Universal latch and sensor system
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorsZachary Marks, Douglas Griesbach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch system for remotely monitoring an engaged or disengaged status of a latch cam includes an enclosure having a panel mounted for movement relative to a frame, a latch mounted to the panel or to the frame, and a latch cam sensor mounted to the other one of the panel or the frame. The latch cam sensor detects the engaged status when the latch cam is in an engaged position and the panel is in a closed position and the disengaged status when the latch cam is in a disengaged position and the panel is in an opened position. When the latch cam is in the engaged position, the latch cam is spaced laterally from a facing surface of the latch cam sensor, such that a space or gap is maintained between the facing surface of the latch cam sensor and the latch cam.
Claims17
A latch system configured for remotely monitoring an engaged status or a disengaged status of a latch cam, the latch system comprising:
- an enclosure including a panel mounted for movement relative to a frame, the panel being movable between an opened position in which the panel is open relative to the frame and a closed position in which the panel is closed relative to the frame;
- a latch mounted to the panel or to the frame of the enclosure with the latch cam of the latch moveable relative to the panel or to the frame between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the latch cam being configured to engage the panel relative to the frame in the engaged position when the panel is in the closed position, and the latch cam being configured to disengage the panel relative to the frame in the disengaged position to allow the panel to move to the opened position;
- and
- a latch cam sensor mounted to the other one of the panel or the frame, the latch cam sensor being configured to detect an engaged status of the latch cam when the latch cam is in the engaged position and the panel is in the closed position, and the latch cam sensor being configured to detect a disengaged status of the latch cam when the latch cam is in the disengaged position and the panel is in the opened position;
- wherein the latch cam sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating the engaged status or the disengaged status of the latch cam;
- and
- wherein when the latch cam is in the engaged position, the latch cam is spaced laterally from a facing surface of the latch cam sensor, such that a space or gap is maintained between the facing surface of the latch cam sensor and the latch cam.
A sensor system configured for indicating an engaged status of a latch and an engaged position of a pawl of the latch during which access to an interior of an enclosure is restricted, the sensor system comprising:
- a sensor housing configured to be mounted to the enclosure;
- a sensor circuit positioned within the sensor housing;
- a sensor positioned within the sensor housing and coupled to the sensor circuit, the sensor being configured to detect the engaged status of the latch, and the sensor being configured to generate a signal when the engaged status of the latch is or is not detected;
- and
- a light source positioned within the sensor housing and coupled to the sensor circuit, the light source being configured to selectively illuminate in response to the signal generated by the sensor when the engaged status of the latch is or is not detected, the light source being configured to be oriented toward the interior of the enclosure, thereby illuminating the interior of the enclosure, or to be oriented outwardly relative to the interior of the enclosure, thereby being visible from outside of the enclosure;
- and
- wherein when the pawl is in the engaged position, the pawl is spaced laterally from a top portion of the sensor housing, such that a space or gap is maintained between the top portion of the sensor and the pawl of the latch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.