DESC:MAGNET BASED LOCKING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to magnet based locking system for locking a rotor of a cylinder lock of a vehicle. The rotor of the cylinder lock of the vehicle is rotatable from steering lock position to an engine OFF position and further rotatable from engine OFF position to an engine ON position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cylinder locks are well known in art for providing a locking system in vehicles particularly in two wheeled vehicles. The conventional lock includes a rotor which is rotatable from plurality of positions such as steering Lock position, engine OFF position and engine ON position by using mechanical key. In the steering lock position, the steering of the vehicle (e.g. two wheeled vehicle) is locked. Similarly, in the engine-ON and engine OFF positions, the ignition to the engine of the vehicle is turned ON and OFF respectively. Repeated use of mechanical key for operating the cylinder lock leads to wear and tear of mechanical key.

As the cylinder locks are operable by rotating the rotor of the cylinder lock, the rotor can be provided with a knob which can be operated by the user to rotate the rotor from steering lock position to engine OFF position and further to engine ON position.

So there exists a need to develop a magnet based locking system for locking the rotor so as to prevent the rotation of the rotor through knob by an unauthorized user.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a magnet based locking system comprising a housing body. A rotor connected to a knob by a linkage and rotatable between plurality of positions by the knob. A pocket located offset from axis of the rotor for accommodating a magnetic key. A magnetic lock cylinder comprises plurality of holes accommodating spring loaded magnets, a lever. A body cover being provided with plurality of cavities for receiving the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member, thereby restraining the rotation of the magnetic lock cylinder. The lever having a proximal end of the lever is fixed to the magnetic lock member and a distal end of the lever includes a locking portion. The rotor comprises plurality of grooves defining plurality of angular positions at which the locking portion is engageable with the respective slots to restrict the rotation of the rotor. The magnetic key upon receiving in the pocket unlocks the magnetic lock member from the body cover by means of polar repulsion between the magnetic key and the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member, thereby allowing rotation of the magnetic lock member which in turn allows rotation of the rotor

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages but not limiting the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of magnetic based lock system taken along the plane A-A of fig 3a according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of magnetic lock member taken along the plane B-B of fig 1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3a, 3c shows a top view of magnetic lock member according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 3b shows a magnetic key to unlock the magnetic lock member

Figures 4a and 4b shows a sectional view of magnetic lock member along the plane C-C of fig 1 illustrating a magnet based locking system with a provision of a lockpin for preventing the direct loads on magnets in case of freewheeling of knob in accordance of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, aim of the present invention is to provide a magnet based cylinder lock. Another aim the present invention is to provide cylinder lock which is easy to handle and there is less wear and tear of magnetic key. Other aims of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Before describing in detail the various embodiments of the present invention it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention resides in the construction of magnet based locking system. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present invention and modify the various constructions of magnet based locking system. However, such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, mechanism, setup, that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such assembly, mechanism or setup. In other words, one or more elements in magnet based locking system or assembly proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or mechanism. The following paragraphs explain present invention and the same may be deduced accordingly.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a magnet based locking system comprising:
a housing body;
a rotor connected to a knob by a linkage and rotatable between plurality of positions by the knob.
a pocket located offset from axis of the rotor for accommodating a magnetic key;
a magnetic lock member comprises plurality of holes accommodating spring loaded magnets, a lever;
a body cover being provided with plurality of cavities for receiving the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member, thereby restraining the rotation of the magnetic lock member;
the lever having a proximal end of the lever is fixed to the magnetic lock member and a distal end of the lever includes a locking portion;
the rotor comprises plurality of grooves defining plurality of angular positions at which the locking portion is engageable with the respective slots to restrict the rotation of the rotor;
the magnet key, accommodated in the pocket and retained in the pocket by a quick locking and unlocking temporary locking mechanism

the magnetic key, upon receiving in the pocket, unlocks the magnetic lock member from the body cover by means of polar repulsion between the magnetic key and the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member, thereby allowing rotation of the magnetic lock member which in turn allows rotation of the rotor.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the rotor is restricted by the locking portion of the lever which is resiliently energised by a resilient means.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion is engaged in the grooves to restrict the rotation of the rotor at ignition OFF and steering LOCK position respectively.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic lock member is provided with a slot accommodating a spring loaded lock pin engageable in a corresponding hole disposed in the body cover for preventing the transfer of direct load on the magnets provided on the magnetic lock member in case of freewheeling of the knob.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic key is provided with an extruded portion to actuate the lock pin against the spring force when the magnetic key is received in the pocket thereby disengaging the same from the hole provided on the body cover.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic key is retained in the pocket by a quick locking & unlocking mechanism which is a snap fit.

In further more embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic key comprises plurality of magnets in axial alignment with the axis of magnets provided on the magnet lock member when the magnetic key is received in the pocket.

In one more embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is provided on the knob to restrict the removal of the magnetic key at engine ON position of the Knob.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a magnet based locking system. In the magnet based locking system of the present invention the cylinder lock system is operable by a knob that can be manually rotated by the user between steering LOCK position to engine OFF position and further to engine ON position. The knob is operably coupled with rotor of the cylinder lock so that by rotating the knob, the rotor of the cylinder lock can be rotated for locking or unlocking the steering or handle bar of the vehicle. Also, the present invention provides a magnet based locking system for locking/restricting the rotor of cylinder lock system against rotation at steering LOCK and engine OFF positions.

The following description describes the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 4b according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a magnet based locking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to figure 1, the magnet based locking system of the present invention comprises a magnetic key 12, a magnetic lock member 6 accommodated in casing 11, a body cover 5 for covering the casing 11, a knob 2, a linkage 3 for coupling the knob 2 with a rotor 4 of the cylinder lock system, a housing body 1for receiving the rotor 4 and accommodating other part of cylinder lock system comprising a cam 13, a latch means 14, and a lock bar 15.

Referring to figure 1, the knob 2 is coupled with the rotor 4 via linkage 3. The linkage 3 comprises two opposite ends which are configured so as to be rigidly secured with the knob 2 and an end of the rotor 4, respectively, so that actuation force for rotating the knob 2 can be transmitted to the rotor 4 effecting the rotation movement of the rotor 4. The term ‘rigidly secured herein refers to a connection which allows small or no relative movement between the connected parts. As can be observed from Figure 1, the linkage 3 and knob 2 are axially aligned with axis (x-x) of the rotor 4 of the cylindrical lock system.

The knob 2 can be rotated between plurality of positions comprising steering LOCK position, engine OFF and engine/ignition ON position. In the steering LOCK position of the knob 2, the steering or handle bar of the vehicle can be locked or restricted against rotation. Referring to Figure 1, the cam 13 is connected to the rotor 4 to move the latch mean 14along with lock bar 15linearly. The cam 13and the latch means 14are adapted to cooperate with the rotor 4 so as to lock the steering or handle bar in the steering LOCK position. In the engine OFF position of the Knob 2, the steering or handle bar of the vehicle unlocks and engine remains off state. In other words, in engine OFF position, the vehicle’s steering or handle bar can be steered but engine cannot be started. In engine ON position of the knob 2, the engine of the vehicle can be started by a switch or by a magneto.

As explained in previous paragraphs, the rotational motion of the knob 2 is transferred to the rotor 4 via linkage 3 which rigidly connects the knob 2 to the rotor 4. It can be clearly understood, if the rotational movement of the rotor 4 is restricted, rotational movement of the knob 2 will be restricted. In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotor 4 of cylinder lock system is locked or restricted against rotation, at steering LOCK and at engine OFF positions.

For this purpose, the magnetic lock member 6 is disposed at a laterally offset position from the axis x-x of the rotor 4. The ‘laterally offset position’ herein refers to a position which is offset from the axis(x-x) of the rotor 4 in lateral direction.

Figure 2 illustrates a magnetic lock member 6 of the magnet based locking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the magnetic lock member 6 comprises plurality of magnets which are resiliently accommodated in the magnetic lock member 6. The magnetic lock member 6 has cylindrical shaped body having first end surface, a second end surface and a peripheral surface. The magnetic lock member 6 is accommodated in the casing 11 and pivoted in the casing11 at the axially offset position. The magnetic lock member 6 is pivotable about the pivotal axis 7 of the cylindrical body of the magnetic lock member 6. The term ‘pivotable’ or ‘pivot’ herein refers to ‘angularly movable’ or ‘angular movement’ about pivotal axis 7. It can be observed from Figures 1 and 2, the pivotal axis 7 of the cylindrical body of the magnetic lock member 6 is laterally offset from the axis (x-x) of the rotor 4.

The magnetic lock member 6 comprises a lever 6a extending substantially tangentially from the peripheral surface of the body of the magnetic lock member 6. The lever 6a comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The term ‘proximal end’ herein refers to an end which is nearer to the pivotal axis 7 of the magnetic lock member 6. The term ‘distal end’ herein refers to an end which farther from the pivotal axis 7 of the magnetic lock member 6. The proximal end of the lever 6a is fixed to the magnetic lock member 6 or may be integrated with cylindrical body of the magnetic lock member 6 at the peripheral surface. The distal end of the lever 6a comprises a locking portion 6b which is engageable with corresponding grooves (4a, 4b) formed on the rotor 4 at the engine OFF and the steering LOCK positions. Rotation of the rotor 4 is restrained at OFF and LOCK positions by the locking portion 6b of the lever 6a. For this purpose, the lever 6a is resiliently energized by a spring 8. As can be understood from Figure 2, the spring 8 bias the lever 6a towards the rotor 4 so as to engage the locking portion 6b with the corresponding grooves (4a, 4b) and the locking portion 6b of the lever 6a is required to be disengaged from the grooves (4a,4b) for rotation of the rotor 4. As the rotor 4 is rotated from engine LOCK position to engine OFF position or from engine OFF position to engine ON position, the locking portion 6b of the lever/locking arm 6a disengages from the respective groove and moves on the surface of the rotor 4. During this movement, the lever 6a moves against the force of the spring 8 and the magnetic lock member 6 pivots about its pivotal axis 7. It can be clearly observed, the pivotal movement of the magnetic lock member 6 about its pivotal axis 7 allows movement of the lever 6a which in turn allows rotation of the rotor 4 if the locking portion 6b of the lever 6a is engaged with the respective grooves (4a, 4b) provided on the rotor 4 at the steering LOCK or engine OFF positions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic lock member 6 can be locked or restricted against pivoting about its pivotal axis 7 at the steering LOCK or engine OFF positions of the knob 2. For this purpose, the magnetic lock member 6 comprises plurality of holes provided on the first end surface accommodating springs loaded magnets (as shown in Figure 1). As can be observed from Figure 1, the magnetic lock member 6 when accommodated in the casing11, the first end surface of the magnetic lock member 6 faces the body cover5which covers the casing 11. The body cover 5 is provided with plurality of cavities for receiving the magnets provided on the magnetic lock member 6. As explained in previous paragraphs, the plurality of magnets accommodated in the magnetic lock member 6 are spring loaded and therefore, the magnets tend to project outside the holes provided on the magnetic lock member 6 and received in the cavities provided on the body cover5therebyengaging the magnetic lock member 6 with the body cover 5 thereby locking or restricting the magnetic lock member 6 against rotation in steering LOCK or engine OFF position.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3(a)-(b), the body cover 5 has an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite to the interior surface. The interior surface of the body cover 5 faces the magnetic lock member 6 when the body cover 5 is assembled with the casing 11. The interior surface of the body cover 5 is provided with plurality of cavities for receiving the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member 6 thereby engaging the magnetic lock member 6 with the body cover 5.

The magnetic lock member 6 is pivotable only when the magnets are disengaged with the body cover5. For this purpose, a magnetic key 12 is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention which disengages the magnets of the magnetic lock member 6 from the cavities provided on the body cover 5.

Referring to Figure 3a, a pocket 5a is provided on the body cover 5to accommodate the magnetic key 12. The magnetic key 12 is provided with a snap lock 1a such as shown in figure 3b. The magnetic key 12 is resiliently snapped in the pocket 5a through snaps 1a as it remains fixed in the pocket 5a such as shown in Figure 3c. As can be observed from Figures 3c, the pocket 5a for accommodating the magnetic key 12 is located at laterally offset position from the axis (x-x) of the rotor 4.

In an embodiment, the magnetic key 12 comprises plurality of magnets which are in substantial axial alignment with the corresponding magnets provided on the magnetic lock member 6. The magnets provided on the magnetic key 12 is magnetized so as to repel the magnets provided on the magnetic lock member 6 thereby get disengaging the same from the cavities of the body cover 5 when the magnetic key 12 is received in the pocket 5a provided on the body cover 5.

As can be observed from above paragraphs, the magnetic lock member 6 is pivotable when the magnetic key 12 is received in the pocket 5a provided on the body. Therefore, the rotor 4 is allowed to rotate via the knob 2 only when the magnetic key 12 is received in the pocket 5a as shown in Figure 3c. Referring to Figure 3c, the knob 2 is provided with a protrusion which overlaps with the magnetic key 12 received in the pocket 5a at ON position of the knob 2 thereby restricting the removal of the magnetic key 12 at ON POSITION (i.e. ignition start position).

Referring to Figures 1-4b, the locking portion 6b allows the rotor 4 to rotate only when the magnetic lock member 6 is allowed to pivot about its pivotal axis 7. The magnetic lock member 6 is allowed to pivot about its pivotal axis 7only when the magnetic key 12 is received in the pocket 5a. As explained in previous paragraphs, the magnetic lock member 6 is provided with plurality of holes to accommodate the magnets. The magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member 6 are resiliently engageable with the cavities provided on the interior surface of the body cover 5. Holes in the magnetic lock member 6 is provided with magnets that can move resiliently in vertical direction inside the respective holes. The spring is provided as a resilient means inside the holes with magnets for the resilient movement of magnets. The rotation of the magnetic lock member 6 is restricted by the magnets that are engaged within the respective cavities provided in the body cover 5. Upon receiving the magnetic key 12 in the pocket 5a, the magnetic lock member 6 unlocks from the body cover 5due to magnetic repulsion between the similar poles of magnets disposed in both magnetic lock member 6 and magnetic key 12.

Upon receiving the magnetic key 12 in the pocket 5a, the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member 6 pushed in downward direction against the spring force due to magnetic polar repulsion between the similar poles of magnets disposed in both magnetic lock member 6 and magnetic key 12. As the force due to magnetic polar repulsion is greater than the spring force, the magnets received in the cavities provided on the lower surface of the body cover 5 moves in the downward direction thereby disengaging the magnets from the cavities in lower surface of pocket 5a. This unlocks the rotation of the magnetic lock member 6 about its pivot which in turn allows rotation of the rotor 4 and the knob 2.

When the rotor 4 is rotated from the engine OFF to the steering LOCK position via knob 2, it pushes the lever/locking arm 6a against the spring force which disengages the locking portion 6b from the groove 4a and engages the locking portion 6b with the groove 4b.

In an embodiment, freewheeling in the knob 2 is provided with respect to the linkage 3 when the knob 2 will be rotated beyond a certain torque limit.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate magnet based locking system with a provision of a lock pin 9 for preventing the direct loads on magnets in case of freewheeling of knob 2 in accordance of an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to figure 4a, direct load on the magnets in case of freewheeling is prevented by a lock pin 9 provided on the magnetic lock member 6 which is resiliently pushed-up by the spring 10 and engaged with the hole present in the body cover 5. The lock pin 9 and the spring 10 are accommodated in a slot 6c (as shown in Figure 4a).

It can be clearly understood that for the rotation of the magnetic lock member 6, the lock pin 9 is required to be disengaged from the hole provided in the cover. For this purpose, the magnetic key 12 is provided with an extruded portion 1d. When the magnetic key 12 is accommodated in the key pocket 5a, the lock pin 9 is pushed against the spring 10by the extruded portion 1d provided on the magnetic key 12 (as shown in Figure 4b).

As it can be observed from the above that there is no wearing of the operating key as it remains fixed in the pocket 5a of the body cover 5 and the system is operated by the knob 2.

CLAIMS:
1. A magnet based locking system comprising:
a housing body (1);
a rotor (4) connected to a knob (2) by a linkage (3) and rotatable between plurality of positions by the knob (2).
a pocket (5a) located offset from axis of the rotor (4) for accommodating a magnetic key (12);
a magnetic lock member(6) comprises plurality of holes accommodating spring loaded magnets, a lever (6a);
a body cover (5) being provided with plurality of cavities for receiving the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock cylinder (6), thereby restraining the rotation of the magnetic lock cylinder (6);
the lever (6a) having a proximal end of the lever (6a) is fixed to the magnetic lock member(6) and a distal end of the lever (6a) includes a locking portion (6b);
the rotor (4) comprises plurality of grooves (4a,4b) defining plurality of angular positions at which the locking portion (6b) is engageable with the respective slots to restrict the rotation of the rotor (4);
the magnet key (12), accommodated in the pocket (5a) and retained in the pocket (5a) by a quick locking & unlocking mechanism
the magnetic key (12), upon receiving in the pocket (5a), unlocks the magnetic lock member (6) from the body cover (5) by means of polar repulsion between the magnets of magnetic key (12) and the magnets disposed in the magnetic lock member (6a), thereby allowing rotation of the magnetic lock member (6) which in turn allows rotation of the rotor (4).

2. A locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation of the rotor (4) is restricted by the locking portion (6b) of the lever (6a) which is resiliently energised by a spring (8).

3. A locking system as claimed in claim1, wherein the locking portion (6b) is engaged in the grooves (4a,4b) to restrict the rotation of the rotor (4) at ignition OFF and steering LOCK position respectively.

4. A locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic lock member (6) is provided with a slot 6c accommodating a spring loaded lock pin (9) engageable in a corresponding hole disposed in the body cover (5) for preventing the transfer of direct load on the magnets provided on the magnetic lock member (6) in case of freewheeling of the knob (2).

5. A locking system as claimed in claim1, wherein the magnetic key (12) is provided with an extruded portion to actuate the lock pin (9) against the spring force when the magnetic key (12) is received in the pocket (5a) thereby disengaging the same from the hole provided on the body cover (5).

6. A locking system as claimed in claim1, wherein the magnetic key (12) is retained in the pocket (5a) by a quick locking& unlocking mechanism which is a snap fit.

7. A locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic key (12) comprises plurality of magnets in axial alignment with the axis of magnets provided on the magnet lock member (6) when the magnetic key (12) is received in the pocket (5a).

8. A locking system as claimed in claim1, wherein a protrusion is provided on the knob (2) to restricts the removal of the magnetic key (12) at engine ON position of the Knob (2).