Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
GALLEY CART LOCKING MECHANISM
AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[01] This invention relates generally to a locking mechanism for a galley cart
for moving
objects. The present invention relates more precisely to a door locking
mechanism for a
galley cart for use in an airplane, or another vehicle, that can include a
redundant door
locking mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[02] Galley carts are generally used in the transportation industry for moving
goods and other
articles. Galley carts can be used in critical environments like in the
aeronautical industry
and are subject to safety requirements.
[03] These requirements are intended to define the design and the use of
galley carts to
increase the safety of the people using them and also for the safety of the
public. Galley
carts used in aircrafts are subjected to many technical requirements that must
be
considered closely. Among others, mechanical resistance and fire resistance
requirements
are mandatory and have a direct effect on the design and the choice of
material that can be
used to manufacture the galley cart.
[04] The design and the construction of galley carts benefit from innovation
in connection with
various elements thereof. One of the elements that would benefit from
innovative structure
would be the door locking mechanism of the galley cart. The door locking
mechanism might
cause some safety issue if it becomes defective.
[05] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved door locking mechanism
over the existing
art. It is also desirable to provide an improved locking mechanism that would
not be
jeopardized and unlocked by a shock in a direction over the existing art.
1
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[06] It is desirable to provide an improved door locking mechanism that would
use a structure
that not be jeopardized by the rupture of an element therein by using
redundancy therein. It
is therefore desirable to provide an improved door locking mechanism that
would indicate to
a user that the locking mechanism, or a redundant element therein, is not
working properly.
[07] Other deficiencies will become apparent to one skilled in the art to
which the invention
pertains in view of the following summary and detailed description with its
appended figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[08] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to
provide a basic
understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an
extensive overview
of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the
invention or to
delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some
concepts of the
invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description
of exemplary
embodiments that is presented later.
[09] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention improves at least some of
the deficiencies
associated with the drawbacks identified above.
[010] It is one aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a redundant door locking mechanism.
[011] It is one aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a door locking mechanism with self-locking
capability when
closing the door.
[012] It is one aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a mechanism indicating to a user whether a galley
cart door
locking mechanism is correctly engaged or not.
2
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[013] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a mechanism indicating to a user whether a galley
cart double
door locking mechanism is correctly engaged or not.
[014] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a mechanism indicating to a user whether a galley
cart
independent double door locking mechanism is correctly engaged or not
correctly engaged.
[015] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a warning mechanism indicating to a user whether a
galley cart
independent double door locking mechanism is correctly engaged or not, the
warning
mechanism being independent of the double door locking mechanism.
[016] It is an object of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with a warning mechanism using the position of the door
locking
handle to indicate to a user whether a galley cart independent double door
locking
mechanism is correctly engaged or not.
[017] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart with door locking mechanism secured to a galley cart
door frame for
mechanically securing the door locking mechanism secured to a galley cart door
frame
hence increasing the mechanical strength of the door assembly.
[018] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a galley cart for moving along a passenger aisle of a vehicle is
presented, the galley
cart comprising a body comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a right
lateral portion, a
left lateral portion and a door opening, the galley cart comprising wheels
attached to the
lower portion for supporting the body, a door pivotally attached to the body
and adapted to
mate with the door opening, and a locking mechanism operatively associated
with the door,
the locking mechanism comprising a first door-locking portion, and a second
door-locking
portion, each door-locking portion locking independently the door to the body
when the door
is closing the door opening.
3
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[019] It is an aspect of our work to provide, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, a door locking mechanism for selectively locking a door of a galley
cart for moving
along a passenger aisle of a vehicle, the galley cart comprising a body
comprising an upper
portion, a lower portion, a right lateral portion, a left lateral portion, and
a door opening, the
galley cart comprising wheels attached to the lower portion for supporting the
body, and a
door pivotally attached to the body and adapted to mate with the door opening,
the locking
mechanism comprising a first door-locking portion, and a second door-locking
portion, each
door-locking portion locking independently the door to the body when the door
is closing the
door opening.
[020] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will
become apparent
from the following description and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a full size galley cart in accordance
with at least an
embodiment of the present invention;
[022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a half size galley cart in accordance
with at least an
embodiment of the present invention;
[023] Figure 3 is a semi exploded perspective view of a half size galley cart
equipped with a
tablet module in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present
invention;
[024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a galley cart door with several
illustrated operating
configurations in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present
invention;
[025] Figure 5 is a front-right perspective exploded view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
4
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[026] Figure 6 is a front-right side perspective view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[027] Figure 7 is a front-right side perspective view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[028] Figures 8 A), 8 B) and 8 C) are front elevation views of a portion of a
locking mechanism
of a galley cart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[029] Figures 9 A) and 9 B) are front elevation views of a portion of a
locking mechanism of a
galley cart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[030] Figure 10 is a front-right side perspective view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[031] Figure 11 is a front-right side perspective view of internal components
of a portion of a
locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[032] Figure 12 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[033] Figure 13 is a front-right side perspective view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[034] Figure 14 is a front-right side perspective view of internal components
of a portion of a
locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[035] Figure 15 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[036] Figure 16 is a front-right side perspective view of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
.5
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[037] Figure 17 is a front-right side perspective view of internal components
of a portion of a
locking mechanism in accordance with an emb6diment of the present invention;
[038] Figure 18 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[039] Figure 19 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[040] Figure 20 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[041] Figure 21 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[042] Figure 22 is a rear-right side perspective view of internal components
of a portion of a
locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[043] Figure 23 is a front-right perspective exploded view of internal
components of a portion of
a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[044] Figure 24 is a rear-right perspective exploded view of internal
components of a portion of
a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[045] Figure 25 is a rear-right perspective semi exploded view of internal
components of a
portion of a locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[046] Figure 26 is a section view of internal components of a portion of a
locking mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[047] Figure 27 is a front elevation view of internal components of a portion
of a locking
mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
6
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[048] Figure 28 is a front-right perspective view of a portion of a locking
mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[049] Figure 29 is a front-right perspective view of a portion of a locking
mechanism in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[050] Figure 30 is a flow chart representing behavior when the engaging member
is engaged
or not with respective engaging member receiver in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention; and
[051] Figure 31 is a flow chart representing behavior when the engaging member
is engaged
or not with respective engaging member receiver in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
[052] The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings,
wherein like
reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the
following
description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident,
however, that
the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances,
well-known structures and devices are shown in schematic form in order to
facilitate
describing the present invention.
[053] A galley cart 10 adapted to carry goods in accordance with an embodiment
of the
invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The galley cart 10 is adapted to be used
in a passenger
airplane but could alternatively be used in other environments like in a
passenger train or,
inter alia, in the medical field. The galley cart 10 illustrated in Figure 1
comprises a body 14
defining an upper portion 18, a right lateral portion 22, a left lateral
portion 26 and a bottom
portion 30. The body 14 can be described as an assembled construction 32 using
composite material panels 34 and junction members 36 therebetween
simultaneously
supplying the aesthetic envelope of the galley cart 10 and the structure
providing its
mechanical strength. In other words, the assembled construction 32 provides an
envelope
7
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
that is also the frame structure. As it will be described below in respect
with an embodiment,
the assembled construction 32 uses a body 14 made of a plurality of parts.
[054] The upper portion 18, the right lateral portion 22, the left lateral
portion 26 and the bottom
portion 30 of the body 14 are connected together to obtain a strong unified
structure.
Illustrative embodiments described herein are using a variety of junction
members 36 to
interconnect adjacent portions 18, 22, 26, 30. The body 14 of the illustrated
embodiment is
forming a hollowed structure having four planar side portions 18, 22, 26, 30.
It can be
appreciated that the wall thickness of the different portions 18, 22, 26, 30
can have different
thicknesses adapted to sustain the specific mechanical loads applied thereto.
In other
words, the assembled construction 32 of the galley cart 10 can be optimized to
only use the
required material at the right place and therefore reduces the weight while
providing the
appropriate mechanical resistance. For example, the panel of the upper portion
18 can have
a thinner wall section than the panel of the bottom portion 30 because the
upper portion 18
does not bear the weight of the entire galley cart 10. Additional details
about the
construction of the body 14 will be provided below.
[055] The galley cart 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is referred to as a full-size
galley cart 10 having
a predetermined longitudinal length 28 and provided with a door opening 38 on
each
longitudinal side 42, 46. Each door 50 is hingedly 52 connected to body 14 and
is adapted
to pivot between a closed position 54, when mating with its respective door
opening 38, and
an open position (not illustrated in the Figures). A locking mechanism 56
housing 60, that is
also acting as a reinforcement member 62 recessed into the door 50, provides
support for a
pulling handle 66 pivotally secured thereon and adapted to pull on the door
50. The pulling
handle 66 can, in embodiments thereof, be spring loaded to bias the pulling
handle 66
toward its collapsed position adjacent to the housing 60. A locking member 70
configured to
align with an operatively pivotable locking handle 74 when the door 50 is
locked in the
closed position 54, to receive a lock 58 (not shown in Figure 1, although,
this element is
illustrated in Figure 7) thereon to prevent opening of the door 50 is also
connected to the
reinforcement member 62. The locking handle 74 is pivotally secured to the
door 50 to
selectively move a pair of pivotable lock members 78 that is operatively
actuating a pair of
opposed movable engaging member 82 to open the door 50. The handle 74 can be
8
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
actuated in both vertical directions to engage and disengage the pivotable
lock members 78
from cooperating engaging member receivers 86 hereby embodies as hooks.
[056] Still referring to Figure 1, the galley cart 10 is provided with a cover
element 90 made of
molded plastic to cover the upper portion 18 of the body 14. The cover element
90 is
defining a planar work area 94 defined by a peripheral frame 98 configured to
prevent
objects to slide off the upper portion 18 of the body 14.
[057] The bottom portion 30 rests on a wheelbase 140 adapted to pivotally
secure thereto a set
of four (4) of caster wheels 144. Two pedals 148 are also pivotally secured to
the wheelbase
140 to selectively lock or unlock the caster wheels 144 to immobilize the
galley cart 10 when
required.
[058] A tablet module 110 is optionally secured inside the body 14, adjacent
to the upper
portion 18. The tablet module 110 comprises an extendable tablet/receptacle
114. The
extendable tablet 114 is moveable between a closed position 122 and an opened
position
126 as it can better be appreciated in Figure 3. A locking mechanism 130
prevents the
extendable tablet 114 to extend when undesired. A handle 118 is affixed to, or
built in the
extendable tablet 114 and is more accessible when the extendable tablet 114 is
slightly
extended.
[059] The full size galley cart 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has a smaller
counterpart. A reduced
size galley cart 180, as illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, has a smaller
size due to its
shorter longitudinal length 28. The reduced size galley cart 180 illustrated
in Figure 1 and
Figure 2 has a single door 50 located at one end of the body 14. The smaller
volume of the
reduced size galley cart 180 can contain fewer goods therein but takes less
space and
allows nimbler movements.
[060] As it is illustrated, the reduced size galley cart 180 of the present
embodiment is about
half the length of the full size galley cart 10. This is mainly obtained by
reducing the length
28 of the body 14 and includes a single tablet module 110 on one longitudinal
side of the
body and a single door 50. The longitudinal side of the body opposed to the
door 50 is
closed with a back portion 184, not illustrated in the Figures although a
skilled reader will
9
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
infer from the Figures there is a single door. The reduced size galley cart
180 is shown
semi-exploded in Figure 3. Beside the shorter longitudinal length 28, the
components of the
reduced size galley cart 180 are substantially similar as the components of
the full size
trolley illustrated in Figure 1. It can be appreciated that the door 50 has a
recessed portion
188 sized and designed to receive therein the housing 60 such that the
reinforcement
member 62 and some components of the locking mechanism 56 located thereon do
not
extend above the external surface of the door 50.
[061] Moving now to Figure 4 and Figure 5 depicting a door 50 of the galley
cart 10 and further
detailing the locking mechanism components 196 thereof. The locking handle 74
is pivotally
secured to a pivot 200 and is configured to pivot toward the upward direction
and the
downward direction to unlock the locking mechanism and allows the door 50 to
open. The
locking handle 74 is in the locked position when it is in the horizontal
position. When the
locking mechanism 56 is not properly engaged to lock the door 50 in the closed
portion, the
locking handle 74 is kept in the horizontal position. The non-horizontal
position of the locking
handle 74 is hence providing a visual indication to a user that the locking
mechanism 56 is
not engaged correctly in its locked position and the door 50 is not correctly
secured. This
ensures the user can appreciate when the door 50 is locked or not. The locking
handle 74
actuates a pair of longitudinal engaging members 82 that selectively engages a
plurality of
corresponding engaging member receivers 86 (or any mechanism capable of
providing a
similar function). In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal engaging
members 82 can
be made of a polymer material or other suitable material. The embodied locking
mechanism
56 is comprising two independent door-locking portions, a first door-locking
portion 102
operational on the upper portion of the door 50 and a second door-locking
portion 106
operational on the lower portion of the door 50. The pair of longitudinal
engaging members
82 is assembled with the door 50 and the engaging member receivers 86 are
secured to the
body 14 of the galley cart 10. The door 50 is locked in the closed position
when the pair of
longitudinal engaging members 82, connected to the door 50, is engaged with
the engaging
member receivers 86 connected to the body 14. The first door-locking portion
102 is
associated with the actuation of the upper longitudinal engaging members 82.1
while the
second door-locking portion 106 is associated with the actuation of the lower
longitudinal
engaging members 82.2. Both door-locking portion 102, 106 are actuated
independently to
lock the door 50 as it is described below.
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[062] The pair of longitudinal engaging members 82 includes a plurality of
engaging portions
204. The engaging portions 204 can be embodied in plastic or alternatively in
metallic
material such as aluminum or steel to ensure it is strong enough to sustain
the loads
generated by the engagement of the engaging portions 204 with corresponding
engaging
member receivers 86. Each hook-engaging portion 204 is embodied as a pair of
opposed
engaging portions 204 because the longitudinal engaging member 82 is used to
engage the
engaging member receivers 86 on both sides when translated in each of the two
opposed
directions. This way, only one longitudinal engaging member 82 design is
required for
engaging the engaging member receivers 86 in both locations, above and below
each
engaging member receiver 86, to accommodate the opposite movements of the
longitudinal
engaging member 82.
[063] As better seen in Figure 5, the locking handle 74 is illustratively
connected to a pivotable
actuating member 208 (embodied as an asymmetric eccentric member in the
Figures)
assembled inside the door 50. The actuating member 208, or any comparable
actuation
member, is designed to contact the two pivotable lock members 78. A vertical
movement of
the locking handle 74, to unlock the door 50, is pivoting the two pivotable
lock members 78
about their respective pivots 212 that actuate, via actuator arms 216, the
vertical
movements of the two longitudinal engaging members 82. One can appreciate the
actuating
member 208 has two opposed contacting portions 220 of different lengths to
adapt to the
different lever length of the actuator arms 216 between the pivots 212 and the
contact point
of the actuating member 208. Each pivotable lock members 78 is independently
biased with
a spring 224, respectively or collectively, to bias the two pivotable lock
members 78 in their
locked position. Each spring 224 is retained in its operating position with
spring locators 224
illustratively protruding from a rear panel 228 of the reinforcement member
62.
[064] One can appreciate from Figure 5 the pivotal lock member 78 is embodied
in an "L" like
shape. A first branch 236 of the pivotal lock member 78 is extending from the
pivot 212 to its
associated engaging member 82. A second branch 240 of the pivotal lock member
78 is
extending from the pivot 212 to a signal portion 232. The signal portion 232
includes two
distinct signal areas 232.1 and 232.2, respectively having, for example,
distinctive colors.
The signal areas 232.1 and 232.2 of the signal portion 232 are sized and
designed to be
visible from information windows 244 in the housing 60. In the present
embodiment, each
11
CA 02925646 2016-03-31 ,
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
signal portion 232 has a specific color, for instance red and green, adapted
to be seen from
the exterior of the cart 10 through the information windows 244. Each color is
associated
with a locking state of the engaging members 82. The color used in the present
application
are for illustrative purposes only and could vary without departing from the
scope of the
invention. When the color green of the signal portion 232 is visible through
its respective
information window 244, it informs a viewer that its related engaging member
82 is in its
locked state and the door 50 is locked in its closed position. Conversely,
when the color red
of the signal portion 232 is visible through its respective information window
244, it informs a
viewer that its related engaging member 82 is in its unlocked state and the
door 50 is not
locked in its closed position and can be open.
[065] A reader skilled in the art can appreciate the two engaging members 82
are actuated in
opposite vertical directions by a pivotal of the locking handle 74. With
reference to the
illustrated embodiment, a vertical upward pivotal of the locking handle 74 is
going to rotate
the first branch of the upper engaging members 82 upward and the first branch
of the lower
engaging members 82 downward, unlocking the engaging members 82 from their
respective
corresponding engaging member receivers 86. In contrast, a vertical downward
pivotal of
the locking handle 74 is going to rotate the first branch of the upper
engaging members 82
downward and the first branch of the lower engaging members 82 upward,
unlocking the
engaging members 82 from their respective corresponding engaging member
receivers 86.
In both configurations, the red color of the signal portions 232 is going to
be visible from the
information window 244 informing a viewer the locking mechanism of the door 50
is in the
unlocked position. In both of the above configurations, when the engaging
members 82 are
in their unlocked position, the red portion 256 of the signal portion 232 is
displayed through
the information window 244. A viewer will understand the engaging members 82
are in their
unlocked position.
[066] Leaving the locking handle 74 in its horizontal position is not biasing
the engaging
members 82 against their respective spring 224 and keeps the engaging members
82 in a
locked position engaging their respective engaging member receivers 86. In
that state,
when the engaging members 82 are in their respective locked position, the
green portion
252 of the signal portion 232 is displayed through the information window 244.
A viewer will
understand the engaging members 82 are in their locked position.
12
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[067] The illustrated embodiment is constructed in a way the two engaging
members 82 are
moving in their respective unlocked position with opposed vertical movements
thereof. For
instance, the upper engaging member 82 is moving in its locked position with
an upper
movement thereof while the lower engaging member 82 is moving in its locked
position with
a downward movement thereof. In contrast, the upper engaging member 82 is
moving in its
locked position with a downward movement thereof while the lower engaging
member 82 is
moving in its locked position with an upward movement thereof. This brings a
significant
advantage in a situation where the galley cart 10 would be subjected to a
flight load
(hypothetically) strong enough to cause a vertical movement of the engaging
members 82 in
a direction adapted to unlock the engaging member 82, at least one of the
engaging
members 82, the other engaging member 82, is going to remain in its locked
position
because the two engaging members 82 are actuated to be unlocked in opposite
vertical
directions.
[068] Independent engaging members 82 and associated pivotal lock members 78
is another
particularity of the embodied locking mechanism 56. The independent engaging
members
82 and associated pivotal lock members 78 ensure a malfunction of one of the
engaging
members 82 and associated pivotal lock members 78 is not going to cause a
malfunction of
the other engaging member 82 and associated pivotal lock member 78.
[069] Figure 6 depicts the assembled reinforcement member 62 with the
components
described above operatively assembled therein. It is possible to appreciate
that the ends of
the first branch 236 are extending outside the housing 60 to cooperate with
their respective
engaging members 82 when the housing 60 is operatively assembled With the door
50. The
assembled housing 60 is illustrated with the locking handle 74 locked with a
lock 58 in its
horizontal locked position in Figure 7. It is also possible to see the
engaging members 82
operatively assembled with the ends of the actuator arms 216 of the first
branches 236
extending outside the reinforcement member 62. The ends of the actuator arms
216 are
inserted in arm receivers 248 formed on the engaging members 82. The mating of
the
actuator arms 216 inserted in arm receivers 248 allow pivotal movements of the
actuator
arms 216 in the arm receivers 248 to slide the engaging members 82 in the
desired position.
13
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[070] It can also be appreciated in Figure 7 the engaging members 82 includes
pairs of
opposed hook-receiving portions 204. The configuration of opposed hook-
receiving portions
204 allows to engage the engaging member receiver 86 in both vertical
directions.
Movements of the locking handle 74, in the upward direction and the downward
direction,
are going to disengage the engaging member receivers 86. Central position of
the locking
handle 74 is allowing self-positioning of the engaging member 82 biased by
their respective
spring 224 in a locked position.
[071] Figure 8 shows the engagement member 82 (latch) engagement and
disengagement
through normal locking handle 74 operation. Figure 8 A) depicts the locking
handle 74 in the
horizontal position corresponding to the locked position of the engaging
members 82 that is
also locating the green portion 252 of the signal portion 232 to be visible
through the
information window 244. It can also be seen the springs 224 are not
compressed. Figure 8
B) depicts the locking handle 74 tilted in the downward position corresponding
to the
unlocked position of the engaging members 82 that is also locating the red
portions 256 of
the signal portion 232 to be visible through the information window 244. It
can also be seen
the springs 224 are compressed and bias the pivotal lock member 78 toward the
locked
position. Figure 8 C) depicts the locking handle 74 tilted in the upward
position
corresponding to the unlocked position of the engaging members 82 that is also
locating the
red portions 256 of the signal portion 232 to be visible through the
information window 244.
It can also be seen the springs 224 are compressed and bias the pivotal lock
member 78
toward the locked position.
[072] Mechanism failure scenarios are illustrated in Figure 9. Figure 9 A)
illustrates the locking
handle 74 is in the horizontal locked position. However, the upper engaging
member 82.1 is
stuck in the unlocked position, indicating the red portion 256 through the
information window
244. Conversely, the lower engaging member 82.2 is in the locked position,
indicating the
green portion 252 through the information window 244. Figure 9 B) still
illustrates the locking
handle 74 is in the horizontal locked position. However, this time, the upper
engaging
member 82.1 is in the locked position, indicating the green portion 252
through the
information window 244. Conversely, the lower engaging member 82.2 is
undesirably stuck
in the unlocked position, indicating the red portion 256 through the
information window 244.
The configuration of the double independent engaging members 82 provides a
secondary
14
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
retaining mechanism for locking the door 50 in case one of the engaging
members 82 fails
to engage correctly the engaging member receivers 86.
[073] Figure 11 and Figure 12 are further magnified illustrations of the
locking mechanism
components 196 in the configuration of Figure 8 A). It can be seen in Figure
12 that the
pivotal lock member 78 includes a shaped contacting portion 260 adapted to
improve the
link between the first branch 236 and the engaging member 82 by reducing the
effect of the
pivotal movement of the first branch 236 on the movement of the engaging
member 82. The
shaped contacting portion 260 is embodied as a semi-circular 264 recessed
portion
optimizing the contact interaction between the parts. The shaped contacting
portion 260
could alternatively have an elliptic shape or an arbitrary shape reflecting a
desired
equilibrium of strength between the parts to get a particular feeling when
actuating the
mechanism.
[074] Figure 13 is a magnified illustration of the locking mechanism 56
components 196 in the
configuration shown in Figure 8 B). Figure 14 and Figure 15 are further
magnified versions
of the components of the locking mechanism 56 components 196 in the
configuration
illustrated in Figure 8 B).
[075] Figure 15 is a magnified illustration of the locking mechanism 56
components 196 in the
configuration depicted in Figure 8 C). Figure 16 and Figure 17 are further
magnified
versions of the components of the locking mechanism 56 components 196 in the
configuration drawn by Figure 8 C).
[076] Two mechanism failure scenarios are respectively illustrated in Figure
19 and in Figure
20. Figure 19 is a magnified illustration of the locking mechanism 56
components 196
disposed in the configuration exemplified in Figure 9 A). Figure 20 is a
magnified illustration
of the locking mechanism 56 components 196 in the configuration as in Figure 9
B).
[077] Another embodiment of the locking mechanism 56 is presented in Figure 21
throughout
Figure 28. The signal portions 232 and corresponding information windows 244
are absent
in this design. The locking mechanism 56 is embedded in the door 50 recessed
into the
composite material 300, as best seen in Figure 25, through the front external
layer of fibers
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
304 and the core 308. The housing 60 of the locking mechanism 56 is containing
locking
mechanism elements 196 therein. The housing 60 of the locking mechanism 56 is
secured
in place with a series of fasteners 312 from the interior side of the door 50
hence providing a
fasteners-free exterior design. The housing 60 of the locking mechanism 56 is
also secured
to the peripheral frame 98 with an engagement of an extending housing portion
316
designed to be located within the corresponding portion of the peripheral
frame 98. The
extending housing portion 316 is secured to the corresponding portion of the
peripheral
frame 98 with a fastener 320 through a corresponding fastener opening 324
located in the
peripheral frame 98. This connection between the housing 60 and the peripheral
frame 98
further reinforce the peripheral frame 98 with the panel 34 of the door 50.
The peripheral
frame 98 of the door 50 can sustain higher mechanical stresses.
[078] It can be appreciated from Figure 23, Figure 24, Figure 25 and Figure 26
that the
actuating member 208, springs 224, branches 236, 240 are assembled behind the
reinforcement member 62 and secured with cover plate 328. The cover plate 328
is
preferably made of strong material, like steel or aluminum, to increase the
strength of the
assembly. For achieving this, the cover plate 328 extends within the
corresponding portion
of the peripheral frame 98 and secured with fastener 320 through a
corresponding fastener
opening 324 located in the peripheral frame 98. The handle 74 is pivotally
secured along
pivot axis 332 from behind with fastener 336 through opening 340. The handle
74 includes
hollowed portions 344 to lighten its weight and is cover with handle cover
348. The handle
74, in this embodiment, has a structure reducing the mechanical lever between
the pivot
axis 332 and the opposite end of the handle 74. The mechanical lever is
reduced in the
illustrated embodiment by a retaining element embodied as a hook portion 356
pivotally
engaging corresponding slot 352 in the reinforcement member 62. The hook
portion 356
significantly increases the strength of the handle 74 when pulled from the
front of the door
50 by reducing the lever of about 50% in the current illustrated embodiment.
An alternate
embodiment, not illustrated, is equipped of a similar retaining element
disposed at the
complete end of the handle 74 that is opposed to the pivot axis 332. This
latter embodiment
cancels the lever effect and dramatically increases the strength of the handle
74. One can
also appreciate from Figure 23 the handle 66 is biased toward the door with
spring 360. The
spring 360 and handle 66 assembly is covered with cover 364 that is securing
the assembly
in place. More clearly illustrated, in Figure 25, branch 240 of pivotable lock
member 78
16
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
includes a pivot 212 that is embodied as a semi-circular external shape of an
end of
branches 240. A counterpart pivot-receiver 272 built in the reinforcement
member 62. A
semi-circular ridge portion 276 is provided in the reinforcement member 62
material and
embodied with the reinforcement ridges 280 therein.
[079] Figure 27, Figure 28 and Figure 29 are illustrating the interaction of
parts for the
illustrated embodiment that is substantially similar to the operating
principles discussed
above in respect with the embodiments illustrated in the Figure 1 throughout
Figure 20 of
the specification. It is depicted the branches 236 and 240 are extending on
respective sides
of the extending housing portion 316. The distal end 368 of the handle 74 is
arcuately
moving in a recessed portion 372 in the reinforcement member 62 hence
providing a tight
assembly. The door 50 is adapted to close and engage the locking mechanism 56
by solely
closing the door 50 on the body 14. No manual actuation of the handle 74 is
required
because the hook-receiving portions 204 of the engaging member 82 are adapted
to slide
over the forward portion 376 engaging member receivers 86. The forward portion
376
includes hook-contacting portion 380, that can be embodied with an angled
plane or a
curved portion, to move the engaging member 82 against its biasing spring 224
and
smoothly engage the engaging member receiver 86 with the engaging portion 204.
This
feature can be referred to as a "slam latch" mechanism meaning closing the
door 50 is
going to engage the locking mechanism 56 without touching the handle 74.
[080] A flow chart of a typical behavior of the locking mechanism 56 informing
a user of the
door locking status is depicted in Figure 30. The user is closing 400 the door
50 and the first
engaging member 82.1 is moved 404 to engage corresponding engaging member
receiver
86. Concurrently, the second engaging member 82.2 is moved 408 to engage
corresponding engaging member receiver 86. A detection of the locking status
of the first
engaging member 82.1 is made 412 and a detection of the locking status of the
second
engaging member 82.2 is made 416. The user is informed of a determination 420
that the
two engaging members 82 are engaged with corresponding engaging member
receiver 86.
Conversely, the user is informed of a determination 424 that the at least one
of the two
engaging members 82 is not engaged with corresponding engaging member receiver
86.
17
CA 02925646 2016-03-31
MTC-025-037-001-CA1
[081] Another flow chart of a typical behavior of the locking mechanism 56
informing a user of
the door locking status is depicted in Figure 31. The user is closing 430 the
door 50 and the
first engaging member 82.1 is moved 434 to engage corresponding engaging
member
receiver 86. Concurrently, the second engaging member 82.2 is moved 438 to
engage
corresponding engaging member receiver 86. A detection of the locking status
of the first
engaging member 82.1 and a detection of the locking status of the second
engaging
member 82.2 is made 442. The user is informed of a determination 446 that the
two
engaging members 82 are engaged with corresponding engaging member receiver
86.
Conversely, the user is informed of a determination 450 that the two engaging
members 82
is not engaged with corresponding engaging member receiver 86.
[082] The description and the drawings that are presented above are meant to
be illustrative of
the present invention. They are not meant to be limiting of the scope of the
present
invention. Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without
departing
from the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following
claims:
18
