Self-Locating Engagement Pin Locking and Unlocking Apparatus
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A locking apparatus comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A locking apparatus comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A locking apparatus comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An exercise apparatus with latch comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification