Self-Locating Engagement Pin Locking and Unlocking Apparatus

• US 20100331153A1
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Noel R. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Noel R. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Noel R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/139
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45251 Resilient element [e.g., with spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45262 Pin, post and receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32426 Plural distinct positions

Abstract

A locking and unlocking apparatus using an engagement pin with beveled surfaces designed to be inserted between two bodies. As the engagement pin is extended axially into a gap between the two bodies, it moves in a transverse direction to wedge tightly between the first and second body, locking them tightly together. When the engagement pin is retracted, the second body is able to move relative to the first body. A plurality of engagement surfaces placed into one of the bodies allows the mechanism to be locked into a plurality of set positions. These engagement surfaces on the first and second bodies also serve to locate the engagement pin when in the fully locked position, thereby reducing the need for tight tolerances.

Claims

1. A locking apparatus comprising:

(a) a first body having at least one inclined guide surface;

(b) an engagement pin having one or more beveled surfaces slidingly engaged with the inclined guide surface and being axially movable along the guide surface such that the guide surface drives the engagement pin to move in a transverse direction as the engagement pin moves in the axial direction;

(c) a second body proximate to the first body, the second body having a plurality of engagement surfaces positioned to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin, wherein the first body and second body are movable in relation to one another when the engagement pin is retracted, and wherein the first body and second body can be locked into one of a plurality of relative positions when the engagement pin is extended into one of the plurality of engagement surfaces, and wherein the extended engagement pin tightly engages both the first body and one engagement surface on the second body to substantially eliminate any relative motion between the first body and the second body.

2. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first body is stationary and the second body is movable relative to the first body.

3. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second body is stationary and the first body is movable relative to the first body.

4. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second body is slidingly coupled to the first body.

5. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second body is rotatably coupled to the first body.

6. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first body is stationary and the second body is rotatably movable with respect to the first body, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the second body is rotated with respect to the stationary first body, each engagement surface rotates to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

7. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second body is stationary and the first body is rotatably movable with respect to the second body, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the first body is rotated with respect to the stationary second body, the engagement pin rotates along the arc of the engagement surfaces so as to be substantially aligned with each of the engagement surfaces in turn.

8. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a spring to bias the engagement pin toward the extended position, wherein the spring will drive the engagement pin to automatically engage with any one of the plurality of engagement surfaces that are substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

9. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement pin has a longitudinal axis, and loads applied to the engagement pin by the guide surface and by the engagement surface create transverse shear forces within the engagement pin acting in a plane parallel to the axis.

10. A locking apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a wedge block fixed to the frame and having at least one inclined guide surface;

(c) an engagement pin having one or more beveled surfaces slidingly engaged with the inclined guide surface of the wedge block and being axially movable along the guide surface such that the wedge block drives the engagement pin to move in a transverse direction as the engagement pin moves in the axial direction;

(d) an engagement plate having a plurality of engagement surfaces positioned to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin,

wherein the engagement plate is movable in relation to the frame when the engagement pin is retracted, and wherein the engagement plate can be locked into one of a plurality of relative positions when the engagement pin is extended into one of the plurality of engagement surfaces, and wherein the extended engagement pin tightly engages both the wedge block and one engagement surface on the engagement plate to substantially eliminate any relative motion between the engagement plate and the frame.

11. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein the engagement plate is slidingly coupled to the frame.

12. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein the engagement plate is rotatably coupled to the frame.

13. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein the frame is stationary and the engagement plate is rotatably movable with respect to the frame, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the engagement plate is rotated with respect to the stationary frame, each engagement surface rotates to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

14. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein the engagement plate is stationary and the frame is rotatably movable with respect to the engagement plate, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the frame is rotated with respect to the stationary engagement plate, the engagement pin rotates along the arc of the engagement surfaces so as to be substantially aligned with each of the engagement surfaces in turn.

15. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, further comprising a spring to bias the engagement pin toward the extended position, wherein the spring will drive the engagement pin to automatically engage with any one of the plurality of engagement surfaces that are substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

16. An apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein the engagement pin has a longitudinal axis, and loads applied to the engagement pin by the wedge block and by the engagement surface create transverse shear forces within the engagement pin acting in a plane parallel to the axis.

17. A locking apparatus comprising:

(a) a first body;

(b) a wedge block fixed to the first body and having at least one inclined guide surface;

(c) an engagement pin having one or more beveled surfaces slidingly engaged with the inclined guide surface of the wedge block and being axially movable along the guide surface such that the wedge block drives the engagement pin to move in a transverse direction as the engagement pin moves in the axial direction;

(d) a second body proximate to the first body, the second body having a plurality of engagement surfaces positioned to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin, wherein the first body and second body are movable in relation to one another when the engagement pin is retracted, and wherein the first body and second body can be locked into one of a plurality of relative positions when the engagement pin is extended into one of the plurality of engagement surfaces, and wherein the extended engagement pin tightly engages both the wedge block and one engagement surface on the second body to substantially eliminate any relative motion between the first body and the second body.

18. An apparatus, as recited in claim 17, wherein the first body is stationary and the second body is rotatably movable with respect to the first body, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the second body is rotated with respect to the stationary first body, each engagement surface rotates to be substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

19. An apparatus, as recited in claim 17, wherein the second body is stationary and the first body is rotatably movable with respect to the second body, and wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces are arranged along an arc such that, as the first body is rotated with respect to the stationary second body, the engagement pin rotates along the arc of the engagement surfaces so as to be substantially aligned with each of the engagement surfaces in turn.

20. An apparatus, as recited in claim 17, further comprising a spring to bias the engagement pin toward the extended position, wherein the spring will drive the engagement pin to automatically engage with any one of the plurality of engagement surfaces that are substantially aligned with the engagement pin.

21. An apparatus, as recited in claim 17, wherein the engagement pin has a longitudinal axis, and loads applied to the engagement pin by the wedge block and by the engagement surface create transverse shear forces within the engagement pin acting in a plane parallel to the axis.

22. An exercise apparatus with latch comprising:

(a) a frame structure adapted to be positioned on a surface;

(b) a first body having at least one inclined guide surface and being movably coupled to the frame structure;

(c) a second body coupled to the frame structure and having a plurality of engagement surfaces, one portion of the first body being proximate and movable relative to the plurality of engagement surfaces of the second body;

(d) an engagement pin having at least one beveled surface slidingly engaged with the inclined guide surface, the engagement pin being axially movable along the inclined guide surface and being movable in a transverse direction as the engagement pin moves axially;

(e) an actuating member coupled between the engagement pin and the first body to direct the engagement pin between a first position and a second position wherein a transverse gap between the engagement pin and one of the plurality of engagement surfaces of the second body is eliminated when the engagement pin is moved from the first position to the second position along the inclined guide surface; and

(f) a pair of cranks movably coupled to the first body or the second body, whereby there is substantially no relative motion between the first body and second body when the engagement pin is at the second position and the cranks are being operated.

23. The exercise apparatus with latch of claim 22, wherein the inclined guide surface is both axially and transversely inclined and the beveled surface of the engagement pin is beveled correspondingly.

24. The exercise apparatus with latch of claim 22, wherein the actuating member is pivoted to the first body and the engagement pin is transversely movably coupled to the actuating member.