Patent ID: 8708377
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: B60N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A locking device that is provided in one of two members to be engaged with each other, and is adapted to receive a striker provided on the other member so as to lock the striker in place, comprising: a base plate having a recessed portion that receives the striker; a first support shaft connected to the base plate; a pawl that is rotatably supported by the first support shaft and biased in a first initial rotation position; a second support shaft connected to the base plate; a hook that is rotatably supported by the second support shaft and biased in a second initial rotation position that is opposite to the first initial rotation position of the pawl; a driving plate rotatably supported by the second support shaft such that the driving plate is engaged and rotatable with the hook to lock the striker; an extension spring operably connecting the pawl and the driving plate such that the pawl and the driving plate are biased in opposite directions of rotation; and a torsion spring that biases the hook in the second initial rotation position, wherein when the striker moves into the recessed portion of the base plate, the hook is pushed from the second initial rotation position and rotated by the striker in accordance with the movement of the striker, and the striker is sandwiched between the hook and the recessed portion, when the pawl is in the first initial rotation position, a corner portion of the pawl engages under the bias force a corner portion of the hook, when the hook rotates from the second initial rotation position to a position at which the striker is sandwiched between the hook and the recessed portion, the corner portion of the hook disengages from the corner portion of the pawl and the pawl rotates under a bias force from the first initial rotation position to a position at which the pawl is engaged with the hook so as to establish a locked state in which rotation of the hook in a direction to return to the second initial rotation position thereof is restricted, the pawl and the hook being engaged in the locked state with engaging faces that are curved in an arc-shape about an axis of the first support shaft, respectively, and when the hook is in the second initial rotation position before the striker moves into the recessed portion, the hook is pressed under a bias force against a stopper face provided on the pawl such that no pressing force is applied from the hook in a direction to rotate the pawl, and the hook is held in a condition in which the hook is inhibited from rotating.