Patent Application
20050087992
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed toward a latch for a sliding window and, more particularly, toward a latching system for closing and locking a rear center window of a manually operated sliding window assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
In many types of vehicles, such as pickup trucks, it is desirable to provide a sliding window in the rear windshield for ventilation purposes. Such sliding windows typically have a latch or lock to secure the sliding window in a closed position and to prevent opening of the sliding window from the outside.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,880 is representative of such sliding window latching assemblies, and includes a latch that is disposed on the sliding window's frame, and a latch keeper that is secured on the fixed window's frame. When the latch is secured over the latch keeper, the sliding window is affixed to the fixed window's frame so as to prevent the sliding window from being slidably opened. Unfortunately, it has been found that inward pressure exerted on the sliding window at the latch will cause the sliding window to deform or bow inwardly, thereby disconnecting the latch from the latch keeper and permitting the sliding window to be opened. Naturally, this is not a desirable structure since it permits unwanted entry into the vehicle.
Other latches have been developed to prevent such undesirable unlatching of the window lock. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,054, wherein a clasp-type latch is disposed over adjacent portions of a pair of sliding window units. Unfortunately, with the '054 design, one-handed operation, which is desired for vehicular installations, is difficult. Moreover, operation of the window lock requires movement in directions other than the direction of intended window movement, and makes opening and closing of the windows rather cumbersome.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a latching assembly for a sliding vehicle window that is adapted for one-handed operation, and in which the opening and closing operations can be performed intuitively and wherein the window is resistant to being opened from the outside.
The present invention is directed toward an improved latch assembly for a sliding window that eliminates or reduces the problems encountered in the art. The present invention is further directed toward an improved latch that prevents opening of the window from the outside, and which permits ergonomic one-handed opening and closing of the window by the user.
In accordance with the present invention, a latch system for a slidable window includes a catch housing, a latch housing, and a latch assembly. The catch housing is secured to a fixed member, the latch housing is secured to the slidable window, and the latch assembly is adapted to releasably connect the latch housing with the catch housing.
In further accordance with the present invention, the latch assembly includes a latch arm and a latch actuator. The latch arm has a first, actuated end, an elongated body portion, and a second, latching end. The actuated end is received within the latch housing and the body portion projects from the latch housing such that the latching end of the latch arm is disposed outside of the latch housing. The latch arm is pivotally secured to the latch housing and is biased so as urge the latching end into engagement with the catch housing.
In further accordance with the present invention, the latch actuator is received in the latch housing and is slidably movable in a direction relatively away from the catch housing and against the latch arm's actuated end so as to pivot the latch arm's latching end out of engagement with the catch housing and thereby release the sliding window from the fixed window.
These and further features of the invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:
With reference to
A first sealing assembly 22 extends along a left-hand edge of the right window 16 and a second sealing assembly 24 extends along the right-hand edge of the left window 18. The sealing assemblies 22, 24 cooperate to provide a watertight seal between the associated edge of the center window 20 and the left and right window 16, 18 when the center window 20 is closed. The first sealing assembly 22, which is associated with the right and center windows 16, 20, has the latching system 12 of the present invention secured thereto, and will be discussed briefly hereinafter as it relates to the present invention. The second sealing assembly 24, which is associated with the left window 18 and the center window 20, is unrelated to the present invention and preferably is generally conventional and, therefore, will not be discussed further hereinafter.
The first sealing assembly 22 includes a center trim piece 26, which is secured over the right-hand edge of the center window 20, and a frame or mullion piece 28, which is secured to the left edge of the right window 16. Preferably, the trim piece 26 includes a mounting portion 26a that serves as a raised platform to which a latch housing 32, described hereinafter, is secured.
The trim piece 26 and the frame piece 28 are shaped so as to engage one another in a face-to-face manner, and so as to seal the union between the center and right windows 20, 16 as the center window 20 moves into the closed position. One or more lengths of weather stripping (elastomeric seal material or felt-like fabric seal material, not shown) may be provided by the trim piece 26 and/or frame piece 28 to facilitate sealing therebetween.
For example, the trim piece 26 may be U-shaped in cross-section so as to provide a channel into which the lateral edge of the center window 20 is inserted. Likewise, the frame piece 28 may, in part, provide a U-shaped cross-sectional profile wherein the opening in the “U” is facing toward the center window 20 so as to slidingly and sealingly receive the center window trim piece 26. In this arrangement, seal material disposed on either the trim piece 26 or the frame piece 28 will permit formation of a watertight seal between the trim piece 26 and the frame piece 28. Insofar as it is believed apparent that numerous alternative sealing arrangements are known in the art and may be used interchangeably with that described herein, the present invention is not limited to use in conjunction with the aforementioned window sealing arrangement.
With reference to
The catch housing 30 is affixed to the frame piece 28, and is preferably integrally molded or formed from an appropriate thermoplastic material. Naturally, the catch housing 30 may be made from metal or other appropriate materials, if desired. The catch housing 30, which defines a generally hollow body, includes solid front and rear walls 30a, 30b, a solid right end wall 30c, an open left end 30d, and upper and lower walls 30e, 30f that have slotted openings 30g formed therein. The front, rear, upper, and lower walls 30a, 30b, 30e, 30f cooperate to define the opening 30d at the left end of the catch housing 30 through which the latch assembly 34, described hereinafter, slidably extends. An edge surface 30h defining a portion (i.e., the leftward extent) of each slotted opening 30g serves as a latch keeper or engagement surface that receives or engages a portion of the latch assembly 34, as will be apparent from the following discussion. The catch housing 30 may be integrally secured to the frame piece 28 by conventional fasteners (not shown) or may be affixed by conventional plastic joining techniques, such as adhesives or welding (sonic; IR; laser welding), either directly or by use of intermediate joining materials.
The latch housing 32 includes a front wall 32a, a rear wall 32b, and a sidewall 32c that cooperate to define a generally hollow body. The rear wall 32b is preferably integrally formed or molded with the sidewall 32c. The front wall 32a is preferably formed separately from the rear wall 32b and sidewall 32c and is secured via known welding or adhesive bonding techniques during assembly.
The sidewall 32c extends around three sides of the latch housing 32 and, in the illustrated embodiment, has top and bottom openings 32d formed therein. The front wall 32a has an elongated opening 32a′ formed through which a portion of the latching assembly 34 extends, as will be apparent from the following discussion. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 32a, rear wall 32b, and sidewalls 32c cooperate, at the rightward facing end of the latch housing 32, to define an opening 32e through which the latch assembly 34 projects. The inner surface of the rear wall 32b has a pair of ribs or rails 37 formed thereon that slidably receive and guide a portion of the latch assembly 34, described hereinafter. The rails 37 are preferably spaced equal distances from, and parallel to, the longitudinal axis A-A of the latch system 12. The inner surface of the sidewalls 32c also have a pair of integrally formed springs 40, which are provided to bias the latch assembly 34 into a latched condition, described hereinafter.
It is noted that the rightward facing end of the latch housing 32 is generally planar so as to abut the leftward facing end of the catch housing 30 in a face-to-face manner. It is further noted that the leftward facing end of the latch housing 32 is curved so as to provide a clean and unobtrusive exterior appearance. Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the particular ornamental appearance of the latching system 12, and it is contemplated that numerous equivalent geometric variations may be devised with knowledge of the present invention and without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The latch housing 32 and catch housing 30 are generally symmetrical about the latch system longitudinal axis A-A, which extends lengthwise through the middle of the latch housing 32 and the catch housing 30, as illustrated. As such, the upper and lower halves of the latch housing 32 are generally identical to one another while the upper and lower halves of the catch housing 30 are generally identical to one another. Although this symmetry is preferred for manufacturing, assembly, and aesthetic reasons, it is not mandatory. Rather, it is contemplated that the latching system 12 in accordance with the present invention could be made in an asymmetrical manner and, accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited to the symmetrical arrangement that is preferred and illustrated herein.
The latch assembly 34 includes a pair of arms 36 and an actuator 38. The arms 36 are pivotally secured to the latch housing 32 and project laterally from the latch housing 32 so as to extend into, and be received within, the catch housing 30. The actuator 38 is slidably secured to the latch housing 32 and is accessible via the elongated opening 32a′ in the latch housing front wall 32a. The actuator 38 is operable to move the arms 36 between an engaged position, wherein the arms 36 may be latched to the catch housing 30, and a disengaged position, wherein the arms 36 are unlatched from the catch housing 30, as will be apparent from the following discussion.
The latch arms 36 are generally identical to one another, as illustrated, and each include an angled first portion 36a at a first end thereof, an enlarged second portion 36b at a second end thereof, an elongated body portion 36c, and a pivot pin 36d. The elongated body portion 36c extends between and interconnects the first portion 36a and the second portion 36b. The pivot pin 36d extends through the body portion 36c at a location near the union of the body portion 36c and the angled first portion 36a, and is rotatably secured to the latch housing front and rear walls 32a, 32b. When the latch arms 36 are pivotally secured within the latch housing 32, the first portions 36a of the latch arms 36 are biased toward engagement with one another by the springs 40, which, as noted previously, are preferably thermoplastic compression springs that are integrally molded with the latch housing sidewall 32c.
The springs 40, which urge the latch arms' angled first portions 36a away from the latch housing sidewall 32c and toward one another, may have other configurations or be provided by other means known in the art. For example, the springs may be separately formed and have ends that are received within pockets formed in the angled first portions 36a of the latch arms 36 and the housing sidewall 32c, respectively.
With reference to
The latch arms' elongated body portion 36c terminates in the enlarged second portion 36b, which is disposed at the second end of the latch arm 36. The enlarged second portion 36b has a stepped surface 36b′ at a trailing edge thereof and a curved leading edge 36b″. The stepped surface 36b′ faces toward the first end of the latch arm 36 and defines a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis A-A, as illustrated. The curved leading edge 36b″ facilitates insertion of the latch arms 36 into the catch housing 30, as will be apparent from the following discussion.
Each pivot pin 36d extends through the associated latch arm body portion 36c in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A and is disposed at a location near the intersection with the angled first portion 36a, as illustrated. Preferably, each of the latch arms 36 rotate or pivot about the associated pivot pin 36d while the pivot pin 36d stays generally stationary. Alternatively, each of the latch arms 36 may be integrally affixed to the associated pivot pin 36d and the pivot pin 36d may be rotatably received within the latch housing front and rear walls 32a, 32b. In this regard it is noted that several different techniques for securing the pivot pin 36d to the latch housing 32 are known in the art and may be used herein. For example, the ends of the pivot pins 36d may be simply staked or heat staked to the latch housing 32 so as to help integrate or unify the latch housing front and rear walls 32a, 3b into a complete, one-piece latch housing assembly, it being noted that the edges of the latch housing front wall 32a may also be welded or adhesively secured to the latch housing sidewall 32c, as discussed previously.
The actuator 38 is received between the latch arms 36 and is slidably movable within the latch housing 32. Preferably, the actuator 38 includes an actuator body portion 38a, a grip or knob portion 38b, and a connector portion (not shown). The knob portion 38b extends through the elongated opening 32a′ in the latch housing front wall 32a. The connector portion preferably includes a slide (not shown) that is sized and adapted to fit between the rails 37 on the latch housing rear wall 32b so as to move laterally relative to the latch housing 32 and parallel to the axis A-A. Accordingly, the actuator 38 is guided and controlled during lateral or longitudinal movement, so as to provide for smooth operation of the actuator during opening and closing of the window 20. Preferably, the actuator body portion 38a is closely received between the latch housing front and rear walls 32a, 32b with little play so as to maintain the actuator 38 in the desired alignment with the latch arms 36.
It is contemplated that the connector portion may be provided in other forms, or that additional elements may be incorporated into the connector portion. For example, the connector portion may be provided by, or supplemented with, a screw (metal/plastic) or post (push-in bayonet-type plastic pin) that extends through a slotted opening or elongated slot (not shown) in the latch housing rear wall 32b so as to prevent the actuator body 38a from being disassociated with the latch housing 32 while permitting the actuator 38 to slide lengthwise (parallel to the axis A-A) along the slot in a guided fashion and with a predetermined stroke or throw. Likewise, two or more posts and associated slots, disposed on opposite sides of the axis A-A may be provided to prevent the actuator from pivoting or becoming misaligned during use. As will be appreciated from the foregoing, it is considered apparent that further alternative or supplemental means to slidably secure the actuator 38 to the latch housing 32 will be known to those skilled in the art and may be used interchangeably without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The actuator body portion 38a is generally diamond shaped and is manually movable lengthwise by applying a pulling or pushing force on the actuator knob portion 38b. Clearly, the present invention is not limited to an actuator 38 having the illustrated shape. However, the peripheral shape of the left end of the actuator body portion 38a is preferably closely matched to the orientation of the angled first portion 36a of the latch arms 36 and, more specifically, the lateral surface 36a″ of the angled portion 36a, so as to facilitate pivotal movement of the arms 36 against the biasing force of the springs 40.
Accordingly, when the latch arms 36 are in the engaged position (
When the center window 20 is thus opened, releasing the knob portion 38b causes the actuator 38 to move rightwardly under the influence of the springs 40 and thereby permits the latch arms 36 to return to their normal position extending generally parallel to the axis A-A. Thus, there is a period of lost motion in which the actuator 38 slides (rightward in
When the center window 20 is almost closed against the right window 16, the second portion 36b of the latch arms 36 enters into the opening at the left end 30d of the catch housing 30. The curved leading edge 36b″ provided by the latch arms' second portions 36b slidably and cammingly engages the catch housing upper and lower walls 30e, 30f, causing the second portions 36b to move toward one another as the latch arms 36 pivot about the pivot pins 36d. The second portions 36b slide along the inner surfaces of the catch housing upper and lower walls 30e, 30f until they snap into the slotted openings 30g. As such, the latch housing 32 is in abutting engagement with the catch housing 30, and the stepped surfaces 36b′ are in engagement with the engagement surface 30h, effectively trapping the latch arms 36 in position and preventing further lateral movement of the center window 20.
Insofar as the latch arms' enlarged second portions 36b are trapped between the catch housing front and rear walls 30a, 30b, the latch is protected from being disengaged by inward pushing or deformation of the center window 20, increasing the effectiveness of the latching system at preventing unwanted opening of the center window 20 from outside of the vehicle.
It is noted that, when the latch arms 36 are received within the catch housing 30 such that the latch assembly 32 is in the locked position, the latch arms 36 are close to or in engagement with the latch housing sidewall 32c and the catch housing upper and lower walls 30e, 30f. However, since the location of the pivot pin 36d, the intersection of the angled first portion 36a with the body portion 36b, and the location of the top/bottom openings 32d in the latch housing sidewall 32c are carefully chosen relative to one another, when the latch arms 36 are pivoted into the disengaged position, a portion of the latch arms 36 (i.e., the intersection of the body portion 36b and the angled portion 36a) may be permitted to extend through the latch housing openings 32d. Naturally, the openings 32d in the latch housing sidewall 32c that permit the latch arms 36 to pivot may be dispensed with by making the latch housing 32 slightly larger in height dimension than the catch housing 30.
Although the present invention has been described with particularity herein, it is considered apparent that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, numerous modifications, improvements, and substitutions of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, although the presently preferred latch assembly includes a pair of latching arms that work in tandem, it is contemplated that a single latch arm may be used instead with similar, if not identical, functionality. Further, although the actuator body is shown to be generally diamond-shaped, it is contemplated that many other shapes may be used with equal functionality. Also, it is contemplated that the actuator connector portion may be trapped by the rails so as to form a dovetail-type connection therewith. As such, one or more of the connector portion and rails 37 may be L-shaped in cross-section so as to permit movement of the actuator in only the longitudinal direction.
