US 5,975,592 AGranted

Multi-component lock assembly

OwnerJoe Lininventor

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Abstract

A lock assembly comprising a housing, a control mechanism, one pin or two pins supported by the housing for shifting movement of the pin or of the two pins in a direction transverse to direction of movement of the control mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position and a spring for each pin for enhancing the shifting movement of the corresponding pin toward the unlocked position and for automatically returning the corresponding pin toward the locked position upon release of the control mechanism. When the control mechanism is pushed manually, the pressure which is exerted upon pushing the control means compresses the spring around the pin or two pins which each shifts in a direction transverse to direction of movement of the control mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. Meanwhile, shifting of the pin or of the two pins permits the sliding of a cut-out section of the control mechanism until the pin or pins strike against the cut-out sections of the control mechanism. As soon as the movement is stopped, the pin or two pins which are acted on by the spring assume a position which assures locking. As soon as the control mechanism is released, the pin or two pins immediately and automatically return to the locked position again.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A lock assembly comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a control means being movably loaded onto the housing;
(c) a pair of pins being held by and supported by the housing, with each pin moving from a locked position to an unlocked position in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the control means between a locked position and an unlocked position;
and
(d) a spring for and in contact with each pin;
such that the control means is pushed for starting and enhancing the shifting movement of each pin toward the unlocked position;
such that, upon release of the control means, the spring for each pin is released and enhances shifting of each corresponding pin from the unlocked position back to the locked position and thereafter holds the corresponding pin in the locked position until the control means is pushed again;
and
such that each pin returns toward the locked position upon release of the control means and upon release of the spring for each pin;
wherein the housing consists of:
i. a first pair of opposite sides with a first pair of openings that lead to a first channel in the housing,
ii. a second pair of opposite sides with a second pair of openings that lead to a second channel in the housing that intersects and is transverse to the first channel, and
iii. a third pair of opposite sides including a back side;
wherein the control means comprises:
i. a front section,
ii. a back section,
iii. a top section,
iv. a bottom section,
v. a pair of opposite side sections, and
vi. a cut-out section on the front section, on the back section and on each opposite side section of the control means, whereby a primary channel extends between the front section and the back section and whereby a secondary channel extends between the pair of opposite side sections of the control means;
wherein the pair of pins is supported by the housing and automatically shifts throughout the second pair of openings in a direction transverse to a direction of shift of the control means and between the locked position and the unlocked position, while automatically shifting back to the locked position upon being released;
wherein the spring for each pin is for enhancing the shifting movement of the pin toward the locked position;
and
wherein said lock assembly further comprises an attaching means connecting the housing to a first sliding member;
such that when the control means is shifted through the first channel from the locked position to the unlocked position and the lock assembly is unlocked, the pair of pins automatically shift inwards via the second channel through the second pair of openings and the first sliding member slides along a pair of second sliding members;
and
such that when the control means moves through the first pair of opening via the first channel of the housing from the unlocked position to the locked position and the lock assembly is locked, the pair of pins automatically shift out via the second channel of the housing through the second pair of openings.

24 more elements

A method of operation of a lock assembly, wherein the lock assembly comprises:

(a) a housing;
(b) a control means being movably loaded onto the housing;
(c) a pair of pins being held by and supported by the housing, with each pin moving from a locked position to an unlocked position in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the control means between a locked position and an unlocked position;
and
(d) a spring for and in contact with each pin;
such that the control means is pushed for starting and enhancing the shifting movement of each pin toward the unlocked position;
such that, upon release of the control means, the spring for each pin is released and enhances shifting of each corresponding pin from the unlocked position back to the locked position and thereafter holds the corresponding pin in the locked position until the control means is pushed again;
and
such that each pin returns toward the locked position upon release of the control means and upon release of the spring for each pin;
wherein the housing consists of:
i. a first pair of opposite sides with a first pair of openings that lead to a first channel in the housing,
ii. a second pair of opposite sides with a second pair of openings that lead to a second channel in the housing that intersects and is transverse to the first channel, and
iii. a third pair of opposite sides including a back side;
wherein the control means comprises:
i. a front section,
ii. a back section,
iii. a top section,
iv. a bottom section,
v. a pair of opposite side sections, and
vi. a cut-out section on the front section, on the back section and on each opposite side section of the control means, whereby a primary channel extends between the front section and the back section and whereby a secondary channel extends between the pair of opposite side sections of the control means;
wherein the pair of pins is supported by the housing and automatically shifts throughout the second pair of openings in a direction transverse to a direction of shift of the control means and between the locked position and the unlocked position, while automatically shifting back to the locked position upon being released;
wherein the spring for each pin is for enhancing the shifting movement of the pin toward the locked position;
and
wherein said lock assembly further comprises an attaching means connecting the housing to a first sliding member;
such that when the control means is shifted through the first channel from the locked position to the unlocked position and the lock assembly is unlocked, the pair of pins automatically shift inwards via the second channel through the second pair of openings and the first sliding member slides along a pair of second sliding members;
and
such that when the control means moves through the first pair of openings via the first channel of the housing from the unlocked position to the locked position and the lock assembly is locked, the pair of pins automatically shift out via the second channel of the housing through the second pair;
said method of operation of the lock assembly comprising:
(a) pushing the control means to move each pin toward the unlocked position;
and
(b) releasing the control means, such that the spring for each pin is released and shifting of each corresponding pin from the unlocked position back to the locked position is started and is enhanced, with the corresponding pin being held in the locked position until the control means is pushed again.

28 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.