Safety release device for closure latches, release latch and storage compartment utilizing safety release device, and method of installing safety release device
OwnerFrank Markiselloinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A safety release device comprises a release handle and a flexible cable having first and second end portions each for removable connection to the release handle, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The intermediate portion of the release handle is capable of engagement with a detent lever of a closure latch so that the detent lever may be released by manually pulling on the release handle.
Claims14
A release latch comprising:
- a housing having an aperture therethrough;
- a latching lever pivotally mounted to the housing for receiving and capturing a catch;
- a detent lever pivotally mounted to the housing for releasably securing the latching lever upon reception of the catch by the latching lever;
- a release handle disposed exteriorly of the housing;
- and a cable having first and second end portions each connected directly to the release handle and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portions, extending through the aperture of the housing and connected directly to the detent lever so that the latching lever may be pivoted to release a captured catch by pulling the release handle to release the detent lever.
In combination with a release latch comprising a latch assembly having a housing, a latching lever pivotally mounted to the housing for receiving and capturing a catch, and a detent lever pivotally mounted to the housing for releasably securing the latching lever upon reception of the catch by the latching lever and for pivoting the latching lever to release the catch upon release of the detent lever, a method of installing a safety release device to the latch assembly for releasing the detent lever from the exterior of the housing, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a safety release device having a release handle and a cable having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portion;
- inserting the first end portion of the cable into the housing through an aperture thereof;
- engaging the intermediate portion of the cable with the detent lever;
- removing the first end portion of the cable out of the housing through the aperture thereof;
- and connecting the first and second end portions of the cable to the release handle so that the detent lever is released from the exterior of the housing by pulling the release handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.