EXTENDABLE TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract: A trunk extension locking mechanism (18) which can be adjusted to any desired length to maintain a trunk (17) of an automobile in a rigid open position. The mechanism includes utilizing one of the plurality of trunk lock attachment means (26, 124, 146, 148) and one of a plurality of trunk strike attachment means (22, 166, 176, 178) both of which are attached to the extension (18) to be pivotably and rotatably movable. With a plurality of attachment means the device is usable on most every type of trunk lock and strike mechanism.

Description: EITEMDABLE TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM The present invention relates to a trunk locking mechanism and more particularly to such a mechanism which can be lockedly affixed between the trunk lock and trunk lock strike to rigidly maintain the . trunk door in an open position. Many times it is desirable to utilize the trunk of an automobile to carry items which are larger than the space provided in the normally closed trunk. In these instances, the items are placed in the trunk and the trunk door is left in an open position. If the trunk door is left totally unaffixed it will constantly move up and down slamming against the object in the trunk compartment. Conventional techniques of affixing the trunk door include a rope, wire or similar apparatus to tie the trunk.lock to the trunk strike to maintain the trunk d-o-or iffa. "faTt ally open position. However, the or -øtiier similar apparatus tends to allov the trunk to bounce up and down as the rope can be stretched - easily become unattached. Further, securing a trunk o -or by using a rope or wire is an open invitation to thievery. For example, if it is necessary to park the car and leave it unattended for a period of time, it is a simple matter for a thief t untie the rope and steal whatever contents are in the trunk compartment. In my prior U.S. Patent 4,278,280 which was issued July 14, 1981 and entitled Lockable Automobile Trunk Extension I dislosed a device which could be affixed to both the trunk lock and the trunk lock strike and only be removed by using the key to unlock the trunk lock. This apparatus provided -a significant improvement in that the trunk door was maintained in a locked position even though open and hence it was more difficult to steal the apparatus w ithin the trunk compartment. However this device was still insufficient in this manner because the extending mechanism allowed the two tubular members to be separated and it further was deficient in that it could only be extended to p resel ected pos i t i on s rather than to any des ired position to maintain the trunk lid against the items extending out of the trunk compartment. Further, it was limited in its application in that it could only operate w i th c erta in types of trunk locks and t run k l ock strikes. It would be better to have a device of the type described in my prior Patent 4 ,278 , 280 which could be used with any type of trunk locking mechanism and which is universally extendable to any position. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention there is provided in a universal trunk lock extension mechanism for securing an automobile trunk in an open position including extension means, irst means for connecting the trunk lock to one end of the extension means and second means for connecting the other end of the extension means to the strike lock. The improvement comprises the first and second means being selected from a plural ity of different means for the particular trunk lock and lock strike and interconnect means on each of said extension means for tiltably and rotatably connecting the select first and second means. One p referred embod i m ent of the present invention is hereafter described in deta il and which reference is made to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 show s how the trunk lock extension mechanism of the subject invention may be used; Figure 2 show s the manner of install ing the trunk lock extension mechanism to the trunk lock strike; Figure 3 shows the manner of attaching the . trunk lock extension mechanism to the trunk lock; Figure 4 shows one type of trunk lock mechanism; Figure 5 shows a second type of trunk lock mechanism; Figure 6 shows a third type of trunk lock mechanism; Figure 7 shows a first type of trunk lock strike mechanism; Figure 8 shows a second type of trunk lock strike mechanism; Figures 9A and 9B show a third type of trunk lock strike mechanism; Figures 10A shows the extension assembly portion of the invention, Figure 10B shows the extension assembly shown in Figure 10A from the top, including the clutch connector for allowing the universal extension and the manner in which the lock attachment assembly and strike attachment assembly are attached to the extension assembly; Figure 11 shows in more detail the manner in which the strike attachment assembly is attached to the extension assembly; Figure 12 shows in more detail the manner in which the lock attachment assembly is attached to the extension assembly; Figures 13A and 13B show one type of trunk lock insertion latch member, particularly useful with the trunk lock shown in Figure 5; Figure 14 shows another type of trunk lock insertion latch member. Figures 15 shows a third type of trunk lock insertion member; Figures 16A and 16B show one type of trunk strike clamp attachment member; Figure 17 shows a second type of trunk strike clamp attachment member; Figure 18 shows a third type of trunk strike attachment clamp assembly; and Figures 19A, 19B and 19C show in more detail 10 the clutch connector allowing the extension assembly to extend to any desired position. Referring now to Figure 1 a trunk compartment 10 is shown in which the trunk door 12 is in an open position so that large items such as chair 14 or large L5 box 16 may fit within the trunk compartment. With such large items, trunk door 12 is unable to be closed to its normal position;.it is rather held rigidly in place by trunk lock extender 18 so that it is unable to move up or down. Trunk lock extender 18 may be adjusted so that 20 trunk door 12 rests firmly on the top of box 16 or chair 14. Referring to Figure 2, the lower portion of extender 18 is shown and includes the lower part of extension assembly 20 and one type of strike attachment 25 assembly 22 which is adapted to interconnect to the particular type of strike 24. To connect extender 18, it is necessary to place it at an angle so that the strike attachm p -ft assembly 22 hooks to the strike 24, as shown in Figure 2. Thereafter extender 18 is rotated about 30 strike 24 to a generally vertical position in alignment with the trunk lock and in this-position the sizing of strike attachment assembly 22 is such that it cannot be removed from strike 24. Referring to Figure 3 when the extender 18 is in the generally vertical position, the upper portion or lock attachment assembly 26 is extended and can. be attached to trunk lock 28. Lock attachment assembly 26 substitutes for the normal strike bar which trunk lock 28 normally engages. Thus, by depressing trunk door 12 in a. downward position against assembly 26, lock 28 becomes locked thereto and cannot become disengaged from assembly 26 without utilizing a key to unlock trunk lock 10 28. At that point extension assembly 2-0 is adjusted so that the trunk door 12 rests against the contents in the trunk compartment 12. Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 three different types of trunk locks 30, 32 and 34 used on ! 5 different types of automobiles are shown. While locks . 30, 32 and 34 do not include all of the various types of locks which may be found on different types of automobiles, they are representative of the types, of locks. In Figure 4 trunk lock 30 is a type which has a 20 rotating member 36 which is rotated to form a closed area 42 within chamber 38. Member 36 is rotated by the strike bar 24 shown in Figure 2 contacting face 40 as the trunk door 12 is closed. This causes member 36 to rotate causing strike bar 24 to be trapped in the area 25 42. Member 36 is released by inserting the key in the trunk lock and turning it in a known manner. Referring now to Figure 5 trunk lock 32 is similar to trunk lock 30 in that it includes a member 44 which is rotatable as the trunk lock strike, such as 24 30 shown in Figure 2 is forced against the face 46, thereby causing member 44 to rotate and forcing lip 48 around the strike bar. In Figure 6 a third type of trunk lock is shown which is similar to the lock shown in Figure 4 except that the chamber 50 is much deeper than that shown in Figure 4. Chamber 50 for instance is utilized when the strike bar has a substantial depth to it. Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9 different types of trunk strike members are shown. Those shown are typical of the type of trunk strike found in automobiles, but in no way to be considered to be exclusive of all such trunk lock strikes. In Figure 7 a simple strike bar 52 is shown which may be solidly affixed to a plate 54 that in turn is secured to the trunk. The strike bar 52 is the type typically used with the trunk lock 30 shown in Figure 4. Hqwever where plate 54 is mounted such that side 56 strikes the trunk lock face it may be necessary to use a lock such as 34 shown in Figure 6 with the longer chamber 50. A second type of strike bar member is shown in Figure 8 and includes an opening 60 and the strike bar 62. The strike member 58 is the type typically used with a trunk lock 32, such as shown in Figure 5. The lower end 63 of lock 32 fits within opening 60 so that strike bar 62 contacts face 46 and rotates it upward, whereby the lip 48 wraps under strike bar 62. The trunk key releases member 44 so that the trunk can be lifted out of opening 60 at will. A third type of strike member is shown in Figure 9 and includes a vertical post 64 extending up from the bottom of the trunk. On top of post 64 is a plate 66 and both post 64 and plate 66 are positioned in a well 68 at the back of the trunk area. The type of trunk strike shown in Figures 9A and 9B may be used on the so called hatch-back cars in which the trunk lock when affixed to the strike is generally in the horizontal position. Referring now to Figures 10 through 19, the details of trunk lock extender 18 will now be described. As previously mentioned with respect to Figures 2 and 3, the trunk lock extender 18 includes an extension assembly 20, a strike attachment assembly 22, a lock attachment assembly 24. The extension assembly 20 is common for all types of trunk locks and trunk strikes; however the strike attachment assembly 22 and lock attachment assembly 26 consists of a common portion which is generally a pivoting tee element to be described in more detail hereafter and one of three different types of attachment assemblies for the particular type of trunk lock or strike found in the car using the trunk lock extender 18. The particular one of the three strike assemblies and lock assemblies which fits the particular lock or strike should be selected. Referring now to Figures 10A and 10B extension assembly 20 is shown. In Figure 10A it is seen that extension assembly 20 consists of an outer tube 70 and an inner tube 72 which slides within outer tube 70. For instance, outer tube 70 may be one inch in outer diameter and slightly larger than 7/8 inch in inner diameter and inner tube 72 may have an outer diameter of 7/8 inch. On the remote end of outer tube 70 is the large tube cover 74 and on the remote end of inner tube 72 is a -"-nail tube cover 76. Connecting the outer tube 70 and inner tube 72 is a clutch connector having a cover 78 which clutch connector will be described in more detail hereafter. Each of. the inner tube 70 and outer tube 72 remote ends have notches cut out therefrom which match the notch 80 in large tube cover 74 and notch 82 in small tube cover 76. Clutch connector cover 78 has a larger end 84 affixed to outer tube 70 by gluing, welding or crimping or the like.. Connected in this manner the smaller end 86 of clutch connector cover 78 functions to prevent the inner tube 72 from being pulled out of the outer tube 70. This prevents extension assembly 20 from becoming separated to allow a thief easier access to the trunk contents. Referring now to Figure 10B which shows extension assembly 20 taken from the top view of Figure 10A with the ends portions thereof and the clutch connector area shown in cutaway. In addition, the side of the large strike pivot 88 and the small strike pivot 90 are shown, the latter of which is shown as being connected to one of the three types of lock attachment assemblies 26. The large and small strike pivots 88 and 90 are connected by screws or rivets along a line perpendicular to the notches 80 and 82. The pivots 88 and 90 are generally T-shaped members having the top secured by the pivots or screws along the line perpendicular to the notches 80 and 82 and having a leg extending through the notch 80 or 82. The remote end of the leg has threads thereon adapted to having one of the strike attachment assembly members 22 or lock attachment assembly members 26 secured thereto by being threaded thereon. Connected in this manner, the strike attachment assembly member 22 or lock attachment assembly member 26 may be rotated about the leg of the T-shaped strike pivot 88 or 90. In addition, the pivots 88 or 90 themselves may be rotated about the top thereof, so each of the attachment assemblies 22 and 26 are rotatably in two directions. This is necessary for use of the truck lock extender 18 in the wide variety of automobiles presently on the mark. The clutch connector 78 includes a clutch base 92, a clutch ring 94 and a clutch cover 96, which, as previously mentioned, has a large end 100 and a small end 98 which respectively fit over the outer tube 70 and inner tube 72. The large end of clutch cover 96 is secured by for instance, glue, to outer tube 70 so that the small end 99 of clutch cover 96 functions to maintain the clutch base 92 within the interior portion of outer tube 70. The detail construction of clutch 78 is described hereafter with respect to Figures 19A, 19B and 19C Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, the manner in which the strike attachment assembly 22 and lock attachment assembly 26 are affixed to extension assembly 20 is shown. Also shown in Figures 11 and 12 are more detailed views of the large and small strike pivots 88 and 90 and the manner in which they are affixed to outer tube 70 and inner tube 72. Referring now specifically to Figure 11, the large strike pivot 88 consists of an upright portion 104 and the top portion 106. The top of 106 is pivotally connected to large tube cover 74 and outer tube 70 by either screws or rivets 108 through the center thereof. Pivot 88 rotates about rivets 108 with the upright 104 extending through notch 80. The upright 104 of pivot 88 includes a stop 110 and strike nut thread 112 upon which a strike nut 114 may be rotated towards or away from stop 110. At the remote end of pivot 88 is a smaller diameter set of threads 116 for one of the strike attachment assemblies, such as strike clamp 118. Strike clamp 118 is screwed upon threads 116 so that it rotates in two directions, that is, around threads 116 and as pivot 88 rotates about rivet 108. Strike nut 114 may be rotated about threads 112 downward after strike clamp 1,18 has engaged with the strike to hold it firmly thereagainst. To release strike clamp 118, strike nut 114 must be rotated back towards stop 110. The details of strike clamp 118 will be described hereafter with respect to Figures 16A and 16B. Referring now to Figure 12, small strike pivot 90 is shown connected to the inner tube 72. Strike pivot 90 is similar to large strike pivot 88, except that it sized to fit within the interior of inner tub-e 72. Below stop 120, however, the threaded portion 122 is smaller in both length and diameter than the similar threaded portions 112 and 116 of pivot 88. Threads 122 may be used to secure one of the lock attachment - assembly, such as latch 114, to pivot 90. By making the threads 122 smaller in diameter than the threads 116 shown in Figure 11, the wrong element cannot be secured to the various threaded elements 116 or 122. Referring now to Figures 13 through 18 the various types. of latches and strike clamps are shown in more detail. As previously mentioned, the particular type of latch or strike clamp utilized will depend on the particular type of lock or strike bar in the automobile. Figures 13A and 13B show one type of latch 5: which is adapted to being secured to a trunk lock such as shown in Figures 4 or 5. It is particularly useful with the type of trunk lock shown in Figure 5. Figures 14 and 15 are different types of latches which are usef.'i with the type of trunk lock such as shown in D Figure 6. Referring now to Figures 13A and 13B, latch 124 is shown. It consists of a bottom 126, two long sides 128 and 130 and one short side 132. The fourth side and the top are both open. Connecting the two sides 128 and 130 towards the open side is a bar 134 spaced above the open top by a pair of posts 136 and 138. A threaded hole 140 is through the bottom and includes a support 142 therefore. The size of hole 140 is designed to be secured to the threaded portion 122 of pivot 90 shown in Figure 12. An opening 144 is included on side 132 and is designed to allow certain types of trunk locks to fit therethrough. Latch 124 is typically used with the type of trunk lock shown in Figure 5. The ' bar 134 is placed in the closed lock position and the box fits around the portion of the lock extending downward. Connected in this manner the box cannot be removed because of the interference by side 132 with the extension portion of the lock. The bar 134 may also be used to be inserted into the chamber 38 shown in Figure 4. Referring now to Figures 14 and 15 two other types of latches 146 and 148 are shown. Each includes a base 150 and 152 having a hole 154 and 156 therein similar to hole 140 shown in Figure 13. Each of the latches 146 and 148 further includes a generally cylindrical bar 158 or 160. Bar 158 has a wide portion on the ends thereof and a narrow portion in the center. Bar 160 includes a generally vertical cut out portion therein. Each of the bars 158 and 160 are spaced from the base 150 and 152 by a pair of vertical supports 162 or 164. The size of supports 162 and 164 is determined by the distance primarily of the various types of locks of the type shown in Figure 6. The size of bars 158 and 160 is determined by the amount of space available to hold the bar in the locks of the type shown in Figure 6. Referring now to Figures 16A and 16B, the first type of strike clamp 166 is shown. Clamp 166 includes a block of material 168 having a semi- x cylindrical cut out portion 170 towards the front thereof, a hole 172 which is theaded to receive the pivot 88 lower threads 116 towards the back end thereof and an extension 174 from the bottom thereof. The total length of strike clamp 166 is slightly greater than the width of the type of strike device shown in Figure 8, so that it may fit wholly within the opening 60 of the Figure 8 type strike device. However it must be placed in and removed from the opening 60 in the Figure 8 type strike device at an angle. The height of strike clamp 166 measured from the top to the bottom of extension 174 is such that when the bar 56 of the strike shown in Figure 7 is inserted into opening 170 the bottom of extension 174 rests on or near base 154. In this manner the device cannot be removed from strike device shown in Figure 7 without tilting it at an angle. The purpose of these dimensions is to ensure that the strike clamp is inserted and affixed to the strike at an angle such as shown in Figure 2 and cannot be removed when the trunk lock extender 18 is rotated to the vertical position to be engaged with the trunk lock such as shown in Figure 3. Referring now to Figures 17 and 18 two other types of strike clamps -176 and 178 are shown. Each has a vertical dimension as described previously such that the strike clamp is able to be inserted into the strike bar at an angle and when in the vertical position cannot be easily removed. The hook portion 180 and 182 of the strike clamps 176 and 178 are slightly differently shaped to compensate for different types of strike devices. Particularly the type shown in Figure 17 is • Aseful with the type of strike shown in Figures 9A and 9B. Each of the strike clamps 176 and 178 also include a hole 184 and 186 therethrough adapted to receiving the threaded portion 116 of pivot 88 shown in Figure 11. Referring now to Figures 19A, 19B and 19C, the details of clutch connector'78 are shown. As previously mentioned clutch connector 78 consists of a clutch base 92 and clutch ring 94. The clutch base 92 is shown generally in Figure 19A and the clutch ring 94 is shown generally in Figure 19B. Figure 19C shows a cross section taken across lines C-C in Figure 19A. Clutch base 92 is prevented from rotating within pipe 72 in which it fits by a slot 187 (shown in Figure 10B) being cut in pipe 92 and a key 188 extending upward from inner cylinder 190 within inner tube 72 to fit within the 187. The key 188 fitting within the slot 187 prevents clutch base 92 from rotating within inner tube 72. The outer cylindrical member 102 of clutch base 92 is offset from the center thereof and on both sides thereof a pair of stop rings 192 and 194 are placed about longitudinal length of cylinder 92. An offset clutch ring 94 is fit over the cylinder 102. The amount of offset in ring 94, shown in Figure 19B, is similar to that of cylinder 102, thus when ring 94 is in one radial position the entire volume between stops 192 and 194 is filled. Ring 94 is sized to be maintained against outer tube 70 when inner tube 72 is inserted in outer tube 70. Thus it is maintained stationary with respect to outer tube 70 when inner tube 72 is rotated with respect to outer tube 70. However, when this rotation occurs, the amount of relative offset between ring 94 and cylinder 92 changes, forcing cylinder 102 firmly against ring 94 which is then firmly against outer tube 70. This locks the extension assembly 20 in a fixed position so that the trunk may be maintained at any desired open position. Figure 19C shows the amount of offset of cylinder 102 against ring 194. Ring 94 takes up the space 196 when in the unlocked position. Two arrows 198 and 200, shown in Figure 10A, can be placed on clutch cover 96 and small tube cover 76 and positioned so that inner tube 72 slides into or out of outer tube 70 when the arrows 198 and 200 are in alignment.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. In a universal trunk lock extension mechanism for securing an automobile trunk in an open position, said mechanism including extension means, first means for connecting the trunk lock and one end of said extension means, and second means connecting the other end of said extension means and the lock strike, the improvement comprising: said first and second means being selected from a plurality of different means for the particular trunk lock and lock strike, and interconnect means on each end of said extension means for tiltably and rotatably connecting the selected first and second means. 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said interconnect means includes threaded means, said threaded means being of different sizes. 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said interconnect means are tee shaped and pivotably connected to the extension means by the top of the tee, said first and second means being rotationally secured to the upright of the tee. 4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein each of said interconnect means includes threaded means, said thre-ied means being of different sizes. 5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said extension means includes clutch means connecting first and second portions of said extension means to allow said extension means to be extended to any length between fixed limits. 6. The invention according to claim 5: wherein said first portion of said extension slides within said second portion of said extension means; and, wherein said clutch means locks said two portions upon relative rotation therebetween 7. The invention according to 'claim 6 wherein said 0 clutch means includes a cylinder and a ring covering said cylinder each being offset, said ring being maintained stationary against one portion during said relative rotation. 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said 5 interconnect means are tee shaped and pivotably connected to the extension means by the top of -the tee, said first and second means being rotationally secured to the upright of the tee. 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein each of o said interconnect means includes threaded means, said threaded means being of different sizes. 10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said second means has a height selected to allow said second means to be attached to said strike at an angle and not 5 removable when said second means is not at said angle. 11. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said second means has a height selected to allow said second means to be attached to said strike at an angle and not removable when said second means is not at said angle. 12. A trunk lock extension for an automobile trunk comprising: extension means extendable to a desired trunk opening length; means affixed to one end of said extendable means for attaching said extendable means to a trunk lock; and, hook and spacer means affixed to the other end of said extendable means for being attached to a trunk lock strike, said hook and spacer means sized so said hook is inserted around said strike at an angle to the line from said lock to said strike and the tip of said hook is held by said spacer above said strike means when the other end of said lock extension is affixed to said lock.

Inventors: RASHBAUM ABRAHAM, RASHBAUM, ABRAHAM
Applicants: RASHBAUM ABRAHAM, RASHBAUM, ABRAHAM
Application year: 1985
Main classification: E05C17
IPC codes: E05C17