Lock bolt structure of steel cable lock

[0002] The present invention is related to a lock bolt structure of steel cable lock, and more particularly to a lock bolt structure including two separately movable lock bolts for enhancing torque strength of the lock bolt structure. The lock bolt structure is protected from being damaged by external twisting force so as to achieve a better burglarproof effect.

[0003] Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 370147, 413259, 424840, 435561 disclose various steel cable locks. The lock bolt structures of such steel cable locks can be substantially divided into two kinds as follows:

[0004] First, a fixed lock bolt is disposed on the casing in cooperation with a movable lock bolt. The movable lock bolt can be extended from the fixed lock bolt and engaged in a hole formed on an article to achieve a locking effect (such as Publication Nos. 370147 and 424840). Second, two relatively movable lock plates can be expanded to engage in a hole formed on an article to be locked so as to achieve a locking effect (such as Publication Nos. 413259 and 435561 ). The above kinds of lock bolt structures are both characterized in that the fixed lock bolt and movable lock bolt (or two movable lock bolts ) are separated from each other. Such lock bolt structures have a certain strength against an external force applied onto the lock bolts to draw the lock bolts out of the hole of the article. However, in the case the lock body is forcedly turned, the lock bolts tend to be twisted, deformed and bent. As a result, the lock bolts can be easily drawn out of the hole of the article.

[0005] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a lock bolt structure of steel cable lock. Two lock bolts are disposed at one end section of the casing of the lock. The lock bolts can be oppositely pivotally rotated to close or expand. The outer ends of the lock bolts are formed with hook sections which symmetrically outward extends. The lock bolts are formed with guide channels on opposite faces. A core shaft extends between the lock bolts. The circumference of the core shaft is formed with multiple axially extending lateral ribs. Two lateral ribs are slidably inserted in the guide channels of the lock bolts to integrally connect the lock bolts with the core shaft. The core shaft can be extended or retracted by a lock core disposed in the casing so as to contract or expand the lock bolts. The core shaft has a cross-shaped cross-section. The casing is formed with a corresponding cross-shaped perforation. The core shaft is passed through the cross-shaped perforation to provide enhanced torque strength for the lock bolt structure to avoid damage of the lock by external twisting force.

[0006] The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a partially assembled view of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the locking operation of the present invention in one state;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the locking operation of the present invention in another state; and

[0012] FIG. 6 shows the application of the present invention.

[0013] Please refer to FIG. 1. The present invention includes a casing 1, a lock core 2, a driving block 3, two lock bolts 4 and a core shaft 5. The casing 1 is composed of a base seat 11 and an upper cover 12. A projecting post 111 is disposed on a middle portion of inner side of the base seat 11. The surface of the upper cover 12 is formed with multiple numeral windows 121. When the base seat 11 and the upper cover 12 are mated with each other, an end section of the base seat 11 and an end section of the upper cover 12 snugly clamp and embrace an inner stop board 13. A shift bar 15 is axially slidably disposed on the circumference of the casing 1. One end of the shift bar 15 has a push section 151 extending into the casing 1. A press block 152 is formed on one side of the push section 151 and outward protrudes from the casing 1. The center of the inner stop board 13 is formed with a substantially cross-shaped perforation 131. Two through holes 132 are formed on two sides of the perforation 131. An inner face of a front cap 14 is connected with outer face of the inner stop board 13. The center of the front cap 14 is formed with a through hole 142. Two parallel slots 141 are formed on the inner face of the front cap 14 on two sides of the through hole 142. Multiple numeral wheels 21 are side by side arranged on the circumference of the lock core 2 for controlling the unlocking/locking operation of the lock core 2. One end section of the lock core 2 is connected with a driving board 22 having a transverse extending insertion channel 221. A restoring spring 23 is disposed between the driving board 22 and the numeral wheels 21 for resiliently restoring the driving board 22. The middle portion of the driving block 3 is formed with an insertion slit 32 and an insertion recess 34 extending in parallel to the insertion slit 32. An engaging board 33 having a notch 331 on bottom side is inserted and located in the insertion slit 32. One end section of the driving block 3 is formed with a boss section 31 having a central through hole 311 communicating with the insertion slit 32. A pivoted plate 36 is pivotally fitted on the projecting post 111 in the base seat 11. One end of the pivoted plate 36 extends into the insertion recess 34. The other end of the pivoted plate 36 extends into an insertion slit 351 of middle portion of a linking board 35. One end of the linking board 35 is formed with a projecting section 352 for inserting into the insertion channel 221 of the driving board 22. A middle portion of each lock bolt 4 is formed with a shaft section 41. One end of the lock bolt 4 is formed with an obliquely extending rear end section 42. The other end of the lock bolt 4 is formed with an outward extending hook section 43. The lock bolt 4 is formed with a longitudinally extending guide channel 44 on one side opposite to the hook section 43. The core shaft 5 is an elongated member. One end of the core shaft 5 is formed with a gradually widened expansion section 51. The other end of the core shaft 5 is formed with an annular groove 52. The circumference of the core shaft 5 is formed with multiple axially extending ribs 53, whereby the core shaft 5 has a cross-section with a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-shaped perforation 131.

[0014] Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. When assembled, the lock core 2 is received in the casing 1. The numeral wheels 21 are partially exposed to outer side through the numeral windows 121 for a user to shift the numeral wheels 21 for controlling the lock core 2. The push section 151 of the shift bar 15 positioned between the base seat 11 and the upper cover 12 presses outer side of the driving board 22. The driving board 22 is coupled with the linking board 35 via the insertion channel 221 and the projecting section 352. The linking board 35 clamps and fits on one end section of the pivoted plate 36. The other end section of the pivoted plate 36 is drivingly engaged with the driving block 3. With the guide channels 44 opposite to each other, the shaft sections 41 of the two lock bolts 4 are respectively fitted into the slots 141 of the front cap 14. The hook sections 43 pass through the through hole 142 and extend outward. The front cap 14 is connected with the outer face of the inner stop board 13 and the rear end sections 42 of the lock bolts 4 extend into the through holes 132 of the inner stop board 13. The end of the core shaft 5 with the annular groove 52 passes through the cross-shaped perforation 131 of the inner stop board 13 and extends into the through hole 311 of the boss section 31. Via the notch 331, the engaging board 33 inserted in the insertion slit 32 fits into the annular groove 52 to clamp the core shaft 5. Accordingly, the core shaft 5 is drivingly coupled with the driving block 3. When the core shaft 5 is located in its true position, two lateral ribs 53 of the core shaft 5 extend into the guide channels 44 of the lock bolts 4.

[0015] After assembled, a steel cable 6 is clamped and connected with the casing 1 to form a complete steel cable lock.

[0016] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the operation of the present invention. In use, in the case that a user shifts the respective numeral wheels 21 to correct position, the user can press the press block 152 to push the shift bar 15. At this time, the push section 151 presses and retracts the driving board 22. Via the linking board 35, the driving board 22 pulls one end of the pivoted plate 36, whereby the other end thereof reversely forward pushes the driving block 3. At this time, the boss section 31 of the driving block 3 pushes the lock bolts 4 between the rear end sections 42 thereof. Accordingly, the other ends of the lock bolts 4 are closed toward each other. (At this time, the core shaft 5 is driven by the driving block 3 and the expansion section 51 protrudes outward and the lateral ribs 53 are totally accommodated in the guide channels 44 as shown in FIG. 4.) Under such circumstance, the user can extend the hook sections 43 of the lock bolts 4 into a lock bolt hole 71 formed on the housing 7 of an article to be locked. (FIG. 6 shows a notebook-type computer which is to be locked.) After the hook sections 43 of the lock bolts 4 are inserted and located in the lock bolt hole 71 of the housing 7, the user releases the press block 152 and the restoring spring 23 resiliently restores the driving board 22 to its home position. At this time, the linking board 35 synchronously forward pushes one end of the pivoted plate 36, whereby the other end of the pivoted plate 36 pulls the driving block 3. At this time, the expansion section 51 of the core shaft 5 is synchronously pulled to slide inward between the two lock bolts 4 and abut against the hook sections 43 at outer ends thereof. Under such circumstance, the hook sections 43 are laterally extended to hook inner side of the lock bolt hole 71 of the housing 7 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the numeral wheels 21 are randomly shifted to form a locked state.

[0017] The above operation can be reversely performed to draw the lock bolts 4 out of the lock bolt hole 71 of the housing 7 to unlock the article.

[0018] According to the above arrangement, the torque strength of the lock bolts of the steel cable lock is enhanced to avoid damage of the steel cable lock due to external twisting force.

[0019] The above embodiment is only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiment can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.