Two stage draw latch for stackable storage box with removable cover
AssigneeMicrodata Corporation
InventorsShengbo Zhu, Su Shiong Huang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual function two stage draw latch has a first stage loop member pivotally attached at one end to a latch lever pivotally mounted to a base member secured to a wall of a first container. A second stage loop member is pivotally attached to the other end of the first stage loop member. The free end of the second stage loop member is able to engage a catch mounted on a wall of a second container stacked on top of the first container to provide a holding force for the two containers. This free end is also able to engage a catch element mounted on a container lid to hold the lid in place. Electrically conductive strips interconnect the latch and catch to provide electrical interconnection between the containers.
Claims20
A dual function two stage draw latch for providing a holding force between two stacked containers and a force for securing a lid to a container, said latch comprising:
- a base member;
- a latch lever pivotally mounted to said base member;
- a first stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said latch lever and a second end;
- and
- a second stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said second end of said first stage loop member and a free end engageable with an associated catch means.
A storage container having a latch/catch mechanism for providing a holding force between two stacked containers and a force for securing a lid to said storage container, said storage container comprising:
- a base wall;
- a plurality of upstanding wall members connected to said base wall, said wall members each having an upper margin and a lower margin;
- a two stage draw latch secured to one of said wall members adjacent the upper margin thereof, said latch including a base member, a latch lever pivotally mounted to said base member;
- a first stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said latch lever and a second end;
- and a second stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said second end of said first stage loop member and a free end engageable with an associated catch means;
- and
- a catch member secured to said one of said wall members adjacent the lower margin thereof, said catch member having a base member with a lip releasably engageable with a latch loop.
A storage container having a plurality of latch/catch mechanisms for providing a holding force between two stacked containers and a force for securing a lid to said storage container, said storage container comprising:
- a base wall;
- a plurality of upstanding wall members connected to said base wall, said wall members each having an upper margin and a lower margin;
- a first latch secured to one of said wall members adjacent the upper margin thereof, said first latch including a base member, a latch lever pivotally mounted to said base member;
- a first stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said latch lever and a second end;
- and a second stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said second end of said first stage loop member and a free end engageable with an associated catch means;
- a first catch member secured to said one of said wall members adjacent the lower margin thereof, said catch member having a base member with a lip releasably engageable with a latch loop;
- a second latch secured to a different one of said wall members adjacent the upper margin thereof, said second latch including a base member, a latch lever pivotally mounted to said base member of said second latch;
- a first stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said latch lever of said second latch and a second end;
- and a second stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said second end of said first stage loop member of said second latch and a free end engageable with an associated second catch means;
- a second catch member secured to said different one of said wall members adjacent the lower margin thereof, said second catch member having a base member with a lip releasably engageable with a latch loop;
- a third latch secured to said different one of said wall members adjacent the upper margin thereof, said third latch including a base member, a latch lever pivotally mounted to said base member of said third latch;
- a first stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said latch lever of said third latch and a second end;
- and a second stage loop member having a first end pivotally secured to said second end of said first stage loop member of said third latch and a free end engageable with an associated third catch means;
- and
- a third catch member secured to said different one of said wall members adjacent the lower margin thereof, said third catch member having a base member with a lip releasably engageable with a latch loop,
- said second latch and said second catch member being secured to said different one of said wall members in substantially vertical alignment and said third latch and said third catch member being secured to said different one of said wall members in substantially vertical alignment and laterally spaced from said second latch and said second catch member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.