Patent · US Expired

Locking mechanism

US5361646A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 1993
Grant dateNov 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 20, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/2066
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A locking mechanism for locking a first member in any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a second member includes a resilient members for urging the first and second members toward each other to apply a friction force between the first and second members to prevent relative movement between the first and second members. An actuator member for releasing the friction force between the first and second members has a first position in which the first and second members are prevented from moving relative to each other. The actuator member has a second position in which the first and second members are positionable relative to each other. The locking mechanism includes a handle for moving the actuator member from its first position to its second position to release the friction force between the first and second members. The resilient members is operable to move the actuator member from its second position to its first position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.