NL2013243B1

NL2013243B1 - A safe.

Info

Publication number: NL2013243B1
Application number: NL2013243A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johan Langendoen Peter; Wolters Thomas; Berkouwer Erwin
Original assignee: Optilox B V
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2014-07-23
Publication date: 2015-11-12

Description

A SAFE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a safe, such as a key safe.

BACKGROUND ART

Many different types of safes are known. Safes are used to store properties in a secured way. One particular kind of safe is a key safe to store one or more keys, such as door keys. A key safe may be mounted onto a wall next to an entry of a building. In such case, a key of the door may be stored in the safe.

A particular type of safe is a safe comprising a container having an opening and a sliding cover arranged to close the opening of the container. The safe comprises a blocking mechanism arranged to keep the cover in a closed position, wherein the blocking mechanism is spring biased. A user may approach the safe and open the safe by manually displacing a cover. Since the blocking mechanism is spring biased, the cover can be displaced if sufficient force is used to push back the blocking mechanism. This is only true if the blocking mechanism itself is not blocked by for example a pin or an actuator.

To increase the safety of a safe, the components of the safe, such as the container and the cover are often made of hardened steel. As a consequence the cover is relatively heavy, and the blocking mechanism needs to be relatively stiff, so a considerable force is needed to open the cover since the blocking mechanism needs to be pressed back against the stiff spring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a safe that can be opened in a controlled way without the risk of damage or failure.

This object is achieved by the safe as claimed in claim 1. More particularly, the safe according to the invention comprises a container having an opening, a sliding cover arranged to close the opening of the container and a blocking mechanism arranged to block the sliding cover in a closed position, the blocking mechanism being spring biased. The safe is characterized in that the safe comprises an unclose mechanism mounted onto the sliding cover, the unclose mechanism comprising a lever having a short lever arm and a long lever arm, wherein a force applied onto the long lever arm causes the short lever arm to create a force on the container which forces the sliding cover out of the closed position.

Using a lever to open the cover has the advantage that a force applied by the short lever arm to the container is larger than the force applied by the user on the long lever arm providing leverage. So the user needs less force as compared to the situation without the unclose mechanism.

In an embodiment, the safe comprises a cavity to receive at least part of the short lever arm. The cavity can for example be arranged at outer end of the sliding cover. This results in a relatively simple construction wherein only the cover needs adjustments and not the other parts of the safe as compared to known safes.

In an embodiment, the long lever arm in an inactivated state runs substantially parallel to a movement direction of the sliding cover. In such an embodiment, the user can exert a force onto the long lever arm which force is actually substantially perpendicular to the cover. As a result, only the lever itself will contribute to the opening force of the sliding cover but not the user when pressing the long lever arm too hard, since that force is perpendicular to the needed force. This will result in a controlled way of opening the safe.

In a specific embodiment the lever comprises a spring. Using a spring makes the lever more flexible. An advantage is that a force needed to displace the sliding cover can gradually be built up by exerting a constant force on the long lever arm. So the user will not experience a dead centre in which a relatively large force is needed to open the safe.

The spring may be part of the long lever arm or it may be part of the short lever arm. Alternatively, the spring may form both the long and the short lever arm.

In a specific embodiment, the spring comprises a helical part and a first extended part connected at a first side of the helical part, and a second extended part connect at a second side of the helical part, wherein the first extended part functions as the long lever arm and the second extended part functions as the short lever arm.

The spring may further comprise a further helical part and a third extended part connected at a first side of the further helical part, and a fourth extended part connect at a second side of the further helical part. The helical part, the further helical part and the first, second, third and fourth extended part may be manufactured out of a single wire, such as a metal wire. This is a relatively simple but effective way of building a flexible lever.

In an embodiment the unclose mechanism comprises a button, at least in use, acting on the long lever arm. The user may push the button so as to exert a force on the long lever arm. The button comprises plastic. Especially, a contact surface of the button can be made of plastic. This material is not, or very little, conductive to heat and/or cold, so the user will not experience discomfort in cold circumstances.

In an embodiment the long lever arm and the short lever arm make an angle a in an inactivated state of the lever with 85° < a < 95°. These angles are very practical in situations where the short lever arm is inserted in a cavity between the sliding cover and part of the container, and the long lever arm being arranged substantially parallel to the sliding cover.

In an embodiment the unclose mechanism comprises a rod and a frame arranged to support the rod. The rod may be used as a tipping point for the lever. The rod may also be used to wind up the windings of the helical parts of the spring mentioned above.

In an embodiment the unclose mechanism comprises a housing arranged to at least partly house the lever, the housing comprising a bottom wall positioned relative to the long lever arm so that the unclose mechanism is supported by part of a user’s hand once the user presses onto the long lever arm with a thump to force the sliding cover out of its closed position, having the hand in a thumbs-up configuration.

The invention also relates to an unclose mechanism for use in a safe as mentioned above.

With reference to the attached claims it is noted that all possible combinations of features mentioned in the claims are part of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is provided below. The description is provided by way of non-limiting examples to be read with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a safe according to the state of the art with a cover in a closed position;

Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section of the safe of Figure 1 with a cover in an open position;

Figure 3A schematically shows a cross section of a top part of a safe and an unclose mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3B shows the same cross section as Figure 3A, but now a force is applied to the long lever arm;

Figure 3C shows the same cross section as Figure 3A, but now, the blocking ball is pushed back, the sliding cover will move downward and the safe will be opened;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of an unclose mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows the unclose mechanism mounted on a safe according to an embodiment;

Figure 6 schematically shows a cross section of the safe and the unclose mechanism of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 schematically shows a cross section of the safe and the unclose mechanism of Figure 5 in a state wherein a user pushes in the button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is expressly noted that the disclosed embodiments are schematically depicted. The embodiments only represent examples. The same reference numerals have been used in the several embodiments for the same or corresponding elements and parts, however not all the elements and parts have been indicated in the several embodiments.

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a safe 1 according to the state of the art. The safe 1 comprises a container 2 and a sliding cover 3 arranged to close an opening of the container 2. The safe 1 may be a key-safe or any other type of safe to safely store objects.

The safe 1 comprises a blocking mechanism 30 arranged to block the cover 3 in a closed position, as shown in Figure 1. The blocking mechanism 30 is spring biased. In the example shown in Figure 1, the blocking mechanism 30 comprises a T-shaped pin 31, a spring 32 and a blocking ball 33. The cover 3 comprises a recess 35 which is arranged to partly receive the blocking ball 33. The spring 32 forces the T-shaped pin 31 and the blocking ball 33 towards the cover 3. Figure 1 also shows a blocking actuator 40 arranged to drive a movable blocking pin 41 from a non-blocking position to a blocking position and vice versa.

In its blocking position, the blocking pin 41 will not allow movement of the T-shaped pin 31, so the cover of the safe is secured. In the non-blocking position shown in Figure 1, the blocking pin 41 will allow movement of the T-shaped pin 31 if a force acts on the blocking mechanism 30. If sufficient force is applied on the cover 3 in a downward direction, see force F in Figure 1, the cover 3 will force the blocking ball 33 out of the recess 35, and the cover 3 will get out of the blocked position, and the safe 1 will be opened, see Figure 2.

The key safe 1 may be mounted onto a wall next to an entry of a building. In such case, a key may be stored in the safe 1. A user may approach the safe 1 and open the safe 1 by manually displacing the cover 3, for example in a downward direction as shown in Figure 1. If the blocking mechanism 30 is not secured by the blocking pin 41, and the user uses sufficient force, the cover can be displaced and the safe 1 can be opened.

To increase the safety of a safe, such as the above described safe 1, the container 2 and also the cover 3 are often made of hardened steel. This has the effect that the cover 3 is relatively heavy, but also that during winter time, it is very cold to touch the cover 3 by hand (with the risk of freezing).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the safe comprises an unclose mechanism mounted onto the sliding cover, wherein the unclose mechanism comprises a lever having a short lever arm and a long lever arm, wherein if a force is applied onto the long lever arm, the short lever arm will create a force on the container so as to force the sliding cover out of the closed position. Figure 3A schematically shows a cross section of a top part of a safe 80 and an unclose mechanism 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. The safe 80 comprises a sliding cover 81 and a container 82. Only a top wall of the container 82 is shown in Figure 3A. The sliding cover 81 comprises a cavity 88 at the top. The safe 80 may comprise a blocking mechanism as was shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The unclose mechanism 60 is mounted onto the sliding cover 81. The unclose mechanism 60 comprises lever having a short lever arm 51 and a long lever arm 52. In this example, the lever pivots around an axis 62, which may be a rod 62.

The lever may be a rigid lever, but preferably the lever comprises a spring. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3A, the lever is formed by a helical spring part 53 having two outer ends extending from the helical part 53 to form the short lever arm 51 and the long lever arm 52. The unclose mechanism 60 also comprises a frame 61 which is arranged to fix the rod 62 to the sliding cover 81.

Figure 3B shows the same cross section as Figure 3A, but now a force is applied to the long lever arm 52. The long lever arm 52 is pushed towards the sliding cover 81. Since the lever comprises a spring, a force will be built up which acts on the bottom side of the top wall of the container 82. Since the unclose mechanism is mounted onto the sliding cover 81, the force will result in a force in the movement direction of the cover 81. Once, the blocking ball (see Figure 1) is pushed back, the sliding cover will move downward and the safe 80 will be opened, as is shown in the situation of Figure 3C.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the unclose mechanism 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. The unclose mechanism 60 can be mounted on the cover 81 of the safe 80 as was mentioned above. The example of Figure 4 shows the unclose mechanism 60 comprising the frame 61 which is arranged to be mounted onto the safe 80. In this example the frame 61 comprises a number of walls arranged in parallel. Each of the walls has a curved recess. The unclose mechanism 60 further comprises a rod 62 and a spring 63. One or more helical parts of the spring 63 are wound around the rod 62. In this example of the embodiment, the spring 63 comprises a substantially helical torsion spring with a co-axial part 70 spaced away from the rod 62 by two elongated spring parts 71. A first outer end 72 of the helical spring 63 is elongated and is making angle of 90° with respect to the elongated parts 71. A second outer end 73 of the helical spring 63 is elongated and bent. A first part of the second outer end 73 makes an angle of 90° with respect to the elongated parts 71. A second part of the second outer end 73 is extending in a direction parallel to the main axis of the helical spring, i.e. running co-axial to the rod 62. It is noted that the first outer end 72 of the helical spring 63 meets the second outer end 73. It should be appreciated by the skilled person that the helical spring 63 can be made out of a closed loop wire as well.

The unclose mechanism 60 further comprises a pushing unit 65 having an arm 75 and a button 76. The button 76 is substantially box-shaped. At the top of the button 76, at the side where the arm 75 is attached, the button 76 comprises two recesses for receiving the first 72 and second 73 outer end of the helical spring 63. The arm 75 is arranged to be placed in contact with the cylindrical rod 62. The unclose mechanism 60 also comprises a housing 66 having an opening through which the button 76 can be approached in the assembled state.

Figure 4 also shows a second spring 78 which is arranged around the rod 62 and is arranged to force the lever, i.e. the spring 63, back to its starting position when a user has pressed the button to open the safe 80.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the safe 80 and the assembled unclose mechanism 60 according to an embodiment. As compared to safes of the art, the safe 80 may be arranged to mount the unclose mechanism 60, and/or to receive the short lever arm 51, see also Figures 3A-3C.

Figure 6 schematically shows a cross section of the safe 80 and the unclose mechanism 60 of Figure 5. As can be seen, the safe 80 comprises the sliding cover 81 and the container 82. The unclose mechanism 60 is mounted onto the sliding cover 81. Mounting the unclose mechanism 60 onto the cover 81 can be done by connecting the frame 61 to the cover 81 by means of releasable connecting means such as screws, or using any other suitable technique, such as spot welding or snap connections.

Figure 7 schematically shows a cross section of the safe 80 and the unclose mechanism 60 of Figure 6 in a state wherein a user 90 pushes in the button 76. By pushing the button 76, the helical spring 63 is forced to make an angle smaller than the angle of the inactivated state of Figure 6. As a result the spring 63 will force the sliding cover 81 downward. In case the sliding cover 81 is blocked by the blocking mechanism 30, but the blocking mechanism itself is not secured, the sliding cover 81 can be force out of its closes position if sufficient force is built up in the spring 63.

The unclose mechanism 60 described above improves the user experience in several ways. When displacing the sliding cover 81 by means of the unclose mechanism 60, a force is applied at right angles to the direction of movement of the sliding cover 81. This is advantageous because now the sliding cover 81 can be opened in a controlled manner without the risk of creating a blow.

In an embodiment the housing 66 of the unclose mechanism 60 comprises a bottom wall positioned relative to the long lever arm so that the unclose mechanism 60 is supported by part of a user’s hand once the user presses onto the long lever arm with a thump to force the sliding cover out of its closed position, having the hand in a thumbs-up configuration. So when pushing on the push button 76, the hand of the user will support the unclose mechanism 60 and therefore the sliding cover 81, see dashed circle 91 in Figure 7. The result is that, when opened, the sliding cover 81 is supported by the user and can be opened in a controlled manner.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing. Several amendments and modifications of the discussed examples are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Any variation to and combination of the described and/or depicted embodiments which can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art of practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims, is part of the invention. In the claims, the word “comprise” and conjugations thereof do not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

The following embodiments were described: 1. A safe comprising: - a container having an opening; - a sliding cover arranged to close the opening of the container; - a blocking mechanism arranged to keep the cover in a closed position, the blocking mechanism being spring biased, characterized in that the safe comprises an unclose mechanism mounted onto the sliding cover, the unclose mechanism comprising a lever having a short lever arm and a long lever arm, wherein a force applied onto the long lever arm causes the short lever arm to create a force on the container which forces the sliding cover out of the closed position.

2. The safe according to embodiment 1, wherein the safe comprises a cavity to receive at least part of the short lever arm.

3. The safe according to embodiment 2, wherein the cavity is arranged at on outer end of the sliding cover.

4. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the long lever arm in an inactivated state runs substantially parallel to a movement direction of the sliding cover.

5. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the lever comprises a spring.

6. The safe according to embodiment 5, wherein the spring comprises a helical part and a first extended part connected at a first side of the helical part, and a second extended part connected at a second side of the helical part, wherein the first extended part functions as the long lever arm and the second extended part functions as the short lever arm.

7. The safe according to embodiment 6, wherein the spring comprises a further helical part and a third extended part connected at a first side of the further helical part, and a fourth extended part connect at a second side of the further helical part.

8. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the unclose mechanism comprises a button, at least in use, acting on the long lever arm.

9. The safe according to embodiment 8, wherein the button comprises plastic.

10. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the long lever arm and the short lever arm make an angle a in an inactivated state of the lever with 85° < a < 95°.

11. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the unclose mechanism comprises a rod and a frame arranged to support the rod.

12. The safe according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the unclose mechanism comprises a housing arranged to at least partly house the lever, the housing comprising a bottom wall positioned relative to the long lever arm so that the unclose mechanism is supported by part of a user’s hand once the user presses onto the long lever arm with a thump to force the sliding cover out of its blocked position, having the hand in a thumps-up configuration.

13. An unclose mechanism for use in a safe according to any of the preceding embodiments.

Claims

A safe (1) comprising: - a holder (82) with an opening; - a sliding lid (81) adapted to close the opening of the container; - a locking mechanism (30) adapted to hold the lid in a closed position, the locking mechanism being biased by a spring, characterized in that the safe comprises an opening mechanism (60) mounted on the sliding lid, the opening mechanism ( 60) includes a lever with a short lever arm (51) and a long lever arm (52), a force on the long lever arm causing the short lever arm to create a force on the holder (82) that releases the sliding cover (81) from the closed position forces.

The vault according to claim 1, wherein the vault comprises a cavity (88) that receives at least a portion of the short lever arm (51).

The vault according to claim 2, wherein the cavity is arranged on the end of the sliding cover (81).

The safe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the long lever arm runs in an unloaded state substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the sliding cover.

The safe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lever comprises a spring.

The vault according to claim 5, wherein the spring comprises a spiral-shaped portion and a first protruding portion connected to a first side of the spiral-shaped portion and a second protruding portion connected to a second side of the spiral-shaped portion, wherein the first protruding portion functions as the long lever arm and the second protruding part acts as the short lever arm.

The vault as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a further spiral portion and a third protruding portion connected to a first side of the further spiral portion and a fourth protruding portion connected to a second side of the further spiral portion.

The vault according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a button which, at least in use, exerts a force on the long lever arm.

The vault according to claim 8, wherein the button comprises plastic.

The safe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the long lever arm and the short lever arm, in an unloaded state of the lever, make an angle α with each other at which 85 ° <α <95 ° applies.

The safe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a rod and a frame adapted to support the rod.

The vault according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a housing adapted to at least partially accommodate the lever arm, the housing comprising a bottom wall which is positioned relative to the long lever arm such that the opening mechanism is supported by a part of a user's hand when the user presses the long lever arm with a thumb to force the sliding cover out of the locked position, keeping the hand in a thumb-up configuration.

An opening mechanism for use in a safe according to any one of the preceding claims.