Locking mechanism with rotatable features
AssigneeNASCAR, Inc.
InventorsDaniel D. Kurtz, Donald E. Krueger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking mechanism is described that releasably locks at least two objects together. The locking mechanism allows one of the objects to be rotatably connected to the other, allowing for a variety of uses. The rotatability and releasability of the locking mechanism allows several locking mechanisms to be used together as an escape hatch system, particularly for use in race vehicles. The locking mechanism has uses beyond the escape hatch system and is applicable to doors, cover, and other objects that are rotatably attached to a second object.
Claims20
A mechanism for releasably locking at least two objects comprising:
- a base portion, the base portion having at least two openings along an axis, the base portion being mountable on a first of the at least two objects;
- an engagement member mountable upon a second of the at least two objects, the engagement member configured to be disposed adjacent at least one of the at least two openings and having an opening to align with the at least two openings;
- an engagement pin translatable in the at least two openings in the base portion between a first pin position and a second pin position and configured to engage the opening in the engagement member to secure the engagement member relative to the base portion in the first pin position;
- a first bias member associated with the engagement pin to bias the engagement pin along the axis;
- and
- a second bias member associated with the base portion and movable between a first bias position and a second bias position, the second bias member extending through an opening in the base portion to engage and bias the engagement member away from the base portion, and wherein in the second bias position the second bias member at least partially intersects the axis and prevents the engagement pin from returning to the first pin position.
A locking mechanism for releasably locking at least two objects, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a base portion mountable upon a first object of the at least two objects;
- an engagement member mountable upon a second object of the at least two objects;
- a locking member associated with the base portion, the locking member being capable of moving axially between a first position and a second position, and being capable of releasably securing the engagement member in the first position;
- and
- an ejection member disposed in the base member and movable through an opening in the base member to directly engage and bias the engagement member away from the base portion, the ejection member axially movable between a first position and a second position and in the second position the ejection member biases the engagement member away from the base member and prevents the locking member from returning to the first position.
An escape hatch system for a vehicle comprising:
- at least two engagement members attached to a roof panel portion, each of the at least two engagement members each having an opening therein;
- and
- at least two base portions attached to the vehicle to secure the roof panel relative the vehicle, each of the base portions having at least two openings along an axis thereof, each of the base portions further comprising:
- an engagement pin translatable in the at least two openings in the base portion between a first pin position and a second pin position and to engage the opening in the engagement member in the first pin position;
- a first bias member associated with the engagement pin to bias the engagement pin along the axis;
- and
- a second bias member associated with the base portion and movable between a first bias position and bias second position, the second bias member extending through an opening in the base portion to engage and bias the engagement member away from the base portion, and wherein in the second bias position the second bus member prevents the engagement pin from returning to the first pin position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.