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US 5,549,337 AGranted
Motor actuated latch mechanism
AssigneeThomas Loeff
InventorWilliam C. McCulloch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch mechanism includes a rotary latch bolt spring-biased to a rotative position allowing opening of an associated closure. The latch bolt has a shoulder which may be engaged with an extremely lightweight catch mechanism designed to retain the latch bolt in a locked position until the catch is released. An electric motor powers the release mechanism for the catch. The lightweight nature of the catch deters accidental actuation of the catch.
Claims10
A latch mechanism, comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) a pivotable latch bolt mounted on said frame and pivotable between first and second positions, said pivotable latch bolt having a recess adapted to retain a closure bar therein in a first position of said pivotable latch bolt and said recess being adapted to release a closure bar therefrom in a second position of said pivotable latch bolt, said pivotable latch bolt (1) being biased toward said second position, (2) having a shoulder and (3) lying in a plane;
- c) a biased catch on said frame and having an end engageable with said shoulder in a first position thereof to lock said pivotable latch bolt in the first position thereof, said catch being biased toward said first position thereof and being movable to a second position thereof, against bias, to release said catch from said shoulder thereby permitting said pivotable latch bolt to move to the second position thereof, said catch comprising a thin, elongated, lightweight rod elongated in a direction non-parallel with respect to said plane;
- and
- d) actuator means for actuating said catch to move said catch from said first position thereof to said second position thereof.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.