Latch assembly
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorsTorsten Johansson, Claes Magnusson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly having a keyless toggle lock capability and capable of being unlocked by either a low level security key or a master key. When a user rotates the front handle or rear handle the actuator of the latch assembly provides for sliding movement of a sliding element so as to provide for actuation of a latching means.
Claims12
An actuator for actuating a latching means in a latch assembly for fastening a closure member to a keeper in a latched position, the latch assembly being moveable between the latched position and an open position, the actuator comprising:
- an actuating means for actuating the actuator upon rotation of the actuating means, the actuating means being rotatable for actuating the actuator in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction relative to a relaxed position of the actuating means;
- a biasing means for biasing said actuating means toward the relaxed position in which actuator is latched;
- a first actuator rotation means rotatable by the actuating means;
- a second actuator rotation means having at least one protuberance, said second actuator rotation means being rotatable by engagement with the first actuator rotation means;
- a sliding element slidingly displaceable relative to the actuator, the sliding element having at least one sliding element prong;
- whereby rotation of the actuating means rotates said second actuator rotation means such that said at least one sliding element prong acts upon said sliding element such that said sliding element slides relative to the actuator to actuate the latching means.
A latch assembly comprising a latching means for fastening to a keeper in a latched position and an actuator for actuating the latching means, the latching means being moveable between the latched position and an open position, wherein the latching means comprises:
- a single pawl, the single pawl being rotatable in the latching means, the single pawl having a lever and a pawl for engaging a keeper when the latching means is in the latched position;
- a single pawl actuator displaceable in the latching means, the single pawl actuator having an engagement means for engaging the lever of the single pawl;
- a biasing means acting against the single pawl actuator for biasing the single pawl actuator toward the latched position;
- wherein displacement of the single pawl actuator in the latching means against the biasing device rotates the single pawl into the open position;
- and
- wherein the actuator comprises:
- an actuating means for actuating the actuator upon rotation of the actuating means, the actuating means being rotatable for actuating the actuator in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction relative to a relaxed position of the actuating means;
- an actuator biasing means for biasing said actuating means toward the relaxed position in which actuator is latched;
- a first actuator rotation means rotatable by the actuating means;
- a second actuator rotation means having at least one protuberance, said second actuator rotation means being rotatable by engagement with the first actuator rotation means;
- a sliding element slidingly displaceable relative to the actuator, the sliding element having at least one sliding element prong;
- whereby rotation of the actuating means rotates said second actuator rotation means such that said at least one sliding element prong acts upon said sliding element such that said sliding element slides relative to the actuator to actuate the latching means.
A latch assembly comprising a latching means for fastening to a keeper in a latched position and an actuator for actuating the latching means, the latching means being moveable between the latched position and an open position, wherein the latching means comprises:
- a first pawl, the first pawl being rotatable in the latching means, the first pawl having a lever and a pawl for engaging a keeper when the latching means is in the latched position;
- a second pawl, the second pawl being rotatable in the latching means, the first pawl having a lever, a pawl for engaging a keeper when the latching means is in the latched position, and at least one protuberance, said first pawl being rotatable by engagement of the first pawl with the at least one protuberance of the second pawl;
- a pawl actuator displaceable in the latching means, the pawl actuator having an engagement means for engaging the lever of the first pawl;
- a biasing means acting against the pawl actuator for biasing the pawl actuator toward the latched position;
- wherein displacement of the pawl actuator in the latching means against the biasing device rotates the first pawl and second pawl into the open position, and
- wherein the actuator comprises:
- an actuating means for actuating the actuator upon rotation of the actuating means, the actuating means being rotatable for actuating the actuator in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction relative to a relaxed position of the actuating means;
- an actuator biasing means for biasing said actuating means toward the relaxed position in which actuator is latched;
- a first actuator rotation means rotatable by the actuating means;
- a second actuator rotation means having at least one protuberance, said second actuator rotation means being rotatable by engagement with the first actuator rotation means;
- a sliding element slidingly displaceable relative to the actuator, the sliding element having at least one sliding element prong;
- whereby rotation of the actuating means rotates said second actuator rotation means such that said at least one sliding element prong acts upon said sliding element such that said sliding element slides relative to the actuator to actuate the latching means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.