Locking mechanism and locks incorporating said mechanism

摘要

A locking mechanism having at least one but preferably two locking bolts movably supported for guided linear movement in a housing between locked and unlocked positions. Where two locking bolts are employed, each locking bolt moves in a direction opposite from the other. The locking mechanism is characterized in that each locking bolt is comprised by at least two superposed bolt parts which are linearly movable along the longitudinal axis of the bolt relative to each other and are provided on the corresponding longitudinal edges with a plurality of spaced matching teeth having an angle of 10 DEG -80 DEG . A key is provided for guided linear movement through a keyhole perpendicular to the bolt parts and having teeth matching those in the bolt parts formed in at least one of its side edges and where two oppositely moving bolts are provided, the key has matching teeth formed in each of the side edges thereof. The movement of the bolt parts is effected by matching of their teeth with the teeth in the key in a manner such that one of the bolt parts moves linearly with continued insertion of the key until its teeth become aligned with the teeth in the other bolt part at which point both bolt parts move together as a single locking bolt between locking and unlocking positions.