FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sliding door systems having door units slidably mounted to door frames to open and close by sliding longitudinally along the door frames, and more specifically to locking mechanisms of such sliding door systems.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sliding door systems can be used on transit vehicles such as trains. Upon arrival of the transit vehicle at a destination, the sliding door systems of such transit vehicles are actuated to move their door units in an open position and let the passengers board and/or get off the transit vehicle. Once the boarding is completed, the door units are moved into a closed position, in which the door units are locked using dedicated locking mechanisms.

Although existing locking mechanisms for sliding door systems are satisfactory to a certain extent, there remains room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is described a locking mechanism for a door system which can lock a door unit in a closed position such that the door unit remains locked into the closed position even when a force is exerted to open the door unit.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a locking mechanism for a door system having a door unit slidably mounted to a door frame to open and close by sliding longitudinally along the door frame, the locking mechanism comprising: a pivoting member pivotally mounted to one of the door frame and the door unit for pivoting about a pivot axis, and a hook member spaced apart from the pivot axis such that the hook member can pivot about the pivot axis via the pivoting member; a guide member secured to the other one of the door frame and the door unit, the guide member having a channel formed therein to receive the hook member when the pivoting member is moved toward the guide by said sliding of the door, and subsequently maintain engagement with the hook member to force the pivoting of the hook member around the pivot axis passed a longitudinally-aligned position in which the hook member is longitudinally aligned with the pivot axis, and into a rest area of the channel as the door continues to be slid along the door frame, the channel having a sloping face in the rest area which engages the hook member and forces the hook member away from the longitudinally-aligned position if the door is subsequently slid in a reverse direction while the hook member is in the rest area.

Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.

