Control docking station for a one or two stage locking mechanism
First Claim
1. A control docking station for a locking mechanism system comprising:
- a locking mechanism comprising two or more female members and a male member each configured to be joined together to form a locked engagement between the female members and the male member, the male member releasable from the female members;
each female member including;
a receiver base having an upper portion and a lower portion including a pair of spaced apart chocks forming a cavity therebetween;
a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a center point that is rotatably coupled to the receiver base about a pivot pin such that the first and second arms are positioned relative to the receiver base, so that the first and second arms are able to rotate about the pivot pin within an area of the receiver base;
the male member including an insert having a key-like projection with a leading edge and a portion opposite the leading edge where the portion has an engagement member;
the key-like projection of the insert being engageable by the first arms of the locking tabs of the female member within the cavity to form a locked engagement between the insert of the male member within the confines of the cavity of the receiver base and locking tabs of the female members;
the engagement member of the male member configured to be engageable to a device that is configured to be operably connected coupled to a safety device;
a first of the two or more female members is operably coupled to the safety device; and
a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal and to control locking engagement between the male member and the first of the two or more female members that is operably coupled to a safety device when the unsafe interlock signal is no longer sensed;
the controller incorporated within a container that includes an exterior surface coupled to the receiver base of a second of the two or more female members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control docking station system for controlling locking engagement between a first female member and a male member that together form a locking mechanism. The first female member is connected to a safety device. The male member can be locked to and released from the first female member. The system includes a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal. A second female member is operably connected to the controller'"'"'s housing. Each female member includes a receiver base and a pair of pivoting locking tabs that is engageable with a key-like projection on the male member. The male member may be unlocked from the first female member when the controller senses an interruption to the unsafe interlock signal or if the unsafe interlock signal is overridden. The male member may be docked in the second female member during safe circumstances and/or the safety device is unused.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control docking station for a locking mechanism system comprising:
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a locking mechanism comprising two or more female members and a male member each configured to be joined together to form a locked engagement between the female members and the male member, the male member releasable from the female members; each female member including; a receiver base having an upper portion and a lower portion including a pair of spaced apart chocks forming a cavity therebetween; a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a center point that is rotatably coupled to the receiver base about a pivot pin such that the first and second arms are positioned relative to the receiver base, so that the first and second arms are able to rotate about the pivot pin within an area of the receiver base; the male member including an insert having a key-like projection with a leading edge and a portion opposite the leading edge where the portion has an engagement member; the key-like projection of the insert being engageable by the first arms of the locking tabs of the female member within the cavity to form a locked engagement between the insert of the male member within the confines of the cavity of the receiver base and locking tabs of the female members; the engagement member of the male member configured to be engageable to a device that is configured to be operably connected coupled to a safety device; a first of the two or more female members is operably coupled to the safety device; and a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal and to control locking engagement between the male member and the first of the two or more female members that is operably coupled to a safety device when the unsafe interlock signal is no longer sensed;
the controller incorporated within a container that includes an exterior surface coupled to the receiver base of a second of the two or more female members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of verifying when a locking mechanism may be safely released from a safety device, the method comprising:
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providing a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal, wherein the controller includes a container having an exterior surface; providing at least two female members and one or more male members where the female members are configured to be in locking engagement with the male member to form a locking mechanism; wherein each female member includes a receiver base having an upper portion and a pair of spaced apart chocks, and a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab has a first arm and a second arm connected by a joint that is rotatably coupled to the receiver base about a pivot pin such that the first and second arms are positioned relative to the receiver base; and
wherein the receiver base of the female member is operably coupled to the exterior surface of the controller container;wherein the male member includes an insert having a key-like projection with a leading edge and a portion opposite the leading edge where the portion has an engagement member;
the key-like projection of the insert being engageable by the first arms of the locking tabs of each female member within the cavity to form a locked engagement between the insert of the male member within the confines of the cavity of the receiver base and locking tabs of the female members;securing a first female member to a safety device and securing the second female member to the exterior surface of the controller container; securing the male member to a device that is operably coupled to the safety device; inserting the male member into the first female member into locking engagement in which an unsafe interlock signal is emitted; sensing for the unsafe interlock signal by the controller; and removing the male member from the first female member operably coupled to the safety device when the unsafe interlock signal is interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification