Head

[0066] 134 Joint

[0067] 135 recess

[0068] 140 plug

[0069] 141 housing

[0070] 142 ball

[0071] 143 spring

[0072] 150 elastic member

[0073] 151 engaging piece

[0074] 152 foot

[0075] 153 engaging hole

[0076] 154 abutting portion

[0077] 155 bottom end

[0078] 160 locking member

[0079] 161 insertion hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Although the utility model is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the utility model should not be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications can be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the utility model.

[0081] The direction descriptions such as "front", "back", "upper", "lower" and the like involved herein are only for the convenience of understanding, and the utility model is not limited to these directions, but can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

[0082] Referring to Figures 1A-2 The locking device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application is described as a whole.

[0083] The locking device 100 comprises an operating member 110, a housing 120, a post 130 and a plug 140. The housing 120 is mounted to a first article (not shown), such as a circuit board, and at least partially houses other components of the locking device 100. The post 130 is inserted into the housing 120 in an axial direction and is movable in the axial direction of the housing 120 between a locking position and an unlocking position. The operating member 110 is connected to a top end of the post 130 (i.e. the upper left of FIG. 1) and is sleeved on the outside of the housing 120. The operating member 110 is operable to move the post 130 between the locking position and the unlocking position. And the operating member 110 is operable as a handle, so that a user moves the first article by holding the operating member 110. Figure 2

[0084] ​When the post 130 is in the locked position, the lower end of the post 130 protrudes from the lower end of the housing 120 (as shown in Figure 7A FIG. 1) so that the lower end of the post 130 engages a second article, such as another circuit board, to thereby lock the second article to the first article. When the post 130 is in the unlocked position, the lower end of the post 130 is retracted into the housing 120 or is closer to the lower end of the housing 120 than in the locked position, so that the lower end of the post 130 disengages the second article to thereby release the second article from the first article.

[0085] A plug 140 is located on a side of the housing 120 for retaining the post 130 in the unlocked position. The operation of the plug 140 will be described in detail later.

[0086] The detailed structure of the operation member 110 will be described with reference to Figures 3A-3B The operation member 110 is in the shape of a downwardly open cylinder. In the present embodiment, the operation member 110 has a substantially circular cross section, but in other embodiments, the operation member 110 can have a cross section of a different shape, such as an elliptical, square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. The operation member 110 includes an operation member top 111, an inner wall 112, an anti-twist portion 113, and a receiving space 114.

[0087] The inner side of the inner wall 112 of the operation member 110 is provided with at least one anti-twist portion 113, which is formed, for example, as a protrusion extending inwardly from the inner wall 112 or as a planar surface rising inwardly, so as to form an anti-twist fit with the cutout 123 of the outer surface of the housing 120 (as shown in Figure 4A ) to thereby prevent relative rotation between the operation member 110 and the housing 120. In the present embodiment, two anti-twist portions 113 are provided on both sides of the operation member 110 in axial symmetry, but in other embodiments, more or fewer anti-twist portions 113 can be provided.

[0088] The receiving space 114 in the shape of the post 130 is formed in the inner wall 112 of the operation member 110 so as to receive the housing 120 and allow the operation member 110 to move axially relative to the housing 120. The outer surface of the operation member 110 can have a rough surface to increase the surface friction.

[0089] The detailed structure of the housing 120 will be described with reference to Figures 4A-4B The housing 120 is in the shape of a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The housing 120 includes an outer wall 121, a hollow portion 122, a cutout 123, a side hole 124, an annular groove 125, a top hole 126, and a fixing portion 127.

[0090] The shape of the outer wall 121 of the housing 120 generally corresponds to the shape of the inner wall 112 of the operating member 110, so as to allow the operating member 110 to be fitted onto the outside of the housing 120. In this embodiment, the outer wall 121 is cylindrical and has at least one cut-out portion 123 extending axially. The shape of the cut-out portion 123 corresponds to the anti-torsion portion 113 of the operating member 110 and engages with the anti-torsion portion 113 to prevent relative rotation between the operating member 110 and the housing 120.

[0091] The interior of the housing 120 is a generally cylindrical hollow portion 122, which opens downwards and extends outwards through a top hole 126 at the top of the housing 120. The diameter of the top hole 126 is smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion 122. The outer wall 121 of the housing 120 has a through side hole 124, in which the plug 140 is installed (see...). Figure 8B In this embodiment, the side hole 124 is provided at the cut-off portion 123 to facilitate the installation of the plug 140. In other embodiments, the side hole 124 may be provided at a different location on the outer wall 121 than at the cut-off portion 123.

[0092] An annular groove 125 is formed inwardly on the outer wall 121 of the housing 120. When the operating member 110 moves to the locked position with the post 130, the lower edge of the operating member 110 covers the annular groove 125 so that the user knows that the operating member 110 is in the locked position. In this embodiment, the annular groove 125 is located above the side hole 124. In other embodiments, the annular groove 125 may also be located at or below the side hole 124.

[0093] A fixing part 127 is provided at the lower end of the housing 120 to fix the housing 120 to the first object. In this embodiment, the fixing part 127 is annular with a diameter smaller than that of the outer wall 121, so that the housing 120 can be inserted into the first object. In other embodiments, the form of the fixing part 127 can be changed according to the first object.

[0094] Reference Figure 5 The specific structure of post 130 is described. Post 130 includes a first rod portion 131, a second rod portion 132, a head 133, a joint portion 134, and a groove 135.

[0095] The head 133 of the column 130 is located at the bottom end of the column 130 and can extend from the housing 120 to engage with the second object. The engagement portion 134 of the column 130 is located at the top end of the column 130 and engages with the top 111 of the operating member 110, such that the operating member 110 moves axially together with the column 130 (see...). Figure 8BThe first rod portion 131 is proximate to the head portion 133 of the post 130, the second rod portion 132 is proximate to the joint portion 134 of the post 130, and the first rod portion 131 has a larger diameter than the second rod portion 132. Thus, the second rod portion 132 is able to pass through the top hole 126 of the housing 120, while the first rod portion 131 is unable to pass through the top hole 126 of the housing 120, such that the first rod portion 131 is confined within the hollow portion 122 of the housing 120, and the axial travel of the post 130 is limited.

[0096] The recess 135 is a slot that surrounds the post 130 between the head portion 133 and the first rod portion 131. In the present embodiment, the recess 135 is a circumferential slot that extends 360° around the post 130, however in other embodiments the recess 135 can be a partial slot that extends only a limited angle around the post 130, such as 90° or 60° around the post 130, or the recess 135 can be a circular dimple rather than a annular slot 125. When the post 130 is in the unlocked position, the recess 135 corresponds to the position of the ball 142 of the plug 140, such that the ball 142 is able to fit into the recess 135, thereby retaining the post 130 in the unlocked position (see Figure 10 ).

[0097] In one embodiment, the recess 135 has an arcuate cross-section in the axial direction (see Figure 10 ) to guide the ball 142 out of the recess 135.

[0098] The specific structure of the plug 140 is described with reference to Figure 6 The plug 140 includes a receptacle 141, a ball 142, and a spring 143.

[0099] The receptacle 141 is fixed within the side hole 124 of the housing 120, and has a bowl-shaped face facing the hollow portion 122, into which the ball 142 is received. The ball 142 is provided with the spring 143 between the receptacle 141, which biases the ball 142 towards the post 130 (see Figure 10 ). Thus when the recess 135 of the post 130 is aligned with the position of the plug 140, the ball 142 fits into the recess 135 under the bias of the spring 143. In other embodiments, the plug 140 can be provided without the receptacle 141, and the ball 142 is provided directly in the side hole 124 of the housing 120.

[0100] The specific structure of the plug 140 is described with reference to Figures 7A-8BThe operation of the locking device 100 is described, with the locking device 100 in the locked position. The engagement portion 134 of the post 130 extends from the lower end of the housing 120 to engage with a second object (not shown). The anti-torsion portion 113 of the operating member 110 engages with a notch in the housing 120 to prevent rotation of the operating member 110 relative to the housing 120. The recess 135 of the post 130 is not aligned with the plug 140; therefore, the ball 142 of the plug 140 abuts against the outside of the post 130 instead of engaging in the recess 135.

[0101] from Figures 7A-8B Starting from the locked position shown, the user lifts the operating element 110 upwards, causing the locking device 100 to transition to the locked position. Figures 9A-10 The unlocked position is shown. During this process, the anti-torsion portion 113 of the operating member 110 is always engaged with the notch portion 123 of the housing 120, so the operating member 110 can only move axially relative to the housing 120 and cannot rotate. When the locking device 100 is in the unlocked position, the groove 135 of the post 130 corresponds to the position of the plug 140, so that the ball 142 engages in the groove 135 under the bias of the spring 143, thereby holding the post 130 in the unlocked position. Moreover, the first rod portion 131 of the post 130 abuts against the lower side of the top hole 126 of the housing 120 to prevent the post 130 from moving upward.

[0102] At this time, the user can move the first object through the operating member 110. Specifically, since the operating member 110 cannot rotate relative to the housing 120, the user can hold the operating member 110 to move the entire locking device 100 through the operating member 110, thereby moving the first object.

[0103] When the user needs to move the locking device 100 to the locked position, they can press down on the operating member 110. Because the groove 135 and the ball 142 are in contact via an arcuate surface, the downward pressure (i.e., axial pressure) of the post 130 pushes the ball 142 radially outward, causing the ball 142 to disengage from the groove 135 under its pressure. Therefore, the post 130 is no longer held by the ball 142 and can move to the unlocked position.

[0104] Reference Figures 11A-12 A locking device 100 according to a second embodiment of this application is described. Components in the second embodiment that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment will be given the same names and numbers, and different components will be given different names and numbers.

[0105] The locking device 100 of the second embodiment includes an operating member 110, a housing 120, a resilient member 150, and a locking member 160. The housing 120 is mounted to a first article (not shown), such as a circuit board, and at least partially houses other components of the locking device 100. The housing 120 has a hollow portion 122 extending through in the axial direction. The operating member 110 is fitted on the outside of the housing 120, and includes a column portion 116 inserted into the housing 120. The operating member 110 is operable to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. Also, the operating member 110 is operable as a handle, so that a user moves the first article by gripping the operating member 110.

[0106] The resilient member 150 is provided between the operating member 110 and the housing 120 to hold the operating member 110 in the unlocked position. The structure and function of the resilient member 150 will be described later.

[0107] The locking member 160 is engaged to the lower end of the column portion 116 of the operating member 110. When the operating member 110 is in the locked position, the locking member 160 protrudes from the lower end of the housing 120 to be engaged to a second article, thereby locking the first article to the second article. When the operating member 110 is in the unlocked position, the locking member 160 is retracted into the housing 120, or at least approaches the lower end of the housing 120, thereby releasing the first article from the second article.

[0108] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figures 13A-13B The detailed structure of the operating member 110 will be described. The operating member 110 includes an operating member top portion 111, an inner wall 112, a mounting portion 115, and a column portion 116.

[0109] The operating member 110 is in the shape of a downwardly open cylinder, and has a closed operating member top portion 111. In the present embodiment, the operating member 110 has a substantially circular cross section, and the inner wall 112 is free of a torsion resisting portion 113, thus allowing rotation and axial movement of the operating member 110 relative to the housing 120. However, in other embodiments, the operating member 110 can have a different shape of cross section, such as an elliptical, square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc., to prevent rotation of the operating member 110 relative to the housing 120.

[0110] The column portion 116 extends downwardly and axially from the operating member top portion 111. In other embodiments, the column portion 116 can be formed as a separate component and connected to the operating member top portion 111.

[0111] The mounting portion 115 is provided at the lower surface of the operating member top portion 111, and is in the shape of a radially extending tab with a gap (see FIG. 2) between the operating member top portion 111. The engaging tab of the resilient member 150 is inserted into the gap, so as to engage the resilient member 150 to the operating member 110, and to minimize the space occupied by the resilient member 150. Figure 18 The locking member 160 is engaged to the lower end of the column portion 116 of the operating member 110. When the operating member 110 is in the locked position, the locking member 160 protrudes from the lower end of the housing 120 to be engaged to a second article, thereby locking the first article to the second article. When the operating member 110 is in the unlocked position, the locking member 160 is retracted into the housing 120, or at least approaches the lower end of the housing 120, thereby releasing the first article from the second article.

[0112] A column 130-shaped accommodation space 114 is formed in the inner wall 112 of the operation member 110 to accommodate the housing 120 and allow the operation member 110 to move axially relative to the housing 120. The outer surface of the operation member 110 can have a rough surface to increase surface friction.

[0113] Referring to Figures 14A-14B The specific structure of the housing 120 is described. The housing 120 is cylindrical and includes an outer wall 121 and a hollow portion 122. The hollow portion 122 is open toward the bottom of the housing 120 and is open at the top of the housing 120 through a top hole 126. The diameter of the top hole 126 is smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion 122.

[0114] In the present embodiment, the cross section of the housing 120 is circular to allow the operation member 110 to rotate relative to the housing 120. In other embodiments, the housing 120 can be provided with a cutout portion 123 (similar to the first embodiment) to prevent the operation member 110 from rotating relative to the housing 120.

[0115] Referring to Figure 15 The specific structure of the elastic member 150 is described. The elastic member 150 includes an engaging piece 151 and a plurality of foot portions 152 extending axially from both sides of the engaging piece 151. The engaging piece 151 is annular extending radially with an engaging hole 153 formed in the middle. Thus, the engaging piece 151 is sleeved on the mounting portion 115 of the operation member 110 and is fixed between the mounting portion 115 and the top portion 111 of the operation member, i.e., abutting against the lower surface of the top portion 111, so that the elastic member 150 moves with the operation member.

[0116] The foot portions 152 are sheet-shaped and extend axially from the outer periphery of the engaging piece 151, and the bottom end 155 of each foot portion 152 is a free end, so that the foot portion 152 can elastically deform radially. In the present embodiment, the foot portions 152 are provided as two, and the top end of each foot portion 152 is connected to the engaging piece 151 and is symmetrically distributed (i.e., uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction). In other embodiments, the foot portions 152 can be provided as one or more than two, and can be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction. The foot portions 152 of the elastic member 150 are at least partially located between the inner wall 112 of the operation member 110 and the outer wall 121 of the housing 120, which will be described in detail below.

[0117] Each foot portion 152 is provided with an abutting portion 154 near the bottom end 155 (i.e., the free end of the foot portion 152), and the abutting portion 154 is concave radially from the inner surface of the foot portion 152. In the present embodiment, the abutting portion 154 is circular, but in other embodiments, the abutting portion 154 can be square or other appropriate shapes. The distance between the two foot portions 152 is substantially equal to the diameter of the outer wall 121 of the housing 120, and the specific distance between the two abutting portions 154 is less than the diameter of the outer wall 121 of the housing 120.

[0118] When the operating member 110 is in the unlocked position, the axial lower surface of the abutting portion 154 abuts against the top surface of the housing 120 (see Figure 20B ), and when the operating member 110 is in the locked position, the radial inner surface of the abutting portion 154 abuts against the outer surface of the housing 120 (see Figure 18 ).

[0119] The specific structure of the locking member 160 is described with reference to Figure 16A and Figure 16B . The locking member 160 is cylindrical and provided with a socket 161. The lower end of the column portion 116 of the operating member 110 is inserted into the socket 161, so that the locking member 160 is fixed to the operating member 110. The diameter of the locking member 160 is set to be suitable for being accommodated in the hollow portion 122 of the housing 120, but cannot pass through the top hole 126 of the housing 120, thus limiting the axial stroke of the operating member 110 relative to the housing 120.

[0120] The locking device 100 in the locked position is described with reference to Figures 17A-18 . At this time, the locking member 160 protrudes from the lower end of the housing 120 and is engaged to the second object (not shown). The foot portion 152 of the elastic member 150 is elastically deformed outwardly, so that each abutting portion 154 abuts against the side surface of the housing 120, respectively, and almost the entire foot portion 152 is located between the inner wall 112 and the outer wall 121.

[0121] Starting from the state shown in Figures 17A-18 , the user moves the operating member 110 upwardly, so that the locking device 100 transits to the unlocked position shown in Figures 19A-20B . At this time, the locking member 160 is retracted into the accommodation portion of the housing 120, thus disengaging from the second object (not shown). The portion of the foot portion 152 located below the abutting portion 154 is located between the inner wall 112 and the outer wall 121, and the abutting portion 154 abuts against the top surface of the housing 120 to retain the operating member 110 in the unlocked position. The user can press the operating portion downwardly with force, so that the locking device 100 returns to the locked position.

[0122] In summary, the locking device provided by the present application has a simple structure and convenient operation, and in particular, allows the locking device to be transited between the locked position and the unlocked position through simple lifting and pressing operation. Moreover, the locking device can also be retained in the unlocked position, so that the user can move the first object connected to the locking device through the locking device.

[0123] While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are merely examples. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present inventive subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the present inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A locking device for locking a first object to a second object, characterized in that, The locking device comprises: a housing (120) having a hollow portion (122); a post (130) at least partially accommodated in the hollow portion (122) and movable along an axial direction of the housing (120) between a locked position and an unlocked position; a ball (142) mounted on a side wall of the housing (120) and movable along a radial direction of the housing (120); when the post (130) is in the unlocked position, the ball (142) abuts against the post (130) along the radial direction to limit axial movement of the post (130).

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein: the post (130) comprises a groove (135) in which the ball (142) abuts when the post (130) is in the unlocked position to limit axial movement of the post (130); when the post (130) is subjected to axial pressure, the ball (142) is disengaged from the groove (135) to move the post (130) from the unlocked position to the locked position.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein: the groove (135) is a circumferential groove or a partial groove around the post (130), and a cross section of the groove (135) is arc-shaped to guide disengagement of the ball (142).

4. The locking device of claim 2, wherein the post (130) comprises: a first rod portion (131) close to a head portion (133) of the post (130), the head portion (133) being used to be inserted into a second object to achieve locking; a second rod portion (132) close to an engaging portion (134) of the post (130), and a diameter of the first rod portion (131) is greater than that of the second rod portion (132); a top portion of the housing (120) is provided with a top hole (126), and a diameter of the top hole (126) allows the first rod portion (131) to pass but prevents the second rod portion (132) from passing, to limit a movement stroke of the post (130) in the unlocked position.

5. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein: the locking device further comprises an operating member (110), and the operating member (110) comprises an operating member top portion (111) and a cylindrical inner wall (112); the top portion (111) is connected to the engaging portion (134) of the post (130) so that the operating member (110) moves along an axial direction together with the post (130), and the inner wall (112) is sleeved outside the housing (120).

6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein: an inner side of the inner wall (112) is provided with at least one anti-twist portion (113), an outer surface of the housing (120) is cylindrical and is provided with at least one cutaway portion (123) extending along an axial direction, and the cutaway portion (123) is fitted to the anti-twist portion (113) to prevent relative rotation between the operating member (110) and the housing (120).

7. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein: the housing (120) is provided with a side hole (124), and a plug (140) is mounted in the side hole (124). The plug (140) comprises a receiving member (141) fixed in the side hole (124) and having a bowl-shaped surface facing the hollow (122), and the ball (142) received in the bowl-shaped surface.

8. The locking device of claim 1, wherein, A spring (143) is arranged between the ball (142) and the receiving member (141), and biases the ball (142) towards the post (130).

9. The locking device of claim 4, wherein, When the post (130) is in the locked position, the head (133) engages the second object, and the ball (142) is disengaged from the groove (135); when the post (130) is in the unlocked position, the head (133) is retracted into the housing (120) and disengages the second object, and the ball (142) is engaged in the groove (135) to retain the position of the post (130).

10. A locking device for locking a first object to a second object, the locking device comprising: The locking device comprises: a housing (120) engaged to the first object and having a hollow (122); an operating member (110) comprising a post portion (116) inserted into the hollow (122), the operating member (110) being movable along the axis of the housing (120) between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a resilient member (150) comprising an engaging piece (151) and a plurality of foot portions (152) extending axially from both sides of the engaging piece (151), the foot portions (152) abutting against the side surface of the housing (120) when the operating member (110) is in the locked position, and the foot portions (152) abutting against the top surface of the housing (120) to retain the operating member (110) in the unlocked position when the operating member (110) is in the unlocked position.

11. The locking device of claim 10, wherein, The engaging piece (151) is circular, sleeved on the post portion (116), and abuts against the lower surface of the operating member top portion (111) of the operating member (110).

12. Locking device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The foot portions (152) are provided as two, each having a top end connected to the engaging piece (151) and symmetrically distributed, and each having a bottom end as a free end, so that the foot portions (152) can be elastically deformed in the radial direction.

13. The locking device of claim 12, wherein, Each foot portion (152) is provided with an abutting portion (154) near the bottom end (155), the abutting portion (154) being concave radially from the inner surface of the foot portion (152); when the operating member (110) is in the unlocked position, the axial lower surface of the abutting portion (154) abuts against the top surface of the housing (120), and when the operating member (110) is in the locked position, the radial inner surface of the abutting portion (154) abuts against the outer surface of the housing (120).

14. The locking device of claim 10, wherein, The operating member (110) is cylindrical, the inner wall of the operating member (110) is sleeved outside the outer wall of the housing (120), and the operating member (110) is allowed to rotate relative to the housing (120) around the axis.

15. The locking device of claim 10, wherein, The foot (152) of the elastic member (150) is at least partially located between the inner wall (112) of the operating member (110) and the outer wall (121) of the shell (120); when the operating member (110) is in the locked position, the entire foot (152) is substantially located between the inner wall (112) and the outer wall (121); when the operating member (110) is in the unlocked position, the part of the foot (152) below the abutting portion (154) is located between the inner wall (112) and the outer wall (121).

16. The locking device of claim 15, wherein, The distance between the two feet (152) is substantially equal to the diameter of the outer wall (121) of the shell (120), and the distance between the two abutting portions (154) is less than the diameter of the outer wall (121).

17. The locking device of claim 10, wherein, The column portion (116) extends downward from the operating member top (111) of the operating member (110) and passes through the shell (120), and the lower end of the column portion (116) is connected with a locking member (160); when the operating member (110) is in the locked position, the locking member (160) extends below the bottom end of the shell (120) to engage the second object, and when the operating member (110) is in the unlocked position, the locking member (160) is retracted into the shell (120).

18. The locking device of claim 17, wherein, The locking member (160) is in a cylindrical shape and is sleeved on the outside of the column portion (116).

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