Electromagnetic latch

An electromagnetic latch assembly for holding a first structure member relative to a second structure member, comprising:

• a frame for mounting to said first structure member;
• a lever pivotally mounted to said frame operable to apply a holding force to said second structure member when said lever is in a closed position;
• a permanent magnet operatively associated with said lever for providing a magnetic restraining force to hold said lever in said closed position;
• and
• an electromagnet operatively associated with said lever for selectively providing a magnetic flux to release said magnetic restraining force, wherein one of said electromagnet and said permanent magnet is fixedly interconnected to said lever and said electromagnet and said permanent magnet are magnetically coupled to one another when said lever is in said closed position.

An electromagnetic latch assembly, comprising:

• a frame interconnectable with a first member and comprising a first aperture;
• a first lever interconnected with said frame, pivotable between a first holding position and a first release position, and comprising a first free lever end;
• a second lever interconnected with said frame, pivotable between a second holding position and a second release position, and comprising a second free lever end and a second aperture, wherein said second free lever end is retained under said first lever in said second holding position when said first lever is in said first holding position, and wherein said first and second apertures are disposed in adjoining relation to collectively define a third aperture when said first and second levers are in said first and second holding positions, respectively, wherein a second structural member is disposable through said third aperture and restrainable from being pulled back through said third aperture such that the first and second structural members are interconnected when said first and second levers are in said first and second holding position, respectively;
• a permanent magnet associated with said first lever;
• and
• an electromagnet operatively associated with said first lever.

A method for operating a latch assembly comprising first and second levers that are each pivotable, said method comprising the steps of:

• restraining said first lever in a first holding position, wherein said restraining step comprises using a magnetic coupling;
• restraining said second lever in a second holding position using said restraining said first lever step;
• interconnecting first and second members using said restraining said first lever step and said restraining said second lever step;
• terminating said magnetic coupling;
• pivoting said first lever to a first release position after said terminating step;
• pivoting said second lever to a second release position after said terminating step;
• and
• disconnecting said first member from said second member using both said pivoting said first lever step and said pivoting said second lever step.

A method for operating a latch assembly comprising a lever, comprising the steps of;

• first moving said lever from a first position to a second position, wherein first and second members are interconnected with said lever in said second position;
• coupling a permanent magnet to a non-actuated electromagnet with a magnetic retaining force, said magnetic retaining force being operable to maintain said lever in said second position;
• actuating said electromagnet to de-couple electromagnet and said permanent magnet;
• and
• second moving said lever from said second position to said first position after said actuating step, such that said first and second members may be disconnected.