US4120181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism
Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics Inc
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Filing: 1977-05-13
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Granted: 1978-10-17
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Expires: 1997-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism for locking first and second relatively movable members together to prevent relative movement therebetween. A first set of spaced tubular members having aligned bores is mounted on the first member, and a second set of spaced tubular members having aligned bores is mounted on the second member. The tubular members of the second set are spaced apart in a manner to receive the first set therebetween with the bores of the first and second sets aligned. A removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions, generally corresponding in shape to the shape of the bores in the tubular members, is passed through such bores, and received by the tubular members to hold the first and second sets in alignment, A locking structure holds the latching bolt in place, the locking structure including a key-release lock, and a locking bolt extending generally perpendicular to the latching bolt and in interfering engagement therewith. The latching bolt is preferably completely contained by the tubular members so that no access to it form the exterior is provided. The locking mechanism is especially adapted for use in holding relatively movable walls of a metal box together.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Stubbings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/003; B60R11/0205; B60R2011/0001; B60R2011/0003; B60R2011/0007; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/0049; B60R2011/005; B60R2011/0052; B60R2011/008; B60R2011/0085; B60R2011/0094; B60R2011/0096; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/42; Y10T292/432; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A locking mechanism for first and second relative movable members comprising (a) a first plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said first movable member, (b) a second plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said second movable member, said second plurality of tubular members being spaced apart in a manner to receive said first plurality of spaced tubular member therebetween with bores of said first and second plurality of members aligned, (c) a removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions generally corresponding in shape to the shape of said bores in said first and second plurality of spaced tubular members for receipt thereby to hold said first and second plurality of bores in alignment, and (d) a locking means for holding said latching bolt in place received by said first and second plurality of tubular members to prevent relative movement between said tubular members, said locking means including a key-release means; and said locking means, including said key-release means, being mounted exterior of said latching bolt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A locking mechanism for first and second relative movable members comprising (a) a first plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said first movable member, (b) a second plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said second movable member, said second plurality of tubular members being spaced apart in a manner to receive said first plurality of spaced tubular member therebetween with bores of said first and second plurality of members aligned, (c) a removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions generally corresponding in shape to the shape of said bores in said first and second plurality of spaced tubular members for receipt thereby to hold said first and second plurality of bores in alignment, and (d) a locking means for holding said latching bolt in place received by said first and second plurality of tubular members to prevent relative movement between said tubular members, said locking means including a key-release means; and said locking means, including said key-release means, being mounted exterior of said latching bolt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a locking bolt, an opening in said latching bolt for receiving said locking bolt, and spring means for biasing said locking bolt into engagement with the walls of said opening in said latching bolt, and wherein said key-release means comprises key-operated means for moving said locking bolt against the bias of said spring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein said first member includes a locking bolt receiving cavity for receiving said locking bolt when said locking bolt extends completely through said opening in said latching bolt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 1 further comprising latching bolt ejector means for at least partially ejecting said latching bolt from receipt by said first and second pluralities of tubular members, said ejector means comprising an ejector bolt and spring means for biasing said ejector bolt to effect partial ejection of said latching bolt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second relatively movable members comprise walls of a container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 5 wherein said container comprises a metal box, and wherein one of said members comprises a relatively movable wall of said metal box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 6 further comprising means for attaching said box to a stationary support having a larger area than said box, so that said box may not be removed from said support from a location exterior of said box except by destruction of said box or said support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 7 wherein said attaching means comprises a flange portion of said metal box having a plurality of threaded openings therein, a plurality of prison screws, one received by each of said threaded openings, and a plurality of threaded openings in said support for receipt of said prison screws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 6 wherein said movable wall is pivotally mounted to a wall of said box distinct from said movable wall, and is pivotally movable into cooperation with said second plurality of spaced tubular members on another of said box walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 9 wherein said locking means comprises a locking bolt spring-biased into interfering relationship with said latching bolt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said key-release means comprises a barrel locking cylinder and an eccentric cam, said eccentric cam engaging a locking bolt of said locking means for movement thereof out of interfering relationship with said latching bolt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
208 words
A locking mechanism for first and second relative movable members comprising (a) a first plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said first movable member, (b) a second plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said second movable member, said second plurality of tubular members being space apart in a manner to receive said first plurality of spaced tubular member therebetween with bores of said first and second plurality of members aligned, (c) a removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions generally corresponding in shape to the shape of said bores in said first and second plurality of spaced tubular members for receipt thereby to hold said first and second plurality of bores in alignment, (d) a locking means for holding said latching bolt in place received by said first and second plurality of tubular members to prevent relative movement between said tubular members, said locking means including a key-release means, and (e) latching bolt ejector means for at least partially ejecting said latching bolt from receipt by said first and second pluralities of tubular members, said ejector means comprising an ejector bolt and spring means for biasing said ejector bolt to effect partial ejection of said latching bolt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
208 words
A locking mechanism for first and second relative movable members comprising (a) a first plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said first movable member, (b) a second plurality of spaced tubular members having aligned bores and extending from said second movable member, said second plurality of tubular members being space apart in a manner to receive said first plurality of spaced tubular member therebetween with bores of said first and second plurality of members aligned, (c) a removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions generally corresponding in shape to the shape of said bores in said first and second plurality of spaced tubular members for receipt thereby to hold said first and second plurality of bores in alignment, (d) a locking means for holding said latching bolt in place received by said first and second plurality of tubular members to prevent relative movement between said tubular members, said locking means including a key-release means, and (e) latching bolt ejector means for at least partially ejecting said latching bolt from receipt by said first and second pluralities of tubular members, said ejector means comprising an ejector bolt and spring means for biasing said ejector bolt to effect partial ejection of said latching bolt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said latching bolt is completely contained by said first and second pluralities of tubular members when locking said first and second members together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
A mechanism as recited in claim 12 wherein said latching bolt ejector means further comprises ejector bolt holding means, said ejector bolt holding means comprising a cam rod reciprocal by said ejector bolt, spring means for biasing said cam rod into engagement with a latching portion of said ejector bolt, and manually operable means for moving said cam rod against the bias of its spring biasing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |