Q-latch swivel ball joint
AssigneeCryoport, Inc.
InventorsRob CAMP, Bret BOLLINGER, Bobby ONEL, Ben LEE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification is embodied in a latch. The latch includes a ball joint. The ball joint includes a stem and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem. The latch includes a casing that is configured to surround a portion of the stem and the first ball and secures the ball joint within an enclosure. The latch further includes a cap plate. The cap plate has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to swivel within the recess or cup.
Claims20
A latch, comprising:
- a ball joint including a stem and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem;
- a casing configured to surround a portion of the stem and the first ball and secure the ball joint within an enclosure;
- and
- a cap plate that has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to swivel within the recess or the cup.
A locking apparatus, comprising:
- a latch having a ball joint that includes a stem and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem;
- a casing configured to surround a portion of the stem and the first ball and secure the ball joint within an enclosure;
- a cap plate that has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to swivel within the recess or the cup;
- and
- a receiver having a tubular member configured to hold and receive the ball joint and a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint inside the receiver.
A container comprising a first locking apparatus, the first locking apparatus including:
- a latch having a ball joint that includes a stem, a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem and second ball positioned at a distal end of the stem opposite the first ball;
- a casing configured to surround a portion of the stem and the first ball and secure the ball joint within an enclosure;
- a cap plate that has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to swivel within the recess or the cup;
- a receiver including a tubular member configured to hold the ball joint;
- a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint inside the receiver;
- and
- a first pushbutton located close to a distal end of the locking pin.
A method of operating a locking apparatus, the method comprising:
- positioning a casing to surround a portion of a ball joint of a latch, the portion having a stem and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem;
- securing the ball joint within an enclosure;
- receiving the first ball of the ball joint at a cap plate that has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint, the recess or cup allowing the first ball to swivel within the recess or the cup;
- holding and receiving the ball joint at a receiver having a tubular member configured to hold and receive the ball joint;
- and
- securing the ball joint inside the receiver via a locking pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.