Latch apparatus and method
US7219935B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/1082
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
In some embodiments of the present invention, a lever is actuatable to unlatch a pawl when the lever is in an unlocked position. When the lever is in a locked position, lever actuation cannot unlatch the pawl. An over-center device coupled to the lever can be used to position the lever in its locked and unlocked positions. In these and other embodiments, the lever is moved away from the pawl when the lever is in a locked position and is moved closer to the pawl when the lever is in an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the lever is pivotable about a pivot point that remains in the same location with respect to the lever in the unlocked and locked positions thereof. Although not required, the pawl is preferably movable by the lever to its unlatched state after the partially or fully-actuated lever has been moved to its unlocked state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.