Load floor latch

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the technical field of locks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a load floor latch that unlocks and engages with a keeper by lifting a handle »Background Art Load floor Locks are well-known in the art and are widely used. Generally, this type of lock operates by pushing the locking pawl into engagement with the holder. For example, the first closure member has a locking pawl, and the second closure member has a retainer so as to close the first closure member and lean against the second closure member to fix the closure members. A user who wants to fix and release the first closure member and the second closure member can repeatedly lock and unlock the lock.

One disadvantage of existing load base locks is that the lock pawl of the lock must slide into place and engage with the retainer. The sliding type locking pawl on the load floor lock does not surely engage with the holder on the vehicle to the extent desired by the user.

Therefore, there is a need for a lock that requires a certainty to engage the retainer by rotating the locking pawl toward the retainer.

In addition, the load floor lock as an application of the lock of the present invention has been widely used in the automobile industry. These locks are often used to protect the loads in the loading area. The lock of the present invention can be used in various positions of the vehicle compartment and storage box, such as the glove box on the dashboard of a car and the storage area on the vehicle. For example, load floor locks are used to close floor panels, such as panels that control access to vehicle items such as spare tires, tools, jacks, batteries, and the like. In many cases, the floor panel is provided on the floor of the passenger car or cargo compartment. Therefore, the lock must be durable, and it is hoped that the lock can withstand large enough force loads, such as those that are often subjected to impacts, uneven terrain, and especially vehicle accidents such as crashes or rollovers. In the event of a vehicle crash or rollover, it is important to keep the cargo in the compartment tightly closed. This is in the cargo hold

20048003285& 0 This is especially important when it is in the same area as the driver or passenger of the vehicle. For example, in a dual-purpose vehicle, passengers and cargo are located in the same cargo compartment. Therefore, on this type of vehicle, if the vehicle is overturned and the lock is not closed, it is particularly dangerous. If this happens, the compartment load will be dumped into the passenger compartment, thus putting the driver of the vehicle in a dangerous situation. For the load floor lock, there is a requirement to improve its ability to withstand rollovers, and it can help to lock the panel even under high stress conditions. It is also important that in addition to being durable, the lock is easier to construct and install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lock having a housing that holds a handle, a locking pawl mounted on a pin connected to the housing, and a locking pawl spring that biases the locking pawl into engagement with the holder. The lock handle is biased by the handle torsion spring.

The handle is engaged with the locking pawl to rotate the locking pawl out of engagement with the holder part. When the handle is raised, the handle pivots relative to the housing to engage with the locking pawl and the locking pawl, which in turn rotates away from the holder part. The locking pawl overcomes the bias of the locking pawl spring and retracts. When the handle is lifted from the closed position, the locking pawl rotates.

When the lock handle is released, the lock pawl rotates back to the closed position and the handle rotates back to the closed position. If the handle is not rotated back to the fully closed position, the handle will be closed due to the force of the handle torsion spring acting on the handle. The locking pawl can also be rotated independently of the handle without moving the handle, for example, when the panel on which the lock is installed is closed hard, thereby allowing the locking pawl of the lock to rotate and engage with the holder and be in the closed position.

The housing is preferably provided with a gripping part or a notch that is convenient for the user to grasp the handle. The housing can also be provided with a compartment barrier covered by a floor panel to prevent objects from accidentally falling into the compartment through the lock.

In the second embodiment of the lock, the lock is provided with at least one limit stopper which engages with the handle and prevents the handle from moving further beyond the point where the handle pivots to the fully opened or unlocked position . The limit stop when the part prevents the handle from being released when excessive force is applied to the handle.

20048003285& 0 The first undesirable deflection of the housing also prevents the handle from being pulled out of the housing.

In this embodiment of the lock, the housing of the lock is provided with a locking pawl stopper, which is in contact with the locking pawl projection of the locking pawl, thereby preventing the locking pawl from further pivoting beyond the locking pawl and the holder The location point of the joint.

Similarly, in this embodiment of the lock, the lock also includes a plurality of buckle feet provided on the outer surface of the housing. These buckle feet are generally flexible and provide a hook that connects the first closure member with the lock. Snap-fit connection. Each buckle foot may have an upper surface facing the handle direction, the upper surface is used for engaging with the first closure member, and the upper surface is inclined toward the handle along the direction of the housing. Therefore, the lock can accommodate different first closures of various thicknesses while maintaining the lock in the lock installation position in the first closure.

The second embodiment of the lock described below also has a handle and a locking pawl, which are configured so that the handle can be pivoted by a circular arc before the handle is engaged and the locking pawl is retracted to the open position. Before the handle or handle actuator is engaged with the locking pawl and the locking pawl is retracted from the engaged or locked position, the handle is preferably pivoted in an arc of 26 to 29 degrees.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-biased lock that allows the first panel to be fixed to the second panel due to the force of the locking pawl of the lock acting on the second panel. This is achieved by a locking pawl that interacts with the holder on the second panel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lock that can be used with a vehicle panel to control access to a certain area or vehicle compartment such as floor panels and floor storage compartments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lock that can be used in a device, wherein the lock is installed on a closure panel to control access to the cover covered by the closure panel and provide a barrier to prevent users Hands or fingers, or objects inadvertently enter the carriage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel lock which can fasten one or more panels or parts together and can be released by actuating the handle of the lock.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel lock with a locking pawl, which can be held with the retainer installed on the vehicle under severe conditions such as rollovers and crashes.

20048003285& 0 joint.

These and other objects of the present invention can be more easily understood from the following introduction in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a lock according to the present invention, showing the handle and the housing.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the lock shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the locking pawl in the closed position.

Figure 4 is a front view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the locking pawl.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 showing the locking pawl in the closed position.

Figure 6 is a top view of the handle of the lock shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the handle of the lock shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the handle of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 12 is a top view of the locking pawl of the lock shown in Figure 1 before the locking pawls are overlapped and formed.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1 before the pawl is overlapped and formed.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1 before the pawl is overlapped and formed.

Fig. 15 is a top view of the locking pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1 after the locking pawls are overlapped and formed.

Fig. 16 is a side view of the locking claws of the lock shown in Fig. 1 after the locking claws are overlapped and formed.

Fig. 17 is a front view of the locking pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1 after the locking pawl is overlapped and formed.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the handle torsion spring of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the double torsion spring of the locking pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the double torsion spring of the locking pawl mounted on the locking pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the double torsion spring of the locking pawl mounted on the locking pawl of the lock shown in Figure 1, in which the pin is being inserted into the locking pawl.

20048003285& 0 Figure 22 is a perspective view of the double torsion spring of the locking pawl mounted on the locking pawl of the lock shown in Figure 1, in which the pin has been inserted into the locking pawl.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the locking pawl, which is being inserted into the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the locking pawl being rotated before the locking pawl is inserted into the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 showing the locking pawl inserted into the housing.

Figure 26 is a bottom perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the locking pawl protruding from the bottom of the housing.

Figures 27 and 28 are perspective views of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the handle being inserted into the housing.

Figure 29 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 showing the handle inserted into the housing.

Figure 30 is a top perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 being inserted into the first closure member.

Figure 31 is a top perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 after the first closure is inserted.

Figure 32 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the lock shown in Figure 1.

Figure 33 is a bottom view of the lock shown in Figure 1 after the first closure is inserted.

Figure 34 is a top perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1 after the first closure is inserted.

Figure 35 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the lock in a closed position.

Figure 36 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the lock in the closed position.

Figure 36b is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 36, showing the lock in the closed position.

Figure 37 is a top perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the lock in an open position.

Figure 38 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 1, showing the lock in the open position.

Figure 38b is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 38, showing the lock in the open position.

Fig. 39 is a side view of the lock shown in Fig. 1, showing the handle released due to the action of the spring on the handle and in the closed position, and the locking pawl is located between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Figure 39b is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 39.

Figure 39c is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 1 in a locked position.

Figure 40 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 39.

20048003285& 0 Figure 41 is a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the handle and the housing.

Figure 42 is a bottom view of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Figure 43 is a front view of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Figure 44 is a bottom view of the handle of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Fig. 45 is a side view of the handle of the lock shown in Fig. 41;

Figure 46 is a perspective view of the top handle of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Figure 47 is a top view of the housing of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Figure 48 is a bottom view of the housing of the lock shown in Figure 41.

Fig. 49 is a side view of the housing of the lock shown in Fig. 41;

Fig. 50 is a side view of the locking claw core of the lock shown in Fig. 41 before the locking claw core is over-molded.

Fig. 51 is a side view of the locking claw core of the lock shown in Fig. 41 after the locking claw core is overlapped and molded.

Fig. 52 is a front view of the locking claw core of the lock shown in Fig. 41 after the locking claw core is over-molded.

Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the double torsion spring of the locking pawl of the lock shown in Fig. 41;

Fig. 54 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Fig. 41 showing the double torsion spring of the locking pawl mounted on the locking pawl, and the locking pawl is mounted on the pin.

Figure 55 is a perspective view of the housing, locking pawl, locking pawl double torsion spring and handle spring of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing that the locking pawl is being installed on the housing with the pin inserted into the locking pawl.

Figure 56 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 41.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the lock shown in FIG. 41 along the line AA of FIG. 56. FIG.

Figure 58 is a perspective view of the bottom of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the locking pawl in the locked position.

Figure 59 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the handle being inserted into the housing.

Figure 60 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the lock being inserted into the first closure panel.

Figure 61 is a perspective view of the bottom of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the lock in the locked position.

20048003285& 0 Figure 62 is a perspective view of a portion of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the lock in the locked position.

Figure 63 is a bottom view of the lock shown in Figure 41 after being inserted into the first closure.

Figure 64 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 41 in the locked position.

Figure 65 is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 64 in the locked position.

Figure 66 is a perspective view of the bottom of the lock shown in Figure 41 in the locked position.

Figure 67 is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 41 showing the lock engaged with the retainer.

Figure 68 is a perspective view of the lock shown in Figure 41, showing the lock in the unlocked position.

Figure 69 is a side view of the lock shown in Figure 41 in the unlocked position.

Figure 70 is a cross-sectional view of the lock shown in Figure 69 in the unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the drawings in detail, the same reference numerals in different views denote the same elements, and the housing 3 and the handle are shown in the views of the first embodiment of the lock 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 2.

The handle 2 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 has a ribbed grip portion 11 for providing traction to a user who operates the handle 2. The handle 2 has protrusions 12 on the opposite side thereof. The housing 3 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 has a housing opening 15 through which the locking pawl 4 shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 extends. Each protrusion 12 on the handle 2 passes through the corresponding housing hole 17 to fit together when the lock 1 is assembled. In the top view of the housing 3 shown in FIG. 9, the rib 8 extends from one side of the housing 3 into the interior of the housing 3. The protrusion 16 on the housing 3 preferably has a thread for inserting a screw, and provides a tool for connecting the assembled lock 1 to the first closure by inserting the screw therethrough.

Figures 12 to 14 show the locking pawl 4 before overmolding with plastic. Figures 15 to 17 show the overmolded locking pawl 4 having the T-shaped locking pawl protrusion 10 installed therein. The locking pawl 4 may be in the shape of a hook as shown in the figure to more surely engage with the holder 7 shown in FIG. 39C. The locking pawl 4 is preferably a steel product that is overmolded with plastic.

Lock 1 is installed as described below. As shown in Figure 20, the handle spring 1 is fitted on the pin 5.

20048003285& 0 The first locking pawl spring 14 is fitted on the locking pawl 4. The locking pawl 4 can move independently of the pin 5 after being assembled. As shown in FIG. 20, the locking pawl double torsion spring 14 is mounted on the locking pawl 4 which has a shoulder 19 for the locking pawl protrusion 10 molded on the locking pawl 4. As shown in FIG. 21, the pin 5 is inserted through the hole on the locking pawl 4, and the locking pawl 4 and the locking pawl spring 14 can freely rotate around the pin 5. As shown in FIG. 22, the handle torsion spring 13 is placed on the pin 5. In another form of the present invention, the handle spring 13 can be excluded from the lock 1 and the pin 5 on which the locking pawl 4 is installed can be directly placed in the housing 3.

As shown in Figure 23, the pin 5 inserted into the locking pawl 4, the locking pawl spring 14 and the handle spring 13 mounted on the pin 5 can be aligned with the notch 20 on the rib 8 of the housing 3. The notch can be molded On the housing 3. The pin 5 together with the locking pawl 4, the locking pawl spring 14 and the handle spring 13 can be put down into the housing 3. As shown in Figure 24, the locking pawl 4 can rotate around the pin 5, allowing the T-shaped locking pawl protrusion 10 to pass through the housing opening 15 at the bottom of the housing 3, and then connecting the pin 5, the locking pawl 4, and the locking pawl spring 14 When the handle spring 13 is lowered into the housing 3, the feet of the locking pawl double torsion spring will be biased to generate pre-compression. The pin 5 is connected to the housing pin buckle foot 21 shown in FIG. 23 through a snap fit and snaps into the housing 3. As shown in Figures 23 to 25, the two sets of shell ribs 22 located in the shell rib 8 clamp the pin 5, and the two shell pins 21 (respectively located at both ends of the pin) ) Any lateral movement of the restraint pin.

As shown in Fig. 26, once the pin 5, the locking pawl 4, the locking pawl spring 14 and the handle spring 13 are assembled and snapped into the housing 3, the combined components shown will no longer be moved.

In Fig. 27, the final component handle 2 is installed by aligning the handle 2 with the housing 3. As shown in FIG. 28, the assembler inserts a protrusion 12 on one side of the handle 2 into a corresponding hole 17 on the housing 3. Finally, as shown in FIG. 29, the handle 2 is pressed down so as to snap the second protrusion 12 into the second housing hole 17.

In order to install the assembled lock 1, the lock can be lowered into the first closure opening 23 on the first closure 18, which is a load floor panel in FIG. 30. As shown in Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, once the lock 1 is pushed into the opening 23 on the first closure member, the two buckle feet 9 installed on the side surface of the housing 3 in the front will be quickly released. Lock 1 can be used

20048003285& 0 The second threaded screw (not shown) and washer are permanently fixed to the panel (not shown). As shown in FIG. 33, the screw protrusion 16 may be provided at the lower part of the first closure member 18 for assembly. Figure 34 shows the top of the first closure 18, which is shown here as a load floor panel. In an alternative, a bolt and a nut bolted to the housing can be used instead of two threaded screws.

The operation of the lock 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 36 and 36b is described below. The lock handle 2 is pressed down by the user, preferably the user's hand is pressed down on the ribbed portion 11. When the lock 1 initially rotates, the locking pawl 4 starts to rotate by urging the locking pawl 4 by the handle 2. In this embodiment of the present invention, the handle 2 and the locking pawl 4 are rotated by the same amount of rotation. For example, as shown in Figs. 37 and 38, when the handle is rotated 40 degrees, the locking pawl is also rotated 40 degrees.

When the lock handle 2 of the first embodiment is released, the lock pawl 4 rotates back to the closed position, The handle 2 also rotates back to the closed position, which is also the rest position. In addition, if the locking pawl 4 is not fully rotated back to the closed position, the handle 2 will still be completely closed due to the force of the handle spring 13, which is preferably a torsion spring, acting on the handle 2. Finally, the locking pawl 4 can be rotated independently of the gripper 2. An example of the advantages of the locking pawl 4 that can rotate independently of the handle 2 occurs when a user who has opened the lock from the initial closed and locked position tries to release or release the unlock when the lock 1 is in the unlocked position, where the lock 1 The locking pawl 4 engages with the retainer 7 when in the locked position. When the user releases the lock handle 2, since the lock pawl 4 can still move freely even after the user has released the unlock handle 2, the lock 1 can be closed hard, and the handle spring 13 will move the handle 2 to the closed position . Due to the presence of the handle spring 13, regardless of whether the locking pawl 4 returns to the fully closed position, the handle 2 will remain closed under the action of the spring tension. The lock 1 can therefore adapt to different tolerances due to different applications, and therefore the lock can also adapt to different position tolerances. Figure 39c shows the lock 1 of the first embodiment in which the locking pawl 4 is engaged with the holder 7. In order to adapt the lock 1 to a variety of different structures of the holder and the first closure member, the shape of the locking pawl of the lock and the position of the lock itself can be changed. For example, the lock and holder structure shown in Fig. 39c can be adapted to a load floor on which a variety of carpets of different thicknesses are placed, and the lock can be operated effectively.

20048003285& 0 In another version of the present invention, the lock can be configured such that the handle can be rotated about 20 degrees before the handle activates the locking pawl, so that the total rotation angle of the handle is 60 degrees, and the total rotation angle of the locking pawl is only 40 degree.

In the third version of the present invention, the lock can be installed without a handle torsion spring, so that any angle of the handle, such as a 40-degree rotation, will invert the locking pawl to rotate 40 degrees. In this version, if the locking pawl does not return to the closed position, there will be no biasing force acting on the handle for returning the handle to the closed position.

Figures 41 to 43 show the second embodiment of the lock of the present invention. In the view of the first embodiment of the lock 101 of the present invention, the housing 103 and the handle 102 are shown.

The handle shown in FIGS. 44 to 46 has a ribbed grip portion 111 that provides traction for a user who operates the handle 102. The handle 102 has a protrusion 112 on the opposite side. The handle 102 also has a post 131, which provides a place to install on any electroplating equipment if it is desired to electroplate the lock handle 102. On each side of the protrusion notch 135 is a handle protrusion surface 132. When the handle protrusion surface 132 contacts and rests on the locking pawl 104 as shown in FIGS. 67 and 70, the protrusion surface 132 contacts the locking pawl 104. The spring foot guides 133 on both sides of the spring foot clip gap 134 are also shown. These spring foot guides 133 - together form a first handle spring foot clip 136 that engages with the spring feet of the handle spring 113, as shown in Figure 66 Show.

The housing 103 shown in FIGS. 47 to 49 has a housing opening 115 through which the locking pawl 104 in FIGS. 51 and 52 extends. Each protrusion 112 of the handle 102 passes through the corresponding housing hole 117 when the lock 101 is assembled. Figure 47 shows a top view of the housing 103, in which the rib 108 extends into the housing 103 from one side of the housing 103 internal. As shown in Fig. 48, the protrusion 116 on the housing 103 preferably has threads for inserting screws or bolts (not shown), and is provided for inserting screws or bolts through which the assembled lock 101 can be connected to the first Tools for closing parts. Figures 47 and 55 show the second handle spring foot clamp 139 that clamps one of the handle torsion spring legs inside the housing. FIG. 57 shows the bumper 140 pressed into the bumper opening 141. As shown in FIG. The buffer 140 exerts a biasing force on the handle spring 113 to reduce the vibration and vibration of the lock handle 102. When the handle 103 is still

20048003285& 0 In the closed position, the handle is leaning against the buffer 140 _ho The outer shell guide rib 142 provides the locking pawl protrusion 110 against the moving surface of the locking pawl 104 when it pivots, as shown in Figure 66 .

Figures 50 to 52 show the locking jaw core 144 before being overmolded by plastic. The over-molded locking pawl 104 with the T-shaped locking pawl protrusion 110 is also shown. In order to more surely engage with the holder 107 as shown in FIG. 67, the locking pawl 104 may have a hook shape as shown. The locking claw core 104 is preferably a steel product, and the steel product is overmolded with plastic to form the locking claw 104. The gusset 119 below the locking pawl protrusion 110 provides support against any force acting on the upper protrusion 110 of the locking pawl in the direction of the gusset 119. The locking pawl spring foot clamp 145 is engaged with the spring foot of the locking pawl torsion spring 114.

The assembly of the lock 101 is described below. As shown in FIG. 55, when the lock 101 is installed, the handle spring 113 is installed on the pin 105, and the locking pawl spring 114 is installed on the locking pawl 104. After the pin 105 is inserted into the housing 103, the locking pawl 104 can move independently of the pin 105. The locking pawl double torsion spring 114 is installed above the locking pawl 104. The pin 105 is inserted through the opening 146 of the locking pawl 104. As shown in FIG. 57, the locking pawl 104 and the locking pawl spring 114 are free to rotate around the pin 105. The handle spring 113 is placed on the pin 105 as shown in FIG. 55, and the spring leg of the handle spring 113 is processed so that the spring leg of the handle spring 113 is placed under the action of spring tension, and the pin 105, the locking pawl 104 and The pawl spring 114 rotates in the holder direction before being inserted into the recess 120.

The pin 105 inserted into the locking pawl 104, the locking pawl spring 114, and the handle spring 113 mounted on the pin 105 can be aligned with the recess 120 on the rib 108 of the housing 103, and the recess 120 can be molded as shown in Figure 55 and Figure 57In the shell103. Made in the housing 103. The pin 105, together with the locking pawl 104, the locking pawl spring 114 and the handle spring 113, can be put into the housing 103 downward. The locking pawl 104 preferably rotates around the pin 105 to allow the T-shaped locking pawl protrusion 110 to pass through the housing opening 115 at the bottom of the housing 103, as shown in FIG. 47.

When the pin 105, the locking pawl 104, the locking pawl spring 114 and the handle spring 113 are lowered into the housing 103, the locking pawl double torsion spring foot will be biased to generate pre-compression. The pin 105 is snap-fitted into the housing 103 by a snap-fit connection and leaned against the pin buckle foot 121 of the housing.

20048003285 & 0 First, the buckle foot preferably has a dimple 147 as shown in FIG. 55. The indentation 147 helps to insert the pin 105 into the housing pin buckle foot 121 and thus prevents permanent deformation of the housing pin buckle foot 121.

The pin 105 is clamped by the buckle foot 122 and the shell rib 108. The two housing pin buckle feet 121 (respectively located at both ends of the pin) restrict any lateral movement of the pin as shown in Fig. 57.

As shown in FIG. 55 and FIG. 57, the lock also includes an outer shell buckle foot 109 on the outer surface of the shell 103. The buckle foot 109 of the outer housing is generally flexible and provides a buckle-fitting connection for connecting the first closure member to the lock 101. Preferably, each of the external housing buckle feet 109 has an upper surface 129 facing the direction of the handle. The upper surface 129 is engaged with the first closure 118 as shown in FIGS. 60 and 63, and the upper surface 129 is inclined upward at an angle in the direction of the housing 103 toward the handle 102.

In FIG. 59, the final part handle 102 is assembled by aligning the handle 102 with the housing 103. The assembler inserts a protrusion 112 on one side of the handle 102 into the corresponding hole 117 on the housing 103 as shown in FIG. 59. Finally, as shown in FIG. 60, the handle 102 is pressed down so that the second protrusion 112 is snapped into the housing hole 117.

To install the assembled lock 101, the lock 101 can be lowered into the first closure 118 which is the load floor panel in FIG. 63. Once the lock 101 is pushed into the first closure member 18 as shown in FIG. 63, the two outer housing snap feet 109 installed on the side of the housing 103 in the front will snap-fit outwards relative to the housing 103. The lock 101 can be permanently fixed to the panel (not shown) by two threaded screws (not shown) and washers. It can be seen that the screw protrusion 116 is located at the lower part of the first closure 118 for assembly, as shown in FIG. 60. In the alternative, a bolt and a nut constrained by the housing can be used instead of two threaded screws.

The operation of the lock 101 of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 is described below. The lock handle 102 is pressed down by the user, preferably by the user's hand at the ribbed portion. After the lock 101 pivots or rotates a circular arc, the locking pawl 104 starts to pivot by the engagement of the handle 102 on the locking pawl 104 as shown in FIGS. 68 to 70. In this embodiment of the present invention, the handle 102 is preferably pivoted or rotated before being engaged with the locking pawl 104.

20048003285& 0 Turn 26 degrees to 29 degrees.

When the user drives the handle 102 to rotate to the fully open position as shown in FIGS. 68 to 70, the handle edge 152 shown in FIG. 46 is engaged with the inner rib stopper 150 and the pivot stopper 151, such as As shown in Figs. 55 and 57, the handle is prevented from rotating further beyond the position of the handle as shown in Figs. 68 to 70.

When the lock handle 102 of the second embodiment is released, due to the spring force of the lock pawl spring 114, the lock pawl 104 rotates back to the closed or locked position, and the lock handle 102 also rotates back to the closed position which is also the rest position. In this embodiment, the locking pawl stopper 149 outside the housing prevents the locking pawl 104 from pivoting beyond the locking pawl stopper 149 through the contact between the locking pawl protrusion 110 and the locking pawl stopper 149, such as Shown in Figure 64.

In addition, if the locking pawl 104 is not fully rotated back to the closed position, the handle 102 will be completely closed due to the spring force of the handle spring 113, which is preferably a torsion spring, acting on the handle 102_h. Finally, the locking pawl 104 can be rotated independently of the handle 102. An example of the advantage that the locking pawl 104 can be rotated independently of the handle 102 occurs when a user who has opened the lock 101 from the initial closed and locked position tries to release and release the unlock when the lock 101 is in the open position, where the lock 101 The locking pawl 104 engages with the retainer 107 when in the locked position. When the user releases the unlocking handle 102, since the locking pawl 104 can move freely even after the user releases the unlocking handle 102, the lock 101 can be closed hard and the handle spring 113 moves the handle 102 to the closed position. Due to the presence of the handle spring 113, the handle 102 will remain closed under the action of the spring tension regardless of whether the locking pawl 104 returns to the fully closed position. The lock 101 can therefore adapt to different tolerances of the lock 101 in different applications, so the lock 101 can also adapt to different position tolerances. FIG. 67 shows the lock 101 when the locking pawl 104 and the holder 107 are engaged. In order to adapt the lock 101 to a variety of different structures of the holder and the first closure member, the shape of the lock pawl and the position of the lock itself can be changed. For example, the structure of the lock 101 and the retainer 107 shown in FIG. 67 can be adapted to There are load base plates with carpets of various thicknesses on it, and the lock can be operated effectively. It can be appreciated that those skilled in the art can make changes to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention without departing from the broad inventive concept of the present invention. For example, above

Every feature described in 20048003285&0 does not need to be included in a single device. Rather, one or more features can be provided in a single device as needed and in any combination. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed specific embodiments, but is intended to cover all modifications within the scope and essence of the present invention.

200480032858.0