Container door locking assembly
AssigneePowerbrace Corporation
InventorBrian A. Senn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking assembly for a swinging door of a container. The locking assembly includes an axially elongated lock rod having cam structure at opposed ends thereof. The lock rod is provided, toward each end thereof, with axially spaced radial projections which are axially fixed relative to the lock rod and define a channel therebetween. The locking assembly further includes a pair of guide plates; with each guide plate rotatably accommodating a lengthwise portion of the lock rod between the plate and the door. Each guide plate further includes structure for allowing each plate to be fastened to the door. After each guide plate is fastened to the door, a portion of each plate is entrapped between the axially spaced radial projections on the lock rod whereby inhibiting axial shifting movements of the lock rod.
Claims39
A locking assembly for a swinging door of a container, said locking assembly comprising:
- an axially elongated lock rod having cam structure at opposed ends thereof, with said lock rod being provided toward a first end thereof with first and second axially spaced radial projections defining a channel therebetween, and with said first and second projections being axially fixed relative to said guide rod;
- and
- first and second guide plates, with each guide plate rotatably accommodating a lengthwise portion of said lock rod between the plate and said door, and with each guide plate further including structure for allowing each plate to be fastened to the door, with said first guide plate defining a first plate portion extending into the channel between said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod when said first guide plate is fastened to the door with the lock rod entrapped between said first guide plate and said door, with the first plate portion on said first guide plate and said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod combining to inhibit axial shifting movements of the lock rod.
A locking assembly for a container having a door pivotally supported for swinging movements within a complimentary door frame on said container, with said door frame having a top member and a bottom member rigidly joined to each other by generally parallel side members, with said locking assembly comprising:
- a lock rod having first and second ends;
- cam structure provided toward each end of said lock rod for movably engaging and cooperating with a first keeper secured to the bottom frame member and a second keeper secured to the top frame member whereby either releasably and selectively holding said door in a closed position or for allowing said cam structure to release and separate from said keepers so as to allow said door to be swung to an open position;
- a first and second guide plate adapted to be secured to said door on said container, with a midportion of each guide plate being configured to movably engage an entrap a lengthwise portion of said lock rod between the midportion of each guide plate and said door in a manner permitting said lock rod to rotate about a fixed axis;
- and
- wherein said first guide plate defines a first plate portion extending into a channel defined between said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod when said first guide plate is fastened to the door, with the first plate portion on said first guide plate and said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod combining to inhibit axial shifting movements of the lock rod.
A locking assembly for a vehicle trailer having an open end, two doors pivotally supported for swinging movements within a complimentary door frame on said trailer, with said door frame having a top member and a bottom member rigidly joined to each other by generally parallel side members, with said locking assembly comprising:
- a lock rod having first and second ends, with said lock rod being rotatably mounted in an upright position on one of the doors of said vehicle trailer;
- cam structure provided toward each end of said lock rod, with each cam structure including a locking tongue for movably engaging and cooperating with a first keeper secured to the bottom frame member and a second keeper secured to the top frame member whereby either releasably and selectively holding said door in a closed position or for allowing said locking tongue to be release and separate from said keepers so as to allow said door to be swung to an open position;
- a first and second guide plate for securely mounting said lock rod to said door, with each guide plate being configured to movably engage and entrap a lengthwise portion of said lock rod between each guide plate and said door in a manner permitting said lock rod to rotate about a fixed axis;
- and
- wherein a portion of at least one guide plate extends into an axial space defined between said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod when said first guide plate is fastened to the door, with said portion on said first guide plate and said first and second axially spaced radial projections on said lock rod combining to inhibit racking movements of said doors as said vehicle moves between locations.
A locking assembly for a swinging door of a container, said locking assembly comprising:
- an axially elongated lock rod having cam structure at opposed ends thereof, with said lock rod being provided toward a first end thereof with a radial projection of predetermined width and which is axially fixed relative to said guide rod;
- and
- first and second guide plates, with each guide plate including a central portion extending between opposed ends of said guide plate for rotatably accommodating a lengthwise portion of said lock rod between the plate and said door, and with each guide plate further including structure for allowing each plate to be fastened to the door, and wherein, between the opposed ends thereof, said first guide plate defines an opening having axially spaced and generally parallel first and second surfaces, with the axial spacing between said first and second surfaces being generally equal to slightly greater than the predetermined width of the radial projection on said lock rod and such that, after said lock rod is fastened to the door with the lock rod entrapped between said first guide plate and said door, the radial projection on said lock rod projects through the opening in the first guide plate between said first and second surfaces on said first guide plate so as to inhibit axial shifting movements of said lock rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.