Locking Mechanism Assembly

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a locking mechanism assembly and, more particularly, for a support member.

BACKGROUND

In previous designs, a paver may be permanently positioned on a structure causing removal of the paver to be both costly and time consuming. Additionally, there is a need to provide wind protection for roof pedestal applications while hidden from the surface and secured to the paver or structure. Therefore, there is a need for an assembly to provide both a way for the paver to securely fit against the structure and a way for the paver to be easily removed from the structure. In the exemplary embodiments presented below, the solution is shown.

SUMMARY

A locking mechanism assembly includes an insert assembly. The locking mechanism assembly further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism assembly further includes a support mechanism having a circular receiver. The locking mechanism positioned within an inner surface of the support mechanism providing rotational movement of the locking mechanism from an unlocked state to a locked state while the support mechanism is in a static state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention is described in more detail with references to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of a portion of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a right side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the invention of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the invention of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the invention of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of a portion of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a right side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of the invention of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the invention of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of a portion of the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates a top side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates a right side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the invention of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the invention of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 illustrates another cross-sectional perspective view;

FIG. 21 illustrates another cross-sectional perspective view of the invention of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates a top side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a right side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 illustrates a bottom side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view another cross-sectional view;

FIG. 29 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective of a portion of the invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 illustrates a top side perspective of the invention of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 illustrates a bottom side perspective of the invention of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 illustrates a right side perspective of the invention of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 illustrates a left side perspective of the invention of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a top side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 40 illustrates a front, top, right side perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 41 illustrates a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 42 illustrates a top perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 43 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 44 illustrates a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 45 illustrates another top perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 46 illustrates another exploded cross-sectional view of the invention; and

FIG. 47 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of a portion of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the Figures, a locking mechanism assembly 1 according to the invention is shown. In an exemplary embodiment shown, a locking mechanism assembly 1 according to the invention generally includes an insert assembly 2 and a locking assembly 4.

In the exemplary embodiment, the insert assembly 2 generally includes a top insert 10 and a bottom insert 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the top insert 10 includes a head portion 20 and a neck portion 30.

In the exemplary embodiment, the head portion 20 is a circular disk. The circular disk tapers towards the neck portion 30. The head portion 20 includes an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 24. The head portion 20 further includes an indent 26 in a central region of the head portion 20. One skilled in art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the neck portion 30 is an elongated cylindrical member fixed to the inner surface 24 of the head portion 20. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment. The neck portion 30 further includes an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34. The inner surface 34 includes a plurality of ridges 36. Each ridge 38 of the plurality of ridges 36 is a circular ring protruding towards the outer surface 32. In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of ridges 36 include four ridges 38 closely abutting against the previous ridge 36. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the neck portion 30 further includes a ledge 40. The ledge 40 is a circular extension protruding into the inner surface 34 of the neck portion 30. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 8-13, the bottom insert 50 includes a base portion 52 and a keyed portion 60.

In the exemplary embodiment, the base portion 52 is a circular bowl shaped disk tapering towards the keyed portion 60. The base portion 52 further includes an outer surface 54 and an inner surface 56.

In the exemplary embodiment, the keyed portion 60 is an elongated cylindrical member, specifically, the keyed portion 60 is an extension tapering away from the base portion 52. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the keyed portion 60 includes a plurality of ribs 62. The plurality of ribs 62 include a first rib 64 and a second rib 66. The first rib 64 is a circular ring protruding away from the keyed portion 60. The second rib 66 is a smaller circular ring protruding away from the keyed portion 60, the second rib 66 has a circumference less than a circumference of the first rib 64.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 14-29, the locking assembly 4 includes a locking mechanism 80 and a support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 is a circular member with a top surface 80a and a bottom surface 80b. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment. The locking mechanism 80 includes a plurality of insert receivers 82, specifically, the at least four insert receivers 82 are positioned on a perimeter of the locking mechanism 80. Each of the insert receivers 82 extends through the locking mechanism 80.

In the exemplary embodiment, the insert receiver 82 further includes an upper portion 82a and a lower portion 82b. The upper portion 82a is a wall vertically extending around the insert receiver 82. The lower portion 82b is a wall coupled to the upper portion 82a and tapering away from the upper portion 82a.

In the exemplary embodiment, each of the insert receivers 82 includes an unlock position 84 and a lock position 86. The unlock position 84 and the lock position 86 are identified by the shape within the insert receiver 82. Specifically, the unlock position 84 is a circular wider passageway extending to the lock position 86 which is an ovular narrower passageway.

In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 further includes a tooling receiver 88. The tooling receiver 88 is a cylindrical member extending outwards from the top surface 80a of the locking mechanism 80. The tooling receiver 88 further includes a passageway 90 extending through the tooling receiver 88 and towards the bottom surface 80b. The passageway 90 is hexagonal shaped. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment. The passageway 90 is keyed to mate with a locking tool T.

In the exemplary embodiment, a support mechanism 100 is a circular member with a circumference larger than the locking mechanism 80.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 includes a top surface 100a and a bottom surface 100b. The support mechanism 100 further includes a receiver 102. The receiver 102 is a groove within an inner surface of a bottom surface 100b of the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver 102, mirrors the dimensions and shape of the locking mechanism 80 allowing the locking mechanism 80 to friction fit within the receiver 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver 102 is a circular groove.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a pair of structural beams 104. The pair of structural beams 104 each extend from one position on the perimeter of the support mechanism 100 to a second position on the perimeter of the support mechanism 100. The pair of structural beams 104 intersect.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of quadrants 106, specifically four quadrants 106. The at least four quadrants 106, each include a plurality of geometric lattices 108. Additionally, each of the quadrants 106 further include a pair of walls 110. Each wall of the pair of walls 110 are each elongated members extending towards a central region of the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pair of walls 110 include an outer wall 110a and an inner wall 110b. The outer wall 110a has a length greater than a length of the inner wall 110b. The pair of walls 110 further provide a gap 112. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a tooling receiver 114 extending through the central region of the support mechanism 100. The tooling receiver 114 provides the tooling device T to be inserted within a passageway 116 extending through the tooling receiver 114.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of stabilizers 118. Specifically, the at least four stabilizers are each trapezoidal shaped passageways extending through the support mechanism 100. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, each stabilizer 118 further includes a protrusion 120. The protrusion 120 is bulb shaped and extends from a wall of the stabilizer 118, towards the central portion of the stabilizer 118.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of stoppers 122. In the exemplary embodiment, there are three stoppers 122, 124. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment. The at least two stoppers 122 is a protrusion extending away from the support mechanism 100 and positioned on a bottom surface 100b of the support mechanism 100. Specifically, each stopper 122 extend downwards from the protrusion 120.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 includes a stopper 124 on the structural beam 104 extending downwards from the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of pads 126 positioned on the bottom surface 100b. The at least four pads 126 permit receiving glue or another adhesive substance. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 30-35, a support member 140 may be a paver. The support member 140 may be a rectangular structure or another polygonal structure. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant’s design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support member 140 includes a top portion 142. The support member 140 further includes a bottom portion 144 opposing the top portion 142. The support member 140 further includes a plurality of side walls 146. Each of the four side walls 146 may taper from the top portion 142 to the bottom portion 144.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support member 140 further includes a plurality of corner sections 148. The plurality of corner sections 148 may have a taper extending from the bottom portion 144 to the central portion of the side wall 146. The support member 140 further includes a plurality of paver insert receivers 150.

In the exemplary embodiment, the four paver insert receivers 150 each allow for an insert assembly 2 to couple within the corresponding paver insert receivers 150. Each paver insert receiver 150 mirrors the structure of the insert assembly 2 permitting a friction fit.

As assembled and as shown in FIGS. 36-47, when a user is ready to utilize the locking mechanism assembly 1. The perimeter of the locking mechanism 80 is positioned within the receiver 102 of the support mechanism 100. Specifically, the locking mechanism 80 abuts the upper portion 82a against the inner surface of the receiver 102. Simultaneously, the stopper 122 extends into the insert receiver 82 of the locking mechanism 80.

In the exemplary embodiment, the tooling receiver 88 of the locking mechanism 80 aligns with the tooling receiver 114 of the support mechanism 100, specifically, the tooling receiver 88 is inserted within the tooling receiver 114, specifically into the passageway 116. The passageways 90 then permits an extension through both locking mechanism 80 and the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 provides a rotational movement within the receiver 102 while the stopper 122, 124 controls the amount of movement the locking mechanism may rotate. Specifically, in an unlocked state, the stopper 124 rests against a far wall of the lock position 86, while each stopper 122 rests in the central region of the insert receiver 82.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top insert 10 and the bottom insert 50 are coupled together. Specifically, the keyed portion 60 of the bottom insert 50 is positioned within the inner surface 34 of the top insert 10. The first rib 64 rests on the top ridge 38 of the plurality of ridges 36 while the second rib 66 rests above the ledge 40, securely coupling the top insert 10 to the bottom insert 50.

In the exemplary embodiment, the head portion 20 is coupled and positioned within the paver insert receiver 150 of the support member 140. The support member 140 is positioned on one of the quadrants 106. The side walls 146 abut against the walls 110 of the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the assembled insert assembly 2 within the support member 140, is positioned within the unlock position 84 of the insert receiver 82. In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the insert assembly 2 is positioned above the locking mechanism 80 and below the locking mechanism 80. Additionally, a portion of the insert assembly 2 is positioned above the support mechanism 100 and below the support mechanism 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, a user may control the locking mechanism 80 from an unlocked state to a locked state by rotating the locking mechanism 80. The user may utilize the locking tool T to control the rotation. The user will insert the end of the locking tool T into the passageway 90 of the locking mechanism 80 and rotate the locking mechanism 80 until the head portion 20 of the top insert 10 abuts against the protrusion 120 of the support mechanism 100 preventing further rotational movement of the locking mechanism 80 and securing the insert assembly to the locking assembly 4. When the user rotates the locking mechanism 80, the support mechanism 100 is stationary and is in a static state while the locking mechanism freely moves from an unlocked position to a locked position.

The above description is only for the specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The equivalent changes or modifications made by the structures, features and principles of the present invention should be included in Within the scope of the patent application of the present invention.