Abstract:
A location control mechanism includes a striker having a preferably spherically shaped lock ball and a pair of mutually adjacent socket rollers, each socket roller having a complementing preferably hemispherically shaped semi-socket which collectively provide a single preferably spherically shaped lock socket when the rollers are appropriately rotated relative to each other. The striker is connected to a first component and the socket rollers are rotatably mounted to a second component, wherein the first and second components are positionally located relative to each other by action of the lock ball being trapped in the lock socket formed when the socket rollers have been appropriately rotated.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to latching mechanisms for preventing relative movement of components in a plurality of mutually perpendicular dimensional axes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a load latch mechanism featuring a lock ball connected to one component which is receivable into a socket formed by rotation of rotatable rollers connected to another component.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There is a ubiquitous need for location control mechanisms which reliably locate one component relative to another. For example, in automotive applications a door latch is used to hold a door closed relative to the frame, and a wedge block and wedge combination may be additionally used to prevent the door from twisting out of alignment with the frame during driving of the automobile.  
           [0003]    A drawback of conventional wedge block and wedge combinations is that position control depends upon the depth of the wedge into its complementarily shaped wedge seat of the wedge block, and the component location control operates in only two mutually perpendicular dimensional axes.  
           [0004]    What remains needed in the art is a location control mechanism having a simple and robust structure, featuring latch capability, and featuring an ability to control location of components along all three mutually perpendicular dimensional axes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention is a location control mechanism having a simple and robust structure, featuring latch capability, and featuring an ability to control location of components along all three mutually perpendicular dimensional axes, wherein the location control mechanism is in the form of a load latch mechanism featuring a lock ball connected to one component which is receivable into a lock socket formed by rotation of rotatable rollers connected to another component.  
           [0006]    The load latch mechanism according to the present invention includes a striker having a preferably spherically shaped lock ball and a pair of mutually adjacent socket rollers, each socket roller having a complementing preferably hemispherically shaped semi-socket which collectively provide a single preferably spherically shaped lock socket when the rollers are appropriately rotated relative to each other. The striker is connected to a first component and the socket rollers are rotatably mounted to a second component, wherein the first and second components are positionally located in relation to each other by action of the lock ball being trapped in the lock socket.  
           [0007]    Operatively, the socket rollers rotate about mutually parallel rotation axes between a socket open position and a socket closed position, and the striker approaches and recedes from the socket rollers along a striking axis which is perpendicular to the rotation axes. Initially, the lock ball of the striker is separated from the socket rollers, and the socket rollers are in a socket open position, whereat each semi-socket is freely open in the direction of the striking axis. As the striker moves toward the socket rollers, the lock ball contactingly interacts with the semi-sockets. This interaction causes the socket rollers to rotate such that the semi-sockets move into mutual complement, whereupon the socket rollers are at a socket closed position, whereat the lock socket is formed. Now, the lock ball is trapped in the lock socket, and the first and second components are located relative to each other and prevented from movement in at least two mutually perpendicular dimensional axes. Thereafter, the lock ball can recede from the socket rollers only if the socket rollers reverse rotate to so as to release the lock ball, whereupon the semi-sockets are again at the socket open position.  
           [0008]    A number of features may be included. For example, the socket rollers can be asymmetrically shaped to interferingly abut each other and thereby automatically “self-bottom” so as to prevent over rotation when the semi-sockets mutually complement at the socket closed position. For another example, the socket rollers may each have an off-set rotation axis, so that as the socket rollers rotate they cam toward each other as the semi-sockets move into the socket closed position. For yet another example, the socket rollers may be selectively prevented from rotating when the semi-sockets have moved into the socket closed position, thereby providing three mutually perpendicular dimensional axes of relative movement prevention between the components, yet the lock ball may have joystick pivotability relative to the lock socket. Still further for example, the socket rollers may be splined so as to be gearingly engaged with each other, whereupon the socket rollers must rotate in unison. Finally for example, the striker may be configured in the form of a series of mutually spaced lock balls, wherein the lock balls serially engage periodically forming lock sockets as the socket rollers continually rotate over 360 degrees.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a load latch in the form of a lock ball and socket rollers combination, featuring latch capability, and featuring an ability to control location of components along all three mutually perpendicular dimensional axes.  
           [0010]    This and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following specification of a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a striker and asymmetrical socket rollers load latch according to the present invention, wherein the lock ball of the striker is separated from the socket rollers.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a partly sectional view of the striker and socket rollers, as seen at FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a striker and asymmetrical socket rollers load latch as in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein now the lock ball of the striker is engaged with a lock socket formed by rotation of the socket rollers.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a partly sectional view of the striker and socket rollers, as seen at FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 5A through 5C are a series of partly sectional side views of lock ball engagement with asymmetrical socket rollers according to an aspect of the present invention, wherein a detent mechanism selectively controls entrapment of the lock ball in the lock socket.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 6A and 6B are a series of partly sectional side views similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B, wherein now the asymmetrical socket rollers are splined.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 7A and 7B are a series of partly sectional side views similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B, wherein now the socket rollers are symmetrical.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a partly sectional side view similar to FIG. 6A, wherein now the splined socket rollers are symmetrical.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 9A and 9B are a series of partly sectional side views of symmetrical socket rollers similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B, wherein now the socket rollers have off-set rotation axes and cam toward each other as they approach the closed socket position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of splined symmetrical socket rollers which are spring loaded and motor driven.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is partly section side view of splined symmetrical socket rollers having a ratchet regulator.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a motor driven set of splined symmetrical socket rollers adapted for receiving a serially balled striker.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12B is a partly sectional side view of the socket rollers of FIG. 12A now engaged with a serially balled striker according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    Referring now to the Drawing, FIGS. 1 through 4 depict an operational overview of the ball and socket rollers load latch mechanism  100  according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    A pair of mutually adjacent socket rollers  102 ,  104  is provided, wherein each socket roller rotates on a respective roller axle  106   a ,  106   b , and wherein each end of each roller axle is connected to a rollers retainer  108 . The rollers retainer  108  is, in turn, connected to a first component, as for example a frame of a motor vehicle. The rotation of each socket roller  102 ,  104  is about a respective rotation axis A Y , A Y ′ that is parallel to a first axis Y (see FIG. 1).  
         [0026]    Each socket roller  102 ,  104  has a hemispherically shaped semi-socket  110 ,  112 , wherein rotation of the socket rollers provides a complementing conjoinder of the semi-sockets, whereupon the two semi-sockets collectively provide a spherically shaped lock socket  114 . In this regard, the socket rollers  102 ,  104  rotate from an open socket position, as shown at FIGS. 1 and 2, to a closed socket position as shown at FIGS. 3 and 4, whereat the aforementioned lock socket  114  is formed collectively of the semi-sockets  110 ,  112 .  
         [0027]    A striker  116  has a spherically shaped lock ball  118  formed at a distal end thereof. Opposite the distal end, the striker is connected to a second component, for example an automotive door. The semi-sockets  110 ,  112  are sized to match the lock ball  118 , in that the spherical surface  114   s  of the lock socket  114  is closely matched in a snug, complementary manner to the spherical surface  118   s  of the lock ball. A groove  125 ,  125 ′ is formed on the distal side of each of the semi-sockets  110 ,  112 , so that at the closed socket position, as shown at FIGS. 3 and 4, there is spatial accommodation of the striker  116 .  
         [0028]    Operatively, the lock ball  118  of the striker  116  is, as shown at FIGS. 1 and 2, initially separated from the socket rollers  102 ,  104 , and the socket rollers  102 ,  104  are in the socket open position, whereat each semi-socket is freely open in the direction of a striking axis Ax which is parallel to a second axis X, wherein the striking axis is the direction of movement of the striker perpendicular to the rotation axes. As the striker moves along the striker axis toward the socket rollers, the lock ball contactingly interacts with the semi-sockets. This interaction causes the socket rollers to rotate such that the semi-sockets move into mutual complement, whereupon the socket rollers are at the socket closed position and the lock socket  114  is formed. As shown at FIGS. 3 and 4, the lock ball  118  is now trapped in the lock socket  114 . As a consequence, a first component (not shown) connected to the rollers retainer  108  is located relative to a second component (not shown) connected to the striker  116  and prevented from movement relative to the first component in at least two mutually perpendicular dimensional axes Y, Z.  
         [0029]    Since the socket rollers  102 ,  104  are asymmetric, the flats  120 ,  122  are placed so that they mutually abut when at the socket closed position of FIG. 4. The abutment of the flats  120 ,  122  prevents further rotation of the socket rollers  102 ,  104  (in other words, the flats “bottom-out” and stop “over rotation”) such that the striker  116  can advance no further toward the rollers retainer and socket rollers.  
         [0030]    Thereafter, the lock ball can recede from the rollers retainer and socket rollers only if the socket rollers reverse rotate so as to release the lock ball, whereupon the semi-sockets are again at the socket open position of FIGS. 1 and 2. In order that the first and second components be located in all three dimensions X, Y, Z, the socket rollers  102 ,  104  need to be prevented from reverse rotating.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIGS. 5A through 5C, an example of a detent mechanism  124  will be described which selectively prevents the socket rollers from rotating. In this regard, a socket roller  104 ′ is provided with an external indentation  126 . The detent mechanism  124  is connected to the rollers retainer  108 ′ and has a pin  128  which passes through the rollers retainer and interferingly engages the indentation  126  (see FIG. 5B) at the closed socket position. The pin  126  may be biased toward the indentation by a spring  130 , and an external actuator  132  may be used to lift the pin from the indentation when it is desired to release the lock ball  118  from the lock socket  114 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a variation of the foregoing, wherein the socket rollers  102 ′,  104 ″ are now provided with splines  134 ,  136  which gearingly interface with each other. Accordingly, in the operational scenario detailed with respect to FIGS. 5A through 5C, when the pin  128  of the detent mechanism  124  engages the indentation  126 , even though one socket roller  104 ″ is so engaged, both socket rollers  102 ′,  104 ″ are frozen from rotation by the gearing engagement of the splines  134 ,  136 .  
         [0033]    Turning attention now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which depict views similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 with like numbers identifying like parts, it will be noted that the socket rollers  102   a ,  104   a  are now symmetrical, that is, circularly cylindrical, as opposed to the asymmetrical shape previously shown and described. Because the socket rollers  102   a ,  104   a  are symmetrical, they are capable of 360 degree rotation without bottoming out, the rotation of the socket rollers being responsive simply to the movements of the lock ball of the striker.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 depicts a view similar to FIG. 6A with like numbers identifying like parts, except now a socket roller  104   a ′ is provided with the aforedescribed detent mechanism  124  so as to prevent rotation when the pin  128  is engaged in the indentation  126 . As an additional aspect, the symmetrical socket rollers  102   a ′,  104   a ′ are provided with gearlingly engaged splines  134 ′,  136 ′ operating on the principles described with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 9A and 9B depict socket rollers  102   b ,  104   b  which have the roller axles  106   a ′,  106   b ′ mounted to the rollers retainer  108 ″ off-set in relation to the circular cylindrical axes A C , A C ′ of the socket rollers, respectively. As a consequence, as the socket rollers  102   b ,  104   b  rotate due to movement of the striker  116 , the socket rollers cam toward each other as they reach the closed socket position of FIG. 9B. When cammed together, the semi-sockets  110 ,  112  press upon the lock ball  118 .  
         [0036]    Moving on now to FIG. 10, a pair of socket rollers  102   c ,  104   c  are rotatably connected to a rollers retainer  108   a , wherein the socket rollers are gearingly joined by splines  134 ″,  136 ″ and one of the socket rollers  104   c  is rotatably driven by an electric motor  140 . Because of the splines  134 ′,  136 ′, the motor  140  drives both socket rollers  102   c ,  104   c . The motor can have its own gearing and controls so as to provide a rotation lock for the socket rollers in the sense of the aforedescribed detent mechanism. Additional to, or independent of, the motor  140  is a drive spring  142  which is connected between the rollers retainer  108   a  and a socket roller  104   c  so as to bias the socket rollers to a predetermined position, as for example the open socket position or the closed socket position.  
         [0037]    Turning attention to FIG. 11, a pair of splined symmetrical socket rollers  102   d ,  104   d , are now rotatably regulated by a spring biased ratchet mechanism  146  ratchetably engaging a spline  134 ′″. The ratchet mechanism  146  keeps the rotative position of the socket rollers from reverse rotating at any movement of the striker. A release actuator (for example, not unlike that described above with respect to the detent mechanism) can serve to release the ratchet mechanism  146  should it be desired to release the lock ball from the lock socket.  
         [0038]    Finally, FIGS. 12A and 12 b  depict a variation on the above discussion. Now, splined symmetrical socket rollers  102   e ,  104   e  are rotatably mounted on a rollers retainer  108   b . The socket rollers  102   e ,  104   e  respectively have a plurality of semi-sockets  110   a ,  112   a  formed therein serially thereabout, each semi-socket being interconnected by a groove  125   a ,  125   a ′. The socket rollers  102   e ,  104   e  are gearingly joined by splines  134   a ,  136   a  and driven by a motor  140   a . The striker  116   a  is now in the form of a series of lock balls  118   a  connected by links  152  which may be flexible or inflexible.  
         [0039]    In operation, as the socket rollers  102   e ,  104   e  rotate, a lock ball  118   a  is received into each forming lock socket  114   a  and the links  152  are respectively received by the grooves  150 . Accordingly, the striker is movably driven forward or backward as the socket rollers rotate in the analogous sense of a chain and sprocket drive.  
         [0040]    Additional variations on the ball and socket rollers principles outlined above may occur to those having ordinary skills in the related art. For example, an ordinary artisan could envision a conveyance device which operates in the manner of FIGS. 1 through 4, wherein the rollers retainer grips the striker, moves from one location to another, and then deposits the striker thereat.  
         [0041]    To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.