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US 12,628,789 B2Granted
System and method for securing calf hutches
AssigneeMje, LLC
InventorStephen L. Deges
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A securement system for securing one or more calf hutches is provided. The securement system includes latch assemblies and a line. The latch assemblies are configured to be attached to the calf hutches and comprise receiver flanges and latch arms. Each receiver flange includes a vertically-extending plate defining a locking slot with an open end. Each latch arm may be shifted between a closed position in which it blocks the open end of the locking slot and an open position in which it does not block the open end of the locking slot. Each latch arm is biased to the closed position.
Claims16
A latch for attaching to a calf hutch and for use with a cable to secure the calf hutch, the latch comprising:
- a back portion having a front end and a back end, wherein the back portion includes a base portion having a first hole that receives a fastener to attach the latch to the calf hutch;
- a latch arm secured to the back portion and having a first portion pivotable between a closed position and an open position in which the first portion pivots about a pivot point downwardly thereby defining a range of motion, the first portion being biased to the closed position and having a first end proximal to the pivot point and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end located at a first radial distance from the pivot point;
- a front portion that defines a locking slot with the front end of the back portion, the locking slot comprising:
- an open end that is blocked when the latch arm is in the closed position and that is not blocked by the latch arm when the latch arm is in the open position, and
- a bottom portion that is outside the range of motion of the latch arm and located at a second radial distance from the pivot point, the second radial distance being longer than the first radial distance;
- and
- a reinforcement plate for positioning on an interior surface of the calf hutch and having a second hole corresponding to the first hole so that the second hole may also receive the fastener,
- wherein the latch arm includes a portion that protrudes rearwardly from the back end of the back portion when the latch arm is in the closed position so that the portion of the latch arm may be actuated to shift the latch arm from the closed position to the open position.
5 more elements
A latch for attaching to a calf hutch and for use with a cable to secure the calf hutch, the latch comprising:
- a back portion comprising a base portion having a first hole that receives a fastener to attach the latch to the calf hutch;
- a latch arm secured to the back portion and having a first portion pivotable between a closed position and an open position in which the first portion pivots about a pivot point downwardly thereby defining a range of motion, the first portion being biased to the closed position and having first end proximal to the pivot point and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end located at a first radial distance from the pivot point;
- a front portion that defines a locking slot with the back portion, the locking slot comprising:
- an open end that is blocked when the latch arm is in the closed position and that is not blocked by the latch arm when the latch arm is in the open position, and
- a bottom portion that is outside the range of motion of the latch arm and located at a second radial distance from the pivot point, the second radial distance being longer than the first radial distance;
- and
- a reinforcement plate for positioning on an interior surface of the calf hutch and having a second hole corresponding to the first hole so that the second hole may also receive the fastener,
- wherein the back portion further comprises two spaced-apart vertically-extending plates that define a first vertically-disposed channel therebetween in which the latch arm is pivotally-mounted, and the front portion further comprises two spaced-apart vertically-extending plates that define a second vertically-disposed channel through which the latch arm can shift.
5 more elements
A latch for attaching to a calf hutch and for use with a cable to secure the calf hutch, the latch comprising:
- a back portion having one or more plate and a base portion extending transversely from the one or more plate and having a first pair of holes that receive fasteners to attach the latch to the calf hutch;
- a latch arm secured to the back portion and having a first portion pivotable between a closed position and an open position in which the first portion pivots about a pivot point downwardly thereby defining a range of motion, the first portion being biased to the closed position and having first end proximal to the pivot point and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end located at a first radial distance from the pivot point;
- a front portion that defines a locking slot with the back portion, the locking slot comprising:
- an open end that is blocked when the latch arm is in the closed position and that is not blocked by the latch arm when the latch arm is in the open position, and
- a bottom portion that is outside the range of motion of the latch arm and located at a second radial distance from the pivot point, the second radial distance being longer than the first radial distance;
- and
- a reinforcement plate for positioning on an interior surface of the calf hutch and having a second pair of holes corresponding to the first pair of holes so that the second pair of holes may also receive the fasteners.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.