US2485015A

US2485015A - Hinged locking device

Info

Publication number: US2485015A
Application number: US23552A
Authority: US
Inventors: Adelbert C Radtke
Original assignee: International Harverster Corp
Current assignee: Navistar Inc
Priority date: 1948-04-27
Filing date: 1948-04-27
Publication date: 1949-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 1966-10-18

Description

Oct. 18, 1949. A. c. RADTKE HI NGED LOCKING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. QQQZZeJZ 67%(22'7f6 PM tained.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 HINGED LOCKING DEVICE Adelbert C. Radtke, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 2'1, 1948, Serial No. 23,552

' 8 Claims. (01. 74-535) This invention relates to a locking mechanism. More specifically this invention relates to a locking device for locking and unlocking a pair of hinged members.

In certain constructions such as in clutch mechanisms, hinged closure devices, etc., it is desirable to provide hinged locking members which may be engaged in a locking position and disengaged by moving one of the hinged members successively in the same direction. In clutch mechanisms the hinged members are usually provided to engage and disengage the clutch. In closure constructions the hinged members serve to lock a closure member in various positions. Generally such a hinged locking device construction includes a stationary member having a cutout portion. A hinged member is pivoted to the stationary member and includes a triangular wheel which has three apices designed to engage portions of the cut-out for locking the members respectively in a fixed position. In use it has been found that a triangular wheel of this type works satisfactorily for only a short period of time. The apices of a triangular wheel have but a small surface which engages the cut-out portion and these apices soon become worn and effective locking-action therefore is no longer ob- It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide an improved locking mechanism for a pair of hinged members, said locking member being designed to provide for positive locking action despite conditions resulting from wear over a period of time.

Still another object is to provide an improved locking mechanism for a pair of hinged members, said locking mechanism being of a type which is actuated to lock and unlock said members respectively by moving one of said hinged members successively in the same direction.

A still further object is to provide an improved locking arrangement for a pair of hinged members, said locking arrangement including a stationary member having an irregular cut-out, and a hinged arm having a rectangular wheel, said wheel having opposed concave and convex surfaces adapted to cooperate with portions of the cut-out for respectively locking the hinged members and the stationary member in a fixed position.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the description when examined in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the hinged 2 locking device shown in cooperation with a clutch throw-out mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing the hinged locking members in an unlocked position with respect to the clutch throwout mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a first and second position of the hinged locking mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a third and fourth locking position of said hinged members.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a fifth and sixth position of the hinged members.

Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the hinged members in the process of returning to their initial starting position.

A hinged locking device is generally designated by the reference character Ill. The hinged locking device as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is connected to a beam II and is in cooperation with a clutch throw-out mechanism generally designated by the reference character l2. A pair of vertically spaced supports l3 and I have mounted thereon, respectively, bearings l5 and 6. The bearings l5 and I6 support for rotation thereon a line shaft H. A sprocket 8 is mounted for rotation on the shaft I1 and has provided at one end a clutch member l9 having a clutch face 20. A clutch member 2|, having a clutch face 22, is supported on the line shaft l1 and is adapted to move longitudinally with respect thereto. The clutch member 2| is keyed for rotation with the shaft H by means of a key 23. The key 23 is in sliding engagement with respect to a sleeve 24 which has at one end a collar 25. A spring 26 is positioned between the collar 25 and the bearing member |6 for normally urging the clutch member 2| into engagement with the clutch member l9.

A vertical throw-out member 21 is adapted 'to engage the collar 25. The throw-out member 21 includes a cam surface 28 which is in engagement with the collar 25. The cam surface 28 upon upward movement of the clutch throw-out member 21 engages the collar 25 thereby compressing the spring 26 and disconnecting the clutch member 2| from the clutch member |9. An upper guide 29 and a lower guide 29' serve to maintain the vertical position of the throwout member 21. It can therefore be seen that by moving the member 21 upwardly the cam surface 28 serves to move the clutch member 2| away from the clutch member l9, whereupon turning movement of the shaft I1 is no longer imparted to the sprocket l8.

The hinged locking device In includes a sta- 3 tionary member 31! which is supported on the beam II. The stationary member 36 includes an irregular cut-out portion 3|. Immediately above the irregular cut-out portion 3| there is provided a substantially vertical inclined convex cam surface 32. The cam surface 32 and a surface of the cut-out portion converge in a rounded apex 33 formed at the upper end of the cut-out portion 3!. The lower end of the cut-out portion 3| is provided with a rounded projecting portion 34 as best shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. A hinged member 35 has a first arm 3.6 and a second arm 37 extending angularly with respect to the arm 36. The arms extend outwardly with respect to a fixed pivotal connection 38 connecting said hinged member 35 to the stationary member 30.

A link 39 connects the end of I the hinged member 35 to the clutch throw-out member 21.

A four-sided or rectangular locking wheel 40 is pivotally connected to the arm 3'? by means of a pivot 4|. The rectangular locking wheel G0 includes two opposed large concave surfaces 42 and 43' .and a pair of smaller opposed concave surfaces 44 and 45. A rounded portion or apex 455 is provided between each respective concave sur face. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end of the hinged member 35 is also connected to a cable 41 which is trained about an idler pulley 4 8 pivoted on a beam 49.

As shownin Fig. 2, the clutch members l9 and 2| are in engagement with one another and rotation of the shaft I! will be imparted to the sprocket l8. In order to disengage the clutch member 2! from the clutch member ill, the clutch throw-out member 21 is moved upwardly, whereupon the cam surface 28 engages the collar 25 thereby moving the clutch member 2! laterally against the compression of the spring 26. By pulling on the cable 41 the hinged member 35 is initially moved in a counter-clockwise direction. The positions taken by the hinged members is best shown in Figs; 3 to 6 inclusive.

As the hinged member 35 is moved in a counter-elockwise direction, the wheel 40 is moved, whereupon the concavesurface 43 is moved away from the convex cam surface 32. As shown in the broken lines of Fig. 3 the wheel 48 is moved whereupon one of the rounded inner portions 46 of the wheel comes into engagement with the rounded projecting portion 34. The wheel in is thereupon turned until the concave surface 45 is in mating engagement with the rounded or pro jecting portion 34. The operator thereupon releases his hold upon the cable ll and the spring 26 urges the collar 25 against the cam surface 28 of the clutch throw-out member 2! thereby forcing said member downwardly. This clutch throw-out member may also be constructed to move downwardly under the direction of gravity or other means, it not being necessary to utilize the energy of the spring for this purpose. As the clutch throw-out member 21 moves downwardly, the hinged member 35 moves in a clockwise direetion until the concave surface M comes into mating engagement with the rounded apex 33, as best shown by the dotted line position of Fig. 4, whereupon the hinged member 35 is locked with respect to the stationary member 30. The locked position, as also shown in Fig. 1, shows the clutch throw-out member 21 in its up or disengaging position.

When it is desired to re-engage the clutch member 2! with the clutch member l9, the operator again pulls on the cable 4! in a direction shown by the arrow. The hinged member 35 therefore again moves in a counter-clockwise direction as best shown in Fig. 5. As the hinge member thus moves, one of the rounded portions 46 of the wheel Alt engages one of the surfaces of the rounded apex 33 whereupon the wheel is revolved and the concave surface 42 is placed into mating engagement with the convex surface 32. It can be seen that in any one operation the wheel til is revolved one half revolution. By pullin successively on the cable ll in the same direction the hinged members can therefore be locked and unlocked at will thereby engaging and disengaging the clutch members. a

It is especially important to note that the engagement of the concave surface 44 with the apices 33 provides for an effective lock; ihe concave surface 44 is provided at each end with the rounded surfaces 4,6 and it is clearly apparent that these surfaces may be subjected to wear over a period of time without adversely affecting the locking action of the wheel All. The shape of the wheel fill and the relation of the concave surfaces permits regular and continued use, the wearing of the surfaces of said wheel not in any way hindering the operation of the locking mechanism.

It is to be understood that the use of the locking mechanism for locking and disengaging a clutch is merely for the purpose of disclosure and is by no means limited to such an operation. The hinge locking device may be utilized in any mechanism where such a mechanical locking action is needed.-

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction which do not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed nor the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A locking device; comprising, a stationary member; a hinge member pivotally connected to the stationary member for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a rectangular wheel connected for pivotal movement relative to said hinge member, said wheel having two relatively large concave surfaces positioned at two' opposed sides of the wheel and two relatively smaller concave -surfaces positioned at the other two opposed sides of said wheel; said stationary member having an irregular cut-out portion arranged to cooperate with the concave surfaces of said wheel; means for rotating said wheel into two successive positions whereby said wheel cooper-- ates with said cut-out portion to relatively lock said hinge member with respect to the stationary member, and means for further rotating said wheel into two successive positions whereby said wheel is disengaged from cooperation with said cut-out portion thereby unlocking said hinge member and returning the same to its initial startin position.

2. A locking device; comprising, a stationary member; a hinge member pivotally connected to the stationary member for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a rectangular wheel connected for pivotal movement relative to said hinge member. said wheel having two relatively large concave surfaces positioned at two opposed sides of the wheel and two relatively smaller concave surfaces positioned at the other two opposed sides of said wheel; said stationary member having an irregular cut-out portion arranged to cooperate with the concave surfacesof said wheel; means for rotating said wheel into two :35-11@locl-ririgthieving-comprising; a stationary c 1membr; aihinge" member pivotally connected to the stationary member ifor pivotal movement about a fixed-pivot 'a wheel =pivotally connected to said liinge member, 'said wheel having "four having a" cut-out portion having a plurality of irregular *sur'faces arranged to engagethe oomnave sur'fa'ces of said 'wheel; means "for moving said. "'hinge"-=member-in "a first direction, *thereby rotating said wheel into engagement with theirf'regular' surfaces of said'cut-out portion; "and biased means for *moving said hinge member in el-"second direction whereby said wheel co-acts withisaid Stationary member for retaining said hingemember in a relative locked position.

4. A-loc'kinjg device comprising; a stationary 'meniberxsaid stationary member having a cutout portion; a "convex cam surface on 'said "sta- *tionary-"membene surface of said cut-*out and said ;cam surface converging in a first rounded I apex? amounded portion .onsaid cut-outportion, said rounded ,portion including sloping "surfaces 'converg'ing; at -a second rounded apex; a hinge "member'connected to said stationary ,memb er for pivntah movementabout :a fixed pivot; a wheel-1 connected'for-pivotal"movement to said hinge member, saidmheehhaving opposed concave surfaces each being adapted to mate with the contvexzsur'face ofxsaid oam-during revolution o'f said wheel, said wheel also including first and-second substantially -.'-smaller concave surfaces, corner portions'between each concave surface on said wheelysaid corner portionsmeing adapted to en- "gage-said -"=stationary member for rotating said wheel upon movementof said hinge member, means for moving said hinge' member in a first direction thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concave surface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of said second apex and means for moving said hinge in a second direction for moving said wheel and said second concave surface into mating engagement with the surface of said first apex thereby looking said hinge member in a locked position.

5. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationary member having a cutout portion; a convex cam surface on said stationary member, a surface of said cut-out and said cam surface converging in a first rounded apex; a rounded portion on said ut-out portion, said rounded portion including sloping surfaces converging at a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationary member for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a wheel connected for pivotal movement to said hinge member, said wheel having large opposed concave surfaces each being adapted to mate with the convex surface of said cam during revolution of said wheel, said wheel also including first and second substantially smaller concave surfaces, corner portions between each concave surface on said wheel, said corner portions being adapted to engage said stationary member for rotating said wheel upon movement of said hinge member, first means for moving said hinge member in a first direction thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concave surface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of second apex, resiliently biased means for moving said hinge member in a second direction for moving a'locked positionythe firstmeans being arranged to =again'*movesaid hinge member'xin'ithe, first direction whereby said 'wheel is rotated :andsaid second concave surface is moved angularly with respect -to said first apex, said resiliently :biased I) .-meansthereupon operating to move said hinge concave side surfaces; saidstationary member lo member again in asecond direction, thereby aotating said wheel whereby one of the large iconcave surfaces of'said wheel is'in mating relation with said cam surface and 'said wheel is 'in the unlocked position.

- rounded apex; a projectingportion on the other "end ofsaid :cut-"out portion, said proje'cti'ng poritiomincluding sloping surfaces converging at -a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationary member forpivotal movement about *a fixed pivot: --a wheel -connectedfor' pivotal 'movementito 'said'hinge member, said wheel'having two opposed large concave surfaces each'being adapted to mate with the convex "surface'of ,said'cam'iduring one half revolution of said wheel, said wheel "also "includin first and second-substantially "smaller concave surfaces, corner por- "tions'between 'each'concave surface on said wheel,

said corner portions being adapted *to engage portions of said stationary member for rotating said wheel upon "movement of said hingem'emb'er, first' means "for moving said hinge member in a "counter-clockwise direction l thereby "moving said'wheel and -saidfirst smaller concave surface into mating'engagement withtl'ie rounded-sur- "face of i said second apex; second meansfor moving 'said *hinge "in a clockwise direction for :mov-

ing said wheel and said second concave surface into mating engagement with the surface of said first apex thereby lockin said hinge member in a locked position, the first means being arranged to move said hinge member in a counter-clockwise direction whereby said wheel is rotated and said second concave surface is moved angularly with respect to said first apex, said second means thereupon operating to move said hinge member again in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating said wheel whereby one of the larger concave surfaces of said wheel is in mating relation with said convex cam surface and said wheel is in the unlocked position.

'7. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationary member having an irregular cut-out portion; a substantially vertically inclined convex cam surface adjacent one end of said cut-out portion; a surface of said cut-out and said cam surface converging in a first rounded apex; a projecting portion on the other end of said cut-out portion, said projecting portion including sloping surfaces converging at a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationary member for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a wheel connected for pivotal movement to said hinge member, said wheel having two opposed large concave surfaces, each being adapted to mate with the convex cam surface during one half revolution of said wheel, said wheel also including first and second substantially smaller concave surfaces, rounded corner portions between each concave surface on said wheel, said corner portions being adapted to en- 7 gage said cut-out and projecting portions for rotating said Wheel upon movement of said hinge member, first means for moving said hinge membar in a counter-clockwise direction thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concave surface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of said second apex, second means for moving said hinge member in a clockwise direction for moving said wheel and said second concave surface into mating engagement with the surface of said first apex thereby locking said hinge member in a locked position, the first I means being arranged to again move said hinge member a counter-clockwise direction whereby said wheel is rotated and said second concave surface is moved angularly with respect to said first apex, said second means thereupon operating to move said hinge member again in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating said wheel whereby one of the large concave surfaces of said wheel is again placed into mating relation with said cam surface and said hinge member and said stationary member are respectively in an unlocked position.

8. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationary member having an irregular cut-out portion; a substantially vertically inclined convex cam surface adjacent one end of said cut out portion; a surface of said cut-out' and said cam surface converging in a first round-' ed apex; a projecting portion on the other end of said cut-out portion, said projecting portion including sloping surfaces converging at a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationary member for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot, said hinge member having arm portions extending outwardly at either sides of said fixed pivot; a wheel connected for pivotal move ment to one of said arm portions, said wheel having two opposed concave surfaces, each being adapted to mate with the convex cam surface during one half revolution of said wheel, said wheel also including first and second substantially smaller concave surfaces, rounded corner portions between each concave surface on said wheel, said corner portions being adapted to engage said cut-out and projecting portions on the stationary member for engaging and rotatin said wheel upon movement of said hinge member in a counter-clockwise direction thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concave surface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of said second apex, resiliently biased means 'for moving said hinge member in a clockwise direction whereby the wheel engages the cut-out portion and moves said second smaller concave surface into mating engagement with the surface of said first apex thereby locking said hinge member in a locked position, means for unlocking said hinge member including means for moving said hinge member in a counterclockwise direction whereby said wheel engages a projecting portion on the stationary member and is rotated and said second concave surface is moved angularly with respect to said first apex, said resiliently biased means thereupon operating to move said hinge member again in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating said wheel whereby'one of the concave surfaces of said wheel is again placed in mating relation with said cam surface and said wheel is in an unlocked position.

ADELBERT C. RADTKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS