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US 8,191,940 B2Granted
Latching motion transfer mechanism
AssigneeInvacare Corporation
InventorsRobert R. Bly, Kevin S. Wysocki, Michael A. Gregory
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Latching motion transfer arrangements may be used to raise an object up and out of engagement with the ground or other support surface and to lower the object back onto the ground or other support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the mechanism is caused to lift and latch by applying force in a first direction, a first time, and is caused to release and lower by applying force in the first direction, a second time.
Claims24
A latching motion transfer mechanism comprising:
- a frame that comprises an elongated channel with first and second side walls;
- a first catch along the first side wall that extends into the channel at a first position along a length of the channel;
- a second catch along the second side wall that extends into the channel at a second position along the length of the channel;
- a plunger disposed in the channel;
- a biasing member coupled to the plunger such that the plunger is urged toward the first catch by the biasing member;
- a drive member disposed at least partially in the channel;
- a detent member disposed in the channel including a leg in contact with the drive member and a latch portion in contact with the plunger having first and second latch projections extending from opposite sides of the leg;
- wherein when the first latch projection is in engagement with the first catch, applying force to the drive member moves the drive member into the channel and the drive member pushes against the leg of the detent member to disengage the first latch projection from the first catch;
- wherein further movement of the drive member into the channel causes the latch portion of the detent member to slide toward the second wall against the plunger to a position where the second projection is aligned with the second catch;
- wherein when the force applied to the drive member is removed, the biasing member urges the plunger toward the first catch to a position where the second latch projection engages the second catch.
7 more elements
A latching motion transfer mechanism comprising:
- a frame with a channel;
- a first catch at a first position along the channel;
- a second catch across the channel from the first catch at a second position along the channel;
- a drive member;
- a detent member disposed in the channel including a leg and a latch portion having first and second latch projections;
- a biasing member;
- wherein when the first latch projection of the latch portion is in engagement with the first catch, applying force to the drive member moves the drive member into the channel and the drive member pushes against the leg of the detent member to disengage the first latch projection of the latch portion from the first catch;
- wherein further movement of the drive member into the channel causes the latch portion of the detent member to slide across the channel to a position where the second latch projection of the latch portion is aligned with the second catch;
- wherein when the force applied to the drive member is removed, the biasing member urges the latch portion toward the first catch to a position where the second latch projection of the latch portion engages the second catch.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.