Closure fasteners – Bolts – Multiple
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-02-27
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Multiple
C292S169140, C292SDIG007
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193287
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to locking devices, and, in particular, locking devices capable of locking and unlocking an electronic chassis door within a quarter-turn motion, and being of both a low profile and a heavy-duty nature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Locking devices used to secure items are commonplace in today's society. Locking devices may be installed on the doors of cabinets and the like in an effort to prevent unauthorized usage of the items inside the spaces. Additionally, these conventional locking devices may be installed in, for example, the chassis of electronic cabinets. Typically, these locking devices include a locking device, consisting usually of a lock cam and a lock screw, mounted within the chassis door of an electronic cabinet. Because of these features, the overall depth of the door of the cabinet is ultimately increased. The amount by which these locking devices increase the overall depth of the chassis door has been shown to be problematic, especially in regards to situations in which space is at a premium, such as in laboratories, clean rooms, communications rooms, etc. Additionally, these locking devices may fail during extreme vibration, such as during an earthquake, a move, or other similar movement. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a locking apparatus that would resolve the above problems and still be simple and efficient to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides an electronic chassis door locking apparatus. The apparatus includes an electronic chassis door and a locking assembly. The electronic chassis door includes a recessed region, formed therein, which is positioned adjacent to a latch. The recessed region is preferably of a bowl-shaped divot impressed within the electronic chassis door. The recessed region may further include a guide region. The electronic chassis door may further include a first dimple region, formed adjacent to the recessed region and the latch, and a second dimple region, formed adjacent to the recessed region. The first dimple region and the second dimple region may preferably be oriented at 90 degrees, with respect to the recessed region. The locking assembly is received in the recessed region, and includes a lock screw and a lock cam. The locking assembly preferably is rotatable 90 degrees, between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking assembly may further include a screw to attach the lock cam to the lock screw. The locking assembly may also further include a second washer, received on the screw. The lock screw may further include a head portion and a stem portion. The head portion preferably receives an Allen-head type screwdriver. The stem portion and the head portion are preferably integral with respect to each other. The lock cam includes a first opening and an engaging portion, which allows for engagement with the latch and includes a second opening. The first opening of the lock cam preferably receives the stem portion of the lock screw. The lock cam may further include a guide tab, which preferably extends into the first opening of the lock cam, and preferably is received in the guide region of the recessed region. The engaging portion may further include a beveled surface to interface with the first and second dimples of the electronic chassis door. The second opening of the engaging portion preferably receives either the first dimple or the second dimple of the electronic chassis door, and may also include a beveled surface to interface with the first and second dimples of the electronic chassis door. The total overall depth of the apparatus is preferably less than 0.500 inches.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of operating an electronic chassis door locking apparatus. An electronic chassis door and a locking assembly is provided. The electronic chassis door includes a recessed region, formed therein, which is positioned adjacent to the latch. The electronic chassis door may further include a first dimple region, formed adjacent to the recessed region and the latch, and a second dimple region, formed adjacent to the recessed region. The locking assembly is received in the recessed region, and includes a lock screw and a lock cam. The lock cam includes a first opening and an engaging portion. The engaging portion preferably includes a second opening. The lock screw is rotated in a first direction to engage the lock cam with the latch, and preferably engages the second opening with the first dimple region. The lock screw is then rotated in a second direction to disengage the lock cam from the latch, and preferably the second opening with the second dimple region.
The invention provides the foregoing and other features, and the advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1223455 (1917-04-01), Weiss
patent: 2516550 (1950-07-01), Cheney
patent: 2650124 (1953-08-01), Olson
patent: 3519299 (1970-07-01), Godwin
patent: 4063436 (1977-12-01), Miller
patent: 4249760 (1981-02-01), Conley
patent: 4475311 (1984-10-01), Gibson
patent: 4586736 (1986-05-01), Dougherty
patent: 5064104 (1991-11-01), Milton et al.
patent: 5234236 (1993-08-01), Gromotka
patent: 5878608 (1999-03-01), Alyanakian
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patent: 5927766 (1999-07-01), Rosen
An Advertisment page entitled “Single-hole Mount” (Author unknown, undated, 1 pg.).
An Advertisement page entitled “disc tumbler cylinder cam locks” (Author STOCKLOCKS®, undated, p. 12).
A photocopy of a “Quarter—Turn Lock” (Author unknown, undated, 1 pg.).
Laughlin Kenneth S.
Lecinski Daniel J.
Li Hong
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Browne Lynne H.
Walsh John B.
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