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US 2006/0186677 A1Published application
Latch assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJoseph Bella, Steven Bivens, Paul Donovan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly includes a latch and a casing having a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by the base and the outer walls. The casing securely retains the latch within the latch chamber and allows limited movement of the latch within the latch chamber during an impact. Thus, the latch may move within a storage bin door upon impact, thereby preventing unlatching.
Claims20
A latch assembly comprising:
- a latch;
- and
- a casing comprising a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by said base and said outer walls,
- said casing securely retaining said latch within said latch chamber and allowing limited movement of said latch within said latch chamber during an impact.
1 more element
A latch assembly comprising:
- a slider comprising outwardly-extending bosses;
- a latch secured to said slider;
- and
- a casing comprising:
- (i) a main body having a base integrally formed with first, second, and third walls defining a latch chamber therebetween, said first and second walls having slots and boss-retaining snaps disposed within said slots, said slots receiving said bosses, said casing receiving and retaining said slider through said boss-retaining snaps allowing said bosses to pass in a first direction, and said boss-retaining snaps blocking movement of said bosses in an opposite first direction;
- and
- (ii) at least one spring member extending into said latch chamber from said third wall, said at least one spring member exerting a force into said slider that acts to bias said bosses against said boss-retaining snaps.
4 more elements
A latch assembly comprising:
- a slider comprising outwardly-extending bosses;
- a latch secured to said slider;
- and
- a casing comprising:
- (i) a main body having a base integrally formed with first, second, and third walls defining a latch chamber therebetween, said first and second walls having slots and boss-retaining snaps disposed within said slots, said slots receiving said bosses, said casing receiving and retaining said slider through said boss-retaining snaps allowing said bosses to pass in a first direction, and said boss-retaining snaps blocking movement of said bosses in an opposite first direction;
- (ii) spring arms extending into said latch chamber from said third wall, said spring arms exerting a force into said slider causing said bosses to bias against said boss-retaining snaps, wherein said slider compresses said spring arms during an impact, said compressed spring arms allowing limited movement of said slider in the first direction during the impact;
- and
- (iii) at least one stop member extending into said latch chamber from at least one of said first and second walls, said at least one stop member configured to limit movement of said latch in a second direction.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.