One-piece slam-action pawl latch
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey L. Antonucci, J. Thomas Weuthen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pawl latch having slam-action latching and rotational unlatching actuation is mounted in an aperture formed in a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against a corresponding frame, the pawl latch including a one-piece body with a pawl, a gripping portion, mounting elements, and a spring member, the spring member having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the latch body and the second end being held by the closure panel to provide a biasing force to return the pawl to its active position where it is aligned with a keeper member provided on the corresponding frame for slam action latching of the latch.
Claims27
A one piece pawl latch adapted for mounting in an aperture formed in a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against a corresponding frame, wherein the pawl engages with the frame or a keeper member provided on the frame to maintain the closure panel and frame in a secured relation, the pawl latch comprising:
- a) a latch body adapted for being received within an aperture of a closure panel and having mounting means for securing said latch body to a closure panel;
- b) biasing means provided on said latch body for providing rotational resistance to the pawl latch upon rotational movement thereof from a first position to a second position to return the pawl latch to its first position;
- c) a pawl member having an engaging end for engaging with a frame or keeper member, said pawl member being connected to said latch body and being deflectable away from said frame member;
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- d) wherein the latch body further includes gripping means for facilitating actuation of said latch.
A one piece pawl latch adapted for mounting in an aperture formed in a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against a corresponding frame, wherein the pawl engages with the frame or a keeper member provided on the frame to maintain the closure panel and frame in a secured relation, the pawl latch comprising:
- a) a latch body adapted for being received within an aperture of a closure panel and having mounting means for securing said latch body to a closure panel;
- b) a pawl member having an engaging end for engaging with a frame or keeper member, said pawl member being connected to said latch body and being deflectable away from said frame member;
- c) gripping means for facilitating actuation of said latch, said gripping means comprising a gripping portion and a base portion connected thereto;
- d) wherein said latch body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart wall portions, each wall portion having a free end and a connected end, said connected end being connected to the base portion of said gripping means;
- e) biasing means provided on said latch body for providing rotational resistance to the pawl latch upon rotational movement thereof from a first position to a second position to return the pawl latch to its first position;
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- f) holding means adapted to be provided on said closure panel for holding said biasing means.
A pawl latch adapted for mounting in an aperture formed in a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against a corresponding frame, wherein the pawl engages with the frame or a keeper member provided on the frame to maintain the closure panel and frame in a secured relation, the pawl latch comprising:
- a) a latch body adapted for being received within an aperture of a closure panel and having mounting means for securing said latch body to a closure panel;
- b) a pawl member having an engaging end for engaging with a frame or keeper member, said pawl member being connected to said latch body and being deflectable away from said frame member;
- c) wherein said latch body includes gripping means for facilitating actuation of said latch, said gripping means comprising a gripping portion and a base portion connected thereto;
- d) wherein said latch body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart wall portions, each wall portion having a free end and a connected end, said connected end being connected to the base portion of said gripping means;
- e) biasing means provided on said latch body for providing rotational resistance to the pawl latch upon rotational movement thereof from a first position to a second position to return the pawl latch to its first position, said biasing means comprising a spring member having a first end connected to said latch body and having a second end which is deflectable relative to said latch body;
- f) holding means adapted to be provided on said closure panel for holding said biasing means, said holding means comprising an element which holds said spring second end when the latch is rotated;
- g) keeper means for stopping the closure panel at a predetermined position relative to said frame;
- h) wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of flexible leg members provided on said latch body, said flexible leg members each having an engaging foot for clamping said closure panel between said engaging foot and said base portion of said gripping means;
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- i) wherein said latching body is rotated to release the pawl from an engaging relationship with a keeper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.