US 7,066,678 B2Granted

Locking method and mechanism

AssigneeLite-On Technology Corporation

InventorWei-Chia Huang

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A locking method and device applicable to lock a linearly retractable device includes a locking plate in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other. In the first direction, the locking plate is movable in a release position and a safety position. In the second element, the locking plate is movable in a latched and an unlatched position. When the locking plate is in the safety position, it is unmovable from the latched position to the unlatched position so as to prevent any unintentional force to release the lock.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A locking mechanism, comprising:

a guiding plate, movable in a first direction;
a second spring mounted in said first direction and supports said guiding plate movable between a release position where said second spring is relieved, and a safety position where said second spring is pressed;
said guiding plate being formed with a hole;
a locking plate, mounted to said guiding plate to be movable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and movable in accompany with said guiding plate in said release position and said safety position in said first direction, wherein said guiding plate is formed with a pair of rails extending in said first direction;
said locking plate being formed with rail slots for receiving said rails and movable in said second direction;
a third spring mounted in said second direction and supporting said locking plate to be movable in a latched position where said third spring is relieved, and a unlatched position where said third spring is pressed;
said locking plate being formed with a stopping portion correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate, and at least a locking hole;
a stopping rod, mounted in said first direction and correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate and said stopping portion;
said stopping rod coming into said hole and said stopping portion in said safety position, and released from said stopping portion in said release position;
and
at least a hook, correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate and passing through a first spring opposed to a pressing force of said second spring;
wherein said hook hooks on said locking hole in said latched position by force of said second spring;
wherein said locking plate is unmovable in said second direction when said first spring presses said second spring and moves said locking plate into said safety position;
and wherein said locking plate is retrieved to said release position when an external force is applied to said first spring to let said second spring release said locking plate to be movable in said second direction, and then said hook is released from said locking plate by force of said first spring when an external force is applied to said locking plate to press said third spring and move to said unlatched position.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A locking mechanism, comprising:

a guiding plate, movable in a first direction;
a second spring mounted in said first direction and supports said guiding plate movable between a release position where said second spring is relieved, and a safety position where said second spring is pressed;
said guiding plate being formed with a hole;
a locking plate, mounted to said guiding plate to be movable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and movable in accompany with said guiding plate in said release position and said safety position in said first direction, wherein said guiding plate is formed with a pair of rails extending in said first direction;
said locking plate being formed with rail slots for receiving said rails and movable in said second direction;
a third spring mounted in said second direction and supporting said locking plate to be movable in a latched position where said third spring is relieved, and a unlatched position where said third spring is pressed;
said locking plate being formed with a stopping portion correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate, and at least a locking hole;
a stopping rod, mounted in said first direction and correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate and said stopping portion;
said stopping rod coming into said hole and said stopping portion in said safety position, and released from said stopping portion in said release position;
and
at least a hook, correspondent to said hole of the guiding plate and passing through a first spring opposed to a pressing force of said second spring;
wherein said hook hooks on said locking hole in said latched position by force of said second spring;
wherein said locking plate is unmovable in said second direction when said first spring presses said second spring and moves said locking plate into said safety position;
and wherein said locking plate is retrieved to said release position when an external force is applied to said first spring to let said second spring release said locking plate to be movable in said second direction, and then said hook is released from said locking plate by force of said first spring when an external force is applied to said locking plate to press said third spring and move to said unlatched position.

11 more elements