Sliding Bolt Locking Device with Intermediary Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding bolt locking devices are cumbersome to unlock as they require removing the padlock and manually sliding the bolt rearwardly.
Innovation Solution
The locking mechanism incorporates an intermediary locking element that prevents rotation of the bolt, allowing it to be unlocked by rotating the handle out of a notch, eliminating the need for padlock removal and simplifying the unlocking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a padlock is used to secure the bolt in the extended position, then the locking security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the cumbersome unlocking process requiring padlock removal and manual bolt sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locking element that acts as a mediator between the bolt and the locking mechanism. This element can be rotated independently and has a non-circular cross-section that engages with the bolt's non-circular opening, allowing the bolt to be locked in the extended position without requiring a padlock, thus simplifying the unlocking process while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the bolt, the intermediary locking element, and the locking element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the intermediary locking element handling the rotation control and the locking element providing the final secure position, thereby improving overall operability
2Device complexity
If the locking mechanism directly prevents the bolt from sliding, then the simplicity of the mechanism is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the handle cannot be rotated out of the notch
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs dynamic elements that change state during operation. The intermediary locking element can rotate freely when in the unlocking position, allowing the handle to be rotated out of the notch, and then locks into a fixed position when in the locking position, preventing both rotation and sliding. This dynamic behavior enables simple operation while maintaining security
3Ease of operation
If the intermediary locking element is slideably coupled to the bolt, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing handle rotation, but the device complexity increases due to the additional coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary locking element is nested within the bolt structure, with its lower extremity inserted into the non-circular opening of the bolt. This nested arrangement allows the intermediary locking element to rotate with the bolt when in the unlocking position, enabling handle rotation without requiring complex external coupling mechanisms
Data Source
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Figure 3A~4
AI summary
A sliding bolt locking device (1) comprising a housing (3) provided with a slot (4), a bolt (5) moveably arranged in said housing (3), a handle (6) fixed transversely to said bolt (5) and projecting out of said housing (3) through said slot (6), and a locking mechanism (8) arranged to lock said bolt (5). The housing is further provided with at least one notch (7a) which opens out in said slot (4) to receive said handle (6) by a rotation of said bolt (5) about its longitudinal axis (L), and said locking mechanism (8) comprises an intermediary locking element (9) and a locking element (10) which are moveable relative to one other between a locking position and an unlocking position. The intermediary locking element (9) is slideably but substantially irrotateably coupled to the bolt (5) so that the bolt can slide between its extended and retracted positions and can be locked by means of the handle (6) in said notch (7a).