JP7616678B2 - indicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an indicator that displays the locking status of a locking device that locks a door.

A variety of indicators of this type have been proposed in the past.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery box in which an indicator is provided on the front of the door, separated from the door open button, and depending on whether the door is locked or not, displays "Ready for pickup" when there is no parcel in the receiving compartment, and displays "In use" when there is parcel in the receiving compartment.

Patent Document 2 also discloses a latch lock for a parcel box in which an indicator is provided on the front of the latch lock mounting base to display the locked or unlocked state of the latch operation knob, and this indicator has a lock display member that displays when the latch operation knob is locked and an unlock display member that displays when the touch operation knob is unlocked, and in which the lock display member or unlock display member is displayed in the display window when the latch operation knob is operated to lock or unlock, and the unlock display member is displayed in the display window when the lock unit's key is used to unlock.

JP 2019-131992 A JP 2019-124002 A

However, in both cases, the locked and unlocked states can be seen only by visual inspection, making it difficult to tell whether the door is locked or unlocked, especially for those with visual impairments.

The present invention was made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an indicator that allows even a visually impaired person to easily check the locked and unlocked states.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an indicator that displays the locking state of a locking device that locks a door equipped with a handle, comprising an indication member that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the handle and a second state in which it is hidden by the handle , and an operating means that displaces the indication member to the first state when the locking device is in a locked state and to the second state when it is in an unlocked state, wherein the handle has a recess and the indication member is configured to protrude into the recess in the first state .

The indicator of the present invention allows even visually impaired people to easily check the locked and unlocked states.

The drawings show specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments.
1 is a perspective view showing a delivery box equipped with an indicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the locking device of the delivery box from the rear side. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an upper portion of the cover of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the lower part of the cover of the locking device from below. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the locking device from the rear side with some parts omitted. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a locking latch and a hold latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the hold latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the hold latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the hold latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a locking operation of a locking latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a locking operation of a locking latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a locking operation of a locking latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a locking operation of a locking latch of the locking device. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an emergency unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an emergency unlocking operation of the locking latch of the locking device. FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modified example of the indicator. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modified example of the indicator. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modified example of the indicator. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modified example of the indicator. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a locking device for a delivery box equipped with an indicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side. FIG. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an indicator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an indicator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an indicator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a delivery box equipped with an indicator 101 according to the present invention.

This delivery box 1 has a housing 4 with an opening 3 on the front and a door 5 for opening and closing the opening 3 of this housing 4.

The door 5 is pivotally supported on the housing 4, for example at its right edge 6, by a hinge (not shown).

A locking device 2 is also attached near the left edge 7, which is the free end of the door 5.

This locking device 2 has a handle 8 provided on the outside (front side) of the door 5, and a main body 9 provided on the inside (rear side) of the door 5, as shown in Figure 2.

The main body 9 is equipped with a locking latch 10, and the tip 10a of this locking latch 10 engages with a housing engagement portion 11 provided on the periphery of the opening 3 of the housing 4, thereby allowing the door 5 to be locked in the closed state.

That is, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main body 9 has a base 12 attached to the inside of the door 5.

A box-shaped cover 13 that defines the outer periphery of the main body 9 except for the base 12 side is supported on the base 12 so that it can be attached to and detached from the base 12.

That is, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a pair of guide holes 12a, 12a are provided penetrating the base 12 in the front-rear direction.

On the other hand, guide pins 13a, 13a protrude from the upper inside (base 12 side) of the cover 13 and are fitted into the guide holes 12a, 12a so as to be freely slidable in the front-rear direction.

These guide pins 13a, 13a have screws 14, 14 screwed into their tips when inserted into the guide holes 12a, 12a, and these screws 14, 14 prevent them from slipping out of the guide holes 12a, 12a.

In addition, a pair of inner guide pieces 13b, 13b extending toward the base 12 are provided on both sides of the lower part of the cover 13, and outer stoppers 13c, 13c protruding outward are formed at the tips of these inner guide pieces 13b, 13b.

On the other hand, outer guide pieces 12b, 12b are provided on both sides of the lower part of the base 12, into which the inner guide pieces 13b, 13b are slidably fitted, and inner stoppers 12c, 12c that protrude inward are formed at the tips of these outer guide pieces 12b, 12b.

The outer stoppers 13c, 13c and the inner stoppers 12c, 12c prevent the inner guide pieces 13b, 13b from coming off the outer guide pieces 12b, 12b.

This allows the cover 13 to move toward and away from the base 12 in the forward and backward directions.

Returning to Figures 3 and 4, an opening 13d is formed in the left wall of the cover 13, through which the tip end 10a of the locking latch 10 can be protruded and retracted, and an opening 13e is formed in the right wall of the cover 13, through which the rear end 10b of the locking latch 10 can be protruded and retracted.

In addition, a frame 16 attached to the base 12 is provided inside the cover 13.

This frame 16 has a vertical plate portion 16a that is parallel to the door 5 and is arranged vertically, an upper horizontal plate portion 16b that is arranged horizontally forward from the upper edge of the vertical plate portion 16a, a lower horizontal plate portion 16c that is arranged horizontally forward from the lower edge of the vertical plate portion 16a, an upper fixing portion 16d that extends upward from the front edge of the upper horizontal plate portion 16b and is fixed to the base 12, and a lower fixing portion 16e that extends downward from the front edge of the lower horizontal plate portion 16c and is fixed to the base 12.

A first compression coil spring 17, for example a cone-shaped one, is fixed to the cover 13 side of the vertical plate portion 16a of the frame 16 so that it can expand and contract in the front-rear direction.

The cover 13 is fixed to the top end of the first compression coil spring 17, which biases the cover 13 in a direction away from the base 12.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned locking latch 10 is provided between the base 12 and the frame 16.

The locking latch 10 is guided horizontally by guide plates 12d, 12d attached to the base 12 at its bottom, and by a frame 16 at its top and rear.

The tip end 10a can be protruded and retracted into the opening 13d of the cover 13, and the rear end 10b can be protruded and retracted into the opening 13e of the cover 13.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is bifurcated, and a gate-shaped gap 10d is formed between the bifurcated parts 10c, 10c.

Furthermore, on the base 12 side of the locking latch 10, a recessed groove 10e that communicates with the gap 10d is provided along the length direction (left-right direction) of the locking latch 10.

The hold latch 23 is slidably fitted into the recessed groove 10e of the locking latch 10, and its head 23a can protrude and retract through the gap 10d of the locking latch 10, and can also protrude and retract through the opening 13d of the cover 13 regardless of the operation of the locking latch 10.

This hold latch 23 is biased in a direction protruding from the opening 13d of the cover 13 by a first tension coil spring 24, one end of which is attached to the hold latch 23 and the other end of which is attached to the base 12.

The head 23a of the hold latch 23 is formed in a mountain shape with a front inclined surface 23b and a rear inclined surface 23c. When the door 5 is opened, the front inclined surface 23b engages with the housing engagement portion 11, causing it to sink against the biasing force of the first tension coil spring 24. When the door 5 is closed, the rear inclined surface 23c engages with the housing engagement portion 11, causing it to sink against the biasing force of the first tension coil spring 24.

Furthermore, guide rails 23d, 23d are provided on the hold latch 23 along the length direction (left-right direction) of the hold latch 23.

An auxiliary member 26 is slidably fitted into the guide rails 23d, 23d of the hold latch 23 and the recessed groove 10e of the locking latch 10.

This auxiliary member 26 has a first auxiliary member 27 that fits into the guide rails 23d, 23d and the recessed groove 10e, and a second auxiliary member 28 that is fixed to this first auxiliary member 27.

In addition, a second compression coil spring 29 is provided in the recess 10e of the locking latch 10, with one end attached to the locking latch 10 and the other end attached to the first auxiliary member 27, so as to bias the locking latch 10 and the first auxiliary member 27 in opposite directions.

Furthermore, the locking latch 10 and the first auxiliary member 27 are biased in opposite directions by the second compression coil spring 29, and the first abutment portion 27a on the first auxiliary member 27 abuts against the impact stop portion 10f on the locking latch 10, thereby restricting the movement of the locking latch 10 in the protruding direction relative to the first auxiliary member 27.

Furthermore, a second tension coil spring 30 is provided between the first auxiliary member 27 and the second auxiliary member 28, with one end attached to the second auxiliary member 28 and the other end fixed to the base 12, and biases the second auxiliary member 28 in the direction in which the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is retracted.

Furthermore, the second auxiliary member 28 is provided with a second abutment portion 28a that abuts against the impact stop portion 12e provided on the base 12, thereby restricting the movement of the second auxiliary member 28.

Furthermore, a first guide portion 10g is provided on the base 12 side of the locking latch 10, which engages with an engagement portion 13f provided on the base 12 side of the opening 13e of the cover 13.

The first guide portion 10g has a first parallel portion 10h and a second parallel portion 10i that are parallel to the protruding and retracting direction of the locking latch 10.

The second parallel portion 10i is located closer to the base 12 and closer to the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 than the first parallel portion 10h.

In addition, an inclined portion 10j is provided between the first parallel portion 10h and the second parallel portion 10i, and is continuous with the first parallel portion 10h and the second parallel portion 10i.

A second guide portion 27b that engages with the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 is provided on the base 12 side of the first auxiliary member 27.

The second guide portion 27b of the first auxiliary member 27 is flush with the second parallel portion 10i of the locking latch 10.

Therefore, a step portion 31 (shown in Figures 5 and 6) is created between the impact stop portion 10f provided on the locking latch 10 and the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 by the distance between the first parallel portion 10h and the second parallel portion 10i of the locking latch 10, and this step portion 31 allows the first parallel portion 10h and the inclined portion 10j of the locking latch 10 and the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 to simultaneously engage with the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 as the locking latch 10 moves.

In other words, when the engaging portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the second parallel portion 10i of the locking latch 10, the engagement between the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 and the engaging portion 13f of the cover 13 is released, and the locking latch 10, the first auxiliary member 27, and the second auxiliary member 28 move in the direction in which the tip portion 10a of the locking latch 10 is retracted due to the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned handle portion 8 (shown in FIG. 1) includes a handle 41, a lock 42, and an indicator 101.

This indicator 101 displays the locking state of the locking device 2, and as shown in Figure 10, has a display member 43.

The handle 41 has a front plate 41a formed in a generally elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction, and a narrowed portion 41b is formed in the approximate vertical center of this front plate 41a.

And on both sides of this narrowed portion 41b, curved recesses 41c, 41c are formed.

In addition, a side panel 41d is provided on the rear side of the front panel 41a, i.e., on the door 5 side.

The side panel 41d is disposed along the outer periphery of the front panel 41a and offset inward from the outer periphery.

The outer periphery of the front panel 41a therefore protrudes from the side panel 41d, forming a gripping portion 41e for holding with the fingers.

Furthermore, notches 41f, 41f are formed in the side panel 41d of the constricted portion 41b, and the display member 43 can protrude and retract from one of the notches 41f, 41f.

That is, the display member 43 is rotatably supported on a shaft 41g that protrudes from the rear surface of the handle 41, and can be displaced between a first state in which it protrudes from the handle 41 and a second state in which it is hidden behind the rear surface of the handle 41.

In addition, the protruding portion 43b of the display member 43 that protrudes from the handle 41 is formed in a convex curved shape.

Furthermore, the display member 43 is configured to be displaced in conjunction with the protruding and retracting movement of the locking latch 10 by the interlocking portion 44 (operating means).

This interlocking part 44 links the displacement of the display member 43 to the locked state of the locking device 2, and has a third tension coil spring 45 and an engagement member 28b.

This third tension coil spring 45 has both ends connected to the handle 41 and the display member 43, and is configured to bias the display member 43 in the direction of the first state in which it protrudes from the handle 41.

The engaging member 28b protrudes from the second auxiliary member 28 and engages with the rotating tip 43a of the display member 43 through a through hole 12g provided in the base 12 and a through hole 5b provided in the door 5.

When the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is in the protruding state, the display member 43 is displaced to a first state in which it protrudes from the handle 41, and when the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is in the retracted state, the display member 43 is displaced to a second state in which it is hidden behind the handle 41.

The lock 42 is fixed to the base 12 by a fixing member 46 in the housing 4, by passing through a hole 41h provided at the top of the handle 41, a hole 5a provided in the door 5, a hole 12f provided in the base 12, and a hole 16f provided in the frame 16.

The lock 42 has a key operating part 47 that is rotated by a key P, and a cam member 48 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the key operating part 47.

The cam member 48 has a pivoting tip 48a that abuts against the abutment portion 10k of the locking latch 10 through a hole 16g provided in the frame 16, and when the key P is rotated in the unlocking direction, the locking latch 10 is moved in the direction in which the tip 10a retracts against the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30.

In the above configuration, first, when the delivery box 1 is not in use, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the door 5 is in an unlocked state, and the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is retracted into the cover 13.

At this time, the second contact portion 28a of the second auxiliary member 28 rotates the rotating tip portion 43a of the display member 43 against the biasing force of the third tension coil spring 45, so that the display member 43 is in a second state in which it is hidden by the handle 41.

Since the indicator 43 is hidden by the handle 41, it is easy to confirm that the door is physically unlocked by both visual and tactile inspection.

In addition, the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the second guide portion 27b of the first auxiliary member 27, and the cover 13 is in a state close to the base 12.

When the locking latch 10 is in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 11, with the door 5 in the closed state, the hold latch 23 protrudes from the cover 13 due to the biasing force of the first tension coil spring 24, and the rear side inclined portion 23c of the hold latch 23 is in contact with the housing engagement portion 11, so that the door 5 is held in the closed state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, when the handle portion 8 is pulled, the front side inclined portion 23b of the hold latch 23 engages with the housing engagement portion 11 and sinks toward the inside of the cover 13 against the biasing force of the first tension coil spring 24.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when the handle portion 8 is pulled further, the head portion 23a of the hold latch 23 climbs over the housing engagement portion 11 and the door opens.

At this time, the hold latch 23 protrudes from the cover 13 due to the biasing force of the first tension coil spring 24 and returns to its original state.

When the door 5 is closed, the hold latch 23 performs the reverse operation.

Therefore, when the locking latch 10 is in the unlocked state, the door 5 can be opened and closed freely, and the door 5 can be held in either the closed or open state.

Next, to lock the door, first push the rear end 10b of the locking latch 10 against the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30, as shown in FIG. 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, when the rear end 10b of the locking latch 10 is pushed into the cover 13, the engaging portion 13f of the cover 13 is disengaged from the second guide portion 27b of the first auxiliary member 27 and engages with the first parallel portion 10h of the first guide portion 10g of the locking latch 10 and the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27, and the cover 13 is separated from the base 12.

This causes the locking latch 10 to enter the locked state.

In this state, the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 protrudes from the cover 13 due to the biasing force of the second compression coil spring 29, but the rear end 10b of the locking latch 10 is not engaged with the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13, so it can retract into the cover 13 against the biasing force of the second compression coil spring 29.

In other words, the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 is capable of protruding and retracting from the cover 13.

At this time, the hold latch 23 is also in a state where it can be protruded and retracted relative to the cover 13.

In addition, in this state, the engaging member 28b of the second auxiliary member 28 is linked to the protrusion and retraction of the locking latch 10, and the pivoting tip 43a of the display member 43 is pivoted against the biasing force of the third tension coil spring 45, causing the display member 43 to move between a first state in which it protrudes from the handle 41 and a second state in which it is hidden by the handle 41.

Conversely, when the indicator 43 is pressed with a finger, the indicator 43 can be displaced to a second state in which it is hidden by the handle 41, even if the locking latch 10 is in a protruding state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, when the handle portion 8 is pressed to close the door 5, the tip portion 10a of the locking latch 10 and the head portion 23a of the hold latch 23 engage with the housing engagement portion 11 and sink toward the inside of the cover 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the handle portion 8 is further pressed and the left edge 7 of the door 5 engages with the housing engagement portion 11, the tip portion 10a of the locking latch 10 and the head portion 23a of the hold latch 23 engage with the housing engagement portion 11 from the inside of the housing 4, completing the locking of the door 5.

At this time, the locking latch 10 is in a protruding state, and the indicator member 43 is in the first state protruding from the handle 41, so that the locked state can be easily confirmed physically by both visual and tactile inspection.

Next, to unlock the lock, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, insert and turn the key P into the key operating section 47 of the lock 42, causing the cam member 48 to rotate and move the locking latch 10 in the direction in which the tip 10a retracts against the biasing force of the second compression coil spring 29.

Then, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the locking latch 10 moves in a direction in which the tip 10a is inserted into the cover 13.

As a result of this movement, the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the first parallel portion 10h and the inclined portion 10j of the locking latch 10.

At this time, the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 engages with the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13.

In addition, the cover 13 gradually approaches the base 12.

Furthermore, when the key P is turned, the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the second parallel portion 10i of the locking latch 10, as shown in Figures 22 and 23.

Then, the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 and the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 are disengaged, and the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the second guide portion 27b of the first auxiliary member 27.

At this time, the cover 13 is close to the base 12.

As a result, the locking latch 10, together with the first auxiliary member 27, moves in a direction retracting from the opening 13d of the cover 13 due to the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30, completing the unlocking of the door 5.

At this time, the indicator 43 is hidden by the handle 41 in the second state, making it easy to physically confirm that the door is unlocked both visually and by touch.

Next, to unlock from inside the housing 4, as shown in FIG. 24, the cover 13 is pushed toward the base 12 (toward the door 5), and the cover 13 moves closer to the base 12.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 25, the engagement between the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 and the first abutment portion 27a of the first auxiliary member 27 is released, and the engagement portion 13f of the cover 13 engages with the second parallel portion 10i of the locking latch 10 and the second guide portion 27b of the first auxiliary member 27. At the same time, the locking latch 10 and the first auxiliary member 27 are suddenly pushed back by the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30.

In other words, the locking latch 10 moves in the direction in which the tip 10a enters the opening 13d, completing the unlocking of the door 5.

Therefore, if a child or other person becomes trapped inside the housing 4, they can escape from inside the housing 4 by pushing the cover 13 with their hands and feet.

In other words, in the event of an emergency, the door 5 can be easily unlocked from inside the housing 4 and opened.

With the above configuration, the indicator 43, which is provided so as to be displaceable between a first state where it protrudes from the handle 41 and a second state where it is hidden by the handle 41, is displaced by the interlocking part 44 to the first state when the locking device 2 is in the locked state and to the second state when it is in the unlocked state, so that the locked and unlocked states can be easily confirmed by visual and tactile inspection through the physical displacement of the indicator 43.

Therefore, even a visually impaired person can easily check whether the door is locked or unlocked.

In addition, the handle 41 is designed so that the indicator 43 protrudes into the recess 41c formed by the narrowed portion 41b, so that when locked, the narrowed portion 41b is perceived as being thicker, i.e., the area of the handle 41 is perceived as being wider, and the shape of the protruding portion 43b changes, making it even easier to grasp the locked state.

In addition, the outline of the curved recess 41c overlaps with the outline of the curved display member 43 in a leaf shape, gradually expanding as it protrudes from the handle 41, providing an excellent design effect.

<Modification>
In the first embodiment of the indicator 101, as shown in FIG. 10, the display member 43 is configured to protrude from one of the recesses 41c of the narrowed portion 41b. However, the display members 43 may be provided symmetrically and configured to protrude symmetrically from both recesses 41c, 41c.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the indicator 101 has a protruding portion 43b protruding from the handle 41 of the display member 43 formed in a convex curved shape as shown in FIG. 10. However, as shown in FIG. 26, it may be formed so as to be flush with the portion of the handle 41 other than the recess 41c, or may be formed in an uneven shape as shown in FIG. 27, or may be formed in an angular shape as shown in FIG. 28.

Furthermore, the handle 41 does not need to have a recess 41c, as shown in FIG. 29.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In this second embodiment, the locking device 2 is configured without using the first auxiliary member 27 and the second auxiliary member 28 of the first embodiment.

That is, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the hold latch 23 is biased in a protruding direction by the first tension coil spring 24, and the locking latch 10 is biased in a retracting direction by the second tension coil spring 30.

In addition, the locking latch 10 is provided with an engagement member 28b of the interlocking portion 44 with which the pivot tip 43a of the display member 43 engages, thereby interlocking the display member 43 with the locking latch 10.

The cover 13 is fixed to the base 12 by screws 121.

When the key operating portion 47 of the lock 42 is rotated by the locking operation of the key P, the rotating tip 48a of the cam member 48 abuts against the abutment portion 10m of the locking latch 10, and the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 moves in the protruding direction against the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30.

At this time, the pivot tip 43a of the display member 43, which is engaged with the engagement member 28b of the locking latch 10, is rotated in a direction in which the protruding portion 43b of the display member 43 protrudes from the handle 41 due to the biasing force of the third tension coil spring 45.

Conversely, when the key P is operated to unlock, the tip 10a of the locking latch 10 moves in the retracting direction due to the biasing force of the second tension coil spring 30.

At this time, the pivot tip 43a of the display member 43, which is engaged with the engagement member 28b of the locking latch 10, pivots against the biasing force of the third tension coil spring 45 in a direction in which the protruding portion 43b of the display member 43 is hidden by the handle 41.

Third Embodiment
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In this third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the indicator 101 includes an interlocking unit (operation means) 102 that interlocks the displacement of the display member 43 with the locking state of the locking device 2, and this interlocking unit 102 includes a locking latch detection unit 103 that detects the locking state of the locking latch 10, for example, mechanically or optically, and a display drive unit 104 such as a drive motor that displaces the display member 43 based on the detection result of the locking latch detection unit 103.

Fourth Embodiment
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the indicator 101 has a display operation unit (operation means) 105 for operating the displacement of the display member 43 according to the locking state of the locking device 2, and this display operation unit 105 has a manual operation unit 106 for manually inputting the locked and unlocked states of the locking latch 10, and a display drive unit 107 such as a drive motor that displaces the display member 43 based on the input result of this manual operation unit 106.

Fifth Embodiment
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In this fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34, the locking device 2 is equipped with an electronic lock 111, which has a locking operation unit 112 such as a numeric input button for locking and unlocking, and a locking drive unit 113 that drives the locking latch 10 to protrude and retract based on the input from the locking operation unit 112.

The indicator 101 also includes an interlocking unit (operation means) 114 that links the displacement of the display member 43 to the locked state of the locking device 2, and this interlocking unit 114 includes a display drive unit 115 such as a drive motor that displaces the display member 43 based on input from the locking operation unit 112.

The configurations of the second to fifth embodiments described above can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the indicator 101 is applied to the delivery box 1 together with the locking device 2, but the present invention is not limited to the delivery box 1, and it goes without saying that the indicator 101 may be applied to toilets, truck beds, refrigerators, containers, etc. together with the locking device 2.

The disclosure of the present invention described above can be summarized at least as follows:

In other words, the present invention is an indicator that displays the locking state of a locking device that locks a door equipped with a handle, and is characterized in that it comprises a display member that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the handle and a second state in which it is hidden by the handle, and an operating means that displaces the display member to the first state when the locking device is in a locked state and to the second state when it is in an unlocked state, wherein the handle has a recess and the display member is configured to protrude into the recess in the first state .

The above invention may include at least the following embodiments, which may be adopted separately or in combination with each other.

(2) The handle has a narrowed portion in the middle, and a recess is formed in this narrowed portion.

(3) The recess is formed into a curved shape.

(4) The display member is formed so that the protruding portion that protrudes from the handle is flush with the rest of the handle other than the recessed portion.

(5) The display member has a protruding portion that protrudes from the handle and is formed into a convex curved shape.

(6) The display member has an uneven protruding portion that protrudes from the handle.

(7) The display member has a protruding portion that protrudes from the handle and is formed into an angular shape.

(8) The operating means includes a linking unit that links the displacement of the display member to the locked state of the locking device.

2 Locking device 5 Door 41 Handle 41b Narrowed portion 41c Recess 43 Display member 43b Protruding portion 44 Operation means (interlocking portion)
101 indicator 102 operation means (interlocking part)
105 Operation means (display operation section)
114 Operation means (interlocking part)

Claims (8)

An indicator that displays the locking state of a locking device that locks a door equipped with a handle,
an indicator member provided to be displaceable between a first state where the indicator member protrudes from the handle and a second state where the indicator member is hidden by the handle;
an operating means for shifting the indicating member to the first state when the locking device is in a locked state and to the second state when the locking device is in an unlocked state;
Equipped with
The handle has a recess,
The indicator is characterized in that the display member is configured to protrude into the recess in the first state . 2. The indicator according to claim 1 , wherein the handle has a narrowed portion at a middle portion thereof, and the recess is formed in the narrowed portion. 2. The indicator according to claim 1 , wherein the recess is formed in a curved shape. 2. The indicator according to claim 1 , wherein the display member has a protruding portion protruding from the handle so as to be flush with a portion of the handle other than the recessed portion. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the display member has a protruding portion that protrudes from the handle and is formed into a convex curved shape. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the display member has a protruding portion extending from the handle that is formed in an uneven shape. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the display member has a protruding portion that protrudes from the handle and is formed into an angular shape. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating means is provided with a linking part that links the displacement of the display member to the locked state of the locking device.