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EP-4606980-B1 - U-LOCK STRUCTURE

EP4606980B1EP 4606980 B1EP4606980 B1EP 4606980B1EP-4606980-B1

Inventors

  • TSAI, CHENG-YU

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240315

Claims (9)

  1. A U-lock structure, comprising: a lock body (100) having a lock seat (10) fitted in a sleeve assembly (30), where the lock seat (10) is rotated together with a lock core (21) ; the sidewall of the lock seat (10) includes two insertion ports (11) spaced from each other, and the lock seat (10) defines a width in an axial direction; wherein each insertion port (11) includes a first slot (111) and a second slot (112) connected along the rotational direction of the lock body (100) , and the width (W1) of the first slot (111) is greater than the width (W2) of the second slot (112) ; a U-lock rod (50) having two insertion heads (50a) inserted into the two insertion ports (11); and two end caps (40) respectively fitted onto both ends of the lock body (100), one of the end caps (40) having an insertion hole (401) for inserting a key (60).
  2. The U-lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the lock core (21) is installed at one end of the lock seat (10) , and the lock seat (10) is connected to the lock core (21) via an actuating member (22).
  3. The U-lock structure according to claim 2, wherein a sealing seat (25) is further provided at the other end of the lock seat (10), with a connecting rod (25a) connecting the sealing seat (25) to the sleeve assembly (30).
  4. The U-lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve assembly (30) comprises a first sleeve (31) and a second sleeve (32) fitted inside the first sleeve (31), the lock seat (10) is fitted inside the second sleeve (32), and both the first sleeve (31) and the second sleeve (32) each have two through-holes (311,321) corresponding to the two insertion ports (11).
  5. The U-lock structure according to claim 4, wherein the first sleeve (31) comprises a straight tube body (31b) and two outer tube bodies (31a,31c).
  6. The U-lock structure according to claim 5, wherein one end of the first sleeve (31) is provided with an opening (312) that communicates with the insertion hole (401) of the end cap (40) and a keyhole (21c) of the lock core (21).
  7. The U-lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the two insertion heads (50a) of the U-lock rod (50) each include a first positioning section (51) , a second positioning section (52) , a protrusion (53) , and a third positioning section (54) formed sequentially from top to bottom.
  8. The U-lock structure according to claim 5, wherein the sidewall of the lock seat (10) further features two slots (15) corresponding to the two insertion ports (11).
  9. The U-lock structure according to claim 8, wherein the second sleeve (32) further features two perforations (324) corresponding to the two slots (15).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION The present disclosure relates to locks, in particular to a U-lock structure with a simple structure capable of preventing dust and particles from the environment from entering the interior of the lock. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Conventional U-locks, as exemplified by those described in Taiwanese Invention Patent No. TWI667402B, consist of components such as a lock body, a lock core, a push rod, a brake member, an inner sleeve, an outer shell, and a U-lock rod. The U-lock rod has an engagement groove at each insertion head. When the key is turned, the lock core is rotated and pushes the push rod to engage the brake member in the engagement groove, completing the locking action by securing the brake member in the engagement groove. Unlocking is accomplished by turning the key in the opposite direction to stop the lock core from pushing the push rod, allowing the U-lock rod to exit the engagement groove to complete the unlocking process. Further U-Locks are disclosed in US4949564A and in US4987753A. However, the disadvantage of the aforementioned disclosed U-lock design lies in its complicated structure, low manufacturing efficiency, and susceptibility to infiltration of environmental dust and particles due to the open configuration at both ends of the lock body. This vulnerability leads to potential malfunctions when internal components such as the lock core, push rod, or brake member are blocked by the dust, rendering the U-lock unable to perform locking or unlocking operations. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Based on the above shortcomings, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a U-lock, in particular one having a simple structure capable of preventing dust or particles from entering the interior of the lock. This problem is solved with a U-lock structure as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to the purpose of the present disclosure, a U-lock structure is provided including a lock body, a U-lock rod, and two end caps. The lock body has a lock seat fitted in a sleeve assembly, and the lock seat is rotated together with a lock core. The sidewall of the lock seat includes two insertion ports spaced from each other, and the lock seat defines a width in an axial direction, wherein each insertion port includes a first slot and a second slot connected along the rotational direction of the lock body, and the width of the first slot is greater than the width of the second slot. The U-lock rod has two insertion heads inserted into the two insertion ports. The two end caps are fitted onto both ends of the lock body, respectively, with one of the end caps having an insertion hole for inserting a key. Wherein, the lock core is installed at one end of the lock seat, and the lock seat is connected to the lock core via an actuating member. Wherein, a sealing seat is further provided at the other end of the lock seat, with a connecting rod connecting the sealing seat to the sleeve assembly. Wherein, the sleeve assembly comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve fitted inside the first sleeve, and the lock seat is fitted inside the second sleeve. Both the first sleeve and the second sleeve each have two through-holes corresponding to the two insertion ports. Wherein, the first sleeve comprises a straight tube body and two outer tube bodies. Wherein, one end of the first sleeve is provided with an opening that communicates with the insertion hole of the end cap and a keyhole of the lock core. Wherein, the two insertion heads of the U-lock rod each include a first positioning section, a second positioning section, a protrusion, and a third positioning section formed sequentially from top to bottom. Wherein, the sidewall of the lock seat also features two slots corresponding to the two insertion ports. Wherein, the second sleeve also features two perforations corresponding to the two slots. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2 is an exploded view of components of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second sleeve of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lock core seat of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the lock core seat of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an insertion head of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the locked state of an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the unlocked state of an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to clearly illustrate the specific embodiments, structures and effects achieved by the present disclosure, the following embodiments are provided with reference to the drawings: Direc