Description:Field of Invention
[001] The invention relates to locking mechanisms provided in cab over commercial vehicles for locking cabins in their position over the chassis. It more particularly relates to such cab over locking mechanisms that are capable of sensing and transferring information on their locking state to the vehicle operator.
Background of the Invention
[002] In a conventional cabin locking mechanism, sensor positioning to allow detection of its locking state is an important consideration. This is so because even though sensors are ordinarily designed with the objective of having them last the entire lifetime of the vehicle, poor vibration isolation and ingress of foreign elements in the working environment can cause the sensors to stop functioning reliably. Rough handling of cabin locking mechanisms that have been provided with sensors to detect the state of the lock can cause the sensors to develop faults much before the rated lifetime of the vehicle is over.
[003] Given the limited room available for positioning the sensors, the vehicle designers have been continuously struggling to find ways to enhance the sensor’s functioning life by altering the cabin locking mechanism designs. The progress has been very limited, and the problem cannot be stated to have been satisfactorily resolved, thereby leading to continued efforts for development of better solutions. Improvements that can lead to enhancement of detection accuracy, reduces response time for alerts, and minimizes environmental vulnerabilities that could affect sensor performance are still being pursued to this date. Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention, to provide a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state that is highly accurate in detecting its locking state.
[004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state whose sensor is sufficiently isolated to reduce environmental vulnerabilities.
[005] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state whose sensor can be easily accessed in case of it getting damaged to allow it be repaired or replaced with ease.
[006] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state that is highly durable and reliable.
Summary of the Invention
[007] An embodiment of the invention achieving the stated objective, that is a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), comprises of, a latch lever (5), a weld nut (5BF), hook type linkage (7), a hook (13), U-Type hook (14), links (15A, 15B, 20A, 20B), a hook (40U), and a tactile switch (50). In the a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), the latch lever (5) is supported on pivot points given on brackets (10, 12); the latch lever (5) is configured to move along with a bracket (6), the hook type linkage (7) via the link established though an arm (18), and a bracket (12) when the locking mechanism is disengaged. A weld nut (5BF) passing through an opening (5H) and a corresponding opening in the bracket (10), is fastened using a bolt to allow said weld nut (5BF) to come to rest against the head of the tactile switch (50) when the locking mechanism is engaged. A chassis mounted member (1) hold a bracket (40), on both left and right hand side of said chassis mounted member (1), on which the hook (40U) is fixed at its outward facing end. The hook (13) positioned and fixed perpendicular to the top surface of the bracket (40) passes through a support (45) that is also held on the top surface of said bracket (40). The end of the hook type linkage (7) is held in the hook (40U) when the locking mechanism is engaged at both left and right hand side of said chassis mounted member (1). The U-type hook (14) is supported at a point on a bracket (25) and is linked to an upper end of the latch lever (5) through links (15A, 20A, 20B).
One end of the link (15A) is linked with upper end of the latch lever (5) while the other end of said link (15A) is linked along a single point with link (15B) and the link (20A), the other end of said link (15B) is linked with another set of links (20A, 20B) and though said links (20A, 20B) to another U-type hook (14) supported within another bracket (25) provided on the chassis mounted member (1).
Brief Description of Drawings
[008] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings that contain references numerals for indicating its various parts. The description of the present invention would therefore be better understood with reference to accompanying diagrams, wherein
[009] Figure 1 discloses the isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 2 discloses a magnified view of the left hand portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] Figure 3a and 3b discloses another magnified view of the left-hand portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 4 discloses a cut section view of the left-hand portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 5 discloses another magnified view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the sensor provided in the disclosed invention
[0014] Figure 6 discloses another cut-section view of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with some of the brackets removed.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0015] Referring to the set of figures 1, and 2, a cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), comprises of, a latch lever (5), a weld nut (5BF), hook type linkage (7), a hook (13), U-Type hook (14), links (15A, 15B, 20A, 20B), a hook (40U) and a tactile switch (50). The construction of the invention, which is, the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) is as shown in the figures and as described hereinafter.
[0016] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 1 to 4, it is stated that, the latch lever (5) is supported on pivot points given on brackets (10, 12). A restoring spring is provided for the latch lever (5) at the pivot points given on the brackets (10, 12) that allows it to be restored to its original position after having been rotated. The latch lever (5) is configured to move along with a bracket (6), the hook type linkage (7) via the link established though an arm (18), and a bracket (12) when the locking mechanism is disengaged.
[0017] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 1, 5 and 6, it is stated that, a weld nut (5BF) passing through an opening (5H) and a corresponding opening in the bracket (10), is fastened using a bolt to allow said weld nut (5BF) to come to rest against the head of the tactile switch (50) when the locking mechanism is engaged. The weld nut (5BF) with its accompanying weld nut, when fully fastened, exerts the required pressure on said tactile switch (50) to prevent it from sending a signal to the vehicle’s cabin about the locking mechanism being disengaged. The bracket (10) provides the tactile switch (50) with sufficient cover to prevent it’s direct exposure to foreign elements. The tactile switch (50) is the sensor provided for determining the state of the locking mechanism.
[0018] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figure 1, it is stated that, a chassis mounted member (1) hold a bracket (40), on both left- and right-hand side of said chassis mounted member (1), on which the hook (40U) is fixed at its outward facing end. The hook (13) positioned and fixed perpendicular to the top surface of the bracket (40) passes through a support (45) that is also held on the top surface of said bracket (40).
[0019] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 1, 3b, 4 and 6, it is stated that, the end of the hook type linkage (7) is held in the hook (40U) when the locking mechanism is engaged at both left- and right-hand side of said chassis mounted member (1). The U-type hook (14) is supported at a point on a bracket (25) and is linked to an upper end of the latch lever (5) through links (15A, 20A, 20B). One end of the link (15A) is linked with upper end of the latch lever (5) while the other end of said link (15A) is linked along a single point with link (15B) and the link (20A). The other end of said link (15B) is linked with another set of links (20A, 20B) and though said links (20A, 20B) to another U-type hook (14) supported within another bracket (25) provided on the chassis mounted member (1).
[0020] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 1, 3b, 4 and 6, it is stated that, a restoring spring is provided between the bracket (12) and the latch lever (5) at the pivot point (12P1) of said latch lever (5). The tactile switch (50) is fixed on the cabin body at a position directly below to the opening (5H) in the latch lever (5) and the bracket (10) to enable it to come in contact with a fastened weld nut (5BF). The bracket (6) is provided with a projection (6SH) that enables said bracket (6) to be held and rotated along it’s point of support on the bracket (10); the bracket (6) so rotated on its point of support on the bracket (10), allows a projection given on the latch lever (5) to cease to interfere with an accommodating depression given on the bracket (6).
[0021] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 4 and 6, it is stated that, a restoring spring (11) is provided between the link (20B) and the U-Type hook (14) with one end each of said restoring spring (11) being held on the link (20B) and the U-type hook (14). The support (45) has two arms that curve upwards, that are configured to hold cushions (45S1, 45S2) on said upward curved arms; the bracket (25) is configured to be supported on cushions (45S1, 45S2) when the locking mechanism is in its locked position.
[0022] In the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100), referring to figures 1 and 2, it is stated that, brackets (35) fix and hold the left and right end portions of the chassis mounted member (1) onto the chassis. The construction including the U-type hook (14), the links (20A, 20B), the bracket (25), bracket (40) are mirrored on both left and right hand portions of the chassis mounted member (1) with the links (15A, 15B) being the connection between the latch lever (5) and the link (20A) given on the right portion of the chassis mounted member (1). The brackets (10, 12) are fixed to the vehicle’s cabin by means of conventional fastening means. The conventional fastening means used include nuts and bolts of standard sizes.
[0023] The tactile switch (50) receives its power from a vehicular power source. When the vehicle operator or a maintenance personnel desire to access engine below the vehicle’s cabin. They must unscrew the weld nut (5BF) and bolt from the opening (5H). Doing this would cause the pressure being exerted on the head of the tactile switch (50) to be released causing the vehicle to receive an output from the tactile switch (50) to cause it to give warning messages to the people in the vicinity of the vehicle.
[0024] Once the weld nut (5BF) has been removed the person trying to disengage the lock has to push the projection (6SH) given on the bracket (6) to cause the latch lever (5)’s projection to disengage from the corresponding depression given in the bracket (6). This would allow the latch lever (5) to move about its pivot point in the bracket (10,12). The movement of the latch lever (5), given the disclosed construction, would hence cause the hook type linkage (7) to disengage from the hook (40U). The link (15A) would then cause the links (20A, 20B) to move and release the U-type hook (14) from the hook (13). The link (15A) would transmit the force applied by the latch lever to the link (15B) which would simultaneously cause its links (20A, 20B) to move and release the U-type hook (14) from the hook (13) as well. The person would then be free to lift the cabin and inspect the components given in the vehicle’s engine compartment.
[0025] It is to be noted here that the chassis mounted member (1) is through the bracket (35), fixed to the vehicular chassis, and the bracket (40) and the components mounted thereon are therefore also fixed with respect to the vehicular chassis.
[0026] Technical advantages offered by the invention i.e., the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) are-
- It is highly accurate in detecting its locking state.
- Its sensor is sufficiently isolated to reduce environmental vulnerabilities.
- Its sensor can be easily accessed in case of it getting damaged to allow it be repaired or replaced with ease.
- It is highly durable and reliable.
[0027] The disclosed invention i.e. the cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) achieves all the set-out objectives.
[0028] 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 present invention has been herein described in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, can be practiced with modifications within the scope of the invention herein described. , Claims:We Claim,
1. A cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) comprising,
• a latch lever (5),
• a weld nut (5BF),
• hook type linkage (7),
• a hook (13),
• U-Type hook (14),
• links (15A, 15B, 20A, 20B),
• a hook (40U)
• a tactile switch (50),
wherein,
- the latch lever (5) is supported on pivot points given on brackets (10, 12); the latch lever (5) is configured to move along with a bracket (6), the hook type linkage (7) via the link established though an arm (18), and a bracket (12) when the locking mechanism is disengaged;
- a weld nut (5BF) passing through an opening (5H) and a corresponding opening in the bracket (10), is fastened using a bolt to allow said weld nut (5BF) to come to rest against the head of the tactile switch (50) when the locking mechanism is engaged;
- a chassis mounted member (1) hold a bracket (40), on both left and right hand side of said chassis mounted member (1), on which the hook (40U) is fixed at its outward facing end;
- the hook (13) positioned and fixed perpendicular to the top surface of the bracket (40) passes through a support (45) that is also held on the top surface of said bracket (40), the end of the hook type linkage (7) is held in the hook (40U) when the locking mechanism is engaged at both left and right hand side of said chassis mounted member (1);
- the U-type hook (14) is supported at a point on a bracket (25) and is linked to an upper end of the latch lever (5) through links (15A, 20A, 20B); and
- one end of the link (15A) is linked with upper end of the latch lever (5) while the other end of said link (15A) is linked along a single point with link (15B) and the link (20A), the other end of said link (15B) is linked with another set of links (20A, 20B) and though said links (20A, 20B) to another U-type hook (14) supported within another bracket (25) provided on the chassis mounted member (1).
2. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
- a restoring spring is provided between the bracket (12) and the latch lever (5) at the pivot point (12P1) of said latch lever (5);
- the tactile switch (50) is fixed on the cabin body at a position directly below to the opening (5H) in the latch lever (5) and the bracket (10) to enable it to come in contact with a fastened weld nut (5BF);
- the bracket (6) is provided with a projection (6SH) that enables said bracket (6) to be held and rotated along it’s point of support on the bracket (10); the bracket (6) so rotated on its point of support on the bracket (10), allows a projection given on the latch lever (5) to cease to interfere with an accommodating depression given on the bracket (6);
- a restoring spring (11) is provided between the link (20B) and the U-Type hook (14) with one end each of said restoring spring (11) being held on the link (20B) and the U-type hook (14); and
- the support (45) has two arms that curve upwards, that are configured to hold cushions (45S1, 45S2) on said upward curved arms; the bracket (25) is configured to be supported on cushions (45S1, 45S2) when the locking mechanism is in its locked position.
3. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein, brackets (35) fix and hold the left and right end portions of the chassis mounted member (1) onto the chassis.
4. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the construction including the U-type hook (14), the links (20A, 20B), the bracket (25), bracket (40) are mirrored on both left and right hand portions of the chassis mounted member (1) with the links (15A, 15B) being the connection between the latch lever (5) and the link (20A) given on the right portion of the chassis mounted member (1).
5. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, the brackets (10, 12) are fixed to the vehicle’s cabin by means of conventional fastening means.
6. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein, conventional fastening means used include nuts and bolts of standard sizes.
7. The cabin locking mechanism with sensor for detecting its locking state (100) as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein, the tactile switch (50) is the sensor provided for determining the state of the locking mechanism.
Dated 21st day of February 2025

VIDIT CHOUBEY
(IN P/A 5566)
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT(S)

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai