Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet helps secure in a closed position a respective door that is provided with a magnetic insert. Hook-like rotary pawls that rotate with the magnets provide for mechanical securing of the doors in the closed position. The latch is provided with a safety feature that makes the latch resistant to opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet helps secure in a closed position a respective door that is provided with a magnetic insert. Hook-like rotary pawls that rotate with the magnets provide for mechanical securing of the doors in the closed position. The latch is provided with a safety feature that makes the latch resistant to opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A latch assembly is re-configurable for plural orientations. A slide lock plate engages a claw-typed pawl. A rotating activation mechanism links an operator handle to the slide plate. The handle causes the activation mechanism to rotate, thereby retracting the sliding lock plate form the pawl. A cam follower, activated by a pocket cam, is rotated with handle operation. A first pinion gear on the sliding lock plate and a friction clutch dampen movement. A rotating paddle/blade cam, substituted for the paddle/blade, has a projecting arm. The second pinion gear engages teeth on the edge of the slide lock plate. A dog leg-shaped projection, added to the handle end of the slide plate, accommodates second teeth facing opposite the first teeth.

Abstract: An automotive glove box latch incorporates a two point drop pawl structure where the pawls operate in unison (in parallel) in response to the operation of an activation button or paddle, positioned away (disparate) from the pawls and at the side of the glove box. The pawls are mounted within a housing which extends across the glove box door to which the latch housing is mounted. A spring biased lock-plate operates within the housing and is connected to the activation button for movement in response thereto. A pair of step-up gears is positioned within the housing. Each is driven by the lock plate to thereby impart movement to a respective one of the pawls through an engagement with rack teeth carried on each pawl. The lock-plate implements this function with a pair of rack teeth tracks carried thereon, one rack tooth track for engaging a respective one of the step-up gears.

Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The handle causes the latch assembly to open when the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the handle. The lock barrel is adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key. The lock barrel has two projections that are positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of the handle to the open position when the lock barrel is in the locked position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The handle causes the latch assembly to open when the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the handle. The lock barrel is adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key. The lock barrel has two projections that are positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of the handle to the open position when the lock barrel is in the locked position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for multiple-position mounting on panels and bins with centrally positioned keeper hooks is suitable for automobile gloveboxes. The latch assembly may be configured for both lower and upper bin operation, without additional parts, and has an elongate structure that permits off-set latch handle (paddle) positioning facilitating both left-handed and right-handed operation. A slide lock plate engages a claw-type pawl with the blade shaped free end thereof. The pawl is spring biased to the open position, while the slide lock plate is spring biases to the locked, pawl engaging postion. A rotating activation mechanism links the operator handle to the slide plate. When the handle is moved, it contacts the activation mechanism causing it to rotate, thereby causing the sliding lock plate to retract from its pawl engaging position. The sliding lock plate has formed therein a track of gear teeth forming a “rack” member.

Abstract: The invention is a tie-down hoop for slidably mounting within a guide rail. An embodiment of the tie-down hoop includes a hoop, a button, a bezel, an elastomeric spring, and a sliding plate. Other embodiments of the tie-down hoop may include a hoop, a bezel, possibly a bushing between the hoop and bezel, a sliding plate, and at least one elastomeric spring. The bezel is biased towards the top of the guide rail by the spring. The top of the guide rail includes a plurality of detents for securing the tie-down hoop in a desired position. The tie-down hoop may be employed in vehicle seat guide rails to tie down cargo to the vehicle floor.

Abstract: The invention is a tie-down hoop for slidably mounting within a guide rail. An embodiment of the tie-down hoop includes a hoop, a button, a bezel, an elastomeric spring, and a sliding plate. Other embodiments of the tie-down hoop may include a hoop, a bezel, possibly a bushing between the hoop and bezel, a sliding plate, and at least one elastomeric spring. The bezel is biased towards the top of the guide rail by the spring. The top of the guide rail includes a plurality of detents for securing the tie-down hoop in a desired position.