Mechanism for locking refuse container on truck platform

Claim 1

For use with the combination of a container and a truck having an elongated platform with means for pulling the container along the platform on the truck, the improvement comprising: a locking member carried by the container, a locking mechanism including a locking element, the element having an inner susrface defining a cavity adapted to engage the locking member when the container is on the platform and the locking member is adjacent to the locking mechanism, a pivot mounted on the platform substantially in the plane of movement of said locking member, means mounting the locking element on the platform for movement about said pivot between an open, disengaged position disposed away from the locking member and a closed, engaged position partially enveloping the locking member, means biasing the locking element to its open position, the cavity-defining surface of the locking element having an arcuate camming segment shaped so that (1) contact with the locking member of the container, when the locking element is in its open position and when the container is pulled to the end of said platform, forces the locking element to move in only one direction from its open to its closed position against the force of the biasing means, and (2) forward or rearward movement of the container along the platform does not substantially tend to force said locking element to move from its closed to its open position, a major portion of the cavity-defining surface of the locking element being circular in shape and serving to partially envelop said locking member when the locking element is in its closed position, the locking element terminating in a head which protrudes between said locking member and said container when the locking element is in its closed position to engage said locking member, and means releasably latching said locking element in its closed position after it is forced to move to its closed position by contact with the locking member of the container.