Latch and lock system
AssigneeCleveland Hardware and Forging Company
InventorsCameron L. Bennett, Donald J. McFarland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch and lock system employing a rotary trip pawl/latch assembly actuated by impingement of a disconnected pushbutton trip arm upon a cam attached to the trip pawl mounting pin. Cross rod connection of the cams of laterally opposed latch assemblies provides dual latch and lock points for a single compartment lid operable through either latch assembly. The lack of a permanent mechanical connection between the pushbutton trip arm and the cam of the latch assembly insulates the latch assembly from forceful attack upon the pushbutton.
Claims12
A latch and lock system for a pickup truck box having a single lid hinged to open along a length of the box comprises:
- first and second latch strikers adapted to be attached to an underside of said box lid,
- first and second latch assemblies each attached to a corresponding mounting bracket for mounting inside the box, each latch assembly including a latch mounted on a first transverse pin within a latch body and positioned for engagement with a corresponding striker when the box lid is closed, each latch assembly further including a trip pawl mounted in the latch body on a second transverse pin within the latch body and in operative contact with the latch, and a discrete cam mounted adjacent to the trip pawl on the second transverse pin to rotate with the trip pawl,
- a cross rod connected at opposite ends to the cams of the first and second latch assemblies, and
- first and second latch opening mechanisms for mounting in side walls of the box, each latch opening mechanism having a trip arm able to be put in operative contact with a corresponding cam upon actuation of the opening mechanism.
A latch assembly for receiving and holding a striker in a latched position, the latch assembly comprising a latch body having opposed walls, a striker-receiving valley, a latch and trip pawl each pivotally mounted through the opposed walls about pins which traverse the latch body, a torsion spring about each pin, one torsion spring compressed between the latch and the latch body and another torsion spring compressed between the trip pawl and the latch body, and a discrete cam pivotally mounted adjacent the trip pawl upon the pin on which the trip pawl is pivotally mounted, the cam being pivotable by and not connected to an opening mechanism whereby pivoting of the cam causes pivoting of the trip pawl which allows the latch to pivot to an open position.
A latch and lock system comprising a latch assembly for receiving and holding a striker, the latch assembly including a latch body having a striker-receiving valley, and a latch and a trip pawl pivotally mounted on pins within the latch body, torsion springs about the pins on which the latch and trip pawl are mounted, one torsion spring compressed between the latch and the latch body, and another torsion spring compressed between the trip pawl and the latch body, a discreet cam attached to the pin on which the trip pawl is mounted and adjacent the trip pawl, and an opening mechanism for pivoting the cam to pivot the trip pawl to allow the latch to pivot to an open position wherein a striker is free to exit the striker-receiving valley.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.