Lid locking device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lid locking device comprising:
- a lid pivotally attached to a body for covering an opening in the body;
a pawl fixedly attached to the lid;
a base fixedly attached to the body and having a guide portion;
a plunger supported by the guide portion so as to be movable in the axial direction, said plunger having a first projection and having an end which is engagable with the pawl;
a first spring means for urging the plunger towards the pawl;
a motor having a shaft with a worm gear fixedly attached to said shaft, said motor, when actuated, transmitting rotational movement to said worm gear via said shaft;
a worm-wheel provided at a peripheral portion of the worm gear and having a plurality of teeth which are meshed with the worm gear so that rotational movement is transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel so as to move the worm-wheel from an original position to a displaced position and vice versa;
a second projection projecting from the worm-wheel, said worm-wheel being rotatably mounted on the base to engage the first projection projecting from the plunger; and
a second spring means for returning the worm-wheel to said original position upon disengaging the plunger from the pawl;
wherein rotational movement transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel rotates said worm-wheel in a first rotational direction to the displaced position and causes the second projection to engage and move the first projection and the plunger in the axial direction, thereby disengaging the plunger from the pawl; and
wherein the second spring means returns the worm-wheel to the original position by rotating said worm-wheel in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lid locking device for a vehicle has a pawl attached to the lid and engaged by a retractable plunger. The plunger is retracted by contacting a projection of a rotatable worm-wheel to permit opening of the lid. The worm-wheel is rotated into position by a worm gear mounted on a rotating shaft. The worm-wheel and plunger are returned to their original positions by the release of energy stored in springs during the retraction of the plunger.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A lid locking device comprising:
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a lid pivotally attached to a body for covering an opening in the body; a pawl fixedly attached to the lid; a base fixedly attached to the body and having a guide portion; a plunger supported by the guide portion so as to be movable in the axial direction, said plunger having a first projection and having an end which is engagable with the pawl; a first spring means for urging the plunger towards the pawl; a motor having a shaft with a worm gear fixedly attached to said shaft, said motor, when actuated, transmitting rotational movement to said worm gear via said shaft; a worm-wheel provided at a peripheral portion of the worm gear and having a plurality of teeth which are meshed with the worm gear so that rotational movement is transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel so as to move the worm-wheel from an original position to a displaced position and vice versa; a second projection projecting from the worm-wheel, said worm-wheel being rotatably mounted on the base to engage the first projection projecting from the plunger; and a second spring means for returning the worm-wheel to said original position upon disengaging the plunger from the pawl; wherein rotational movement transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel rotates said worm-wheel in a first rotational direction to the displaced position and causes the second projection to engage and move the first projection and the plunger in the axial direction, thereby disengaging the plunger from the pawl; and wherein the second spring means returns the worm-wheel to the original position by rotating said worm-wheel in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A lid locking device comprising:
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a lid pivotally attached to a body for covering an opening in the body; a pawl fixedly attached to the lid; a base fixedly attached to the body and having a guide portion; a plunger supported by the guide portion so as to be movable in the axial direction, said plunger having a first projection and having an end which is engagable with the pawl in a first position; a spring means for urging the plunger towards the pawl; a motor having a shaft with a worm gear fixedly attached to said shaft, said motor, when actuated, transmitting rotational movement to said worm gear via said shaft; a worm-wheel provided at a peripheral portion of the worm gear and having a plurality of teeth which are meshed with the worm gear so that rotational movement is transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel so as to move the worm-wheel from an original position to a displaced position and vice versa; and a second projection projecting from the worm-wheel, said worm-wheel being rotatably mounted on the base to engage the first projection projecting from the plunger; wherein rotational movement transmitted from the worm gear to the worm-wheel rotates said worm-wheel in a first rotational direction to the displaced position and causes the second projection to engage and move the first projection and the plunger in the axial direction from said first position to a second position, thereby disengaging the plunger from the pawl; and wherein said spring means returns said plunger to said first position after said disengagement with said pawl. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification