초록 ▼

A locking device is provided for a pickup truck tailgate having a conventional latching mechanism of the type comprising spring-loaded plungers engaging plunger receivers in the truck body, draw bars connecting the plungers to a scissor-plate latching mechanism the upper ends of the scissor plates b

A locking device is provided for a pickup truck tailgate having a conventional latching mechanism of the type comprising spring-loaded plungers engaging plunger receivers in the truck body, draw bars connecting the plungers to a scissor-plate latching mechanism the upper ends of the scissor plates being rotated toward each other to release the plungers. The locking device comprises a blocking paddle for removable insertion between the scissor plates of the latching mechanism, the blocking paddle being rotatably mounted on a spindle with attached spring means normally orienting the blocking paddle away from the scissor plates, the blocking paddle and spindle being attached by mounting members to the tailgate body. The locking device further comprises a lock attached to the tailgate body having a lock cylinder, the lock cylinder being beveled at the end opposite the lock key insert. A semi-circular aperture is provided in the blocking paddle the radius of the circular portion of the apertures being slightly greater than the radius of the lock cylinder. The lock and lock cylinder are so positioned in relation to the blocking paddle and blocking paddle aperture that the bevelled edge of the lock cylinder extends through the semi-circular aperture of the blocking paddle when the lock cylinder is in a first unlocked position. Upon rotation of the lock cylinder to a second locked position the bevelled edge of the lock cylinder engages the flat side of the semi-circular opening of the blocking plate causing the blocking plate to rotate to a second position between the scissor plates of the latching mechanism thereby preventing the scissor plates from rotating toward each other and consequently preventing release of the plungers from the plunger receivers.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination with a pickup truck tailgate having a conventional latching mechanism comprising spring-loaded plungers engaging plunger receivers in the truck body, draw bars connecting the plungers to a scissor-plate latching mechanism, and scissor plates having ends rotated toward each other to re

In combination with a pickup truck tailgate having a conventional latching mechanism comprising spring-loaded plungers engaging plunger receivers in the truck body, draw bars connecting the plungers to a scissor-plate latching mechanism, and scissor plates having ends rotated toward each other to release the plungers, a locking mechanism comprising: blocking means to prevent said scissor plate ends from rotating toward each other; structure means for supporting said blocking means in a first position and in a second position; positioning means for retractable movement of said blocking means between said first position and said second position; said first position including the location of said blocking means between said scissor plate ends; said second position including the location of said blocking means at a position removed from said scissor plate ends; said blocking means including a blocking paddle rotatably connected to said structure means at a first end; said structure means comprising a generally rectangular central member, an aperture in said central member, side members attached to opposite sides of said central member, said side members extending angularly from said central member; a spindle supported between said side members, said side members each having aligned apertures through which said spindle extends; said spindle further extending through a blocking paddle extension constructed to rotatably receive said spindle; said positioning means comprising a coil wire spring; a first end of said coil wire spring attached to said structure means; a second end of said coil wire spring connected to said blocking paddle to bias said blocking paddle in said second position; said blocking paddle provided with a semi-circular aperture; said positioning means comprising a locking device including a lock case, a threaded body, and a lock cylinder, said lock cylinder having at least one bevelled edge; said threaded body of the locking device extending through an aperture in the pickup tailgate, said threaded body extending through the aperture in the generally rectangular central member; said locking device secured to the tailgate and said central member by a nut threaded onto the threaded body; said lock cylinder in a first unlocked position aligned with said semi-circular aperture and protruding through said semi-circular aperture thereby allowing said blocking paddle to be biased in said second position; and said lock cylinder in a second locked position not aligned with the semi-circular aperture thereby engaging the blocking paddle and moving the blocking paddle to said first position.