Other

Kent, Erma W.

Erma W Kent

Loronzo H Thomson

Daniel Rudy Nietzold

A locking device is provided for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The locking device is locked in an open position by a first ratchet member attached to the closure and a second ratchet member attached to the support, the ratchet members being biased into engagement by at least one spring. A mechanism is provided to disengage the ratchet members and to hold the first and second ratchet members in a disengaged position so that the closure may be pivoted to a closed position.

Locking device for locking a closure in an open position

A locking device for pivotally interconnecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The interlocking device interconnects the closure and support about a vertical axis, so that the closure can pivot about this axis and open and close relative to the support. The interlocking mechanism includes a locking mechanism having two engageable locking ratchet members. One ratchet member is fixedly coupled to the closure, and the second ratchet member is coupled to the support for movement along the vertical axis. The locking mechanism also has a spring which biases the ratchet members together into engagement with each other. Both ratchet members have compatible teeth with a ramping surface and a stopping surface for limiting the pivotal movement of the closure to a first direction and locking the closure in an open position. The releasing mechanism disengages the ratchet members, which allows the closure to be closed. The releasing mechanism may be manually operated or electrically operated through the use of a solenoid. The engaging mechanism causes the ratchet members to reengage when the closure is closed.

A safety device attachable to a motor vehicle for preventing the motor vehicle from running over an object, the device including a plate assembly, a safety bar assembly slidably connected to the plate assembly, a first mechanism for raising and lowering the safety bar assembly with respect to the plate assembly, at least one switch assembly and a second mechanism for turning off the motor vehicle. The plate assembly includes first and second plate members which are spaced apart in parallel. The second plate member is pivotably connected to the first plate member. The second plate member pivots around a horizontal axis. The first mechanism is attached to the second plate member. The safety bar assembly is attached to the second plate such that it can only slide relative to the second plate in a direction towards and away from the second plate. The switch assembly is attached to the first plate and extends to contact the second plate. The switch assembly is connected to the second mechanism. When the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, the second plate member pivots relative to the first plate member about its horizontal axis and causes the switch assembly and the second mechanism to turn off the motor vehicle. In addition, the safety device may include an audio device for emitting an audio signal when the second plate pivots relative to the first plate.

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Macon, GA, United States of America

Erma W Kent