Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure generally relates to locking mechanisms, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for locking a slidable part at a pre-determined position, such as a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking of a sliding lower leg rest in birthing beds.
BACKGROUND
[002] A birthing bed used in hospitals for delivery procedure comprises of two sections viz. a fixed section and a movable section. In the bed configuration of the birthing bed, the movable section is pulled out and attached to form a full-length bed allowing the patient to rest on the full-length bed. In the second configuration, i.e. during the delivery procedure of the patient, the movable section is removed or slid in to the fixed section of the bed, making the bed accessible for a doctor to carry out the delivery procedure.
[003] It is important that in both the configurations, the movable section of the birthing bed is locked securely in the respective positions for ensuring sturdiness of the birthing bed. Locking of the movable section is also important to prevent any harm caused due to faulty locking of the movable section, as it may affect the patient’s wellbeing.
[004] Currently, some of the available birthing beds or beds with similar functions, do not have any locking provision while the other beds with a locking provision have complex locking system and do not provide rigid locking position which results in shaking and movement of the bed during operation/ operating procedures, which is not safe.
[005] Therefore, there is a requirement for a locking mechanism with a rigid construction which is easy to operate, effective and ensures safety of patient.
OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a locking mechanism for securely locking a slidable/ movable part at a pred-determined position such that the locking mechanism prevents the sliding of the movable part relative to a fixed part.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a birthing bed comprising a fixed part and a slidable part comprising a lower leg rest connected to a sliding assembly, having the locking mechanism which facilitates the locking of the lower-leg rest in a close position and in an open position.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the locking mechanism which provides easy, effective and secured locking of the lower leg rest of the birthing bed at the pre-determined positions.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the locking mechanism comprising a cam, a lever and a locking pin, which locks the lower leg rest in the close position such that the birthing bed is configured in a first configuration during delivery/ operative procedure, and locks the lower leg rest in the open position such that the birthing bed is configured in a second configuration in which the bed is converted to a full length bed for a patient to rest.
[010] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the bed with a slidable lower leg rest and the locking mechanism which allows rigid and positive locking of the slidable part for safety of patient and prevents the unintended movement of the lower-leg rest.
[011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[012] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism for locking a slidable part relative to a movable part at a pre-determined position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[014] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[015] Fig. 3a is a front view of a birthing bed with the locking mechanism, in a first configuration, wherein a slidable lower leg rest is in a close position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[016] Fig. 3b depicts a front view of the birthing bed with the locking mechanism, in a second configuration, wherein the slidable lower leg rest is in an open position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[017] Fig. 4a depicts a perspective view of the slidable lower leg rest with the locking mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[018] Fig. 4b is a bottom view of the slidable lower leg rest with the locking mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[020] The embodiments herein achieve a locking mechanism for securely locking a slidable/ movable part at a pred-determined position such that the locking mechanism prevents the sliding of the movable part relative to a fixed part.
[021] Further, the embodiments herein achieve a birthing bed comprising a fixed part and a slidable part comprising a lower leg rest connected to a sliding assembly, having the locking mechanism which facilitates the locking of the lower-leg rest in a close position and in an open position. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the locking mechanism which provides easy, effective and secured locking of the lower leg rest of the birthing bed at the pre-determined positions. The embodiments herein achieve the locking mechanism comprising a cam, a lever and a locking pin, which locks the lower leg rest in the close position such that the birthing bed is configured in a first configuration during delivery/ operative procedure, and locks the lower leg rest in the open position such that the birthing bed is configured in a second configuration in which the bed is converted to a full length bed for a patient to rest. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the bed with the slidable lower leg rest and the locking mechanism which allows rigid and positive locking of the slidable part for safety of patient and prevents the unintended movement of the lower-leg rest. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[022] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a locking mechanism (100) for locking a slidable part relative to a movable part at a pre-determined position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism (100) comprises an operating lever (101), a connecting rod (102), a cam (103), a locking pin (104A), a knob (104B), at least two stopper blocks (105), and a locking bracket (106) (as shown in Fig.1).
[023] For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the locking mechanism (100) for locking a slidable part relative to a fixed part at a pre-determined position, is explained herein below with reference to a birthing bed (200), wherein the locking mechanism (100) is provided/integrated with the bed (200) to provide locking of the slidable part of the bed comprising a lower leg rest (200A) with respect to the fixed part of the bed. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the locking mechanism (100) in any other system or assembly comprising a movable /slidable section and a fixed section, such as but not limited to, patient examination tables, medical domain trolleys, ICU beds, attendant bed cum chair, kitchen sliding products (kitchen trolleys), recliners, convertible armchairs and sofas, office tables, furniture, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking mechanism as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[024] The birthing bed (200) (also referred to as bed hereinafter) with the locking mechanism (100) as shown is Figs. 3a and 3b, includes the fixed part (200C) and the slidable part comprising the lower leg rest (200A) connected with the sliding assembly (200B) (referring to Fig. 4a and 4b). The sliding assembly (200B) facilitates the relative movement of the lower leg rest (200A) with respect to the fixed part (200C) of the bed. Fig. 3a depicts the bed (200) in a first configuration wherein the lower leg rest (200A) is in a closed position. When the lower leg rest (200A) is in the closed position, the length of the bed (200) is shortened, allowing a doctor to access a patient during a delivery procedure. Fig. 3b depicts the bed (200) in a second configuration wherein the lower leg rest (200A) is in an open position, converting the bed (200) into a full-length bed. This configuration of the bed (200) allows the patient to rest before and after the delivery procedure. The locking mechanism (100) is provided in the bed (200) to facilitate the locking of the lower leg rest (200A) in the closed position and open position, allowing easy conversion of the bed (200) from the first configuration to the second configuration.
[025] As shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2, the locking mechanism (100) comprises the operating lever (101) which is connected to the connecting rod (102). According to an embodiment, the operating lever (101) comprises an extending member (101A) connected transversely to a base of the lever (101). The operating lever (101) is connected to a first end (102f) of the connecting rod (102) through the extending member (101A) with a first connecting pin (102a) at a pre-determined position. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism (100) includes a resting bracket (107), wherein a first end of the resting bracket (107) is connected/ attached with an outer end of the sliding assembly (200B) at a pre-determined position. The resting bracket (107) is configured to hold the lever (101). An end of the extending member (101A) of the lever (101) is connected with the resting bracket (107) through a second connecting pin (102b) at a pre-determined position, such that the lever (101) is pivotable around the second connecting pin (102b). Further, a second end (102s) of the connecting rod (102) is connected to the cam/actuating bracket (103) at a predetermined position. The connecting rod (102) is operatively connected between the lever (101) and the cam/ actuating bracket (103) such that a movement of the lever (101) in a pre-determined direction causes the displacement of the actuating bracket/ cam (103) in an upward direction. In an embodiment, the cam/ actuating bracket (103) is displaced in the upwards direction when the lever (101) is pulled in an upward direction, pivoting about the second pin (102b). Further, the knob (104B) is attached to an upper portion of the locking pin (104A). The knob (104B) rests on and engages with a portion of the cam/actuating bracket (103), and operatively connects the locking pin (104A) with the cam/actuating bracket (103) such that when the cam/operating bracket (103) is displaced in a upward direction, the locking pin (104A) is also displaced in an upward direction, and when the cam/actuating bracket (103) returns back to its initial position through downward displacement, the locking pin (104A) also returns back to its initial position through downward displacement. The locking pin (104A) is spring loaded to allow the locking pin (104A) to return to its initial position when the lever (101) is released, and the cam (103) returns back to its initial position. In an embodiment, the locking pin (104A) includes a cylindrical pin (104Ac) which engages with the stopper (105), a spring (104Ab) inserted on the cylindrical pin (104Ac), a pin body (104Aa) housing an upper portion of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) and the spring (104Ab) and connected to the knob (104B). The knob (104B) is connected with the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A) through a pin (104Ba) comprising a split pin. In another embodiment, a washer (104Ad) is inserted between the knob (104B) and the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A). The locking mechanism (100) further includes a locking bracket (106) mounted on the sliding assembly (200B) at a pre-determined position. The locking bracket (106) is configured to engage with the cam/actuating bracket (103). The actuating bracket (103) engages with the locking bracket (106) through a dowel pin (106A) which is inserted through a corresponding slot provided in the cam/actuating bracket (103) and the locking bracket (106) at predetermined position. The actuating bracket/ cam (103) is pivotable about/ around the dowel pin (106A) inserted through the slot provided in the cam and the locking bracket. In an embodiment, a torsion spring (103a) is inserted on the dowel pin (106A) towards a first end of the dowel pin (106A) such that the torsion spring (103a) is positioned at an outer side of the actuating bracket/ cam (103). The torsion spring (103a) is loaded when the cam (103) is actuated in the upward direction, and when the lever (101) is released, the tension in the spring (103a) provides torque to the cam (103), returning the cam (103) to its initial position. In an embodiment, the cam/ actuating bracket (103) is connected to the locking bracket (106) through a pin (103c) which also restricts the movement of the cam (103) about the locking bracket (106) and the connecting rod (102).
[026] Furthermore, the locking mechanism (100) includes at least two stopper blocks (105) mounted on a frame of the bed (200) at pre-determined positions, wherein each of the stopper blocks (105) engages with the locking pin (104A) at a corresponding position on the frame of the bed (200). The stopper block (105) comprises a cavity (105A) defined in a body of the stopper block (105) to receive the locking pin (104A). When the lever (101) is actuated in the pre-determined direction, the cam (103) is displaced in the upward direction resulting in the lifting of the knob (104B). As the knob (104B) is lifted upwards, the locking pin (104A) disengages from the cavity (105A) of the stopper block (105). When the lever (101) is released to lock the lower leg rest (200A) in a pre-determined position (either in the open position or the close position), the cam (103) returns back to its initial position/orientation, causing the downwards displacement of the knob (104B) and resulting in returning of the lock pin (104A) to its initial position. In its initial position the locking pin (104A) is engaged with the stopper block (105), wherein a lower end of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) is inserted into the cavity (105A) of the stopper block (105). The engagement of the locking pin (104A) with the stopper block (105) prevents the movement of the locking mechanism (100), therefore locking the lower leg rest (200A) at the pre-determined position. In an embodiment, a first stopper block (105f) is mounted on the frame of the bed (200) at a first position such that the lower leg rest (200A) is locked in the closed position when the locking pin (104A) engages with the first stopper block (105f). A second stopper block (105s) is mounted on a second position on the frame of the bed (200) such that the lower leg rest (200A) is locked in the open position when the locking pin (104A) engages with the second stopper block (105s).
[027] When the bed (200) is in the first configuration, wherein the lower leg rest (200A) is in the closed position, the lever (101) rests on the resting bracket (107) in its initial position, the locking pin (104A) is engaged with the corresponding stopper block (105) i.e., the first stopper block (105f), and the cam/actuating bracket (103) is in its initial position.
[028] When a user wants to convert the bed (200) in a full-length bed, to bring the bed (200) in the second configuration, the user displaces the lever (101) in the predetermined direction. In an embodiment the lever (101) is pulled in an upward direction, wherein the lever (101) pivots about the second connecting pin (102b) up to a pre-determined orientation. When the user actuates the lever (101), the cam/ actuating bracket (103) is displaced in the upward direction up to a predetermined height and orientation, through the connecting rod (102). The displacement of the cam/ actuating bracket (103) results in the lifting of the knob (104B) and the locking pin (104A) in the upward direction. This causes the locking pin (104A) to disengage from the corresponding stopper block (105) (first stopper block) as the lower end of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) retracts from the cavity (105A) of the stopper block (105). The disengagement of the locking pin (104A) allows the movement of the lower leg rest (200A) with respect to the fixed part (200C) of the bed (200), through the sliding assembly (200B). When the lower leg rest (200A) is moved/slid into its open position, converting the bed (200) into a full-length bed, to lock the lower leg rest (200A) in the closed position, the user releases the lever (101). When the lever (101) is released, the cam (103) returns to its initial position and orientation due to the torsion provided by the torsional spring (103a). The displacement of the cam (103) to its initial position, causes the downward displacement of the knob (104B) and the locking pin (104A). The spring (104Ab) provided in the locking pin (104A) brings back the locking pin (104A) to its initial position, whereby the locking pin (104A) engages with the corresponding stopper block (105) (second stopper block) when the lower end of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) is inserted into the cavity (105A) of the locking pin (104A). The engagement of the locking pin (104A) with the stopper block (105) ensures that lower leg rest (200A) is locked in the open position. The same process is repeated when the bed (200) is converted from the second configuration into the first configuration.
[029] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein are mentioned hereinafter. The slidable lower leg rest and the locking mechanism make the bed rigid in both configurations by ensuring positive locking for safety of patient. The locking mechanism also prevents the unintended movement of the lower-leg rest. Further, the locking mechanism enables the safe, light weight and rigid locking for lower leg rest in birthing bed. The locking pin is always spring loaded and due to this it always remains in lock position. Further, the cam is designed such that it restricts the movement of the locking pin without any load therefore ensuring the positive locking of the locking pin. The lever shape, orientation and connecting rod position is designed such that the effort required to operate the lever is optimum. The bed with the locking mechanism eliminates the need for separate beds for resting and during delivery procedure of the patient.
[030] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A bed (200) comprising a fixed part (200C), a movable part (200A), wherein said movable part (200A) is slidable with respect to said fixed part (200C) from a close (or initial) position to an open (or second) position, and a locking mechanism (100), said locking mechanism (100) comprising:
an operating lever (101);
a cam/ actuating bracket (103) operatively connected with said operating lever (101) with a connecting rod (102a);
a locking pin assembly (104) comprising a knob (104B) and a locking pin (104A) connected to said knob (104B), wherein said knob (104B) is operatively coupled with said cam (103);
at least two stopper blocks (105) mounted on a fame of said bed (200) at pre-determined positions and configured to engage with said locking pin (104A) at said predetermined positions; and
a locking bracket (106) mounted on said movable part (200B) at a predetermined position and operatively connected with said cam (103) such that said cam (103) is pivotable about a predetermined point on said locking bracket (106);
wherein said locking mechanism (100) is configured to
unlock said movable part (200A) from the pre-determined position, when said lever (101) is actuated in a pre-determined direction, whereby said cam (103) is displaced in an upward direction, lifting said knob (104B) and lock pin (104A) in the upward direction such that said lock pin (104A) dis-engages from the corresponding stopper block (105); and
lock said movable part (200A) in the pre-determined position, when said lever (101) is released from said actuating position, whereby said cam (103) is displaced back to its initial position, lowering said knob (104B) and lock pin (104A) to their initial position such that said locking pin (104A) engages with the corresponding stopper block (105).
2. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bed (200) comprises a birthing bed, said movable part comprising a lower leg rest (200A) attached to a sliding assembly (200B), wherein said sliding assembly (200B) facilitates movement of said lower leg rest (200A) from a close position to an open position.

3. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism (100) locks said lower leg rest (200A) in at least one of the close position and the open position.

4. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism (100) comprises
a first stopper block (105f) mounted on said frame of said bed (200), corresponding to the closed position of the lower leg rest (200A); and
a second stopper block (105s) mounted on said frame of said bed (200), corresponding to the open position of the lower leg rest (200A).

5. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bed (200) is converted to a first configuration when said lower leg rest (200A) is locked in a closed position, wherein a length of said bed (200) is reduced in said first configuration.

6. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bed (200) is converted to a second configuration when said lower leg rest (200A) is locked in the open position, wherein said bed (200) is extended to its full length.

7. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a resting bracket (107) mounted on the movable part (200A) at a pre-determined position and configured to hold said lever (101).

8. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said operating lever (101) comprises an extending member (101A) connected transversely to a base of the lever (101).
9. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said operating lever (101) is connected to a first end (102f) of the connecting rod (102) through the extending member (101A) with a first connecting pin (102a) at a pre-determined position.

10. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a lower end of the extending member (101A) of the lever (101) is connected to the resting bracket (107) with a second connecting pin (102b) at a pre-determined position, such that the lever (101) is pivotable around the second connecting pin (102b).

11. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking pin (101A) comprises
a cylindrical pin (104Ac) configured to engage with said stopper (105);
a spring (104Ab) inserted on the cylindrical pin (104Ac), wherein said spring (104Ab) is configured to provide force to the locking pin (104A) to return to its initial position when the lever (101) is released, and the cam (103) returns back to its initial position; and
a pin body (101Aa) housing an upper portion of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) and the spring (104Ab), and connected to the knob (104B).

12. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said knob (104B) is connected with the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A) through a pin (104Ba) comprising a split pin.

13. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said locking assembly comprises a washer (104Ad) inserted between the knob (104B) and the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A).

14. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating bracket (103) is connected with said locking bracket (106) with a dowel pin (106A).

15. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said dowel pin (106A) is inserted through a corresponding slot defined in the cam/actuating bracket (103) and the locking bracket (106) at predetermined position, such that the actuating bracket/ cam (103) is pivotable about the dowel pin (106A).

16. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said locking mechanism (100) comprises a torsion spring (103a) inserted on the dowel pin (106A) towards a first end of the dowel pin (106A) such that said torsion spring (103a) is positioned at an outer side of the actuating bracket/ cam (103).

17. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein said torsion spring (103a) is configured such that the torsion spring (103a) is loaded when the cam (103) is actuated in the upward direction, and the tension in the torsion spring (103a) provides torque to the cam (103) when the lever (101) is released, returning the cam (103) to its initial position.

18. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam/ actuating bracket (103) is connected to the locking bracket (106) through a pin (103c) which is configured to restrict the movement of the cam (103) about the locking bracket (106) and the connecting rod (102).

19. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper block (105) comprises a cavity (105A) defined in a body of the stopper block (105) to receive the locking pin (104A).

20. A locking mechanism (100) for locking a movable part of an assembly with respect to a fixed part of the assembly in at least two positions, said locking mechanism (200) comprising:
an operating lever (101);
a cam/ actuating bracket (103) operatively connected with said operating lever (101) with a connecting rod (102a);
a locking pin assembly (104) comprising a knob (104B) and a locking pin (104A) connected to said knob (104B), wherein said knob (104B) is operatively coupled with said cam (103);
at least two stopper blocks (105) mounted on a body of said assembly corresponding to said at least two pre-determined positions, and configured to engage with said locking pin (104A) at said predetermined positions; and
a locking bracket (106) mounted on said movable part (200B) at a predetermined position and operatively connected with said cam (103) such that said cam (103) is pivotable about a predetermined point on said locking bracket (106);
wherein said locking mechanism (100) is configured to
unlock said movable part (200A) from the pre-determined position, when said lever (101) is actuated in a pre-determined direction, whereby said cam (103) is displaced in an upward direction, lifting said knob (104B) and lock pin (104A) in the upward direction such that said lock pin (104A) dis-engages from the corresponding stopper block (105); and
lock said movable part (200A) in the pre-determined position, when said lever (101) is released from said actuating position, whereby said cam (103) is displaced back to its initial position, lowering said knob (104B) and lock pin (104A) to their initial position such that said locking pin (104A) engages with the corresponding stopper block (105).

21. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said locking mechanism (100) comprises a resting bracket (107) mounted on the movable part at a pre-determined position and configured to hold said lever (101).

22. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 21, wherein said operating lever (101) comprises an extending member (101A) connected transversely to a base of the lever (101).

23. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 22, wherein said operating lever (101) is connected to a first end (102f) of the connecting rod (102) through the extending member (101A) with a first connecting pin (102a) at a pre-determined position.

24. The bed (200) as claimed in claim 22, wherein a lower end of the extending member (101A) of the lever (101) is connected to the resting bracket (107) with a second connecting pin (102b) at a pre-determined position, such that the lever (101) is pivotable around the second connecting pin (102b).

25. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said locking pin (101A) comprises
a cylindrical pin (104Ac) configured to engage with said stopper (105);
a spring (104Ab) inserted on the cylindrical pin (104Ac), wherein said spring (104Ab) is configured to provide force to the locking pin (104A) to return to its initial position when the lever (101) is released and the cam (103) returns back to its initial position; and
a pin body (101Aa) housing an upper portion of the cylindrical pin (104Ac) and the spring (104Ab),and connected to the knob (104B).

26. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 25, wherein said knob (104B) is connected with the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A) through a pin (104Ba) comprising a split pin.

27. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 26, wherein said locking assembly comprises a washer (104Ad) inserted between the knob (104B) and the pin body (104Aa) of the locking pin (104A).

28. locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said actuating bracket (103) is connected with said locking bracket (106) with a dowel pin (106A).

29. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 28, wherein said dowel pin (106A) is inserted through a corresponding slot defined in the cam/actuating bracket (103) and the locking bracket (106) at predetermined position, such that the actuating bracket/ cam (103) is pivotable about the dowel pin (106A).

30. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 28, wherein said locking mechanism (100) comprises a torsion spring (103a) inserted on the dowel pin (106A) towards a first end of the dowel pin (106A) such that said torsion spring (103a) is positioned at an outer side of the actuating bracket/ cam (103).

31. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 30, wherein said torsion spring (103a) is configured such that the torsion spring (103a) is loaded when the cam (103) is actuated in the upward direction, and the tension in the torsion spring (103a) provides torque to the cam (103) when the lever (101) is released, returning the cam (103) to its initial position.

32. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the cam/ actuating bracket (103) is connected to the locking bracket (106) through a pin (103c) which is configured to restrict the movement of the cam (103) about the locking bracket (106) and the connecting rod (102).

33. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the stopper block (105) comprises a cavity (105A) defined in a body of the stopper block (105) to receive the locking pin (104A).