Latch assembly
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsPorter Rodgers Arbogast, Arlen L. Roesner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly is operable to catch automatically and is releasable by hand. A component frame defines a clearance hole and a stop. A latch, also with a clearance hole, is mounted to the frame so that the clearance holes overlap. The latch is biased against the stop but is capable of pivoting away from the stop responsive to hand-applied pressure. A peg having a groove underneath a sloping top is mounted to a chassis or other surface against which the component frame is to be retained. As the component frame is lowered over the peg, an edge of the latch contacts the top of the peg, causing the latch to pivot so that the frame may be lowered into place. When the frame is in place, the latch pivots back and snaps into the groove.
Claims9
A latch assembly, comprising:
- a frame defining a first planar clearance hole and having first and second stops protruding on one side of the plane of the first clearance hole;
- and
- a latch defining a second clearance hole and pivotingly mounted to the frame between the first and second stops such that the first and second clearance holes overlap;
- and
- a resilient elongate member, having first and second ends, extending around part of the second clearance hole such that the first and second ends are disposed on opposite sides of the second clearance hole, the second end in contact with the second stop and biasing the latch toward the first stop, and the member secured to the latch only at the first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.