Magnetic latch mechanism
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorEric Carabalona
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch with dual rotary magnets is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment.
Claims12
A magnetic latch mechanism for securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the first member being movable between the closed position and an open position relative to the second member, the first member being provided with magnetically attractable material, and the first member being provided with a striker, the magnetic latch mechanism comprising:
- a housing adapted for attachment to the second member;
- at least one magnet rotationally supported by said housing, said at least one magnet being rotationally movable between latched and unlatched positions, when in said latched position said at least one magnet being positioned such that with the first member in the closed position relative to the second member said at least one magnet holds the first member in the closed position through magnetic attraction between said at least one magnet and the magnetically attractable material, and when in said unlatched position said at least one magnet being positioned such that with the first member in the closed position relative to the second member said at least one magnet repels the magnetically attractable material so as to cause the first member to move from the closed position toward an open position relative to the second member;
- an actuation mechanism capable of selectively moving said at least one magnet from said latched position to said unlatched position responsive to an input from a user;
- and
- a hook-shaped pawl supported for rotation with said at least one magnet, said pawl being capable of engaging the striker, said pawl engaging the striker to mechanically prevent the first member from being moved toward the open position when said at least one magnet is in said latched position.
A magnetic latch mechanism for securing a first member and a third member in respective closed positions relative to a second member, the first member being movable between the closed position of the first member and an open position thereof relative to the second member, the first member being provided with magnetically attractable material, and the first member being provided with a first striker, wherein the third member is movable between the closed position of the third member and an open position thereof relative to the second member, wherein the third member is provided with magnetically attractable material, and wherein the third member is provided with a second striker, the magnetic latch mechanism comprising:
- a housing adapted for attachment to the second member;
- a first magnet rotationally supported by said housing, said first magnet being rotationally movable between latched and unlatched positions thereof, when in said latched position said first magnet being positioned such that with the first member in the closed position relative to the second member said first magnet holds the first member in the closed position through magnetic attraction between said first magnet and the magnetically attractable material of the first member, and when in said unlatched position said first magnet being positioned such that with the first member in the closed position relative to the second member said first magnet repels the magnetically attractable material of the first member so as to cause the first member to move from the closed position toward an open position relative to the second member;
- a second magnet rotationally supported by said housing, said second magnet being rotationally movable between latched and unlatched positions, when in said latched position said second magnet being positioned such that with the third member in the closed position relative to the second member said second holds the third member in the closed position through magnetic attraction between said second magnet and the magnetically attractable material of the third member, and when in said unlatched position said second magnet being positioned such that with the third member in the closed position relative to the second member said second magnet repels the magnetically attractable material of the third member so as to cause the third member to move from the closed position toward the open position relative to the second member;
- and
- an actuation mechanism capable of selectively moving said first magnet and said second magnet from their respective latched positions to their respective unlatched positions responsive to an input from a user;
- a first hook-shaped pawl supported for rotation with said first magnet, said first pawl being capable of engaging said first striker, said first pawl engaging said first striker to mechanically prevent the first member from being moved toward the open position when said first magnet is in said latched position of said first magnet;
- and
- a second hook-shaped pawl supported for rotation with said second magnet, said second pawl being capable of engaging said second striker, said second pawl engaging said second striker to mechanically prevent the third member from being moved toward the open position when said second magnet is in said latched position of said second magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.