Pool Cover Lock With Crossing Arms for Easy Self-Locking

The patent inverts the traditional locking mechanism by positioning the hinge portions at the ends of the arms rather than at the center. This inversion changes the mechanical advantage distribution, allowing the latch to engage easily while maintaining strong holding power. The arms rotate about end hinges, reversing the conventional pivot location and creating a self-locking effect during engagement.

The intermediate portions of the arms are pre-configured with specific geometries that create a self-locking effect during the engagement process. As the arms move toward each other, the intermediate portions interact to automatically secure the latch in the engaged position, performing the locking action preliminarily before full engagement is complete, thereby preventing accidental opening.

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the arms beyond the cavity formed by their intermediate portions. This dimensional extension allows the end portions to engage with the pool wall while the intermediate portions maintain their self-locking geometry. The hinge portions at the ends provide rotation in a different plane, creating a multi-dimensional locking configuration that simultaneously achieves ease of operation and resistance to external forces.

The intermediate portions of the arms act as intermediaries between the hinge portions and the end portions. These intermediate sections transmit and transform forces, converting the simple rotational motion at the hinges into a complex self-locking mechanism that resists external forces. The intermediate portions mediate the mechanical interaction, ensuring that easy engagement at one end results in strong locking at the other.