Article retaining apparatus having pull-release/push-retain structure and method of using

An article retaining apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing member;
• and
• a spring-loaded latch member pivotally encased in said housing member, said housing member and said encased latch member forming a first and second set of complementary latching and unlatching structure,
• said first set of complementary latching and unlatching structure comprising:
• an article securement region of said housing member, and
• a hook-end body portion of said latch member being disposed within said securement region,
• said hook-end body portion having an outwardly-facing beveled surface which curves inward towards said securement region, said inwardly curving, beveled surface, in combination with a beveled entry housing portion of said securement region, delineating a V-shaped article engagement entry-way structure that facilitates said hook-end body portion being pivotally responsive in an upward direction to a pushing force that facilitates a push-type securement of an article, said beveled entry housing portion measuring approximately 35 degrees with respect to an adjoining lower edge housing portion of said securement region, and
• said hook-end body portion also having an inwardly-facing beveled surface which tapers outwardly from said securement region at an angle measuring approximately 70 degrees with respect to a top edge portion of said latch member, said inwardly-facing, outwardly tapering beveled surface, in combination with said lower edge housing portion of said securement region, delineating a V-shaped article disengagement exit-way structure that facilitates said hook-end body portion being pivotally responsive in an upward direction to facilitate a pull-type release of a secured article.

An article retaining apparatus including a housing member and a spring-loaded latch member pivotally encased in said housing member, said apparatus comprising:

• engagement structure for facilitating a push-type securement of an article, said engagement structure comprising a hook-end latch body portion and a beveled entry housing portion beveled approximately 35 degrees with respect to an adjoining lower edge housing portion;
• disengagement structure for facilitating a pull-type release of a secured article, said disengagement structure comprising an inner surface of said hook-end latch body portion tapered outwardly at approximately 70 with respect to an upper edge of said latch member;
• and
• auxiliary release structure for selectively effecting engagement and disengagement of an article,
• said engagement structure, said disengagement structure and said auxiliary release structure each being able to produce an identical moment about a mechanical pivot connecting said spring-loaded latch member to said housing member.

A method of latching and unlatching an article, to and from a retaining apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an article retaining apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
• a housing member;
• and
• a spring-loaded latch member pivotally encased in said housing member, said housing member and said encased latch member forming a first set of complementary structure at a distal end of said apparatus, said first set of complementary structure comprising,
• engagement structure for facilitating push-type securement of an article;
• disengagement structure for facilitating pull-type release of said secured article;
• and
• auxiliary release structure for selectively engaging and disengaging an article, said engagement structure, said disengagement structure and said auxiliary release structre each having respective structure for producing an identical moment about a mechanical pivot connecting said spring-loaded latch member to said housing member;
• (b) providing an article to be secured by said retaining apparatus, said article having structure for facilitating being retained by said retaining apparatus;
• (c) engaging, in a push-type manner, said provided article with said engagement structure and producing said moment to facilitate securement of said provided article;
• (d) disengaging, in a pull-type manner, said secured article by urging against said disengagement structure and producing said moment to facilitate release of said secured article;
• and
• (e) alternatively manipulating said auxiliary release structure to produce said moment and selectively engage and disengage said provided article.