Remote latching mechanism
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorRichard E. Schlack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A remote compression-type latching mechanism is provided which comprises an actuator assembly, an elongate rod connected to the actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of the actuator assembly, a bracket, and a pawl disposed within the bracket and connected to a remote end of the rod for sliding and pivoting movement in response to movement of the rod. The movement of the pawl is guided and facilitated by slots within the bracket, which also provide positive over-center latching in a preferred embodiment. Upon pivoting to the latched position, the pawl contacts a frame to draw the closure member up against the frame under compression.
Claims20
A remote latching mechanism comprising:
- (a) an actuator assembly;
- (b) at least one elongate rod affixed to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said assembly;
- (c) a bracket;
- and
- (d) a pawl connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly and disposed within said bracket for sliding and pivoting movement in response to the lateral movement of said rod;
- wherein said bracket comprises a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall connected to said side walls, wherein said pair of side walls is each provided with a longitudinal slot therein and a flange connected thereto, said flanges comprising means for mounting said bracket to a closure member, and wherein said slots comprise means for facilitating the guiding and pivoting of said pawl.
A remote latching mechanism for use in securing a closure member to a frame, said latching mechanism comprising:
- (a) an actuator assembly:
- (b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said assembly;
- (c) a bracket adapted for being affixed to an inside surface of a closure member, said bracket having a pair of opposing side walls with at least one longitudinal slot in each of said side walls;
- and
- (d) a pawl disposed within said slots in said bracket and pivotally connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly, said pawl being slidably and pivotally movable between latched and unlatched positions in response to said lateral movement of said rod, wherein said pawl is adapted to contact a frame for a closure member when in the latched position.
A remote compressive latching mechanism for use in securing a closure member to a frame under compression, said latching mechanism comprising:
- (a) an actuator assembly adapted for being affixed to a closure member;
- (b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said actuator assembly, said rod being adapted for being disposed along an inside surface of a closure member when the actuator assembly is affixed to a closure member;
- (c) a bracket structured for being adjustably mounted to an inside surface of a closure member, said bracket comprising:
- (1) a pair of opposing side walls connected together by a back wall;
- (2) said side walls having a rear section and an elevated forward section adjacent said rear section;
- (3) said rear section of each of said side walls having a longitudinal slot therein;
- (4) said elevated forward section of each of said side walls having a pair of substantially parallel slots therein disposed one above the other;
- (5) said pair of slots in said elevated section being bent at a forwardmost end thereof;
- (d) a substantially S-shaped pawl connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly by a first transverse pin disposed through said rod and engaging an upper pair of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, a second transverse pin disposed through said pawl and engaging a lower set of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, and a pair of link members connected to said first and second transverse pins, wherein said pawl comprises:
- (1) a head portion;
- (2) an adjustable stop member connected to said head portion and adapted to engage a frame of a closure member when said pawl is in a latched position;
- (3) a body portion adjacent said head portion;
- (4) an elongate tail portion adjacent said body portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment which engages said slots in said rear section of said bracket;
- wherein said pawl is slidably and pivotally movable between latched and unlatched positions in response to said lateral movement of said rod;
- (e) wherein said slots in said bracket, said first and second transverse pins and said transverse abutment comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl;
- and
- (f) wherein said first transverse pin is closer to a forward edge of said bracket than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in a latched position, thereby comprising over-center means for retaining said pawl into said latched position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.