lock

Abstract

To provide a lock that can be easily replaced.SOLUTION: A rotor 3 is inserted into an outer sleeve 2 which is inserted into a lock mounting hole 103. A stopper 4 is connected to the rotor 3 for rotation therewith. The outer sleeve 2 has a snap-fit pawl 7 that engages the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 to stop the outer sleeve 2 from coming loose. The rotor 3 has an insertion shaft 16 as a flexure limiting portion that limits the flexure of the snap-fit pawl 7 to the disengaged side. The rotor 3 is provided with a plurality of snap-fit pawls 18 that engage the edges of connecting holes 20 that pass through the stopper 4 to stop the stopper 4 from coming loose. When the plurality of snap-fit pawls 26 of a clip 5 are inserted between the snap-fit pawls 18 of the rotor 3 and into the connecting holes 20 from the opposite side of the outer sleeve 2, the snap-fit pawls 26 engage the edges of the connecting holes 20 to stop the clip 5 from coming loose and to limit the flexure of the plural snap-fit pawls 18 of the rotor 3 to the disengaged side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to locks, and more particularly to locks that are easy and convenient to replace. [Background technology]

[0002] Amusement machines such as crane games and cabinet games installed in facilities such as game arcades are equipped with one or more locks for locking doors for maintenance access, money collection ports, etc. These locks are initially installed by the manufacturer of the amusement machine, and generally, cam locks (e.g., Patent Document 1) or eight-thousand locks (e.g., Patent Document 2) are used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-47557 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-20866 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Large-scale amusement facilities often have a wide variety of amusement machines from various manufacturers installed. For facility operators, it is cumbersome to manage the keys for all the amusement machines under their control while carrying out their daily operations. Therefore, after receiving new amusement machines, facility operators remove the locks that are originally installed on the machines and replace them with other locks they have prepared themselves, so that they can manage all the amusement machines in their facility with one or a few common keys.

[0005] The outer cylinder (case) of the aforementioned Camlock or Hachiman Lock is inserted into the lock mounting hole of the amusement machine, and a nut threaded onto the female thread of the outer cylinder secures the flange of the outer cylinder and the nut firmly around the lock mounting hole. The stopper plate and rotor of the Camlock or other lock are also firmly connected with a screw. This type of strong fastening and connection structure is desirable from the standpoint of security and durability when the facility intends to continue using the original lock without replacing it.

[0006] However, when replacing the lock with one provided by the facility operator, it is time-consuming to repeatedly turn nuts and screws using tools, and the original lock is wasted, which is not desirable from a cost perspective.

[0007] It is conceivable to deliver amusement machines to facility operators in a packaged state with the doors temporarily secured with masking tape or the like without initially equipping them with locks, but this would cause problems during the initial operation check after the amusement machines are delivered to the facility. That is, to prevent the theft of prizes and cash inside the machines, sensors are provided to detect the locked / unlocked state based on the position of the latches of the locks that lock important doors such as the maintenance access point and the money collection opening. If the machines are not equipped with locks, it is not possible to perform the initial operation check to determine whether the detection device is working properly.

[0008] In view of the above background, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lock that is easy to replace. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a first means for achieving the above-mentioned object, this invention provides a lock comprising an outer tube inserted into a lock mounting hole, a rotor inserted inside the outer tube, and a stopper connected to the rotor so that it can rotate integrally with the rotor, wherein the outer tube has a snap-fit ​​claw that engages with the edge of the lock mounting hole to prevent the outer tube from coming loose, and the rotor has a deflection limiting portion that limits the deflection of the snap-fit ​​claw toward the disengagement side.

[0010] According to the configuration of the first aspect described above, when the outer cylinder is inserted into the lock mounting hole, the snap-fit ​​claws engage with the edge of the lock mounting hole, preventing the outer cylinder from slipping out, making it possible to temporarily secure the outer cylinder without using tools. Inserting a rotor into the temporarily secured outer cylinder allows the rotor's deflection limiting portion to limit deflection of the outer cylinder's snap-fit ​​claws toward the disengagement side, thereby securing the outer cylinder. Removing the rotor from the outer cylinder deflects the outer cylinder's snap-fit ​​claws, releasing their engagement with the edge of the lock mounting hole, allowing the outer cylinder to be removed from the lock mounting hole. This eliminates the need to repeatedly turn a nut using a tool when inserting or removing the outer cylinder from the lock mounting hole, making the lock easier to replace with another lock.

[0011] Preferably, the stopper plate has a connecting hole formed therethrough in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotor, and the rotor has a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that engage with the edge of the connecting hole to prevent the stopper plate from coming off. The rotor further includes a clip having a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that are inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor and into the connecting hole from the side opposite the outer tube relative to the stopper plate, the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the clip engaging with the edge of the connecting hole to prevent the clip from coming off and limiting the deflection of the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor toward the disengagement side. In this way, when the snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor inserted inside the outer tube are inserted into the connecting hole of the stopper plate, the snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor engage with the stopper plate to prevent it from coming off, thereby enabling the rotor and the stopper plate to be temporarily connected without using tools. From the side opposite the outer tube relative to the stopper plate, the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the clip can be inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor and into the connecting hole of the stopper plate without being obstructed by the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor. This insertion causes the clip's snap-fit ​​claws to engage with the edge of the connecting hole, preventing the clip from coming loose and restricting the rotor's snap-fit ​​claws from bending toward the disengagement side, thereby connecting the catch plate, rotor, and clip. The clip's snap-fit ​​claws are bent to release their engagement with the edge of the connecting hole, the clip is removed from the connecting hole, and the rotor's snap-fit ​​claws are further bent to release their engagement with the edge of the connecting hole, allowing the catch plate to be removed from the rotor. This eliminates the need for repeated screw-turning using a tool when connecting the rotor and catch plate, making the lock easier to replace with another lock.

[0012] As a second means for achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a lock comprising an outer tube inserted into a lock mounting hole, a rotor inserted inside the outer tube, and a stopper connected to the rotor so as to be rotatable integrally therewith, wherein a connecting hole is formed in the stopper in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotor, the rotor has a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that engage with the edge of the connecting hole to prevent the stopper from coming off, and the lock further comprises a clip having a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that are inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor and into the connecting hole from the side opposite the outer tube with respect to the stopper, and the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the clip engage with the edge of the connecting hole to prevent the clip from coming off and are arranged to limit bending of the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor toward the disengagement side.

[0013] According to the configuration relating to the second means, as mentioned above, there is no need to repeatedly use a tool to turn the screws when connecting the rotor and the stopper, making it possible to make the lock easily replaceable with another lock.

[0014] In the first or second means described above, the outer cylinder preferably has circumferentially spaced slits that open toward the rotor, and the rotor preferably has protrusions that can fit into the slits and bends to press the protrusions against the inside of the outer cylinder. In this way, when the rotor rotates toward a predetermined rotation position corresponding to the slits, the sliding resistance between the protrusions of the bent beams of the rotor and the inside of the outer cylinder makes the rotor relatively difficult to rotate. When the rotor reaches the predetermined rotation position, the bending of the beams of the rotor elastically restores, and the protrusions fit into the slits of the outer cylinder. Therefore, even without a movable member interposed between the outer cylinder and the rotor to prevent rotation of the rotor relative to the outer cylinder, it is possible to stop the rotor at a predetermined rotation position or to let an operator know that the rotor has reached a rotation position corresponding to the locked or unlocked position. Furthermore, since there is no need to incorporate a movable part such as a tumbler or a spring to bias the movable part between the outer cylinder and the rotor, and no specific key is required to operate the movable part, it is possible to realize an inexpensive temporary lock that can be replaced with another lock. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] In this way, by adopting the configuration according to the first or second means, the present invention can provide a lock that is easy to replace. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lock shown in FIG. 1 when assembled. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an amusement machine equipped with the lock shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lock shown in FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5. [Figure 5] Front view of the lock area shown in Figure 3 [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lock of FIG. 1 from the clip side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] Enlarged view of the clip area in Figure 4 [Figure 9] 1A is a front view of the rotor head and its periphery showing a modified example of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rotor head and its periphery showing another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A lock according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The lock 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is for locking and unlocking a door 101 of an amusement device 100 shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the door 101 of the amusement device 100 has a lock mounting hole 103 formed in its panel 102. The lock 1 is inserted into the lock mounting hole 103 and fixed to the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 in the panel 102. Here, the lock mounting hole 103 refers to a space, and the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 refers to the area located around the lock mounting hole 103 in the panel 102. Therefore, the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 is a concept that includes the inner circumferential surface of the lock mounting hole 103 and the plate surface that extends from the opening edges on both sides of the lock mounting hole 103 to the periphery of the opening.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, lock 1 is composed of four parts: outer tube 2 inserted into lock mounting hole 103; rotor 3 inserted inside outer tube 2; stopper plate 4 connected to rotor 3 so as to be rotatable integrally; and clip 5 for connecting stopper plate 4 to rotor 3.

[0020] When torque is applied to the rotor 3, the catch plate 4 is rotated coaxially with the rotor 3 between the locked position and the unlocked position, as shown in Figure 5. In the figure, the rotor 3 drawn in solid lines and the catch plate 4 drawn in hidden lines indicate the locked position, and the rotor 3 and catch plate 4 drawn in dashed lines indicate the unlocked position.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, the amusement machine 100 shown in Fig. 3 is provided with a sensor 104 for detecting the locked / unlocked state based on the position of the stopper plate 4. The sensor 104 is, for example, a laser sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like, and detects whether the stopper plate 4 is in the locked position.

[0022] After the amusement machine 100 shown in FIG. 3 is brought into a facility, an initial operation check is performed to check whether the sensor 104 operates normally by turning the rotor 3 with the door 101 closed and rotating the stopper plate 4 between the locked position and the unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0023] After receiving the amusement device 100, the facility operator removes the lock 1 and replaces it with another lock. Therefore, the lock 1 does not require security, and its mechanical strength is sufficient to allow the amusement device 100 to be transported from the manufacturer and an initial operation check performed. Therefore, first, the assembly of the lock 1 does not require robust durability. Second, there is little need for the lock 1 to include a movable part, such as a tumbler, that is interposed between the outer tube 2 and the rotor 3 to prevent the rotor 3 from rotating relative to the outer tube 2. If the lock 1 does not include a movable part, there is no need to include a specific key for operating the movable part. Third, there is little need to make the outer tube 2, rotor 3, and clip 5 sturdy metal components. However, it is preferable to use a metal stopper 4 to withstand stress during transportation and to ensure security even when the stopper 4 is reused for another lock. Taking note of these points, the lock 1 does not have the aforementioned movable parts, and the outer cylinder 2, rotor 3 and clip 5 are made of synthetic resin, and the stopper plate 4 is made of metal.

[0024] Hereinafter, the direction along the rotation axis of the rotor 3 will be referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis will be referred to as the "radial direction," and the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis will be referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0025] 1, 4, and 6, the outer cylinder 2 is a cylindrical member that is open at both axial ends. The outer side of the outer cylinder 2 is supported radially at a fitting portion that fits into the inner circumferential surface of the lock mounting hole 103, thereby positioning the outer cylinder 2 radially relative to the inner circumferential surface of the lock mounting hole 103. Meanwhile, the inner side of the outer cylinder 2 supports the rotor 3 radially at a fitting portion that fits into one axial end of the rotor 3 and a fitting portion that fits into the other axial end of the rotor 3, thereby positioning the rotor 3 radially.

[0026] An outer flange 6 and a pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 are formed on the outside of the outer cylinder 2 to axially engage the outer cylinder 2 with the edge of the lock mounting hole 103. The outer flange 6 and the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 are each rotationally symmetrical at 180° in the circumferential direction.

[0027] When the outer cylinder 2 is inserted into the lock mounting hole 103 from one axial end side of the outer cylinder 2, the outer flange 6 engages with the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 toward the one axial end side of the outer cylinder 2.

[0028] The pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 are rotationally symmetrical about 180° in the circumferential direction, and each has a cantilever shape. Hereinafter, the direction in which the pair of snap-fit ​​claws face each other in the radial direction will be simply referred to as the "facing direction."

[0029] Each snap-fit ​​claw 7 is discontinuous with each outer flange 6 by slits extending in the axial direction on both circumferential sides. Each snap-fit ​​claw 7 comprises a leg 8 extending from its base toward the other end in the axial direction, a locking step 9 that hooks onto the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 toward the other end in the axial direction, a rib 10 spanning between the leg 8 and the locking step 9, and a tab 11 that hooks onto the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 toward one end in the axial direction. The rib 10 becomes higher in the opposing direction as it progresses from the leg 8 to the locking step 9 toward the other end in the axial direction.

[0030] When the outer tube 2 is inserted into the lock mounting hole 103 from one axial end, the rib 10 is pressed axially against the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, causing each snap-fit ​​claw 7 to bend inward of the outer tube 2. Once the rib 10 overcomes the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, the snap-fit ​​claw 7 elastically returns to its original position toward the outside of the outer tube 2, causing the locking step 9 to face the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 toward the other axial end, and the knob 11 to face the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 toward one axial end. As long as this state is maintained, even if the outer tube 2 attempts to displace axially toward the other end relative to the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, the locking steps 9 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 will engage axially with the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, preventing the outer tube 2 from slipping off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, and even if the outer tube 2 attempts to displace axially toward one end relative to the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, the outer flange 6 and the tabs 11 of the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 7 will engage axially with the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, preventing the outer tube 2 from slipping off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103.

[0031] Furthermore, the formation of the rib 10 facilitates elastic deformation that causes the leg 8 to bend inward in the opposing direction of the outer tube 2 when the outer tube 2 is inserted into the lock mounting hole 103, and also improves the strength of the snap-fit ​​claw 7.

[0032] The outer cylinder 2 is formed with slits 12 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, each slit opening toward the rotor 3. Each slit 12 penetrates radially between the inside and outside of the outer cylinder 2. The predetermined intervals are set at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction, and a total of four slits 12 are formed. On the inside of the outer cylinder 2, arc surfaces 13 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) are formed between adjacent circumferential slits 12, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, filling grooves 14 are formed extending from a pair of radially opposing slits 12 toward the other end in the axial direction. These filling grooves 14 and the like are used to determine the rotational position of the rotor 3, which will be described later.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a support surface 15 is formed at the tip of one axial end of the outer cylinder 2 to prevent displacement of the stopper plate 4 toward the other axial end (towards the outer cylinder 2). The support surface 15 is an annular surface extending along the radial direction around its entire periphery. The surface portion of the stopper plate 4 that faces the support surface 15 of the outer cylinder 2 in the axial direction can slide circumferentially on the support surface 15 when it rotates.

[0034] The rotor 3 is composed of an insertion shaft 16 (see Figures 1, 2, 4, and 7) that is inserted between a pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer tube 2, a rotor head 17 (see Figures 1, 4, and 6) that expands in diameter from the other axial end of the insertion shaft 16, a pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 (see Figures 1, 6, and 7) that protrude from the insertion shaft 16 toward one end in the axial direction, and a pair of beams 19 (see Figures 1, 6, and 8) that extend into the air from the insertion shaft 16.

[0035] 1 and 6, a connecting hole 20 is formed in the stopper plate 4, penetrating the stopper plate 4 in the axial direction. The connecting hole 20 is an elongated hole having a major axis in the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 and a minor axis in a direction perpendicular to this opposing direction.

[0036] 1, 6, and 7, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 are rotationally symmetrical about 180° in the circumferential direction and each has a cantilever shape. Each snap-fit ​​claw 18 has a leg 21 extending from its base toward one end in the axial direction, and a locking head 22 that hooks onto the edge of the connecting hole 20 of the fastener 4 toward the other end in the axial direction. Each locking head 22 has a stepped surface 22a that rises from the leg 21 in the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18, and a tapered surface 22b that extends from the stepped surface 22a to one end in the axial direction.

[0037] When the rotor 3 is inserted into the outer tube 2 toward one end in the axial direction, the pair of locking heads 22 protrude from the outer tube 2 through an opening at one axial end of the outer tube 2. The pair of locking heads 22 are inserted into the connecting hole 20 with their opposing direction aligned with the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting hole 20 of the stopper 4. At this time, the tapered surfaces 22b of each locking head 22 are pressed against the edge of the connecting hole 20 in the axial direction, causing the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 to bend in the opposing direction toward the side away from the edge of the connecting hole 20. When the tapered surfaces 22b of each locking head 22 overcome the edge of the connecting hole 20, the snap-fit ​​claws 18 elastically restore to their original state, causing the stepped surfaces 22a of each locking head 22 to face the edge of the connecting hole 20 toward the other axial end, and the stopper 4 to be axially supported by the support surface 15 of the outer tube 2 and connected (see FIG. 7 ). As long as this connected state is maintained, even if the stopper 4 attempts to displace toward one end in the axial direction relative to the outer tube 2 and the rotor 3, the locking heads 22 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 will engage with the edges of the connecting hole 20 in the axial direction, preventing the stopper 4 from separating from the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18, and even if the rotor 3 and the stopper 4 attempt to displace toward the other end in the axial direction relative to the outer tube 2, the support surface 15 of the outer tube 2 will support the stopper 4 in the axial direction, preventing such displacement.

[0038] In addition, in the connected state described above, as shown in Fig. 4, the rotor head 17 faces one end in the axial direction against a seating surface 23 (see also Fig. 1) formed in a stepped shape on the inside of the outer cylinder 2 and the knob 11. Therefore, even if the rotor 3 attempts to displace toward one end in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder 2, the seating surface 23 of the outer cylinder 2 and the like can support the rotor head 17 in the axial direction and prevent the displacement. Therefore, as long as the connected state described above is maintained, the outer cylinder 2, rotor 3, and stopper plate 4 remain assembled as a trinity.

[0039] Furthermore, in the connected state described above, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 and the edges of the stopper 4 are non-circular in the circumferential direction and fit together in a shape that allows them to engage with each other in the circumferential direction, so torque can be transmitted between the rotor 3 and the stopper 4.

[0040] The rotor head 17 is formed with an operation input unit 24 for connecting an operation tool of a predetermined shape to apply torque to the rotor 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The operation input unit 24 is formed in a concave groove shape. The bottom surface of the groove of the operation input unit 24 is concavely curved so that it can stably receive coins, game medals, or other coins used as the operation tool.

[0041] In the coupled state described above, the insertion shaft 16 of the rotor 3 is positioned between the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2, and faces each snap-fit ​​claw 7 with a small radial gap R1 even when the rotor 3 rotates between the locked and unlocked positions. With respect to the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2, the size of the radial gap R1 is set sufficiently smaller than the engagement allowance that allows the engagement steps 9 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2 to face the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 in the axial direction. Therefore, as long as the coupled state described above is maintained, the insertion shaft 16 of the rotor 3 can function as a deflection limiting portion that limits deflection of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 toward the disengagement side (inside the outer cylinder 2) so that the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2 do not come off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, each beam 19 of the rotor 3 includes a protrusion 25 that protrudes radially toward the outer cylinder 2 from a hollow, circumferentially extending, double-supported beam-shaped bridge portion. The protrusions 25 are shaped to be able to fit into the slits 12 of the outer cylinder 2. When the rotor 3 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2, the protrusions 25 of the pair of beams 19 can be passed through the insertion grooves 14 of the outer cylinder 2 and fitted into the slits 12. When the pair of protrusions 25 are fitted into the slits 12 of the outer cylinder 2 in the connected state described above, these protrusions 25 resist the rotational behavior of the rotor 3. Therefore, even without the movable member described above, the rotor 3 will not rotate on its own due to the moment load from the stopper plate 4, and the rotor 3 will remain stationary at any rotational position at 90° intervals unless a torque greater than a predetermined value is input to the rotor 3. On the other hand, when a torque greater than a predetermined level is input to the rotor 3, the pair of beams 19 bends, causing the pair of protrusions 25 to escape from the corresponding slits 12, and the rotor 3 continues to rotate while each beam 19 remains bent so that the protrusions 25 are pressed against the arcuate surface 13 (see FIG. 7) of the outer cylinder 2. When the protrusions 25 slide, the rotational resistance of the rotor 3 is relatively large. When the rotor 3 rotates 90° in the input torque direction, the protrusions 25 fit into the adjacent next slit 12, and the rotational resistance of the rotor 3 suddenly decreases (see FIG. 4). If the rotor 3 continues to rotate, the protrusions 25 get caught in the edge of the slit 12, and the rotational resistance of the rotor 3 suddenly increases. Therefore, a resistance is felt in the hand of an operator twisting the operation input unit 24 of the rotor 3 with a coin, allowing the operator to sense that the rotor 3 has reached the locked or unlocked position.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8, the clip 5 is composed of a pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 that are inserted from one axial end side (i.e., the opposite side from the outer tube 2) of the stopper 4 between the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 and into the connecting hole 20 of the stopper 4, and a tab 27 that connects the bases of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 and protrudes in the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26.

[0044] The pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 are rotationally symmetrical about 180° in the circumferential direction and each have a cantilevered shape. Each snap-fit ​​claw 26 has a leg 28 extending from its base toward the other end in the axial direction, and a locking head 29 that hooks onto the edge of the connecting hole 20 of the fastener 4 toward one end in the axial direction. Each locking head 29 has an inclined stepped surface 29a (see FIG. 8 ) that rises from the leg 28 in the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26, and a tapered surface 29b that extends from the inclined stepped surface 29a to the other end in the axial direction. The angle between the inclined stepped surface 29a and the rotation axis of the rotor 3 is set larger than the angle between the tapered surface 29b and the rotation axis of the rotor 3.

[0045] When the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 are inserted toward the other axial end of the catch 4 in the connected state described above, the pair of locking heads 29 are inserted into the connecting hole 20 with their opposing direction aligned with the minor axis direction of the connecting hole 20 of the catch 4. At this time, the tapered surfaces 29b of each locking head 29 are pressed axially against the edge of the connecting hole 20, causing the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 to bend in their opposing direction toward the side away from the edge of the connecting hole 20. When the tapered surfaces 29b of each locking head 29 overcome the edge of the connecting hole 20, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 elastically restore to their original state, causing the inclined stepped surfaces 29a of each locking head 29 to face the edge of the connecting hole 20 toward one axial end, and the tabs 27 are inserted in an axially abutting state with the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 (see FIG. 8 ). As long as this inserted state is maintained, even if the clip 5 attempts to displace parallel to one end in the axial direction relative to the catch 4, the locking heads 29 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 can engage with the edge of the connecting hole 20 in the axial direction to prevent the clip 5 from separating from the catch 4, and even if the clip 5 attempts to displace axially toward the other end relative to the rotor 3 and the catch 4, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 (see Figure 7) can support the clip 5 in the axial direction and prevent such displacement.

[0046] 7 and 8, in the inserted state described above, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 are positioned between the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 and face the snap-fit ​​claw 18 on the same side with a small gap between them. With respect to the opposing direction of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3, the size of the gap between the snap-fit ​​claw 18 and the snap-fit ​​claw 26 on the same side is set to be sufficiently smaller than the engagement allowance that allows the locking heads 22 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 to face the edge of the connecting hole 20 of the fastener 4 in the axial direction. Therefore, as long as the inserted state described above is maintained, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 can limit bending of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 toward the disengagement side (the side that approaches each other in the longitudinal direction of the connecting hole 20) so that the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 do not come off the edge of the connecting hole 20 of the fastener 4.

[0047] The procedure for attaching the lock 1 to the amusement device 100 will be described below (see Figures 1, 4, 7, and 8 as appropriate). First, the outer cylinder 2 alone is inserted into the lock mounting hole 103 so that the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2 are hooked onto the edge of the lock mounting hole 103. Next, the rotor 3 is inserted inside the outer cylinder 2, and the pair of protrusions 25 are fitted into the pair of slits 12 from the insertion groove 14, so that the rotor head 17 abuts against the seat surface 23 of the outer cylinder 2. Next, the edge of the connecting hole 20 of the stopper plate 4 is pushed through the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 so that the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 are hooked onto the edge of the connecting hole 20. Next, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 are inserted into the connecting hole 20 of the stopper plate 4 from the opposite side of the outer cylinder 2 so that they are hooked onto the edge of the connecting hole 20. This completes the assembly and installation of the lock 1. No tools are required for these installation steps. In this completed state, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 restrict the bending of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 toward the disengagement side, preventing the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 from coming off the edge of the connecting hole 20, so the connection between the stopper 4, the support surface 15 of the outer tube 2, and the rotor 3 is not easily released, and the insertion shaft 16 of the rotor 3 restricts the bending of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer tube 2 toward the disengagement side, preventing the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer tube 2 from coming off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, so the fixed state of the outer tube 2 due to its engagement with the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 and its axial engagement is not easily released.

[0048] On the other hand, if the facility operator wants to replace lock 1 with another lock, it is necessary to remove lock 1. The removal procedure is as follows: First, place your fingers on tab 27 of clip 5 of lock 1 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8 and raise tab 27 from one side in the minor axis direction of connecting hole 20. This bends one snap-fit ​​claw 26 of clip 5, while disengaging one of the locking heads 29 from the edge of connecting hole 20 and bringing it into contact with the inner wall surface of connecting hole 20. Then, pull clip 5 diagonally to remove pair of snap-fit ​​claws 26 from connecting hole 20. Next, pinch the engaging heads 22 of pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 with your fingers to bend snap-fit ​​claws 18, thereby removing them from the edge of connecting hole 20 and separating stopper 4 from rotor 3 in the axial direction. Next, push pair of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 toward the other end in the axial direction to remove rotor 3 from outer tube 2. Finally, pinch the tabs 11 of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer cylinder 2 with your fingers to remove them from the edge of the lock mounting hole 103, and pull the outer cylinder 2 out of the lock mounting hole 103. This completes the removal of the lock 1. No tools are required for this removal process.

[0049] Since the latch 4 is made of metal and has sufficient mechanical strength, it can be reused as a latch for another lock that is being replaced. If the latch 4 can be reused, it will be advantageous for suppressing changes in physical parameters (for example, the detection distance from the sensor 104, reflectivity, etc.) that interfere with the detection of the sensor 104, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the sensor 104.

[0050] As described above, lock 1 comprises outer tube 2 inserted into lock mounting hole 103, rotor 3 inserted inside outer tube 2, and catch plate 4 rotatably connected to rotor 3, outer tube 2 has multiple snap-fit ​​claws 7 that engage with the edge of lock mounting hole 103 to prevent outer tube 2 from coming off, and rotor 3 has insertion shaft 16 as a deflection limiting section that limits deflection of multiple snap-fit ​​claws 7 toward disengagement, so that outer tube 2 can be temporarily fixed with multiple snap-fit ​​claws 7 without using tools, and rotor 3 can be inserted inside temporarily fixed outer tube 2 to fix outer tube 2. At the same time, by removing rotor 3 from outer tube 2, multiple snap-fit ​​claws 7 of outer tube 2 can be deflected with fingers to release engagement with the edge of lock mounting hole 103, and outer tube 2 can be removed from lock mounting hole 103. Therefore, lock 1 eliminates the need to repeatedly turn a nut using a tool when inserting or removing outer tube 2 from lock mounting hole 103, making it easy to replace with another lock.

[0051] Furthermore, lock 1 has a connecting hole 20 formed in stopper plate 4 that penetrates in a direction along the rotation axis of rotor 3, rotor 3 has a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws 18 that engage with the edge of connecting hole 20 to prevent stopper plate 4 from coming off, and further includes clip 5 having a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws 26 that are inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 and into connecting hole 20 from the side opposite outer tube 2 with respect to stopper plate 4, and the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws 26 of clip 5 engage with the edge of connecting hole 20 to prevent clip 5 from coming off and are arranged to limit bending of the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 towards the disengagement side, so that when snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 inserted inside outer tube 2 are inserted into connecting hole 20 of stopper plate 4, snap-fit ​​claws 18 of rotor 3 engage with stopper plate 4 to prevent stopper plate 4 from coming off, and therefore rotor 3 and stopper plate 4 can be temporarily connected without using tools. Furthermore, the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 can be inserted between the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 and into the connecting hole 20 of the stopper 4 without being obstructed by the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3. This insertion causes the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 26 of the clip 5 to engage with the edge of the connecting hole 20, preventing the clip 5 from coming off and restricting the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 from bending toward the disengagement side, thereby connecting the stopper 4, the rotor 3, and the clip 5. On the other hand, by placing a finger diagonally on the tab 27 of the clip 5 and lifting the tab 27 from one side in the minor axis direction of the connecting hole 20, the engagement of the snap-fit ​​claws 26 with the edge of the connecting hole 20 can be released, and the clip 5 can be removed from the connecting hole 20. Furthermore, the multiple snap-fit ​​claws 18 of the rotor 3 can be bent with the finger to release their engagement with the edge of the connecting hole 20, allowing the stopper 4 to be removed from the rotor 3. Therefore, with lock 1, there is no need to repeatedly use a tool to turn the screws when connecting rotor 3 and stopper plate 4, which also makes it easy to replace with another lock.

[0052] Furthermore, in the lock 1, the outer cylinder 2 has slits 12 that are open toward the rotor 3 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the rotor 3 includes protrusions 25 that can fit into the slits 12 and has beams 19 that bend so as to press the protrusions 25 against the inside of the outer cylinder 2. As a result, when the rotor 3 rotates toward a predetermined rotation position corresponding to the slits 12, the sliding resistance between the protrusions 25 of the bent beams 19 of the rotor 3 and the inside of the outer cylinder 2 makes the rotation of the rotor 3 relatively heavy, and when the rotor 3 reaches the predetermined rotation position, the bending of the beams 19 of the rotor 3 Since the protrusion 25 elastically recovers and fits into the slit 12 of the outer cylinder 2, even without a movable member interposed between the outer cylinder 2 and the rotor 3 to prevent the rotor 3 from rotating relative to the outer cylinder 2, it is possible to stop the rotor 3 at a predetermined rotational position and to let the worker know that it has reached the rotational position corresponding to the locked or unlocked position.Furthermore, since no movable member or the like is incorporated between the outer cylinder 2 and the rotor 3 and no specific key is required, it is possible to realize an inexpensive temporary lock that can be replaced with another lock.

[0053] In this embodiment, the insertion shaft 16 serves as the deflection limiting portion. Therefore, by narrowing the radial gap R1 (see FIG. 4) between the insertion shaft 16 and each snap-fit ​​claw 7 of the outer tube 2, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer tube 2 do not come off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103 when the rotor 3 is inserted into the outer tube 2. This limits the deflection of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 toward the disengagement side (inside the outer tube 2) so that the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 of the outer tube 2 do not come off the edge of the lock mounting hole 103. However, the outer periphery of the rotor head 17 may also serve as the deflection limiting portion. In this case, by narrowing the radial gap R2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) between the outer periphery of the rotor head 17 and the inner wall of the tab 11 of each snap-fit ​​claw 7 of the outer tube 2, the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 can be limited from the deflection toward the disengagement side (inside the outer tube 2) when the rotor 3 is inserted into the outer tube 2. Both the insertion shaft 16 and the rotor head 17 may also function as the deflection limiting portion.

[0054] Furthermore, by making the radial gap between the portion of the rotor 3 that functions as the deflection limiting portion and each snap-fit ​​claw 7 small, deflection of the pair of snap-fit ​​claws 7 toward the disengagement side (inside the outer cylinder 2) is limited when the rotor 3 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2. However, as in the modified example shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), a flange portion 17a having a diameter larger than the maximum diameter of the knob 11 may be provided on the front side of the rotor head 17, or as in another modified example shown in Figure 9(c), a cup portion 17c that covers the knob 11 in the axial and radial directions may be provided on the front side of the rotor head 17. With this configuration, the rotor head 17 covers and hides the knob 11 of the snap-fit ​​claw 7 on the front side, making it impossible to pinch the knob 11 with fingers on the front side, so deflection of the snap-fit ​​claws 7 toward the disengagement side can be limited.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given of fixing the outer cylinder 2 of the lock 1 to the panel 102, which is a component of the door 101, but it is also possible to modify it so that a lock mounting hole is provided in the plate portion on the machine frame side that closes with the door 101 and the outer cylinder is fixed there.

[0056] In this embodiment, the snap fit claws 7 are provided at a plurality of locations (for example, two locations) on the outer cylinder 2, but they may be provided at only one location, or at three or more locations.

[0057] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 tablet 2 outer cylinder 3 rotors 4 Clasp 5 clips 7 snap-fit ​​claws 12 Slit 16 Insertion shaft (deflection limiting part) 17 Rotor head 18 snap fit claws 19 Beam 20 connecting holes 25 Protrusion 26 Snap-fit ​​claws 103 Lock mounting hole

Claims

1. A lock comprising an outer cylinder inserted into a lock mounting hole, a rotor inserted inside the outer cylinder, and a stopper connected to the rotor so as to be integrally rotatable, The outer cylinder has a snap-fit ​​claw that engages with the edge of the lock mounting hole to prevent the outer cylinder from coming off, the rotor has a deflection limiting portion that faces the snap-fit ​​pawl and limits deflection of the snap-fit ​​pawl toward the disengagement side when the rotor is inserted inside the outer cylinder that is inserted into the lock mounting hole, A lock characterized in that when the rotor is removed from the outer cylinder, the snap-fit ​​claws are bent toward the disengagement side, making it possible to remove the outer cylinder from the lock mounting hole.

2. a connecting hole is formed in the stopper plate so as to penetrate in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotor, The rotor has a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that engage with the edges of the connecting hole to prevent the stopper from coming off, a clip having a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that are inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor and into the connecting hole from the opposite side of the outer cylinder with respect to the stopper; 2. A lock as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the clip engage with the edges of the connecting hole to prevent the clip from coming loose and are arranged to limit the deflection of the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor toward the disengagement side.

3. A lock comprising an outer cylinder inserted into a lock mounting hole, a rotor inserted inside the outer cylinder, and a stopper connected to the rotor so as to be integrally rotatable, a connecting hole is formed in the stopper plate so as to penetrate in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotor, The rotor has a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that engage with the edges of the connecting hole to prevent the stopper from coming off, a clip having a plurality of snap-fit ​​claws that are inserted between the plurality of snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor and into the connecting hole from the opposite side of the outer cylinder with respect to the stopper; A lock characterized in that the multiple snap-fit ​​claws of the clip engage with the edges of the connecting hole to prevent the clip from coming loose, and are arranged to limit the bending of the multiple snap-fit ​​claws of the rotor toward the disengagement side.

4. A lock as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer tube has slits that are open toward the rotor at predetermined intervals around the circumference, and the rotor has a beam that includes a protrusion that can fit into the slit and that bends so as to press the protrusion against the inside of the outer tube.

Images