Patent GB-640306-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to locking devices
IPC: E05B65/52
Filed: 1947-12-31
Abstract: 640,306. Fastenings. STUE, T. B. Dec. 31, 1947, No. 35424. Convention date, Jan. 11, 1945. [Class 44] A device for locking a structure such as a suitcase comprises two fittings each secured to one of the members of the structure and a clasp adapted to be brought into locking engagement with said fittings to maintain the members of the structure in the closed position, the clasp being permanently but movably attached to one of the fittings or the structure. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the two fittings 3, 4 have inclined side walls 5, 6, sloping inwardly towards the attachment flanges 7 and 8. The locking clasp 9 is wedge-shaped having sloping side-walls 10, 11 to embrace the two fittings. It carries flanges 12 to conceal the attachment rivets and may be attached by a length of chain. A catch member 13 engaging the end edges of the fittings 3, 4 retains the clasp in the locking position. The retaining member. in a modification, comprises a pivoted lever, spring urged, into the locking or unlocking positions and carrying a projection engaging the edges of the fittings. Alternatively, the clasp member may be retained by a two-armed lever, the outer arm of which is attached to the carrying strap of the article and the inner arm of which is arranged to engage the ends of the fittings. The lever is pivoted on the clasp but may also be supported by projections from the fittings. In another form, Fig. 3, the clasp 18 is pivotally carried on an axle 20 by means of a plate 19. The axle 20 is long enough to allow the clasp to be released from the fittings and it may then be swung up to allow the parts to separate. The clasp is retained by a catch member 23 carried on a spring arm 21 attached to one of the fittings. A fastener similar to that shown in Fig. 3 may be mounted on the inside of a box operated from the outside by an arm extending through an L-shaped slot in the wall of the box. Figs. 5 and 7 show a form in which the clasp member may be locked in position by a key lock and is automatically moved to the locked position when closed. The two fittings 31, 32 are united by a clasp member 34 pivotally mounted on an integral tongue 35 extending through a slot in the wall of the fitting 32. A spring 38 attached to the tongue moves the clasp to the locking position and is also twisted to tilt the clasp clear of the fitting 31 when released. In the unlocking position the tongue 35 engages a projection 39 on the fitting 32 preventing the clasp from sliding. A locking bolt 40 operable by a key inserted in the keyhole 44 is slid in the unlocking movement to engage the tongue 35 to tilt the clasp and release the tongue from the projection 39 so that the clasp can slide to the locking position. A retaining spring catch 43 (as in Fig. 3) is held in the retaining position by engagement with the bolt when the latter is in the locking position and as an extra safety measure the bolt carries two abutments 45, 46 which in the locking position pre vent the fittings separating. The invention may be applied to the end stops of a sliding clasp fastening, the end-stops being united by a clasp mounted on the pull tag. It may be locked by a key lock.