Locking device for locking a closure in an open position

A locking device for holding a closure in at least one open position relative to a support, comprising:

• a first member fixedly coupled to the closure for movement therewith;
• a second member fixedly coupled to the support;
• and
• an interlocking means for interconnecting said second member to said first member about an axis and for pivoting said first member about said axis to open and close the closure relative to the support, including
• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to said first member, a second ratchet member coupled to said second member and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement, and
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members coupled to either of said first or second members, thereby allowing said first member to pivot in a second direction to a closed position and close the closure, said releasing means including:
• a pivot pin coupled to said second member and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• and
• a solenoid which moves said pivot pin in said third direction to disengage said first and second ratchet members when said solenoid is activated, thereby allowing said first member to pivot in said second direction from said open position to said closed position and close the closure;
• wherein said first member pivots about said axis between said closed position and at least one open position.

A locking device for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support, comprising:

• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to the closure, a second ratchet member coupled to the support and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement;
• and
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members, thereby allowing the closure to pivot in a second direction to a closed position;
• wherein the closure pivots about an axis between said closed position and at least one open position;
• said releasing means including
• a pivot pin coupled to the closure and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• and
• a solenoid which moves said pivot pin in said third direction to disengage said first and second ratchet members when said solenoid is activated, thereby allowing the closure to pivot in said second direction from said open position to said closed position.

A locking device for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support, wherein the closure pivots about an axis between a closed position and at least one open position, said locking device comprising:

• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to the closure, a second ratchet member coupled to the support and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement;
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members coupled to either the closure or the support, thereby allowing the closure to pivot in a second direction to a closed position;
• said releasing means including:
• a pivot pin coupled to the closure and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• and
• a cam assembly having a cam pin and a cam surface, said cam surface including a first flat portion, a second angled portion and a third flat portion, said cam pin being movable in said first and second directions, being fixedly coupled to said pivot pin, engaging said first surface when said first and second ratchet members are engaged and engaging said third surface when said first and second ratchet members are disengaged;
• and
• a housing containing at least a portion of said locking means and said releasing means, said cam surface being formed by said housing.

A locking device for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in a set position relative to the support, comprising:

• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to the closure, a second ratchet member coupled to the support and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement;
• and
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members coupled to either the closure or the support, thereby allowing the closure to pivot in a second direction to a closed position;
• wherein the closure pivots about an axis between said closed position and at least one open position;
• said releasing means includes a pivot pin coupled to the closure and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• said pivot pin includes, in seriatim, a first portion, a second reduced portion and a third portion, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin at said second reduced portion for movement along said second reduced portion in said third direction and in a fourth direction when the closure pivots in said second direction to said closed position and when said biasing means biases said second ratchet member into engagement with said first ratchet member.

A locking device for holding a closure in at least one open position relative to a support, comprising:

• a first member fixedly coupled to the closure for movement therewith;
• a second member fixedly coupled to the support;
• and
• an interlocking means for interconnecting said second member to said first member about an axis and for pivoting said first member about said axis to open and close the closure relative to the support, including
• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to said first member, a second ratchet member coupled to said second member and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second sets of ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement, and
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members coupled to either of said first or second members, thereby allowing said first member to pivot in a second direction to a closed position and close the closure, said releasing means including:
• a pivot pin coupled to said second member and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• and
• a cam assembly having a cam pin and a cam surface, said cam surface being coupled to said second member and including a first flat portion, a second angled portion and a third flat portion, said cam pin being movable in said first and second directions, fixedly coupled to said pivot pin and engaging said first surface when said first and second ratchet members are engaged and engaging said third surface when said first and second ratchet members are disengaged;
• wherein said first member pivots about said axis between said closed position and at least one open position.

A locking device for holding a closure in at least one open position relative to a support, comprising:

• a first member fixedly coupled to the closure for movement therewith;
• a second member fixedly coupled to the support;
• and
• an interlocking means for interconnecting said second member to said first member about an axis and for pivoting said first member about said axis to open and close the closure relative to the support, including
• a locking means having a first ratchet member fixedly coupled to said first member, a second ratchet member coupled to said second member and a biasing means for biasing said first and second ratchet members into engagement with each other, each of said first and second ratchet members having compatible teeth having a first ramping surface and a second stopping surface for limiting pivotal movement between said first and second ratchet members to a first direction and locking the closure in a set position when said first and second ratchet members are in engagement, and
• a releasing means for disengaging said first and second ratchet members without further rotation of either said first or second ratchet members coupled to either of said first or second members, thereby allowing said first member to pivot in a second direction to a closed position and close the closure, said releasing member including:
• a pivot pin coupled to said second member and extending along said axis, said second ratchet member being movably coupled to said pivot pin for movement with said pivot pin in a third direction, thereby disengaging said second ratchet member from said first ratchet member when said pivot pin is moved in said third direction;
• and
• a pin assembly for holding said first and second ratchet members in a disengaged position, thereby allowing said first member to pivot to said closed position;
• said pin assembly includes a second pin coupled to said pivot pin and extending perpendicularly to said axis and an aperture formed in said second member through which said second pin extends and forming a shelf on which said second pin rests when said first and second ratchet members are disengaged;
• wherein said first member pivots about said axis between said closed position and at least one open position.