Cam lock mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10280957-B2
Application number	US-201615136258-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2016
Priority date	Apr 22, 2016
Publication date	May 7, 2019
Grant date	May 7, 2019

Abstract

A cam lock mechanism for use with an associated consumer product includes a base member defining a receptacle. A cam member is received in the receptacle of the base member. The cam member has an engaged position wherein the cam member is configured to be non-movably fixed relative to the associated consumer product and a released position wherein the cam member is configured to be movable relative to the associated consumer product. A lever is hingedly connected to the cam member. The lever has a closed position wherein the lever is configured to move the cam member into the engaged position and an opened position wherein the cam member is in the released position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cam lock mechanism for use with an associated consumer product comprising:
a base member defining a receptacle;
a cam member received in the receptacle of the base member, the cam member having an engaged position wherein the cam member is configured to be non-movably fixed relative to the associated consumer product and a released position wherein the cam member is configured to be movable relative to the associated consumer product; and
a lever hingedly connected to the cam member, the lever having a closed position wherein the lever is configured to move the cam member into the engaged position and an opened position wherein the cam member is in the released position.

2. The cam lock mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the base member is configured to be releasably secured to an associated support surface.

3. The cam lock mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the base member includes an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom, the annular flange defining the receptacle.

4. The cam lock mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the cam member is rotatable within the receptacle of the base member.

5. The cam lock mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the cam member includes at least one section adapted to be moved into engagement with the associated consumer product.

6. The cam lock mechanism of claim 5 , wherein the at least one section of the cam member includes a first section and a second section at least partially separated from the first section by an elongated cutout provided on the cam member, each of the first and second sections adapted to be moved into engagement with the associated consumer product.

7. The cam lock mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the first section includes a first engagement member and the second section includes a second engagement member, each of the first and second engagement members configured to at least partially receive the associated consumer product.

8. The cam lock mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the associated consumer product includes an associated wire frame, and each of the first and second engagement members is defined by a shoulder and at least one tab which together at least partially define a channel dimensioned to at least partially receive the associated wire frame.

9. The cam lock mechanism of claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second engagement members is further defined by a second shoulder spaced outwardly from each shoulder of the first and second engagement members.

10. The cam lock mechanism of claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second engagement members further includes a compressible member configured to grip the associated consumer product.

11. The cam lock mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the lever includes a wedge portion configured to engage the cam member and move the first and second sections of the cam member away from one another.

12. The cam lock mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the lever includes first and second tabs associated with the respective first and second sections and in the closed position of the lever the first and second tabs are configured to engage the associated consumer product.

13. The cam lock mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the lever includes a locking portion configured to engage the cam member and maintain the lever in the closed position.

14. The cam lock mechanism of claim 13 , wherein the elongated cutout has a first end section dimensioned to receive the wedge portion of the lever, a second end section dimensioned to receive the locking portion of the lever, and a generally V-shaped section interconnecting the first and second end sections.

15. A method of using a cam lock mechanism on a consumer product, the cam lock mechanism having a cam member and a lever hingedly connected to the cam member, the method comprising:
placing the lever in an opened position;
mounting an engagement member of the cam member on the consumer product;
positioning the cam member at a desired location on the consumer product;
moving the lever to a closed position; and
pressing the engagement member into contact with the consumer product via the lever to non-movably secure the cam member at the desired position on the consumer product.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the positioning step includes rotating the cam member.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cam member includes first and second engagement members, the lever includes a wedge member, and the method includes pressing each of the first and second engagement members into contact with the consumer product via the wedge member of the lever.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the mounting step includes sliding a part of the consumer product through a channel provided on the cam member, the channel being at least partially defined the engagement member.

Assignees

• Helen Of Troy Ltd

Inventors

• Mutch Martin
• Wu Lingxiu
• Mcnamara Conor P
• Worden Iv Morris Elijah
• Umholtz Mason Adam
• Andler Brett

Classifications

• A47K3/281 Primary

  Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers (A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16B2/185 Primary

  using levers · CPC title