TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a locking device for a vehicle. More specifically,
the present disclosure relates to an improved lock barrel assembly.
5
BACKGROUND
The information in this section merely provides background information related to
the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
10 Since a long time, vehicles are providing with locking devices. The locking devices
may be provided to prevent the stealing or using the vehicles without prior consent
of owner of the vehicle. The locking device may be categorized based on operating
actuation means. Mostly, the locking devices are operating by means of a key. The
key may be an ignition key. Such devices comprise a lock barrel, as shown in figure
15 1. The lock barrel recited in figure 1 is well-known in the prior art. The said lock
barrel comprises a rotor cap (1), K-ring (2), spring for lock plates (3), lock plates
(4), rotor (5), spring for check lock plate (6), check lock plate (7), spring for shutter
(8), shutter (9) and shutter Pin (10). The lock barrel is configured to house major
components of the locking device. The components placed in the lock barrel has
20 relative motion there in between. For the smooth functioning of the said
components, lubricants such as grease, oil and the like can be used. Preferably, the
WD-40 oil is mainly used for lubricating the components of the locking devices.
Generally, the lock barrel is structured in such way that water usually enters in the
lock barrel in conditions such as rain, fog and washing. To overcome such
25 problems, a drainage system is provided at a lower portion of the conventional lock
barrel by which the water may drain out from the lock barrel. However, the
lubricating oil present in between the components of the conventional locking
device is also drains out along with the water. This leads to wastage of the
lubricating oil and is uneconomical. Moreover, this leads to rusting which makes
30 the insertion and withdrawal of key little difficult.
3
Conventionally, the lock barrel has one or more tumbler plates for a cylindrical
lock. The said lock barrels comprise a cylindrical body having a centre cavity
communicating laterally with two diametrically opposed regions of the body, and a
core having slots carrying the tumbler plates and their return springs. Such tumbler
5 plate barrels are usually constituted by a pressure-moulded body comprises one or
more transverse slots for passage of the tumbler plates from there. The conventional
lock barrel may be made of materials such as zinc, aluminium alloy, plastic and the
combination thereof. However, there is no provision to inhibit the water entry in the
lock barrel.
10 In view of the above limitations of the existing lock barrels, there is immense need
in the art to provide an improved locking device that overcomes one or more
existing limitations of existing locking device. Specifically, a lock barrel assembly
that inhibits the entry of water in the lock barrel.
15 SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
One or more drawbacks of conventional lock barrels as described in the prior art
are overcome and additional advantages are provided through lock barrel assembly
as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized
through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects
20 of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the
claimed disclosure.
The present invention relates to a lock barrel assembly for inhibiting the water entry
in the lock barrel. The lock barrel assembly comprises a rotor, a keyway, a k-ring
25 and a rubber seal. The rotor comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The
keyway is positioned at the top portion of the rotor. The keyway is configured to
accommodate a key therein. The k-ring is disposed at periphery of the top portion
of the rotor. The k-ring is configured to accommodate a rotor cap. The rubber seal
is positioned in a cavity of the rotor cap.
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4
In an embodiment, the cavity is formed at a lower portion of the rotor cap to
accommodate the rubber seal therein.
In an embodiment, an opening is formed at center of an upper portion of the rotor
5 cap for insertion of the key.
In an embodiment, the rubber seal comprises at least one protruded portion.
In an embodiment, the at least protruded portion is housed by a cavity formed at the
10 top portion of the rotor.
In an embodiment, an opening is formed at center of the rubber seal.
In an embodiment, the opening is positioned coincide to the opening of the rotor
15 cap.
In an embodiment, a shutter assembly is configured on the top portion of the rotor
to hold the rubber seal at a position thereof.
In an embodiment, the shutter assembly comprises a shutter pushed by a spring to
20 abut with the rubber seal.
In an embodiment, the shutter assembly comprises a shutter pin configured to hinge
the shutter and the spring.
25 In an embodiment, a plurality of lock plates with springs are disposed in the rotor
for locking.
In an embodiment, a plurality of openings is formed at a side portion of the rotor to
accommodate the plurality of lock plates in locking condition.
30
5
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described
above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent with
reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended
description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use,
further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to
10 the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in
conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now
described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures
wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
15 Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of locking barrel known in the prior art.
Figure 2 illustrates the sectional view of the locking barrel in accordance with the
embodiment of present disclosure.
20 Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of locking barrel in according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that
25 alternative embodiments of the assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be
employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms,
30 specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and
will be described below. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be
6
motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications.
However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended
to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device
5 that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but
may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or
device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or
device proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or
10 apparatus.
Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a lock barrel assembly
that inhibits the water entry in the lock barrel.
15 Another aim of the present disclosure is to develop a lock barrel assembly having
design flexibility.
Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a lock barrel assembly. The lock
barrel assembly is configured to inhibits the water entry in the lock barrel in
20 conditions such as rain, fog, washing and the like. The lock barrel assembly may
have different configuration and material.
Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to the construction of a lock barrel
assembly. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a lock barrel
25 assembly for inhibiting the water entry in the lock barrel.
Reference will now be made to a lock barrel assembly which is explained with the
help of figures. The figures are for the purpose of illustration only and should not
be construed as limitations on the assembly of the present disclosure. Wherever
30 possible, referral numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.
7
Figures 2 to 3 illustrate the lock barrel assembly comprises a rotor cap (1), a rubber
seal (2), a K-ring (3), a spring (4) for lock plates, a plurality of lock plates (5), a
rotor (6), a spring (7) for check lock plate, a check lock plate (8), a shutter assembly
(12). The rotor (6) act as a housing where all the components are secured in it. The
5 rotor (6) may have cylindrical shape. The rotor (6) comprises a top portion (61), a
bottom portion (62) and a side portion (63). The bottom portion (62) may be
configured to attach the lock barrel assembly with the other attachments of a
vehicle. The top portion (61) is constructed with the keyway opening. The keyway
opening extends towards the bottom portion of the rotor (6). The keyway (64) is
10 configured to accommodate a key therein. The shape of key is constructed
corresponds to the shape of keyway (64). The K-ring (3) is disposed at the top
portion (61) of the rotor (6). The k-ring (3) is located at periphery of the rotor (6).
The K-ring (3) is configured to accommodate the rotor cap (1).
15 As shown in figure 3, the rotor cap (1) comprises an upper portion and a lower
portion. The lower portion of the rotor cap (1) is mounted on the K-ring such as
providing sealing effects there in between. The K-ring may have different
configuration. The rotor cap (1) has an opening (114) at the upper portion (111).
The opening (114) of the rotor cap (1) may be placed at centre of the rotor cap (1).
20 The opening (114) of the rotor cap (1) may have different shape corresponds to the
shape of the keyway opening of the rotor (6). In an exemplary embodiment, the
keyway (64) has a shape of a rectangular. The lower portion of the rotor cap (1)
comprises a cavity (113).
25 In an embodiment, the rubber seal (2) is disposed in the cavity (113) of the rotor
cap (1). The rubber seal (2) is configured to provide sealing effect between the rotor
(6) and the rotor cap (1) for inhibiting the water entry in the lock barrel assembly.
The rubber seal (2) has at least one protruded portion (22). The protruded portion
(22) is housed by a cavity (65). The cavity (65) is formed on the top portion (61) of
30 the rotor (6). The cavity (65) may be one or more, depends on the number of
protruded portions (22) to be secured therein.
8
As shown in figure 3, the rubber seal (2) has an opening (23). The opening (23) of
the rubber seal (2) is positioned coincide to the keyway opening of the rotor (6) and
the rotor cap (1) for insertion of the key therein.
5 As shown in figures 2 and 3, the shutter assembly (12) is configured to hold the
rubber seal (2) at a position thereof. The shutter assembly (12) comprises a shutter
(10), a shutter pin (11) and a spring (9). The shutter (10) is configured to abut the
rubber seal (2). The shutter (10) may have different shape. The shutter (10) has one
or more hole to accommodate the shutter pin (11) therein. The shutter (10) and the
10 spring (9) may be hinged about the shutter pin (11). The spring (9) is positioned
such that one arm is placed on the shutter (10) for pushing towards the rubber seal
(2) and another arm is supported by the rotor (6).
As shown in figure 2, a plurality of openings (66) is formed at the side portion (63)
15 of the rotor (6). The plurality of openings (66) is configured to passage the plurality
of the lock plates (5) there through. The plurality of lock plates (5) is configured to
place inside to outside of the rotor (6) for performing the unlocking and locking
operations upon receiving actuation by means of the key.
20 As shown in figure 3, the rotor (6) comprises one or more springs (4) to energize
the plurality of the lock plates. Further, a check lock plate (8) is placed at the bottom
portion (62) of the rotor (6). A check spring (7) is provided to energize the check
lock plate (8).
25 Accordingly, the improved lock barrel assembly safeguards from water entering
through lock barrel and prevents the water sieve into the lock and reduce the
chances of wasting the WD-40 oil. Also, the improved version of the lock barrel
assembly does not deteriorate the smoothness of insertion and withdrawal of the
key.
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9
List of Reference Numerals
Sr. No. Description
1 Rotor Cap
111 Upper portion
112 Lower portion
113 Cavity
114 Opening
2 Rubber seal
22 Protruded portion
23 Opening
3 K-ring
4 Spring
5 Plurality of lock plates
6 Rotor
61 Top portion
62 Bottom portion
63 Side portion
64 Keyway
65 Cavity
66 Plurality of openings
7 Check spring
10
5
10
15
20
25
30
8 Check lock plate
9 Spring
10 Shutter
11 Shutter pin
12 Shutter assembly
11
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein,
those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from
the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
5 various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of
clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally
10 intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “having” should be interpreted as “having
at least,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be
explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
15 may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to
introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
20 claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and
indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use
of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
25 art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least
the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It
will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word
and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,
30 claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of
including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the
12
phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A
and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects
5 and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects
and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not
intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.

We claim
1. A lock barrel assembly for preventing the entry of water therein, the lock barrel
assembly comprising:
a rotor (6) having a top portion (61) and a bottom portion (62);
5 a keyway (64) positioned at the top portion (61) of the rotor (6) and configured
to accommodate a key therein;
a k-ring (3) disposed at periphery of the top portion (61) of the rotor (6) and
configured to accommodate a rotor cap (1);
wherein a rubber seal (2) is positioned in a cavity (113) of the rotor cap (1).
10
2. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the cavity (113) is
formed at a lower portion (112) of the rotor cap (1) to accommodate the rubber
seal (2) therein.
15 3. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an opening (114) is
formed at center of an upper portion (111) of the rotor cap (1) for insertion of
the key.
4. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the rubber seal (2)
20 comprises at least one protruded portion (22) that is housed by a cavity (65)
formed at the top portion (61) of the rotor (6).
5. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an opening (23) is
formed at center of the rubber seal (2) that is positioned coincide to the opening
25 (114) of the rotor cap (1).
6. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shutter assembly (12)
is configured on the top portion (61) of the rotor (6) to hold the rubber seal (2)
at a position thereof.
30
14
7. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the shutter
assembly (12) comprises a shutter (10) pushed by a spring (9) to abut with the
rubber seal (2).
5 8. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claims 6 and 7, wherein the shutter
assembly (12) comprises a shutter pin (11) configured to hinge the shutter (10)
and the spring (9).
9. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of lock
10 plates (5) with springs (4) are disposed in the rotor (6) for locking.
10. The lock barrel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings
(66) is formed at a side portion (63) of the rotor (6) to accommodate the plurality
of lock plates (5) in locking condition.