Tailgate lock
AssigneeMaster Lock Company LLC
InventorD. Scott Kalous
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lock includes a lock body, a lock bar, and a locking mechanism. The lock body extends in a longitudinal direction between a first end defining a longitudinal passage and a second end. The lock bar is disposed within the passage and movable in a longitudinal direction between a securing position proximal to the second end and a release position distal to the second end, with a proximal end portion of the lock bar and the second end defining a first gap when the lock bar is in the release position. The locking mechanism is assembled within one of the lock body and the lock bar and is operable between a locking condition securing the lock bar against movement from the securing position to the release position, and an unlocked condition permitting movement of the lock bar from the securing position to the release position.
Claims19
A lock comprising:
- a lock body extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end partially defining a longitudinal passage and a second end;
- a lock bar disposed within the longitudinal passage and movable in a longitudinal direction between a securing position proximal to the second end and a release position distal to the second end, with a proximal end portion of the lock bar and the second end defining a first gap when the lock bar is in the release position;
- and
- a locking mechanism assembled with the first end of the lock body and partially defining the longitudinal passage, the locking mechanism being operable between a locking condition securing the lock bar against movement from the securing position to the release position, and an unlocked condition permitting longitudinal movement of the lock bar relative to the locking mechanism from the securing position to the release position.
A method of securing a tailgate to a pivot shaft extending from an inner wall of a pickup truck, the tailgate including a hollow axle receiving the pivot shaft through a slot in the hollow axle when the tailgate is pivoted to a removal orientation, the method comprising:
- providing a lock, including a lock body having a retaining portion, a lock bar slideably disposed within a passage partially defined by the lock body, and partially defined by a locking mechanism assembled with the lock body, with the lock bar being in a releasing position in which a proximal end of the lock bar and the lock body retaining portion define a first gap sized to receive the hollow axle therethrough;
- aligning the lock between the tailgate and the pickup truck inner wall;
- receiving the hollow axle through the first gap;
- sliding the lock bar in a longitudinal direction relative to the locking mechanism to a securing position proximate the retaining portion, such that the hollow axle and pivot shaft are captured between the lock body and the lock bar;
- and
- operating the locking mechanism to secure the lock bar in the securing position.
A ratcheting lock comprising:
- a lock body;
- a locking member slideably disposed in a passage in the lock body for sliding axial movement in opposed first and second directions;
- and
- a locking mechanism disposed within one of the lock body and the locking member and including a ratchet member engageable with a ratchet surface disposed on the other of the lock body and the locking member to secure the locking member in any one of a plurality of incremental securing positions relative to the lock body, the locking mechanism further including a key cylinder rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position when an authorized key is inserted in the key cylinder, the key cylinder moving the ratchet member out of engagement with the ratchet surface when the key cylinder is rotated to the unlocked position;
- wherein when the key cylinder is in the locked position and an authorized key is inserted in the key cylinder, a force applied to the locking member in the first direction rotates the key cylinder to a ratcheting position between the locked position and the unlocked position to disengage the ratchet member from the ratchet surface to permit sliding axial movement of the locking member in the first direction, with the locking member remaining secured against user movement in the second direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.