Tire cover latching mechanism

Claim 1

A spilt-ring tire cover latching mechanism for releasably connecting the ends of a split-ring tire cover, one end of said split-ring tire cover being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally aligned openings, said latching mechanism comprising: a bifurcated bracket securable to the end of said split-ring tire cover opposite said openings; an elongated generally dish-shaped latch handle having one end pivotally carried by the bifurcated bracket for pivotal movement about a first transverse pivot axis between a latched position wherein its free end extends over said openings in said split-ring tire cover and an unlatched position wherein its free end is swung away from said openings; an elongated tongue formed at its free end with a hook, said tongue having one end pivotally carried by a transverse pivot pin on said latch handle for pivotal movement about a second transverse pivot axis spaced form the first pivot axis between a latched position within the confines of said latch handle wherein said hook is engaged within one of said openings in said split-ring tire cover, and an unlatched position wherein said hook is free of said openings, and with an elongated slot being formed in the intermediate potion of the tongue; a lock carried by the intermediate portion of the latch handle, said lock including a housing for a key-operated mechanism secured to the latch body and extendable through said slot, said lock also including a keeper plate rotatably connected to the lock housing for rotatable movement by the key-operated mechanisms between attached position wherein the keeper plate overlies said slot and an unlatched position wherein the keeper plate is aligned with said slot; and with said latch handle completely enclosing said tongue.