While looking for something else in the Vans catalogue I noticed they offer a lock for securing a plane with a sliding canopy. Unfortunately, it sells for something like $110. Anyhow, it gave me the idea to make one using a canopy rear slider block (C-661).
What I'm thinking of, is using the same principle as Van's lock, consisting of a small plunger which extends down through a hole drilled in the center of the the slider block into a dimple in the track. Then there would have to be a sliding member to cover the top of the plunger so that it couldn't come up out of the dimple. That sliding member would be captured at both ends protruding through the upper tabs of the slider block and then a small pad lock inserted through the slider so that it couldn't be removed. The end of sliding member opposite the lock would be expanded or pinned so that it also couldn't be removed.
Has anyone else tried building a lock for their slider canopy or have a source for a little more economical locking mechanism? Also, since the rear slider block is plastic, it might be better to replicate it out of aluminum. I might try a sample one out of a slider block just to see how it works in principle though and who knows, if it looks like metal, it may work just fine to deter anyone thinking about trying to access the canopy.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
What I'm thinking of, is using the same principle as Van's lock, consisting of a small plunger which extends down through a hole drilled in the center of the the slider block into a dimple in the track. Then there would have to be a sliding member to cover the top of the plunger so that it couldn't come up out of the dimple. That sliding member would be captured at both ends protruding through the upper tabs of the slider block and then a small pad lock inserted through the slider so that it couldn't be removed. The end of sliding member opposite the lock would be expanded or pinned so that it also couldn't be removed.
Has anyone else tried building a lock for their slider canopy or have a source for a little more economical locking mechanism? Also, since the rear slider block is plastic, it might be better to replicate it out of aluminum. I might try a sample one out of a slider block just to see how it works in principle though and who knows, if it looks like metal, it may work just fine to deter anyone thinking about trying to access the canopy.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.