Door lock devices and methods of use
AssigneesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsTimothy S. Young, Cody D. Williams, William M. Criswell, John F. Booth, Rick Gilbert, Adam S. Rodgers, Derrick Taylor, Roger D. Hilbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door lock device includes a base plate and a pivot hook connected to the base plate that is configured to pivot about a pivot axis. A guard arm is connected to the base plate that extends past an end of the pivot hook such that the pivot hook rests against the guard arm when pivoted to an engaged position. The pivot hook is configured to be biased against guard arm due, at least in part, to a force applied by a chain connected to the pivot hook.
Claims9
A door lock device comprising:
- a base plate;
- a pivot hook connected to the base plate configured to pivot about a pivot axis;
- and
- a guard arm connected to the base plate that extends past an end of the pivot hook such that the pivot hook rests against the guard arm when pivoted to an engaged position, the pivot hook configured to be biased against guard arm due, at least in part, to a force applied by a chain connected to the pivot hook;
- wherein the pivot hook is a rod that comprises a transverse portion extending along a first length of the rod that is pivotally connected to a mount that is connected directly to the base plate at a location spaced from the guard arm, the transverse portion extending outwardly away from a pin pivotally connected to the mount, the rod further comprising a lock portion extending along a second length of the rod adjacent the first length and extending from the transverse portion of the pivot hook toward the guard arm.
A trailer comprising:
- a trailer door that is pivotally mounted to the trailer;
- a door lock device comprising:
- a base plate mounted to the trailer;
- a pivot hook connected to the base plate configured to pivot about a pivot axis;
- and
- a guard arm connected to the base plate that extends past an end of the pivot hook such that the pivot hook rests against the guard arm when pivoted to an engaged position, the pivot hook configured to be biased against guard arm due, at least in part, to a force applied by a chain hooked to the pivot hook;
- wherein the pivot hook is a rod that comprises a transverse portion that extends outwardly away from the base plate and a lock portion that extends from the transverse portion of the pivot hook toward the guard arm, extending along a first length of the rod that is pivotally connected to a mount that is connected directly to the base plate at a location spaced from the guard arm, the transverse portion extending outwardly away from a pin pivotally connected to the mount, the rod further comprising a lock portion extending along a second length of the rod adjacent the first length and extending from the transverse portion of the pivot hook toward the guard arm.
A method of securing a trailer door of a trailer in an open position using a door lock device, the method comprising:
- mounting the door lock device to the trailer adjacent the trailer door, the door lock device comprising:
- a base plate configured to mount to the trailer;
- a pivot hook connected to the base plate configured to pivot about a pivot axis;
- and
- a guard arm connected to the base plate that extends past an end of the pivot hook such that the pivot hook rests against the guard arm when pivoted to an engaged position, the pivot hook configured to be biased against guard arm due, at least in part, to a force applied by a chain hooked to the pivot hook;
- wherein the pivot hook is a rod that comprises a transverse portion extending along a first length of the rod that is pivotally connected to a mount that is connected directly to the base plate at a location spaced from the guard arm, the transverse portion extending outwardly away from a pin pivotally connected to the mount, the rod further comprising a lock portion extending along a second length of the rod adjacent the first length and extending from the transverse portion of the pivot hook toward the guard arm;
- pivoting the pivot hook toward an open position providing a gap between the pivot hook and the guard arm;
- placing a link of a flexible, elongated connector mounted to the trailer door around the pivot hook with the pivot hook in the open position;
- and
- placing the pivot hook in the closed position and resting against the guard arm with the link around the pivot hook.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.