Joints and connections – Manually releaseable latch type – Having operating mechanism
Patent
1997-02-03
2000-10-10
Kim, Harry C.
Joints and connections
Manually releaseable latch type
Having operating mechanism
403 13, F16B 200
Patent
active
061294780
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a locking mechanism for releasably locking together a first apparatus and a second apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is frequently necessary to lock together two pieces of apparatus in an accurate relationship to each other whilst allowing the two pieces of apparatus to be unlocked and separated when required, and subsequently brought together and locked together again, for example to allow one of the pieces of apparatus to be replaced or for maintenance. It is highly desirable that the locking and unlocking mechanism is both easy to operate and accurate, whilst being secure.
A particular application of this kind of locking mechanism is to conveyor belt systems. For example it may be necessary to lock handling or testing devices adjacent to the conveyor belt in an accurate position such that for example the handling or testing devices can accurately remove and replace, or otherwise handle, or test, articles on the conveyor. An example of this type of system is an automated clinical testing system, in which vials containing clinical samples for testing are transported by a conveyor, with automatic testing equipment adjacent to the conveyor. Such handling and testing devices are conveniently mounted on a mobile platform, table or trolley which can be moved adjacent to the conveyor, and then locked to the conveyor. It is therefore desirable to provide a locking mechanism which can easily be used with such a platform, table or trolley.
It is an object of this invention to provide a locking mechanism that achieves these desirable features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first form of this invention, a locking mechanism for releasably locking together a first apparatus and a second apparatus is provided, comprising: position on the second apparatus mates when the first and second apparatus are brought together, extending therefrom, corresponding to the number of engagement projections, into which the engagement projections are received when the first and second docking positions are brought together, taper from a wide end facing the first apparatus to a narrow end remote from the first apparatus, the relative dimensions of the engagement projections and the receiving cavities being such that as each engagement projection is received by a respective receiving cavity the engagement projection contacts both opposing tapering side walls of the cavity in which it is received and, each engagement projection and the narrow end of the receiving cavity in which it is received are urged firmly together after the projection is received by the cavity and, place in the receiving cavity in which it is received.
According to a second form of this invention a locking mechanism for releasably locking together a first apparatus and a second apparatus is provided, comprising: position on the second apparatus mates when the first and second apparatus are brought together, extending therefrom, corresponding to the number of engagement projections, into which the engagement projections are received when the first and second docking positions are brought together, taper from a wide end facing the second apparatus to a narrow end remote from the second apparatus, the relative dimensions of the engagement projections and the receiving cavities being such that as each engagement projection is received by a respective receiving cavity the engagement projection contacts both opposing tapering side walls of the cavity in which it is received and, each engagement projection and the narrow end of the receiving cavity in which it is received are urged firmly together after the projection is received by the cavity and, place in the receiving cavity in which it is received.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a locking mechanism of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that the above described receiving of a projection by a receiving cavity provides accuracy in locking the first and second apparatus together
REFERENCES:
patent: 2494159 (1950-01-01), Bernstein
patent: 3369265 (1968-02-01), Halberstadt
patent: 3494641 (1970-02-01), Caregnato
patent: 3867050 (1975-02-01), Pitner
patent: 4431333 (1984-02-01), Chandler
patent: 4636135 (1987-01-01), Bancon
patent: 4859117 (1989-08-01), Brandi et al.
patent: 4867595 (1989-09-01), Hoffman
patent: 5253944 (1993-10-01), Preston
Kim Harry C.
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
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