Abstract:
The invention relates to a closure comprising a closing head ( 20 ) and a lock ( 10 ) which rest on the immobile or mobile part of a door, flap or such like. The closing head ( 20 ) has an undercut axial shoulder ( 26 ) which during coupling is engaged by a radially mobile blocking member ( 11 ) in the lock ( 10 ). The lock ( 10 ) further comprises a sensing member ( 12 ) and a restoring member ( 13 ) for the blocking member ( 11 ). To make the lock less prone to malfunctions the invention provides for the axially spring-loaded sensing member ( 12 ) to be used as a locking means for the radially spring-loaded blocking member ( 11 ). When the locking effect is actuated the blocking member ( 11 ) is held in a release position in relation to the closing head ( 20 ). When the closing head ( 20 ) is engaged the sensing member ( 12 ) carries out an axial movement which releases the lock so that the radial spring-loading can move the blocking member ( 11 ) into its blocked position. Actuation of the restoring member ( 13 ) results in a radial reverse movement of the blocking member ( 11 ), which activates the locking of the sensing member ( 12 ) and locks the blocking member ( 11 ) in its release position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a closure between the movable and the stationary part of a door, a flap or the like, especially for vehicles, such as a hinged rear window of a motor vehicle, comprising a lock on one, especially the stationary, part of the flap and with a closing head movable axially relative thereto on the other, especially the movable, part of the flap, wherein the closing head comprises an undercut axial shoulder for a radially movable locking member of the lock which is spring-mounted in a direction of its movement axis, and the locking member in the coupling situation of the closing head engages behind the axial shoulder and is then in a locked position, and the lock, in addition to the locking member, has an axially spring-mounted sensing member and a return member for the locking member, wherein the sensing member projects into the axial movement path of the closing head and is actuated by the closing head, while the return member moves the locking member into a release position relative to the closing head, in which the closing head can be decoupled. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the case of vehicles the closure can be used, for example, on the hinged rear window. The closure comprises a closing head and a lock which are coupled with one another upon closing the rear window. In the coupling situation, the spring-action locking member engages behind an axial shoulder of the closing head which characterizes the locked position of the closure. For decoupling the closing head, the locking member is transferred by a return member into a release position where the closing head can again be decoupled from the lock and the rear window can be transferred into the open position. 
     In the known closure, the closing head comprises on its free end portion a control surface which extends at a slant to the axial movement direction and has the task to push away the locking member against its spring force during coupling of the closing head. The locking member was subjected to axial loads. The pushing away action of the locking member by the closing head resulted in friction and thus in wear. After extended use disturbances caused by wear resulted which could be remedied only in a cumbersome way by after-adjustment. Moreover, the closure also had an axially spring-loaded sensing member which had the task to cooperate with a sensor. The sensor had the task to initiate further functions within the vehicle, for example, activation of the theft alarm. The sensing member therefore had its own function relative to the locking member. Both components had no functional connection with one another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has the object to develop an inexpensive, space-saving closure of the aforementioned kind which is characterized by high reliability and minimal failure liability. This is achieved according to the invention by the sensing member being a locking means for the locking member and the locking member being secured by it in a release position until the closing head is decoupled, wherein the axial movement of the sensing member resulting during coupling of the closing head releases the locking action so that the radial spring load transfers the locking member into its locking position, and wherein the radial return movement of the locking member resulting from actuation of the return member activates the locking action of the sensing member and locks the locking member in its release position. 
     According to the invention, the sensing member takes on the new function to realize a locking means for the locking member. As long as the closing head is decoupled, the sensing member blocks the release position of the locking member. This allows for a wear-free coupling and decoupling of the closing head without the locking member having to be moved by the closing head. The movement of the locking member occurs instead only when the full coupling position of the closing head in the lock is reached. This is realized automatically. Upon insertion, the closing head impacts on the sensing member which, because of its axial spring action, follows this axial movement of the closing head. The moved sensing member releases the locking action so that the locking member is transferred by its radial spring loading into its locking position in which it engages behind the closing head. The locking of the locking member by the sensing member occurs automatically again once the locking member is returned into its release position upon actuation of the return member. This establishes again the initial state. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the further claims, the following description, and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is illustrated by one embodiment. It is shown in: 
     FIG.  1 —in the coupling situation—a section of the lock of the closure according to the invention along the section line II—II of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 2 an axial section of the closing head belonging to the closure according to the invention, which is fastened on a hinged part, i.e., the rear window of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 a plan view onto the lock in the viewing direction III of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 a plan view onto the lock which corresponds to that of FIG. 3 but after the upper cover plate of the lock housing has been removed; 
     FIG. 5 a further section of the lock along a section line V—V, perpendicular to FIG. 1, of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 after the closing head of the closure has been coupled; and 
     FIG. 6 in a section illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 the coupling situation of the closing head in the lock according to FIG. 5, for which purpose the corresponding section line VI—VI has been indicated in FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The closure  10 ,  20  according to the invention is used in the embodiment for a hinged rear window  30 , which is illustrated in FIG. 6, of a motor vehicle. The rear window  30  is pivotable along the arc-shaped path illustrated at  31  in FIG.  6 . The closure is comprised of a lock  10 —relative to the rear window movement  31  which is arranged on the stationary part  40  of the motor vehicle, i.e., on the rear part  40  of the motor vehicle indicated in dashed lines in FIG.  6 . The closure further comprises a closing head  20  which is connected to the window  30  and is guided together with it along the hinged movement path  31 . In the last phase of the hinged movement  31 , the closing head  20  carries out the movement which is determined by the tangent according to arrow  32  of FIG. 6 which, for a simpler description of the other movements, is referred to in the following as the “axial movement direction” or the “axial decoupling movement” of the closing head  20 . The drawing plane of FIG. 6 is the plane of the pivot movement  31  of the window  30  with closing head  20  connected thereto. 
     The movable component  20  referred to as “closing head” can be formed in the shape of an axial projection with non-round radial profile. In the present situation this component  20  is, however, designed with radial symmetry to an axis  33  extending in the direction of movement  32 . The closing head  20 , as illustrated in FIG. 2, can be divided into four portions  21  to  24 . They include a forward end portion  21  which is conically shaped in this embodiment. The end portion  31  tapers toward the front end face  25  of the closing head  20 . The end face  25  is spherical. The conical end portion  21  provides a slanted control surface  27  which, because of the aforementioned radial-symmetrical embodiment of the closing head  20 , is provided on all sides. 
     A constriction  22  in the closing head  20  adjoins this end portion  31  and produces an undercut axial shoulder  26  at the transition to the end portion  21 . Behind the constriction  22  a cylindrical portion  23  is arranged which, in the direction toward the constriction, has a gliding slant  28  pointing in the movement direction  32  of the closing head  20 . This gliding slant  28 , because of the radial-symmetrical embodiment of the closing head  20  already mentioned several times, extends circumferentially about the closing head axis  33 . 
     At the opposite end of the closing head  20  an axial mounting pin  24  is provided which is fastened in a receptacle  34  of the rear window  30 . This attachment in the receptacle  34  is realized indirectly by a bushing  36  which is comprised of elastomer material  35  and has an integrated threaded sleeve  37 . The mounting pin  24  provided with an outer thread  44  can be screwed into the inner thread of this threaded sleeve  37 . The bushing  36  is seated in a window button  38  which is seated by means of a seal  43  in the window receptacle  34 . The window button  38  is supported by means of one flange surface on one side of the rear window  30  and is fastened on the window  30  by a securing ring  39  which is supported at the opposite window side. The attachment of the securing ring  39  is realized on the circumference of a hollow shaft of the window button  38  which receives the bushing  36  and which, with interposition of the seal  43  is seated in the window receptacle  34 . 
     The screw connection  37 ,  44  of the closing head  20  makes it possible to precisely adjust the closing head  20  with respect to its axial length  42 , illustrated in FIG. 2, relative to the window  30 . For this purpose, the closing head  20  has a non-round plug receptacle  29  at its front end face  25  for a rotational tool  50  shown in FIG.  6  and to be described infra. 
     The lock  10  comprises, as can be seen best in FIG. 4, a locking member  11 , a sensing member  12 , a return member  13 , and a motoric actuator  14  for the return member  13 . These members  11  to  14  are positioned in the interior of a two-part housing  19 ,  49 . The housing comprises, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, a housing half  19  which is closed by a housing cover  49 . The housing cover comprises a coupling opening  41 . This coupling opening  41 , as illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 3, is circular and, in particular, coaxial to the axis  33  illustrated also in FIG. 1 which, as mentioned, determines the axial movement direction  32  of the closing head  20 . The coupling opening  41  is surrounded by a tubular guide  45 , illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, whose inner width is matched to the cross-section  46  of a cylindrical portion  23  of the closing head  20 . The cross-section  46  is somewhat greater than the maximum cross-section  47  of the conical end portion  21  of the closing head  20 , illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Upon insertion of the closing head  20  into the coupling opening  41  of the lock  10  in the direction of arrow  32 , an alignment movement relative to the lock  10  can already take place on the conical end portion  21 . The described slanted control surfaces  27  of the conical shape cooperate with the tubular projection  45  surrounding the coupling opening  41 . A centering of the closing head  20  is realized especially by the gliding slant  28  on the adjoining cylindrical portion  23  of the closing head  20 . The tubular projection  45  acts as a guide receptacle for the cylinder portion  23  and secures its coaxial position in the coupling situation that can be seen in FIG.  6 . The cylinder portion  23  rests with its circumference on the inner surface of the guide receptacle  45  of the housing  10 . The bushing  36  has a coaxial annular projection  48  which can be seen in FIG.  2  and which, in the coupling situation of FIG. 6, elastically surrounds the tubular projection  45  of the lock. In the coupling situation of FIG. 6, the interior of the lock is sealed at  45 ,  48  relative to the surroundings against penetration of water and dirt. 
     The elastomer material  35  of the bushing  36  provides primarily a radially elastic securing action of the closing head  20  on the window  30 . After extended use of the vehicle, the hinge for the aforementioned pivot movement  31  of the window  30  can result in a change of the pivot movement path  31  as a result of wear. In order for the aforementioned radial alignment movement on the control surfaces  27  or the gliding slants  28  to take place during coupling, the mounting pin  24  of the closing head  20  should carry out an alignment movement in the bushing  36  which is illustrated by the radial double arrow  58  in FIG.  2 . This is so because the mounting pin  24  is radially elastically secured in the bushing  36  because of the resilience of the bushing material  35 . 
     The locking member  11 , as illustrated in FIG. 4, is formed as a two-arm lever  51 ,  52 . This lever is seated on a pivot axle  53  which is positioned parallel to the axis  33  and which makes the lever arms  51 ,  52  radially movable relative to the axis  33 . A two-legged locking spring  56  engages the locking member  11  and exerts onto the lever arm  51  a spring force which is illustrated by the arrow  54  in FIG.  4 . The lever arm  51  thus has substantially a spring action in the direction of the axis  33 . In the decoupling situation of the closing head  20  illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, however, the spring force  54  is not able to act because the lever arm  51  is secured by locking means  61 ,  62  in the pivot position of FIG.  4 . This position is the “release position” of the locking member  11 . 
     This is possible because the sensing member  12  according to the invention acts as a locking means for the locking member  11 . The sensing member  12  is formed as a one-arm lever whose pivot axis  55  is positioned perpendicularly to the pivot axis  53  of the locking member  11 . While the sensing member  12  is pivotable in the plane of the drawing FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow  60 , the pivot movement of the locking member  11 , indicated by the arrow  57  in FIG. 4, is positioned perpendicularly thereto, i.e., in the drawing plane of FIG.  4 . This means that the sensing member  12  is axially pivotable, i.e., parallel to the axis  33  of FIG. 1, but the locking member  11  is radially pivotable relative to the axis  33 . The sensing member  12  is also spring-loaded, in particular, by a spring force illustrated by arrow  63  of FIG. 1 which acts substantially axially. For this purpose, a pressure spring  64  is provided which is supported with one end on the bottom of the housing half  19  and with the other end on the sensing member  12 . The sensing member  12  is provided with a securing element embodied as a cam  62  which, as a result of the spring-load  63  of the sensing member  12 , as illustrated in FIG. 1, is spring-loaded in a direction toward the locking member  11  and, in its release position, engages a cutout  61  which is a counter securing element for the cam  62 . The cam  62  has a shoulder with which it contacts a counter shoulder  65  in the interior of the cutout  61 . In this release position of the locking member  11 , illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the closing head  20  can be coupled in the direction of arrow  32  in the lock  10  or decoupled in the direction of the counter arrow  32 ′ of FIG.  1 . However, in the last phase of the coupling movement  32  a release of the locking means  61 ,  62  results for the following reasons. 
     Upon coupling  32  of the closing head  20  it impacts against the sensing member  12 . This results in an axial pivoting away in the direction of the aforementioned pivot movement arrow  60  of FIG. 1 counter to the spring load  63  of the sensing member  12 . Accordingly, the cam  62  is pulled out of the cutout  61  in the locking member  11 . Now the locking member  11  is free and can be moved radially against the axis  33  in the direction of the force arrow  54  of FIG. 4 acting on it in accordance with the arrow  57  shown there. This results, as is illustrated in FIG. 5, in the lever arm  51  moving into the constriction  22  of the closing head  20 . The lever arm  51  engages behind the axial shoulder  26  of the closing head  20 . The closing head  20  is secured in its coupling position in the lock  10 . The pivot position of the locking member  11  that can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the “locked position”. A decoupling in the direction of the arrow  32 ′ illustrated in FIG. 6 is initially not possible. For this to happen, the aforementioned return member  13  must be activated which is realized here by a motoric actuator  14 . 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the return member  13  is comprised of a control pin  15  which is seated on a worm wheel  16 . The worm wheel  16  is rotatably supported with its worm wheel axle  66  in the housing  19 ,  49  and is subjected to the effect of a worm wheel spring  67 . With suitable rotational stops the worm wheel  16  is secured in the initial rotational position illustrated in FIG. 4 where, when the release position of the locking member  11  is present, normally a radial spacing to the second arm  52  of the locking member  11  is realized. However, when the locking position of the locking member  11 , illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, is present where the first mentioned working arm  51  of the locking member  11  secures the coupling position of the closing head  20 , the second lever arm  52  has pivoted in a direction toward the control pin  15 . If needed, the control pin  15  can also serve as a stop for the pivot movement  57  of the locking member  11 . In FIGS. 5 and 6, the window  30  is closed. 
     In the closed position of the rear window  30  a theft alarm can be activated. The inquiry of the theft alarm can be realized by means of the microswitch  70  whose switching actuation is realized by a switch button  71  which is actuated by a switching leaf spring  72  or the like. This microswitch  70  cooperates with the second lever arm  52  of the locking member  11  which acts as a control arm. If it is desired to decouple the closing head  20 , the actuator  14  must be activated. 
     The actuator  14  for the return member  13  is comprised of an actuating member, i.e., a preferably electrically driven motor  18  with a worm  17  which engages the worm wheel  16  of the return member  13 . The actuator  14  also includes an actuating switch with suitable control electronics which is connected within the electrical circuit of the motor  18 . When the motor  18  is switched on, the worm wheel  16  is rotated by the worm about an angular spacing counter to the spring load  63  of the worm wheel spring  67  acting on the worm wheel  16 . This rotational movement is illustrated in FIG. 4 by the rotational arrow  68 . In the final rotational position of the worm wheel  16 , the control pin  15  reaches the rotational position  15 ′ illustrated in dash-dotted line in FIG.  4 . By entraining the control arm  52 , the locking member  11  is returned in the direction of arrow  57 ′ of FIG. 4 counter to the acting spring force  54 . The locking member  11  reaches thus the release position of FIG.  4 . Upon return pivot movement  57 ′ of the working arm  51 , the cutout  61  provided thereat again reaches axial alignment with the cam  62  seated on the sensing member  12  so that these elements  61 ,  62  again engage one another as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. The engagement of the cam  62  in the cutout  61  functions like a snap connection. The sensing members  12  is pivoted back in the direction of arrow  60 ′ of FIG. 1 by its springload  63 . Accordingly, the sensing members  12  has activated the locking action for the locking member  11  in its release position. The closing head  20  can be decoupled in the direction of arrow  32 ′ of FIG.  6 . 
     As soon as the control pin has reached its rotational end position  15 ′, the actuator  14  is switched off. This can be carried out automatically via the automatic control. The motor  18  is no longer supplied with current. Now the rotational return force provided by the worm wheel spring  67  exerted in the direction of arrow  69  of FIG. 4 is sufficient to return the worm wheel  16  again into its initial rotational position where the control pin is in the position shown in solid lines in FIG.  4 . The provided engagement between the worm wheel  16  and the worm  17  cannot prevent this rotational return movement  68 ′; the engagement between  16 ,  17  is not self-locking. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sensing member  12  has a penetration  73  which is partially engaged by the closing head  20  with its front end  21 . The penetration  73  is comprised in the present situation of a slotted hole whose large slotted hole axis  74  expediently is aligned with the plane of the pivot movement  31  (see FIG. 6) of the window  30 . This plane of the pivot movement is identical to the section line II—II of FIG.  3 . Upon coupling, the closing head  20  is inserted to a partial height  75  of its conical front portion  21  as illustrated in FIG.  6 . The insertion depth is determined by the conical shape of the front portion  21  and by the small slotted hole width  76 , illustrated in FIG. 3, of the penetration  73 . The insertion of the closing head  20  into the penetrations  73 , illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, allows a reduction of the construction height of the closure housing  10 ,  49 . The aforementioned orientation of the large slotted hole axis  74  takes into consideration the curvature of the pivot movement  31  illustrated in FIG. 6 of the closing head  20  fastened on the window  30 . Its forward end  21  can be radially displaced within the slotted hole  73  in the last phase of the coupling action when contacting the sensing member  12 . Because the aforementioned pivot movement  60 ,  60 ′ of the sensing member  12  is carried out in the same plane of the hinged pivot movement, the slotted hole  73  also takes into consideration the corresponding radial displacement between the sensing member  12  and the front end of the closing head  21  resulting from pivoting  60 ,  60 ′. 
     The invention furthermore is characterized in that the closed position of the rear window  30  relative to the stationary rear part  40  of the motor vehicle can be adjusted very precisely. This adjustment can be realized in the coupling situation of the closing head  20  through the lock  10 . For this purpose, the housing half  19  of the lock  10  has a penetration  77  for a suitable rotational tool  50 . The penetration extends also through possible further lock members on the path to the closing head  20 . The slotted hole  73  provided in the sensing member  12  can also serve as a passage. With the tool  50  the axial spacing  42 , described above and illustrated in FIG. 2, of the end face  25  of the closing head  20  can be adjusted relative to the window  30 . The tool  50  has a plug-in end  59  whose contour profile matches the aforementioned receptacle  29  at the front end face  25  of the closing head  21 . By the illustrated plug connection of FIG. 6 of the two connecting halves  29 ,  59 , a torque can be exerted via the rotational tool  50  which results in a defined screwing of the closing head  20  in the threaded receptacle  37  of the bushing  36 . 
     List of Reference Numerals 
       10  first part of closure, lock 
       11  locking member, two-arm lever 
       12  sensing member, one-arm lever 
       13  return member for  11   
       14  actuator for  13   
       15  control pin of  13  (initial position) 
       15 ′ rotational end position of  15  (FIG. 4 
       16  worm wheel of  13   
       17  worm of  14   
       18  motor of  14   
       19  first part of housing, housing half 
       20  second part of closure, closing head 
       21  forward end portion of  20 , conical front end 
       22  constriction on  20   
       23  cylindrical portion of  20   
       24  axial mounting pin of  20   
       25  front end face of  20   
       26  axial shoulder on  21   
       27  slanted control surface on  21   
       28  gliding slant on  23   
       29  plug receptacle in  25 , first half of plug connection 
       30  hinged rear window 
       31  pivot movement path of  30   
       32  arrow of axial coupling movement of  20  in  10   
       32 ′ counter arrow for the decoupling movement of  20  from  10  (FIG. 1) 
       33  axis of  20   
       34  receptacle in  30  for  24   
       35  elastomeric material of  36   
       36  bushing for  24   
       37  threaded sleeve in  36 , first part of screw connection of  20  relative to  30   
       38  window button on  30   
       39  securing ring for  38   
       40  stationary part of the motor vehicle, the rear part 
       41  coupling opening for  20  in  49   
       42  axial spacing between  25  and  30   
       43  seal between  38 , 34   
       44  outer thread on  24 , second part of the screw connection between  20 ,  30   
       45  tubular projection, the guide receptacle on  41   
       46  cross-section of  23   
       47  maximum cross-section of  21   
       48  annular projection on  36  for  45   
       49  second part of housing on  10 , housing cover 
       50  rotational tool for  20   
       51  first lever arm of  11 , working arm 
       52  second lever arm on  11 , control arm 
       53  pivot axis on  11   
       54  arrows of spring force of  51   
       55  pivot axis of  12   
       56  locking member spring on  11  (FIG. 4) 
       57  arrow of pivot movement of  11  (FIG. 4) 
       58  arrow of alignment movement of  24  in  36  (FIG. 2) 
       59  plug on  50 , second half of a plug connection (FIG. 6) 
       60  arrow of pivot movement of  12  (FIG. 1) 
       60 ′ counter arrow of return pivot movement of  12  (FIG. 1) 
       61  locking means, cutout in  11  for  62 , counter securing element 
       62  locking means, cam on  12  for  61 , securing element 
       63  arrow of spring-load of  12  (FIG. 1) 
       64  pressure spring for  12   
       65  counter shoulder of  61  for  62   
       66  worm wheel axle 
       67  worm wheel spring for  66   
       68  arrow of rotation of movement of  15  in  15 ′ 
       68 ′ counter arrow of rotational return movement of  15 ′ on  15   
       69  arrow of rotation or return force on  16   
       70  microswitch for  52   
       71  switch button on  70   
       72  switching leaf spring of  70   
       73  penetration in  12  for  20 , slotted hole 
       74  large slotted hole axis of  73   
       75  partial height of  21  (FIG. 6) 
       76  small slotted hole width of  73   
       77  penetration in  19  for  50  (FIG. 6)