Pawl assembly
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorsGlenn E. Anderson, Richard E. Schlack, D. Dale Turner, James Vickers, Stephen K. Spatig, Richard B. Langkamp, H. Allen Riblett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a pawl assembly that can be installed to the output shaft of a latch mechanism more easily, and in some embodiments without the use of tools, as compared to prior art pawls.
Claims24
A pawl assembly for use with a latch mechanism having a shaft to which the pawl assembly is to be mounted, the latch mechanism being adapted for mounting to a first member for use in selectively securing the first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the pawl assembly comprising:
- a pawl having an opening through which the shaft can extend;
- and
- means for preventing relative movement between the shaft and said pawl, said means for preventing relative movement between the shaft and said pawl comprising a clip adapted to be capable of being fastened to said pawl, wherein said clip has portions located on opposite sides of said pawl when said pawl is fastened to the shaft using said clip.
A pawl assembly for use with a latch mechanism having a shaft to which the pawl assembly is to be mounted, the latch mechanism being adapted for mounting to a first member for use in selectively securing the first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the pawl assembly comprising:
- a pawl having an opening through which the shaft can extend and a wedge slot formed in one side of said opening;
- and
- a wedge adapted such that it can be jammed between the shaft and said opening of said pawl for preventing relative movement between the shaft and said pawl,
- wherein said wedge is tapered and said wedge is jammed between said pawl and said shaft by being pushed into said wedge slot.
A pawl assembly for use with a latch mechanism having a shaft to which the pawl assembly is to be mounted, the latch mechanism being adapted for mounting to a first member for use in selectively securing the first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the pawl assembly comprising:
- a pawl having a U-shaped, open-ended slot through which the shaft can extend;
- and
- a slotted lock nut rotationally supported by said pawl above said U-shaped, open-ended slot of said pawl,
- wherein said slotted lock nut is rotated relative to said pawl to securely fasten said pawl to the shaft.
A pawl assembly for use with a latch mechanism having a shaft to which the pawl assembly is to be mounted, the latch mechanism being adapted for mounting to a first member for use in selectively securing the first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the pawl assembly comprising:
- a pawl having an opening through which the shaft can extend;
- and
- means for preventing relative movement between the shaft and said pawl, said means for preventing relative movement between the shaft and said pawl comprising a clip adapted to be capable of being fastened to said pawl, wherein said clip allows said pawl to be fastened to the shaft without the use of nuts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.