The present invention generally relates to a door closing mechanism and, more particularly, to a bar lock assembly for releasably securing a door in a closed position relative to an opening in a walled enclosure.
Many trucks, truck trailers, cargo and/or freight containers, tankers and like vehicles typically have a walled enclosure which is provided with an opening in at least one wall thereof to allow loading and unloading of the vehicle or container. Conventionally, a door is hinged along one side for swinging movements into the plane of the wall for releasably closing the opening. A gasket seal is commonly arranged in combination with such door to inhibit moisture, dust, dirt, debris and related contaminating elements from passing between the door and the walled enclosure and entering through the opening when the door is closed.
To maintain the door in a closed position, a bar lock assembly is known to be provided between the door and the walled enclosure. Such a bar lock assembly is usually fabricated from several separate components or pieces which are typically welded together. For example, a conventional bar lock assembly includes an elongated bar pivotally mounted to the walled enclosure of the vehicle and has welded thereto a locking handle bracket having a locking handle pivotally attached thereto. The locking handle is adapted to coact with a latch on the door to hold the door in the closed position. The elongated bar of such bar lock assemblies usually includes a piece of elongated round or flat stock having at least two hinge barrels, sometimes referred to as straps, welded thereto. A pair of coaxially arranged hinge butts, secured to the walled enclosure, are pivotally interconnected to the hinge barrels as through pivot pins.
As will be appreciated, welding several individual pieces comprising the bar lock assembly requires a labor intensive effort and, thus, is relatively expensive. Moreover, when several components forming a bar lock are welded to each other, it is customary to provide fixtures for holding the various components in their desired assembled relationship relative to each other. Of course, the need to provide such fixtures further increases the fabrication expense, and, thus, the overall costs for the bar lock assembly. Additionally, certain expertise is required to properly arrange the components relative to the fixtures for welding. This also adds to the overall cost of the bar lock assembly.
To enhance the ability of the gasket to seal about the marginal edge of the door, a bar lock assembly is frequently designed to apply a compressive force against an outer surface of the door when the locking handle is arranged in operable combination with the latch to hold the door closed. When a separate locking handle bracket is welded to the elongated round or flat stock, tolerance variations coupled with inadvertent but inescapable human errors in repetitively locating the respective components in their respective fixtures leads to inconsistent angular orientations and differences between the respective parts. If the tolerance variations and accumulation of errors are extreme or excessive, the compressive force exerted by the bar lock assembly on the door and, thus, on the gasket may be inadequate for the intended purpose. Accordingly, there may be leakage between the gasket and the walled enclosure which can lead to contaminants, i.e., moisture, dust, dirt and debris, entering the walled enclosure through the opening. Moreover, when the pressure exerted by the bar lock assembly against the door is inadequate, premature wear on the door, door hinges, gaskets and related components can result from excessive vibration between the door and walled enclosure. On the other hand, when excessive tolerance variations cause the door lock assembly to exert too much pressure against the door, the operator can have difficulty in securing the handle lock in locked relation with the lock on the door.
Thus, there is a need and continuing desire for an improved bar lock assembly for holding a door in a closed position, which is strong and simple in construction, while substantially reducing the fixtures required for assembly thereby making it more economical to manufacture.
In view of the above, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar lock assembly for releasably closing and securing a swingably movable door in a closed position relative to an opening in a body of a vehicle. The bar lock assembly includes a member for selectively interconnecting a pair of axially displaced pivots fixedly secured to the body of the vehicle with the movable door whereby securing the door in the closed position. Such member of the bar lock assembly includes a mounting portion, a handle mounting portion, and a web portion all integrally embodied in a one-piece structure. The mounting portion extends along one edge of the member for operable association with the pivots on the body of the vehicle whereby allowing the bar lock assembly to move between latched and unlatched conditions. The handle mounting portion of such one-piece member is disposed toward a laterally spaced and opposed edge of the member for mounting a manually operated handle adapted for pivotal movement in a plane extending generally parallel to an outer surface on the door. Moreover, the web portion is formed integral with and extends between the mounting portion and the handle mounting portion of the one-piece member. In one form, at least one of the locking handle mounting portion on the member and an end of the locking handle adapted to be arranged closest to said the member is formed with a clevis-like configuration
According to another aspect, there is provided a bar lock assembly adapted to be mounted on a wall having an opening therein and which operably cooperates with suitable latch structure for releasably maintaining a swingable door in a closed position extending across the opening in the wall. The bar lock assembly includes a one-piece member adapted to swing relative to the wall about an elongated axis disposed adjacent and along one edge of the member. In one form, such member further includes a generally U-shaped channel provided along at least a portion of an opposed edge of the member for accommodating a manually operated handle adapted to coact with latch structure on the door. Such one-piece member further defines a door engaging surface provided between the edges thereof and which is cooperatively engagable with the door when the door is to be moved from the open position to the closed position.
According to this aspect, the door engaging surface of the bar lock assembly member has a first distance extending generally parallel to the axis about which such member pivots and a second distance extending between the opposed edges, with the first distance being greater than the second distance. In a preferred form, the one-piece member of the bar lock assembly includes a web extending between the edges.
According to another aspect, there is provided a bar lock assembly for releasably securing a door in a closed position wherein the door extends across and closes an opening in a walled enclosure. As is known, the door swingably moves about a generally vertical axis disposed adjacent a first marginal edge of the opening in the walled enclosure. The bar lock assembly includes hinge structure adapted to be secured to the walled enclosure adjacent a second vertical marginal edge of the opening in the walled enclosure. According to this aspect, the bar lock assembly includes an elongated one-piece body defining a hinge portion configured to operably cooperate with the hinge structure in mounting the body for swinging movement about the vertical axis and relative to the opening in the walled enclosure. According to this aspect, the bar locking assembly further includes a locking handle mounting portion arranged in spaced relation from the hinge portion and a web portion extending between and rigidly joining the hinge portion and the locking handle mounting portion. Moreover, the bar lock assembly includes a locking handle having one end adapted for pivotal attachment to the locking handle mounting portion of the one piece body for facilitating pivotal movement of the locking handle and swinging movement of the one-piece body relative to the hinge structure and for securing the door in the closed position across the opening in the walled enclosure.
In a preferred form, the vertical axis about which the one-piece body is adapted to swingably move is laterally spaced from the marginal edge of the opening defined by the walled enclosure. Moreover, the one piece body is preferably configured such that the web portion thereof is sized to exceed a distance measured between the vertical axis about which the one-piece body is adapted to swingably move and a vertical edge of the door arranged closest to the hinge structure when said door is in the closed position.
To reduce the overall weight of the bar lock assembly, the web portion of the elongated body preferably defines a channel or void having a closed margin. In a most preferred form, the one-piece body is formed from extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy.
In a preferred embodiment, the web structure extending between the hinge portion and channel portion of the elongated body is configured with a door engaging surface for promoting closure of the door from an open position. Moreover, the bar lock assembly preferably includes compressible structure whereby allowing the bar lock assembly to exert a compressive closing force against the door.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar locking assembly for securely maintaining a door within a plane of an associated walled enclosure.
Another object of this invention is to provide a bar locking assembly for securing a swingable door in a closed position but having fewer parts than heretofore known devices whereby maintaining simplicity while reducing the cost to manufacture such an assembly.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bar locking assembly which is configured such that a consistent relationship is provided between a locking handle of such assembly and the confronting outer surface of the swingably movable door.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bar locking assembly embodying an extruded one-piece member defining a channel for not only reducing the overall weight of the bar assembly but also adding significant stiffness to the bar locking assembly whereby enhancing its ability to maintain the door in the closed position.
These and other objects, aims and advantages of the subject invention will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description, appended claims and drawings.
The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in multiple forms, and there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described preferred embodiments of the invention, with the understanding the present disclosure sets forth exemplifications of the invention which are not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated and described.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in
In the embodiment shown, door 16 is preferably flat, substantially rectangular and metal clad. Preferably, marginal edges of the opening 14 are overlapped by an outer peripheral flange 24 (
According to the present invention, a bar lock assembly, generally identified by reference numeral 30, is provided for releasably maintaining the door 16 in a closed position. As is known, the bar lock assembly 30 is arranged for operable association with a conventional latch or clip lock 32 (
A salient aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a one-piece body 40 adapted and configured to be swingably mounted to the walled enclosure 12 about an axis 41 preferably disposed adjacent a second vertical marginal edge 23 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the one-piece body or locking member 40 of the bar lock assembly 30 has a generally rectangular configuration which, when attached to the walled enclosure 12, is elongated in a vertical direction. That is, body 40 has a first distance extending generally parallel to the axis 41 about which body 40 swingably moves and a second distance extending between the opposed edges 43, 45. In a preferred form, edges 43, 45 of body 40 are laterally spaced and preferably extend in generally parallel relation relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first distance is greater than the second distance.
The hinge portion 42 of the elongated body 40 is adapted to operably cooperate with suitable hinge structure 50 in mounting the bar lock assembly 30 for swinging movement about axis 41 and relative to the walled enclosure 12. In one form, hinge structure 50 includes a pair of axially spaced hinge butts 52 and 52′ secured to the walled enclosure 12 in a conventional manner and in axially spaced relation relative to each other. Suffice it to say, hinge structure 50 is secured adjacent to the second marginal edge 23 of the opening 14 in the walled enclosure 12 and defines the axis 41 about which the elongated body 40 swingably moves. In the embodiment illustrated in
In one form, hinge portion 42 of body 40 defines an elongated recess or bore 54 for accommodating a pivot pin 56 which passes through and is journalled by the hinge butts 52, 52′. Alternatively, and without detracting or departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, each end of the hinge portion 42 of the elongated body 40 can be designed with a blind bore which accommodates the free end of a hinge pin journalled by a respective hinge butt 52, 52′.
In that form shown in
One end of a manually operated locking handle 60, is secured between the joined tines 58, 58′ of the handle mounting portion 44 of the elongated body 40 by a pivot pin 62 journalled by the aligned bores or openings 57 in arms 58, 58′ of the handle mounting portion 44 of the elongated body 40. As will be appreciated, the pivot pin 62 defines a rotational axis 64 about which handle 60 pivots and which extends generally normal to the axis 41 about which the elongated body 40 swingably moves. Such an arrangement allows for manual rotation of the locking handle or lever 60 in a plane extending generally parallel to the outer surface of the door 16 and into and from operable locking relation with the conventional latch or handle lock 32 mounted to the outer face of the door 16. The elongated configuration of the locking handle or lever 60 furthermore promotes swinging movement of the bar locking mechanism 30 about axis 41.
In an alternative arrangement, shown in
In a preferred form, the one-piece body 40 is fabricated or formed as an extrusion which advantageously allows for orientation of the metallic structure thereof. To reduce the overall weight of the assembly 30, body 40 is preferably formed from a lightweight alloy material such as an aluminum alloy. Any other suitable material would equally suffice as long as such materials have the necessary strength and preferably light weight properties for the particular application.
As shown in
As illustrated in
In a preferred form, compressible structure 80 is arranged between the one-piece body 40 and the exterior surface of the door 16 when the door is in the closed position. In one form, the compressible structure 80 preferably includes an elongated strip 82 of any suitable material, i.e., hollow rubber strip, suitably secured as by adhesive or the like to surface 76 of the one-piece body 40 preferably in an elongated direction extending generally normal to the ends 47, 49 of the one-piece body 40. Alternatively, and as shown in
As will be appreciated, integrally forming the hinge portion 42, the handle mounting portion 44, and web portion 46 as a one-piece body 40 rather than individual components advantageously orientates the bar lock assembly 30 relative to the door 16 when the door is in the closed position. More specifically, integrally forming the hinge portion 42, the handle mounting portion 44, and web portion 46 as a one-piece body 40 provides a relatively consistent relationship between body 40 and the exterior, confronting surface on the door 16. As such, the bar lock assembly 30 provides a relatively consistent closing pressure on the gasket seal structure 26 when the door 16 is in the closed position.
In the form illustrated in
Moreover,
In the exemplary embodiment, the compressible structure 180 includes a series of compressible bumpers or pads 182 individually secured to the one-piece body 140. As illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
In this embodiment, the fastener portion 186 of each bumper or pad 182 includes a shank 192 having one or more anti-retraction flexible ribs or formations 190 extending from opposite sides of the shank 192. As is known, the rib or formation 190 on the fastener portion 186 is designed to enable relatively easy deformation of the rib 190 for insertion of the fastener portion 186 of the compressible bumper or pad 180 into the opening 188 on the one-piece body and yet relatively difficult removal of the fastening portion 186 of the compressible bumper or pad 182 from the one-piece body 140. Of course, and as will be appreciated, the open channel 170 in the one-piece body 140 facilitates insertion of the fastener portion 186 of the compressible pad or bumper into operable association with the one-piece body 140. As will be appreciated, and without detracting or departing from the spirit of the invention, the compressible structure 80 mentioned above could likewise include such fastening means and/or fasteners designed with similar fastening means for maintaining structure 80 in place relative to the one-piece body 40.
In the form illustrated in
In the form illustrated in
One end of the manually operated locking handle 60 is secured between the joined tines 358, 358′ of the handle mounting portion 344 of the elongated body 340 by a pivot pin 362 defining a rotational axis 364 about which handle 60 pivots and which extends generally normal to the major plane of the door 16. Such an arrangement allows for manual rotation of the locking handle or lever 60 in a plane extending generally parallel to the outer surface of the door 16 and into and from operable locking relation with the conventional latch or handle lock 32 (
In the embodiment illustrated in
As will be appreciated from an understanding of the present invention, the locking handle 60 connected to the one-piece body 40 is used to lock the door 16 in a closed position. Movement of the handle 60 toward the door 16 rotates the elongated body 40 about its vertical hinge axis 41 and the surface 76 of the elongated body 40 can consequently engage the outer surface of the door 16 whereby moving the door 16 toward a closed position extending across the opening 14 in the walled enclosure 12. After the door 16 is closed, the handle 60 can be moved about the pivot axis 64 of pin 62 to a position where it extends substantially normal to the axis 41 about which the bar assembly swingably moves. Thereafter, the locking handle 60 is manually manipulated into operable locking relation with the latch or handle lock 32 on the exterior of the door 16 whereby releasably securing the door 16 in a closed position.
In a preferred embodiment, and before handle 60 is arranged in operable locking engagement with the lock 32, the compressible structure 80 on the elongated body is compressed. As will be appreciated, compression of structure 80 imparts an additional closing force on the door 16 and serves to enhance the capability of the seal or gasket 26, between the door 16 and walled enclosure 12, to inhibit dirt, debris, and elements from passing therebetween and into the walled enclosure 12 through the opening 14. Thus, not only will the bar assembly 30 of the present invention provide a simple and effective locking action, but such result is obtained without the necessity of providing close tolerances between the door and the walled enclosure 12.
Additionally, and since the hinge portion 42, handle mounting portion 44 and web portion 46 of body 40 are all formed integral relative to each other, the need for additional welding fixtures for aligning such components relative to each other has been eliminated, thus, reducing the overall cost of producing the bar lock assembly 30. Moreover, and since the need to align and weld the various components relative to each other has been eliminated, the present invention offers a simplified method of manufacturing a bar lock assembly which substantially eliminates the likelihood of human error. As will be appreciated from an understanding of the present invention, forming the hinge portion 42, handle mounting portion 44 and web portion 46 as a one-piece integral unit will furthermore result in fewer parts being required for the bar assembly 30. As known to those experienced with manufacturing operations, a reduction in individual parts and assembly operations advantageously results in savings in labor. Furthermore, the aesthetics of the bar lock assembly 30 is enhanced since there are no weld joints required for attaching other or individual pieces to the one-piece body 40.
In a preferred form, the one-piece body 40 which hingedly secures the bar lock assembly 30 to the walled enclosure 12 is formed or fabricated from aluminum, aluminum alloy, a composite or other lightweight yet strong material. To further reduce the overall weight of the bar assembly 30, the one-piece body 40 for hingedly securing the bar lock assembly 30 to the walled enclosure 12 is provided with a channel or void 70 extending the length thereof. Testing has revealed, such configuration allows the one-piece body 40 to offer a resistance to bending which is almost double the resistence offered by a standard size round tube typically used for this application. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the added stiffness afforded by the preferred design of the one-piece body 40 enhances not only the initial locking capability of the bar lock assembly of the present invention but furthermore enhances the resistence of the bar lock assembly from becoming inadvertently separated from the lock 32 even after an outwardly directed force is applied to the door 16 whereby maintaining the door 16 in a closed position relative to the enclosure 12 during transportation of the vehicle between locations.
From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated and observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is intended to set forth an exemplification of the present invention which is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modification and colorful variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.
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2847744 | Apr 1980 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040155471 A1 | Aug 2004 | US |