Key release stud

Abstract

A locking assembly comprising a fastener having a locking stud having a locking cavity and an aperture for receiving the locking stud, a lock having material adapted to contract when activated and having jaws adapted to engage the locking cavity of the locking stud when received in the aperture, and an unlocking mechanism comprising rotating body having an opening for a key.

Claims

1. A locking assembly comprising: a fastener having a locking stud, the locking stud having a locking cavity; a housing having an aperture for receiving the locking stud; a locking means having a pair of jaws adapted to engage the locking cavity of the locking stud when the locking stud is received in the aperture, each of the pair of jaws being pivotally mounted to the housing at spaced apart pivot points located diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the aperture of the housing, and configured for pivotal motion in a plane transverse to the axis of the locking stud; a pair of shape memory alloy wire segments, each segment attached to a respective jaw of the pair of jaws and adapted to contract when heated to spread the pair of jaws to an open position; and an integral rotatable body rotatably mounted to the housing and concentrically positioned with respect to the aperture of the housing, the rotatable body having a pair of projecting arms, which extend from opposite sides of the rotatable body; and wherein the arms of the rotatable body are adapted to engage the jaws to forcibly spread the jaws toward the open position when the rotatable body is rotated.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking cavity is a groove around the locking stud.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly.

(2) FIG. 2A depicts a view of the rotating cylinder in the closed position.

(3) FIG. 2B depicts the locking stud in the closed position.

(4) FIG. 3A depicts a view of the rotating cylinder in the open position.

(5) FIG. 3B depicts the locking stud in the open position.

(6) FIG. 4 depicts a view of the locking stud locked by the spring loaded jaws.

(7) FIG. 5 depicts a view of the spring loaded jaws.

(8) FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the locking assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) The preferred embodiment of this locking assembly 2 having material adapted to contract when activated comprising a fastener having a locking stud 4 having a locking cavity 6 and an aperture 8 for receiving the locking stud, a locking means 16 comprising material adapted to contract when activated 14 and having jaws 12 adapted to engage the locking cavity 6 of the locking stud 4 when received in the aperture 8, and an unlocking means 24 comprising rotating body 18 having an opening for a key 20.

(10) The aperture 8 is an opening in the housing 10. The housing 10 holds the locking means 16 and unlocking means 24. In its locked position, the locking stud 4 is firmly held into the aperture 8 by way of jaws 12 closing on the locking cavity 6. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the locking assembly 2 in the locked position.

(11) To release the locking stud 4 from the aperture 8, a user can insert a key (not pictured) into the opening for a key 20. When the user turns the key, the rotating body 18 rotates forcing the jaws 12 to spread. This action releases the locking stud 4 from the aperture 8 and the locking assembly 2 is unlocked. FIGS. 3A and 3B depict the locking assembly 2 in the unlocked position.

(12) A magnet 22 can be added to the locking assembly 2 to assist in providing sensing capabilities. The motion of the magnet 22 will detect the release condition of the locking assembly 2.

(13) It will be appreciated that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without limiting the spirit and scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(14) As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the various arts, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the examples set out and has wide applications in many areas, representing significant advances in the relevant art. In particular, the invention provides a release stud which is far more sophisticated compared to prior art.