The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 22, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 17, 1997
David L Hetherington, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Maysteel Corporation, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Abstract
A locking mechanism for a door, such as the door of a transformer enclosure, includes a rotatable threaded locking member secured to the door. The locking member is spring biased outwardly, and stationary engagement structure is provided for engaging the threaded locking member when the door attains a predetermined position as the door approaches its closed position. The engagement structure includes a pair of spaced apart engagement members, which are preferably threaded so as to engage the threads of the threaded member as the door is moved toward its closed position. The threaded locking member can than be pushed inwardly, and the engagement members are biased to provide a ratcheting mechanism to prevent the threaded locking member from being withdrawn from between the engagement members. The threaded locking member can than be turned to fully lock the door in its closed position and an auxiliary lock, such as a padlock, is then utilized in combination with the threaded locking member to prevent access to the head of the threaded locking member and to provide a backup lock for securing the door in its closed position.