Grapple style compression latch
AssigneeTrimark Corporation
InventorsTobias J. Schwickerath, Christopher M. Lane, Ricci L. Marzolf, Bruce E. Kallevig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A grapple style compression latch is provided for a vehicle door. The latch includes a pair of opposing jaws to retain and release a striker on the door frame. The movement of the grapple jaws is controlled by a handle mounted on the latch housing and moveable between open and closed positions. Drive links and a plurality of jaw pins control the movement of the jaws between open and closed positions. A compression spring provides over-center action for the latch.
Claims18
A vehicle door latch for opening and closing the door relative to a door frame, the frame having a striker pin, and the latch comprising:
- a housing having front and back sides;
- a handle pivotally mounted on the front side of the housing for movement between a raised open position and a lowered closed position within the housing;
- opposing jaws on the back side of the housing and being connected by at least one link to the handle, the jaws being movable between an open position disengaged from the striker pin so as to allow the door to open and a closed position engaging the striker bolt to retain the door closed;
- and
- wherein movement of the handle between its open and closed positions moves the jaws between their open and closed positions, respectively.
A grapple latch for a vehicle having a door, a frame to which the door is pivotally mounted for movement between open and closed positions, and a striker on the frame, the latch comprising:
- opposing jaws to retain and release the striker;
- a handle connected by at least one link to the jaws to actuate opening and closing of the jaws;
- and
- a housing, with the handle and jaws being mounted on opposite sides of the housing wherein movement of the handle between a raised open position and a close position within the housing moves the jaws between open and closed positions, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.