Patent ID: 9643675
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: B62J,B62K,E05B,E05C,Y10T

Claim:
1. A locking mechanism configured to secure an accessory to a receiving base located on a recreational vehicle, the receiving base having a receiving opening, the receiving opening including two opposed side openings, the locking mechanism comprising: a) a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first recessed region, the lower portion being shaped and dimensioned to be received into the receiving opening of the receiving base; b) an actuator pivotally mounted to the housing, the actuator comprising a handle portion and a locking actuation portion extending downwardly from the handle portion, the handle portion having a second recessed region, at least the handle portion of the actuator being selectively pivotable between an open position and a closed position by a user hand via an opening formed by the first recessed region and the second recessed region, the locking actuation portion having an arcuate shape and an engaging surface; c) first and second latches pivotally mounted to the housing, the first and second latches being selectively pivotable between an unlocked position and a locked position; wherein the handle portion and the first and second latches are mechanically operatively connected via the locking actuation portion such that when the handle portion is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, the engaging surface of the locking actuation portion engages the first and second latches and causes the first and second latches to pivot from their unlocked positions to their locked positions in which the locking actuation portion is disposed between the first and second latches and the first and second latches engage the two opposed side openings of the receiving opening, and when the handle portion is pivoted from the closed position to the open position, the first and second latches are free to pivot from their locked positions to their unlocked positions.