Operating Means Patents (Class 292/214)
  • Patent number: 11268297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a securing device (1; 101) for a motor vehicle, having a front hood (2, 102) and a hood lock (3, 103) with a lock holder (10, 110). The hood lock (3, 103) has a rotary latch (4, 104) with a pre-locking position and a main locking position and an electric drive (5, 105) which causes a switchover of the rotary latch (4, 104) from the main locking position into the pre-locking position. In the main locking position, a release of the lock holder (10, 110) is blocked, and the front hood (2, 102) is closed. In the pre-locking position, the lock holder (10, 110) can be manually moved between a closed position, in which the lock holder (10, 110) is engaged with the rotary latch (4, 104) and the front hood (2, 102) is locked, and an open position, in which the lock holder (10, 110) is released from the rotary latch (4, 104) and the front hood (2, 102) is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Patent number: 11214989
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock includes a catch, a pawl, and a latch plate, wherein the catch and the pawl are rotatably supported on the latch plate, the latch plate has at least two openings for mounting the motor vehicle lock, and the latch plate has an inlet slot for a latch holder, and wherein a splay lying opposite the inlet slot is provided on the latch plate, wherein the splay has the form of a semicircle at least in an end region opposite the inlet slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Marek Dragon, Alexander Grossmann, Thomas Waldmann
  • Patent number: 11199034
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a vehicle hood includes a manual maneuvering element that is able to control positioning of the hood on a vehicle body and a mechanism for locking and unlocking the maneuvering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Philippe Perreux
  • Patent number: 11111703
    Abstract: A hood latch apparatus for a vehicle includes: a housing having entrance guide recesses at a front portion and a rear portion, respectively, to allow a striker to enter; a first support shaft and a second support shaft disposed at both sides of the entrance guide recesses, respectively; a claw rotatably connected to the first support shaft; a pawl rotatably connected to the second support shaft and configured to restrain the claw or release the restraint of the claw; a safety hook rotatably connected to the second support shaft and configured to restrict the opening of a hood; and a safety lever having one end of thereof rotatably supported on a third support shaft installed inside the housing, and including a user manipulation portion extending to an outside of the housing and a pressing portion for pressing a lower portion of the safety hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Kyoon Lim, Sang Il Kim, Dong Hee Ma, Jin Pyung Park, Seong-Tae Hong
  • Patent number: 10794096
    Abstract: A system including a component which can be mounted movably in or on an automobile and an actuating apparatus for the component, the actuating apparatus having a push-push mechanism which interacts with the component, it being possible for the component to be moved out of a closed position by manual exertion of a pressing force counter to the prestress of a spring into an unlocked position in order to unlock the push-push mechanism, out of which unlocked position the component is moved into a partially open position driven by the prestress of the spring, out of which partially open position the component can be moved into an open position by manual exertion of a pulling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Hamacher, Roland Och, Christian Beck, Andreas Rudolf, Joachim Oberst, Johannes Karlein
  • Patent number: 10508479
    Abstract: A hood latch assembly for a vehicle. A housing includes an insert recess allowing a striker coupled to a hood of a vehicle to be retracted into and withdrawn from the insert recess. A latch has one end portion pivotably coupled to an inner portion of the housing. A fitting recess in the other end portion of the latch allows the striker to be retracted into and withdrawn from the fitting recess. A support protrusion is formed on one end portion of the fitting recess. A safety hook includes a hinge disposed on one end portion to be pivotably coupled to an outer portion of housing and a sliding protrusion disposed on the other end portion to allow the striker to slide when in contact with the striker. When the hood is in a closed position, the safety hook is supported by the support protrusion so as not to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Hwang, So Yeon Park, Byung Joo Lee, Ki Won Kim, Byoung Haan Choi
  • Patent number: 8894105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door lock having a rotary latch arrangement for locking doors of motor vehicles, in particular for tractors, having two rotatably mounted rotary latches, wherein for each rotary latch, provision is made of in each case one locking element which interacts therewith, which locking elements can interact with the rotary latches so as to lock the lock, and also having an actuating lever (35) by means of which the locking elements can be actuated so as to release the locking action, wherein the actuating lever (35) can be actuated from a first side of the lock (1) by being pressed, wherein the vehicle door lock (1) has an inside release lever (51) which can be actuated directly from an opposite side by being pressed, and wherein the actuating lever (35) can be driven by means of the inside release lever (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: D. La Porte Soehne GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Kutschat, Yvonne Haehnke
  • Patent number: 8740265
    Abstract: A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Francis Raymond Gillis
  • Publication number: 20140062103
    Abstract: A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Francis Raymond Gillis
  • Publication number: 20130154283
    Abstract: An exit device assembly for use in association with a door having a top, a bottom and a generally vertical surface. The exit door assembly includes an exit device configured to be mounted on the surface of the door, the exit device including a manually movable member, a latch mechanism configured to be mounted adjacent one of the top and the bottom of the door, the latch mechanism including a latch movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, and a non-rigid device for causing movement of the latch in response to movement of the manually movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Paul R. Arlinghaus, David M. Schacht, Michael D. Coleman, Abdur Rahman Shareef, Matthew A. Phillips, Marlin Austin
  • Patent number: 8403377
    Abstract: A locking device includes a lock body that includes an engagement groove with or from which the closing-side and opening-side lock receivers are engaged or disengaged, the lock body being variable between a neutral posture in which the closing-side and opening-side lock receivers are allowed to be engaged with or disengaged from the engagement groove; a closing-side locking posture in which the closing-side lock receiver that is engaged with the engagement groove is regulated so as not to be disengaged from the engagement groove; or an opening-side locking posture in which the opening-side lock receiver that is engaged with the engagement groove is regulated so as not to be disengaged from the engagement groove; a holding member and a release operation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Japan Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Teruyuki Yamada, Tomoya Hirano, Yusuke Harayama
  • Publication number: 20120261081
    Abstract: An electronic locking apparatus for a rollup door, including a striker plate and a locking apparatus having a housing; a U-shaped trigger latch pivotably mounted to the housing having a notch and a spring; and a release catch pivotably mounted to the housing, a tab which can engage the notch and a spring. A solenoid is associated with a piston, which is connected to the release catch and can cause the release catch to pivot positions. Also included is a control assembly including a processor, user interface and memory storage device. A user can enter access information into the user interface, which causes the processor to actuate the solenoid, which moves the piston and causes the release catch to pivot. The release catch tab engages or disengages from the trigger latch tab to pivot and release or retain the striker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Janus International Corporation
    Inventors: David Bryan Curtis, Adam David Nyman
  • Publication number: 20120110919
    Abstract: A mechanism for closing sliding doors of furniture. The mechanism includes at least two rotatable closing elements, each associated with a respective door. A locking body is associated with the closing element for rotating and locking the closing element in either an open position or a closed position. The closing element also includes a locking portion that, through the rotation of the closing element, can pass from a first position in which the locking portion prevents the translation of the sliding doors of the furniture, to a second position which allows the translation of the sliding doors. The closing mechanism also includes a synchronization bar that makes the closing elements rotate as a unit, ensuring the simultaneous locking of the sliding doors in the closed or open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Bruno Fiori
  • Publication number: 20110248514
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an aircraft door includes a plurality of frame-side fittings and a plurality of door-side fittings. Each frame-side fitting includes a pin with an eccentric rotary cylinder mounted on each pin. Each door-side fitting includes an eccentric rotary latch configured to encompass at least a section of a corresponding rotary cylinder. Also a method of locking a door using the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Manfred Koneczny
  • Publication number: 20110127780
    Abstract: A lock unit (1) having at least one catch (2) with a primary position (3) and a first position (4), as well as a first pawl (5) and a second pawl (6), wherein the first pawl (5) cooperates with the catch (2) in the primary position (3) and the second pawl (6) cooperates with the catch (2) in the first position (4), and wherein position detection means (7) are provided for both pawls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: KIEKERT AG
    Inventors: Karsten Barth, Thorsten Bendel, Serkan Gülkan, Ulrich Weichsel
  • Patent number: 7679904
    Abstract: An exemplary housing includes a first cover, a second cover for coupled with the first cover, a trigger, two movable latches, a first resilient member, two second resilient members, and two extending arms. The first cover includes two engaging portions. The trigger is disposed on the second cover and slidable along a first direction. The movable latches are disposed on the second cover and slidable along a second direction. Each movable latch includes an engaging portion for engaging the engaging portions of the first cover. The resilient members are configured for resetting the trigger and the movable latches. The extending arms are rotatably connected to the trigger and the movable latches. A slide of the trigger forces the movable latches to slide, thus making the engaging portions of the first cover and the movable latches engage or disengage each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 7530609
    Abstract: A secondary latch assembly includes a mounting bracket, a release hook, and a release handle operably connected to the release hook. The release handle is pivotable relative to the mounting bracket between a first position wherein the release handle is out of view, a second position wherein the release handle is presented and the release hook is engaging the striker, and a third position wherein the release handle is rotated from its second position and the release hook is released from the striker. A spring member biases the release handle towards the first position. The release hook is pivotable relative to the release handle between a locked position wherein the release hook is lockingly engageable with the striker and a released position wherein the release hook is out of locking engagement with the striker while the release handle remains in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Allen Beauchamp, James Robert DePlonty, Daniel Ethan Bies
  • Publication number: 20090108595
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for a storage container having multiple independent and dependent modes of operation may include a first actuation mechanism and a second actuation mechanism. Each actuation mechanism may include a cam that is extendable, retractable and rotatable with respect to the actuation mechanism. The latching mechanism may also include at least one latch receiving assembly for releasably receiving a latch pin. The latch receiving assembly may be in operable communication with a rotor that actuates the latch receiving assembly. The latch receiving assembly may be in operable communication with the first actuation mechanism and the second actuation mechanism via at least one actuation rod pivotally attached to the rotor. Independent and dependent modes of operation of the latching mechanism may be selected by rotating, extending, and retracting the cams of the first actuation mechanism and the second actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: DEE ZEE INC.
    Inventor: Kevin De Vries
  • Publication number: 20090051173
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism, an open operation lever, an open lever operatively connected to the open operation lever, a locking lever being switchable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a link operation lever operatively connected to the locking lever, a link member operatively connected to the link operation lever, the link member being able to transmit an operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the unlocked position, the link member being unable to transmit the operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the locked position, and a lever member operatively connected to the open lever and the locking lever, the lever member moving the locking lever from the locked position to the unlocked position by means of the operation of the open lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryujiro AKIZUKI, Takashi Nishio, Kazumasa Seo, Yusuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 7490874
    Abstract: A lock device is used for a foldable electronic apparatus. The lock device is mounted on a display unit of the electronic apparatus. The lock device includes a rotatable bolt, an actuator, and an elastic bolt holder. The rotatable bolt is rotatably mounted on the display unit and includes two latch tenons. The elastic bolt holder connects the actuator and the rotatable bolt and keeps the rotatable bolt at a first direction. Movement of the actuator causes the rotatable bolt to rotate from the first direction to a second direction. The lock device can couples with a notch successfully even assemble error exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 7416228
    Abstract: A rotary unit for use with a locking system includes: a base plate having a slot; a rotary member rotatably mounted with the base plate about a first axis of rotation, the rotary member including a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly from a central portion thereof and an engagement portion fixed to the central portion; and a pawl member pivotally mounted with the base plate about a second axis of rotation and coupled with the connecting member. The pawl member includes an engagement projection that selectively engages the engagement portion of the rotary member to prevent rotation of the rotary member in a first rotative direction but permits rotation of the rotary member in a second rotative direction that is opposite the first rotative direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Consolidated Industries
    Inventors: Kurt Pfitzinger, Bryan Anderson, Kelly Jones, Ron Eberwein, Randy Key
  • Patent number: 6543822
    Abstract: A secondary latch assembly includes a mounting bracket, a release hook pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, and a handle mechanism pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket. The release hook is movable between a locked position and a released position and has a slot having a first end and a second end. The handle mechanism has a rotation stop that is positioned within the slot of the release hook and that is movable between the first and second ends of the slot. The handle mechanism is movable between a first position where the rotation stop is positioned at the first end of the slot, a second position where the rotation stop is positioned at the second end of the slot, and a third position wherein the handle mechanism is rotated from its second position while the rotation stop is positioned at the second end of the slot so that the rotation stop urges the release hook from its locked position to its released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. King, Garrett J. Wize, William R. Gentile, Jason A. Beauchamp, Richard M. Leatzau
  • Patent number: 6527315
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a dishwasher door having a bolt secured to the door. The bolt has a catch including a ramp surface facing toward the tub. An actuator is slidably connected to the bolt. A switch is secured to the bolt such that movement of the actuator may selectively close the switch. A handle is moveably mounted to the bolt in a position for access from the front surface of the door. A strike plate is connected to the tub and includes a latching portion extending toward the door. The strike plate flexes vertically to deflect up over the latch when the door moves to the closed position. The strike plate may be released from the latch by moving the handle upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Marks, John M. DeBoer
  • Patent number: 6513841
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blowout latch for releasably securing an aircraft panel to an aircraft structure. The blowout latch includes a housing, a bolt, and a handle. The housing includes a bias section that has a plate, a block adjacent the plate, at least one coil spring having opposing ends, a roller mount, and a roller pin. The roller mount has a roller mount base. One end of the coil spring contacts the roller mount base. The opposing end of the coil spring contacts the block. The roller pin is rotatably mounted to the roller mount. The bolt is rotatably mounted to the housing and is used to engage the aircraft structure. The bolt has a secured position. The bolt is held in its secured position by the coil spring which biases the roller pin against the bolt. The handle is rotatably mounted to the bolt and is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position, without the use of a tool. The handle provides an indicator when the blowout latch is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Frank T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6422616
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for a closure of a motor vehicle compartment includes a housing forming a vertically extending groove for receiving a striker bar secured to the closure, first and second hollow rivets located on opposite sides of the groove, a striker spring located at the groove for upwardly biasing the striker bar out of the groove, a pawl pivotable about the first hollow rivet and defining a notch, and a ratchet pivotable about the second hollow rivet and defining a protrusion adapted to cooperate with the notch of the pawl to selectively retain the ratchet in a locked position. the ratchet also defines pocket for receiving the striker bar and retaining the striker bar in the groove when the ratchet is in the locked position. Fasteners extend though passageways in the hollow rivets to secure the latching mechanism to the motor vehicle. The striker spring is positioned to directly engage the striker bar when the striker bar is in the groove to bias the striker bar in a direction out of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Wortmann, Michael Strole, Curtis Porter
  • Patent number: 6419284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door lock, in particular for agricultural vehicles such as tractors, containing a lock case and a locally actuable release arrangement, it being the case that provided in the lock case are spring-assisted rotary-latch elements, for engaging around the locking bolt, and a catch lever which fixes the rotary positions of the two rotary-latch elements, belongs to the release arrangement and is intended for rotary-latch-element-securing engagement in the latching-action element-toothing formations, which are directed away from the rotary latch, it being the case that the catch lever is connected to a second, remotely actuable release arrangement (12), which is guided and arranged in a crossmember tube (24) which can be pivoted in relation to the lock case, the release arrangement (12) being connected to the catch lever via a cable or a rod and the release arrangement (12) being arranged on the crossmember tube (24) such that it can be displaced longitudinally and secured, with the result
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: D. la Porte Söhne GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Kutschat
  • Patent number: 6390518
    Abstract: A mechanism for use in latching a pivotable access door of a cabinet includes a latch housing within which is rotatably mounted a catch member between latching and unlatching positions upon a carrier which, in turn, is rotatably supported in the latch housing. The carrier is biased into engagement with a cam pin which acts as a pivot stop for the carrier. A cross pin extends through a pair of laterally spaced slots formed in the latch housing and terminal ends of the cross pin are adapted to depress electronic switches through movement of the carrier when the latching mechanism assumes the latched position. The catch member is rotated to the latching position upon engagement with a latch striker and can be rotated to release the latch striker, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, either through the use of a handle or upon tugging on the access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Elick
  • Patent number: 6336668
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a pair of levers pivoted at a common axis in the housing, a nut bearing axially on one of the levers and having a screwthread of a predetermined length, and a screw threaded in the nut, having a screwthread of a predetermined length, and having a head bearing axially oppositely on the other of the levers. Thus when the screw is tightened in the nut the two levers are locked together for joint pivoting. An abutment in the housing axially spaced from and confronting the nut is spaced from the nut by a predetermined distance equal to less than each of the predetermined screwthread lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 6158787
    Abstract: A rotary latch lock for the locking closure of a door, especially of a vehicle door of a tractor, including a rotary latch, a rotary latch spring coacting with the rotary latch as well as a stop piece, the rotary latch and the stop piece being pivotally mounted and capable of coacting in the bolting of the lock. The bolting is released by a lever system which has an actuating lever for acting on the stop piece. The rotary latch lock is provided with a lock base plate, the lock base plate being bent in a U-shaped configuration to include first and second shanks and a base shank, so that the actuating lever is articulated on the second shank, and the stop lever is articulated on the first shank, where the first shank provides a wall of the lock box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: D. La Porte Sohne GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Kutschat
  • Patent number: 5129691
    Abstract: A gate latch control device for controlling opening and closing of a gate latch fixed to a gate post. The device incorporates a rod which is mounted for slidable displacement through the gate post, with opposed ends of the rod protruding from opposite sides of the gate post. A slot is provided in the rod for slidable passage of the gate latch through the slot. One end of the slot contacts and pivotally displaces the gate latch when the rod is slidably displaced from a closed position into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Jonn McFarlen
  • Patent number: 5071177
    Abstract: In a cover-frame assembly for a manhole or the like a locking device is provided, which comprises a closing member having at least two horizontal arms and a mounting rod provided with a bearing and actuating device. The mounting rod and the bearing and actuating device are located in a bore having a widened bore portion, whereby a shoulder is formed, on which is supported a bearing surface of the bearing and actuating device. The ends of the arms each project into a guide link, which is shaped on the inner flange of the frame. The guide link has an inclined flank, by means of which the arms are increasingly elastically deformed. In the closed position of the locking device, the arms engage in locking recesses provided on the end of each inclined flank. This leads to a self-closure with pre-tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 4643710
    Abstract: Manually overridable servo controlled valve mechanisms for controlling the flow of fluids through a flexible tube for use in a photoactivatable reagent treatment system wherein photoactivatable reagents, in contact with patient blood cells, are irradiated extracorporeally and then retruned to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: McNeilab, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon H. Troutner
  • Patent number: 4159138
    Abstract: A snap-acting latch mechanism for sliding doors is disclosed in which a latch bar is rotatably mounted and extends from a latch assembly for insertion into a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly is formed for cooperative engagement of a head portion of the latch bar to retain the same against withdrawal and yet the latch bar can be rotated to a position enabling withdrawal from the keeper assembly. In the improved mechanism of the present invention the keeper assembly includes a pair of resilient band means mounted in side-by-side, spaced apart relation so as to snap into engagement behind the head of the latch bar and yet enable withdrawal of the latch bar upon rotation of the head by 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Inventor: Donald V. Smith
  • Patent number: 4094540
    Abstract: A closure device including a male member and female member, one mounted on a movable element and the other on another element. The male member includes a flat plate of substantially constant thickness, and the female member has a portion provided with an elongated cutout having a width slightly larger than the thickness of the flat plate. The cutout-bearing portion is pivotable in one direction upon introduction of the flat plate into the cutout, and pivots in the other direction to wedge the plate and prevent withdrawal thereof. Resilient means urge the cutout-bearing portion toward its wedging position, and handle means are provided for returning said portion to its unwedged position to permit withdrawal of the flat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche
    Inventor: Joseph Antoine Roig
  • Patent number: 4068871
    Abstract: A one-piece continuous resilient rod extends between spaced apart latch bolts and has its ends operatively connected to the latch bolts. The unrestrained free length of the rod exceeds the spaced relation between the latched positions of the latch bolts so that the rod is flexed and resiliently biases the latch bolts to their respective latched positions. A rotatably journalled handle engages the rod intermediate the latch bolts. Rotation of the handle flexes the rod, and shortens its effective length to withdraw the ends of the flexible rod toward each other and simultaneously move the latch bolts from their latched position to their unlatched position. An integral coil compression spring may be provided in the continuous rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Mercer