WO2007075992A2

WO2007075992A2 - Locking mechanism and apparatus having same

Info

Publication number: WO2007075992A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/048981
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy King
Original assignee: K2 Development Corporation
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: WO2007075992A3

Abstract

A locking mechanism comprising a locking detente-type knob and a receiver, with a detente actuator disposed therebetween, wherein activation of said detente actuator unlocks said mechanism.

Description

LOCKING MECHANISM AND APPARATUS HAVING SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/752,641 filed December 21 ,2005, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, entitled LOCKING MECHANISM AND APPARATUS HAVING SAME.

[0002] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism and method of use for positing an object in a removably fixed position relative to a mechanism housing. In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism positions a shelf member in a number fixed positions relative to the mechanism's housing and can only be unlocked by a detente actuator. Said mechanism is capable of lifting, lowering, leveling, and locking and unlocking the shelf member within the mechanism's housing.

I

[0003] The invention also relates to an apparatus having such a locking mechanism with a detente actuator, and to methods of making and using each. In a preferred embodiment, a butter dish having the locking mechanism is provided.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] There are hinged containers in the prior art, wherein the opening of the hinged lids causes a tray or shelf to rise within and/or above said container (i.e., jewelry and fishing tackle boxes); however, their workings do not provide a secure, mechanical locking and self-activated unlocking of their shelves in multiple positions within the container.

[0005] Detent mechanism are well known and are used in many applications for holding a first part of an apparatus in position with respect to a second part of an apparatus. Most detent mechanisms are actually retainers, rather than locks, and typically include springs, which can wear and become weak over time. One such example is a spring-loaded ball and socket catch, as is found on a kitchen cabinet. This is not a "lock" as it can be easily opened by a force stronger than that of the retaining spring. Furthermore, such multiple-component mechanisms increase manufacturing time. [0006] The locking mechanism of the present invention sufficiently positions, e.g., a shelf of a container in a locked upward position, but easily releases to allow repositioning of the shelf in a lowered position for storage. The locking mechanism of the present invention is a mechanical lock comprising a detent-type knob and a receiver for said knob that can be unlocked only by a) the introduction and application of a third system component, the Detent Actuator or b) physical force greater than the tensile/tearing strength of the material from which the knob and receiver are made, thus reducing the mechanism to single use.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a lifting, lowering, leveling, locking and unlocking, detent-type mechanism and integrated mechanical system contained within a substantially hollow container that;

1 . receives and contains within an object(s) of fitting dimension,

2. stores said object on a horizontal and level plane at one or more desired lockable positions within said container,

3. elevates said object above the wall of said container for easy access, and

4. lowers said object in one or more desired lockable positions within the container.

[0008] Tn preferred embodiment, the device is a butter dish that stores, lifts and lowers a stick of butter. The device is airtight and keeps butter fresh and spreadable by protecting it from heat, light and warm air currents.

[0009] A locking mechanism of the present invention comprises a locking detente-type knob and a receiver, with a detente actuator disposed therebetween, wherein activation of said detente actuator unlocks said mechanism. The locking mechanism further comprises a shelf with at least one flexible leg member having a detente-type knob thereon, a fixed wall having a receiver for said detente-type knob, and a detente actuator having an aperture, wherein said detente-type knob is received within said receiver to form a mechanical lock, and wherein said detente actuator is positioned between said flexible leg member and said fixed wall with said detente- type knob fitting in said aperture, and activation of said detent actuator wedgingly breaks said mechanical lock such that the knob is withdrawn form the receiver, thereby permitting free vertical movement of said shelf member. [0010] The detente-type knob preferably has an inclined surface. The flexible leg member is made of any flexible material and deforms inwardly as a result of pressure applied to the inclined surface of said detente-type knob when pressure is applied by the detente actuator. The fixed wall comprises tracks that receive said detente-type knob and allow for level ascent and descent of the shelf. The tracks also contain a detente-type knob resting well at a lower position on said tracks to accommodate said detente-type knob. The detente-type knob resting well prefereably has a flat bottom surface.

[001 1 ] The present invention also relates to a device comprising (i) a container with a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, a left side wall and a lid, wherein said lid is hingedly attached to said rear wall, (ii) a shelf, and (iii) a locking mechanism. The shelf has two flexible leg members extending perpendicular from each end of the shelf. The flexible leg members have an inside and an outside face, with a detente-type knob on each outside face of each flexible leg member. The right and left side walls of the container have at least one receiver on each wall. The detente-type knob has an inclined surface and the receiver has an upwardly and inwardly curved surface. A detente actuator with an aperture is disposed between the flexible leg members and the right and left side walls of the container and connected to the lid. The detente- type knob projects through the aperture of the detente actuator and also fits within the receiver to form a mechanical lock. Activation of the detent actuator applies pressure to the inclined surface of the detente-type knob and wedgingly breaks the mechanical lock such that the knob is withdrawn from the receiver. This permits free vertical movement of the shelf member. The detente actuator is preferably connected to the lid by a pin extending inwardly from the detente actuator that fits into a recess on a side of the lid.

[0012] The device further comprises tracks on the inside of the right and left walls that receive the detente-type knob and allow for movement of the shelf. The tracks contain a detent knob resting well at an upper and lower position on said tracks to accommodate the knob. In a preferred embodiment, the resting wells have a flat bottom surface.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the shelf rests at least ^]λ inch above said container's front wall when in a raised and locked position. This allows easy access to any item placed on the shelf. For example, when a stick of butter is placed on the shelf, the position of the shelf allows the user to slice the butter without the knife hitting the outside walls of the container.

[0014] In a further embodiment, a bottom edge of the lid of the container comes into opposing contact with a top, back edge of the shelf, thereby prohibiting further upward motion of the shelf. Further backward motion of the lid is prohibited by the detente actuator.

[0015] When the lid of the device of the present invention is raised, the Hd applies upward force to the detente actuator which causes the detent actuator to lift the detente-type knob against the upwardly and inwardly curved surface of the receiver. The upwardly curved surface of the receiver forces the detente-type knob and the flexible leg member to deform inwardly and thereby withdraw the knob from the receiver. Closing the lid of the device applies downward force to the detente actuator and causes the detent actuator to wedge the detente-type knob's inclined surface and forces the detente knob and the flexible leg member to deform inwardly. Both actions allow the shelf to move without inhibition. The detent actuator also serves to prevent the lid of the container from extending too far past the rear wall of the container.

[0016] As mentioned, the flexible leg members can be made of any flexible material (such as nylon) so that the leg members can deform inwardly such that the device can be opened and closed and the shlef member can move easily. The detent knob resting wells that accommodate the knob in open and closed positions are necessary so that the flexible leg members do not stay in an inward position for extended periods of time. If there were no such wells, the flexible leg members would eventually deform inwardly and not return to their original position, such that the detente-type knobs would not fit back into the receivers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in an open and locked position.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed and locked position.

Figs. 3A-3C shows a front view of the system of the invention and depicts the system in three positions. Fig. 4 shows a back view of the system of the invention in a closed and locked position.

Figs. 5 A and 5B depict details of the actuator arm, shelf member, flexible leg member and detente-type knob of the present invention.

Fig. 6A depicts a cutaway view of the system of the invention when it is in an open and locked position.

Fig. 6B depicts a cutaway view of the system of the invention when it is in a closed and locked position.

Fig. 6C is a close-up view of detente-type knob in a resting well

Figs. 7 A, 7B and 7C depict the detente actuator.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the shelf member.

Fig. 9 is an aerial view of the open container and depicts the tracks and resting wells of the locking mechanism.

Fig. 10 depicts a side view of the lid and detente actuator ami in an open position.

Figs. 11 A and 1 IB are see-through depictions of the system.

Fig. 12 depicts the locking mechanism in an unlocked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A device 1 according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The device includes a container 2 with a lid 2A hingedly attached to container 2, a shelf member 3 and a locking mechanism 4 (not visible, depicted in Figs. 5 and 6). Fig. 1 also depicts detente actuator 5 which is part of locking mechanism 4. As lid 2 is raised, shelf 3 and its contents are raised. As lid 2 is lowered, shelf 3 and its contents are lowered. The contents are shown in Fig. 1 as a stick of butter.

[0018] Figure 2 depicts the device 1 of the present invention in a closed and locked position. [0019] Fig. 3 A depicts the device 1 of the present invention in an open and locked position. In this open position, shelf member 3 is at least ¹A inch above container 2. This allows easy access to the contents of shelf member 3. Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C depict device 1 in an unlocked and closing state. Fig. 4 depicts a rear view of device I in a fully closed and locked position.

[0020] A locking mechanism 4 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 5A. The locking mechanism includes detente actuator 5 having aperture 6, and flexible leg member 7 having, detente knob or projection 8 thereon. Detente knob 8 has inclined surface 9. Flexible leg member 7 is attached or is integral with shelf member 3 and perpendicular thereto in an unflexed position. Flexible member 7 is made of a material strong enough to support shelf member 3 and a desired load on the shelf |member 3 when in a supportive position as discussed below. For example, flexible member 7 could be made of metal, nylon or plastic, but could be made of, e.g., a sufficiently suitable wood to provide the desired function. Fig. 5B depicts an alternative embodiment of detente knob 8.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 6A and 6B, a fixed wall surface 10 of device 1 has at least one recess or detente receiver 1 1 therein, which receives at least a portion of detente knob 8. Positioned between flexible leg member 7 and fixed wall 10 is detent actuator 5. Detente actuator 5 may be made of any suitable material. Detente actuator 5 has an aperture 6 therethrough which receives detente knob 8.

[0022] Figs. 7A, 7B and 7C show the detail of a preferred embodiment of detente actuator 5 and aperture 6. Detent actuator 5 is attached to lid 2 in a preferred embodiment by pin 5A, which fits, into a recess on lid 2A. A preferred embodiment of shelf member 3 is depicted in Fig. 8.

[0023] An aerial view of device 1 is shown in Fig. 9, with shelf member 3 and detente actuators 5 removed. Each side of container 2 has two detente receivers 1 1 therein, and tracks on the inside of the right and left walls that receive detente-type knob 8 and allow for movement of shelf member 3.

[0024] Fig. 10 depicts a side view of device 1 in an open position. Detent actuator 5 prevents Hd 2A from extending past the back wall of container 2. Also a bottom edge of the Hd of the container comes into opposing contact with a top, back edge of the shelf, thereby prohibiting further upward motion of the shelf or backward motion of the lid.

[0025] Fig. 11 A and HB are see-through depictions of device 1 in an open and locked position, such that receiver 11 and tracks 12 are visible.

[0026] Fig. 12 shows the system in an unlocked position. Contact of detente knob 8 with fixed wall 10 forces flexible leg member 7 to move inwardly away from fixed wall surface 10 to achieve an angle, preferably of about 80°, relative to shelf member 2. Detente actuator 5 is at rest in the position shown.

[0027] Upward movement of detente actuator 5 away from container 2 initiates contact between aperture 6 of detente actuator 5 and detente knob 8.

[0028] Continued upward movement of detente actuator 5 engages and lifts detente knob 8 and flexible leg member 7 and shelf member 2 until detente knob 8 achieves an aligned mating position with detente actuator aperture 6 and detente knob receiver 11.

[0029] At a position where detente knob 8, detente aperture 6 and detente knob receiver 11 are in alignment, flexible leg member 7 flexes and assumes a 90° position relative to shelf member 2 and forces detente knob 8 at least partially through detente actuator aperture 6 and into detente knob receiver 5 to lock the system, and hence, the shelf, into position as shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 6A. This is the "locked" position. As is seen in Fig. 6A, detente knob 8 and detente knob receiver 1 1 have matingly locked, preventing vertical movement of knob 8, leg member 7 and shelf 2.

[0030] To unlock the system, downward vertical force is applied to detente actuator arm 5.

[0031 ] In preferred embodiments top end 5A of detente actuator is affixed to lid 2 A by any suitable fastening means, e.g., screws, rivets, welding, integral manufacture, etc. so that upward and downward force is applied to detente actuator arm 5 simply by raising or lowering the lid.

[0032] Locking mechanism 4 can be used in a variety of different containers and devices. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device is designed with sufficient dimensions to contain a stick of butter. Thus, the butter can be covered in the device and protected from the environment until the Hd is opened, at which point the butter is raised to the top of the device for use by an individual.

[0033] The device or any component thereof may be manufactured using any suitable materials as desired for the intended purpose. In preferred embodiments, the body is made of plastic, metal, wood, or ceramic, the preferred material for this embodiment is cultured marble.

[0034] The shelf member, in preferred embodiments, may be made of nylon or any other suitable flexible material.

[0035] Other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A locking mechanism comprising a locking detente-type knob and a receiver, with a detente actuator disposed therebetween, wherein activation of said detente actuator unlocks said mechanism.

2. A locking mechanism comprising a shelf with at least one flexible leg member having a detente-type knob thereon, a fixed wall having a receiver for said detente-type knob, and a detente actuator having an aperture,

wherein said detente-type knob is received within said receiver to form a mechanical lock, and

wherein said detente actuator is positioned between said flexible leg member and said fixed wall with said detente-type knob projecting through said aperture, and activation of said detent actuator wedgingly breaks said mechanical lock such that said knob is withdrawn from said receiver, thereby permitting free vertical movement of said shelf member.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said detente-type knob has an inclined surface.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein said flexible leg member deforms inwardly as a result of pressure applied to the inclined surface of said detente-type knob when pressure is applied by the detente actuator.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said fixed wall comprises tracks that receive said detente-type knob and allow for level ascent and descent of said shelf and wherein said tracks contain a detente-type knob resting well at a lower position on said tracks to accommodate said detente-type knob.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 5, wherein said detente-type knob resting well has a flat bottom surface.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said flexible leg member is made of nylon.

8. A device comprising (i) a container with a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, a left side wall and a lid, wherein said lid is hingedly attached to said rear wall, (ii) a shelf, and (iii) a locking mechanism,

wherein said shelf has'two flexible leg members extending perpendicular from each end of said shelf and said flexible members have an inside and an outside face, and

wherein said locking mechanism comprises a detente-type knob on each outside face of said flexible leg members, at least one receiver on each of said right and left side walls, and a detente actuator with an aperture, disposed between said flexible leg member and said right and left side walls and connected to said top, with said detente-type knob projecting through said aperture and

wherein said detente-type knob fits within said receiver to form a mechanical lock, and activation of said detent actuator wedgingly breaks said mechanical lock such that said knob is withdrawn from said receiver, thereby permitting free vertical movement of said shelf member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said shelf rests at least 'Λ inch above said container's front wall when in a raised and locked position.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said detente actuator is connected to said lid by a pin extending inwardly from said detente actuator that fits into a recess on a side of said Hd.

1 1. The device of claim 8, wherein a bottom edge of said lid comes into opposing contact with a top, back edge of said shelf, thereby prohibiting further upward motion of said shelf.

12. The device of claim 8, further comprising tracks on the inside of said right and left walls that receive said detente-type knob and allow for movement of said shelf and wherein said tracks contain a detent knob resting well at a lower position on said tracks to accommodate said detente-type knob.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said detente-type knob resting well has a flat bottom surface

14. The device of claim 8, wherein said detente-type knob has an inclined surface and said receiver has an upwardly and inwardly curved surface.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein raising said lid applies upward force to said detente actuator and causes said detent actuator to lift said detente-type knob against the upwardly and inwardly curved surface of said receiver, and wherein the upwardly curved surface of said receiver forces said detente-type knob and said flexible leg member to deform inwardly and thereby withdraw said knob from said receiver, thereby allowing said shelf to move without inhibition, and

wherein closing said lid applies downward force to said detente actuator and causes said detent actuator to wedge said detente-type knob's inclined surface and forces said detente-type knob and said flexible leg member to deform inwardly, thereby allowing said shelf to move without inhibition.

16. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said detente-type knob passes through an aperture in said detente actuator and is received within said receiver.