Movement-controlled locking or latching mechanism for releasably locking a first part (13) of a device (10) with respect to a second part (15) thereof,
- in which, upon movement of one (13) of the parts in a first direction (UP) relative to the other (15) of the parts, movement is inhibited at a predetermined stopping position on the device (10), said mechanism comprising
- at least one abutment and stop element (19) secured to the other (15) of the parts for defining at least one stopping position;
- an engagement and locking element (21) secured to said one of the parts (13), and operatively engageable with said abutment and stop element to stop movement of said one of the parts upon movement thereof in said first direction (UP) while permitting, subsequent to release of the locking element from said abutment and stop element (19), unlimited movement of said one of the parts (13) with respect to the other part (15) in both the first direction and in a second direction, opposite to said first direction,
- wherein said engagement and locking element (21) comprises a pivotable lever (21) pivotably coupled to said one part (13),
- said pivotable lever having a stopping or locking arm (31) and a control arm (33),
- said pivotable lever being operatively engageable with said abutment and stop element (19) to stop movement of the one (13) of the parts upon movement thereof in said first direction (UP) while permitting release of said one of the parts upon movement in said second direction (DN) by a predetermined distance, and then permitting unobstructed movement of said one part (13) in said first direction (UP) past said abutment or stop element (19) or, selectively, continued movement in said second direction (DN);
- wherein said abutment and stop element (19) includes
- a first camming means (55);
- a second camming means (51);
- a third camming means (47);
- and
- a fourth camming means (51', 49);
- a first cam engagement means (31) located on said locking arm (31) of the engagement and locking element (21);
- a second cam engagement means (35) located on said control arm (33) of the engagement and locking element (21);
- wherein the first camming means (55) is located to engage the first cam engagement means (31) when the one of the parts (13) is moved in said second direction (DN) to pivot the engagement and locking element (21) in position for engagement of the second cam engagement means (35) with the second camming means (51);
- wherein said second camming means (51), upon engagement of said second cam engagement means therewith, pivots said engagement and locking element (21) in position to place said stopping or locking arm out of engagement with said abutment or stop element (19);
- the third camming means (47), upon movement of the engagement and locking element (21) in said first (UP) direction after prior movement in said second direction (DN) by said predetermined distance, pivoting the control arm (33) of the engagement and locking element (21) into position in which the stopping or locking arm (31) thereof comes in engagement with a stop abutment (37) on said abutment and stop element (19);
- and
- wherein the fourth camming means (51', 49) engages said control arm (33) of the engagement and locking element (21) upon movement in said second direction (DN) for release of said stopping or locking arm (31) of the engagement and locking element (21) from said stop abutment (37) of the abutment and stop element (19).