# US 2014/0197647 A1 · Door latch and bar locking mechanism for a rooftop air conditioning unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197647 A1 - Document ID: US20140197647A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/938,583 - Filed: 2013-07-10 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-11 - Assignees: Carrier Corporation - Applicants: Carrier Corporation - Inventors: Eugene Duane Daddis, JR.; Scott Philip Mautz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197647A1 ## CPC - E05C 9/08: with a rotary bar for actuating the fastening means {(E05B83/10 and E05B65/468 take precedence; for a plurality of drawers E05B65/465)} - E05B 13/002: {locking the handle (E05B13/10, E05B47/0657 take precedence)} - E05C 9/1825: {Fastening means} - F24F 1/58: Separate protective covers for outdoor units, e.g. solar guards, snow shields or camouflage - F24F 2221/52: Weather protecting means, e.g. against wind, rain or snow - Y10T 292/225: Cam-operating means - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A latching mechanism for sealing an access panel to a sidewall includes a cam rod pivotable between a first position and a second position. The cam rod includes a handle and at least one generally U-shaped bend configured to engage a surface of the access panel when in the first position. The latching mechanism also includes a latch mounted to the access panel. The latch is rotatable between a third position and a fourth position. The latch is configured to engage and apply a force to the handle of the cam rod when in the fourth position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A latching mechanism for sealing an access panel to an adjacent sidewall, comprising: a cam rod pivotable between a first position and a second position, the cam rod including a handle and at least one generally U-shaped bend, wherein when the cam rod is in the first position, the cam rod is arranged at an angle to the access panel and a portion of the U-shaped bend is configured to engage a surface of the access panel; and a latch mounted to the access panel and rotatable between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the latch is configured to engage and apply a force to the handle when in the fourth position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a biasing mechanism biases the latch into the fourth position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cam rod includes a plurality of generally U-shaped bends spaced at intervals. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein each U-shaped bend includes two generally equal sides and a bottom portion connecting the two sides. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a bumper surrounds part of the bottom portion of the plurality of U-shaped bends. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of U-shaped bends forms a handle configured to engage the latch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The latching mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the handle is formed from a U-shaped bend having sides longer than the remainder of the plurality of U-shaped bends. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the cam rod is mounted to the sidewall adjacent an edge of the access panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The latching mechanism according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of clamps surrounds a portion of the cam rod between the intervals of U-shaped bends. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The latching mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a stop extending from the sidewall adjacent an edge of the access panel, the stop having an end configured to engage a portion of the cam rod in a first position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The latching mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the cam rod is mounted to the access panel adjacent the edge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cam rod is manufactured from wire having a diameter in a range of about 0.25 inches and about 1 inch. ### Claim 13 A method for sealing an access panel to an adjacent sidewall comprising: pivoting the access panel to a closed position; rotating a cam rod having a handle and at least one generally U-shaped bend from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position, the cam rod is arranged at an angle to the access panel such that a portion of the at least one U-shaped bend is configured to contact a surface of the access panel; rotating a latch from a third position to a fourth position, wherein in the fourth position the latch engages the handle of the cam rod and applies a force thereto. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the cam rod is mounted to the sidewall adjacent the access panel; ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the cam rod is mounted to the access panel adjacent an edge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein application of the force to the handle causes a portion of the cam rod to engage a stop extending from the sidewall adjacent the access panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein a biasing mechanism biases the latch into the fourth position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the handle is formed by from a U-shaped bend having sidewalls longer than the remainder of the plurality of U-shaped bends.