Locking device for gates

Abstract

 A locking device (1), specifically designed for application to gates (20), comprises an outer body (2,3) and a lock (4) operatively coupled to one another.
The device (1) comprises moreover a sliding locking element (9) for locking a gate (20), which locking element (9) is operatively coupled to counter-biassing mechanical means (12) which is in turn kinematically coupled to the lock (4).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device which has been specifically designed for application to gates in general.

[0002] Gates usually provided for closing the access to roads and/or private buildings, as well as large-size gates for controlling the access to public buildings, must be reliably closed and safely locked in their closing position.

[0003] Prior locking devices for locking gates in their closure positions are affected by a lot of drawbacks.

[0004] In fact, the gates, in their closing positions, are unstable and usually an inward pressure exerted from the outside is sufficient to unlock the gates and at least partially open them.

[0005] Thus, a lot of safety problems related to possible easy intrusions are thereby generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks affecting prior gates locking devices.

[0007] To achieve the above mentioned aim, the invention provides a locking device which has been specifically designed for application to gates, and which is very simple construction-wise and very reliable in operation.

[0008] Moreover, the gate locking device according to the present invention meet the enforcing safety rules and can be made at a low cost.

[0009] According to the invention, a gate unlocking device, specifically designed for application to gates, comprises an outer body and a lock, which are operatively coupled to one another.

[0010] Said device comprises moreover a gate locking element which is compelled to perform a sliding movement and each operatively coupled to couter-biassing mechanical means which are kinematically coupled to the lock.

[0011] The gate locking device according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features stated in claim 1.

[0012] The subject gate locking device provides the following advantages.

[0013] At first, the locking device comprises a very reduced number of component pieces, thereby it can be made very simply and at a very low cost.

[0014] The locking and unlocking of gates by using the inventive device can be performed by simple and quick operations, both in the case of an automatic gate and in the case of manually opened and closed gates.

[0015] A further advantage of the inventive gate locking device is that it can operate in a very reliable manner and much more safely than prior like devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the subject locking device, specifically designed for gates, will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, where a preferred embodiment of said gate locking device is shown by way of an indicative but not limitative example.

[0017] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing some component elements of the gate locking device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view showing the main elements forming the subject gate locking device, before assembling it;

Figure 3 is a side view of the subject gate locking device, in a condition thereof engaging a gate element;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the gate locking device, in a gate locking condition thereof;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectioned side view of the device shown in Figure 1, in an unlocking condition thereof; and

Figure 6 is a further cross-sectional side view of the device shown in Figure 4, in a gate locking condition thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned drawings, the locking device 1, specifically designed for gates, according to the present invention, comprises an outer body split into two half-portions 2 and 3.

[0019] The half-portion 2 is provided with a half-casing 11 for holding therein a lock 4, at the bottom of said half-casing 11 a circular recess 12 for engaging therein a tooth sector 6 being formed.

[0020] Said half-portion 2 is moreover longitudinally provided, at a central and rear position with respect to said circular recess 12, with a straight slot, provided for allowing a locking/unlocking 9 to slide therein.

[0021] The half-portion 3, mating with said half-portion 2, is provided for holding, together with said half-portion 2, the main component elements forming the subject gate locking device 1.

[0022] The lock 4 is moreover provided, at a central position thereof, with a worm screw 5, rigid with the mechanism of said lock.

[0023] In particular, a rotary movement from the lock key will be transmitted to said worm screw 5.

[0024] As shown, the above mentioned tooth sector 6 is kinematically coupled to said worm screw 5. Said tooth sector 6 is provided with a tooth surface 19, for providing the above mentioned coupling.

[0025] At the center thereof, the tooth sector 6 is provided with a hole 18 for engaging therein a pin 7 for connection to said half-portions 2, 3 and to said locking/unlocking lever 9.

[0026] At a diametrically opposite position from said tooth surface 19, on said tooth sector 6 a tooth 17 is provided which, as it will become more apparent hereinafter, provides a counter-biassing element for counter-biassing the mentioned locking/unlocking lever 9.

[0027] Said lever 9 is provided with an elliptic plan recess 14 for housing therein a spring 8 and for allowing said pin 7 to pass therethrough.

[0028] More specifically, the spring 8 will urge the pin 7 into the seat provided therefor, while allowing a proper mutual positioning of said lever 9 and tooth sector 6.

[0029] At the end thereof provided for contacting the gate, said lever 9 is furthermore provided with a wedge portion 16 for improving the operation of the device 1, whereas, on a side thereof, a curved contour 15 is formed for allowing a counter-biassing action against the tooth 17 of the tooth sector 6.

[0030] Finally, two doors 10, coupled to the body of the device 1, are arranged, after assembling, at the two end portions of the lock 4 in order to close said lock.

[0031] It would be apparent that the shape and size of the elements forming the subject gate locking device can be changed depending on requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] The operation of the device 1 can be easily deduced from the above disclosure.

[0033] Upon assembling, the device 1 will present the tooth surface 19 contacting the worm screw 5.

[0034] Thus, as the worm screw 5 is turned by a key engaged in the lock 4, the tooth sector 6 will in turn rotate about the pin 7.

[0035] Suppose that, at the start, the tooth surface 19 contacts the worm screw 5 at an end portion of said tooth surface, as shown in Figure 5.

[0036] In this condition, the tooth 17 of the tooth sector 6 will contact the curved contour 15, whereas the lever 9 will be arranged near fully inside the device 1.

[0037] Thus, the provision of the wedge portion 16 at the end of the lever 9, will allow a gate 20 to be easily open by the above disclosed device.

[0038] The rotary movement of the tooth sector 6 can continue to bring the tooth 17 to abut against the end portion of the curved contour 15, thereby causing the lever 9 to advance and be displaced outwardly.

[0039] In this position, shown in Figures 4 and 6, the gate 20 will be locked in its closing position.

[0040] In particular, the locking provided by the lever 9 cannot be removed even if a great pressure is applied on the gate.

[0041] Then, by reversely turning the key engaged in the lock 4, the worm screw 5 will be caused to rotate thereby unlocking the engagement of the tooth 17 and lever 9, to allow said lever 9 to return to its previous position, thereby the gate 20 can be easily opened.

Claims

1. A locking device specifically designed for gates, comprising an outer body and a lock (4) operatively coupled to one another, characterized in that said device comprises moreover a sliding gate locking element operatively coupled to counter-biassing mechanical means, which are kinematically coupled to said lock (4).

2. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to Claim 1, characterized in that said outer body comprises two half-portions (2, 3) mating with another and operatively coupled to one another.

3. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said half-portion (2) is provided with a half-casing (11) for holding said lock (4) therein, a circular recess (12) for holding therein said counter-biassing mechanical means being moreover provided, and, on the rear of said circular recess (12), longitudinally and at a central portion thereof, a straight slot (13) for engaging therein said locking element being formed.

4. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lock (4) is provided, at a central position thereof, with a worm screw (5) operatively coupled to said lock (4).

5. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking element comprises a locking/unlocking lever (9) having an elliptical recess (14) for housing therein a spring (8) and for allowing a fixing pin (7) to pass therethrough, an end wedge portion (16) and a curved contour (15) for engaging said counter-biassing means being moreover provided.

6. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said counter-biassing mechanical means comprise a tooth sector (6) having a tooth surface (9) for engaging said worm screw (5), and a central hole (18) for allowing said fixing pin (7) to pass therethrough, and, at a position opposite to said tooth surface (19) with respect to said hole (18), a tooth (17) for engaging with said curved contour (15).

7. A locking device specifically designed for gates according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is provided with two doors (10) housed on said half-portions (2, 3) of said outer body, in order to cover an access to said lock (4) at a closure position.

8. A locking device specifically designed for gates, characterized in that said locking device comprises a plurality of elements specifically designed, arranged and associated with one another, and as broadly disclosed and illustrated and for the intended objects.

Drawing