LOCKING MECHANISM FOR COVER

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a cover is provided which locks the cover in a closed state. The locking mechanism includes a slider that is elastically urged in a direction perpendicular to the opening and closing direction of the cover so as to suppress movement of the slider in one direction when the cover is opened. When the cover is closed, the slider is pressed down by the protrusion to release the slider so as to allow the slider to slide, and the engaging portions engage the locking portions of first and second protrusions, respectively, so as to lock the cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a case and a cover illustrating a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating an unlocked state.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating an operation of a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a state where the cover is completely opened.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a known locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism comprising: a case having an opening;a cover capable of opening and closing the opening;a locking portion is formed in a protrusion protruding by a predetermined amount from the cover into the case;a slider adapted to slide in directions perpendicular to the opening and closing directions of the cover;an engaging portion formed in the slider configured to engage the locking portion to lock the cover when the cover is closed,wherein the slider is elastically urged in a direction perpendicular to the opening and closing directions of the cover so as to suppress movement of the slider in the one direction when the cover is opened, andwherein when the cover is closed, the slider is pressed down by the protrusion, the suppression of movement of the slider in the one direction is released so as to allow the slider to slide in the one direction, and the engaging portion engages with the locking portion so as to lock the cover.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an abutment portion is formed in the slider, the abutment portion is pressed by an end of the protrusion formed in the cover, wherein when the cover is closed, the protrusion presses the abutment portion to press down the slider.

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, further including a pair of first and second protrusions are formed in the cover with a predetermined gap therebetween; anda pair of first and second engaging portions are formed at positions of the slider corresponding to the first and second protrusions.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the slider is slidably supported by an attachment plate attached to an inside portion of the case, and a position control portion for controlling movement of the slider in the one direction is formed in the attachment plate, and wherein when the cover is closed, the first protrusion presses the abutment portion to release the position control portion so that the slider slides in the one direction.

5. The locking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a supporting portion slidably supporting the slider is formed in the attachment plate and a pair of first and second supporting portions is formed with a predetermined gap therebetween in a direction in which the slider slides.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the first supporting portion is formed near the abutment portion, and the abutment portion is formed at a position adapted to being pressed by the first protrusion on the slider side, and wherein when the cover is closed, the first protrusion presses the abutment portion, the slider rotates about the second supporting portion, and the abutment portion is pressed down to release the position control portion.

7. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein when the position control portion is released, the slider slides in the one direction to go below the position control portion so as to control upward movement of the slider.

8. The locking mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the lock between the engaging portion and the locking portion is released, and the abutment portion of the slider rotates upward about the second supporting portion, by pressing the slider in the opposite direction so as to lock the cover to the case.

9. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is formed in a “⊃” shape and the engaging portion is formed in a shape capable of engaging with the locking portion by allowing a part of the slider to protrude.

10. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cover is elastically urged in a direction in which the cover is opened.

11. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the end of the first protrusion and the abutment portion have an inclined shape of which the right side is raised.