DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to a locking mechanism and more particularly to a modular mounting mechanism for securely locking/unlocking at least two cargo boxes placed on a transport vehicle in order to deliver a cargo safely without any misplacement and breakage, thereby making the cargo deliveries more reliable and fully protected.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many mounting frames are used for placing a cargo box on a two-wheeler vehicle. Such cargo boxes are used for storing inventory items. These boxes are capable of being carried, rolled, and moved by using any shipping vehicle (two-wheeler, three-wheeler, or four-wheeler). These cargo boxes are of various sizes and it is difficult to carry many boxes on the vehicle at the same time.
[0003] Many types of mounting mechanisms are present in the market for engaging two or more cargo boxes on the vehicle, and it is also applied to other products/assemblies like battery latching mechanisms on the vehicle, storage racks, bulk chargers, etc. In these types of mechanisms, the elastic member is used for securing these types of entities, for e.g. people using hinge and buckle arrangements.
[0004] Many vehicles are designed to carry multiple cargoes, the area for cargo is specifically designed to be filled with boxes or other cargo, and this area itself is a part of the structure of the vehicle by using the locking mechanism. For example, the US8459911B1 discloses a cargo locking mechanisms and structures. Locking mechanisms and assemblies for securing cargo to a transportation platform without requiring the use of strapping or equivalent. Advantageously, the locking mechanism may be integrated into a container such that each container may be interlocked with an underlying and/or overlying container. Autolocking variations to the locking mechanism provide a more automated, secure and less labor-intensive way to secure cargo.
[0005] The above prior art does not include a slider and a pusher for locking/unlocking the containers. The conventional methods of keeping any heavy physical structure in a fixed/locked state are not much efficient. For example – in the delivery of the cargo boxes, there are so many cases where because of less efficient locking mechanism, the cargo boxes are loosely placed, and eventually either they slide to fall or get detached. At the same time, it is also not satisfactory to the driver of the shipping vehicle because it distracts the driver in manually checking the engagement of the cargo boxes so that no boxes get fallen.
[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a need to provide a mechanism that is an enhancement to the conventional mechanism. The present mechanism is capable of fixing at least first cargo box with at least second cargo box by using a first frame member with a locking pin and a second frame member. It also provides secure locking of any type of rear module placed on the two-wheeler vehicle and assemblies like battery latching mechanism on a vehicle, storage racks, bulk chargers, etc.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that helps in securely locking various modules such as a cargo box or a pillion seat in the desired position (i.e. a rear frame), battery latching mechanism on a vehicle, storage racks, bulk chargers, etc. by including a first frame member with a locking pin and a second frame member with a keyhole cut out.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that helps in saving manual efforts by continuously checking whether the modules are properly locked or not so that no cargo gets fall and misplaced.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a scalable/versatile mechanism that may add multiple features/accessories with minimal changes in the mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a multipurpose apparatus used for securely locking various modules like at least two cargo boxes or a pillion seat in the desired position (i.e. a rear frame), battery latching mechanism on a vehicle, storage racks, bulk chargers, etc. and prevents it from being displaced during use of the shipping vehicle. This mechanism helps the driver to deliver the cargo items to the customers in a convenient manner by engaging the cargo boxes with each other. This mechanism keeps locking/unlocking independent of moving the module/box on it, thereby reducing the chances of misplacement of the cargo.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a modular mounting mechanism, comprising, a first frame member having a flat base member and a circular locking pin, wherein the first frame member is releasably attached with at least first cargo box with help of a fixing unit that is either a permanent fixation like welding etc. or a temporary fixation using a screw, nuts, bolts, etc., wherein the base member is made up of any one of a metal, alloy, fiber, or any other such mixture of materials, a second frame member having a plurality of attachment fixtures and a rail structure, wherein the second frame member is releasably attached with at least second cargo, wherein the modular mounting mechanism is placed on anyone of a pillion seat of a two-wheeler vehicle, three- wheeler vehicle, top or roof of the four-wheeler vehicles.
[0012] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, the modular mounting mechanism further comprising, a slider with a pusher attached on an outer surface of the second frame member by using the plurality of attachment fixtures like using screw and bolts etc., wherein the slider has a keyhole cutout with a larger part and a stem part for receiving a head of the locking pin and a spring placed between the pusher and one of the plurality of attachment fixtures, wherein the at least first cargo box is lowered onto the at least second cargo box in a way that the head of the locking pin engages into the larger part of the keyhole cutout and the base part engages on the rail structures, wherein a user slides the slider from a first portion to a second portion of the rail structure by using the pusher to move the locking pin into the stem part of the keyhole cutout in order to attach the at least first cargo box with the at least second cargo box, wherein the at least first cargo box includes the plurality of the first frame member and the plurality of the second frame member that is placed diagonally to each other for engaging the at least second cargo box with similar diagonally opposite configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of mechanisms, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions /are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[0014] Fig.1 is a front perspective view 100 of a modular mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment of a present invention;
[0015] Fig.2A & 2B is a perspective view illustrating a first frame member and a slider with keyhole cutout, according to an embodiment of a present invention;
[0016] Fig.3 is a sectional view of the modular mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment of a present invention;
[0017] Fig.4 is a top view of at least first cargo box illustrating a placement of the first frame member and the second frame member, according to an embodiment of a present invention;
[0018] Fig.5 is a front perspective view of engagement of the at least first cargo box with at least second cargo box, according to an embodiment of a present invention; and
[0019] Fig.6 is a front perspective view of engagement of the at least first cargo box with at least second cargo box on a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of a present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0021] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0022] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any apparatus and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred apparatus and methods are now described.
[0023] The present invention relates to a module locking apparatus. The mounting mechanism is utilized in mounting several small-sized cargo boxes onto a rear frame of a two-wheeler vehicle, in place of the rear seat when removed. In another embodiment, the mounting mechanism may be utilized in three or four-wheeler vehicles as well to mount other luggage boxes or any other cargo carrying items like for example a carrier being mounted on a roof top of a car, etc.
[0024] The modular mounting mechanism may be used for various other functions. The advantage of using such a mounting mechanism is that it keeps locking/unlocking independent of moving the module/box on it. This is a stand-alone hardware design that may also be applied to other products/assemblies like battery latching mechanism on the vehicle, storage racks, bulk chargers, etc.
[0025] Fig.1 is a front perspective view 100 of a modular mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment of a present invention. The modular mechanism may be made up of two parts. A first frame member 102 and a second frame member 106. The first frame member 102 is releasably attached with at least first cargo box 402 with help of a fixing unit. The fixing unit is either a permanent fixation like welding etc. or temporary fixation using a screw, nuts, bolts, etc. The second frame member 106 include a plurality of attachment fixtures 108, a rail structure 110, a slider 112 including a keyhole cut-out 206 on its top surface, that is complementary to a locking pin 202 and accommodates it, and a pusher 114. The second frame member 106 is releasably attached with at least second cargo box 502 with help of the plurality of attachment fixtures 108. The base member 104 is made up of any one of a metal, alloy, fiber, or any other such mixture of materials.
[0026] The rail structure 112 is fixed on the surface of the plurality of the cargo boxes (402,502) by the plurality of attachment fixtures 108 that may be screwed or welded. The slider 112 runs across the rail structure 110 wherein there is provided the pusher 114 mechanism on one end of a side of the slider module 112. The pusher 114 mechanism may either be welded or screwed on an outer surface of the second frame member 106. Also, there may be a spring between the pusher mechanism 114 and one of the attachment fixtures 108 of the slider mechanism 112, to keep the lock pin 202 in a normally closed position.
[0027] Fig.2A & 2B is a perspective view illustrating a first frame member and a slider with keyhole cutout, according to an embodiment of a present invention. The first frame member 102 includes a base member 104 and the locking pin 202 with a head 204. A first part of the base member 104 may be completely flat and may be fixed to a surface of the at least first cargo box 402. The second part of the base plate, which is on opposite side and facing opposite to the first part, include the locking pin 202 that may be circular in structure. The slider 112 having a keyhole cut-out 206 on the top surface of the slider 112 of the second frame member 106 is configured to receive the locking pin 202. The keyhole cutout 206 has a larger part 208 and a stem part 210 for receiving and sliding the locking pin 2022.
[0028] Fig.3 is a sectional view of the modular mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment of a present invention. Hence, in operation, the head 204 of the locking pin 202 is received by the keyhole cutout 206, and a user may then slide the slider 112 using the pusher 114 mechanism to move the locking pin 202 into the stem part 210 of the keyhole 206 where the locking pin 202 is secured and not prone to move into an unlock position. In another embodiment, there may be a lock provided to hold the pusher 114 in a locked position in which the head 204 of the locking pin 202 is at a locked state. The pusher 114 is configured to move the slider 112, on the rail 110, from a first position wherein the larger receiving area 208 of the keyhole cut-out 206 receives the head 204 of the locking pin 202, to a second position after being pushed manually or by other electronic means, wherein the head 204 of the locking pin 202 is in the stem part 210 of the keyhole cut-out 206, which has a lesser width than the larger portion 208, and holds the head 204 of the locking pin 202 such that the head 204 may not come out of the second frame member 106. The lock provided, locks, or secures the pusher 114 at its second position such that it does not move back to or towards the first position inadvertently.
[0029] Fig.4 is a top view of at least first cargo box illustrating a placement of the first frame member and the second frame member, according to an embodiment of a present invention. In another embodiment of the invention, the at least first cargo box 402 may contain the plurality of first member 102 at diagonally opposite spots on the at least first cargo box’s surface 402. Also, the same surface of the box may include the plurality of second frame members 106 placed at other diagonally opposite spots. Such multiple boxes with similar diagonally opposite configurations of the first frame member 102 and the second frame member 106 enable one box 402 to be attached onto another 502 on top, or sides.
[0030] Such an arrangement of the first frame 102 and the second frame members 106 may be provided in a rear seat module, that includes a box receiving plate after the rear or pillion seat is removed, of a two-wheeler on which the box, having modular mounting mechanism as described above, may be mounted.
[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, such a similar diagonal placement of the first frame member 102 and the second frame members 106 is possible on battery modules for any sort of vehicle.
[0032] Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of engagement of the at least first cargo box with at least second cargo box, according to an embodiment of a present invention. The first frame member 102 i.e., the base member 104 is attached with the at least first cargo box 402 with the fixing unit, wherein the second frame member 106 i.e., the rail structure 110 is attached with the at least second cargo box 502 by using the plurality of attachment fixtures 108. In operation, the at least first box 402 may be lowered onto the at least second box 502 in order to engage the head 204 of the locking pin 202 onto the keyhole cut-out 206. Now once, the at least first box 402 and the at least second box 502 are engaged, the pusher 114 is slid on to a locking position so that the head 204 of the locking pin 102 is placed within the stem 210 of the keyhole 106 that traps the head 204 of the locking pin 202.
[0033] Fig.6 is a front perspective view of engagement of the at least first cargo box with at least second cargo box on a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of a present invention. The at least first cargo box 402 is attached on the two-wheeler vehicle. The first frame 102 and the second frame members 106 may be provided on the at least first cargo box 402. The similar diagonal placement of the first frame member 102 and the second frame members 106 is provided on the at least second cargo box 502, that may be mounted on the at least first cargo box 402.
[0034] In another embodiment, such a module mounting mechanism 100 may be placed on luggage racks that may be easily removed without the hassle of involving a technician or an expert, from the top or roof of the vehicles.
[0035] Moreover, although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
,CLAIMS:We Claim,
1. A modular mounting mechanism, comprising:
a first frame member 102 having a base member 104 and a locking pin 202, wherein the first frame member 102 is releasably attached with at least first cargo box 402 with help of a fixing unit;
a second frame member 106 having a plurality of attachment fixtures 108 and a rail structure 110, wherein the second frame member 106 is releasably attached with at least second cargo box 502 with help of the plurality of attachment fixtures 108; and
a slider 112 with a pusher 114 attached on an outer surface of the second frame member 106, wherein the slider 112 has a keyhole cutout 206 for receiving a head 204 of the locking pin 202 and a spring placed between the pusher 114 and one of the plurality of attachment fixtures 108.

2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing unit is anyone of either a permanent fixation like welding etc. or temporary fixation using a screw, nuts, bolts, etc.

3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a structure of the base member 104 is flat in nature and the locking pin 202 is circular in nature.

4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keyhole cutout 106 has a larger part 208 and a stem part 210.

5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least first cargo box 402 is lowered onto the at least second cargo box 502 in a way that the head 204 of the locking pin 202 engages into the larger part 208 of the keyhole cutout 206 and the base part engages on the rail structures 110.

6. The mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein a user slides the slider 112 from a first portion to a second portion of the rail structure 110 by using the pusher 114 to move the locking pin 202 into the stem part 210 of the keyhole cutout 206 in order to attach the at least first cargo box 402 with the at least second cargo box 502.

7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pusher 114 is attached with the slider 112 by using the plurality of attachment fixtures 108 like using screw and bolts etc.

8. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least first cargo box 402 includes the plurality of the first frame member 102 and the plurality of the second frame member 104 that is placed diagonally to each other for engaging the at least second cargo box 502 with similar diagonally opposite configuration.
9. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular mounting mechanism 100 is placed on anyone of a pillion seat of a two-wheeler vehicle, three- wheeler vehicle, top or roof of the four-wheeler vehicles.

10. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member 104 is made up of any one of a metal, alloy, fiber, or any other such mixture of materials.