The present invention is directed generally to mechanical latching mechanisms, and more particularly to a rotary latch for a door (such as a vehicle door) or container that captures and releases a traverse (i.e., vertical) latching member to regulate access to a space such as a vehicle compartment door or a heavy storage box, or other latch release application. The release of the bar is accomplished by actuating a pivoting handle mounted on the housing, wherein the handle includes a turn-key member to lock and unlock the latch device.
Rotary latches are used in many applications such as vehicle doors, chests, cabinets, and the like where a lid or door needs to be held or locked in a closed position. Rotary latches are preferred in some applications because they can be designed to spring open upon latch release and may be slammed shut to a closed or locked position.
Rotary latches can be found in many existing applications. U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,871 to Malmanger issued Jan. 7, 2003 entitled “Rotary Latch System and Method” discloses a rotary latch for opening and closing a panel or door. U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,321 to Parikh issued Sep. 24, 2002 entitled “Rotary latch Operated By a T-Handle With Multiple Latch Actuator Connection Points” discloses a rotary latch with a T-handle that translates rotation to an actuating lever for triggering a trip pawl to release a latch jaw. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,948 to Weinerman et al. issued Mar. 23, 1999 entitled “Rotary Latch and Lock” discloses another type of rotary latch. However, each of the latch mechanisms described in the references above are have various shortcomings in terms of simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Further, in many paddle latch systems the locking feature manifests itself in the prevention of the handle being able to travel. This can be defeated by extreme force. Thus, the art is in need of a paddle type latch system that allows the handle to travel in a full range of motion even in the locked configuration, where the travel of the handle is simply ineffective to release the latch in the locked position.
The present invention is a rotary latch having a pivoting handle mounted in the recess of a mounting plate. A handle return spring preferably biases the handle into the plate's recess. The handle includes a key actuated lock that rotates within the handle's free end, and the lock is mechanically linked to a catch rod behind the mounting plate where rotation of the lock results in a corresponding rotation of the catch rod. The catch rod has two positions—a “locked” position corresponding to an angular orientation that precludes engagement with a swiveling trip lever, and an “unlocked” position that engages the swiveling trip lever. When the lock rotates the catch rod into the unlocked position, then an actuation/pivoting of the handle about a pivot pin rotates the free end of the handle away from the mounting plate recess to linearly displace the catch rod. The linear displacement of the catch rod causes it to come into contact with and pivot the arm of the swiveling trip lever. The trip lever arm, when rotated by the catch rod, in turn drives an adjacent kicker journaled on the mounting plate's rear surface. The kicker, when driven by the swiveling trip lever, pushes a guard rotary out of contact with a capture rotary. When in contact, the guard rotary protects the capture rotary from opening and releasing a latch bar. However, when the kicker pushes the guard rotary away from the capture rotary against the bias of a dedicated spring, the capture rotary can rotate freely and open outward to release the captured vertical latch bar.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention
Grasping the handle 60 about the central portion, a user can overcome the force of the return spring and pivot the movable end 120 of the handle 60 away from the cavity 30 until a stop plate 40 (
The free end 120 of the handle 60 opposite the base end 80 includes an annular portion 130 surrounding a cylindrical turn-key member 140. The turn-key member 140 includes a keyhole 150 and requires a key (not shown) to rotate the turn-key member 140 within the free end 120 of the handle 60. Rotation of the key creates two positions for the turn-key member—an unlocked position and a locked position.
As the handle 60 is pivoted away from the cavity 50 of the face plate 30, the turn-key member 140 is pulled through the cavity 50 of the face plate 30, and catch rod 190 is translated toward the back 150 of the face plate 30 as shown in
If the turn-key member 140 is rotated such that the catch rod 190 is in the unlocked position as shown in
As best seen in
Rotation of the kicker 300 about the rotary bracket mounting pin 315 causes the toe 325 of the kicker 300 to contact and rotate a guard rotary 350 against the force of a guard rotary spring 355. As shown in
The description of the preferred embodiments are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art can deviate from the just-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while a pivoting handle is preferred, another handle that pulls out from the housing at each end is also possible. The cooperation of the catch rod with the turn-key member can take many forms and utilize additional mechanical linkages to alter the direction of the applied force and the direction of the translation and rotation of the various components, while still preserving the essence of the present invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the descriptions above, but rather the scope of the invention is defined solely by the words of the claims presented below.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070200358 A1 | Aug 2007 | US |