# US 9,487,978 B2 · Earthquake-proof latch mechanism

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- Number: US 9,487,978 B2
- Document ID: US9487978B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/352,268
- Filed: 2013-10-29
- Published: 2015-08-27
- Granted: 2016-11-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-04-11
- Assignees: Maruyoshi Kogyo Inc.
- Applicants: Maruyoshi Kogyo Inc.
- Inventors: Nobuyuki Aono
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9487978B2

## CPC

- E05C 19/12: pivotally mounted {around an axis (E05C3/045, E05C3/40 take precedence)}
- E05B 2063/0095: {Locking devices actuated or controlled by seismic activity, e.g. earthquakes}
- Y10T 292/0945: Operating means
- E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F)
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism includes a case body, a hook member which is swingably supported on the case body, and a pendulum member which is vibratably suspended and supported on the case body. The hook member includes a hook on one side of a swinging shaft and a pendulum engagement portion on the other side of the swing shaft. A through hole is formed in the pendulum engagement portion. The pendulum member is disposed to penetrate the through hole, and a peripheral surface of the pendulum member facing the through hole is formed into a tapered shape. The peripheral surface pushes up the inner periphery of the through hole to swing the hook member when the pendulum member vibrates. Thus, the earthquake-proof latch mechanism is made compact.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism which engages with a reception portion provided on a door body when vibration occurs so that the earthquake-proof latch mechanism can lock and prevent the door body from opening, the earthquake-proof latch mechanism comprising:
a case body;
a hook member which is swingably supported in the case body; and
a pendulum member which is vibratably suspended and supported in the case body; wherein:
the hook member includes a hook on one side of a swinging shaft and a pendulum engagement portion on another side of the swinging shaft, the hook engaging with the reception portion, a through hole being formed in the pendulum engagement portion;
the pendulum member is disposed to penetrate the through hole, and a peripheral surface of the pendulum member facing the through hole is formed into a tapered shape; and
the peripheral surface pushes up an inner periphery of the through hole to swing the hook member when the pendulum member vibrates.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein:
a bottom surface of the pendulum member does not touch any other member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein:
a bottom surface of the pendulum member is formed into a curved surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein:
the case body includes a pendulum reception chamber which receives the pendulum member; and
the pendulum reception chamber is provided with a collision portion which allows the vibrating pendulum member to collide therewith to thereby change a vibrating direction of the pendulum member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An earthquake-proof latch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein:
the pendulum engagement portion has a front end extending obliquely downward in a non-vibration state.