Back to results
US 4,890,869 AGranted
Over-center draw latch
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorRichard B. Langkamp, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorRichard B. Langkamp, Jr.
Estimating the term…
A draw latch is provided, of the over-center type, in which the latch has a base, a lever and a catch. The base and lever are pivotally connected to each other, and the catch and lever are pivotally connected to each other. The catch preferably has a lip or hook at its end, for engagement with a member that is to be drawn toward engagement with another member upon which the base is mounted, for drawing those members together, as the lever is moved from an open position to a closed position, through which movements the over-center motion is effected. Dimples or detents are used to provide a resistance to relative motion between the base and the lever on the one hand, and the lever and the catch on the other, through most of the range of their relative movements, but the detents become aligned or nested in one position for assembly of the components under non-frictional conditions, with the detents effecting a spring-like function upon legs of the lever.
An over-center draw latch of the type comprising a base, a lever and a catch, with the base and lever being pivotally connected to each other for relative movement through a predetermined angular range and with the lever and catch being pivotally connected to each other, the improvement comprising lever resistance means disposed between and comprising at least one detent portion of any of said base and said lever and formed integrally as one piece therewith for providing frictional resistance against relative movement therebetween, through most of the predetermined range of angular positions thereof, including catch resistance means for providing frictional resistance between said lever and catch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.