Scissor mechanism for a latch assembly
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Shelley, Nigel V. Spurr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A scissor apparatus for a latch assembly, which includes a spring comprising a plurality of fingers for controlling the motion one or more sliders associated with the latch assembly, and wherein the spring comprises a spring control independent of the actuation of such sliders. The fingers are generally integrated with the spring. Such a one-piece spring can be implemented as a stamped component with 2-off, 3-off or 6-off fingers to control the motion of the sliders. The stamped spring can clip onto existing latch assembly components in order to promote retention, and overcome friction with the latch assembly and return the sliders to a neutral position thereof.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a latch assembly;
- a plurality of latch activation sliders disposed within said latch assembly wherein said plurality of latch activation sliders slide parallel to one another;
- a non-helical spring comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein at least one latch activation slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders acts against at least one finger of said plurality of fingers and wherein a return arm of each slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders travels between said plurality of fingers of said non-helical spring thereof.
A system comprising:
- a vehicle latch assembly;
- a plurality of latch activation sliders disposed within said latch assembly wherein said plurality of latch activation sliders slide parallel to each other;
- a non-helical clip spring comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein at least one latch activation slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders acts against at least one finger of said plurality of fingers and said at least one finger of said plurality of fingers provides a force to return said at least one latch activation slider to a neutral position and wherein a return arm of each slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders travels between said plurality of fingers of said non-helical clip spring thereof.
A method comprising:
- providing a vehicle latch assembly;
- providing a plurality of latch activation sliders disposed within said latch assembly wherein said plurality of latch activation sliders slide parallel to each other;
- clipping a non-helical spring comprising a plurality of fingers to said vehicle latch assembly, wherein at least one latch activation slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders acts against at least one finger of said plurality of fingers;
- providing a force to return said at least one latch activation slider to a neutral position by said at least one finger of said plurality of fingers;
- and
- disposing a return arm of each slider of said plurality of latch activation sliders wherein said arm travels between said plurality of fingers of said non-helical spring thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.