Locking mechanism

Abstract

To provide a technique having a compact structure compared to a conventional lock mechanism.SOLUTION: Provided is a lock mechanism for locking a door 10 attached to an upper frame including a lock device 102 that can be fixed to the upper frame, and a lock receiving portion 104 that can be fixed to the door 10. The lock device 102 includes a flat lock member 106. The lock member 106 is rotatable around an axis Y2 perpendicular to the lock member 106 between an engagement state where the lock member 106 is engaged with the lock receiving portion 104 from at least two opposite directions to make the lock receiving portion 104 immovable with respect to the lock device 102 and a disengagement state where the lock member 106 is disengaged from the lock receiving portion 104.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to locking mechanisms. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, structures that support opening / closing bodies such as doors and panels relative to a frame so that they can be opened and closed have been adopted in various places in living environments. In such structures, a locking mechanism for locking the opening / closing body in a closed state is known. Some locking mechanisms have an unlocking part in a position accessible to the user (for example, on the front side of the opening / closing body), and the locking mechanism main body other than the unlocking part is provided in a position not visible to the user (for example, on the back side of the opening / closing body) (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Typically, the locking mechanism itself operates by driving each part in a timely manner in response to the user's operation of the unlocking part, causing the parts to engage and disengage with each other, resulting in complex operations. However, in order to realize the complex operations of the locking mechanism itself, it is difficult to make the locking mechanism itself smaller. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology having a smaller structure than conventional locking mechanisms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a locking mechanism for locking an opening / closing body attached to a main body, the locking mechanism comprising: a locking device that can be fixed to the main body; and a lock receiving portion that can be fixed to the opening / closing body, the locking device comprising a flat locking member, the locking member being rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the locking member between an engaged state in which the lock receiving portion engages with the locking device from at least two opposing directions to prevent the lock receiving portion from moving relative to the locking device, and a disengaged state in which the locking member is disengaged from the lock receiving portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a door to which a locking mechanism according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a door to which the locking mechanism is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a top view of a locking member of the locking mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top view of the lock stop of the lock mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a top view of a base member of the locking mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view of the base cover of the locking mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lock receiving portion of the lock mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lock receiving portion of the lock mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a top view of the release knob of the locking mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In the embodiments, an example in which a locking mechanism is applied to a storage door installed within a wall will be described. The locking mechanism can be used to detachably attach content such as furniture, home appliances, and design panels to a wall, or to lock the door of storage furniture in a closed state. In the description of the embodiments, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system consisting of X, Y, and Z axes may be used to describe directions. The X axis extends horizontally parallel to the wall surface, the Y axis extends perpendicular to the wall surface, and the Z axis extends vertically. The X axis extends in front of a person standing facing the wall. Furthermore, when the open and closed state of a door is used as a reference, the door is closed when it is on the +X axis side and open when it is on the -X axis side. Therefore, the +X direction can be said to be the closing direction of the door, and the -X direction can be said to be the opening direction of the door. The Y axis extends from the left side of a person to the right side of the person. The Z axis extends from the feet toward the head of the person.

[0008] 1 and 2 are perspective views of a door to which a locking mechanism is applied. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 1 shows the door in a closed state, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the door in an open state. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the door 10 separates a storage unit 14 provided within a wall 12 from the outside space. The door 10 is held rotatable between a closed state and an open state around a rotation axis Y1 extending along the Y axis. In the closed state, the main surface of the door 10 facing the -X side and the main surface of the wall 12 facing the -X side are substantially flush with each other. In the open state, the door 10 is inclined so as to protrude from the wall 12 in the -X direction. In the illustrated example, the rotation axis Y1 is provided at the bottom end of the door 10, so that the upper part of the door 10 tilts in the -X direction of the wall. The rotation axis Y1 may also be provided at the top end of the door 10, so that the bottom end of the door 10 protrudes in the -X direction in the open state. The rotation axis Y1 may also be provided at the left or right end of the door 10 so that the right or left end of the door 10 projects in the direction of the main surface when in the open state.

[0009] The door 10 may be designed to be removable from the wall 12 when it is in the open state. In this case, a hook and a hook receiver may be used at a position overlapping the rotation axis Y1, which engage with each other when the door 10 is in the closed state and disengage when the door 10 is in the open state.

[0010] A portion of a locking mechanism 100 is provided on each of the upper end of the door 10 and the upper frame 16, which defines the upper portion of the opening that receives the door 10. Specifically, the locking mechanism 100 includes a locking device 102 provided on the upper frame 16 (corresponding to the "frame") and a lock receiving portion 104 fixed to the door 10. When the door 10 is in a closed state, the locking mechanism 100 engages the locking device 102 with the lock receiving portion 104 to hold the door 10 in the closed state. The locking mechanism 100 also disengages the locking device 102 from the lock receiving portion 104 when a user performs a predetermined operation on the locking device 102. The locking mechanism 100 is configured to be unlocked by, for example, inserting a finger into the gap between the door 10 and the wall 12 and moving a release knob (details will be described later) along the Y axis with the finger in a front view. When the door 10 is in a closed state, substantially only the release knob of the locking mechanism 100 is exposed in a front view. Therefore, it is difficult to see the locking mechanism 100 from the front, which improves the aesthetic appearance of the door 10 and the wall 12.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a front view of the locking mechanism, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 4. Figs. 4 and 5 show the locking mechanism 100 in an engaged state (the door 10 is closed). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the locking mechanism 100 is assumed to be in an engaged state, and each part is viewed from above (i.e., viewed from the +Z side to the -Z side).

[0012] 4 and 5, the locking device 102 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper frame 16. The lock receiving portion 104 is disposed in a position adjacent to the locking device 102 in a front view (in the illustrated example, a position adjacent to the -Y side). The -X side end of the lock receiving portion 104 is fixed to the main surface of the door 10.

[0013] The locking device 102 has a structure in which multiple flat metal plates are stacked. By making the locking device 102 have a stacked metal plate structure, the thickness of the locking device 102 along the Z axis can be reduced. The locking device 102 includes a locking member 106, a lock stop 108, a base member 110, a base cover 112, and a release knob 114. The locking member 106, the lock stop 108, the base member 110, and the base cover 112 are each made of flat metal plates processed into a predetermined shape, and are stacked with a small gap between them along the Z axis.

[0014] When the locking device 102 is viewed in the YZ plane, the base cover 112 is disposed in the lowest layer of the laminated structure. The locking member 106 and the lock stop 108 are disposed on the same plane above the base cover 112. The base member 110 is disposed on the locking member 106 and the lock stop 108. In other words, the locking device 102 is formed with a three-layer structure of metal plates. By disposing the locking member 106 and the lock stop 108 on the same plane, the overall thickness of the locking device 102 can be further reduced.

[0015] When locking mechanism 100 is viewed in the XY plane, most of locking member 106 is disposed between lock stop 108 and lock receiving portion 104. In the illustrated example, lock receiving portion 104 is disposed on the -Y side of locking member 106, and lock stop 108 is disposed on the +Y side.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the locking member. More specifically, FIG. 6 shows the locking member 106 when the locking mechanism 100 (see FIG. 3) is in an engaged state. The locking member 106 has a uniform shape throughout its thickness. The -Y half of the locking member 106 primarily interacts with the lock receiving portion 104 (see FIG. 4), while the +Y half primarily interacts with the lock stop 108 (see FIG. 4). The locking member 106 includes a first contact portion 118, a second contact portion 120, a sliding portion 122, and a receiving portion 124. The locking member 106 is attached to the base member 110 so as to be rotatable about an axis Y2 (corresponding to an axis perpendicular to the locking member). The locking member 106 is biased in the direction of arrow R1 (counterclockwise in the illustrated example) by a torsion spring S1 arranged concentrically with the axis Y2. The torsion spring S1 has two arms A1 and A2. One arm A1 is fixed to the base member 110, and the other arm A2 is rotatable around axis Y2. A concave shape 126 that opens toward the -Y side and is recessed toward the center of the locking member 106 is formed in the -Y side half of the locking member 106. Of the two protrusions that define concave shape 126, the protrusion on the +X side forms first contact portion 118, and the protrusion on the -X side forms second contact portion 120. In other words, it can be said that first contact portion 118 and second contact portion 120 are arranged side by side along the X axis with concave shape 126 sandwiched between them.

[0017] The first contact portion 118 is formed by a curved surface that bulges outward toward the -X side of the locking member 106 on the -X side (opening direction side). The first contact portion 118 contacts the end of the lock receiving portion 104 on the closing direction side. The first contact portion 118 preferably contacts the lock receiving portion 104 (see FIG. 4) at a point. When the locking member 106 transitions from the engaged state to the disengaged state, the first contact portion 118 presses the lock receiving portion 104 in the opening direction. By forming the first contact portion 118 by a curved surface, the direction of the force that the first contact portion 118 applies to the lock receiving portion 104 at the contact point between the first contact portion 118 and the lock receiving portion 104 can be kept constant while the first contact portion 118 presses the lock receiving portion 104. Therefore, it is sufficient that the first contact portion 118 is formed by a curved surface at least on the closing direction side of the contact point with the lock receiving portion 104.

[0018] The second contact portion 120 is formed by forming a flat surface along the Y axis on the -X side (opening direction side) of the locking member 106 that forms a recess 126. The second contact portion 120 comes into contact with the receiving surface of the lock receiving portion 104 (described later) from the opening direction side.

[0019] The sliding portion 122 is formed by a curved surface that bulges out toward the -X side of the locking member 106. The sliding portion 122 has an arc shape centered on the axis Y2. In the illustrated example, the sliding portion 122 forms an arc of approximately 120 degrees and extends between the second contact portion 120 and the receiving portion 124. By forming the sliding portion 122 in an arc shape, interference between the sliding portion 122 and the lock receiving portion 104 can be prevented when the locking member 106 is shifted from an engaged state to a disengaged state. Furthermore, by forming the sliding portion 122 in an arc shape, the orientation of the lock stop 108 relative to the locking member 106 can be kept constant when the locking member 106 shifts from a disengaged state to an engaged state. This point will be described later along with the operation of the locking mechanism 100.

[0020] The receiving portion 124 engages with the lock stop 108 (see FIG. 4). The receiving portion 124 is formed by recessing the +Y side surface of the lock member 106 toward the center. The receiving portion 124 is formed by a recess at a substantially right angle.

[0021] A hole 128 is provided in the center of the locking member 106 to fit a screw (not shown) that rotatably holds the locking member 106 relative to the base member (see FIG. 4). The "center" here refers to the vicinity of the center of a rectangle that circumscribes the locking member 106. Axis Y2, which is the rotation axis of the locking member 106, is located at the center of the hole 128.

[0022] Fig. 7 shows a top view of the lock stop. As shown in Fig. 7, the lock stop 108 includes a blocking portion 130 and a vertical wall 132. The blocking portion 130 is provided on the -Y side of the lock stop 108 (the side on which the lock member 106 is disposed) and engages with the receiving portion 124 (see Fig. 6) of the lock member 106. The blocking portion 130 has a shape complementary to the receiving portion 124 and is formed by a protrusion at a substantially right angle.

[0023] The vertical wall 132 is provided on the +Y side of the lock stop 108 (the side opposite to the side on which the lock member 106 is arranged). The vertical wall 132 rises in the +Z direction from the XY plane on which the lock member 106 is arranged. The release knob 114 (see FIG. 4) comes into contact with the vertical wall 132.

[0024] The lock stop 108 has a hole 134 for receiving a screw (not shown) that rotatably holds the lock stop 108 relative to the base member (see FIG. 4). The hole 134 is preferably located away from the blocking portion 130. In this example, the hole 134 is located near the +X end of the lock stop 108. The lock stop 108 rotates around an axis Y3 (corresponding to the second axis) located at the center of the hole 134. By locating the hole 134 and the blocking portion 130 at separate positions, the force that the blocking portion 130 applies to the lock member 106 can be increased. The lock stop 108 is biased in the direction of arrow R2 (clockwise in the illustrated example, i.e., in the direction pressing the blocking portion 130 against the lock member 106) by a torsion spring S2 located concentrically with the axis Y3. The torsion spring S2 has two arms A3 and A4. One arm A3 is fixed to the base member 110, and the other arm A4 is rotatable around an axis Y2.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the base member. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8, the base member 110 has a shape in which both longitudinal ends of a rectangular plate are raised in a crank shape. Both ends of the base member 110 form fixing portions 136, 138 for fixing the base member 110 to the upper frame 16. The fixing portions 136, 138 extend parallel to the lower surface of the upper frame 16 and are fixed to the lower surface of the upper frame 16 using fixing means such as screws. A support portion 140 for supporting other components of the locking device 102 is provided between the fixing portions 136, 138. The support portion 140 has two guide grooves 142, 144 and two holes 146, 148. The free ends (i.e., arms A2, A4) of torsion springs S1, S2 (see FIG. 7) are inserted into the guide grooves 142, 144, respectively. This restricts the movement direction of the arms A2, A4. The holes 146 and 148 are provided at positions corresponding to the hole 128 (see FIG. 6) of the lock member 106 and the hole 134 (see FIG. 7) of the lock stop 108, respectively, that is, on a straight line along the Z axis.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the base cover. Referring to FIG. 9, the base cover 112 has a rectangular plate shape. The base cover 112 has two guide grooves 150, 152 and two holes 154, 156. The free ends of torsion springs S1, S2 (see FIG. 7) are inserted into the guide grooves 150, 152, respectively. This restricts the movement directions of the arms A2, A4. The holes 154, 156 are located at positions corresponding to the hole 128 (see FIG. 6) of the lock member 106, the hole 134 (see FIG. 7) of the lock stop 108, and the holes 146, 148 (see FIG. 8) of the base member 110, respectively, i.e., they are located in a straight line along the Z axis. A single screw is inserted into the holes 146, 128, and 154, and a single screw is inserted into the holes 148, 134, and 156. The two screws are arranged on axes Y2 and Y3, respectively.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a top view of the lock receiving portion, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lock receiving portion. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lock receiving portion 104 has a long, basic shape along the X-axis. One end (the end on the -X side) of the lock receiving portion 104 is fixed to the door 10 in the form of a cantilevered upper frame (see FIG. 3). The lock receiving portion 104 includes a base 162, a wall 164, a ceiling 166, and a buffer portion 168. The base 162, the wall 164, and the ceiling 166 have an integrated structure formed by bending a single metal plate into a predetermined shape. The base 162 has a plate shape with a main surface parallel to the XY plane. The wall 164 extends perpendicularly in the +Z direction from one widthwise end of the base 162 (the end on the side where the locking device 102 is not provided). An opening 164b is provided in the middle of the wall 164 in the X-axis direction. The position of opening 164b along the X-axis and its length along the X-axis are determined based on the rotation trajectory of second contact portion 120 (see FIG. 6) of locking member 106. Specifically, surface 164a (corresponding to the second receiving portion) on the +Z-axis side of wall portion 164 that defines opening 164b is positioned so as to come into contact with second contact portion 120 when locking member 106 is in the engaged state. Locking member 106 comes into contact with surface 164a from the opening direction. The length of opening 164b along the Z-axis is determined so that opening 164b can receive the protrusion of locking member 106, including second contact portion 120, when locking member 106 is in the engaged state, but does not come into contact with locking member 106 when locking member 106 transitions from the disengaged state to the engaged state.

[0028] The ceiling portion 166 extends in the +Y direction from the upper end of the wall portion 164. A buffer portion 168 (corresponding to a first contact portion) is fixed between the ceiling portion 166 and the base portion 162. The buffer portion 168 is disposed at the +X direction end of the lock receiving portion 104. The buffer portion 168 comes into contact with the locking member 106 when the locking member 106 transitions from a disengaged state to an engaged state. At this time, a rotational force is applied to the locking member 106 by contacting the buffer portion 168, and the locking member 106 begins to rotate. The buffer portion 168 is preferably formed from a relatively hard non-metallic material such as plastic.

[0029] The buffer portion 168 and the surface 164a contact the locking member 106 from different directions (different directions along the X axis). The contact point between the buffer portion 168 and the locking member 106 and the contact point between the surface 164a and the locking member 106 are located at positions separated in the X axis direction. In other words, the lock receiving portion 104 engages with the locking member 106 from two different directions at positions separated along the X axis. In the illustrated example, the two contact points are also located at positions separated in the Y axis direction. This arrangement is derived so that the lock receiving portion 104 does not interfere with the rotation trajectory of the locking member 106. Therefore, depending on the shapes of the lock receiving portion 104 and the locking member 106, the two contact points can also be located on a line parallel to the X axis.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a top view of the release knob. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 12, the release knob 114 includes a grip portion 170, a base portion 172, and a connecting portion 174. The grip portion 170 is a member that a user grips and operates when releasing the engagement state of the lock mechanism 100 (see FIG. 3). The grip portion 170 is a plate-shaped member having a main surface parallel to the XY plane. The grip portion 170 protrudes in the −X direction from between the door 10 and the wall 12. The base portion 172 is a rectangular plate-shaped member extending along the Y axis. The base portion 172 is integrally formed with the grip portion 170 via the connecting portion 174. The end portion of the base portion 172 on the +Y direction side is provided at a height position that allows it to come into contact with the vertical wall 132 (see FIG. 7) of the lock stop 108. The release knob 114 is biased in the -Y direction by a biasing means (not shown). In the engaged state, the base 172 is separated from the vertical wall 132 and comes into contact with the vertical wall 132 when the user moves the grip portion 170 in the +Y direction against the biasing means.

[0031] The operation of the locking mechanism 100 will now be described. Figures 13 and 14 are top views of the locking mechanism. Specifically, Figure 13 shows the main components of the locking mechanism 100 in an engaged state. Figure 14 shows the main components of the locking mechanism 100 in a disengaged state.

[0032] First, referring to FIG. 13, a series of operations when the lock mechanism 100 is shifted from the disengaged state to the engaged state will be described. In the disengaged state, the door 10 is in an open state, and the lock receiving portion 104 is positioned away from the lock device 102 along the X-axis direction. In the disengaged state, the first contact portion 118 of the lock member 106 is aligned with the lock receiving portion 104 in a straight line parallel to the X-axis due to the biasing force of the torsion spring S1. In the disengaged state, the lock stop 108 is pushed in the +Y direction by the slide portion 122. When the user pushes the door 10 toward the +X side in the disengaged state, the lock receiving portion 104 moves toward the +X side. As the lock receiving portion 104 moves (arrow R3), the buffer portion 168 of the lock receiving portion 104 comes into contact with the first contact portion 118. When the buffer portion 168 comes into contact with the first contact portion 118, the movement of the buffer portion 168 toward the +X side causes the locking member 106 to rotate clockwise around the axis Y2 (arrow R4). As a result, the locking member 106 rotates while sliding the slide portion 122 relative to the lock stop 108. When the locking member 106 continues to rotate and the receiving portion 104 reaches the position of the blocking portion 130, the lock stop 108 rotates clockwise (arrow R5) due to the biasing force of the torsion spring S2, and the blocking portion 130 fits into the receiving portion 104. At the same time, the second contact portion 120 of the locking member 106 comes into contact with the surface 164a. From the time the locking member 106 starts to rotate until the second contact portion 120 comes into contact with the surface 164a, the buffer portion 168 continues to press the locking member 106 while remaining in contact with the first contact portion 118. Therefore, when the blocking portion 130 fits into the receiving portion 104, the lock receiving portion 104 is sandwiched between the locking members 106 from two opposing directions, the -X direction and the +X direction (i.e., two opposite directions within one plane XY). This makes the lock receiving portion 104 unable to move in the X-axis direction, and the door 10 is maintained in a closed state (the state shown in FIG. 14).

[0033] Next, referring to FIG. 14, a series of operations for transitioning the lock mechanism 100 from the engaged state to the disengaged state will be described. When a user operates the release knob 114 in the +Y direction in the engaged state, the release knob 114 moves in the +Y direction (arrow R6). As the release knob 114 moves, it contacts the vertical wall 132, causing the lock stop 108 to rotate counterclockwise around the axis Y3 (arrow R7). As the lock stop 108 rotates, the blocking portion 130 retracts from the receiving portion 104 (arrow R8). When the blocking portion 130 retracts, the lock member 106 rotates counterclockwise due to the biasing force of the torsion spring S1 (arrow R9). As the lock member 106 rotates, the first contact portion 118 pushes the buffer portion 168 in the -X direction, which in turn pushes the lock receiving portion 104 in the -X direction. As a result, the door 10 is pushed in the -X direction and opens.

[0034] As described above, the locking mechanism 100 can hold the door 10 in a closed state or open state. At this time, the locking member 106 can be engaged with the lock receiving portion 104 from two opposing directions, causing the lock receiving portion 104 to rotate between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The novel configuration of the locking member 106 allows the locking device 102 to be realized with a thin three-layer structure, allowing the locking device 102 to be made smaller.

[0035] Furthermore, when the locking member 106 transitions from an engaged state to a disengaged state, the locking member 106 pushes the lock receiving portion 104 in the -X direction with the first contact portion 118, and at the same time, the second contact portion 120 rotates away from the lock receiving portion 104, so that the locking member 106 can push the lock receiving portion 104 in the -X direction without interfering with the movement of the lock receiving portion 104.

[0036] Furthermore, by providing the lock receiving portion 104 with the surface 164a as the first receiving portion and the buffer portion 168 as the second receiving portion, the lock receiving portion 104 can be held by the lock member 106 more reliably.

[0037] Furthermore, by forming a recessed shape 126 in the locking member 106 and designating one of the two protruding portions that define the recessed shape 126 as the first contact portion 118 and the other as the second contact portion 120, the locking member 106 can be realized by a single plate, simplifying the structure.

[0038] Furthermore, by forming the first contact portion 118 with a curved surface, the direction of the force that the first contact portion 118 applies to the lock receiving portion 104 at the point of contact between the first contact portion 118 and the lock receiving portion 104 can be kept constant while the first contact portion 118 presses against the lock receiving portion 104.

[0039] Furthermore, by arranging the lock stop 108 in the same plane as the lock member 106, the lock device 102 can be made thinner.

[0040] Furthermore, by providing the blocking portion 130 on the lock stop 108, it is possible to prevent the lock member 106 from rotating against the biasing force of the torsion spring S1.

[0041] Furthermore, by providing a torsion spring S1 that biases the locking member 106 to rotate from the engaged state toward the disengaged state, the locking member 106 can be configured to automatically rotate and press the lock receiving portion 104 when the lock stop 108 is retracted.

[0042] Furthermore, by providing a torsion spring S2 that biases the lock stop 108, the blocking portion 130 of the lock stop 108 can be held in the receiving portion 124 in the engaged state.

[0043] Furthermore, by making the axis Y3 of the lock stop 108 parallel to the axis Y2 of the lock member 106, the lock stop 108 and the lock member 106 can be rotated in the same plane, allowing the lock device 102 to be made thinner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100; locking mechanism; 102; locking device; 104; lock receiving portion; 106; locking member; 108; lock stop; 118; first contact portion; 120; second contact portion; 130; blocking portion; 168; buffer portion

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for locking an opening / closing body attached to a body, a locking device that can be fixed to the body; A lock receiving portion that can be fixed to the opening / closing body is provided, The locking device includes a flat locking member, the locking member is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the locking member between an engaged state in which the locking member engages with the lock receiving portion from at least two opposing directions to make the lock receiving portion immovable relative to the locking device, and a disengaged state in which the locking member is released from engagement with the lock receiving portion, the locking device includes a release knob that can release the engagement state of the locking member, the release knob is disposed in a gap between the opening / closing body and the body and can be directly operated by a user's finger; A locking mechanism in which one end of the lock receiving portion is fixed to the opening / closing body in the form of a cantilevered upper frame relative to the opening / closing body.

2. The two opposing directions are an opening direction and a closing direction of the opening / closing body, the locking member includes a first contact portion that contacts the lock receiving portion from the closing direction in an engaged state, and a second contact portion that contacts the lock receiving portion from the opening direction, 2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, when the locking member rotates from the engaged state to the disengaged state, the first contact portion in contact with the lock receiving portion pushes the lock receiving portion in the opening direction of the opening / closing body, and at the same time, the second contact portion rotates so as to move away from the lock receiving portion.

3. The lock mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the lock receiving portion includes a first receiving portion with which the first contact portion comes into contact in the closing direction, and a second receiving portion with which the second contact portion comes into contact in the opening direction.

4. 4. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the locking member has a concave shape that is recessed toward a center of the locking member when the locking member in an engaged state is viewed from a direction along the axis, and of the two convex portions that define the concave shape, the convex portion on the closing direction side forms the first contact portion, and the convex portion on the opening direction side forms the second contact portion.

5. 5. The locking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a side surface of the first contact portion on the opening direction side is formed by a curved surface that bulges in the opening direction when the locking member in the engaged state is viewed from a direction along the axis.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a lock stop arranged flush with the locking member to maintain the locking member in an engaged state.

7. A locking mechanism as described in Claim 6, wherein the release knob is capable of releasing the engaged state of the locking member by releasing the lock stop from holding the locked state of the locking member.

8. 8. The locking mechanism of claim 6 or 7, wherein the lock stop comprises a blocking portion that engages with the locking member when the locking member is in an engaged state and prevents the locking member from rotating to a disengaged state.

9. 9. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a biasing member that biases the locking member to rotate from the engaged state toward the disengaged state.

10. 10. A locking mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a second biasing member biasing the lock stop to prevent rotation of the locking member from the engaged state to the disengaged state.

11. 11. A locking mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the lock stop is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the axis of the locking member.

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