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US 12,730,472 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:
- an eccentric mechanism comprising a rod configured to rotate in an eccentric path;
- a linkage assembly comprising:
- an inner sleeve configured to couple to the rod of the eccentric mechanism;
- and
- an outer sleeve configured to slide over and couple to the inner sleeve;
- and
- a docking lever configured to couple to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve of the linkage assembly and to pivot at one or more pivot points.
4 more elements
A docking and locking mechanism comprising:
- an eccentric mechanism configured to couple to the handle, the eccentric mechanism comprising an axis of rotation and a rod configured to rotate off-center from the axis of rotation;
- a handle configured to couple to the eccentric mechanism and actuate the docking and locking mechanism between a docked position and an undocked position by rotating the eccentric mechanism about the axis of rotation;
- a linkage assembly comprising:
- an inner sleeve configured to couple to the rod of the eccentric mechanism and comprising first and second sleeve openings;
- an outer sleeve sized to fit over around the inner sleeve and comprising a third sleeve opening;
- a first sleeve pin sized to extend through the first sleeve opening in the inner sleeve and configured to couple the inner sleeve to the rod of the eccentric mechanism;
- and
- a second sleeve pin sized to extend through the second sleeve opening in the inner sleeve and the third sleeve opening in the outer sleeve;
- and
- a docking lever configured to:
- couple to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve of the linkage assembly via the second sleeve pin;
- and
- selectively latch the docking and locking mechanism into the docked position.
10 more elements
A docking and locking mechanism comprising:
- a handle configured to actuate between a docked position and an undocked position;
- an eccentric mechanism coupled to the handle and comprising a rod configured to rotate along an eccentric path upon actuation of the handle;
- a linkage assembly comprising:
- a first linkage shaft coupled to the rod of the eccentric mechanism;
- an inner sleeve coupled to the first linkage shaft via a first sleeve pin extending through a first sleeve opening in the inner sleeve and a first shaft opening in the first linkage shaft, the inner sleeve comprising:
- a sliding portion comprising a first radius;
- and
- a stopper portion comprising a second radius larger than the first radius;
- and
- an outer sleeve positioned over the sliding portion of the inner sleeve;
- and
- a second linkage shaft coupled to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve via a second sleeve pin extending through a second sleeve opening in the inner sleeve, a third sleeve opening in the outer sleeve, and a second shaft opening in the second linkage shaft;
- and
- a docking lever coupled to the second linkage shaft of the linkage assembly via a first pivot pin extending through a first lever opening in the docking lever and a third shaft opening in the second linkage shaft, the docking lever configured to:
- pivot at the first pivot pin;
- pivot at a second pivot pin extending through a second lever opening in the docking lever;
- and
- to selectively latch the docking and locking mechanism into the docked position.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.