Locking device, especially for a cover of a suction cleaner.

Locking device, especially for a cover of a suction cleaner

0001The present invention relates to a locking device, especially for a cover of a suction cleaner, comprising at least one movable latch adapted to releasably engage a corresponding step on the cover.

0002The object of the invention is to provide a locking device which is uncompli­cated and can be produced at low cost, and which comprises few movable parts which provides for a high functional reliability. This has been obtained by means of a device of the kind mentioned above which according to the invention is charac­terized in that the latch is provided at the free end of a leaf spring attached to a stationary portion, a control means being provided adjacent to said leaf spring and movable parallel therewith, said control means having a push button at one end and an oblique guide surface at its other end, said guide surface engaging a corresponding stationary supporting surface and when displaced axially due to actua­tion of said push button providing a lateral movement which actuates said leaf spring to release the engagement of said latch with said step.

0003The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing on which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a partial side elevation thereof.

0004On the drawing, a portion of a suction cleaner housing is shown which is gene­rally designated 10 and is provided with an openable cover 11 which is pivotably attached to the housing 10. In Figure 1, the cover 11 is shown in its closed position and is held in this position by two latches 12 which engage steps 13 provided on the cover. The latches 12 are made intergral with a leaf spring 14 which in turn constitutes part of a partition 15 in the suction cleaner housing 10.

0005A vertically movable control means 17 is provided adjacent the partition 15. The upper end of the control means 17 is made as a push button 17a, and the lower end thereof is inclined at an angle of about 45° to the vertical plane and has an inclined guide surface 17b cooperating with a corresponding inclined supporting surface 18 in the suction cleaner housing. The control means 17 is provided with vertical slots (not shown) through which the latches 12 extend.

0006When the push button 17a is pushed down, the lower portion of the control means 17 is moved to the right in Figure 1 in that the inclined surface 17b slides on the supporting surface 18. The leaf spring 14 is thereby actuated to move in the same direction, whereby the latches 12 are released from the engagement with the step 13. The locking of the cover 11 is thereby released so that it can be opened, i.e. moved upward in Figure 1. The control means 17 returns to the shown position due to actuation by the spring 14. When the cover 11 is to be closed it is pushed downward whereby the latches 12 are pushed aside by the step 13 against the action of the spring 14 until the locking takes place and the device is again in the position according to Figure 1.