Electrically and mechanically activatable lock mechanism

An electrically and mechanically activatable lock mechanism in the form of a narrow profile lock, comprising:

• a) a lock housing (2),
• b) a lock plunger in the form of a latch hook (4) pivotally mounted on a shaft (3),
• c) a toothed, spring-activated drive element (6) pivotally mounted on a shaft (5) and operative to pivot the lock plunger between a lock-release position and a locking position,
• d) a toothed, pivotal transmission/dogging element in engagement with a drive means (9) mounted on an output shaft (10) of an electric motor (11),
• e) a toothed follower element (17) operative to coact with the transmission/dogging element (8) and being in meshing engagement with the drive element (6) and with a rectilinearly movable rack element (18),
• f) a pivotal cylinder lock follower (19) having a projection (19a) for engagement with a notch (18a) in the rack element (18), wherein the follower element (17) is pivotally mounted on a shaft (7) which also supports the transmission/dogging element (8) and is located adjacent said transmission/dogging element and presents a known central slot (17b) having two sector-shaped parts defining a figure-eight configuration, said transmission/dogging element (8) having dogs (8b) which engage in said two sector-shaped parts of said slot;
• and wherein the electric motor (11), subsequent to receiving a start impulse, functions to rotate the transmission/dogging element (8) through part of one revolution, via said output shaft (10) and said drive means (9), said rotary movement being transmitted via the dogs (8b) to the follower element (17) so as to pivot said lock plunger, and thereafter to return immediately said transmission/dogging element (8) to its starting position, said follower element (17) remaining in its adopted position.