r/DIY•
rhoner

Need help with coming up with a search term... I turn to you, DIY.

I am building a custom scooter and working on molding a housing for the electronics. It is a two piece job that is essentially a box, cut in half, that I want to mate together using "a piece of hardware" molded into the fiberglass. I say piece of hardware because I am a total loss as to what to look for... or what to call it.

Here is how I can best describe what i am looking for. A two piece "coupler", one piece of which I can permanently attach within the electronics compartment. The other I would graft into my custom box. These two pieces would mate and make a strong enough connection to take road vibration. On the exterior face I would require some sort of latch, button, pin, twist, lock... something to open/close it.

Here is a little animated gif of the action I am looking for: Whatchamacallit

What is it that I am looking for? What would you call it? And can you think of any trick little latches like this available out there?

Thanks much.

edit: Something like the interface on this compression lock: Ebay, but that also functions as an anchor... there would be no hinge to rely on to keep the piece in place using a simple lock... it has... I don't know, couple?

ONE MORE EDIT: Thanks everyone for the help, this has helped me whittle down what I am trying to find. The main issue I have with most of the ideas posted is that the cam locks and other latches simply close a door. They rely on a hinge to hold the "door" in place. I won't have that. I need this device to securely hold the piece in place, not just provide opposing pressure. Does that make sense?

Posted Aug 3, 2011, 6:43 AM UTC · edited

516
jhra•

I am slightly confused but I'll give it a shot.

Some things that came to mind.

6
[deleted]•

I'm kind of confused as to how they mate, given that your animation shows male and female and "click" but no other details. Is this something you have seen before? If so, on what?

1
rhonerOP•

No details as I am open to any sort of connection.... and, to be honest, I must sheepishly admit what comes to mind is generally something you would see in a movie... a flush mount "switch", like a pinch mechanism or a twist lock, that disengages the connection between male and female ends. For the life of me I can't think of an example. I guess i am leaving it open ended as I am open to creative solutions.

Thinking more I suspect there is probably an RV or boat part that might fit the build... something that would secure the door on a hatch? Does that make sense?

1
thorndike•

You might find that rare earth magnets are strong enough to do what you are asking.

These magnets are so strong that they can pinch your fingers quite painfully if you get any skin between them

1
rhonerOP•

I was thinking that would be a really cool solution, and one I could make look however I want... but how in the world would I pull them apart?

1
jstamey•

could rare earth mags jack with the electronics housed within?

1
rhonerOP•

good point...

1
thorndike•

They shouldn't. Depending on how you design the cover, you could probably slide the magnets apart by sliding the cover before pulling the cover off.

1
jstamey•

I'll admit the magnet idea has merit. i've done similar to hold a guard onto a plane to protect the iron.

1
thorndike•

Glad I could help!

1
jstamey•

http://www.mcmaster.com/ Search for "latch" or for "coupler"

1
thews•

Why not house all of the electronics in one box and use sealed connectors to plug into it?

http://www.molex.com/molex/products/group?key=sealed_connectors&channel=PRODUCTS

Molex probably has any kind of connector you can imagine.

1
rhonerOP•

There are few complications to the whole plan that I left out (for clairty sake... I know, clear as mud) that require me to get access in there... but these... these are gorgeous. Me thinks I might want to redo my wiring harness, and run the panel mount plugs directly into the box anyway. I am running stainless spec plugs on the rear frame... this would be a trick tie-in, visually speaking.

1
davey_darling•

How about something like this Aerocatch Hood Pin used on high performance cars?

You could also look into Dzus fasteners.

1
rhonerOP•

You mad genius, I think these may just work... and look damn cool doing it.

1