Latch assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.
InventorDean M. Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly for selectively retaining a movable portion of a vehicle. The latch assembly includes components readily sub-assembled prior to installation of the latch assembly in the vehicle. A main plate member having a tee-shaped slot and having a tubular spring retainer is provided for receiving a latch member, a coil spring and a roller member. The latch member is equipped with a pivot pin. A pair of brackets, each having a sleeve portion, are provided for receiving the latch member pivot pin and for positioning the latch member with respect to the plate member. A retainer plate, having a plurality of apertures alignable with corresponding apertures in the brackets and plate member, is welded to the vehicle for clamping the latch assembly upon the vehicle proximate to the portion to be retained.
Claims13
A multi-component latch assembly for selectively retaining a movable element, said latch assembly comprising:
- main plate means;
- pivotable latch member means for selectively engaging and retaining said movable element, said main plate means including a main slot, said latch member means being operatively received within said main slot of said main plate means;
- biasing means retained by said main plate means for biasing said latch member means in a first predetermined direction;
- bracket means having sleeve means for pivotally retaining said latch member means within said main slot;
- retainer plate means for securing said latch assembly to a supporting structure during use;
- and
- securing means for securing said bracket means and said main plate means to said retainer plate means such that said components of said latch assembly are thereby positioned in an operative orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.