Lock

A lock comprising in combination:

• an operator actuated locking-unlocking mechanism including a member releasable under operator control for movement between locking and unlocking positions;
• a lockable member movable between locked and unlocked positions, said lockable member having a recess, said recess defining a stop surface facing generally in the direction of movement of said lockable member towards said unlocked position and a cam surface facing generally towards said stop surface and in the direction of movement of said lockable member towards said locked position;
• a bolt for operably interconnecting said member and said lockable member whereby to retain said lockable member in its locked position when said member is in its locking position and to free said lockable member for movement into its unlocked position when said member is in its unlocking position, said bolt being supported for rotary movements about an axis extending essentially transversely of the direction of movement of said lockable member and having first and second spaced portions thereof operably engaging with said member and said lockable member, respectively, said second portion of said bolt including stop means and cam-stop means, said bolt having a first rotatable position when said member is in said locking position wherein said cam-stop means is removed from within said recess and said stop means is inserted within said recess and arranged for engagement by said stop surface for preventing movement of said lockable member into said unlocked position, said bolt having a second rotatable position when said member is in said unlocking position wherein said stop means is removed from within said recess to permit movement of said lockable member towards said unlocked position and said cam-stop means is inserted within said recess, said cam-stop means when said bolt is in said second rotatable position being arranged for engagement by said stop surface to prevent movement of said lockable member beyond said unlocked position, said cam surface engaging said cam-stop means upon movement of said lockable member from said unlocked position towards said locked position for driving said bolt from said second rotatable position into said first rotatable position;
• spring means tending to bias said lockable member towards one of said locked and unlocked positions;
• and
• spring means tending to bias said bolt for rotation from said first rotatable position towards said second rotatable position.