Locking device, in particular for furniture

• US 6,092,846 A
• Filed: 07/02/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EFF-EFF Fritz Fuss GmbH & Co.
• Original Assignee: EFF-EFF Fritz Fuss GmbH & Co.
• Inventors: Fuss, Fritz Helmut, Toma, Augustin
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vaterlaus, Clifford B
• Application Number:
  US09/109,837
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 292/302, 292/341.16, 292/341.15, 292/341.18, 292/144, 292/150, 292/244, 292/DIG. 60, 292/DIG. 69, 292/DIG. 53, 292/DIG. 5, 70/34, 70/380, 403/217
• US Class Current: 292/302
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0007 with two or more electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0073 Current to unlock only
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0076 Current to lock only, i.e. "fail-safe"
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2063/0026 Elongated, e.g. stud-like, striker entering into an opening in which movable detent means engage the elongated striker
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0006 having a non-movable core; with permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0065 Operating modes; Transformable to different operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/60 Adjustment provisions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/432 Sliding catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 Motor controlled

Abstract

An electrically actuable furniture locking device includes a locking housing, a locking pin and an indicator element. The locking housing is provided with two introduction openings for a locking pin. In the locking housing, a locking slide is arranged to be actuated electromagnetically and adjusted from a locking position into an unlocking position. A lever armature, which can be connected to the locking slide, can be connected to the locking slide such that it can be optionally switched over for closed-circuit or open-circuit operation. The locking device permits an arrangement adaptable to various installations, as well as monitoring of the open and closed states and optionally closed- and open-circuit operations.

Claims

1. A locking device for furniture, said locking device having:

a locking element affixable to a first furniture part, said locking element comprising a locking pin;

a locking-element socket affixable to a second furniture part, said locking-element socket comprising a locking housing containing a locking slide, which is movable electromagnetically from a locking position that locks the locking element, into an unlocking position that unlocks the locking element, said locking-element socket further comprising a first introduction opening, and a second introduction opening disposed substantially perpendicular to said first introduction opening, said locking slide having a first socket and a second socket, each of said first introduction opening, second introduction opening, first socket and second socket intended for said locking pin, and

a monitoring device, which comprises an indicator element arranged at a point of intersection substantially coincident of axes of intersection of each introduction opening of said locking housing and each socket of said locking slide, respectively.

2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking housing is designed as a cubic compact housing having an end side and an adjoining cover plate, wherein said first introduction opening is formed in said end side, and said second introduction opening is formed in said adjoining cover plate of the locking housing, and wherein the locking slide is arranged and adjusted on an inside, in a region of the first and second introduction openings, of said locking housing.

3. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking slide is displaceably guided on at least one inner side of a locking housing wall, and wherein said first socket and said second socket are designed as slots and, in said unlocking position, said first socket is in alignment with said first introduction opening as said second socket is in alignment with said second introduction opening of said locking housing in order to receive said locking pin.

4. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking slide is actuated by an armature and adjusted from said unlocking position into said locking position, said armature connected to the locking slide for actuation from a closed-circuit operation to an open-circuit operation.

5. The locking device as claimed in claim 4, where said armature is designed as a single-arm lever armature, which pivots about a pivot axis that runs parallel to an end side of said locking housing, and wherein at least one coil of an electromagnet is arranged in a vicinity of the pivot axis, and a free end region of said armature is releasably fixed in an open-circuit groove or closed-circuit groove of said locking slide.

6. The locking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the open-circuit groove and the closed-circuit groove are designed to complement the free end region of the armature, and are arranged at a predeterminable distance one above the other in a rear region of said locking slide.

7. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking slide includes a securing plate which, for guidance during adjusting movement of the locking slide, is attached to an inside of a cover plate of said locking housing.

8. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator element is designed as a spring-biased indicator slide that is arranged displaceably in the locking housing, said indicator element being received, at least in part, by said locking slide, and is formed with a hemispherical head disposed, when unbiased, at a point of intersection coincident of both axes of intersection of each introduction opening of said locking housing.

9. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, further including a switch arranged adjacent to said indicator element such that when a locking pin is introduced through said first introduction opening, the switch is actuated and an alarm system is optionally actuated.

10. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking pin projects from a fastening flange having fastening openings and is designed as a circular cylinder, said locking pin having an annular locking groove, which engages said locking slide in a locking position, and having an annular indicator groove, which engages a hemispherical head of said indicator element.

11. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking housing and the adjustable locking slide is affixed to a stationary furniture part, and the locking pin is affixed to a movable furniture part.

12. The locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the locking pin is fixed displaceably in a cutout of said fastening flange.

13. The locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the annular locking groove is formed in a vicinity of the fastening flange, and the annular indicator groove is formed in a vicinity of a front, introduction region of said locking pin.

22. The locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein an introduction region of said locking pin is designed as a truncated cone.

14. A locking device for locking and unlocking two components moveable relative to one another, in particular doors or drawers of furniture, said locking device having:

a locking element affixable to a first component, said locking element comprising a locking pin having a longitudinal axis, and

a locking-element socket affixable to a second component and movable from a locking position that locks the locking element, into an unlocking position that unlocks the locking element, said locking-element socket comprising a locking housing containing an electrically actuable locking slide having a first socket and second socket intended for said locking pin,

and setting relative positions of interacting locking parts of said locking pin and of said locking slide optionally sets an open-circuit operation, in which said locking pin is locked when an actuation device has not been supplied with current, and optionally sets a closed-circuit operation, in which the locking pin is unlocked when said actuation device has not been supplied with current.

15. The locking device as claimed in claim 14, said locking pin having an annular locking surface and a beveled section connecting said locking surface, wherein turning of said locking pin about said longitudinal axis, prior to closure of said locking device, optionally positions said locking surface and said beveled section into a locking position and unlocking position on a locking protrusion on said locking slide.

16. The locking device as claimed in claim 15, wherein, during fitting, turning of the locking pin is determined by alignment of a fastening flange.

17. The locking device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said locking pin which, in the unlocking position, is forced out of the locking position by at least one spring-actuated element disposed within said locking housing, in setting an open-circuit operation.

18. The locking device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the electric actuation device has a coil former with two coils connected at least one of in series and in parallel.

19. The locking device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said locking slide is actuable by an armature of the electric actuating device and is adjustable from an unlocking position into a locking position, said armature, via connection to the locking slide, optionally switches over from a closed-circuit operation to an open-circuit operation.

20. The locking device as claimed in claim 14, said locking housing having a first introduction opening and a second introduction opening disposed substantially perpendicular to said first introduction opening, said locking slide having a first socket and a second socket disposed substantially perpendicular to said first socket, each of said first introduction opening, second introduction opening, first socket and second socket intended for said locking pin.

21. The locking device as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a monitoring device, which comprises at least one indicator element that extends into a region at a point of intersection coincident of both axes of intersection of each introduction opening of said locking housing.