Abstract: A latch assembly includes a frame and a pawl including a surface for receiving a striker and being movably coupled to the frame between an open and a closed position. A trigger is mounted to the frame and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position of the trigger, the trigger is positioned to retain the pawl in the closed position. A striker bar is movably coupled to the trigger and is positioned to be contacted by the striker, wherein the striker bar is configured to move in the course of moving the striker into the pawl. A device for sensing a position of the striker bar, wherein the position of the striker bar is indicative of the position of the striker and the position of the trigger.

Abstract: A latch for releasably locking a first object to a second object is disclosed.

Abstract: A captive fastener attachable to a panel along a fastener axis is provided. The captive fastener includes a fastener having a head portion and a shaft extending from the head portion and along the fastener axis. The captive fastener also includes a knob having a proximal end portion engaged to the head portion of the fastener and an annular portion extending radially around the fastener axis and the shaft of the fastener. A ferrule is associated with the knob, the ferrule defining an opening extending along the fastener axis and receiving the shaft of the fastener. The ferrule has a proximal end portion configured to prevent separation of the knob from the ferrule along the fastener axis and a distal end portion configured for engagement to the panel. A spring is positioned to bias the knob or the fastener proximally relative to the ferrule and to inhibit tilting of the knob or the fastener relative to the fastener axis.

Abstract: A latch is configured to fix a panel relative to a frame. The latch includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis; a cap mounted within the aperture of the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the cap comprising a drive surface; and a cover coupled to the housing to pivot about a lateral axis, the cover pivotable to be in a closed position in which the cover covers the cap; wherein when the cap is in an unlatched position, the drive surface of the cap is aligned with an engagement surface of the cover and positioned to block the cover from pivoting to the closed position; and wherein when the cap is in a latched position, the drive surface is unaligned with the engagement surface and positioned to permit the cover to pivot to the closed position.

Abstract: A latching system for securing a door to a panel includes a pawl having a first end that is configured to releasably engage a striker on the panel, and a second end opposite the first end having a connector. A pawl connector is connected to the connector on the second end of the pawl. The pawl connector includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a revolved outer side wall extending about the longitudinal axis, an open end through which the connector of the pawl is positioned, an opening defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body, and a deformable portion formed on the revolved outer side wall. The deformable portion extends between the open end and the opening. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform upon inserting the connector through the open end until the connector is non-removably seated within the opening.

Abstract: A latch or connector system having a latch housing, a first latching component, a second latching component, and a handle. The first and second latching components are movably mounted to the latch housing, and movable respective latched and unlatched positions. The handle is movably mounted to the latch housing and operatively associated with the first latching component and the second latching component. The handle is movable from a closed handle position to an open handle position to cause the first latching component and the second latching component to move from their respective latched positions to their respective unlatched positions, and the handle is movable from the open handle position to the closed handle position only when the first latching component and the second latching component are in their respective latched positions.

Abstract: A compression latch for a door includes a driver that is rotatable with respect to the door between an unlocked position and a locked position. The driver is configured to be mounted to one side of the door. A driver shaft is non-rotatably connected to the driver such that the driver shaft rotates along with the driver. In an unlocked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to permit opening of the door, and, in a locked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to prevent opening of the door. The compression latch is configured to translate the pawl closer toward the door upon rotating the driver from the unlocked position to the locked position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a display support arm assembly that includes a proximal housing supporting at least one proximal shaft, a distal housing spaced from the proximal housing and supporting at least one distal shaft, and at least one link extending from the at least one proximal shaft to the at least one distal shaft. The at least one link is coupled for pivotal movement about an axis of the at least one proximal shaft. The display support assembly also includes a gas strut extending between the proximal housing and the distal housing. The gas strut provides substantially constant force throughout a range of the vertical adjustment of the display support arm. The display support assembly further includes at least one torque element associated with either or both of the at least one proximal shaft and the at least one distal shaft.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a display support arm assembly that includes a proximal housing supporting at least one proximal shaft, a distal housing spaced from the proximal housing and supporting at least one distal shaft, and at least one link extending from the at least one proximal shaft to the at least one distal shaft. The at least one link is coupled for pivotal movement about an axis of the at least one proximal shaft. The display support assembly also includes a gas strut extending between the proximal housing and the distal housing. The gas strut provides substantially constant force throughout a range of the vertical adjustment of the display support arm. The display support assembly further includes at least one torque element associated with either or both of the at least one proximal shaft and the at least one distal shaft.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to adjustable tilt mechanisms (30), e.g., adjustable tilt mechanisms configured for enabling objects to tilt around a tilting axis (101). According to one aspect of the invention, an adjustable tilt mechanism includes a housing (100) that defines a tilt axis and an adjustment axis (103) oriented perpendicular and non-intersecting relative to the tilt axis and a torque adjustment assembly that is at least partially disposed within the housing. The torque adjustment assembly (118) includes an adjuster (130) positioned for rotation about the adjustment axis defined by the housing, a gear (120) positioned for rotation about the tilt axis defined by the housing, and a biasing spring (140) coupled to the gear. The gear being operatively coupled to the adjuster. The housing configured for coupling to an object.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a display support arm assembly that includes a proximal housing supporting at least one proximal shaft, a distal housing spaced from the proximal housing and supporting at least one distal shaft, and at least one link extending from the at least one proximal shaft to the at least one distal shaft. The at least one link is coupled for pivotal movement about an axis of the at least one proximal shaft. The display support assembly also includes a gas strut extending between the proximal housing and the distal housing. The gas strut provides substantially constant force throughout a range of the vertical adjustment of the display support arm. The display support assembly further includes at least one torque element associated with either or both of the at least one proximal shaft and the at least one distal shaft.

Abstract: An electronic latch includes a housing, a motor having an output shaft, a gear arrangement comprising at least one gear that is configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor, a rack coupled to the gear arrangement and configured to move in response to motion of the gear arrangement, and at least one pawl or pawl connector that is connected to the rack. Motion of the rack causes or permits the at least one pawl or pawl connector to move between (i) a withdrawn position and (ii) a deployed position in which the pawl or pawl connector is extended further from the housing as compared with the withdrawn position.

Abstract: An electronic access system and method utilizes a modular latch system and method. The modular latch system and method include a reader module and latch module. The reader module includes a user interface with one or more readers or devices for receiving input from a user, and sending the input to a controller. The latch module is configured for mounting to a closure that provides access to the secure area. The latch module can be operated in a stand-alone mode while detached from the reader module. Alternatively, the latch module can be releasably engaged to the reader module and operated in an assembled mode. The modular system and method allow for engagement of the reader module to the latch module, disengagement of the reader module from the latch module, and engagement of an alternate reader module to the latch module for retrofitting the reader module with the alternate reader module.

Abstract: A vehicle glove box latch sub-assembly includes a rotor that is pivotably connected to a rotor mounting portion of a housing, and at least one pawl rotatably coupled to the rotor and having opposing ends. The rotor includes a body, a post disposed on the body, and rotation limiters extending from the post. One end of the opposing ends of the pawl includes an engagement portion that is configured to be engaged with an opening in the vehicle in which the glove box is mounted, and the other end of the opposing ends of the pawl includes a socket that is mounted to the post of the rotor for securing the pawl to the rotor. The socket includes a rotation limiter that is configured to bear on the rotation limiter of the post upon relative rotation between the post and the socket.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly includes a latch release having a detent and a pawl that is rotatable relative to the latch release about a pivot axis. The pawl includes at least one catch for engaging the detent to releasably hold the pawl in a fixed orientation. At least two contact surfaces are offset from the pivot axis. At least one spring is mounted to the pawl. The pawl is rotatable relative to the latch release between a neutral orientation and at least one non-neutral orientation. The at least one spring accumulates a stored energy during rotation of the pawl toward the at least one non-neutral orientation in response to force applied to one of the at least two contact surfaces, and the spring releases the stored energy when force is removed from one of the at least two contact surfaces to rotate the pawl toward the neutral orientation.

Abstract: An electronic striker for releasing a door or access panel includes a housing defining an opening and a passageway extending from the opening for receiving a pawl on the door or access panel. A plunger is coupled to the housing and is mounted for movement within the passageway. A motor is configured for moving the plunger between a withdrawn position, in which the plunger is withdrawn within the passageway, and a deployed position, in which the plunger is extended within the passageway relative to the withdrawn position. The plunger is configured to move the pawl out of the passageway upon moving the plunger from the withdrawn position to the deployed position, thereby releasing the door or access panel from the passageway.

Abstract: Latch assemblies and systems are disclosed. One latch includes a latch and a receiver. The latch has a housing and a pin extending from the housing. The pin is mounted for longitudinal movement along a pin axis. The latch further includes a motor coupled to move the pin longitudinally. The receiver defines an aperture extending along a receiver axis and positioned to receive the pin of the latch. The receiver has a retainer biased toward the receiver axis. The latch assembly has an open position in which the pin is extended distally along the pin axis and received in the aperture, and a latched position in which the pin is retracted proximally along the pin axis while the retainer is engaged with the pin. One latch system includes a plurality of latch assemblies configured to move to the latched position after all latch assemblies are in the open position.

Abstract: A latch includes a ferrule defining a hollow interior region and a ferrule opening that opens into the hollow interior region. A washer is positioned adjacent an end of the ferrule. The washer defines a washer opening. A stud has an elongated body extending along a stud axis, and the stud is positioned to extend through the ferrule opening and keyed to the washer opening such that the stud rotates about the stud axis along with the washer. A lever is pivotably connected to the stud. Rotation of the lever about the pivot axis causes translation of the stud along the stud axis with respect to the ferrule between a latched position, in which an end of the stud protrudes beyond a connection end of the ferrule, and an unlatched position, in which the end of the stud is contained within the interior region defined by the ferrule.

Abstract: A counterbalanced system has first and second components e.g. vehicle panel pivotably connected to a vehicle. The counterbalanced system has a counterbalance assembly coupled to the first and second components. The counterbalance assembly includes at least one counterbalance subassembly having a cam secured to the first component, a cam bracket secured to the first second component, a bracket secured to the second component, and at least one torsion element extending between the cam bracket and the bracket. If two or more subassemblies are used, the torsion elements of each of the counterbalance subassemblies can extend along a common torsion axis or along parallel torsion axes spaced from a pivot axis. The counterbalance subassemblies are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to or along a common torsion axis. Each subassembly can be adjusted within a range of torque values. The counterbalanced system may comprise a hinge.