Rigid Patents (Class 292/128)
  • Patent number: 7261331
    Abstract: An apparatus with a two-way hidden latch. A main body comprises a magnet disposed under a retainer, which fixes the two-way latch disposed in a cover portion. The cover portion can be placed on the main body with a first or second surface facing downward. The cover portion comprises a first and second opening and a two-way latch is disposed near the two openings. When the cover portion is open, the two-way latch is fixed at an original position and hidden in the cover portion. When the cover portion covers the main body with the first surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a first position, engaging the retainer. Moreover, when the cover portion covers the main body with the second surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a second position, engaging the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 7093865
    Abstract: A lid locking apparatus has a storage member, a lid, a knob member having a first abutment portion, a lock member having a second abutment portion and first and second biasing members. When the lid is in a closed position, the lock member locks the lid, when the knob member is in a closed position, the first biasing member biases the first and second abutment portions so as to abut each other, when the knob member is opened, the first biasing member biases to swing the lock member and the knob member integrally to thereby release the locked state, and when the lid is closed, the second biasing member biases the knob member in a direction towards the closed position to separate the abutment portions to thereby allow the lock member to swing independently even in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Furuya
  • Patent number: 7080531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a latch having a button pawl shaft for attaching two panels together at two different points. The shaft of the latch has bezels in which the shaft rotates connected to one of the panels. The shaft has pawls at both ends which engage a keeper on a second panel and disengage and clear the keeper when a force is applied to the button on the shaft thereby rotating the shaft. A precompressed torsion spring provides a force on the button at all times. When a user presses on the button thereby rotating the shaft such that the pawls disengage with keepers the spring will rotate the shaft and button back to the same position as that prior to the user applying a force on the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Southco, Inc
    Inventors: Fabrice Vitry, Andrew Thornton
  • Patent number: 6971687
    Abstract: Door and cabinet catch with a bumper member, a bumper housing, a compression spring, a ball with stem, a ball joint mounting plate, a ball joint nut, a catch member and an L shaped catch retaining member. The bumper housing includes a clevis that hingably retains the catch member. The catch member includes a spring biased tab for opening the catch member. The compression spring holds the bumper member in an extended position so that it can compress during use thereby reducing the chance of rattling. A preferred embodiment includes that the ball joint allows the bumper housing and bumper member to angle as much as thirty degrees in any direction through a three hundred and sixty degree arc thereby making it possible to obtain a latching action even if the relationship between the catch member and the catch retaining member is not parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Ron Amy
  • Patent number: 6970350
    Abstract: A computer has a case with a front side that is clad with a front panel. The front panel includes openings beside the mounting spaces for receiving PC components with attached retaining bars. The PC components can be inserted into the computer by way of the front side without having to disassemble the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schmid, August Scherer
  • Patent number: 6942257
    Abstract: A latch for a cabinet door or drawer for preventing access to the interior of the cabinet or drawer. The latch includes a hook spring biased to engage a catch and that allows the door or drawer to be only slightly opened enough to allow a caregiver to reach the latch and displace it out of the way so that the door or drawer can then be fully opened. When released the latch returns to the biased position. The latch may also disengage the spring so as to be fully disabled and allow the door or drawer to be opened freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Wong, Jorge Tomas
  • Patent number: 6935661
    Abstract: A protective assembly for electronic components. The protective assembly has a chassis and a removable cover. The removable cover is secured to the chassis by a latch and a catch. The catch is biased by a spring to a first position. The latch slidingly engages the catch to displace the catch during the installation of the cover. The spring returning the catch to the first position when the cover is disposed on the chassis in the securing position. The panel being removeable by sliding the catch against the spring to release the latch from the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Arthur K. Farnsworth, Peter W. Austin
  • Patent number: 6746059
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The latch assembly includes an actuator having an latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system. The latch assembly further includes a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch on a vacuum cleaner housing. A latching surface of the latch extends through the latch opening. Moving the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator to disengage the latching surface of the latch from the catch and place the latch assembly in a disengaged position. Moving the latch in the first direction causes the latching surface of the latch to pass through a latch opening defined in the actuator to place the latch assembly in a return position. A method of operating a latch assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Leron R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6715805
    Abstract: A locking device having a lock latch (5) which is movable between a first protruded lock position and a second withdrawn position. The locking device has an arm (7) and a flange (10). The arm (7), the flange (10) and the lock latch (5) are arranged in a way that the arm (7) turns backwards against action of a resilient force, looked at in relation to the front end of the lock latch, simultaneously as the look latch (5) is moved backwards towards the second position and the flange (10) turns in the same direction as the arm (7) when a pressure is exerted on the side of the arm (7) turned towards the flange (10), and that the arm (7) and the flange (10) turn forward and the lock latch (5) is moved forward towards the lock position during action of the resilient force when the pressure on the arm (7) decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Göran Ågren
  • Patent number: 6715530
    Abstract: The present invention involves a latch mechanism and method that prevents the leading operable wall panel of an operable wall panel system from moving out of alignment with the track of a track and trolley system as the lead operable wall panel unfolds and extends from a stacked orientation to a straightened orientation. The latch mechanism includes a catch member to catch a latch pin depending down from the trolley of the track and trolley system. When the catch member catches the latch pin, a resilient biasing member of the latch mechanism operates to lock the latch mechanism about the latch pin. As a result, the lead operable wall panel is locked into a straightened orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Goldsmith, Jeff Kronlage, Steve Helbing
  • Patent number: 6711009
    Abstract: A server housing, comprising a top cover and a base frame, is provided. The top cover has a top piece and parallel first side and second side. The two parallel sides are coupled with two opposite sides of the top piece. Each of the top piece and the two parallel sides has an interior. The top cover further comprises: two approximately parallel latches, five approximately parallel tabs, two first prominences and two second prominences. The two approximately parallel latches are on the interior of the top piece. The five approximately parallel tabs are on the interior of the top piece. The two first prominences are on the interior of the first side. The two second prominences are on the interior of the second side. The base frame is assembled with the top cover and comprises: a first side panel, a second side panel and a mounting bracket. The first side panel comprises two first guiding recesses for receiving the first prominences. The second side panel is parallel to the first side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Hsiang Lee, Guo-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 6666484
    Abstract: A push-to-release latching mechanism for retaining a transceiver module in a communication port of a computer or server is provided with a beam spring structure for positional restoration of the latch member, and the latch is supported and moveable relative to the host transceiver module. The latch member may be formed to include camming surfaces that facilitate the insertion of the transceiver module into a communication port and mate with a guide rail and connector resident in a communication port. The latch member may be adapted to latch with a rigid latch bar or a cantilevered spring. Additionally, the latch may be formed with a camming surface which insures that the latch is displaced to a latching position whenever network cables are connected to the transceiver module by camming the latch into the secure, latched position and subsequently preventing the latch from moving to an insecure or unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Michael Branch, Leland L. Day, David Peter Gaio, Michael Francis Hanley, William K. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6568719
    Abstract: A device for opening a door, in particular an electric household appliance door, wherein a handle and a catch for engaging a respective seat are formed in a one-piece body from polymer material; and an elastic contrasting member, acting on the catch and defined, for example, by a metal plate, is also co-molded in a one-piece body with the handle and the catch, so that the device according to the invention has fewer component parts to assemble as compared with known devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Industrial Components, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Claudio Buscella
  • Patent number: 6561554
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a computer or other electronic device includes a lever which is adapted to receive a spring arm integrally molded with a latch. The latch also includes integrally molded pivot pins which are guided by ramps into pivot holes in the lever to mate the latch and lever together. Once assembled, the latch is movable to and between engaged and disengaged positions for closure with a catch on the computer, electronic or other workpiece device. The latch assembly incorporates specific changes to existing parts while reducing the number of parts and the cost of and complexity for assembly. The design is much more easily accommodated in automated assembly equipment to further reduce assembly costs and increase productivity throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Lee Colbert, Steven Dale Greseth, William Michael Monson
  • Patent number: 6527353
    Abstract: A latch handle for doors and drawers for latching construction elements such as windows and doors. The latch handle may be located on the upper front edge portion of a drawer or the midportion of a door and may be manually opened by reaching under the front edge portion or trim member of the handle and pressing upwards on an actuator bar located inside the frame of the handle. The handle provides an aesthetic advantage in that the latch mechanism is concealed behind the front panel of the drawer or behind the door. The latching mechanism is made up of an actuator bar, a connecting link, and a hook. The hook is configured to engage with a keeper. At least one spring is fixedly attached to the frame for urging the actuator downwards and for carrying the hook into a reliable and secure engagement with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Darrell R. Bradfish, Tracey M. Geurts, Jay A. Jaecks
  • Patent number: 6527309
    Abstract: A latch apparatus includes a release mechanism having a depending locking arm for selectively arresting the release mechanism in a locking position. The release mechanism further includes a center of gravity and an axis of rotation about which the release mechanism pivots between a release position and the locking position. The center of gravity of the release mechanism is located along the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hardigg Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gaydos, James Hardigg
  • Patent number: 6422613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gate latch comprising an integrated latch/handle assembly, a mounting bracket, a return spring and a flat head shoulder bolt. The integrated latch/handle assembly is a flat bar section comprised of various radiused and right angled bends allowing the assembly to wrap around the leading edge of the fence gate with one of the bends forming the actual latch bolt. The ends of the assembly are bent to form handles which operate the mechanism, the handles having radiused ends. The mounting bracket is a flat steel bar section with two holes provided for attaching the bracket to the gate. The return spring is held in place by the shoulder bolt which attaches the handle assembly, mounting bracket and spring firmly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Boroviak
  • Patent number: 6398325
    Abstract: A computer enclosure (10) includes a chassis (20), a hood (40), a handle (54), and a latch (60) attaching the hood to the chassis. A support bracket (30) is secured in the chassis, and defines a plurality of slots (38). The hood defines a recess (44) and two apertures (48). The handle is slidably received in the recess, and has two hollow cylinders (58) extending through the apertures. The latch defines two through holes (64) for extension of two screws (66) therethrough to engage with the cylinders, thus securing the handle to the latch. The latch has a plurality of hooks (62) corresponding to the slots of the support bracket. When the latch is in a first position, the hooks are engaged at the slots. When the latch is moved to a second position, the hooks are released from the slots, whereupon the hood is easily removed from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Inc. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Kuo Chih Lin, Jung Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6394300
    Abstract: A lock for locking the cover of a compartment to prevent opening of the cover is described. The cover is provided with a biased latch at one end which is movable between a latch position for latching against a mating locking lip of the compartment and a release position to allow the cover to be removed from the compartment. The lock comprises a means for insertion into the biased latch once the cover has been attached to the compartment to prevent the biased latch from moving to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel F. Bosy
  • Patent number: 6375235
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for a sliding drawer of the type mounted on telescopic slides in a cabinet includes a pivotal handle bar on the top front edge of the cabinet drawer front wall. The handle includes catch mechanisms biased for engagement with a strike extending from the drawer slides mounted on the inside of the cabinet. Manual rotation of the handle moves the handle and thus the catch mechanisms out of engagement with the strike enabling the cabinet drawer to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Waterloo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mehmen
  • Patent number: 6373692
    Abstract: A screwless computer case mounting arrangement includes a top-open case body, a top cover covered on the case body, a hollow shell mounted in an opening on the top cover, an axle pivoted to the hollow shell on the inside, a retaining member fastened to the axle in the hollow shell and hooked on a locating frame of said case body to secure the top cover and the case body together, a handle fastened to the axle and adapted for turning by hand to disengage the retaining member from the locating frame of the case body, a spring mounted on the axle and adapted for force the retaining member into engagement with the locating frame of the case body, and a lock installed in the case body and adapted to stop the retaining member from movement relative to the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mace Tech Corp.
    Inventor: Ying-Yie Cheng
  • Patent number: 6349578
    Abstract: A lock assembly having a latch member that is held in position against a mounting plate by tabs extending from the mounting plate without requiring a bolt, thus allowing a bolt having a desired one of many different head patterns to be installed in the lock assembly at a later time. The mounting plate has at least two upwardly-extending tabs for connecting the latch member to the mounting member without the bolt, which can be inserted through aligned apertures in the mounting plate and latch member at a later time. Preferably, each tab has a first portion that extends upwardly a certain distance from the mounting plate, and a second portion that extends from the vertical portion. Preferably, the second portions of the tabs extend in opposite directions. A back portion of the latch member is placed on the mounting plate such that a first tab extends through an aperture in the back portion of the latch member and such that a second tab is located adjacent to a notch in the back portion of the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Antec Corporation
    Inventors: Avraham Tuvy, Michael P. DiLonardo
  • Publication number: 20010035652
    Abstract: A lock portion for a connector which is adapted to disengageably lock connector housings which are adapted to be engaged with each other by locking an engaging portion provided on the male housing with a latch portion provided on the female housing, characterized in that flexible lock arms which are fixed on a horizontal wall of the female housing so as to extend in an engaging direction includes the latch portion at an opposite side, and a disengaging lever portion which is connected at its one end to the latch portion so as to extend along the lock arms, and which rotates with the latch portion around a support portion which is abutted movably against the horizontal wall by pushing a finger touch portion for lock disengaging operation in a backward end, whereby a locked condition will be disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Yoshimi Wada, Kazuto Ohtaka, Shigeru Tanaka, Naoto Sugie, Toshinori Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6305725
    Abstract: A pawl latch having slam-action latching and rotational unlatching actuation is mounted in an aperture formed in a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against a corresponding frame, the pawl latch including a one-piece body with a pawl, a gripping portion, mounting elements, and a spring member, the spring member having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the latch body and the second end being held by the closure panel to provide a biasing force to return the pawl to its active position where it is aligned with a keeper member provided on the corresponding frame for slam action latching of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Antonucci, J. Thomas Weuthen
  • Patent number: 6296334
    Abstract: A computer housing has a front panel, a cover and a chassis, wherein the front panel and the cover are connected together. A mechanism for latching and releasing the front panel and the cover with and from the chassis include a match opening defined in a side of the front panel, a latch member, a spring and a locking hole defined in the chassis. The latch member has an arm extending towards the chassis terminating in a hooked portion to engage the locking hole. The latch member and the spring are received in the matching opening and are movable between a locked position where the arm is locked in the locking hole and a released position where the arm disengages the locking hole. The spring urges against the base to retain the latch member in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nien Chiang Liao
  • Patent number: 6129395
    Abstract: A laptop computer includes a base member and a lid member pivotally attached to the base member. A latch member is mounted in the lid member. The latch member includes a top, a bottom, and opposite sides. A hook member protrudes from the top of the latch member. A spring retaining member is positioned adjacent the bottom of the latch member. A pair of flexible snap-in members are positioned on the opposite sides. A first one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a first one of the sides and a second one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a second one of the sides. The spring retaining member is positioned between the flexible snap-in members. The base member includes a receiver for receiving the hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Maria Carmen Schlesener, Mark Ganninger
  • Patent number: 6108196
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a notebook computer has an ejecting unit which elastically pushes a latch up to a certain height. The ejecting unit includes an elastic member installed at a main base panel of the notebook computer and an ejector for pushing the latch up due to the elastic member when a display panel is to be opened. Thus, the notebook computer can be easily opened and closed and also the external appearance of the notebook computer looks more aesthetically pleasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee-duck Jung
  • Patent number: 6082787
    Abstract: The device includes a housing having an aperture for the introduction of an engagement member fixed to the door, a retainer member mounted movably in the housing and movable between a working position in which it holds the engagement member when the door is closed and enables the domestic electrical appliance to operate, and a rest position in which it allows the engagement member to be released when the door is open and the engagement member to enter the aperture when the door is closed. An electromechanical control device includes a movable locking element movable under predetermined conditions, into a locking position in which it prevents the retainer member from moving from the working position to the rest position. The device further includes stop elements which lock the retainer in the rest position when the door is open, and release this retainer member when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bitron S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Chioffi, Patrizio Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 6082786
    Abstract: A door latch assembly (10) for a glove box door (12) includes a pivot plate (16) mounted on the door and a latch handle (18) pivotally mounted on the pivot plate to move selectively between a latched position and an unlatched position. The handle (18) has a catch (20,22) to engage the glove box enclosure (14) when the latch handle is in a latched position, and disengage from the enclosure when the handle is in an unlatched position. A pair of specialized torsion springs (24) is molded to the pivot plate (16) to bias the latch handle (18) and the catch (20) into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Stephens, John Clark
  • Patent number: 6076869
    Abstract: A pressing and latching structure for a notebook-type computer screen, includes a pressing section disposed on the computer screen and a latching section disposed on a main body of the computer. By pressing the pressing section with one hand, the computer screen is unlatched from the main body, permitting the computer screen to be easily pivoted up from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying-Hu Chen, Po-An Lin
  • Patent number: 6055700
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister having a lid and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. The powerhead is removably secured to the lid of the collection canister, such that the powerhead can be removed from the lid and separately used as a blower. Self-actuationg latching devices are provided for removably securing the powerhead to the lid. In one embodiment, the latching device is a unitary, multi-segmented structure having a spring biasing member and a retaining member formed integrally therewith. A journal formed integrally with the latching device is adapted to be received in a bearing defined in a latch socket on the lid, such that the latching device is allowed to pivot with respect to the lid. The spring biasing member functions to bias the latching device to a home pivot position, such that the latching device automatically engages the powerhead when it is lowered onto the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Stuart V. Holsten, Michael F. Martin, Chris Steger
  • Patent number: 6000253
    Abstract: A security override system for a locked box comprising a first hasp portion mounted within a box and extending through an outer door of the box; a second hasp portion connected to a bracket; the bracket slideably mounted within the box such that the second hasp portion extends through an opening in the outer door; the bracket being movable between a closed position wherein the second hasp portion mates with the first hasp portion to form a padlock receiving section and an open position wherein the second hasp portion does not mate with the first hasp portion; and wherein the outer door can be opened by moving the bracket into the open position and removing a locked padlock inserted in the padlock receiving section without first unlocking the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 5956821
    Abstract: A one-piece catch for installation on a panel having a front side and a rear side, for holding a folding handle in a folded position to the front side of the panel, or an other article in place, including a panel attachment means for installing the one-piece catch on the panel by inserting the one-piece catch through the panel and rotating the catch ninety degrees to seat the catch in position, and a releasable pawl formed integral to the panel attachment means having a head section with a camming surface adapted to contact the handle as the handle is folded to the folded position, the handle moving the pawl back to force the pawl away from the handle as the handle is latched to the one-piece catch, the pawl springing forward as the handle passes over the camming surface to seat the handle under the pawl, the handle releasable from the pawl by the application of pressure to the pawl away from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Kurek, III, Richard E. Schlack
  • Patent number: 5810403
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a dishwasher which enables one step initiation of dishwasher operations is described. The latch assembly also provides that the dishwasher does not operate when the dishwasher door is, or can be, opened. In one embodiment, the latch assembly is configured for use in connection with a dishwasher including a door, a tub, and a keeper secured to the tub. The keeper includes a catch and a lock release projection. The latch assembly includes a handle and at least one switch. The handle includes a latch and has a closed position and an open position. The latch is configured to engage the keeper catch when the door is closed and to disengage from the keeper catch when the handle is in the open position. The latch assembly further includes a switch actuator configured to actuate the switch so that the switch is in a conducting state when the door is substantially closed and so that the switch is in a non-conducting state when the handle is substantially in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Luis Esteban Prada
  • Patent number: 5803777
    Abstract: A latching assembly for engaging and disengaging an upper cover portion and lower tray portion of a cowling of an outboard engine. The lower tray portion includes a recess in which part of the latching assembly is located. The latching assembly includes a shaft mounted to the lower tray portion. A latch is rotatably secured to the shaft and movable between an engaged and a disengaged position. The latch is disposed within the recess when engaged so that is is flush with the exterior of the cowling. A catch is mounted to the upper cover portion and is engageable by the latch hook. A mechanism for biasing the latch to the engaged or disengaged position is provided for preventing the latch from moving from the engaged or disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyoshi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 5785398
    Abstract: A computer case including two pairs of apertures, a first pair accommodating the push buttons and a second pair accommodating and engaging a pair of locking hooks. The hooks are biased closed by a torsion spring. The hooks and the push buttons are formed integrally on a single monolithic fastening latch which pivots about a support shaft. A support bar is placed behind the push buttons to prevent the push buttons from being pushed in too far preventing the springs from being compressed too much.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Seok Park
  • Patent number: 5775140
    Abstract: A lock for a cabinet cassette having a drawer comprises a frame structure which carries on one hand a locking bar (47) passing through an opening (50) in a frontal part (23) of drawer, said bar being turnable and projecting from the inside of said frontal part (23), and on the other hand a handle connected to the bar. At least one fixed projection (54) is connected to the frame structure, said projection projecting from the back side of the frontal part, the locking bar (47) being, by turning the handle (48), movable between on one hand a locking turned-up position in which the bar engages behind an upper vertical flange (16) of the frontal frame (6) of the cassette and on the other hand a liberating turned-down position in which the bar is located below the upper side (55) of the projection (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Borgstroms Platindustri AB
    Inventor: Lars Olof Hallsten
  • Patent number: 5713647
    Abstract: A computer case is disclosed that allows a user to open and close the case without the use of special tools or screws. Instead, a user simply slides two sliders on the cover of the case towards each other and simply lifts up the front portion of the cover to gain access to the interior of the case. The slider is monolithically integrated to a latch. The latch contains two spaced-apart arms about a recess. One of the arms of the latch is arcuate so as to guide a portion of the base and a portion of a cover that are slightly separated into the recess so that both portions are mated snugly preventing inadvertent opening of the case. This snug mating can be accomplished by simply sliding a pair of slider in the proper directions. To disengage the cover from the base, the sliders are slid in the opposite directions releasing a portions of the base from contact with a portions of the cover. When the case is released, the front of the cover can be lifted up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-joo Kim
  • Patent number: 5630630
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a glove compartment is provided. The latch mechanism includes a plate mountable to the door of the glove compartment. A lever and a hook are interlocked to each other and pivotably mounted to the plate. The lever is movable between a closed position and an opened position such that movement of the lever from the closed position to the opened position pivots the hook and consequently unlatches the latch mechanism for the glove compartment. When the lever is in the closed position, the hook may be pivoted independent of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Price, John E. Bailen
  • Patent number: 5628534
    Abstract: An electric load center having an enclosure with a push-in screw holder fixture, a door latch comprising a one-piece molded member having a flexible tongue which urges the door latch toward the hinged door edge keeping a hook biasedly engaged with an underside edge of the trim, a neutral bar having an elongated body portion with a trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional area with outwardly sloping downward extending side walls having apertures for insertion of electrical wires, a neutral tie bar adapted to be electrically connected to the enclosure of the load center, a main lug insulator having trough-shaped longitudinally extending compartments and first and second support legs for positioning over the neutral tie bar, a basepan having a surface with integrally formed posts with an undercut extending around its periphery for securing a component of the load center to the surface by heat staking, the surface having two spaced apart integrally formed wall members extending upward from the surface forming a barrier
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Janerio N. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5603540
    Abstract: A swing lid locking mechanism prevents the lid of a container from accidentally opening when shocks act on the container. The swing lid locking mechanism comprises one of a pair of support legs formed integrally with the lid body of the lid and pivotally supported by support pins on the side wall of the container body, provided with a locking projection; and an impact locking device comprising a bottomed case provided with a longitudinal slot in one side wall thereof, a locking weight provided with a groove in an upper part of the outer side surface thereof across the width and a stopping projection in a middle part of the outer side surface, and axially slidably inserted in the case so that the stopping projection is received in the longitudinal slot of the bottomed case, and a spring compressed between the lower end of the locking weight and the bottom wall of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaharu Shibao
  • Patent number: 5603535
    Abstract: A slam latch for securing a slidable window or door to a corresponding frame consists of a housing including a base plate, a catch and a keeper wherein the catch is spring biased downward against the housing so as to become operatively engaged with the keeper attached to the frame when the door or window is moved to a closed position causing the catch and keeper to become in juxtaposition to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Antonucci, Richard E. Schlack, Paul Krape
  • Patent number: 5518282
    Abstract: A locking device for the open-close mechanism such as door, drawer and the like of a cabinet, such as cupboard and the like, comprises a fastening member attached to either the open-close mechanism or the cabinet and a lock unit attached to the other counterpart. The lock unit is provided with a lock lever for fastening and unfastening a hook to the fastening member by rotating, and a rolling body which controls rotation of the lock lever in the releasing direction by moving into the path of rotation of the lock lever if the cabinet swings, thus preventing the open-close mechanism of the cabinet from opening in case of an earthquake or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Koei Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sawada
  • Patent number: 5509704
    Abstract: A latch (10) for latching or locking a battery housing (80) to an electronic device (70) which automatically locks in place upon the removal of pressure to a biased cantilevered beam (52) (54). Latch (10) is removal from a first position, in which the battery housing (80) is latched to the electronic device to a second position in which the battery housing (80) is unlocked from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Schneider, John H. Hackenberg, Aaron P. Clark
  • Patent number: 5452544
    Abstract: A tamper resistant gate latching mechanism utilizes a pivotal latch bar extending from a tamper resistant housing mounted to a free end of a movable gate and a cooperative catch member mounted to a gate post for engagement with said latch bar such that alignment of the latch bar with the catch member obscures the fasteners latching catch member to the gate post thereby shielding the fastener from tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Roy E. Weathington, Sr
  • Patent number: 5342102
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a sliding door, which comprises a casing having an L-shaped latch member including a finger application arm and a latch arm, the L-shaped latch member being pivoted by a transversal pivotal pin at the intersection of the finger application and latch arms, and a striker having a circular hole, the latch arm having a free end portion formed on the back surface thereof with a latch projection capable of being engaged in and disengaged from the circular hole of the striker, the L-shaped latch being rotationally biased in the latching direction by a torsion spring, the latch projection having a front edge face formed with an inclined cam face, the latch projection having a circular sectional profile having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the circular hole of the striker. The latch projection can be reliably engaged in and disengaged from the striker hole even if there is a slight deviation from the design position of securement between the striker and casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Takimoto
  • Patent number: 5292191
    Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a trim member secured to a drawer pull at the front of a drawer. An actuator plate is located under the drawer pull and is disposed in a slot of a trim member on the drawer pull. A keeper is located on a side wall of the cabinet adjacent the hook. A hook is attached to one end of the actuator plate and is arranged to engage the keeper when the drawer is closed. The hook is releasable from the keeper by pivoting the actuator plate toward the drawer pull to open the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventor: George R. Slivon
  • Patent number: 5174617
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a sliding door or window. The latch includes a striker (normally mounted on the door or window frame); a housing aligned with the striker (and normally mounted on the sliding door or window panel) and with walls forming an interior chamber; one opening in the front of the chamber and a second opening at least partially in the back of the chamber; and a spindle and a pivot pin disposed transversely within the chamber; an elongated latch bar pivotally mounted on the spindle, with its front end projecting out of the first opening and its back end projecting out of the second opening. Its front end can be releasably latched to the striker in response to motion of its back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Slideline, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Huber, Davie G. Hutchison, David M. Prochaska
  • Patent number: 5106132
    Abstract: A closure device for suitcases, briefcases, or the like, has an opening-position security formed by means of a movable securing part. In order to minimize the number of parts without impairing dependable operation of the closure device, the movable securing part is developed as a rolling body (28), and is contained between surfaces (26, 27) of the push button (13) and the push button support (9) which are positioned in wedge shape with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: S. Franzen Sohne (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Laszlo Bako, Helmut Klein
  • Patent number: 5096239
    Abstract: This invention relates to a door latch for use with a soft-sided door closure in a door opening of a utility vehicle. The latch includes an elongated cup-shaped housing having a back wall, side walls extending forwardly from the back wall and a laterally extending flange extending outwardly around the periphery of the side walls generally parallel to the back wall. The flange includes means for attaching the housing to the door closure and the back wall has a circular opening adjacent one end thereof. An outside door handle member is sized to fit within the length of the housing and has a lever arm formed integrally with a cylindrical body at one end thereof. A sleeve connected to the cylindrical body is extendable through and pivotal in the circular opening. An inside elongated handle member has a length greater than the length of the housing with a handle arm which extends beyond the housing in a forward direction and an offset flange at the opposite end with a releasable locking means formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Kayline Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Rippberger, Thomas E. Swanson