IP Library Granted Patent US 7,146,875
Granted Patent B2
US 7,146,875 · App. 10/624,464 · Granted Dec 12, 2006

Locking device for cable assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,146,875
App. No.
10/624,464
Granted
Dec 12, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable assembly includes an adjuster body having a plurality of teeth, a slider movable along the adjuster body, and a lock body having a plurality of teeth. The lock body is movable between a disengaged position allowing movement of the slider along the adjuster body and an engaged position preventing movement of the slider along the adjuster body. A mounting bracket receives the slider and has edges located in opposed lateral slots of the lock body. The lock body has a first section on one side of the mounting bracket which interlocks with the slider and a second section on the other side of the mounting bracket which forms the plurality of teeth. The interlock includes tabs of the first section extending into pockets of the slider. The lock body has a snap lock at one end opposed to the mounting bracket and engagable with the slider.

Claims (94)

1. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

wherein the lock body includes a front section, a rear section forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body, and an intermediate section located between the front section and the rear section and forming opposed lateral slots; and

a fixed mounting bracket extending into the slots to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket.

2. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the lock body is of unitary one-piece construction and molded of plastic.

3. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket has an opening receiving the slider body therein and a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket, and edges of the slot of the mounting bracket are located in the slots of the lock body.

4. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the slots of the lock body are at least partially wedge shaped to ensure engagement with the edges of the slot of the mounting bracket.

5. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein front section of the lock body interlocks with the slider body.

6. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body.

7. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the rear section of the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the rear section of the lock body opposed to the front section of the lock body that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

8. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening and wherein the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

9. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the snap-lock of the slider body is located at a side of the slider body opposite the front section of the lock body.

10. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

wherein the lock body has opposed lateral slots formed therein; and

a fixed mounting bracket having an opening receiving the slider body therein and a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket with edges of the slot of the mounting bracket located in the slots of the lock body to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket.

11. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the lock body includes a front section, a rear section forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body, and an intermediate section located between the front section and the rear section and forming opposed lateral slots.

12. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the slots of the lock body are at least partially wedge shaped to ensure engagement with the edges of the slot of the mounting bracket.

13. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the lock body has a front section located at one side of the mounting bracket and interlocking with the slider body and a rear section located on the other side of the mounting bracket and forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body.

14. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body.

15. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the lock body opposed to the mounting bracket and that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

16. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening and wherein the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

17. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the snap-lock of the slider body is located at a side of the slider body opposite the slot of the mounting bracket.

18. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

a fixed mounting bracket having an opening receiving the slider body therein; and

wherein the lock body extends through the mounting bracket and has a front section located at one side of the mounting bracket and interlocking with the slider body and a rear section located on the other side of the mounting bracket and forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body.

19. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the lock body has opposed lateral slots formed therein and the mounting bracket has a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket with edges of the slot of the mounting bracket located in the slots of the lock body to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket.

20. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 19 , wherein the slots of the lock body are at least partially wedge shaped to ensure engagement with the edges of the slot of the mounting bracket.

21. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the lock body includes an intermediate section located between the front section and the rear section which forms opposed lateral slots.

22. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body.

23. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the rear section of the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the lock body opposed to the mounting bracket that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

24. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening and wherein the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

25. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 24 , wherein the snap-lock of the slider body is located at a side of the slider body opposite the front section of the lock body.

26. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

a fixed mounting bracket having an opening receiving the slider body therein; and

wherein the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the lock body opposed to the mounting bracket that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

27. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the lock body has opposed lateral slots formed therein and the mounting bracket has a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket with edges of the slot of the mounting bracket located in the slots of the lock body to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket.

28. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 27 , wherein the slots of the lock body are at least partially wedge shaped to ensure engagement with the edges of the slot of the mounting bracket.

29. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the lock body includes a front section, a rear section forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body, and an intermediate section located between the front section and the rear section and forming opposed lateral slots.

30. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the lock body has a front section located on one side of the mounting bracket and interlocking with the slider body and a rear section located on the other side of the mounting bracket and forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body.

31. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 30 , wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body.

32. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening and wherein the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

33. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

a fixed mounting bracket having an opening receiving the slider body therein; and

wherein the mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening and the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

34. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 33 , wherein the lock body has opposed lateral slots formed therein and the mounting bracket has a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket with edges of the slot of the mounting bracket located in the slots of the lock body to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket.

35. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 34 , wherein the slots of the lock body are at least partially wedge shaped to ensure engagement with the edges of the slot of the mounting bracket.

36. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 34 , wherein aperture is located at a side of the mounting bracket opposite the slot of the mounting bracket.

37. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 33 , wherein the lock body includes a front section, a rear section forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body, and an intermediate section located between the front section and the rear section and forming opposed lateral slots.

38. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 33 , wherein the lock body has a front section located at one side of the mounting bracket and interlocking with the slider body and a front section located on the other side of the mounting bracket and forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body.

39. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 38 , wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body.

40. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 33 , wherein the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the lock body opposed to the mounting bracket that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

41. A motion transmitting cable assembly comprising, in combination:

a flexible conduit extending along a central axis;

a flexible core that moves within the conduit along the central axis;

an adjuster body secured to the conduit and having a plurality of teeth;

a slider body that moves along the adjuster body along the central axis;

a lock body having a plurality of teeth that moves relative to the slider body to releasably lock the slider body to the adjuster body;

wherein the teeth of the lock body are engaged with the teeth of the adjuster body when the lock body is in an engaged position to prevent movement of the slider body relative to the adjuster body along the central axis;

wherein the lock body has opposed lateral slots formed therein;

a fixed mounting bracket having an opening receiving the slider body therein and a slot extending from the opening to an edge of the mounting bracket with edges of the slot of the mounting bracket located in the slots of the lock body to interlock the lock body and the mounting bracket;

wherein the lock body has a front section located at one side of the mounting bracket and interlocking with the slider body and a rear section located on the other side of the mounting bracket and forming the plurality of teeth of the lock body;

wherein the opposed lateral slots are located between the front section and the rear section;

wherein the interlock between the front section of the lock body and the slider body includes a plurality of tabs of the front section of the lock body extending into a plurality of pockets formed in the slider body; and

wherein the lock body has a snap lock located at an end of the lock body opposed to the mounting bracket that engages the slider body to releasably lock the lock body to the slider body.

42. The motion transmitting cable assembly according to claim 41 , wherein the mounting bracket has an aperture spaced from the opening opposite the slot of the mounting bracket and the slider body has a snap-lock that engages the aperture to releasably lock the slider body to the mounting bracket.

Assignments (15)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST (LONDON) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 024244/0282 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 6, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 024195/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: PATRIARCH PARTNERS AGENCY SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 024055/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2010
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.
Reel/Frame 023915/0548 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 26, 2010
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WACHOVIA CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION (CENTRAL)
Reel/Frame 023957/0946 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AS RECORDE Recorded Jan 26, 2010
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.
Reel/Frame 023963/0961 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2009
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC. (AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION); DURA OPERATING CORP. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION); DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 022482/0336 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 29, 2008
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021590/0917 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME NO. 16026/0033 Recorded Jun 27, 2008
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 021158/0744 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME NO. 16377/0466 Recorded Jun 27, 2008
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 021165/0636 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE Recorded Feb 8, 2008
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGRENT
To: DURA OPERATING CORP.; UNIVERSAL TOOL & STAMPING COMPANY, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0674 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 10, 2006
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; UNIVERSAL TOOL & STAMPING COMPANY, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS (CANDA) LTD.; TRIDENT AUTOMOTIVE CANADA INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, LP
Reel/Frame 018654/0176 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2005
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 016377/0466 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2005
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 016026/0033 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2003
From: GORDY, DONALD GENE; RUHLANDER, GREGORY PHILLIP
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 014324/0823 →