Locking mechanism and locking body assembly for magnetic lock, and the magnetic lock

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a magnetic lock and including a locking body assembly. The locking mechanism includes a lock latch and a slide bar switch that move between an active and non-active positions. The lock latch cannot move freely in the active position, but can in the non-active position. The lock latch receives a magnet, and can move freely through magnetic force action. The locking body assembly includes a locking body and a locking plate. The locking body has a housings that form a cavity. When the locking mechanism and lock latch are fixed in the cavity, a hook portion of the lock latch can extend out of or retract into the cavity as the lock latch pivots, thereby engaging or disengaging with the locking plate, and either locking or unlocking the latch. The magnetic lock includes a key and the locking body assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a magnetic lock, a locking body assembly for the magnetic lock, and the magnetic lock, which is used to lock furniture such as a drawer or cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In daily life, furniture with drawers or cabinets are usually needed to store various articles. In the case of daily life with children at home, many children are interested in articles placed in the furniture, so they like opening drawers or cabinets to turn out the articles stored therein. However, articles stored in the furniture might be eaten or used by mistake by children who have no discerning capability and therefore causes undesired damages, so a lock usually is needed to lock the furniture to prevent children from opening it randomly. However, currently most furniture available in the market are not pre-provided with locks to lock drawers or cabinets, so locks need to be provided additionally. As for the mounting of conventional locks, the furniture usually needs to be drilled a through hole, a lock is mounted in the through hole, and a key hole of the lock is exposed out of an outer surface of the furniture. This destroys the overall appearance of the furniture, and additionally, the lock mounted in the conventional manner does not facilitate reuse and cause higher costs.

To this end, it is desirable to provide a magnetic lock capable of overcoming drawbacks of a conventional lock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now provides a novel locking mechanism for a magnetic lock and a locking body assembly for the magnetic lock. The present invention further provides a magnetic lock having the locking body assembly.

The magnetic lock according to the present invention can be assembled and disassembled for use many times.

The magnetic lock according to the present invention avoids the complicated operation of drilling a hole on a surface of the furniture for mounting, and instead provides a convenient installation. Furthermore, as the magnetic lock is characterized by being mounted in the furniture in a concealed manner, it may be mounted without affecting the aesthetics and pleasant appearance of the furniture.

The locking mechanism for the magnetic lock according to the present invention comprises a lock latch having a first magnet, a slide bar switch linked with the lock latch, and a second magnet. When a first end of the slide bar switch is pressed, the lock latch disengages from the slide bar switch, the locking mechanism is in a non-active state, the lock latch can pivot due to a magnetic force action between the first magnet and the second magnet, and the magnetic lock can be locked and unlocked; when a second end of the slide bar switch is pressed, the locking mechanism is in an active state, the slide bar switch abuts and presses the lock latch and makes the lock latch pivot reversely against the magnetic force action between the first magnet and the second magnet, and the magnetic lock remains at the unlocked position.

The first end of the slide bar switch of the locking mechanism preferably includes a blocking member such that pressing of the first end of the slide bar switch provides the blocking member in a position where it interferes with the movement of the lock latch to maintains the lock latch in the inactive position so that the magnetic lock cannot be locked. Additionally, pressing of the second end of the slide bar switch moves the blocking member out of interference with the movement of the lock latch so that the lock latch is enabled to move to the active position to lock the magnetic lock. Also, when the blocking member is out of interference with the movement of the lock latch and the lock latch locks the magnetic lock, the magnetic lock can be opened using an external key that includes a magnet.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the lock latch is an approximately L-shaped member.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the lock latch comprises a first body, a second body and a pivot shaft between the first body and the second body.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the lock latch is provided with a hook portion at a first end, provided with a protruding rod at a second end, and provided with a receiving portion for receiving the first magnet adjacent to the second end.

According to a preferred implementation mode of the present invention, the slide bar switch comprises a slide bar portion and a wedge-shaped portion located in the middle of the slide bar portion.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, when the first end of the slide bar switch is pressed, as the slide bar portion of the slide bar switch slides, the wedge-shaped portion gradually disengages from the rod, and the attraction force between the second magnet and the first magnet enables the lock latch to pivot about the pivot shaft.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, when the second end of the slide bar switch is pressed, as the slide bar portion of the slide bar switch slides, the wedge-shaped portion abuts against the rod and gradually presses downward, thereby overcoming the attraction force between the second magnet and the first magnet, so that the lock latch is enabled to pivot about the pivot shaft reversely.

The locking body assembly for the magnetic lock according to the present invention comprises a locking body and a locking plate, the locking body comprises a locking body housing, the locking plate is disposed outside the locking body housing, and the locking mechanism according to any of the preceding embodiments is disposed in the locking body housing.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the locking body has a mounting base.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the mounting base is provided with a receiving indentation in the middle, and provided with a stop portion nearby the receiving indentation.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the first magnet and the second magnet are disc-shaped magnets.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the receiving indentation is a blind hole or through hole.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the locking body housing comprises a slide bar switch hole and a pivot shaft hole for engaging with the pivot shaft.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the locking body housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, and the first housing and the second housing can be combined with each other to form a cavity for receiving the locking mechanism.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, a groove for receiving a second magnet is provided in the locking body housing, and the groove is adjacent to the pivot shaft hole.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the locking plate is provided with a recess or rod for engagement.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the locking body assembly is mounted in an interior of the furniture.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, a base surface of the locking plate is mounted on a surface in the interior of the furniture, and the locking body is, via its mounting base, mounted on a plane at a certain angle relative to the locking plate.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the angle is a right angle. According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the first housing, second housing and locking plate can be mounted via screw connection or adhesion.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the lock latch is provided with a reinforcing rib at the hook portion.

The magnetic lock according to the present invention comprises a key and the aforesaid locking body assembly.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the key comprises a key magnet.

According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, the key further comprises a gripping portion and a base for receiving the key magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereunder, a locking mechanism for a magnetic lock, a locking body assembly for the magnetic lock, and a magnetic lock including the locking body assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to figures. The following only describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may, on the basis of the preferred embodiments, envisage other modes for implementing the present invention. Other manners also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Terms about directions appearing in the following depictions, for example, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, are with respect to the directions shown in the figures.

The magnetic lock according to the present invention comprises a locking body assembly switchable between an unlocked state and a locked state, and a key for unlocking the locked state of the locking body assembly.

FIG. 1illustrates a schematic view of a magnetic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a locking body assembly2and a key1, wherein the locking body assembly2comprises a locking body21and a locking plate22. In a state shown inFIG. 1, the locking body21does not engage with the locking plate22, namely, the locking body assembly2is in an unlocked state.FIG. 2shows another schematic view of the magnetic lock ofFIG. 1, wherein the locking body21of the locking body assembly2engages with the locking plate22of the locking body assembly2to achieve the locking, namely, the locking body assembly2is in a locked state.

In use, the locking body assembly2may be mounted in an interior of the furniture such as a drawer or cabinet, wherein a base surface221of the locking plate22may be mounted on a surface in the interior of the drawer or cabinet, the locking body21is, via its mounting base213as shown inFIG. 3, mounted on a plane at a certain angle relative to the locking plate22, and the angle is approximately a right angle as shown in the figure. When a hook portion of the locking body21extends out of a locking body housing to engage with the locking plate22, locking is implemented, whereupon the furniture such as the drawer or cabinet cannot be opened (seeFIG. 2); when the key1with a magnet approaches the magnetic lock from outside the furniture such as drawer or cabinet, the hook portion retracts in the locking body housing due to magnetic force action between the magnet of the key1and the magnet in the locking body21, unlocking is implemented, whereupon the furniture such as drawer or cabinet may be opened, as shown inFIG. 1.

The locking body assembly2is described in detail with reference to the figures.

FIG. 3shows a perspective view of a locking body assembly2according to an embodiment of the present invention. As stated above, the locking body assembly2comprises a locking body21and a locking plate22. Specifically, the locking body21comprises a locking body housing, the locking body housing comprises a first housing211and a second housing212, and the first housing211and the second housing212can be combined with each other to form a cavity. The first housing211and the second housing212may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, and their shapes are not particularly limited so long as their internal space can receive relevant parts. The first housing211and the second housing212are preferably in a mirror symmetry configuration. To match the parts received in the cavity, the first housing211and the second housing212may respectively have a slide bar switch hole215, a pivot shaft hole216and the like, which will be described in detail respectively below. In addition, the first housing211and the second housing212respectively have a mounting base213which enables the locking body21to be mounted on a surface of the furniture. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the mounting base213, as shown, is provide with a mounting hole for connection with a furniture panel via a screw. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting base213may also be fixed on the furniture panel or furniture door by adhesion, such as by an adhesive tape or adhesive formulation that can securely attach the base to the panel or door. In addition, for example, a receiving indentation214may be provided at a central position of the mounting base213as shown inFIG. 3, and it also will be described below in detail. The locking plate22may be provided with a structure such as a recess222or bar for engagement, to achieve engagement with a mating member (e.g., the hook portion of the locking body assembly2) for a locking function.

Reference is made toFIG. 4that shows a cross-sectional view of a locking body assembly2according to the present invention, andFIG. 5that shows a partially exploded view of the locking body assembly2according to the present invention. The locking body assembly2further comprises a locking mechanism in the cavity of the locking body21. The locking mechanism comprises a lock latch24and a slide bar switch27linkable with the lock latch24, and switching of the locking mechanism between an active state and a non-active state may be achieved by virtue of movement of the slide bar switch27. In the active state of the locking mechanism, the position of the slide bar switch27can retain the hook portion244at one end of the lock latch24at a retracted position through linkage with the lock latch24, so that the locking body assembly21will not form engagement with the locking plate22through the hook portion244of the lock latch24and thereby the locking body assembly2is always retained in the unlocked state. The advantage of so doing lies in that when children are not at home and the locking body assembly need not be locked, the unlocked state of the locking body assembly is maintained so that the furniture such as the drawer or cabinet can be conveniently opened and used without using a key. In the non-active state of the locking mechanism, the position of slide bar switch27disengages from linkage with the lock latch24, the hook portion244of the lock latch24can extend out of the locking body housing of the locking body21and thereby implements engagement with the recess222of the locking plate2to lock. When the children are at home, the locking mechanism is made in the non-active state through the slide bar switch27, the locking body assembly2is permitted to lock and the locking is released by using the key1.

The lock latch24and the slide bar switch27are described below in detail with reference toFIG. 6andFIG. 7.

Referring toFIG. 6, the lock latch24according to the embodiment of the present invention is an approximately L-shaped member as viewed from a side. The lock latch24comprises a first body241, a second body242and a pivot shaft243between the first body241and the second body242, the pivot shaft243is mounted in a pivot shaft hole216formed on the first housing211and the second housing212of the locking body21, so that the lock latch24is pivotable about the pivot shaft243in the cavity surrounded by the first housing211and the second housing212. The first body241has a hook portion244at a first end249thereof away from the pivot shaft243, the hook portion can extend out of or retract into the locking body housing based on the pivoting motion, and the hook portion244can form engagement with the locking plate22when the hook portion244extends out of the locking body housing. Preferably, a reinforcing rib248may be provided at the hook portion244. The second body242has a receiving portion245at a position thereof away from the pivot shaft243and adjacent to a second end250, and the receiving portion may be used to receive a first magnet25(not shown in the figure). The receiving portion245is shown as a square here, but it may be various shapes matching the first magnet25in size. When the lock latch24pivots about the pivot shaft243, the receiving portion may move into or move away from the receiving indentation214formed in the mounting base of the locking body21along with the pivoting motion of the locking latch24, and the receiving indentation may be a blind hole or a through hole (seeFIG. 3andFIG. 4). As shown inFIG. 4, a groove28for receiving a second magnet26(not shown in the figure) is provided in the locking body housing, and adjacent to the pivot shaft hole, corresponding to the position of the pivot shaft243. When the locking mechanism is in the non-active state, i.e., when the slide bar27of the locking mechanism does not limit the pivoting of the lock latch24(the action manner thereof will be described below in detail), attraction force between the second magnet26and first magnet25enables the lock latch24to pivot about the pivot shaft243counterclockwise, the receiving portion moves away from the receiving indentation214and meanwhile hook portion244extends out of the locking body housing and engages with the locking plate22; while the slide bar switch27displaces to switch the locking mechanism to its active state, the lock latch24, abutted and pressed by a wedge-shaped portion271of the slide bar switch27of the locking mechanism, overcomes the attraction force between the second magnet26and first magnet25. At the same time, the lock latch24pivots about the pivot shaft244clockwise, the receiving portion enters the receiving indentation214, and the hook portion244retracts in the locking body housing. To facilitate implementation of the linkage of the lock latch24and the slide bar switch27, preferably a protruding rod246is provided at the second end250of the second body242, and it can bring the lock latch24to pivot about the pivot shaft243according to the displacement of the slide bar switch27due to the action of the wedge-shaped portion271of the slide bar switch27.

Referring toFIG. 7, the slide bar switch27according to the present invention comprises a slide bar portion272and a wedge-shaped portion271located in the middle of the slide bar portion272. A first end and a second end of the slide bar portion272can respectively pass through a slide bar switch hole215on the first housing211and the second housing212. When the first end of the slide bar switch is pressed in the housing, the second end of the slide bar switch extends out of the housing, and the locking mechanism is in the non-active state; when the second end of the slide bar switch is pressed in the housing, the first end of the slide bar switch extends out of the housing and the locking mechanism is in the active state. More specifically, when the second end of the slide bar switch is pressed, as the slide bar portion272of the slide bar switch27slides leftward (seeFIG. 2andFIG. 5), the wedge-shaped portion271abuts against the rod246at the second end250of the second body242of the lock latch24and gradually presses downward, thereby overcoming the attraction force between the second magnet26and the first magnet25, so that the lock latch24is enabled to pivot about the pivot shaft243in the counterclockwise direction inFIG. 8A, the receiving portion enters the receiving indentation214, and the hook portion244retracts into the housing of the locking body.FIG. 8Ashows a state, namely, an unlocked state, of the locking body assembly at this time. When the first end of the slide bar switch is pressed, as the slide bar portion272of the slide bar switch27slides rightward (seeFIG. 2andFIG. 5), the wedge-shaped portion271gradually disengages from the rod246at the second end250of the second body242of the lock latch24, the attraction force between the second magnet26and the first magnet25enables the lock latch24to pivot about the pivot shaft243in the clockwise direction as shown inFIG. 8B, the receiving portion245gets away from the receiving indentation214, and the hook portion244extends out of the locking body and engages with the locking plate.FIG. 8Bshows a state, namely, a locked state of the locking body assembly at this time. In this state, the unlocking is achieved through the sliding of the slide bar switch27or by using the key1.

In addition, at a position in the cavity of the locking body21and adjacent to the receiving indentation214may be provided a stop portion29which is used to stop further movement of the second body242of the lock latch242when the receiving portion245moves towards the receiving indentation214due to the pivoting of the lock latch24, thereby preventing the receiving portion245together with the magnet25therein from protruding out of a space-leaving portion and causing damages to the surface of the furniture on this side.

FIG. 9shows a perspective view of the key1according to the present invention, andFIG. 10shows an exploded view of the key1according to the present invention. The key1according to the present invention may comprise a gripping portion11, a base12and a key magnet13received in the base12. An attraction action between the key magnet13and the first magnet25, when the two are close enough, is larger than the attraction action between the first magnet25and the second magnet26. Therefore, when the key magnet13approaches the first magnet25, the larger magnetic attraction action enables the first magnet25to pivot against the attraction force between it and the second magnet26, so that the hook portion244disengages from the locking plate22and retracts into the cavity, thereby achieving the unlocking of the locking body assembly2. However, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the key1may be a magnet without other parts.

Preferably, the locking plate22, the lock latch24, the slide bar switch27, the gripping portion11and the base12according to the present invention may be made of plastic.

Through the above content, those skilled in the art can readily recognize that alternative structures for the structures disclosed in the present invention may be used as feasible alternative embodiments, and the embodiments disclosed in the present invention may be combined to generate new embodiments, which all fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.