US 5,467,619 A · Post latching systems

Abstract

A latching system, in accordance with a first preferred, embodiment of the present invention, comprises a notched post assembly, a post gripping assembly and a handle assembly, and, in preferred embodiments, a lock assembly associated with the handle assembly. The notched post assembly is comprised of an elongated post formed at one end with at least two opposing, axially extending rows of notches or teeth and alternately disposed smooth surfaces. The post gripping assembly comprises a channel for accepting the notched end of the post and comprises movable latch elements which cooperate with the notches of the post to effect the primary latching function of the system. The unlatching of the post from the channel is accomplished by rotating the post to disengage the notches and the latch elements. A latch, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a post and collar gripping and release mechanism cooperatively mounted to the door and door frame of a vending machine, cabinet, or the like, to provide an initial latching function in the form of a frictional gripping of the post by the collar, and further comprises a lock assembly associated with the post and collar mechanism to provide a primary locking function and to effect release of the latching function.

Claims86

Dependent claims

A latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining,
an elongated axis,
an elongated, axially extending latching surface defined by at least one outer radius from said elongated axis, and
an elongated, axially extending releasing surface defined by at least one inner radius from said elongated axis, wherein said outer radius is greater than said inner radius;
a latching assembly defining a passage for receiving said post member and including a grip means extending at least partially into said passage for,
effecting a grip between said post member and said latching assembly when said grip means cooperates with said latching surface, and
releasing said grip between said post member and said latching assembly when said grip means cooperates with said releasing surface;
and
a moving means for,
moving said latching surface into cooperation with said grip means, whereby said grip is effected between said post member and said latching assembly, and
moving said releasing surface into cooperation with said grip means, whereby said grip is released between said post member and said latching assembly.

8 more elements

Latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining a central post axis and including, at least,
a grip portion defined by a plurality of grip portion surface points, wherein said plurality of grip portion surface points includes at least one outer grip portion surface point which is located at a first radial distance from said central post axis and is radially displaced from said central post axis at least as far as every other grip portion surface point of said plurality of grip portion surface points, and
a release portion angularly disposed around said post member from said grip portion defined by a plurality of release portion surface points, wherein said plurality of release portion surface points includes at least one outer release portion surface point which is located at a second radial distance from said central post axis and is radially displaced from said central post axis at least as far as every other release portion surface point of said plurality of release portion surface points,
wherein said first radial distance is greater than said second radial distance;
an engagement means for engaging said grip portion of said post member to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is in a first angular orientation relative to said engagement means, and for cooperating with said release portion of said post member to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is in a second angular orientation relative to said engagement means;
and
a releasing means for effecting relative axial rotation between said post member and said engagement means.

4 more elements

A latching apparatus for releasably latching a first door element, such as a vending machine door, and a second door element, such as a vending machine frame, the latching apparatus comprising:

a post member for attachment to the first door element and defining,
an elongated axis,
a pair of grip surfaces that are diametrically opposed and axially extending, wherein each grip surface of said pair of grip surfaces includes, at least, protrusions extending outward therefrom, and
a pair of release surfaces that are diametrically opposed and axially extending, wherein each release surface of said pair of release surfaces defines, in profile, a flat surface;
and
a latch assembly for attachment to the second door element and including, at least,
a frame member defining a passageway having a central axis, wherein said post member is insertable into and rotatable within said passageway, and
a pair of latch elements that are diametrically opposed,
wherein each latch element of said pair of latch elements is movably connected to said frame member, movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and biased toward said inward position,
wherein said pair of latch elements engage said pair of grip surfaces to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and in a first angular orientation relative to said frame member, and
wherein said pair of latch elements cooperate with said pair of release surfaces to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is within said passageway and oriented in a second angular orientation relative to said frame member.

8 more elements

A method of latching a first body to a second body, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a post member to the first body, wherein the post member defines a central post axis and includes, at least, a grip portion defining a maximum grip portion radius and a release portion defining a maximum release portion radius, wherein the maximum grip portion radius is greater than the maximum release portion radius;
movably connecting a latch element to the second body;
effecting a grip between the latch element and the post member by, at least,
effecting a first angular orientation between the post member and the latch element, and
moving the first latch element into engagement with the grip portion of the post member so that a grip is effected between the latch element and the post member;
and
effecting a second angular orientation between the post member and the latch element so that the latch element cooperates with the release portion of the post member to release the grip between the post member and the latch element.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Post latching systems

Life of this patent

Post latching systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims86