Device for interlocking two elements which are relatively slidable

Claim 1

In a device for interlocking relatively movable first and second structures, comprising in combination, rack means and a slideway combined into a single unit which extends longitudinally in a plane and is integral with said first structure, the rack means defining rack recesses and the unit defining guide face means, a slide integral with said second structure and movable along the slideway in slidable engagement with the guide face means, two locking means mounted on the slide to move between a locking position in which the locking means are engaged in rack recesses in the rack means and an unlocking position in which the locking means are withdrawn from the rack recesses, a cam associated with the locking means and mounted to move relative to the slide between a first position in which the locking means are withdrawn from the rack recesses and a second position in which the cam maintains the locking means engaged in the rack recesses, and means for shifting the cam between said second position and first position; the following features : the slideway has in cross section substantially the shape of a C and defines a transverse portion and two branch portions which define an open side through which the slide extends; the rack means comprise two rack members respectively integral with the two branch portions; one of two elements consisting of said cam and said slide having two outer portions spaced apart transversely of said plane and the other of said two elements having an inner portion interposed between said two outer portions; the two locking means extending transversely of said plane and being engaged by said two outer portions and engaged by said inner portion and being engageable with the two racks; the two branch portions, the two racks and the two outer portions being substantially symmetrically arranged and disposed relative to said plane and the slide being substantially symmetrical relative to said plane.