Multi-pivot latch assemblies
AssigneeAmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
InventorsFred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the ejector toward a position that holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the biasing member causes the ejector to rotate latch from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.
Claims24
A latch assembly for engaging an anchor member, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a first jaw portion and first and second openings proximate the first jaw portion;
- a pivotable latch having a second jaw portion, wherein the latch is operably coupled to the frame by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening;
- an ejector operably coupled between the frame and the latch;
- and
- a biasing member urging the ejector against the first guide feature to selectively move the latch from an open position to a closed position by pivoting the latch about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point.
A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the frame further having a first opening, a second opening, and a first jaw proximate the distal end portion;
- a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening, wherein the latch includes a second jaw spaced apart from the first jaw to define a latch mouth therebetween;
- an anchor ejector operably coupled to the frame between the first and second jaws, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame causes the second jaw to move toward the first jaw as the latch pivots about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point.
A latch system for releasably coupling a web to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch system comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end portion for engaging the web and a distal end portion for engaging the anchor;
- a latch movably coupled to the frame toward the distal end portion;
- means for holding the latch in an open position prior to engaging the latch system with the anchor;
- and
- means for coupling the latch system to the anchor by:
- pivoting the latch about a first axis;
- and
- pivoting the latch about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis to move the latch to a closed position about the anchor.
A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a first jaw proximate the distal end portion;
- a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion, wherein the latch includes a second jaw configured to move toward the first jaw to engage the anchor;
- and
- a release actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein pulling the release actuator away from the distal end portion of the frame moves the second jaw away from the first jaw to release the anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.