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US 6,527,309 B1Granted
Latch apparatus
AssigneeHardigg Industries, Inc.
InventorsMark Gaydos, James Hardigg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch apparatus includes a release mechanism having a depending locking arm for selectively arresting the release mechanism in a locking position. The release mechanism further includes a center of gravity and an axis of rotation about which the release mechanism pivots between a release position and the locking position. The center of gravity of the release mechanism is located along the axis of rotation.
Claims11
A latch apparatus, comprising:
- a release mechanism including a depending locking arm for selectively arresting said release mechanism in a locking position;
- an axis of rotation of said release mechanism about which said release mechanism pivots between a release position and said locking position;
- a bar which is concentrically aligned with said rotational axis, said bar being integrally mated with said release mechanism and includes a pair of distal ends which are disposed in a matching pair of apertures formed in said release mechanism;
- a housing which defines an opening in the exterior surface thereof, said release apparatus being mounted within said opening, wherein said distal ends of said bar extend through said matching pair of apertures and into receptacles formed in said housing;
- and
- a center of gravity of said release mechanism, wherein said center of gravity is located along said axis of rotation.
3 more elements
A latch apparatus, comprising:
- a release mechanism pivotable about a bar between a locking position and a release position, said bar being coaxially aligned with a rotational axis of said release mechanism;
- a center of gravity of said release mechanism and a housing which rotatably supports said release mechanism;
- a torsion spring for biasing said release mechanism into said locking position;
- a stop member integrally formed with said housing, said stop member being oriented below a planar actuation area of said release mechanism for limiting a pivoting action of said release mechanism;
- said planar actuation area being mounted in an opening defined in an exterior surface of said housing;
- a finger depression formed in said planar actuation area, said planar actuation are being substantially flush mounted with said exterior surface of said housing;
- and
- wherein said bar extends through said center of gravity.
5 more elements
A latch apparatus, comprising:
- a release mechanism including a depending locking arm for selectively arresting said release mechanism in a locking position;
- an axis of rotation of said release mechanism about which said release mechanism pivots between a release position and said locking position;
- a bar which is concentrically aligned with said rotational axis, said bar being integrally mated with said release mechanism and includes a pair of distal ends which are disposed in a matching pair of apertures formed in said release mechanism;
- a housing which defines an opening in the exterior surface thereof, said release mechanism being mounted within said opening;
- said release mechanism further including a planar actuation area, defining a depression thereon, which is substantially flush with said exterior surface;
- and
- a center of gravity of said release mechanism, wherein said center of gravity is located along said axis of rotation.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.