CONTROL DOCKING STATION FOR A ONE OR TWO STAGE LOCKING MECHANISM

摘要

A control docking station system for controlling locking engagement between a first female member and a male member that together form a locking mechanism. The first female member is connected to a safety device. The male member can be locked to and released from the first female member. The system includes a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal. A second female member is operably connected to the controller's housing. Each female member includes a receiver base and a pair of pivoting locking tabs that is engageable with a key-like projection on the male member. The male member may be unlocked from the first female member when the controller senses an interruption to the unsafe interlock signal or if the unsafe interlock signal is overridden. The male member may be docked in the second female member during safe circumstances and/or the safety device is unused.

主权项

1. A control docking station for a locking mechanism system comprising:
a locking mechanism comprising two or more female members and a male member each configured to be able to be joined together to form a locked engagement between the female members and the male member; said male member configured to be releasable from the female members; each said female member including:
a receiver base having an upper portion and a lower portion including a pair of spaced apart chocks forming a cavity therebetween;a pair of locking tabs wherein each locking tab has a first arm and a second arm connected by a center point that is rotatably connected to the receiver base about a pivot pin such that the first and second arms are positioned relative to the receiver base, so that the first and second arms are able to rotate about the pivot pin within an area of the receiver base; said male member including an insert having a key-like projection with a leading edge and a portion opposite the leading edge where the portion has an engagement member; the key-like projection of the insert being engageable by the first arms of the locking tabs of the female member within the cavity to form a locked engagement between the insert of the male member within the confines of the cavity of the receiver base and locking tabs of the female members; said engagement member of the male member is configured to be engageable to a device that is configured to be operably connected to a safety device; a first of the two or more female member is operably connected to the safety device; a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal and to control locking engagement between the male member and the first of the two or more female members that is operably connected to a safety device when the unsafe interlock signal is no longer sensed; and said controller being incorporated within a container wherein the container includes an exterior surface that is connected to the receiver base of a second of the two or more female members.