Rod lock assembly

Abstract

A lever lock assembly includes a holder having a base and a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls extending laterally from the base. At least one shaft extends between and is coupled with the sidewalls. The cam is coupled to the retainer and rotatable relative to the retainer between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cam includes an engagement member that engages the shaft when rotated to an engaged position. When rotated to the disengaged position, the engagement member is disengaged from the first shaft. The cam may include a pair of engagement members. The retainer and / or the cam may be formed by rolling and configured to have a U-shaped cross-section.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 559,594, filed on February 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a lever lock assembly and, more particularly, to a lever lock having a keeper and a cam, and to methods of assembling and using the lever lock assembly. Background Art

[0004] Lever lock assemblies can be used to secure various components, such as trailer doors. The lever lock assembly may include a retainer, a cam, an actuator shaft, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle can be manipulated to rotate the shaft and cam, thereby engaging the retainer and securing the component. Typically, the handle is configured to receive a lock to secure the lever lock assembly and component. The retainer and / or cam are often made as die-cast components, which are heavy and relatively expensive to manufacture and transport. These components are also not easily modified or adapted to accommodate locking devices, such as padlocks. Furthermore, due to the elevated positioning, it may not be easy to reach the handle to receive and manipulate the lock to secure the handle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Briefly, in one aspect, one embodiment of a lever lock assembly includes a retainer having a base and a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls extending laterally from the base, wherein the sidewalls are configured with laterally aligned openings. First and second longitudinally spaced shafts extend between and are connected to the sidewalls on opposite sides of the opening. An actuator shaft is rotatable about a rotational axis aligned with the opening. A cam is coupled to the actuator shaft and is rotatable with the actuator shaft about the rotational axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cam includes an engagement member that engages the first shaft when rotated to the engaged position. The engagement member disengages from the first shaft when rotated to the disengaged position.

[0006] In another aspect, one embodiment of a rod lock assembly includes a U-shaped retainer having a base and a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls extending laterally from the base. A shaft extends between and is connected to the sidewalls. A U-shaped cam includes a base and a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls extending laterally from the base, wherein the U-shaped cam opens toward and nests between the sidewalls of the U-shaped retainer. Each sidewall of the cam includes an engagement member. The cam is rotatable about an axis of rotation between an engaged position, in which the engagement member engages the shaft, and a disengaged position, in which the engagement member disengages the shaft.

[0007] In other aspects, various embodiments of methods of making a lever lock assembly include roll-forming a retainer from a piece of flat metal, and / or roll-forming a cam from a piece of flat metal.

[0008] Various aspects and embodiments provide significant advantages over other lever lock assemblies and methods of use thereof. For example, but not limited to, the retainer and cam can be easily manufactured and assembled and are lighter in weight than conventional components without sacrificing strength or durability. Furthermore, components such as the cam can be easily modified to accommodate the locking device, thereby providing an alternative and more accessible system for securing lever lock assemblies and components, such as trailer doors.

[0009] The present embodiments of the invention, together with further objects and advantages, will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a rear view of the trailer with the door and rod lock assembly.

[0011] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a lever lock assembly.

[0012] Figure 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a lever lock assembly.

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the rod lock assembly taken along line 4-4 in FIG.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 End view of the lever lock assembly shown.

[0015] Figure 6 is a planar configuration of one embodiment of a retainer.

[0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a retainer.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Side view of the retainer shown.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Plan view of the retainer shown.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 End view of the retainer shown.

[0020] Figure 11 is a planar configuration of one embodiment of a cam.

[0021] Figure 12 It is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cam.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Side view of the retainer shown.

[0023] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 Plan view of the retainer shown.

[0024] Figure 15 yes Figure 12 End view of the retainer shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It should be understood that the term "plurality" as used herein means two or more. The term "coupled" means connected or joined directly or indirectly, such as through an intermediate member, and does not require that the joint be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent. The terms "first", "second", etc., as used herein, are not intended to be designated to the specific components so designated, but simply refer to those components in the numerical order in which they are mentioned, meaning that a component designated as "first" may later be referred to as "second", depending on the order in which they are referred to. It should also be understood that the designation of "first" and "second" does not necessarily mean that the two components, features or values ​​so designated are different, meaning that, for example, a first opening may be the same as a second opening, with each opening simply applying a separate but identical feature. The terms "upper", "lower", "rear", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "right", "left", "inboard", "outboard" and variations or derivatives thereof refer to the view from the perspective of an operator facing the rear of the trailer. Figure 1 Example pole lock assembly and trailer orientation shown.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 , the trailer 2 is provided with a frame 4 that hingedly supports a pair of doors 6 via two pairs of hinges 8. The doors 6 can rotate about an axis defined by the hinges 8 between a closed position and an open position, in which the doors 6 are closed on the doorway of the frame 4. A rod lock assembly 10 is fixed to each door 6 and the frame 4 and can be manipulated to secure the door 6 to the frame 4 in a closed position or to allow the door 6 to move to an open position. It should be understood that the rod lock assembly 10 can be used to secure other components, including other doors, and can be used as Figure 1 Shown oriented vertically, horizontally, or in other orientations.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 and 2 Each rod lock assembly 10 includes at least one retainer 12 and at least one cam 14. Figure 1 and 2As shown, each lever lock assembly 10 includes a pair of retainers 12 and a pair of cams 14, but it should be understood that in some applications, a single retainer 12 and cam 14 may be sufficient. The lever lock assembly 10 also includes an actuator shaft 16, which is rotatably secured to the door 6 via a pair of longitudinally spaced bearing plate assemblies 18. The bearing plate assemblies 18 include an upper bearing plate 20 having a C-shaped bearing member 24 defining a cavity and a pair of end flanges 26, and a lower bearing plate 22 having a curved support member 28 and a pair of end flanges 30. The upper and lower bearing plates 20, 22 are sandwiched around the actuator shaft 16, with the end flanges 26, 30 aligned and secured to the door 6 by fasteners 32, such as bolts. The actuator shaft 16 rotates within the bearing plate assemblies 18 about an axis of rotation 34. A handle 40 is rotatably secured to the actuator shaft 16 between the bearing plate assemblies 18. The handle 40 is rotatably coupled to a U-shaped clevis 42 that is fixedly (i.e., non-rotatably) secured to the shaft 16, for example, by welding. The U-shaped clevis 42 defines an axis of rotation 44 that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation 34 of the shaft 16. The handle 40 can be rotated about the axis 44, but can also be grasped to rotate the shaft 16 about the axis of rotation 34. The locking assembly 50 includes a sealing base 52 that can be secured to one of the doors 6, and a sealing pivot 54 that is pivotally secured to the sealing base 52 and the door, for example, by an axle, about a pivot axis 48. The sealing pivot 54 is pivotable to allow a stem 56 of the handle 40 to be rotated into alignment with a slot 58 defined by the base 52 and then rotated into the slot 58, after which the sealing pivot 54 pivots on the stem 56. A lock or other seal, such as a custom ring, can be secured through openings in aligned flanges 60, 62 of the sealing pivot 54 and the sealing base, respectively.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 、 3, 5 and 7-10, each retainer 12 includes a housing 80 having a base 70 and a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls 72, 74 extending laterally from the base 70. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 72, 74 are orthogonal to the base 70. Each sidewall 72, 74 includes or defines a laterally aligned opening 76. In one embodiment, each sidewall 72, 74 includes a pair of flanges that are longitudinally spaced apart a distance D3 to define the opening 76. The retainer 12 also includes first and second longitudinally spaced shafts 78 that extend between and are connected to the sidewalls 72, 74 on opposite sides of the opening 76. In one embodiment, each shaft 78 extends through the aligned openings 82, 84 in the sidewalls 72, 74, and the shafts 78 are secured to the sidewalls 72, 74, for example, by welding or using fasteners such as nuts or other adhesives. The actuator shaft 16 is aligned with the openings 76 in the sidewalls 72, 74 and extends through them. The side walls 72, 74 are spaced apart by a distance D1 and form a mouth 86 that opens outwardly from the base 70. The base 70 includes one or more mounting features 88, shown as openings shaped to receive fasteners such as bolts, so that the base 70 can be secured to the frame 4. The retainer 12 is symmetrical about the center plane P and is therefore not "manual" and can be installed at either end of the rod lock assembly 10 without the need to orient the retainer 12.

[0029] Reference Figure 6 , the retainer 12 can be roll-formed from a flat sheet of metal 90 having a planar configuration 92. In one embodiment, the planar configuration 92 has an H-shape having a center portion 94 and a pair of opposing flanges 96, 98 that can be bent transversely to the center portion 94 by roll forming along bend lines 99 or other known manufacturing systems, such that the flanges 96, 98 define the side walls 72, 74 and the retainer housing 80 has a U-shape when viewed from the end. Prior to forming the housing 80, the various openings 82, 84, 88 can be formed in the flat sheet 90, for example by drilling. Figure 6 and 9 As shown, recesses 100 may be provided on opposite sides of the central portion 94 or base 70 to facilitate the formation of the side walls 72, 74. In another embodiment, the side walls may be continuous, with the openings 76, 82, 84 drilled or otherwise machined into the side walls. In various embodiments, the metal plate 90 may be made of steel, aluminum, or other suitable materials.

[0030] Now refer to Figure 2 、 3, 5 and 12-15, each cam 14 includes a base 102 and a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls 106, 108 extending laterally from the base 102. Each of the sidewalls 106, 108 includes or defines a laterally aligned opening 110, 112. In one embodiment, each opening 110, 112 is configured with a mouth 114, 116 and an inner peripheral surface 118, 120 that extends less than 300 degrees around the central axis 34, the inner periphery 118, 120 of the openings 110, 112 and the outer surface of the actuator shaft 16, which is disposed in the openings 110, 112 and secured thereto, for example, by welding. In other words, the openings 110, 112 define a sector, and β defines a small sector. In various embodiments, β<300 degrees and can be less than or equal to 270 degrees. The side walls 106, 108 are spaced apart by a distance D2, and the maximum outer or exterior width W1 of the cam 14 is less than the interior width D1 of the retainer 12, such that the cam 14 can be nested within the retainer 12 between the side walls 72, 74. The side walls 106, 108 define a mouth 124 that opens outwardly from the base 102. In this manner, the U-shaped cam 14 opens toward the base 70 and is nested between the side walls 72, 74 of the U-shaped retainer 12.

[0031] The cam 14 is coupled to the actuator shaft 16 and is rotatable therewith about the rotation axis 34 between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cam 14 includes first and second engagement members 130, 132 at opposite ends of each sidewall 72, 74. The first engagement member 130 is configured with an engagement surface 134. The engagement member 130 has an end hook that defines a cavity that opens toward the base 102 and away from the mouth 124. Surface 134 has a flat portion and a curved end shaped to engage the shaft 78. The second engagement member 132 is also configured with an engagement surface 136 and includes an end hook that defines a cavity that opens away from the base 102 in a direction opposite to the first cavity. In operation, when the cam 14 rotates, the first engagement member 130 rotates under the first shaft 78, which slides along the surface until the shaft 78 is engaged by the hook of the first engagement member 130. Simultaneously, the second engagement member 132 rotates on the second shaft 78 and engages with it to prevent rattling. It should be understood that in one embodiment, the second engagement member 132 and the second shaft 78 can be omitted. Even if the cam 14 is configured with only one engagement member, the cam can still be used with a retainer 12 having two shafts 78, so that the orientation of the retainer does not need to be determined prior to installation. It should also be understood that the cam can be configured with a single sidewall, with only the first engagement member, or with both first and second engagement members.

[0032] In operation, the cam 14 rotates with the actuator shaft 16 by manipulating the handle 40 between an engaged position, in which the first engagement member 130 engages the first shaft 78 and the second engagement member 132 engages the second shaft 78, and a disengaged position, in which the first and second engagement members 130, 132 are disengaged from the first and second shafts 78, respectively. Figure 5 As shown, when the cam 14 is in the engaged position, the first engagement member 130 is disposed below the first shaft 78 and the second engagement member 132 is disposed above the second shaft 78. As further described below, a locking device 160 can be used to secure the cam 14 to the retainer 12 to lock the lever assembly in the engaged position.

[0033] Reference Figure 11 The cam 14 can be rolled from a flat sheet of metal 140 having a planar configuration 142. In one embodiment, the planar configuration 142 has a center portion 144 and a pair of opposing flanges 146 that can be bent transversely to the center portion by roll forming or other known manufacturing systems along bend lines 148 such that the flanges 146 define sidewalls 106, 108 and the cam has a U-shape when viewed from the end. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 106, 108 are not bent or formed at 90 degrees from the base, but are slightly inclined outward at an angle α greater than 90 degrees, such as, but not limited to, 92 degrees. Prior to forming the cam 14, the various openings 110, 112 and engagement surfaces 134, 136 can be formed in the sheet of metal 140, such as by machining (e.g., laser cutting), drilling, or other known manufacturing techniques. In various embodiments, the flat sheet of metal 140 can be made of steel or aluminum or other suitable materials. Due to the unique shape of the cam 14 and openings 110, 112, the actuator shaft 16 can be welded to the cam in a single welding operation, wherein the cam and / or the welding machine rotate less than 300 degrees, such as less than or equal to 270 degrees. In this way, the entire manufacturing process is greatly simplified.

[0034] See also Figure 2 、 12 and 14, the cam 14 includes a lock receiving opening 150 formed in the base 102 between the first and second engagement members 130, 132. Figure 2 As shown, the lock receiving opening 150 is positioned and configured to receive the locking member 160 when in the engaged position. Specifically, a shackle 162 of a lock, such as a padlock, can be positioned through the lock receiving opening 150 and around one of the axes 78 of the retainer 12 located near the lock receiving opening 150. In this way, the lever lock assembly 10 can be partially secured in the locked configuration without requiring an operator to access the handle 40 and the lock assembly 50, which can be raised. A seal or other anti-tampering device, such as a zip tie, can also be secured through the receiving opening 150 and around one of the axes 78 to prevent and indicate any tampering.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing detailed description should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rod lock assembly comprising: A retainer comprising: base; a pair of laterally spaced-apart side walls extending laterally from the base, wherein the side walls include laterally aligned openings; and longitudinally spaced first and second shafts extending between and connected to the sidewalls on opposite sides of the opening; an actuator shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation aligned with the opening; and a cam coupled to the actuator shaft and rotatable with the actuator shaft about the rotation axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the cam includes an engaging member that engages with the first shaft when rotated to the engaged position, and wherein the engaging member disengages from the first shaft when rotated to the disengaged position.

2. The rod lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The engagement member includes a first engagement member that engages the first shaft when the cam is in the engaged position and disengages from the first shaft when the cam is in the disengaged position, and further includes a second engagement member that engages the second shaft when the cam is rotated to the engaged position, and wherein the second engagement member disengages from the second shaft when the cam is rotated to the disengaged position.

3. The rod lock assembly according to claim 2, wherein: When the cam is in the engaged position, the first engagement member is disposed below the first shaft and the second engagement member is disposed above the second shaft.

4. The rod lock assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The cam includes a base and a pair of laterally spaced side walls extending laterally from the base, wherein each side wall includes the first and second engagement members.

5. The rod lock assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The sidewall of the cam includes a laterally aligned opening, wherein the actuator shaft is disposed in the opening in the sidewall of the cam.

6. The rod lock assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The actuator shaft is welded to the sidewall of the cam, wherein a weld connecting the actuator shaft and one of the sidewalls extends less than 300 degrees around a circumference of the actuator shaft.

7. The rod lock assembly according to claim 4, wherein: An outer width of the cam between outer surfaces of the side walls of the cam is smaller than an inner width of the retainer between inner surfaces of the side walls of the retainer.

8. The rod lock assembly of claim 4, wherein: The cam includes a lock receiving opening formed in the base between the first engagement member and the second engagement member, wherein the lock receiving opening is positioned and configured to receive a locking member.

9. The lever lock assembly of claim 8, further comprising a lock including a shackle disposed through the lock receiving opening and around one of the shafts positioned adjacent the lock receiving member.

10. The rod lock assembly of claim 2, wherein: The first and second engagement members include first and second hooks having first and second engagement surfaces facing in opposite directions.

11. A method of manufacturing the lever lock assembly of claim 1 comprising roll forming the retainer from a piece of flat metal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The cam includes a U-shaped cross-section, and the method further includes roll forming the cam from a piece of flat metal.

13. A rod lock assembly comprising: a U-shaped retainer comprising a base, a pair of laterally spaced side walls extending laterally from the base, and a shaft extending between and connected to the side walls, and A U-shaped cam includes a base and a pair of laterally spaced side walls extending laterally from the base, wherein the U-shaped cam is open toward the side walls of the U-shaped retainer and nested between the side walls, wherein each side wall of the cam includes an engagement member, wherein the cam is rotatable about a rotational axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the engaged position engages the shaft and the disengaged position disengages the engagement member from the shaft.

14. The rod lock assembly of claim 13, wherein: The shaft includes a first shaft and further includes a second shaft longitudinally spaced apart from the first shaft, wherein the second shaft extends between and is connected to the side walls, and wherein the engagement member includes a first engagement member, and wherein each side wall of the cam further includes a second engagement member, wherein when the cam is rotated to the engaged position, the second engagement member engages the second shaft, and wherein when the cam is rotated to the disengaged position, the second engagement member disengages from the second shaft.

15. The rod lock assembly of claim 14, wherein: When the cam is in the engaged position, the first engagement member is disposed below the first shaft and the second engagement member is disposed above the second shaft.

16. The rod lock assembly of claim 13, wherein: The sidewall of the cam includes a laterally aligned opening and further includes an actuator shaft disposed in the opening in the sidewall of the cam, wherein the actuator shaft defines the rotational axis.

17. The rod lock assembly of claim 16, wherein: The actuator shaft is welded to the sidewall of the cam, wherein a weld connecting the actuator shaft and one of the sidewalls extends less than 300 degrees around a circumference of the actuator shaft.

18. The rod lock assembly of claim 13, wherein: The cam includes a lock receiving opening formed in the base, wherein the lock receiving opening is positioned and configured to receive a locking member.

19. The rod lock assembly of claim 18, further comprising a lock including a shackle disposed through the lock receiving opening and around the shaft.

20. The rod lock assembly of claim 14, wherein: The first and second engagement members include first and second hooks having first and second engagement surfaces facing in opposite directions.

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