Patent GB-530696-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in remote control for latches and locks
IPC: E05B65/36
Filed: 1939-06-13
Abstract: 530,696. Electrically controlled fastenings ; electric switches. EAGLE LOCK CO. June 13, 1939, No. 17318. Convention date, June 15, 1938. [Class 44] [Also in Group XXXVII] In an electrically releasable fastening a latch member is held in fastening position by a detent released by energizing an electromagnet, the magnet simultaneously attracting both latch and detent. The invention is applicable generally, but is particularly described with reference to selective control of fastenings for doors of motor vehicles. Mechanical means are provided to effect release if the current fails, and means controlled by a second electromagnet are provided to prevent release. A latch 44, Fig. 4, pivoted at 43 and mounted in the door pillar engages a member 40 mounted on the door edge. Spring plungers 77, Fig. 14, mounted in the door at the hinge side bias the closed door towards opening position and initiate opening of the door when release is effec ed. Latch 44 is held against release movement by a detent 47 engaging a tail-piece 45 on latch 44 under action of spring 50. Detent 47 is pivoted at 48 and has a depending arm 49 forming one armature of an electro-magnet 20. Tail-piece 45 is of magnetic material and forms a second armature. When the magnet is energized, part 45 is attracted to relieve pressure due to the door springs and part 49 to release detent 47. Opening of the door withdraws member 40 to the right, Figs. 2 and 4, throwing member 44 anticlockwise to release position. Mechanical release can be effected by vertically sliding bar 57 having a notch embracing a lateral extension 61 of detent 47. Bar 57 is raised against the action of a spring 59 by means of an external knob 54. Similar arrangements are provided for each door of the vehicle. Fig. 1 illustrates the application to two doors 1 closing against a central pillar 2 in which the devices for both doors are mounted. A fixed grip 52 is provided above the two knobs 54. Release is prevented by the armature 64 of a second magnet 35. Normally this armature hangs clear of the upper ends of bars 57, but is moved into their path when magnet 35 is energized to prevent raising of the bars. The driver's door is provided with a substantially flush outside handle 69, Figs. 1, 14, on a vertical pivot 70 and with an arm 72 which, when the handle is pulled outwards, engages a pin 68 on a plate 66 pivoted at 67, the plate being rocked so that, by its engagement with the lower end 65 of bar 57, Fig. 2, the bar is raised to release the fastening. A cylinder lock 73 can be used to swing an arm 75 into the path of part 72 to prevent operation of the handle. The circuit arrangements, Fig. 15, show release magnets 20, 23 for the front doors, and 26, 29 for the rear doors of a four-door vehicle, and locking magnets 34, 35 for the near and off-side doors respectively. A rotary switch 8 is placed on contact 10 to effect locking by energizing magnets 34, 35, or on contact 9 to prepare circuits for the release magnets, which can be selectively energized by contact bars 12, 13. These bars are spring-mounted so that they can be tilted to engage contacts 15 or 16 and 17 or 18, or depressed bodily so that each bar closes two circuits simultaneously.