Patent Grant
8075027
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to latch systems for releasably maintaining a repositionable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a support therefor and, more particularly, to a latch assembly having a housing with a repositionable rotor thereon for engaging a strike element with the housing and strike element mounted one each on the support and closure element.
2. Background Art
There is a multitude of latch assemblies currently in existence that use a cooperating strike element and rotor to releasably maintain a movable element, such as a closure element, in at least one predetermined position, relative to a support upon which the closure element is mounted. This combination is used in many different industries and environments for both static and dynamic applications.
Typical of this construction is the use of a housing that supports cooperating rotor and catch components. The rotor is repositionable relative to the housing between a latched position and a released position and is spring biased normally towards the latter. As the closure element is moved towards the predetermined position therefor, the strike element interacts with the rotor and causes the rotor to be moved from the released position into the latched position, as an incident of which the strike element becomes captive in a receptacle defined by the rotor. A catch engages the rotor to maintain the rotor in the latched position and is repositionable to allow the rotor to be moved under the spring bias force back into the released position, whereupon the closure element can be moved out of the predetermined position therefor.
Typically, the basic components of the latch assembly are pre-assembled as a module that can be integrated into an actuating system that will ultimately be used to change the rotor from the latched position into the released position therefor. Suppliers of these types of systems encounter demands for myriad different module configurations, depending upon the mounting requirements and nature of the actuating system. As just examples, certain applications require left-handed operation while others require right-handed operation. Repositioning of the rotor through the actuating system may require the direct application of a force on an actuator element that is directly on the housing or upon an actuator assembly that is remote from the housing. The operation of the actuating system may be manually performed or may rely on powered components. Within each of these variations is a further subset of multiple different structures.
Heretofore, each latch assembly module has been custom designed. Latch assembly modules with specific characteristics and features are constructed using a dedicated supply of components, typically including: a) a specific housing; b) a pair of axles; c) a particular “handed” rotor; d) a particular “handed” catch; and e) one or more springs for producing the normal bias on the rotor. These components will normally be stocked in a manner that they can be serially picked and assembled on a dedicated line. Thus, each particular module configuration requires its own dedicated stock of components that is combinable in a consistent manner. Generally, the only components that are practically interchangeable, to be crossed over from one module design to the next, are the axles.
By reason of custom designing and assembling individual modules, there are a number of inherent inefficiencies, from the standpoint of tooling, required stocking and assembly space, manning of assembly lines and inventory control. Generally, manufacturers will keep on hand components for a particular module based upon anticipated demand. By doing so, orders can be filled promptly. However, demand for particular types of modules may fluctuate significantly, as result of which an excess of one particular design may be on hand while there is a shortage of another design. The only way to promptly meet customer demand is to keep on hand an excess of each different module design. This may lead to a significant stock of unused inventory. This is a problem not only from the standpoint of the financial investment, but also from the standpoint that the components and/or assembled modules must be stored.
Further, over time, demand for a certain design of module may decrease, whereupon the inventory of the particular design may remain stagnant and ultimately may have to be disposed of with significant financial consequences.
Also, as noted above, if the manufacturer offers, for example, ten different module constructions, ten different set-ups or lines may be required in the manufacturing facility. This may take up a significant amount of valuable facility space. Manning of these multiple lines may introduce other inefficiencies, potentially both from the standpoint of inefficient personnel time usage and excess personnel.
Aside from space and manning issues, the engineering, tooling and set-up costs increase with the number of parts and model variations. Preparatory to final design manufacture, each latch assembly version must be prototyped and tested to avoid potentially unforseen manufacturing or performance problems. All the above considerations potentially also lead to a delay in introducing a product to market.
The industry continues to seek out latch assembly designs that can be efficiently manufactured to allow suppliers to offer a line of high quality latch assembly products that meet a wide range of customer needs and demands at competitive pricing.
A latch assembly combination comprising: a) a first plate assembly; b) first and second axles extending from the first plate assembly and respectively having first and second axes; c) a rotor mounted to one of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement around the axis of the one of the first and second axles between latched and released positions; d) a catch mounted to the other of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement around the axis of the other of the first and second axles between: i) an engaged position wherein the catch blocks the rotor in the latched position; and ii) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to change from the latched position into the released; e) a biasing assembly for normally urging the rotor toward the released position; and f) at least one of: i) a second plate assembly that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly in first and second different manners to thereby cause the latch assembly to have first and second different operating characteristics; and ii) third and fourth plate assemblies of different configuration that can be selectively operatively joined, one in place of the other, to the first plate assembly to thereby cause the latch assembly to have third and fourth different operating characteristics. The second, third and fourth plate assemblies are selectively operatively joinable, one in place of the others, to the first plate assembly to allow selection of a desired operating characteristic for the latch assembly.
In one form, a first trip assembly with a first trip component is mounted to the second plate assembly for guided movement between: a) a normal position; and b) an actuated position. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly, movement of the first trip component from the normal position into the actuated position causes the catch to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position.
In one form, the first trip assembly is part of a first actuating system including a first actuator assembly that is operable to cause the first trip component to be moved from the normal position into the actuated position.
In one form, the second plate assembly has first and second bores with first and second axes. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the first manner, the first and second axes of the axles are respectively aligned with the first and second axes of the bores. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the second manner, the first and second axes of the axles are respectively aligned with the second and first axes of the bores.
In one form, with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the first manner, the rotor is mounted to the first axle and the catch is mounted to the second axle. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the second manner, the rotor is mounted to the second axle and the catch is mounted to the first axle.
In one form, the trip component is mounted to the second plate assembly in the same manner with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in each of the first and second different manners.
In one form, the biasing assembly includes a first coil spring that cooperates between at least one of the first and second plate assemblies and the rotor with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the first manner to bias the rotor toward the released position. The same first coil spring cooperates between the at least one of the first and second plate assemblies and catch, with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the second manner, to bias the catch towards the engaged position.
In one form, the rotor has a receptacle for a strike element. The second plate assembly has first and second oppositely opening U-shaped receptacles. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the first manner, the rotor receptacle aligns with the first U-shaped receptacle, and with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly in the second manner, the rotor receptacle aligns with the second U-shaped receptacle.
In one form, the first plate assembly, first and second axles and rotor are substantially the same with each of the second, third, and fourth plate assemblies operatively joined to the first plate assembly.
In one form, the biasing assembly includes at least one coil spring that is substantially the same with each of the second, third, and fourth plate assemblies operatively joined to the first plate assembly.
In one form, the first plate assembly consists of a flat wall with oppositely facing flat surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other and a first reference plane. The oppositely facing flat surfaces bound a first thickness. The first plate assembly further has first and second discrete tabs that project transversely to the first reference plane and define a support for the at least one coil spring.
In one form, the at least one coil spring consists of at least first and second coil springs. The first coil spring acts between the rotor and first discrete tab to urge the rotor towards the released position. The second coil spring acts between the catch and second discrete tab to urge the catch towards the engaged position.
In one form, the flat wall and first and second discrete tabs are formed as one piece.
In one form, the second plate assembly consists of a first flat wall with oppositely facing flat surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other and a first reference plane. The oppositely facing flat surfaces bound a first thickness. A first tab extends transversely to the first reference plane. The first trip component is mounted to the first tab for guided pivoting movement between the normal and actuated positions.
In one form, the first flat wall and first tab are formed as one piece.
In one form, the first tab projects from the first wall at a first location. The third plate assembly consists of a second flat wall with a shape generally similar to the first flat wall, including oppositely facing flat surfaces that are parallel to each other and a second reference plane. The third plate assembly has a second tab that is transverse to the second reference plane and is at a second location on the second flat wall that is different than a location on the second flat wall corresponding to the first location on the first wall.
In one form, the third plate assembly consists of a second flat wall with oppositely facing flat surfaces that are parallel to each other and a second reference plane. The third plate assembly has first and second tabs that are each transverse to the second reference plane and define a support for a second trip assembly with a second trip component that is mounted to the third plate assembly for guided movement between: a) a normal position; and b) an actuated position. With the third plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly, movement of the first trip component from the normal position into the actuated position causes the catch to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position.
In one form, the second trip component is mounted directly to each of the first and second tabs for guided movement between the normal and actuated positions.
In one form, the second trip component is mounted directly to the first tab for guided movement between its normal and actuated position.
A third trip component may be provided that is mounted directly to the second tab for guided pivoting movement between: a) a normal position, and b) an actuated position. Movement of the third trip component from its normal position into its actuated position causes the catch to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position.
In one form, the third trip component is not mounted directly to the first tab.
In one form, there are different numbers of tabs on the second and third plate assemblies that project transversely respectively with respect to the first and second reference planes.
In one form, at least one of the rotor and catch is made from first and second different materials.
In one form, the at least one of the rotor and catch has a bore to receive one of the axles which guides the at least one of the rotor and catch in pivoting movement around the axis of the one of the axles. The bore in the at least one of the rotor and catch is bounded by a surface defined at least in part by the first material. The first material is of a nature that it causes the at least one of the rotor and catch and one axle to generate less noise by moving guidingly against each other than would the at least one of the rotor and catch if the at least part of the surface was defined by the second material.
In one form, the first material is at least one of: a) rubber; b) plastic; and c) a composite.
In one form, the at least one of the rotor and catch has an exposed surface defined by the second material and the first material covers only a part of the exposed surface.
In one form, the at least one of the rotor and catch has an exposed surface defined by the second material and the first material covers substantially the entirety of the exposed surface.
In one form, the second material comprises metal.
In one form, at least one of the rotor and catch has a bore bounded by a first surface that is guided against a second surface on one of the axles that extends into the bore. At least one of the first and second surfaces is defined by a first material that is applied over a second material and that has a tendency to prevent noise generation more effectively than the first material would as the first and second surfaces are moved guidingly against each other.
In one form, there are cooperating first and second surfaces, respectively on the rotor and catch, that interact to cause the catch in the engaged position to block the rotor in the latched position, At least one of the first and second surfaces is defined by a first material that is applied over a second material.
In one form, the first material tends to avoid noise generation more effectively than would the second material as the first and second surfaces interact.
In one form, a second trip assembly with a second trip component is mounted to the second plate assembly for guided movement between: a) a normal position; and b) an actuated position. With the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly, selective movement of either of the first and second trip components from its normal position into its actuated position causes the catch to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position.
In one form, the catch has spaced first and second surfaces upon which the first and second trip components respectively act.
In one form, the latch assembly combination may further be provided in combination with an actuating system including an actuator assembly.
In one form, the first trip component defines an actuating assembly on an actuating system that is directly engagable and repositionable by a user.
In one form, the actuator assembly includes an actuator element that is operated remotely from the first trip component.
In one form, the latch assembly combination may further be provided in combination with a closure element, that is movable guidingly relative to a support between first and second positions, and a strike assembly with a strike element. The latch assembly and strike assembly are provided, one each in the support and closure element, and cooperate to releasably maintain the closure element in one of the first and second positions.
In one form, the rotor defines a receptacle for the strike element. The rotor and at least one of: a) the first plate assembly; and b) one of the second, third and fourth plate assemblies, that is operatively joined to the first plate assembly, cooperate to maintain the strike element in the rotor receptacle with the rotor in the latched position and the closure element in the one of the first and second positions.
In one form, the rotor and the first plate assembly and the one of the second, third, fourth plate assemblies, that is operatively joined to the first plate assembly, cooperate to maintain the strike element in the rotor receptacle with the rotor in the latched position and the closure element in the one of the first and second positions.
In one form, with the second plate assembly operatively joined to the first plate assembly, the first plate assembly and second plate assembly define a housing with a generally rectangular shape with a perimeter edge consisting of spaced length edge portions, spaced width edge portions, and a chamber within which the rotor and catch reside. The spaced length and width edge portions each has a perimeter dimension. The majority of the perimeter dimension of at least one of the length and width edge portions is open so that the chamber is exposed at the majority of the perimeter dimension of the at least one of the length and width edge portions.
In one form, the majority of the entire perimeter edge is open so that the chamber is exposed over the majority of the entire perimeter edge.
In one form, the strike element is in the form of a closed hoop.
In one form, the rotor is substantially the same with each of the second, third, and fourth plate assemblies operatively joined to the first plate assembly.
In one form, the catch is substantially the same with each of the second, third and fourth plate assemblies operatively joined to the first plate assembly.
In one form, the flat wall has an exposed perimeter edge with a perimeter length and a majority of the perimeter length resides between spaced planes within which the oppositely facing flat surfaces reside, and has the first thickness.
In one form, the first flat wall has an exposed perimeter edge with a perimeter length and a majority of the perimeter length resides between spaced planes within which the oppositely facing flat surfaces reside and has the first thickness.
As shown schematically in
The latch assembly components are selectively combined to produce latch assemblies with different, desired operating characteristics. In one form, a second plate assembly 24 can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12 in first and second different manners to thereby cause the resulting latch assembly to have first and second operating characteristics.
As an alternative to selecting the second plate assembly 24, a collection of third and fourth plate assemblies 26, 28, as shown at 29, can be made available. The third and fourth plate assemblies 26, 28 have different configurations, with one of the plate assemblies 26, 28 potentially having the same configuration as the second plate assembly 24. The third and fourth plate assemblies 26, 28 can be selectively operatively joined, one in place of the other, and the second plate assembly 24, to the first plate assembly 12 to thereby cause the resulting latch assemblies to have third and fourth different operating characteristics attributable to the incorporation of the third and fourth plate assemblies 26, 28, respectively.
The second, third and fourth plate assemblies 24, 26, 28 are selectively and individually operatively joinable to the first plate assembly 12, one in plate of the others, to allow selection of a desired operating characteristic for the resulting latch assembly 30 (
The latch assembly components are shown schematically in
As shown in
In an alternative form, shown in
As shown in
As shown at block 42, if the user selects one of the third or fourth plate assemblies 26, 28, the same is operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12, thereby to cause the latch assembly to have either the third or fourth operating characteristic.
As explained in greater detail below, two latch assemblies are considered to have different operating characteristics and different configurations if there is any significant structural difference between the latch assemblies. As just examples, two latch assemblies have different operating characteristics if one is left-handed and the other is right-handed in operation. Similarly, two latch assemblies are considered to have different operating characteristics if the mounting locations of the rotor and catch are interchanged.
Essentially, if there is any structural distinction whereby two latch assemblies are not operable identically, these distinctions will be considered to cause the latch assemblies to have different configurations and operating characteristics.
As shown in
As noted above, the actuator element 48 may be a part of the catch 20 on the latch assembly 30 to allow direct engagement and/or movement by a user. Alternatively, the actuator element 48 may be a push or pull handle, a mechanical push button, an electrical switch actuator, a button on a wireless actuator assembly, etc., each spaced from the latch assembly 30. These, again, are only examples of the many variations for the actuating system 44 contemplated by the invention.
Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with respect to the remaining Figures herein. Referring initially to
The axle 14 has a stepped diameter outer surface with a smaller diameter portion 54 and a larger diameter portion 56. The smaller diameter portion 54 extends through a bore 58 through the rotor 18 and is secured to the first plate assembly 12 within a bore 60 therethrough. The surface 62 surrounding the catch bore 58 is guided in pivoting movement around the axis 50 against and relative to the outer surface 64 of the smaller diameter portion 54 of the axle 14. The rotor 18 is axially captive between the first plate assembly 12 and a shoulder 66 defined at the transition between the smaller and larger diameter portions 54, 56.
The axle 16 may be identical to the axle 14 and has a smaller diameter portion 54′, that is directed through a bore 68 in the catch 20 and secured to the first plate assembly 12 in a bore 69 therein. The rotor surface 70 bounding the bore 68 is guided in rotation against and relative to the outer surface 64′ on the smaller diameter axle portion 54′ around the axis 52. The rotor 20 is axially captive between the first plate assembly 12 and a shoulder 66′ between the smaller diameter portion 54′ and larger diameter portion 56′ of the axle 16.
The basic arrangement of components and their operation are conventional in nature. Details of a latch assembly that operates in a similar manner are shown in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2006/0006668 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Briefly, the rotor 18 has a body 72 that defines a U-shaped receptacle 74. The rotor 18 is pivotable between a latched position, as shown in
In operation, as relative movement takes place between the latch assembly 30 and a strike element 76 on the strike assembly 36, as shown for the exemplary arrangement in
To accommodate the strike element 76, a flat wall 84 on the first plate assembly 12 has a receptacle/cutout 86 that is generally U-shaped. With the rotor in the latched position of
The catch 20 is designed to releasably maintain the rotor 18 in the latched position therefor. The catch 20 has a body 90 with four separate arms 92, 94, 96, 98, each projecting in cantilever fashion radially with respect to the axis 52. The multiple arm configuration makes the catch 20 usable in the same form in most embodiments herein.
The catch 20 is movable around the axis 52 between an engaged position, as shown in
The catch 20 is changed from its engaged position into its disengaged position by pivoting movement of the catch 20 around the axis 52 in the direction of the arrow 104. By doing so, the surface 102 on the catch leg 98 clears the pivoting path of the rotor 18, which is thereby allowed to move from the latching position into the released position by pivoting movement opposite to the direction of the arrow 82 around the axis 50.
The rotor 18 is normally biased towards its released position by the biasing assembly 22. The biasing assembly 22 consists of a torsion coil spring 106 that surrounds the smaller diameter portion 54 of the axle 14. The coil spring 106 is pre-loaded with opposite hooked ends 108, 110, respectively engaged with the first plate assembly 12 and rotor 18. More particularly, the first plate assembly 12 has a tab 112 with an undercut 114 defining a seat for the hooked end 108. The opposite hooked end 110 engages within a U-shaped seat 116 formed in the rotor 18.
With the rotor 18 in the released position, the rotor 18 must be driven towards and into its latched position against the biasing torque produced by the spring 106. With the rotor 18 in the latched position and the catch 20 in the disengaged position and thereby cleared from the rotational path of the rotor 18, the force produced by the spring 106 is sufficient to drive the rotor 18 into its released position.
The catch 20 is similarly urged normally by the biasing assembly 22 into its engaged position. The biasing assembly additionally includes a second coil spring 118 with opposite hooked ends 120, 122. The hooked end 120 is engaged with the first plate assembly 12, with the hooked end 122 engaged with the catch 20. More particularly, the first plate assembly 12 has a second tab 124 with an undercut 126 that receives the hooked end 120. The catch arm 96 defines a U-shaped seat 128 for the end 122. The coil spring 118 is loaded to produce a resilient bias force that normally urges the catch 20 oppositely to the direction of the arrow 104 around the axis 52 and into the engaged position.
With the rotor 18 in the released position, the catch 20 is in the engaged position. As the rotor 18 is progressively urged against the force of the spring 106 towards and into the latched position, an edge 130 on the rotor 18 encounters the catch arm 98. Continued pivoting of the rotor 18 in the direction of the arrow 82 around the axis 50 causes the edge 130 to deflect the catch 20 in the direction of the arrow 104 around the axis 52 until the free end of the catch arm 98 aligns with a first receptacle 132 on the rotor 18. At this point, the catch 20, under the force of the spring 118, shifts slightly oppositely to the direction of the arrow 104 around the axis 52 so that the catch surface 102 abuts to a facing surface 134 on the rotor 18 bounding the receptacle 132. This represents a secondary engaged position for the catch 20 corresponding to a secondary latched state for the latch assembly 30. The provision of structure to allow the latch assembly 30 to be placed in a secondary latched position is not critical to the present invention.
Continued pivoting of the rotor 18 causes the catch 20 to further pivot against the force of the spring 118 in the direction of the arrow 104 until the free end of the catch arm 98 aligns with a separate receptacle 136, bounded by the surface 100. At this point, the spring 118 drives the catch 20 oppositely to the direction of the arrow 104 around the axis 52 to cause the surfaces 100, 102 to confront/abut, at which point the rotor 18 is in its primary latched position, the catch 20 is in the engaged position, and the latch assembly 30 is in a primary latched state.
In a preferred form, the first plate assembly 12 has a universal construction that can be used to mount all of the remaining components, including the selected second, third and fourth plate assemblies 24, 26, 28, and other plate assemblies as described herein. While not necessary, it is also preferred that some, and preferably all, of the rotor 18, catch 20, axles 14, 16 and springs 106, 118 have substantially the same, and preferably an identical, configuration that can be used with the first plate assembly 12 and each of the selected second, third and fourth plate assemblies 24, 2628, and the other plate assemblies as described hereinbelow.
In a preferred form, the first plate assembly 12 consists of a flat wall 138 with oppositely facing flat surfaces 140, 142 that are parallel to each other and a reference plane RP (
The tabs 112, 124 extend transversely, and substantially orthogonally, with respect to the reference plane RP at spaced locations on the flat wall 138. In a preferred form, the flat wall 138 and tabs 112, 124 are made from a single formed piece of metal.
The second plate assembly 24 consists of a flat wall 146 with a generally rectangular overall shape, at least nominally matched to that of the flat wall 138 on the first plate assembly 12, and oppositely facing flat surfaces 148, 150 that are substantially parallel to each other and a reference plane RP1 (
The flat wall 146 has a generally hourglass shape with a reduced width midportion at 156 defining oppositely opening, U-shaped receptacles 158, 160. The flat wall 146 has through bores 162, 164 with central axes 166, 168, respectively, that are spaced from each other by a distance equal to that between the axle axes 50, 52. The bores 162, 164 are designed to each receive a free end 170, 170′ on the axles 14, 16, respectively.
The second plate assembly 24 is operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12 on the latch assembly 30 in a first manner to thereby cause the latch assembly 30 to have first operating characteristics. In this first manner, the axle end 170 projects through the bore 162, with the axle end 170′ extending similarly through the bore 164. Through the axle ends 170, 170′, the flat wall 146 is captively maintained against axially facing surfaces 172, 172′, respectively on the axles 14, 16. Through this arrangement, the axles 14, 16 securely fix the first and second plate assemblies 12, 24 together so that they cooperatively define a rectangular housing 174 with a chamber 176 therebetween within which the operating components are mounted in operative relationship, as hereinabove described. The housing 174 provides the foundation for the operating components of the latch assembly 30 and is part of a self-contained module that can be integrated as a self-contained unit into the actuating system 44.
While the housing 174 can be mounted in different orientations whereby the designations “top”, “bottom”, etc. become arbitrary, for purposes of reference herein, the housing 174, and other housings described hereinbelow, will be considered to have spaced sides (S1, S2), each of which is open, a top (T) and a bottom (B).
In this embodiment, the actuator assembly 46 consists of a trip assembly 178 with a trip component 180 that is designed to directly interact with the catch 20 to change the position thereof. The trip component 180 has a body 182 with an elongate, flat shape. The trip component 180 is mounted at a first location on the second plate assembly 24 at which the tab 154 is formed to reside at the housing side S2 with the second plate assembly 24 operatively joined to the first plate assembly 30 in a first manner to produce the depicted latch assembly 30. A flat surface 184 on the trip component body 182 is placed facially against an upwardly facing flat surface 186 on the tab 154. A pin/rivet 188 extends through bores 190, 192, respectively in the trip component 180 and tab 154, so as to thereby mount the trip component 180 for guided pivoting movement relative to the tab 154 around an axis 194. As seen in
The trip component 180 has an actuating edge 196 that is engageable with an edge 198 on the catch arm 92. In the normal position for the trip component 180, the edge 196 is adjacent to the edge 198 on the catch arm 92, with the catch 20 in its engaged position. By pivoting the trip component 180 around the axis 194 in the direction of the arrow 200, from the solid line/normal position into the dotted line/actuated position of
The trip component 180 may be directly operated by a user, whereby it functions as the actuator element on the actuating assembly 46, or may cooperate with another component or components 202, that perform the function of the actuator assembly 46 on the actuating system 44.
In
In accomplishing this reconfiguration, the latch assembly 30′ uses the exact same components as the latch assembly 30, including the first plate assembly 12, the rotor 18, the catch 20, the first and second axles 14, 16, the coil springs 106, 118, and the second plate assembly 24.
The rotor 18 and catch 20 on the latch assembly 30′ are axially reversed, but cooperate in precisely the same manner as they do in the latch assembly 30. However, the mounting locations of the rotor 18 and catch 20 are reversed such that the catch 20 is mounted on the first axle 14 with the rotor 18 mounted on the second axle 16. The springs 106, 118 are mounted to the first plate assembly 12 identically as in the latch assembly 30, but with the hooked ends 110, 122 respectively engaging the catch 20 and rotor 18 rather than the rotor 18 and catch 20, as on the latch assembly 30.
The second plate assembly 24 faces in the same axial direction with respect to the first plate assembly 12 on both latch assemblies 30, 30′ but is rotated on the latch assembly 30′ through 180° so that the first axle 14 extends through the bore 164, with the second axle 16 extending through the bore 162. The connection between the first plate assembly 12 and second plate assembly 24 is carried out in precisely the same manner as on the latch assembly 30 to produce a housing 174′.
The same trip component 180 can likewise be utilized on the latch assembly 30′ and is connected to the tab 154 to interact with the catch 20 in precisely the same manner as it does on the latch assembly 30. The location of the tab 154 is changed from a location at the top T and side S2 for the latch assembly 30, to the bottom B and side S1 for the latch assembly 30′.
Accordingly, by rearranging the components, and in particular the second plate assembly 24, catch 20 and rotor 18, the operating characteristics of the latch assembly 30′ are different than those of the latch assembly 30. In a preferred form, all of the parts are identical and are interchangeable between the two latch assemblies configurations 30, 30′. However, this is not a requirement. It is preferred that at least the first plate assembly 12 be common to both latch assemblies 30, 30′ as a foundation for supporting the other components. By making the same rotor 18 and catch 20 interchangeable, additional advantages are realized. Since the axles 14, 16 are the same, it is likewise preferred that they be used in both configurations.
Other features can be incorporated into the latch assemblies 30, 30′, as hereinafter described. In one form, a sound deadening material is used on surfaces that interact between: a) the rotor 18 and catch 20 and axles 14, 16; and b) rotor 18 and catch 20. It is preferred that each of the rotor 18, catch 20 and axles 14, 16 be made from a durable metal base material, such as steel. One or both of the interacting surfaces on these components can be coated, at least over a portion thereof, with a material that has a tendency to prevent noise generation more effectively than the base metal defining the rotor 18, catch 20 and axles 14, 16. This coating material may be rubber, plastic, composite, etc.
For the exemplary rotor 18, shown in
While not shown in the specific embodiments, as shown in
By reason of having the coating on the rotor 18, the rotor surface 100 that interacts with the catch surface 102 absorbs the impact when the surfaces collide, whereby there is less noise generation as basic operation of the latch assembly takes place.
By making the rotor 18 and catch 20 from two different materials with different properties, significant flexibility is afforded in terms of how these components can be designed to minimize operating noise, without compromising performance. This two material design can be used on all latch assemblies described herein.
By reason of making the housings 174, 174′ using the first and second plate assemblies 12, 24, the chambers 176, 176′ are exposed over the majority of the extent of the peripheral edges 212, 212′, respectively on the housings 174, 174′, between the plate assemblies 12, 24. The chamber 176 in the exemplary latch assembly 30 is blocked only where the tabs 112, 124 bridge the chamber 176. While it is preferred that the majority of the extent of the peripheral edge 212 not be blocked, this is not a requirement. It is, however, preferred that at least a majority of the length of at least one of the length portions 214, 216 and width portions 218, 220 of the peripheral edge 212 be open so that the chamber 176 is exposed thereat. With the chamber 176 exposed over a majority of the length of the peripheral edge 212, foreign matter will not accumulate to interfere with component interaction or overall operation of the latch assembly 30.
The second plate assembly 24 can function to cooperate with the rotor 18 to confine the strike element 76 in the rotor receptacle 74 with the second plate assembly 24 mounted in either orientation on the latch assemblies 30, 30′. That is, on the latch assembly 30, a surface 222 bounding the receptacle 158, as seen in
On the latch assembly 30, the surface 88 of the first plate assembly 12 and surface 222 on the second plate assembly 24 act on opposite axial sides of the rotor 18 to block the strike element 76 within the receptacle 74. The surface 88 on the first plate assembly 12 and surface 224 on the second plate assembly 24 cooperate to perform this same blocking function on the latch assembly 30′.
Whereas the latch assemblies 30, 30′ have different operating characteristics made possible by mounting the second plate assembly 24 in two different manners/orientations, the invention also contemplates that there can be selection of different operating characteristics by reason of making available plate assemblies, such as the plate assemblies 26, 28, having different configurations that account for the different operating characteristics of the latch assemblies into which they are incorporated. Any number of plate assemblies having different configurations, that account for different operating characteristics when incorporated into the latch assemblies, may be provided. A manufacturer or end user that assembles the latch assembly selects and incorporates the plate assembly that provides the desired latch assembly operating characteristics.
While the collection of latch assemblies 29 (
An exemplary form of the “third” plate assembly 26 is shown in
Through the same pin/rivet 188, the trip component 180 is mounted to the tab 226 for pivoting movement about an axis 230 between a normal position, as shown in solid lines in
With the latch assembly 30′, the trip component 180 pivots about an axis 232, defined by the pin/rivet 188, in the direction of the arrow 234 in
With the latch assembly 30″, the trip component 180 is pivoted in an opposite direction around the pin axis 230, as indicated by the arrow 242, to change the catch 20 between the engaged and disengaged positions. As this occurs, the actuating edge 236 on the trip component 180 bears against the edge 198 on the catch arm 92 to effect repositioning of the catch 20 between the engaged and disengaged positions.
Thus, the trip component 180 is mounted at a different corresponding location on the housing 174″ than on the housing 174′. Additionally, the pivoting direction of the trip component 180 to move the catch 20 from the engaged position into the disengaged position is reversed for the two latch assemblies 30′, 30″.
In
With the trip component 180 moved between the normal/solid line and actuated/dotted line positions of
Thus, the latch assemblies 30″, 30′″ differ by reason of the locations of the mounting of the trip component 180.
In
The latch assembly 30″″ uses the same configuration and arrangement of the first plate assembly 12, rotor 18, catch 20, axles 14, 16 and springs 106, 118, as the latch assembly 30. With the fifth plate assembly 252 operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12, and the trip component 180 operatively attached through the rivet 188 to the tab 254, the trip component 180 is pivotable about an axis 256 in the direction of the arrow 257 between the solid line/normal position and dotted line/actuated position of
In
By reason of reversing the fifth plate assembly 252, the tab 254 is relocated to the side S1 of the housing 1745x′. With the trip component 180 operatively mounted upon the tab 254 through the pin/rivet 188, the trip component 180 is pivoted about the axis 256 from the normal/solid line position of
In
The sixth plate assembly 260 is operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12 in
The sixth plate assembly 260 is reversed between the configurations of the latch assembly 306x′ in
In
The latch assemblies 308x′ and 309x′ each incorporates the same components, including the first plate assembly 12, the rotor 18, the catch 20, the first and second axles 14, 16 and the coil springs 106, 118.
The tabs 2268x′, 2548x′ give the manufacturer/end user two location options at which the trip component 180 can be mounted. With the trip component 180 mounted on either of the tabs 2268x′, 2548x′, the cooperation with the catch 20 is the same as with the trip component 180 mounted on the tabs 226, 254, as earlier described.
In
In
The eighth plate assembly 264 cooperates with the same components—the first plate assembly 12, the rotor 18, the catch 20, the first and second axles 14, 16 and the coil springs 106, 118, on each of the latch assemblies 3010x′ and 3011x′.
The eighth plate assembly 264 is operatively joined to the first plate assembly 12 on both latch assemblies 3010x′ and 3011x′ and is reversed in these two different latch assembly configurations. The reversal requires the corresponding axial reversal and interchanging of the rotor 18 and catch 20, as in the prior embodiments.
In
The three tabs 18612x′, 25412x′ and 22612x′ give the manufacturer/end user the option of mounting the trip component 180 at any, or all, of three locations at which the tabs reside, as shown in dotted lines in
The ninth plate assembly 266 cooperates with the same components on the latch assemblies 3012x′ and 3013x′, as previously described, to include the first plate assembly 12, the rotor 18, the catch 20, the first and second axles 14, 16 and the springs 106, 118.
The configuration of the latch assemblies 3012x′ and 3013x′ differs by reason of the rotation/reversal of the ninth plate assembly 266 in these two structures. This requires reversal and interchanging of the rotor 18 and catch 20, as previously described for other embodiments above.
While all of the embodiments are described above as they cooperate with the trip component 180, the use of the trip component 180 is only exemplary in nature. Other means of operating the latch assemblies are contemplated, with exemplary ones described hereinbelow.
The embodiment in
The plate assembly 266 is representative of other embodiments in terms of its overall shape. That is, the plate assembly has end portions EP1. EP2 that are joined through a connecting portion CP, that has a locally reduced area as viewed in an axial direction, relative to the axles 14, 16, so that from this perspective the plate assembly has the appearance of the number “8”, with oppositely opening, U-shaped receptacles U1, U2. The receptacles U1, U2 register, one each, with a U-shaped receptacle U3 on the first plate assembly 12, to accept a strike element in operation, with the plate assembly 266 in the two depicted operative relationships.
In
The flat wall 14614x′ on the tenth plate assembly 268 has oppositely facing flat surfaces 272, 274 that are substantially parallel to each other and a reference plane RP2. The flat wall 14614x′ has a uniform thickness t2 between the flat surfaces 272, 274. The peripheral edge 276 of the flat wall 14614x′ has the uniform thickness t2 over substantially the entirety of the extent thereof, with the thickness t2 residing in a space between two planes at the flat surfaces 272, 274.
The latch assembly 3014x′ incorporates the rotor 18, a slightly modified form of catch 20′, the axles 14, 16 and the coil assemblies 106, 118.
The catch 20′ differs from the catch 20 by reason of providing a through or blind bore 278 which receives a post 280 with an enlarged head 282 thereon. The first plate assembly 12, rotor 18, catch 20′, axles 14, 16 and springs 106, 118 are assembled the same as are the corresponding components in all other embodiments described herein.
The plate assembly 268 has bores 284, 286 that respectively receive the axle ends 170, 170′, at which the flat wall 14614x′ is secured.
The tenth plate assembly 268 has tabs 288, 290 projecting transversely, and preferably orthogonally, to the reference plane RP2. The tabs 288, 290 may be struck directly from the material defining the flat wall 14614x′ and are bent to the shape shown whereby an opening 292 is provided through the flat wall 27014x′. The opening 292 permits interaction between the trip component 180′ and the head 282 on the post 280.
A headed pin 294 extends through the tabs 288, 290 and a bore 296 through the trip component 180′, with the trip component 180′ operatively situated between the tabs 288, 290. The trip component 180′ is pivotable about an axis 298 defined by the pin 294 between a normal position, as shown in solid lines in
The trip component 180′ is normally biased by a coil spring 304 into its normal/solid line position of
To add versatility to the tenth plate assembly 268, an optional tab 18614x′ is provided at a location corresponding to that for the tab 186 on the latch 30. The tab 18614x′ supports the trip component 180 in a manner that it can be pivoted to cooperate with the catch 20′ in the same manner as it cooperates with the catch 20 on the latch assembly 30.
As a still further alternative, an additional tab 22614x′, as shown in dotted lines in
A further form of latch assembly is shown in
The latch assembly 3015x′ incorporates a catch 20″ that has an integrally formed trip component 180″ that moves as one piece therewith. The trip component 180″ is defined as an extension of the flat catch component portion 318 that interacts with the rotor 18. By applying a force in the direction of the arrow 320 upon the surface 322 of the trip component 180″ at the side S1 of the housing 17415x′, the catch 20″ is changed from an engaged position into a disengaged position correspondingly as the rotor 20 is in the other embodiments, described above.
The actuating location and direction of force application required to reposition the catch can be changed from that for the latch assembly 3015x′ in
With the above-described structures, many variations from what is specifically shown can be devised to meet different demands and for different applications.
For example, as shown in
Instead of incorporating the trip component 180, a trip component 180″″ is provided which has general “U” shape with a padded end grip 332. This configuration is typically used for skidsteer or on small construction equipment.
In
The pin 140 also supports a trip component 180 on the tab 18610x′ for cooperation with the catch 20, as previously described.
The trip component 180 is operable through an actuator assembly, including a pull handle assembly 344. A handle 346 is graspable and pivotable as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,216, which is incorporated herein by reference. By pivoting the handle 346, a linkage 348 is operated to reposition the trip component 180 to thereby change the catch 20 from its engaged position into its disengaged position.
As shown in
In another variation, as shown in
In
In
For exemplary latch assembly 30, as shown in
As seen in
The second plate assembly 24 has an additional through opening 384 to accommodate a spring end with the second plate assembly 24 in a different orientation with respect to the first plate assembly 12 and/or with a different trip component configuration. The through opening 384 is diametrically opposite to the through opening 380 with respect to the axis is 166.
As seen in
The tab 154 has a separate tab opening 392 to accept a spring end with the second plate assembly 24 in a different orientation with respect to the first plate assembly 12 and/or with a different trip component configuration.
By pre-engineering non-handed and common components, the number and complexity of components required to be manufactured, inventoried, and staged for assembly can be reduced compared to customized latch assembly designs that do not share common components. This also saves the project engineering and application support, prototyping, testing and tooling lead time, which potentially shortens time to market.
By providing latch assembly constructions that allow for multiple actuation locations, smaller, simpler, and lower cost designs are made possible compared to conventional designs.
The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20080217929 A1 | Sep 2008 | US |
