Tailpiece mounting and locking structure

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tailpiece attachment structure (100) comprising a cylindrical frame (102), a cylindrical attachment member (104), and a locking member (106), wherein the cylindrical attachment member (104) is configured to attach a tailpiece (108) to the cylindrical frame (102), and the locking member (106) is configured to lock the attachment member (104). According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking structure (126) comprising the tailpiece attachment structure (100) and a lock cylinder (128).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various embodiments relate to the field of locks, and more particularly to tailpiece mounting structures. [Background technology]

[0002] There are several types of tailpieces available commercially. The tailpieces are interchangeable components, allowing the type of tailpiece in a lock to be changed as needed. The tailpieces are removably coupled to the lock by a mounting structure. Known tailpiece mounting structures have several drawbacks, particularly from a usability perspective.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a more elegant solution for removably attaching the tailpiece to the locking structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. The dependent claims define some embodiments.

[0005] One or more examples are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings and description of the embodiments.

[0006] Some embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a tailpiece mounting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of a tailpiece attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of a tailpiece attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a tailpiece mounting arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates components of a tailpiece mounting arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates components of a tailpiece mounting arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A illustrates a locking tailpiece attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B illustrates a locking tailpiece attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following embodiments are by way of example only. Although the specification may refer to "an" embodiment in multiple places, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s) or that a feature applies only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, the words "comprising" and "including" should not be understood as limiting the described embodiment to consisting only of the recited features; such embodiments may also include features / structures not specifically recited.

[0009] Reference numbers both in the description of the embodiments and in the claims serve to explain the embodiments with reference to the drawings, by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

[0010] The embodiments and features disclosed in the following description, which do not fall within the scope of the independent claims, are to be construed as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] The present applicant, iLOQ Oy, has invented many improvements to electromechanical locks, as disclosed in various European and U.S. patent applications and patents, which are incorporated herein by reference in all applicable jurisdictions, and a full discussion of all of these details will not be repeated here, but the reader is referred to those publications.

[0012] Although the solution of the present invention is directed specifically to electromechanical locks, it may be applied to conventional locks as well.

[0013] Although the solution of the present invention is directed specifically to electromechanical locks, it may be applied to conventional locks as well. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tailpiece mounting structure comprising a cylindrical frame having an interior space configured to receive one end of a tailpiece, the cylindrical frame further having internal threads on its inner surface and a hole on its outer surface extending into the interior space. The structure further comprises a cylindrical mounting member having external threads configured to mate with the internal threads of the cylindrical frame and at least one locking protrusion extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the mounting structure. The structure further comprises a locking member configured to be removably coupled to the cylindrical frame, the locking member extending through the hole in the cylindrical frame into the interior space and configured to contact the at least one locking protrusion of the cylindrical mounting member. The cylindrical mounting member is configured to prevent removal of the tailpiece from the interior space when coupled to the cylindrical frame by the screw, and the locking member is configured to contact at least one locking protrusion of the cylindrical mounting member through a hole in the cylindrical frame to prevent rotation of the cylindrical mounting member relative to the cylindrical frame in at least a first direction.

[0014] First, the assembled tailpiece structure will be described. The assembled state refers to the operating state of the structure for attaching the tailpiece to the lock cylinder. The lock cylinder is not shown in the figures. FIG. 1A shows the tailpiece attachment structure 100 in use. A tailpiece 108 is inserted inside a cylindrical frame 102 (a frame described later in this application), and removal of the tailpiece 108 is prevented by a cylindrical attachment member 104. The cylindrical attachment member (an attachment member described later in this application) is locked to the cylindrical frame 102 by a lock member 106. FIG. 1B shows the tailpiece attachment structure 100 in an unassembled state (exploded view). The cylindrical frame 102 has an internal space IS with an internal thread IT on its inner surface IS. The cylindrical attachment member 104 has an external thread OT on its outer surface OS2. The cylindrical attachment member 104 and the cylindrical frame 102 are configured to be coupled to each other by the threads IT and OT. In other words, the cylindrical mounting member 104 can be rotated within the interior space of the cylindrical frame 102 by the screws IT, OT, thereby preventing removal of the tailpiece 108 from the interior space IS of the cylindrical frame 102. The locking member 106 is configured to prevent rotation of the mounting member 104 in at least the first direction A when interacting with the protrusion 112 of the mounting member 104.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cylindrical frame 102 is a separate piece configured to couple with the lock cylinder 108. The frame may be removably coupled to the lock cylinder by, for example, screws.

[0016] In another embodiment, the cylindrical frame 102 is an integral part of the lock cylinder 108. In other words, the lock cylinder forms the cylindrical frame.

[0017] The rotation directions of the mounting member are shown in Figure 5B. A first rotation direction A may be used to remove the mounting member from the frame, and a second rotation direction B may be used to install the mounting member on the frame.

[0018] The longitudinal direction L of the tailpiece mounting structure and its components is shown in Figure 1. The longitudinal direction may refer to the centerline of the structure.

[0019] Next, FIG. 4 illustrates a locking member according to an embodiment. The locking member 106 may be an elastic locking band having a curved body 114 with a locking claw 116. The curved body may be substantially C-shaped and configured to receive the frame. In other words, when the locking member is assembled to the frame, the cylindrical body of the frame is inside the curved locking band, as shown in FIG. 1A, for example. An elastic body refers to a spring-like material that has elasticity. In other words, an elastic body tends to return to its original shape. The elastic locking band may be made of sheet metal, for example. The locking claw 116 is configured to extend from the locking band substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. When the locking band is assembled to the outer surface of the frame (as shown in FIG. 1A), the locking claw is configured to extend through a hole disposed on the outer surface of the frame and into the interior space of the frame. The locking claw can then contact a locking protrusion disposed on a mounting member within the frame, thereby preventing the mounting member from rotating. In other words, when the mounting member is rotated, the pawl strikes the locking projection, preventing or limiting rotation in at least one direction.

[0020] 2, which illustrates a cylindrical frame according to an embodiment in detail. The cylindrical frame 102 further includes a groove 118 on its outer surface OS1 configured to receive the locking band 106. As described above, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the locking band 106 is set in the groove 118, the locking pawl 116 can interact with at least one locking protrusion 112 of the mounting member 104 via the hole 110, preventing rotation of the cylindrical mounting member 104 relative to the cylindrical frame 102 in at least the first direction A. The groove may extend along the circumference of the cylindrical frame, or may cover only a portion of the circumference.

[0021] 5A and 5B show the locking band and mounting member according to the embodiment in detail. The end surface ES of the locking claw 116 includes a first chamfer configured to allow rotation of the cylindrical mounting member 104 in the second direction B. In other words, the first side surface SS2 of the claw 116 is longer than the second side surface SS4, and thus the end surface ES is inclined (slope). The first chamfer is configured to interact with the locking protrusion. When the mounting member rotates in the second direction, the locking protrusion contacts the chamfered end surface and slides over the chamfer. The locking protrusion then lifts the locking claw, allowing the mounting member to rotate despite the presence of the locking claw. "Lifting" may refer to the claw moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and away from the mounting member. In other words, the locking claw does not prevent rotation of the mounting member. As mentioned above, the second rotation direction B may be used to install the mounting member on the frame, and therefore the first chamfer allows installation of the mounting member while preventing release. The locking member may already be assembled to the frame when the mounting member is assembled.

[0022] 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the first side SS1 of the locking projection 112 includes a second chamfer configured to interact with the first chamfer of the locking pawl 116 to allow rotation of the cylindrical mounting member 104 in the second direction B. The first side of the locking projection is chamfered so that the surface is substantially parallel to the end surface ES of the locking pawl 116. Thus, when the mounting member rotates in the second direction, the chamfer on the first side of the projection contacts the chamfer on the end surface of the pawl, which lifts the locking pawl and allows the mounting member to rotate in the second direction. Thus, the chamfer on the first side of the projection helps lift the pawl, allowing rotation of the mounting member in the second direction.

[0023] 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, side surface SS2 of the locking pawl includes a third chamfer and second side surface SS3 of the locking projection includes a fourth chamfer, the third chamfer and the fourth chamfer configured to interact to prevent rotation of cylindrical mounting member 104 in first direction A. Thus, interaction between the third chamfer and the fourth chamfer prevents lifting of the pawl and prevents rotation of the mounting member in the first direction A. The fourth chamfer of projection 112 may press down on the pawl.

[0024] Referring to Figures 3 and 5A, in one embodiment, the cylindrical mounting member 014 includes a plurality of locking projections 112. The projections may have gaps between them configured to receive the locking pawls. The gaps between the projections may be slightly larger than the size of the pawls. This ensures that the mounting member cannot rotate significantly in direction A before the pawls contact the projections and prevent rotation. One or more projections may be located near the outer surface of the mounting member. The outer surface refers to a curved surface with external threads. Therefore, the locking pawls do not need to extend significantly into the interior space to contact the projections.

[0025] 2, in one embodiment, the cylindrical frame 102 includes a first end E1 and a second end E2, the first end being open to allow a tailpiece access to the hollow interior. In other words, the first end is open, and one end of the tailpiece can be inserted into the interior through the open end. The first end is configured to be closed by a mounting member.

[0026] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1C , the second end E2 of the cylindrical frame 102 in the structure 100 is at least partially closed to prevent removal of the tailpiece 108 from the interior space IS. As shown in FIG. 1C , the end of the tailpiece located in the interior space IS is retained between the mounting member and the closed second end of the frame. In a first embodiment, the frame may include a feature that prevents removal of the tailpiece from the interior space. In a second embodiment, the second end is closed by a separate component, such as the body of a lock cylinder. In other words, when the tailpiece mounting structure is attached to the lock cylinder, the lock cylinder may close the second end of the frame to prevent removal of the tailpiece from the interior space. The second end may further include one or more features to prevent rotation of the tailpiece within the interior space. This feature may include one or more protrusions configured to mate with one or more openings in the tailpiece that prevent rotation of the tailpiece.

[0027] 3 illustrates a cylindrical mounting member 104 according to one embodiment. The cylindrical mounting member 104 may include an opening 120 for receiving a tailpiece 108. The tailpiece may be an elongated member that is coupled to a frame and extends through the opening when attached to the frame by the mounting member, as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0028] 3 , in one embodiment, the cylindrical mounting member 104 includes one or more apertures 122 for receiving a tool for coupling or detaching the cylindrical mounting member 104 to the cylindrical frame 102. The apertures may be hollow or may extend entirely through the mounting member in the longitudinal direction L. The tool may be used to rotate the mounting member onto the threads of the frame to couple the mounting member to the frame and detach the mounting member from the frame.

[0029] 2, in some embodiments, the holes 110 in the frame 102 may be adjacent to the grooves 118. In other words, the holes may not be in the grooves, and there may be gaps between the holes and the grooves. The holes may be located on the top of the frame, which refers to the side of the frame that faces upward in the normal operating position of the structure.

[0030] 4, in one embodiment, the locking band includes an extension 124 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and the locking pawl 116 is located on the extension 124. The extension of the locking band allows the pawl to be set into a hole that is near, but not within, the groove, so that the pawl can reach the hole even when the locking band is within the groove. The pawl may be perpendicular to the extension.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock structure comprising a tailpiece mounting structure and a lock cylinder. The lock structure refers to an assembly comprising at least a lock cylinder and a tailpiece mounting structure for mounting a tailpiece to the lock cylinder. In addition to the lock cylinder, the lock structure may further comprise all of the other usual components of, for example, a door lock assembly.

[0032] In some embodiments, the lock structure further comprises a tailpiece, which is a variable component selected depending on the type of lock. In addition to the lock cylinder and tailpiece mounting structure, the lock structure described above may also comprise a tailpiece.

[0033] In some embodiments, the frame of the tailpiece mounting structure includes a means for attaching the frame to the lock cylinder. The frame may have holes for receiving screws for attaching the frame to the lock cylinder, which may be used to attach the entire tailpiece mounting structure to the lock cylinder.

[0034] The following example illustrates how the tailpiece mounting structure may be applied during normal use. The tailpiece mounting structure is configured to mount a tailpiece to a lock cylinder. The tailpiece mounting structure can be coupled to the lock cylinder from a frame. One end of the tailpiece fits into an interior space of the frame, and this end is closed by a mounting member. The interior space of the frame may include an internal thread for receiving an external screw disposed on the mounting member. Thus, the mounting member can rotate within the frame via the screw, and the screw prevents removal of the tailpiece from the interior space. Rotation of the mounting member in a first direction is prevented by a locking member. The locking member may be a locking band having a locking claw. The locking band is fitted into an outer surface of the frame, and the frame may further include a groove for the locking band. The locking band may include a locking claw configured to extend through a hole in the frame into the interior space of the frame. The locking claw is configured to contact a locking protrusion disposed on the mounting member. This contact prevents rotation of the mounting member in the first direction. The locking claw may be chamfered to allow rotation of the mounting member in a second direction. Therefore, the tailpiece attachment structure allows the attachment member to be tightened while preventing it from loosening when the locking member is assembled. The locking band (member) may be removed when the attachment member is opened to remove the tailpiece from the interior space.

[0035] The above-described invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of known tailpiece mounting solutions. It provides a solution that provides a robust mounting for the tailpiece while also improving the ease of use of the mounting structure.

[0036] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the concept of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A tailpiece mounting structure (100), comprising: a cylindrical frame (102) having an internal space (IS) configured to receive one end of a tailpiece (108), the cylindrical frame (102) further comprising an internal thread (IT) on an internal surface (IS) and a hole (110) on an external surface (OS) extending to the internal space (IS); a cylindrical mounting member (104) having external threads (ET) configured to mate with the internal threads (IT) of the cylindrical frame (102) and at least one locking projection (112) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction (L) of the mounting structure (100); a locking member (106) configured to be removably coupled to the cylindrical frame (102), the locking member (106) configured to extend through the hole (110) of the cylindrical frame (102) into the interior space (IS) and contact the at least one locking protrusion (112) of the cylindrical mounting member (104); Equipped with The cylindrical mounting member (104) is configured to prevent removal of the tailpiece (108) from the internal space (IS) when coupled to the cylindrical frame (102) by the screws (IT, OT), and the locking member (106) is configured to contact the at least one locking protrusion (112) of the cylindrical mounting member (104) through the hole (110) to prevent rotation of the cylindrical mounting member (104) relative to the cylindrical frame (102) in at least a first direction (A).

2. 2. The tailpiece attachment structure (100) of claim 1, wherein the locking member (106) comprises an elastic locking band having a curved body (114) and a locking pawl (116).

3. 3. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical frame (102) further comprises a groove (118) on the outer surface (OS) configured to receive the locking band (106) such that the locking claw (116) interacts with the at least one locking protrusion (112) of the mounting member (104) through the hole (110) to prevent rotation of the cylindrical mounting member (104) relative to the cylindrical frame (102) in at least the first direction (A).

4. 4. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 2, wherein the end surface (ES) of the locking claw (116) comprises a first chamfer configured to allow rotation of the cylindrical mounting member (104) in a second direction (B).

5. 5. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 2, wherein a first side (SS1) of the locking projection (112) comprises a second chamfer configured to interact with the first chamfer of the locking pawl (116) to allow rotation of the cylindrical mounting member (104) in a second direction (B).

6. 6. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) according to claim 2, wherein the side surface (SS2) of the locking claw includes a third chamfered portion, and the second side surface (SS3) of the locking projection includes a fourth chamfered portion, and the third chamfered portion and the fourth chamfered portion interact with each other to prevent rotation of the cylindrical mounting member (104) in the first direction (A).

7. 7. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cylindrical mounting member (014) comprises a plurality of locking projections (112).

8. 8. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical frame (102) has a first end (E1) and a second end (E2), the first end being open to allow the tailpiece access to a hollow interior.

9. 9. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 8, wherein the second end (E2) of the cylindrical frame (102) is at least partially closed to prevent removal of the tailpiece (108) from the interior space (IS).

10. 10. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cylindrical mounting member (104) comprises an opening (120) for receiving the tailpiece (108).

11. 11. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical mounting member (104) comprises one or more open holes (122) for receiving a tool for connecting or disconnecting the cylindrical mounting member (104) to the cylindrical frame (102).

12. 3. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) of claim 2, wherein the locking band has an extension (124) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), and the locking claw (116) is disposed on the extension (124).

13. 13. The tailpiece mounting structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hole (110) in the cylindrical frame (102) is adjacent to the groove (118).

14. A locking structure (126) comprising a tailpiece mounting structure (100) and a locking cylinder (128).

15. The locking structure (126) of claim 14, wherein the locking structure (126) further comprises a tailpiece (108).

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