Back to results
US 12,339,694 B2Granted
Docking and locking mechanism and method of manufacturing
AssigneeControlled Dynamics, Inc.
InventorFrank Oetlinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A docking and locking mechanism includes a handle actuatable between a docked position and an undocked position and an eccentric mechanism coupled to the handle, the eccentric mechanism having a rod that rotates in an eccentric path upon actuation by the handle. The docking and locking mechanism also includes a linkage assembly with a plurality of sleeves and linkage shafts coupling the rod of the eccentric mechanism to a docking lever assembly having a docking lever to enable actuation of the docking lever.
Claims20
A docking and locking mechanism comprising:
- a handle actuatable between a docked position and an undocked position;
- an eccentric mechanism comprising:
- an axle coupled to the handle and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation upon actuation of the handle;
- a sheave coupled to the axle and configured to rotate about the axis of rotation with the axle;
- and
- a rod comprising a first end coupled to the sheave off-center from the axis of rotation and a second end, the rod extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
- a linkage assembly comprising:
- a first linkage shaft coupled to the second end of the rod of the eccentric mechanism, the first linkage shaft comprising a first shaft opening therein;
- an inner sleeve comprising a first sleeve opening and a second sleeve opening, the inner sleeve positioned over the first linkage shaft and coupled to the first linkage shaft via a first sleeve pin extending through the first sleeve opening in the inner sleeve and the first shaft opening of the first linkage shaft;
- a second linkage shaft positioned within the inner sleeve and coupled to the inner sleeve via a second sleeve pin extending through a second shaft opening in the second linkage shaft and the second sleeve opening in the inner sleeve;
- and
- an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve to retain the first sleeve pin coupling the inner sleeve and the first linkage shaft, the outer sleeve linked to the inner sleeve and the second linkage shaft via the second sleeve pin extending through a third sleeve opening in the outer sleeve;
- and
- a docking lever assembly comprising:
- first and second pivot pins;
- a docking lever comprising:
- a first end coupled to the second linkage shaft of the linkage assembly via the first pivot pin extending through a third shaft opening in the second linkage shaft and a first lever opening in the docking lever;
- a second end comprising a hook shape;
- and
- a second lever opening formed therein and sized to receive the second pivot pin therethrough.
17 more elements
A method of manufacturing a docking and locking mechanism comprising:
- constructing a linkage assembly by:
- coupling a first linkage shaft to an inner sleeve via a first sleeve pin extending through a first shaft opening in the first linkage shaft and a first sleeve opening in the inner sleeve;
- positioning an outer sleeve over the inner sleeve and the first linkage shaft to retain the first sleeve pin in the inner sleeve and the first linkage shaft;
- and
- coupling a second linkage shaft to the inner sleeve and outer sleeve via a second sleeve pin extending through a second shaft opening in the second linkage shaft, a second sleeve opening in the inner sleeve, and a third sleeve opening in the outer sleeve;
- coupling a docking lever assembly to the linkage assembly by inserting a first pivot pin through a first lever opening in a docking lever of the docking lever assembly and a third shaft opening in the second linkage shaft;
- coupling an eccentric mechanism comprising an axle, a sheave, and a rod to the linkage assembly by coupling the first linkage shaft of the linkage assembly to the rod of the eccentric mechanism, the rod of the eccentric mechanism coupled to the sheave of the eccentric mechanism off-center from an axis of rotation about which the sheave and axle of the eccentric mechanism rotate;
- and
- coupling a handle to the axle of the eccentric mechanism, the handle actuatable between a docked position and an undocked position.
6 more elements
A docking and locking mechanism comprising:
- a handle actuatable between a docked position and an undocked position;
- an eccentric mechanism coupled to the handle, the eccentric mechanism comprising a rod that rotates in an eccentric path upon actuation by the handle;
- a linkage assembly comprising:
- an inner sleeve comprising first and second sleeve openings;
- an outer sleeve positioned around the inner sleeve and comprising a third sleeve opening;
- first and second linkage shafts partially positioned within the inner sleeve and comprising respective first and second openings therein;
- a first sleeve pin extending through the first sleeve opening in the inner sleeve and the first opening in the first linkage shaft;
- and
- a second sleeve pin extending through the second sleeve opening in the inner sleeve, the third sleeve opening in the outer sleeve, and the second opening in the second linkage shaft;
- and
- a docking lever comprising:
- a first end coupled to the second linkage shaft of the linkage assembly via a first pivot pin;
- and
- an elongated opening formed therein and sized to receive a second pivot pin therethrough.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.