Locking device and method for unlocking the locking device

A locking device and a method for unlocking the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a stationary plug having a first aperture extending therein configured to receive a key. The stationary plug further includes an outer surface, an inner surface defined by the first aperture, and at least a second aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. The locking device further includes a housing having an outer wall disposed around at least a portion of the stationary plug. The outer wall has at least a third aperture extending therethrough. The locking device further includes a bolt member operably coupled to the outer wall of the housing. The locking device further includes a locking mechanism disposed in the third aperture of the housing and extending into the second aperture of the stationary plug. The locking mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the housing about the stationary plug when the key is inserted into the first aperture. The housing is configured to rotate from a first operational position to a second operational position in response to a force being applied to the bolt member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a locking device that can be utilized by a physically disabled person and a method for utilizing the locking device.

BACKGROUND

Locking devices generally have a locking mechanism configured to receive a key. To unlock the locking device, an operator inserts a key into the locking mechanism and rotates the key to unlock the locking device. Alternately, combination locking devices can be utilized, but they still require the operator to perform rotational movements when turning a dial to specific numbers to unlock the locking device.

People with physical disabilities, however, often have difficulty in performing rotational movements with their hands, such as rotating a key or turning a dial. Thus, people with physical disabilities may be unable to unlock locking devices having the aforementioned features.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a locking device that allows an operator to unlocking the locking device without having to perform rotational movements.

SUMMARY

A locking device utilizing a key in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The locking device includes a stationary plug having a first aperture extending therein configured to receive the key. The stationary plug further includes an outer surface, an inner surface defined by the first aperture, and at least a second aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. The locking device further includes a housing having an outer wall disposed around at least a portion of the stationary plug. The outer wall has at least a third aperture extending therethrough. The locking device further includes a bolt member operably coupled to the outer wall of the housing. The locking device further includes a locking mechanism disposed in the third aperture of the housing and extending into the second aperture of the stationary plug. The locking mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the housing about the stationary plug when the key is inserted into the first aperture. The housing is configured to rotate from a first operational position to a second operational position in response to a force being applied to the bolt member.

A method of unlocking a locking device utilizing a key in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The locking device includes a stationary plug having a first aperture extending therein configured to receive the key, a housing having an outer wall disposed around at least a portion of the stationary plug, a bolt member coupled to the outer wall of the housing, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to the stationary plug and the outer wall. The method includes inserting the key into the first aperture of the stationary plug to induce the locking mechanism to rotatably release the housing from the stationary plug. The method further includes applying a force to the bolt member to induce the housing to rotate about the stationary plug from a first operational position to a second operational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a locker door assembly10in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The locker door assembly10includes a locker door14having a locking device16that can lock the door14to a door frame12. The locking device16is advantageously configured to allow a physically disabled person to lock and unlock the door14without having to turn a key. Referring toFIGS. 1,3,4, and7, the locking device16includes a stationary plug30, a housing32, locking mechanisms34,36,38,40, a bolt member94, an optional handle97, a spring46, an enclosure48, and a key50.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 8, the stationary plug30is provided for receiving the key50therein. The stationary plug30is operably disposed within an aperture96of the housing32. The stationary plug30has a generally cylindrical shape and has an aperture66extending therethrough along an axis68. The aperture66is configured to receive the key50. The stationary plug30is constructed from brass. Of course, the stationary plug30can be constructed from other metals or plastics or the like. The stationary plug30includes a cylindrical portion62, a shoulder portion60, and a threaded portion64.

The cylindrical portion62has an outer diameter D1that is less than or equal to a diameter D2of the aperture96to allow the cylindrical portion62to be inserted within the aperture96. The shoulder portion60is coupled to a first end of the cylindrical portion62and the threaded portion64is coupled to a second end of the portion62. Further, the cylindrical portion62has apertures74,76,78,80extending therethrough from an outer surface70to an inner surface72defined by the central aperture66. The apertures74,76,78,80are provided to receive portions of the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40, respectively, therein.

The shoulder portion60has a diameter greater than the diameter D1of the portion62to allow the shoulder portion62to abut against an edge33of the housing32when the stationary plug30is inserted within the aperture96of the housing32.

The threaded portion64is provided to allow the stationary plug30be fixedly attached to a nut182disposed proximate an edge37of the housing32for holding the stationary plug30within the aperture96of the housing32. The threaded portion64includes a threaded outer surface whose diameter is smaller than the diameter D1to threadably engage the nut182. During assembly, the stationary plug30is inserted within the aperture96of the housing32such that the threaded portion64extends beyond the edge37of the housing32and the edge41of the enclosure48. Thereafter, the nut182is threadably coupled to the threaded portion64proximate the edge41.

Referring toFIGS. 8,9and10, the housing32is provided to rotate about the stationary plug30when the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40have an unlocked configuration. The housing32is constructed from brass. Of course, the housing38can be constructed from other metals and plastics or the like. The housing32includes a tubular wall90and a locking mechanism enclosure92.

The tubular wall90has an outer surface98and an inner surface100. The tubular wall90further includes an aperture96extending therethrough for receiving the stationary plug30therein.

The locking mechanism enclosure92is coupled to a portion of the outer surface98of the tubular wall90and is provided to enclose locking mechanisms34,36,38,40therein. The locking mechanism enclosure92includes apertures102,104,106,108extending through the enclosure92and through the tubular wall90. The apertures102,104,106,108are utilized to receive the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40, respectively, therein. The apertures102,104,106,108communicate with the aperture96extending through the tubular wall90. Further, a diameter of the apertures102,104,106,108in the enclosure92is substantially similar to a diameter of the apertures74,76,78,80, respectively, in the stationary plug30. When the housing32is disposed at a first operational position, the apertures102,104,106,108are aligned with the apertures74,76,78, and80, respectively in the stationary plug30. Alternately, when the housing32is disposed at a second operational position, the apertures102,104,106,108are not aligned with the apertures74,76,78,80, respectively.

The bolt member94is fixedly coupled to an outer surface98of the tubular wall90. The bolt member94is constructed from steel and includes a bolt member94and a handle97. Of course, the bolt member94can be constructed from other metals or plastics. The handle97extends outwardly from the bolt member94to allow a person to apply an upward or downward force to the bolt member94for rotating the bolt member94, the tubular wall90, and the locking mechanism enclosure92, about the stationary plug30. In particular, the bolt member94is disposed intermediate of ends109,111of the housing32and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis113extending through the locking mechanism enclosure92. Thus, when a first tangential force is applied upwardly to the handle97, and the key50is disposed within the stationary plug30, the bolt member94rotates in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise direction inFIG. 8). Alternately, when a second tangential is applied downwardly to the handle97, when the key50is disposed within the stationary plug30, the bolt member94rotates in a second rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise direction inFIG. 8). Referring toFIG. 1, the bolt member94abuts against a portion of the frame12when the locking device16is in a first operational position to prevent the door14from being opened outwardly from the frame12. Alternately, when the bolt member94is rotated in a clockwise direction, the bolt member94is moved away from the frame12to allow the door14to be opened outwardly from the frame12. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 8, the bolt member94includes an aperture110extending therethrough. As shown, a spring46is coupled to the bolt member94utilizing the aperture110and is further coupled to the enclosure48. The spring46is provided to urge the bolt member94and the housing32to rotate in a second rotational direction (e.g. counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1) from an second operational position to the first operational position. In an alternate embodiment, the spring46can be coupled between the bar portion97and a portion of the locker door14.

Referring toFIG. 7, the locking mechanisms34,36,38, and40are provided to move to either a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration. In an unlocked configuration, the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40allow the housing32to rotate relative to the stationary plug30. In the locked configuration when the housing is disposed at the first operational position, the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40prevent the housing32from rotating relative to the stationary plug30.

Referring toFIGS. 7,9, and5, the locking mechanism34comprises a spring122and locking pins124,126. The spring122and locking pins124,126are disposed within an aperture102in the locking mechanism enclosure92. In particular, the spring122is provided to urge the locking pins124,126toward the stationary plug30. When the housing32is disposed at a first operational position, as shown inFIG. 1, with respect to the stationary plug30, the aperture102is aligned with the aperture74of the plug30. Thus, the spring122urges the locking pins124,126toward the aperture74of the plug30. When the key50is not disposed in the aperture66and the apertures102and74are aligned with one another, the locking pins124,126are disposed in a locked configuration and do not allow the housing32to rotate relative to the plug30. Alternately, when the key50is disposed in the aperture66the locking pins124,126are disposed in an unlocked configuration and do not prevent the housing32from rotating relative to the plug30.

The locking mechanism36comprises a spring130and locking pins132,134. The spring130and locking pins132,134are disposed within an aperture104of the locking mechanism enclosure92. In particular, the spring130is provided to urge the locking pins132,134toward the stationary plug30. When the housing32is disposed at the first operational position, as shown inFIG. 1, with respect to the stationary plug30, the aperture104is aligned with the aperture76of the plug30. Thus, the spring122urges the locking pins132,134toward the aperture76of the plug30. When the key50is not disposed in the aperture66and the apertures104and76are aligned with one another, the locking pins132,134are disposed in a locked configuration and do not allow the housing32to rotate relative to the plug30. Alternately, when the key50is disposed in the aperture66the locking pins132to134are disposed in an unlocked configuration and do not prevent the housing32from rotating relative to the plug30.

The locking mechanism38comprises a spring136and locking pins138,140. The spring136and locking pins138,140are disposed within an aperture106of the locking mechanism enclosure92. In particular, the spring136is provided to urge the locking pins138,140toward the stationary plug30. When the housing32is disposed at the first operational position, as shown inFIG. 1, with respect to the stationary plug30, the aperture106is aligned with the aperture78of the plug30. Thus, the spring136urges the locking pins138,140toward the aperture78of the plug30. When the key50is not disposed in the aperture66and apertures106and78are aligned with one another, the locking pins138,140are disposed in a locked configuration and do not allow the housing32to rotate relative to the plug30. Alternately, when the key50is disposed in the aperture66the locking pins138,140are disposed in an unlocked configuration and do not prevent the housing32from rotating relative to the plug30.

The locking mechanism40comprises a spring142and locking pins144,146. The spring142and locking pins144,146are disposed within an aperture108of the locking mechanism enclosure92. In particular, the spring142is provided to urge the locking pins144,146toward the stationary plug30. When the housing32is disposed at the first operational position, as shown inFIG. 1, with respect to the stationary plug30, the aperture108is aligned with the aperture80of the plug30. Thus, the spring142urges the locking pins toward the aperture80of the plug30. When the key50is not disposed in the aperture66and apertures108and80are aligned with one another, the locking pins144,146are disposed in a locked configuration and do not allow the housing32to rotate relative to the plug30. Alternately, when the key50is disposed in the aperture66the locking pins144,146are disposed in an unlocked configuration and do not prevent the housing32from rotating relative to the plug30.

Referring toFIGS. 1,3, and4, the enclosure48is provided to enclose the components of the locking device16. The enclosure48is constructed from a zinc die-cast alloy. Of course, the enclosure48can be constructed from other metals and plastics or the like. The enclosure48includes a central enclosure portion160, a face-plate161, a flange portion162, a flange portion164, bolts174,176, nuts178,180and a plug mounting nut182.

The central enclosure portion160and the face-plate161define an internal region configured to receive the stationary plug30, the housing32, and the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40. The face-plate161includes an aperture166extending therethrough to allow the stationary plug30to be accessed by the key50. Further, the central enclosure portion160includes a slot168extending therethrough to allow the bolt member94to extend from the internal region of the enclosure portion160to a region outside of the enclosure portion160.

The flange portions162,164are fixedly coupled to opposite ends of the central enclosure portion160. The flange portion162includes an aperture170extending therethrough. When mounting the enclosure48to the locker door14, a bolt174is inserted through the aperture170and an opposite end of the bolt174is threadably coupled to the nut178. The flange portion164includes an aperture172extending therethrough. When mounting the enclosure48to the locker door14, a bolt176is inserted through the aperture172and an opposite end of the bolt176is threadably coupled to the nut180.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2, and3, the operation of the locking device16will now be described. Initially, the locking device16is in a locked operational position wherein the bolt member94abutts against a portion of the frame12for preventing the locker door14from opening. Next, a person inserts the key50within the aperture66of the stationary plug30. In response to the key50, the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40rotatably decouple the stationary plug30from the housing32to allow rotational movement of the housing32about the stationary plug30. Next, the person applies an upward force to the member97to urge the bolt member94upwardly. The bolt member94induces the housing32to rotate about the stationary plug30from the first operational position to a second operational position. Next, the person rotates the locker door14away from the frame12to access an interior region of the locker. Next, the person rotates the locker door14toward the frame12and the spring46pulls the bolt member94downwardly to urge the bolt member94to rotate counter-clockwise to abut against a portion of the frame12. Thereafter, the user removes the key50from the aperture66and the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40couple the housing32to the stationary plug30to prevent rotational movement of the housing32.

Referring toFIGS. 11-13, a locker door assembly200in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The locker door assembly200includes a locker door202, the locking device16, a handle assembly204, and a door frame206. The locking device16is advantageously configured to allow a physically disabled person to lock and unlock the door202relative to the door frame206.

The locking device16, utilized in the locker door assembly200includes the stationary plug30, the housing32, locking mechanisms34,36,38,40, the bolt member94, the spring46, the enclosure48, and the key50. The locking device16, utilized in the locker door assembly200, does not include the optional handle97.

The handle assembly204is provided to allow a person to latch and unlatch the locker door202from the door frame206. The lift mechanism204is operably coupled to the locker door202proximate the locking device16. The handle assembly204includes a handle170, a tab portion210coupled to the handle170, a body portion205, a rod member212, a latch member214and a latch member216disposed at opposite ends of the rod member212. The handle170extends through an aperture of the locker door202and extends outwardly from a front surface of the locker door202. The handle170is configured to allow person to move the tab210and the bolt member94upwardly to induce the rod member212to move upwardly, when the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40are in an unlocked configuration. Alternately, when the locking mechanism34,36,38,40are in a locked configuration, the bolt member94prevents the handle170and the tab210from being moved upwardly by the person.

During operation, when the rod member212is moved upwardly, the latch member214and the latch member216attached to the rod member212, disengage from hasp or latching members222,224fixedly attached to the housing220of the door frame206. Next, the person can move the locker door202away from the door frame206. Next, when the handle170is released by the person, the rod member212moves downwardly to an original start position. Further, the spring46induces the bolt member94to rotate to the first operational position with the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40in an unlocked configuration. Next, the person can close the locker door202against the door frame and the lift mechanism204is spring-loaded to move the latch member214and the latch member216against the hasp members222,224, respectively to latch the locker door202to the door frame206. Next, when the person removes the key50from the locking device16, the locking mechanisms34,36,38,40have a locked configuration at the first operational position of the housing32wherein the bolt member94is not allowed to rotate thus preventing the person from lifting the handle170. Accordingly, the locker door202is locked against the door frame206.

Although the locking device16has been described in connection with a locker door and a frame, it should be understood that that the locking device16can be utilized with other containers. For example, the locking device16can be utilized with a door in a home, a tool box, or a foot locker. The shape of the components of the locking device16can be adapted to suit the intended application. Further, the direction of rotation of the housing32and the handle portion can be adapted to suit the desired function and design of the locking device16.

While the invention is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to the teachings of the invention to adapt to a particular situation without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the intended claims.