Door locking mechanism and method therefor

• US 6,564,511 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toth Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Frederick L. Toth
• Inventors: Toth, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US09/943,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 493/81, 493/94, 493/97, 493/95, 163/08, 163/24, 163/26, 163/34
• US Class Current: 49/394
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0046 Ratchet mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/045 Hinges for the movable bar E05C17/163, E05C17/26, E05C17/345 take precedence; hinges in general F16C11/04, E05D
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1007 with positive locking
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1071 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/123 with a torsion bar
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/516 for trucks or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions has a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer. A torsion bar is coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame. A rachet mechanism is coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements thereby allowing one to open and lock the door in a plurality of different positions.

Claims

1. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions comprising, in combination:

a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer;

a torsion bar coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame; and

a ratchet mechanism coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements, the ratchet mechanism locking the trailer door in a plurality of different open positions.

2. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a roller bearing coupled to a top end of the torsion bar and to the frame for supporting the torsion bar and allowing the torsion bar to rotate.

3. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 1 further comprising roll pins coupled to each hinge and to the torsion bar for rotating the torsion bar when the door is moved.

4. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ratchet mechanism is a reversible ratchet mechanism.

5. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 4 wherein the reversible ratchet mechanism comprises:

a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth;

a ratchet pawl which engages the ratchet gear to impart forward motion and prevent backward motion of the ratchet mechanism; and

a directional selector coupled to the ratchet pawl for selecting a rotation direction for the ratchet mechanism.

6. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 5 wherein the directional selector comprises:

a lever coupled to the ratchet pawl; and

a spring loaded ball detent.

7. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises:

a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth;

a ratchet pawl which engages the ratchet gear to impart forward motion and prevent backward motion of the ratchet mechanism; and

a lever coupled to the ratchet pawl for unlocking the ratchet mechanism and for allowing the door to freely close.

8. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions comprising, in combination:

a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer;

a torsion bar coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame;

a ratchet mechanism coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements, the ratchet mechanism locking the trailer door in a plurality of different open positions;

a roller bearing coupled to a top end of the torsion bar and to the frame for supporting the torsion bar and allowing the torsion bar to rotate; and

roll pins coupled to each hinge and to the torsion bar for rotating the torsion bar when the door is moved.

9. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 8 wherein the ratchet mechanism is a reversible ratchet mechanism.

10. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 9 wherein the reversible ratchet mechanism comprises:

a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth;

a ratchet pawl which engages the ratchet gear to impart forward motion and prevent backward motion of the ratchet mechanism; and

a directional selector coupled to the ratchet pawl for selecting a rotation direction for the ratchet mechanism.

11. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 10 wherein the directional selector comprises:

a lever coupled to the ratchet pawl; and

a spring loaded ball detent.

12. A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions in accordance with claim 8 wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises:

a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth;

a ratchet pawl which engages the ratchet gear to impart forward motion and prevent backward motion of the ratchet mechanism; and

a lever coupled to the ratchet pawl for unlocking the ratchet mechanism and for allowing the door to freely close.