Abstract:
A locking mechanism is described that releasably locks at least two objects together. The locking mechanism allows one of the objects to be rotatably connected to the other, allowing for a variety of uses. The rotatability and releasability of the locking mechanism allows several locking mechanisms to be used together as an escape hatch system, particularly for use in race vehicles. The locking mechanism has uses beyond the escape hatch system and is applicable to doors, cover, and other objects that are rotatably attached to a second object.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for at least two objects that allows one of the objects to be rotatable relative to the other and, and more particularly, a locking mechanism that ejects one of the locked components upon release and also allows the locking mechanism to be used in a vehicle as a part of an escape hatch system.  
         [0002]     There are prior locking mechanisms, but none that allow for the ejection and rotatability of the locked components once the lock has been released. Some of the mechanisms have specific biasing mechanisms for locking the components or specific configurations of the components. However, none of the prior art references disclose the components of the present invention.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a new and novel locking mechanism without one or more of the limitations of the prior art. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the process particularly pointed out in the written description and claims, as well as the appended drawings.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed to a mechanism for releasably locking at least two objects including a base portion, the base portion having at least two openings along an axis, the base portion being mountable on a first of the at least two objects, an engagement member mountable upon a second of the at least two objects, the engagement member configured to be disposed adjacent at least one of the at least two openings and having an opening to align with the at least two openings, an engagement pin translatable in the at least two openings in the base portion and configured to engage the opening in the engagement member to secure the engagement member relative to the base portion, a first bias member associated with the engagement pin to bias the engagement pin along the axis, and a second bias member associated with the base portion to bias the engagement member away from the base portion.  
         [0005]     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a mechanism for releasably locking at least two objects including a base portion, the base portion having at least two openings along an axis, the base portion being mountable on a first of the at least two objects, an engagement member mountable upon a second of the at least two objects, the engagement member configured to be disposed adjacent at least one of the at least two openings and having an opening to align with the at least two openings, an engagement pin translatable in the at least two openings in the base portion and configured to engage the opening in the engagement member to secure the engagement member relative to the base portion, and a bias member associated with the base portion to bias the engagement member away from the base portion.  
         [0006]     In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to an escape hatch system for a vehicle including at least two engagement members attached to a roof panel portion, each of the at least two engagement members each having an opening therein, and at least two base portions attached to the vehicle to secure the roof panel relative the vehicle, each of the base portions having at least two openings along an axis thereof, each of the base portions further including an engagement pin translatable in the at least two openings in the base portion and configured to engage the opening in the engagement member, a first bias member associated with the engagement pin to bias the engagement pin along the axis, and a second bias member associated with the base portion to bias the engagement member away from the base portion.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, the invention is directed to an escape hatch system for a vehicle including at least two engagement members attached to a roof panel portion, each of the at least two engagement members each having an opening therein, and at least two base portions attached to the vehicle to secure the roof panel relative to the vehicle, each of the base portions having an engagement pin configured to engage the opening in the engagement member and a bias member associated with the base portion to bias the engagement member away from the base portion.  
         [0008]     It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
         [0009]     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a locking mechanism illustrated in a secured position according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is the locking mechanism of  FIG. 1  in an unsecured position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  an exploded view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an alternative engagement member for use with the locking mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates another alternative engagement member for use with the locking mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates two locking mechanisms with the base portion attached to a portion of a first object and the corresponding engagement member attached to a second object;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates four engagement members of four corresponding locking mechanisms that are attached to a portion of a roof panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the locking mechanisms as used as a part of an escape hatch system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates an engagement member of a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention being rotated around the engagement pin as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one embodiment of the locking mechanism  10  according to the present invention. The locking mechanism  10  has a base portion  12  and an engagement member  14 . The base portion  12  preferably has three flanges  16 , 18 , 20 , each having an opening  22 , 24 , 26  therethrough. An engagement pin  28  preferably passes through the openings  22 , 24 , 26  in the three flanges  16 , 18 , 20 . See  FIG. 3 . While the opening  22  is illustrated in each of the figures to be completely through the flange  16 , it need not be completely through the flange  16 . Rather, the opening  22  could simply be a depression or partial opening in the flange  16 . Similarly, the openings  22 , 24 , 26  need not be complete holes as illustrated, but could be any type of opening, e.g., slots, key-holes, etc.  
         [0020]     The engagement pin  28  is translatable in the openings  24 , 26  and is biased in the direction of the flange  16  by the spring  30 . The spring  30  is shown to be a helical spring, but could be of any appropriate form. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the spring  30  preferably has a washer  32 , 34  at each end. While the washers are shown to be independent of the spring  30 , they could also be integral with the spring  30 . The washers  32 , 34  also preferably have raised center portion  35  on at least one side of the washer  32 , 34  to assist centering the helical spring  30  about the engagement pin  28 . If the spring  30  were only slightly larger than the engagement pin  28 , then the washers  32 , 34  would not need to have a raised center portion  35  in order to center the spring  30 . Additionally, the washer  32  may be omitted from the locking mechanism  10 , if the flange  20  were large enough to engage the spring  30 . The flange  20  may also have a configuration to assist in centering the spring  30  if so desired. Similarly, the washer  34  may be omitted if the spring  30  were attached to the engagement pin  28  to provide the needed bias. The washers  32 , 34  may also be cup type washers, e.g., having a flange around the circumference of the washers  32 , 34 , to assist in centering the spring  30  about the engagement pin  28 .  
         [0021]     The engagement pin  28  also preferably has a snap ring  37  that engages the groove  36 . The washer  34  then contacts the snap ring  37  to provide an engagement surface for the spring  30 . Instead of having the washer  34  and the snap ring  37 , the washer  34  could also be integral with the engagement pin  28 , eliminating the need for the snap ring  37 .  
         [0022]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the engagement pin  28  is biased toward flange  16  and has a pull cord  38  on its first end  40 . The engagement pin  28  passes through an opening  42  in the engagement member  14 . As with the other openings  22 , 24 , 26 , the opening  42  need not be in the form shown, but would still be within the scope of the present invention. With the engagement pin  28  passing through the opening  42 , the engagement member  14 , and any object to which it is attached, is secured to the base portion  12 . The engagement member  14  preferably has at least one rounded portion  44  to allow the engagement member  14  to rotate around the engagement pin  28  as illustrated by the arrow A in  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that the engagement member  14  may be of any appropriate shape that allows rotation of the engagement member  14  around the engagement pin  28  for the reasons noted below. See also  FIGS. 4, 6 , and  8 .  
         [0023]     While a cord  38  is shown in the figures for disengaging the engagement pin  28  from the engagement member  14 , any mechanical release could be used. For example, a cam could be used, which when rotated, would pull the engagement pin  28  from the engagement member  14 . Similarly, a bell crank, a neck linkage, etc. would all be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0024]     The base portion  12  also has a bias pin  46  and spring  48  in a cylindrical portion  49  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The spring  48  is again a helical spring, but could be any type of spring or elastic element. The bias pin  46  and spring  48  are secured within the cylindrical portion  49  of the base portion  12  with a plug  52 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the plug  52  has threads on it to mate with similar threads (not shown) on the inside of the cylindrical portion  49 . However, any method of securing the spring  48  and bias pin  46  within the cylindrical portion  49  are within the scope of the present invention. For example, a smooth plug with a set screw or pin could be used. It should also be noted that while the bias pin  46  is cylindrical in shape, it could also be of any appropriate shape. For example, the bias pin  46  could be rectangular, square or any other shape in cross section, rather than circular as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0025]     The bias pin  46  has an upper portion  46   a  and a base portion  46   b.  The spring  48  biases the upper portion  46   a  of the bias pin  46  upward into the area between the flanges  16 , 18 . As indicated in the figures and as noted above, this area is where the engagement member  14  is positioned to be secured. When the engagement pin  28  is pulled by the pulling cord  38  (see  FIG. 1 ) and exits the opening  42  in the engagement member  14  (see  FIG. 2 ), the upper portion  46   a  of bias pin  46  pushes the engagement member  14  away from the base portion  12 . The bias pin  46  also preferably has sufficient length to extend into the space between the two flanges  16 , 18  thereby preventing the engagement pin  28  from reentering the space between the two flanges  16 , 18  and opening  22 . See  FIG. 2 . The base portion  46   b  engages the upper portion of cylindrical portion  49  to prevent the bias pin  46  from being ejected. This allows the engagement member  14  to be reinserted without having to pull the engagement pin  28  out. The operator only needs to overcome the bias force of the spring  48  to reengage the engagement member  14  with the engagement pin  28 .  
         [0026]     As an alternative bias arrangement, a spring element could instead be attached to the engagement member  14  and disposed so as to engage the base portion  12 . When the engagement pin  28  is removed, the alternative spring element (not shown) would also bias the engagement member  14  away from the base portion  12 .  
         [0027]     Typically, the engagement member  14  is soldered or otherwise secured directly to one object  50  that needs to be secured. As illustrated in dotted lines in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the object  50  may be a generally flat member, such as a portion of a car roof, a door, a body panel, a lid, tail gates on a truck, etc. The object  50  may be any object that needs to be secured and may rotate about one edge.  
         [0028]     Another embodiment of an engagement member according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The engagement member  14 ′ may also have a flange  15 ′ which allows the engagement member to be secured in a more typical manner, i.e., screws, rivets, etc.  
         [0029]     Another embodiment of an engagement member  14 ″ according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The engagement member  14 ″ preferably has indented portions  17   a,   17   b  along one edge. The indented portions  17   a,   17   b  are configured to cooperate with the top portion of the bias pin  46 . As described in more detail below, the object (e.g. object  50 ) that needs to be able to rotate around the engagement pin  28  may also need be held in one position. The indented portions  17   a,   17   b  provide a detent-like position for the bias pin  46 . While two indented portions are shown in  FIG. 5 , more or fewer may be used. Similarly, the indented portions may be deeper or shallower, depending on the object  50 , the spring  48 , and bias pin  46 .  
         [0030]     One use of the locking mechanism  10  of the present invention may be with a vehicle and a portion of a vehicle roof. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , several of the locking mechanisms  10  are illustrated in use as an escape hatch system for a race car. However, the locking mechanisms  10  could be used with any type of vehicle (e.g., a truck, car, sprint car, military vehicle, etc.) and could be used at any appropriate location on the vehicle. While the description below is related to the roof of the vehicle, it may also apply to any location on the vehicle (door, tail gate, body panel, etc.). It should also be noted that the locking mechanism could be, as noted above, used in a variety of other situations where a locking mechanism is needed.  
         [0031]     Two of the locking mechanisms  10  are illustrated in  FIG. 6  attached to a portion  52  of a vehicle. The portion  52  of the vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 6  is a roll bar in a race vehicle, but could be any stable, secure portion of the vehicle. The base portion  12  of the locking mechanism  10  also preferably has a securing portion  54  with at least one hole  56  therein for securing the locking mechanism  10  to the vehicle portion  52 . The base portion  12  of the locking mechanism  10  can be secured with bolts  58  to the vehicle portion  52 . However, base portion  12  of the locking mechanism  10  can be secured to the vehicle in any appropriate manner, e.g., welding, rivots, screws, fasteners, metal adhesives, etc.  
         [0032]     Two locking mechanisms  10  are illustrated to be along one side of the object  50  to which engagement members  14  are attached. The engagement pins  28  each have a pull cord  38 , which in turn are attached to one another. As noted above, however, any mechanical release may be appropriate. The operator can reach up and pull the pull cords  38  with one quick movement. When the engagement pins  28  are pulled toward each other and back through the openings  42  in the engagement members  14 , the bias pins  46  biased upward by the springs  48  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) push the engagement elements  14  out of the base portion  12  to release that side of object  50 . The opposite edge of the object  50  can also have two locking mechanisms  10 , which would allow the object to rotate around the corresponding engagement pins  28 , or it may have any other appropriate configuration to allow the object to rotate (i.e., a hinge). Such a configuration is also illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates a roof portion  60  that has four engagement members  62 , two along each of the opposing sides  64 . The engagement members  62  are slightly different in configuration from the engagement members  14  in that they are integrally formed with the roof portion  60  and are more streamlined than engagement members  14  illustrated above. However, the engagement members  62  also have openings  66  and rounded portions  68  as with engagement members  14 .  
         [0034]     The roof portion  60  is then used in conjunction with a vehicle  70  having a corresponding opening  72  to be used as an escape hatch system from the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 8 . Typically, the vehicle  70  is a specialized vehicle in which the escape hatch system would be used only in emergencies, such as in a race car. The roof portion  60  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in the open position, when two of the locking mechanisms  10  (not visible in the rear side of the opening  72 ) have had the engagement pins pulled (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) and the front two of the engagement members  62  are rotated about the engagement pins, one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . While the rear engagement pins have released the engagement members  62  in  FIG. 8 , the front locking mechanisms could have released the engagement members  62  and the roof portion  60  would have rotated about the engagement pins on the rear side of the opening  72 , with the roof portion opening toward the back of the vehicle  70 . It should also be noted that while the locking mechanisms  10  have been located on the front and back of the opening  72 , they could have been located along the sides of the opening  72  as well. It is also noted that if the driver pulls on both sets (i.e., the front and back, or in the case that they are on the sides, both sides), then the entire roof portion  60  will be removable.  
         [0035]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the mechanism according to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.