COVER LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

The invention is related to a locking mechanism (A) which enables the attachment of the covers (B) on military vehicles having different thicknesses to the body (C) of the vehicles. The invention is characterized in comprising a locking pin (10) having a partial or complete screw structure; a lock bolt (70) which is coupled to the locking pin (10) and whose tightening distance is determined depending on the length of the locking pin (10) screw length thereon, which transfers the motion at the rotation direction (W) of said locking pin (10) as a vertical motion and which locks the cover (B) to the body (C) and then releases said cover (B) by means of the rotation motion received from the locking pin (10), a lock body (40) which forms a border to the lock bolt (70) and allows the required tightening force to be applied to the locking pin (10), which limits the motion of the stop surface (41) and the lock bolt (70) at the rotation axis (W), having the opposite stop surface (42) thereon and on which all of the components of the locking mechanism (A) is positioned, and a pressure spring (50) which is positioned on the locking pin (10) and creates pressure between the locking pin (10) and he lock bolt (70) and allows that lock bolt (70) to rotate at the same time when the locking pin (10) is rotated.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism (A) which enables the attachment of the covers (B) on military vehicles having different thicknesses to the body (C) of the vehicles characterized in comprising; a locking pin (10) that has a partial or complete screw structure a lock bolt (70) which is coupled to the locking pin (10) and whose tightening distance is determined depending on the length of the locking pin (10) screw length thereon, which transfers the motion at the rotation direction (W) of said locking pin (10) as a vertical motion and which locks the cover (B) to the body (C) and then releases said cover (B) by means of the rotation motion received from the locking pin (10), a lock body (40) which forms a border to the lock bolt (70) and allows the required tightening force to be applied to the locking pin (10), which limits the motion of the stop surface (41) and the lock bolt (70) at the rotation axis (W), having the opposite stop surface (42) thereon and on which all of the components of the locking mechanism (A) is positioned, and a pressure spring (50) which is positioned on the locking pin (10) and creates pressure between the locking pin (10) and he lock bolt (70) and allows that lock bolt (70) to rotate at the same time when the locking pin (10) is rotated.

2. A locking mechanism (A) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising a thrust spring (80) which allows a pressure force to be applied to the cover (B) when the lock bolt (70) that is attached onto the locking pin (10) is at the released position.

3. A locking mechanism (A) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising a gasket (30) located between the locking mechanism (A) and the cover (B) which provides impermeability against any external factors.

4. A locking mechanism (A) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising a cotter pin (90) which fixes the mobile components that form the locking mechanism (A) with the locking pin (10) from the opposite stop surface (42) onto the lock body (40).

5. A locking mechanism (A) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising a gasket (60) which provides impermeability between the mobile components of the locking mechanism (A).

6. A locking mechanism (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opposite stop surface (42) is positioned such that it can limit the motion at the rotation axis (W) of the lock bolt (70) to 90.

Description

THE FIGURES ILLUSTRATING THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1, is the dismantled view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention.

[0020] FIG. 2, is the mounted view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention.

[0021] FIG. 3, is the mounted section view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention.

[0022] FIG. 4, is the view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention that is dismounted from the cover.

[0023] FIG. 5, is the view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention that is mounted onto the cover.

[0024] FIG. 6, is the section view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention that is mounted over the cover.

[0025] FIG. 7, is the perspective view of the locking mechanism subject to the invention located on the cover.

[0026] The drawings do not necessarily have to be drawn to scale and some details that are not necessary in understanding the invention may have been omitted. Besides this, the components that are significantly similar or have the similar functions have been shown with the same reference number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PART REFERENCES

[0027] A. Locking mechanism [0028] 10. Locking pin [0029] 20. Washer [0030] 30. Gasket [0031] 40. Lock body [0032] 41. Stop surface [0033] 42. Opposite stop surface [0034] 43. Connection hole [0035] 50. Tension spring [0036] 60. Sealing element [0037] 70. Lock bolt [0038] 80. Thrust spring [0039] 90. Cotter pin [0040] B. Cover [0041] C. Body [0042] D. Cover seal [0043] 11. First coupling means [0044] 12. Second coupling means [0045] 13. Third coupling means [0046] W. Rotation direction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In this detailed description the preferred embodiments of the locking mechanism (A) has been described only in order to better explain the subject matter and such that it does not create any kind of limiting effect.

[0048] The dismounted view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention has been shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the invention is formed basically of; a locking pin (10) which turns the lock bolt (70) in order to carry out the locking process, a lock body (40) onto which the other components of the mechanism is coupled, a tension spring (50) which ensures that the locking pin (10) and the lock bolt (70) moves together, a thrust spring (80) which enables to take up the gap by applying pressure onto the cover (B) when the lock bolt (70) is in the released position, a cotter pin (90) which fixes the mobile components forming the mechanism to the lock body (40).

[0049] The locking pin (10) which forms the rotation center of the locking mechanism (A) is mounted to the lock bolt (70) by means of the screw thread located thereon. By means of this type of screw-nut connection the locking pin (10) turns the lock bolt (70) together with itself when turned around its own axis. The motion that the locking bolt (70) carries out on the locking pin (10) is as much as the length of the screw of the locking pin (10). This screw length that is mentioned is determinative for the tightening amount of the lock bolt (7). By means of the changeable tightening distance, this allows the locking mechanism (A) to be able to be used in covers (B) that have different thicknesses.

[0050] The mounted view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention has been shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the locking pin (10) is mounted into the lock body (40) together with the washer (20) that has been coupled to the top section. This process is carried out together with the gasket (30) located on the lock body (40). The gasket (30) is used to ensure that the internal parts of the cover (B) to which the locking mechanism (A) is to be mounted are sealed against the effects from the external environment. A washer (20) is used in order to increase the pressing surface of the locking pin (10) on the gasket (30) that is located between the locking pin (10) and the lock body (40).

[0051] The lock bolt (70) is attached onto the locking pin (10) together with the tension spring (50) coupled therein. The tension spring (50) enables the pressing force to be applied onto the locking pin (50) of the lock bolt (70). By this means the locking pin (10) and the lock bolt (70) move together on the same axis. Moreover a sealing element (60) is used in order to provide impermeability between the lock body (40) and the lock bolt (70), which is mounted onto the lock bolt (70) by snap fitting. Following the completion of the mounting of the locking pin (10) and the lock bolt (70) inside the lock body (40) a thrust spring (80) is coupled. The thrust spring (80) creates a pushing force to the lock bolt (70) to which it is attached from one end. By means of this thrust force when the lock bolt (70) is not locked the space between the cover (B) and the body (C) is taken up and pre-positioning is provided.

[0052] In the final mounting step the end section of the locking pin (10), passes onto the opposite stop surface (42) of the lock body (40) having a U shaped profile and is coupled therein. By means of the cotter pin (90) the locking pin (10) is fixed to its final position and it is prevented from being detached. Therefore, after the mounting steps mentioned above are completed, the locking mechanism (A) is ready to carry out its locking process.

[0053] The mounted section view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention has been shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the locking pin (10) that is positioned between the opposite stop surface (42) and the top surface of the lock body (40) is connected to the lock bolt (70). By means of the screw located on the locking pin (10) the height of the position of the lock bolt (70) can be adjusted according to the thickness of the cover (B) to which it shall be applied to. The locking pin (10) is rotated towards the right or left at a 90 angle at the rotation direction (W) and it transfers this motion to the lock bolt (70). As a result, the lock bolt (70) is either locked or released. The limiting process of limiting the axial motion of the locking pin (10) to 90 at the rotation direction (W) is carried out by the stop surface (41) and the opposite stop surface (42) located on the lock body (40).

[0054] The view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention, which is not mounted to the cover (B) has been shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the lock body (40) which is the element of the locking mechanism (A) is positioned onto the cover (B) via the first coupling means (11) through the two connection holes (43) located on the body. The first coupling means (11) which may preferably be a screw is inserted through the mounting holes found on the cover (B) and it can be tightened by means of the second coupling means (12) which may preferably be a nut and therefore the locking mechanism (A) is fixed onto the cover (B). A third coupling means (13) which is preferably a washer is used in order to prevent the unscrewing of the coupling due oscillating or shaky movement of the vehicle, wherein the coupling is created by the screw-nut connection formed by the first coupling means (11) and the second coupling means (12). A gasket (30) that is attached onto the lock body is used in order to ensure impermeability between the locking mechanism (A) and the cover (B). As a result, contaminants such as dust, water and mud are prevented from entering into the vehicle.

[0055] The view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention which is mounted onto the cover (B) has been shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, by turning the locking pin (10) of the locking mechanism (A) that is attached onto the cover (B) towards the rotation direction (W), the lock bolt (70) moved to the open or closed position. When the cover (B) is desired to be attached onto the body (C) the locking pin (10) is turned to the left at 90 towards the rotation direction (W) and the lock bolt (70) is moved to the open position.

[0056] The locking bolt (70) has a rectangle shape geometrically and only one corner thereof has a radius shaped design. A rotation motion that is limited to a 90 angle is obtained by means of the opposite stop surface (42) located on the lock body (40). While the corner of the lock bolt (70) having a radius shape turns without contacting the opposite stop surface (42), the vertical edge shall not turn as it shall come in contact with the opposite stop surface (42). As a result when the locking pin (10) is turned, the lock bolt (70) shall be able to be brought to the open or closed position with a 90 turn.

[0057] The section view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention which is mounted onto the cover (B) has been shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, when the cover (B) is desired to be attached suitably onto the body (C) the locking pin (10) is turned to the right at 90 towards the rotation direction (W) and the lock bolt (70) is moved to the locked position. By means of the thrust spring (80) which applies thrusting force to the lock bolt (70), it is enabled for the cover (B) to be fitted to the body (C) such that it is centered and secure. After the cover (B) is fitted onto the body (C) at a suitable position, the locking pin (10) is continued to be turned at the rotation direction (W) and it is enabled for the lock bolt (70) to pull the cover (B) towards the body (C) by means of the screw connection. As the lock bolt (70) is tightened by means of the locking pin (10), it is enabled for the cover (B) to be pulled towards the body (C) relative to the applied tightening force by means of the contact of the body (C) from the inner surface. After the desired cover (B) pressing force is obtained, if the locking pin (10) is continued to be tightened the locking pin (70) contacts the stop surface (41) and prevents the tightening process. As a result, the ideal force is enabled to be obtained. As a result pressure is applied onto the cover gasket (D) located between the cover (B) and the body (C) and impermeability is established against the contaminating factors or other effects that may be received from the external environment.

[0058] When the cover (B) is desired to be opened the locking pin (10) is turned again to the left towards the rotation direction (W) and the lock bolt (70) is moved to the open position and the cover (B) can be freely separated from the body (C).

[0059] The perspective view of the locking mechanism (A) subject to the invention, on the cover (B) has been shown in FIG. 7. The usage of hinged connections on covers (B) of vehicles creates a disadvantage as the hardware that is to be maintained needs to be easily reached and as the equipment in military vehicles consume space. It is also expected for the covers (B) located on the external area of the vehicles to be impermeable against any external effects. Due to these reasons, the fitting and fixing of the covers (B) onto the body (C) is carried out by means of a locking mechanism (A). According to the limitations mentioned, any number of locking mechanisms can be attached onto the cover (B) according to situations such as the desired impermeability level and balanced pressing onto the body (C) and the size and geometry of the covers (B).