Patent Application
20100011547
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to locking mechanisms and, more particularly, to locking mechanisms that are configured to assume and maintain a closed loop clip profile with transition of a gate of the locking mechanism to an irreversible locked state.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an irreversible locking mechanism comprises a body, a gate, and a spring-loaded pin. The body comprises two opposing ends separated by a gap. The gate is supported by a first of the two opposing ends and advances from the first opposing end to span the gap and engage a second of the two opposing ends such that the gate is engaged with the first and second opposing ends of the body. The gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an interior channel of the gate comprises a threaded surface complimentary to threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends of the body. In this embodiment, the gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate such that a pin of the spring-loaded pin is positioned partially within the seat and partially within the catch so as to irreversibly lock the engagement of the gate with the first and second opposing ends of the body. The gate transitions from the advancing state to the locked state by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the gate along the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends.
The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual aspects of the drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.
Referring initially to
The gate 14 transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin 16 is substantially depressed within a seat 22 in the first opposing end 18 by the gate 14 and the gate 14 is free to span the gap G, shown in
As shown in
The engagement between the gate 14 and the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 of the body 12 may be achieved through one of any variety of engagements. According to one embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10, shown in
According to another embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10, the gate 14 comprises a spring within an interior channel 26 of the gate 14 such that the gate 14 is spring-loaded about the first opposing end 18 of the body 12. More particularly, for example, a first end of the spring may be connected to the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 proximal to a seat 22, while a second end of the spring may be connected to the gate 14 proximal to a catch 24. Here, the spring-loaded gate 14 advances from the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 and engages the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 by advancing the spring-loaded gate 14 from the advancing state where the spring of the spring-loaded gate 14 is relaxed to the locked state where the spring is compressed.
Another embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10 further comprises a sleeve. In this embodiment, the gate 14 is pivotally engaged with the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 such that the gate 14 may pivot between an open position where the gate 14 is not engaged with the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 and a closed position where the gate 12 is engaged with the second opposing end 20. The sleeve is supported by the gate 14 and advances from proximal to the first opposing end 18 to advance a length of the gate 14 and cover an engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 when the gate 14 is in the closed position. The sleeve may transition from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin 16 is substantially depressed within a seat in the gate 14 by the sleeve and the sleeve is free to advance a length of the gate 14, to a locked state, where the sleeve covers the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 and the spring-loaded pin 16 projects from the seat in the gate 14 into a catch of the sleeve. This transition of the sleeve to the locked state is irreversible without substantial destruction of the locking mechanism 10.
The gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 may comprise threaded exterior surfaces, while an interior channel of the sleeve comprises a threaded surface complimentary to the threaded exterior surfaces of the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20. The sleeve may advance from the first opposing end 18 and cover the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the sleeve along the threaded exterior surfaces of the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20. Alternatively, the sleeve may comprise a spring within an interior channel of the sleeve such that the sleeve is spring-loaded about the gate 14. Here, a first end of the spring may be connected to the gate 14 proximal to the seat in the gate 14, while a second end of the spring may be connected to the sleeve proximal to the catch in the sleeve. The spring-loaded sleeve may advance from proximal to the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 and cover the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 by advancing the spring-loaded sleeve from the advancing state where the spring of the spring-loaded sleeve is relaxed to the locked state where the spring is compressed.
The body 12 may comprise any shape suitable for performing the purposes of the body 12 and the irreversible locking mechanism 10 described herein. For example, the body may comprise a C shape, as shown in
In addition, the body 12 and the gate 14 generally are configured substantially of a strong, resilient material, such as aluminum, steel, high strength alloys, etc. As such, the irreversible locking mechanism 10 is substantially resistant to structural deformity or other significant damage or destruction.
The transition of the gate 14 to the locked state is irreversible without substantial destruction of the locking mechanism 10. As used herein, “substantial destruction” means that, once the gate 14 has spanned the gap G or assumed a closed position and engaged with the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 to close the locking mechanism 10, the locking mechanism 10 cannot be re-opened at the gap G or at another area of the mechanism 10 without destructive division of the body 12 and/or the gate 14. For example, a tool, such as a saw or a bolt cutter, may be used to physically, destructively divide an area of the locking mechanism 10 to re-access the gap G or to create a new gap in the locking mechanism 10.
It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the present invention being “configured” in a particular way or to embody a particular property, or function in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.
It is noted that terms like “generally” and “typically,” when utilized herein, are not utilized to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment of the present invention or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.
For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the terms “substantially” and “approximately” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “substantially” and “approximately” are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention.
