Rigid Patents (Class 292/87)
  • Patent number: 4280724
    Abstract: A one piece spring latch having a camming surface engageable by the edge of a cooperating latching aperture to deflect the latch element until it passes through the aperture to latching position, the latch element then snapping into overlying latching engagement with the material forming the bounding edge of the latching aperture.The latch is particularly suitable for latching together substantially co-planar panels disposed closely adjacent to one another, as for example the diffuser frame and housing of a fluorescent lighting fixture, a portion of the latching device being of thin cross section and extending between the edges of the panels so that very little clearance between the adjacent panel edges is required. The latch includes release tabs which are physically small and are easily operable by finger pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Keystone Lighting Corp.
    Inventor: John Dalton
  • Patent number: 4270668
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a buckle or latch for maintaining a lid in place on a container, such as a vacuum cleaner tank. The buckle includes a mounting bracket attached to the container. The bracket has a slot spaced down from the lid for receiving a hinge pin. The buckle includes a buckle element with a lower end having a hinge pin thereon which is swivelably held in the slot in the bracket. The buckle element has a hook at its upper end to snap over a detent on the edge flange of the lid. An upwardly facing abutment on the swiveling buckle element and located between the hinge pin and the hook is arranged so that it will engage a downwardly facing abutment on the mounting bracket when the buckle is closed. Upon attempted separation of the lid and container while the buckle is in place, any forces on the buckle are transmitted to the abutment of the buckle and then to the abutment on the mounting bracket and not to the hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 4261479
    Abstract: A releasable lid clasp device for trash containers or cans, arranged to secure the lids thereof against accidental dislodgment. The device is constituted as an elongate body having a generally transverse groove of suitable radius which defines a pair of facing jaws that are capable of engaging opposite surfaces of the bead of the container lid. The body includes a resilient hinge which enables opening and closing movement of one of the jaws with respect to the other as the hinge flexes. In addition, there is provided a manually engageable extremity portion on the body, by which the user can flex the hinge and thereby accomplish the opening and closing movement of the one jaw. The arrangement is such that a highly satisfactory securement of the lid can be attained, without sacrificing ease of operation or reliability, especially over prolonged periods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: James Caserta
  • Patent number: 4214782
    Abstract: A releasable latch for a garbage can cover which includes a stop member affixed to the depending flange of the garbage can cover and a resilient latch member affixed to the depending flange of the cover at a point thereon diametrically opposite the stop member. The resilient latch member has a resilient latch arm with a latch element normally extending inwardly through an opening formed in the depending flange of the cover. The stop member and the latch element are adapted to engage the lower edge of the conventional outwardly turned rim formed on the upper end of the garbage can when the cover is moved upwardly. The latch element has a camming surface which moves the latch arm outwardly while the cover is being placed in closed position on the can. A finger grip is provided on the resilient arm to move the latch element outwardly out of contact with the rim to permit removing the cover from the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Inventor: Bernard Boyer
  • Patent number: 4209916
    Abstract: An appliance which is made solely of snap-in molded plastic components includes a strainer for holding the vegetables which is rotated within a covered bowl by a hand crank transmitting the rotational motion through a step-up transmission having a planetary gear and through a frictional fit between a strainer and an easily removable strainer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Inventor: John S. Doyel
  • Patent number: 4191411
    Abstract: A safety latch assembly for securing the door of a cabinet is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a strike plate attached to the cabinet near an access opening, and a resilient striker mounted on the door of the cabinet. The strike plate includes a flat base mounting portion from which an abutment or lip portion projects. The striker includes a flat base mounting portion from which an elongated resilient leaf portion projects. The resilient leaf portion is characterized by a spring constant which permits the leaf, when forced into engagement with the abutment, to deflect and rotate into a latched position thereon in response to a first applied force which is less than a predetermined threshold level, and which permits the leaf to deflect and pass over the abutment in response to an applied force which is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Inventor: Milas M. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 4181334
    Abstract: A safety catch for a frontally opening hood of a motor vehicle comprises a resilient strip having transverse tongues at its upper end which snap engage in a recess in a bracket on the under side of the hood, the strip being capable of limited vertical movement and being anchored elastically at its lower end. Snap engagement of the tongues in the recess is facilitated by curvature of the upper end of the strip in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and release of the catch is effected by exerting finger pressure on the resiliently flexible strip to disengage it from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Fiat Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Angelo Fusi
  • Patent number: 4159838
    Abstract: A door latch bolt locking device for use with a latch bolt having a transverse groove or kerf in its top surface and which will positively prevent the withdrawal of the latch bolt. The device comprises a slideable member adapted to be substantially flush with the intersecting edge surface of the door and the inner surface of the door. The slideable member will have a first portion which will be substantially flush with the inner surface of the door and an integral tongue portion at a right angle to the flat portion and adapted to be substantially flush with the edge surface of the door. The locking device is also provided with means for allowing the slideable member to be moved through a limited vertical distance in a substantially flush relationship with the door surfaces so that the tongue member can move into and out of the kerf provided in the latch bolt to thereby lock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Mark W. Stephens
    Inventors: Herbert Wilzig, Charles J. Schuessler, Mark W. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4145771
    Abstract: A locking device for use with a toilet provided with a seat and cover or lid assembly. The device provides the locking of the cover to the toilet bowl so as to prevent access to the interior of the bowl by small children or persons lacking knowledge of its operation or suitable dexterity. A flat locking strap of suitable length is secured at one end to the top of the toilet seat cover. The strap is provided with a tapered section near its free end which terminates in a grippable handle. A lock cylinder is attached to the toilet bowl exterior in position to receive the tapered section of the locking strap. The lock cylinder has a longitudinal slot and internal bore sized to permit only an edgewise insertion or removal of the tapered section of the locking strap. When the toilet cover is lowered and the locking strap inserted and turned flat within the lock cylinder further movement of the locking strap is prevented, thus locking the toilet seat cover closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventor: Glenda M. Khazin
  • Patent number: 4139249
    Abstract: A child-proof cabinet latch having a base mounted on an inaccessible inwardly facing surface of a closure panel and a restraining member that is slidable in a guide channel defined by the base. The restraining member is movable between a first position in which an abutment surface is engageable with the cabinet frame to permit only limited opening movement of the panel and a second position in which the abutment surface is not engageable with the frame to permit unlimited opening movement. A spring biases the restraining member toward its first position, the spring force being such that it can be overcome by an adult but not a small child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Inventor: Ernest C. Hillman
  • Patent number: 4114934
    Abstract: A novel handle for use in sliding windows and the like formed as a single member and providing the functions of a handle, a catch and a resilient spring release portion which is formed integrally with the handle. The handle includes a surface which may be bonded to the surface of a window light or door by an adhesive while still providing the necessary functions of a gripping handle, a catch and a spring catch releasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Donald V. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4113217
    Abstract: Apparatus for mounting equipment to a vehicle includes first and second frames adapted for sliding engagement between downwardly extending wing members of the top frame within grooves formed by bends along opposite edges of the bottom frame. A spring locking member attached to the bottom frame is received within an oblong hole in the upper frame in a locked and engaged position, to urge the wing members into engagement with the bent edges of the lower frame. The spring locking member is located within a slot in an upwardly extending portion of the lower frame to constrain it only to upward and downward movement. In the engaged position the locking member prevents movement in orthoginal or transverse directions thereby securing firmly the first and second frames and equipment carried thereby to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Scientific Dimensions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 4094485
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting mobile electronic equipment having L-shaped slots for receiving mounting studs attached to the equipment and wire spring elements across one or more of the slots for latching the studs into the "feet" of the L-shaped slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Tram/Diamond Corporation
    Inventor: James S. O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 4068872
    Abstract: A latched cabinet structure includes obscure toe-pressed means operable to disengage latching means securing the cabinet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Inventor: Charles V. Smith
  • Patent number: 4061373
    Abstract: A door latch device for securing a door in place closing an opening into an enclosure including an elongated resilient retainer strap having an elongated aperture formed in one end and attachable at its other end to the door, a threaded screw-type fastener with a shoulder formed on its shank having its threaded shank extending through the elongated aperture with the shoulder in abutment with one side of the retainer strap, and a latch plate having a concave depression with a centrally disposed threaded aperture therethrough to receive the threaded shank of the screw-type fastener. The screw-type fastener is held in place in the elongated aperture by a resilient toroidally shaped keeper which fits over the shank of the screw-type fastener on the other side of the retainer strap from the shoulder. The latch plate is attachable to the enclosure adjacent the opening to be closed by the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: American Air Filter Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Revell
  • Patent number: 4057879
    Abstract: A header is provided for mounting on a circuit board comprising a block having a plurality of circuit board pins mounted therein and a generally rectangular unitary housing. The unitary housing and block have a face for mounting on a surface of a circuit board. The mounting face has a cavity at each end of the block for receiving a pair of latch members. Each cavity has a common wall with each end of the block, a recessed surface spaced from the face, and a wall spaced from the common wall having a rectangular channel therein. Also provided is a latch member for insertion in each cavity at each end of the block. Each latch member includes a base having a substantially rectangular member protruding from one side of the base, an elongated tapered latch arm extending from the base, a latch surface on the free end of the latch arm, and a latch release extending from the latch opposite the latch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Thomas Eigenbrode
  • Patent number: 4057271
    Abstract: Device for ejecting and retaining the bonnet of a motor vehicle when opening said bonnet, which comprises an ejection spring and a hook adapted to retain the bonnet in its ejected position, said device consisting of a spring assembly comprising a portion adapted to be fastened and, adjacent thereto, a spring arm constituting the ejection member and another spring arm constituting the retaining hook, said other spring arm being provided with a control lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignees: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault, Automobiles Peugeot
    Inventor: Andre Colinet
  • Patent number: 4043349
    Abstract: A canopy apparatus is provided for use in combination with a conventional child's crib. The canopy apparatus comprises a frame including a plurality of sides, a plurality of support members interconnecting two of said plurality of sides and a cover secured to the frame and supported by the support members. The canopy is mounted on and secured to an upper rail of one side wall of the crib by at least one pivot clamp and may be retained in a closed position over the crib by at least one retaining clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Inventors: Susan Gays, Anthony Romano
  • Patent number: 4042201
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting mobile electronic equipment having L-shaped slots for receiving mounting studs attached to the equipment and wire spring elements across one or more of the slots for latching the studs into the "feet" of the L-shaped slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Tram/Diamond Corporation
    Inventor: James S. O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 4025094
    Abstract: A latch assembly is disclosed which is operative to retain a movable closure member in position with respect to an adjacent fixed wall member, and includes a handle member pivotally mounted to the closure member with an arm extending generally along the handle member beyond the pivotal mounting thereof for engaging the fixed wall member at one end thereof. An adjustable member is mounted on the end of the arm for adjusting the engagement of the end of the arm with respect to the wall member. An overcenter tension member is pivotally connected at one end to the closure member and the other end to the arm for biasing the arm into tight engagement with the fixed wall member when the latch is in the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4023877
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a connector comprising an insulating body which carries a cable having exposed conductors to be pressed into contact with electrode contacts on a substrate. One end of the cable is secured to a printed circuit board or the like. The cable extends over an insert of a synthetic resinous material in the body, which serves to press its conductors into intimate engagement with the conductors on the substrate, and a spring-like clamp, which is coupled to the body, snaps into place and clamps the connector to the substrate, with the cable properly engaging the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Hennessey, Bernard Caras, John Steckowich, Jr., Frederick E. Bratro
  • Patent number: 4023878
    Abstract: The disclosure is of an insulating body which is adapted to clamp together a device having contact pads and a multi-wire cable which is to be electrically connected to the contact pads on the device. The body carries a generally U-shaped spring which, when open, permits the device and cable to be coupled together with zero force and, when closed, clamps the device and cable together in intimate engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Hennessey
  • Patent number: 3977595
    Abstract: A carton comprising a pair of space-defining members with confronting closing edges which lock by means of a tab latch. The latch includes a tab which extends from one of the closing edges to pass through a loop formed on a wall adjacent the opposite closing edge. The tab includes a terminal portion which extends through the loop and which has a rear surface that conforms to the wall region rearwardly adjacent the loop. The tab also includes a protuberance on its front, outer surface which is insertable through the loop by deformation of the loop and which is retained thereby. In particular embodiments, the carton is integrally formed in one piece of expanded plastic material with sections of the closing edges hinge-connected. In a specific configuration, the walls of the space defining members taper inwardly from the closing edges so that the tab forms an acute angle with the closing edge from which it extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Dolco Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Hillgenberg
  • Patent number: 3977711
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sash lock for swinging and/or sliding enclosure windows and doors and the like. The lock consists of a cam rod adapted to be arranged relative to hingedly swinging or sliding windows and mounted in the window wall opening so as to be engageable with edges thereof. The rod is inset to provide a lip extending longitudinally and spirally thereof whereby it flatly engages a window edge when rotated by an operating lever at one end thereof to lock the window in closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Inventor: Stephan Lajcak
  • Patent number: 3971237
    Abstract: A lock for sliding doors for cabinets and the like. A shoulder on a catch element carried by the door extends through a lock opening in the cabinet frame and engages the edge thereof to secure the door. A key of particular length moves the shoulder from the locked position to an intermediate position at which it can pass outwardly through the back opening. If the catch element is moved too far, a second shoulder engages the edge of the lock opening and the door cannot be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Holgar Rasmussen