Pressure responsive blowout latch

A method for controllably retaining a panel relative to a frame, the latching method being responsive to a pressure differential detected on at least one side of a panel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a latching device operatively associated with a panel;
• providing a controllable bolt displaceably carried on at least a portion of the latching device, the bolt being operatively associated with at least one of a panel and a frame;
• providing at least one a pressure responsive device operatively coupled to the bolt;
• engaging the bolt with a panel;
• retaining the bolt in engagement with the pressure responsive device;
• detecting pressure on at least one side of a panel;
• operating the pressure responsive device in response to the detected pressure;
• disengaging the bolt from a panel upon development of a pressure of a predetermined degree or pressure;
• and
• displacing a panel relative to a frame upon disengagement of the bolt.

A latch mechanism for releasably retaining a first structure relative to a second structure, the first and second structures defining a baffler, the latch mechanism comprising:

• a bolt releasably carried on at least one of the first structure and the second structure;
• a portion of the bolt abutting a portion of the other of the first structure and the second structure for preventing displacement of the first structure from the second structure;
• at least one pressure responsive device for detecting a pressure differential on at least one side of the barrier;
• a bolt engaging member operatively connected to the pressure responsive device and moveably displaceable relative to the bolt in response to operation of the pressure responsive device;
• and
• a receiving formation on the bolt for mechanically engaging at least a portion of the bolt engaging device to prevent displaceable movement of the bolt prior to operation of the pressure responsive device.

A latch mechanism for releasably retaining a panel relative to a frame, the latch mechanism comprising:

• a bolt pivotably carried on at least one of the panel and the frame;
• a portion of the bolt extending from the at least one of the panel and the frame for butting a portion of the other of the panel and the frame to prevent displacement of the panel relative to the frame;
• a bolt limiting member, the bolt limiting member being moveable from a first position of engagement with the bolt and a second position removed from engagement with the bolt;
• a mating element on the bolt for mating engagement with the bolt limiting member when the bolt limiting members is in the first position;
• at least one pressure responsive device responsive operative to detect a pressure differential on at least one side of the panel;
• and
• a biasing member urging the bolt to a desired position;
• wherein the bolt limiting member is operable by only a pressure differential and from a secure side of the panel.

A method for controllably latching a panel relative to a frame, the latching method being responsive to a pressure differential detected on at least one side of a panel to which a latch mechanism is attached, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a latch assembly operatively associated with a panel, the latch assembly including a pivotable bolt operatively associated with at least one of the panel and an associated frame;
• providing at least one pressure responsive device operatively coupled to the bolt, the pressure responsive device communicating with a first volume and a second volume, the pressure responsive device adapted to detect a pressure differential between the first volume and the second volume, the pressure responsive device including a dampening mechanism adapted to prevent the operation of the pressure responsive device prior to predetermined pressure differential levels;
• engaging the at least one of the panel and the frame with the bolt;
• retaining the bolt in operative engagement with the at least one of the panel and the frame, and preventing displacement of the panel from the frame under mechanical forces on a surface of the panel;
• urging the bolt into engagement with the at least one of the panel and the frame;
• detecting a pressure differential between the first volume and second volume;
• operating the pressure responsive device in response to the detected pressure differential;
• disengaging the retention of the bolt upon development of a predetermined degree or pressure;
• and
• displacing the panel relative to the frame upon disengagement of the bolt.

A latching device for displaceably retaining a panel relative to a frame, the latching device comprising:

• a latch body attachable to at least one of a panel and a frame;
• a bolt displaceably carried on the latch body, the bolt rotatable about a pivot axis generally parallel to a side edge of the at least one of a panel and a frame to which the latch body is positioned adjacent;
• a portion of the bolt abutting a portion of the other of a panel and a frame for controllably retaining
• a panel relative to a frame;
• a biasing element urging the bolt into an engaged position to displaceably retain a panel relative to a frame;
• a pressure responsive device operable upon detection of a change in pressure;
• a bolt engaging pin coupled to the pressure responsive device and moveably displaceable in response to the pressure responsive device, the bolt engaging pin moveable between a first position for preventing rotational movement of the bolt and a second position allowing rotational movement of the bolt about the rotational axis;
• a structure on the bolt for contacting at least a portion of the bolt engaging pin to prevent rotational movement of the bolt prior to operation of the pressure responsive device to move the bolt engaging pin to the second position;
• and
• an upstanding portion of the latch body and a passage through the upstanding portion, the bolt engaging pin extending from the pressure responsive device through the passage to the structure on the bolt for contacting at least a portion of the bolt engaging pin prior to operation of the pressure responsive device to move the bolt engaging pin to the second position.

A latching device for displaceably retaining a panel relative to a frame, the latching device comprising:

• a latch housing attachable to at least one of a panel and a frame;
• a bolt pivotably carried on the latch housing;
• a portion of the bolt extending from the latch housing for abutting a portion of the other of a panel and a frame to prevent displacement of a panel from a frame;
• a mechanical biasing element providing a biasing force to retain the bolt in a desired position until the biasing force is overcome;
• an electrical pressure responsive device operable in responsive to a detection of pressure;
• a bolt engaging pin connected to the pressure responsive device, the bolt engaging pin being axially displaceable in response to the pressure responsive device between a first position preventing pivotable movement of the bolt and a second position allowing pivotable movement of the bolt;
• a portion of the housing defining a passage, the bolt engaging pin extending axially through the passage;
• and
• a structure on the bolt adapted to mechanically contact at least a portion of the bolt engaging pin to restrict pivotable movement of the bolt when the bolt engaging pin is in the first position.

A pressure responsive latching system for releasably retaining a panel relative to a frame, the latching system comprising:

• a latch body attachable to at least one of a panel and a frame, the latch body including an upstanding portion having a passage defined therein;
• a rotatable bolt retained on the latch body, the rotatable bolt having a pivot point generally defining a pivot axis, the bolt having a leading edge spaced from the pivot point for abutting contact with the other of a panel and a frame for preventing displacement of a panel relative to a frame, the leading edge being generally parallel to the pivot axis;
• a biasing element providing a biasing force to the bolt to urge the bolt towards a desired position;
• an electrical pressure responsive device retained on the housing, the pressure responsive device being operable on an electrical signal in response to a detection of a pressure to cause mechanical movement;
• a pin connected to the pressure responsive device and extending through the upstanding portion, the pin being displaceable in response to the pressure responsive device between a first position mechanically restricting rotation of the bolt and a second position allowing rotation of the bolt;
• a pin-engaging structure on the bolt for mechanically abutting the pin when the pin is located in the first position to prevent rotation of the bolt;
• an electrical pressure detector coupled to the electrical pressure responsive device that generates the electrical signal.

A pressure responsive panel assembly comprising:

• a frame structure having a first portion and a second portion;
• a panel having a first side and an opposed second side, the panel including a free end and a movably retained second end;
• a retaining structure that attaches the movably retained second end to the second portion of the frame structure;
• a latching device attachable to at least one of the panel and the frame structure for displaceably retaining the panel relative to the frame structure, the latching device including a latch housing, a bolt pivotably carried on the latch housing, a portion of the bolt extending from the latch housing for abutting a portion of the other of the panel and the frame structure to prevent displacement of the panel from the frame, a resistance mechanism providing a resistance force that resists separation of the panel relative to the frame structure until the resistance force is overcome, and a portion of the housing defining a passage, a bolt engaging pin extending generally axially through the passage;
• and
• a pressure responsive device operable in responsive to a detection of pressure;
• the pressure responsive device being connected to the bolt engaging pin, the bolt engaging pin being axially displaceable by the pressure responsive device in response to the detection of pressure, the bolt engaging pin being displaceable between a first position preventing pivotable movement of the bolt and a second position allowing pivotable movement of the bolt.

A latching system operable in response to a pressure comprising:

• a frame structure having a first portion and a second portion;
• a panel having a first side and an opposed second side, the panel including a free end and a movably retained second end;
• a retaining structure that attaches the movably retained second end to the second portion of the frame structure;
• a latching mechanism to retain the panel in a closed position relative to the frame structure, the latching mechanism including a latch body attachable to one of the panel and the frame structure, a portion of the latch body defining a passage;
• a bolt carried on the latch body and pivotable about a pivot axis, a portion of the bolt for abutting a portion of the other of the panel and the frame structure;
• a resistance mechanism carried on the latch body providing a resistance force to resist separation of the panel relative to the frame structure;
• a pressure sensing device operable to detect a pressure and generate a signal;
• a pressure responsive device operable upon a detection of pressure;
• a controller to receive the signal and operate the pressure responsive device;
• and
• a bolt engaging pin coupled to the pressure responsive device and positioned to extend through the passage of the latching mechanism, the bolt engaging pin being displaceable upon operation of the pressure responsive device between a first position limiting pivotable motion of the bolt and a second position allowing pivotable motion of the bolt.

A latching system operable in response to detection of a pressure comprising:

• a frame structure having a first portion and a second portion;
• a panel having a first side and an opposed second side, the panel including a free end and a movably retained second end;
• a retaining structure that attaches the movably retained second end to the second portion of the frame structure;
• a latching mechanism to retain the panel in a closed position relative to the frame structure, the latching mechanism including a latch body attachable to one of the panel and the frame structure, a portion of the latch body defining a passage;
• a bolt carried on the latch body and pivotable about a pivot axis, a portion of the bolt for abutting a portion of the other of the panel and the frame structure;
• a resistance mechanism carried on the latch body providing a resistance force to resist separation of the panel relative to the frame structure;
• a pressure sensing device operable to detect a pressure and generate a signal;
• a pressure responsive device operable upon a detection of pressure;
• a controller to receive the signal and operate the pressure responsive device;
• and
• a bolt engaging pin coupled to the pressure responsive device and positioned to extend through the passage of the latching mechanism, the bolt engaging pin being displaceable upon operation of the pressure responsive device between a first position limiting pivotable motion of the bolt and a second position allowing pivotable motion of the bolt.