Patent ID: 6339944
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B65F,E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A locking mechanism having a locked and an unlocked condition, comprising:a housing assembly and a pin assembly movable relative to each other between open and closed positions; the housing assembly including: a housing having closed interior and exterior faces, closed top and bottom faces, an open side face facing the pin assembly, and a closed side face opposite the open side face; a flapper plate pivotably mounted on a horizontal axis between the interior and exterior faces of the housing, the flapper plate having a free edge and having a length whereby it can be pivoted upwards to bring the free edge toward the closed side face without contacting the closed side face; and means for pivoting the flapper plate upwards to bring the free edge toward the closed side face; and the pin assembly including: a faceplate portion configured to cover at least a portion of the open side face of the housing; and a pin extending substantially perpendicularly from the faceplate portion towards the interior of the housing and positioned so as to extend into the interior of the housing and contact the flapper plate with the hook engaging the free end of the flapper plate when the housing assembly and the pin assembly are in the closed position.