Abstract: A solenoid locking mechanism connects a solenoid body to a male coupling member. The male coupling member surrounds a housing at the end of the solenoid. A pair of ball bearings is retained in the housing and extends into the coupling member. Movement of the ball bearings by the plunger control locking or releasing the coupling member. In an alternate embodiment the solenoid locking mechanism secures the coupling mechanism to a lockable rod that has a ball nose at one end. The locking mechanism has a locking chamber or socket with a ball bearing mounted in the chamber wall. The ball bearing is moveable between a position in which it extends into the locking chamber or can be moved out from the locking chamber. The movement of the ball bearing is controlled by a plunger in the solenoid body. The ball nose is selectively locked in the locking chamber or released from the locking chamber depending on the position of the plunger which controls the position and movement of the ball bearing.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism for securing a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. Several ball bearings are inserted or removed from a passageway through which the lockable rod must pass to a locking chamber. The plunger has a configuration of locking flats and recesses to determine whether the ball bearings are disposed in the passageway, which restricts the movement of the locking rod past the ball bearings, or whether the ball bearings are out of the passageway, which allows the lockable rod to enter or be removed from the locking chamber or socket. The position of the plunger is controlled by a pair of springs and the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism uses a permanent magnet to secure a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. A solenoid operated plunger determines the location and movement of locking members that extend into a locking chamber, thus controlling the movement of the lockable rod past the locking members. Inserting the lockable rod into the locking mechanism forces the plunger against a spring toward a permanent magnet that holds the plunger in the locked position until an electrical pulse energizes the solenoid which reduces or cancels the permanent magnet's magnetic field and allows the lockable rod to be withdrawn from the locking chamber. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism for securing a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. Several ball bearings are inserted or removed from a passageway through which the lockable rod must pass to a locking chamber. The plunger has a configuration of locking flats and recesses to determine whether the ball bearings are disposed in the passageway, which restricts the movement of the locking rod past the ball bearings, or whether the ball bearings are out of the passageway, which allows the lockable rod to enter or be removed from the locking chamber or socket. The position of the plunger is controlled by a pair of springs and the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism uses a permanent magnet to secure a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. A solenoid operated plunger determines the location and movement of locking members that extend into a locking chamber, thus controlling the movement of the lockable rod past the locking members. Inserting the lockable rod into the locking mechanism forces the plunger against a spring toward a permanent magnet that holds the plunger in the locked position until an electrical pulse energizes the solenoid which reduces or cancels the permanent magnet's magnetic field and allows the lockable rod to be withdrawn from the locking chamber. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid locking mechanism connects a solenoid body to a male coupling member. The male coupling member surrounds a housing at the end of the solenoid. A pair of ball bearings is retained in the housing and extends into the coupling member. Movement of the ball bearings by the plunger control locking or releasing the coupling member. In an alternate embodiment the solenoid locking mechanism secures the coupling mechanism to a lockable rod that has a ball nose at one end. The locking mechanism has a locking chamber or socket with a ball bearing mounted in the chamber wall. The ball bearing is moveable between a position in which it extends into the locking chamber or can be moved out from the locking chamber. The movement of the ball bearing is controlled by a plunger in the solenoid body. The ball nose is selectively locked in the locking chamber or released from the locking chamber depending on the position of the plunger which controls the position and movement of the ball bearing.