Automatic locking device for pop out handle locks

An automatic locking device for automatically locking and unlocking a movable closure member relative to a stationary member such as a vending machine door and cabinet respectively, comprising:

• a lock mechanism of the type provided with a lock stud mounted on the movable closure member and having a horizontal axis and a predetermined diametric dimension,
• said lock stud having an anterior end with a lock handle secured thereto and a posterior end formed into a nose portion,
• said lock stud further provided with thread portions formed along the posterior end and along opposed sides thereof and positioned adjacent to the nose portion thereof,
• said thread portions being separated by stud flat portions interposed between and separating said thread portions,
• stud receiving locking means mounted on the stationary member and in substantial linear alignment with said lock stud mounted on the movable closure member,
• said stud receiving locking means formed by a fixed cage, said fixed cage containing at least two movable members positioned therein and being normally biasingly urged together by biasing means,
• said movable members together having a central aperture formed therein, said aperture being sized to be diametrically complimentary with the diametric dimension of said lock stud and being positioned to accommodate the insertion therein of said lock stud incident to the locking procedure,
• said aperture further provided with thread portions positioned in opposed relation to one another and separated by upper and lower flat spacers, said upper and lower flat spacers and thread portions together being diametrically sized to be complimentary with said thread portions and stud flat portions formed on said lock stud,
• whereby said lock stud may be lockingly engaged in said stud receiving means by inserting said lock stud into said aperture formed by said movable members with the thread portions of said lock stud being in alignment with said thread portions formed in said aperture such that said movable members move apart in response to the force exerted by said lock stud entering said aperture and retract to arrest and grasp said lock stud to lockingly engage same therein, and automatically unlock said lock stud therefrom by rotating said lock stud through an arc of 90 degrees until said thread portions of said lock stud are in alignment with said upper and lower flat spacers in said aperture thereby disengaging said thread portions of said lock stud from said thread portions of said aperture and permitting unobstructed withdrawal of said lock stud from said stud receiving means.