Locking device

US5915766A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Karl-Heinz Baumeister · Balingen, DE
• Dietmar Kopp · Einbeck, DE
• Thomas Ballhause · Herzberg, DE
• Michael Umbach · Bergstadt Bad Grund, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 1997
• Grant date: Jun 29, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T292/696
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Locking devices for locking two components that move relative to one another such as a housing and a cover are disclosed. The locking devices have two catches disposed on one component and opposite to one another and symmetrically with respect to a stop disposed on the second component and arranged in a plane of symmetry between the opposing catches. The catches have hook ends facing the plane of symmetry and the two catches are connected to a common shaft at the ends of the catches facing away from the hook ends. The common shaft is disposed in the plane of symmetry and is movable within the plane of symmetry toward and away from the stop. The shaft is arranged on a spindle disposed in the plane of symmetry or parallel to the plane of symmetry and engaged with a motor-driven gear to effect movement of the shaft. The catches have longitudinally-extending guide elements whose longitudinal axis does not run parallel to the plane of symmetry. The guide elements engage stationary guide pins disposed parallel and symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. This arrangement provides the guidance of the catches when the shaft is moved toward and away from the stop. When the shaft…