Joint lock

A joint lock (10) having a lock body (12) and a joint bar hoop (14), wherein the lock body (12) accommodates a lock cylinder (40) and a latch (54), the latch being selectively movable by the lock cylinder (40) from a locking position into a release position, and wherein the joint bar hoop (14) comprises a plurality of joint bars (16) pivotally connected to one another, with a first end (24) of the joint bar hoop (14) having an elongate locking bar (18) which can be introduced into an introduction opening (34) of the lock body (12) and can be locked in the lock body (12) by means of the latch (54),

• the lock body (12) further accommodating a preloading device (66) which preloads the latch (54) into the locking position, with the latch (54) being temporarily movable against the preload from the locking position into the release position by introduction of the locking bar (18) into the lock body (12), and with the preloading device (66) being adapted to move the latch (54) back into the locking position again when the locking bar (18) is completely introduced into the lock body (12).