LOCK MECHANISM

Abstract

A lock mechanism is disclosed herein that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. The lock mechanism can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions and, when released or unlocked, can allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to lock mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lock mechanism that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of a device relative to one another.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455 titled “Loading Ramp and Trailer” and granted Feb. 28, 2012, discloses a loading ramp and trailer. U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455 is owned by the owner hereof and is hereby incorporated by reference. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455 discloses an apparatus that can function as a ramp in one position and as a trailer in another position. The apparatus includes a plurality of sections that can rotate relative to one another and can be secured relative to one another in a plurality of positions. For example, the apparatus and the various sections thereof can be moved into a loading position to function as a ramp, into trailing position to function as a trailer, and into a transporting position, which is different from the loading position and the trailing position. In each position, the sections of the apparatus can be locked in respective positions relative to one another. To move between positions, the sections of the apparatus can be released so that they can rotate relative to one another.

However, an improved lock mechanism that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of the apparatus relative to one another is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a first position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a first position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments allowing rotation of sections of an apparatus relative to one another;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments allowing rotation of sections of an apparatus relative to one another;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a first position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in between first and second positions;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a second position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a second position;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a second position;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a first position;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments in position for facilitating sections of an apparatus being in a third position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments in position for facilitating sections of an apparatus being in a third position;

FIG. 16A is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments in position for facilitating sections of an apparatus being in a third position and illustrating a force vector acting on the lock mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a third position;

FIG. 17A is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a third position and illustrating force vectors acting on the lock mechanism; and

FIG. 18 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another in a third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a lock mechanism that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. For example, in some embodiments, the lock mechanism disclosed herein can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions. In some embodiments, the lock mechanism disclosed herein can also be released or unlocked to allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

The lock mechanism disclosed herein can be used in connection with the loading ramp and trailer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455. However, it is to be understood that the lock mechanism is not so limited. Instead, the lock mechanism disclosed herein can be used in connection with any apparatus as would be known by those of skill in the art that requires locking sections of the apparatus in a plurality of different positions and releasing the sections to move them relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

As seen in the figures, and most notably in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism 100 disclosed herein can be used in connection with an apparatus 200 that includes at least a first section 210 and a second section 220. The lock mechanism 100 can lock the sections 210, 220 in place relative to one another in a plurality of different positions. The lock mechanism 100 can also release or unlock the sections 210, 220 for moving the sections 210, 220 relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

As seen, the lock mechanism 100 can include at least a first sub-assembly 110, a second sub-assembly 120, a third sub-assembly 130, a fourth sub-assembly 140, and a wedge assembly 150. The first sub-assembly 110 can be securely connected to the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 with which the lock mechanism 100 is used. The first sub-assembly can also be rotatably connected to the wedge assembly 150 via a connection mechanism 160 that can form an axis of rotation for the wedge assembly 150. For example, the wedge assembly 150 can include a wedge handle 152 that can be associated with and dissociated from the first sub-assembly 110 as needed.

The second sub-assembly 120 can be rotatably connected to the first sub-assembly 110 via a connection mechanism 162 that can form an axis of rotation for the second sub-assembly 120. The second sub-assembly can also be connected to the third sub-assembly 130 via an adjustable connection mechanism 164. For example, the connection mechanism 164 can be adjusted to adjust the tension between the second sub-assembly 120 and the third sub-assembly 130 as needed.

The third sub-assembly 130 can be rotatably connected to the fourth sub-assembly 140 via a connection mechanism 168 that can form an axis of rotation for the third sub-assembly 130, Finally, the fourth sub-assembly 140 can be rotatably connected to the second section 220 of the apparatus 200 via a connection mechanism 166 that can form an axis of rotation for the fourth sub-assembly 140. In some embodiments, the fourth sub-assembly 140 can include a spring loaded pin lock 142 that can be engaged to lock the mechanism 100 and secure the third sub-assembly 130 to the fourth sub-assembly 140 and/or secure the fourth sub-assembly 140 to the second section 220 of the apparatus 200 and that can be disengaged to unlock the mechanism 100 and to release the third sub-assembly 130 from the fourth sub-assembly 140 and/or to release the fourth sub-assembly 140 from the second section 220 of the apparatus 200.

As best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 100 can be locked to secure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in a first position, for example, a folded position, and prevent the first and second sections 210, 220 from rotating relative to one another. To secure the first and second sections 210, 220 relative to one another, the pin lock 142 can be engaged so that the third sub-assembly 130 is secured relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140 and/or so that the fourth sub-assembly is secured relative to the second section 220 of the apparatus 200.

To unlock the mechanism 100, a user can disengage the pin lock 142 by pulling on the pin lock 142. In some embodiments, the pin lock 142 can be spring loaded.

When the pin lock 142 is disengaged, the third sub-assembly 130 can rotate relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140 about the axis of rotation defined by the connection mechanism 168. Further, the second sub-assembly 120 can rotate relative to the first sub-assembly 110 about the axis of rotation defined by the connection mechanism 162. As best seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, as the third sub-assembly 130 rotates relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140 and as the second sub-assembly 120 rotates relative to the first sub-assembly 110, the second section 220 of the apparatus 210 can rotate relative to the first section 210 of the apparatus 200.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked, as the third sub-assembly 130 rotates relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, as the second sub-assembly 120 rotates relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and as the second section 220 rotates relative the first section 210, other sections of the lock mechanism 100 can be moved for securing the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in a second position, for example, in a partially unfolded position that would be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 acting as a ramp. For example, as best seen in FIG. 6, the wedge assembly 150 can be in a first position that includes the wedge handle 152 being associated with at least a portion of the first sub-assembly 110. In the first position, all portions of the wedge assembly 150 can be adjacent to a side of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so that no portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200. As best seen in FIG. 7, a user can engage the wedge assembly 150, for example, by pulling on the wedge handle 152, to dissociate the wedge handle 152 from the first sub-assembly 110 and cause the wedge assembly 150 to rotate about an axis of rotation defined by the connection mechanism 160 in a direction indicated by the arrow. The wedge assembly 150 can rotate to a second position that is best seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 and includes at least a portion of the wedge assembly 150 being adjacent to an end of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so that the portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200.

In some embodiments, the wedge assembly 150 can be spring loaded so that a spring is compressed when the wedge assembly 150 is in the first position and decompressed when the wedge assembly is in the second position. Accordingly, the first sub-assembly 110 can secure the wedge assembly 150 in the first position and when released therefrom, the wedge assembly 150 can be biased for moving to the second position. The wedge assembly 150 can remain in the second position until user intervention causes the assembly 150 to move back to the first position and be secured by the first sub-assembly 110.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked and the wedge assembly 150 is in the second position, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotating relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 can continue rotating relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and the second section 220 can continue rotating relative the first section 210 until the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 are in the second position, for example, in a partially unfolded position that would be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 acting as a ramp. As best seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the lock mechanism 100 can secure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in the second position. As further seen in FIG. 12, when the lock mechanism 100 secures the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in the second position, the wedge assembly 150 can be disposed between ends of the first and second sections 210, 220 so that the ends of the first and second sections 210, 220 are not flush with each other and so that the second section 220 is at an angle between 0° and 180° relative to the first section 210. That is, when the lock mechanism 100 secures the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in the second position, the wedge assembly 200 can function as a bridge between the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200.

The lock mechanism 100 can be unlocked to release the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 from the second position, and when released, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotating relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 can continue rotating relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and the second section 220 of the apparatus 200 can continue rotating relative to the first section 210 of the apparatus 200. When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked, as the third sub-assembly 130 rotates relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, as the second sub-assembly 120 rotates relative to the first sub-assembly, and as the second section 220 rotates relative to the first section 210, other sections of the lock mechanism can be moved for securing the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in a third position, for example, in a completely unfolded position that would be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 acting as a trailer. For example, as best seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the wedge assembly 150 can be moved from the second position shown in FIG. 13 to the first position shown in FIG. 14. That is, the wedge assembly 150 can be moved from a position in which at least a portion of the wedge assembly 150 is adjacent to an edge of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so that the portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 to a position in which all portions of the wedge assembly 150 are adjacent to a side of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so that no portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first and second sections of the apparatus 200. In some embodiments, a user can engage the wedge assembly 150, for example, by pulling on the wedge handle 152, to move the wedge assembly 150 from the second position to the first position and associate and secure the wedge handle 152 with the first sub-assembly 110. As the wedge assembly 150 moves from the second position to the first position, the wedge assembly 150 can rotate about the axis of rotation defined by the connection mechanism 160.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked and the wedge assembly 150 is in the first position, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotating relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 can continue rotating relative to the first sub-assembly, and the second section 220 can continue rotating relative to the first section 210 until the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 are in the third position, for example, in a completely unfolded position that would be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 acting as a trailer. As best seen in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the lock mechanism 100 can be in a position that facilitates the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 being in the third position.

When the lock mechanism 100 is in position to facilitate the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 being in the third position, a force vector can be created along an axis of the mechanism 100. For example, as seen in FIG. 16A, the force vector can be along an axis that intersects the connection mechanism 160 and the connection mechanism 166. However, before the mechanism 100 is locked, the connection mechanism 168 can be above the force vector.

A user can apply a force to the fourth sub-assembly 140 in the direction shown by the force arrow in FIG. 16A to lock the mechanism 100 and secure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in the third position. For example, as seen in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, when a user applies force to the fourth sub-assembly 140, a contact point 144 of the fourth sub-assembly 140 can engage a contact point 132 of the third sub-assembly 130. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 17A, when the contact point 144 of the fourth sub-assembly 140 engages the contact point 132 of the third sub-assembly 130 and the mechanism 100 is locked, the connection mechanism 160 and the connection mechanism 166 can intersect the force vector of the mechanism 100 along which the holding force of the mechanism 100 acts. However, when the mechanism 100 is locked, the connection mechanism 168 can be below the force vector. Accordingly, when a force trying to separate the sections 210, 220 is applied, for example, at the connection mechanism 162, a second force vector can be created as seen in FIG. 17A, which pulls the connection mechanism 168 further down and into the locked position, thereby securing and further tightening the mechanism 100 and the associated apparatus 200.

In some embodiments, a user can also engage the pin lock 142 to lock the mechanism 100. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a user can adjust the connection mechanism 164 as needed to adjust the tension between the second sub-assembly 120 and the third sub-assembly 130, thereby adjusting the locking pressure of the mechanism 100. For example, the connection mechanism 164 can include a bolt and screw, and the bolt can be threaded along the length of the screw to adjust a distance between the second sub-assembly 120 and the third sub-assembly.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a first sub-assembly for securely connecting to a first section of a device;a second sub-assembly rotatably connected to the first sub-assembly;a third sub-assembly connected to the second sub-assembly; anda fourth sub-assembly rotatably connected to the third sub-assembly and rotatably connected to a second section of the device,wherein, when in a first apparatus position, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can lock to secure the first and second sections of the device in a first device position,wherein, when in a second apparatus position, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can lock to secure the first and second sections of the device in a second device position,wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can be unlocked to allow rotation of at least some of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies relative to each other to move the first, second, third and fourth sub-assemblies from the first apparatus position to the second apparatus position and to allow rotation of the first and second sections of the device relative to each other to move the first and second sections of the device from the first device position to the second device position.

2-20. (canceled)