Patent ID: 6514030
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: A01D,B60P

Abstract:
A lock for selectively securing together first and second structures, said first structure including a locking surface and said second structure including a locking surface supported by a frame member, said structures movable relative to each other in a defined path from a first position where said two locking surfaces are generally in contact and a second position where said two locking surfaces are remote from each other, said lock comprising:a latch having a generally open hook-shaped mouth, said latch attached to said frame member and pivotable so that said hook-shaped mouth is movable at least partially across said locking surface of said second structure between a disengaged position remote from said defined path and an engaged position where said hook-shaped mouth is engaged with said first structure, securing said two locking surfaces together; the pivotable connection of said latch to said frame member including a shaft affixed to said frame member and extending through said latch and forming a stub shaft on the side of said latch opposite said frame member; said latch further including an inclined surface adjacent to said hook-shaped mouth such that, when said latch is in said engaged position and said locking surfaces are moving from said second position into said first position, said second structure will engage said inclined surface, pivoting said latch out of said defined path, allowing said first structure to contact said second structure and said latch to engage said locking surface of said first structure; an over-the-center mechanism attached to said latch that can selectively bias said latch toward said engaged position or toward said disengaged position; said over-the-center mechanism including: a selection arm having a first end pivotably affixed to said stub shaft and a second end spaced away from the axis of said stub shaft, said second end pivotable between an engaged biasing position and a disengaged biasing position; a spring connected at one end to said second end of said selection arm and to said latch at a point between the axis of said stud shaft and said hook-shaped mouth; and a mechanism to selectively hold said latch in either said disengaged position or said engaged position.