Closure fasteners – Bolts – Multiple
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-12-04
Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Multiple
C292S098000, C220S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325427
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to locking mechanisms and more particularly to a locking mechanism for automatically locking boxes for electrical components, such as junction boxes.
BACKGROUND
Junction boxes usually have a cover and a base which are hinged together. It often happens that the cover is closed over the base but is left unlocked. This may permit access to the interior of the unlocked box by people and animals and/or may permit water, dust, etc. to enter the box, thereby possibly causing damage to the components therein. In addition, such boxes are often made without handles which makes it difficult to pry open the box.
It is therefore desirable to provide an automatic locking mechanism for such boxes which would require a tool to open the box but which would not require a tool to lock the box. The box would automatically lock as soon as the cover is closed. It is also desirable to provide a mechanism which would open the box as soon as the cover is unlocked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these difficulties and provides an improved locking mechanism for a box which will ensure that the box is automatically locked as soon as the cover is closed and which will automatically open the cover when the box is unlocked. The automatic locking mechanism may comprise a pair of resilient latch arms with a lock prong at the end of each. The lock prongs will automatically enter into retaining grooves when the cover is closed to lock the box. A control cam is provided adjacent to the latch arms which is rotated to spread the latch arms and move the lock prongs out of the retaining grooves thereby unlocking the box and permitting the cover to be opened. A spring may be positioned under the cover so that as soon as the box is unlocked the cover will pop open. After the box is unlocked, the control cam is released and a wind-up spring is provided to rotate the control cam away from the latch arms so that the latch arms can assume their original position. When the cover is closed, the lock prongs on the latch arms will again enter the retaining grooves to automatically lock the box.
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patent: 412988 (1889-10-01), Schumann
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patent: 5562317 (1996-10-01), Kuo et al.
patent: 5915766 (1999-06-01), Baumeister et al.
patent: 87910 (1921-01-01), None
patent: 156694 (1932-11-01), None
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patent: 2983 (1902-05-01), None
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patent: 800 955 (1958-09-01), None
patent: 464028 (1951-06-01), None
Avaya Technology Corp.
Luu Teri Pham
Miskin Howard C.
Tsui-Yip Gloria
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