Lock release apparatus and lock apparatus having the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9752356-B2
Application number	US-201514871681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2015
Priority date	Oct 1, 2014
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

An embodiment provides a lock-release apparatus including: a rotation member to actuate a locking member; a case member rotatably supporting the rotation member; an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member; and a spring member urging the rotation member in a given rotation direction. The lock-release apparatus further includes a link structure converting a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member. More specifically, the case member includes: an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A lock-release apparatus including:
a rotation member including an actuation section being configured to rotate to actuate a locking member;
a case member rotatably supporting the rotation member;
an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member;
a spring member making contact with both the case member and the rotation member to thereby urge the rotation member in a given rotation direction; and
a link structure being configured to convert a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member,
wherein the case member includes:
an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and
a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member.

2. The lock-release apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein the spring member is formed by being wound and disposed so as to enclose the support section, and
wherein the link structure is disposed on an inside diameter side of the spring member as viewed from an axial direction.

3. The lock-release apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein the link structure including:
a protruding section; and
an engaging section to be engaged with the protruding section, and

wherein one of the protruding section and the engaging section is formed on the operation member and the other thereof is formed on the rotation member.

4. The lock-release apparatus of claim 3 ,
wherein the protruding section is formed on the rotation member,
wherein the engaging section is formed on the operation member and has a contact face making contact with the protruding section, and
wherein the contact face pushes the protruding section in a direction of sliding of the operation member to thereby rotate the rotation member.

5. The lock-release apparatus of claim 4 ,
wherein the operation member includes a base section extending from the operation face in the direction of sliding of the operation member and being accommodated in the accommodation section, and
wherein the contact face is formed on a portion of the operation member within a range from a tip end of the base section to the operation face.

6. The lock-release apparatus of claim 5 ,
wherein the base section includes rail sections extending toward the tip end of the base section in the direction of sliding the operation member beyond the contact face.

7. The lock-release apparatus of claim 6 ,
wherein, in a regular state where the operation member is not operated, the rail sections extend toward the tip end of the base section in the direction of sliding the operation member beyond a rotation axis of the rotation member.

8. A lock apparatus configured to lock an opening/closing member openably and closably installed on an opening section of an install-base member in a closed state,
the lock apparatus including:
a locking member capable of being brought into a locked state to thereby hold the opening/closing member when the opening/closing member is closed;
a rotation member including an actuation section configured to rotate to actuate the locking member;
a case member being installed on one of the install-base member and the opening/closing member and rotatably supporting the rotation member;
an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member;
a wound-formed spring member making contact with both the case member and the rotation member to thereby urge the rotation member in a direction in which the locking member is brought into the locked state; and
a link structure configured to convert a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member,
wherein the case member includes:
an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and
a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member, and

wherein, upon operation on the operation member, the operation member slides to cause the rotation member to rotate via the link structure to thereby actuate the locking member.

Assignees

• Piolax Inc

Inventors

• Tamaki Satoru

Classifications

• E05B1/0038

  Sliding handles, e.g. push buttons (E05B13/105 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05C9/002

  with arrangements allowing the wing to be slam-shut, e.g. by securing elements with latching action (E05B63/20, E05B63/24 take precedence) · CPC title

• E05B83/30 Primary

  for glove compartments · CPC title

• E05C9/043

  with crank pins and connecting rods · CPC title