WO2000079081A1

WO2000079081A1 - Compression latch

Info

Publication number: WO2000079081A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/017390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey L. Antonucci; Thomas Weuthen
Original assignee: Southco Inc
Current assignee: Southco Inc
Priority date: 1999-06-23
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2001-12-23
Also published as: AU5887900A

Abstract

A compression latch (10) for securing a closure panel to a compartment enclosure, the compression latch having a housing (11) with mounting elements (22, 23, 24, 25) for mounting the latch in an aperture of a closure panel, and a latching member having a lifting portion (13) and a pawl portion (14), the latching member pivotally connected to the housing for pivotal movement between latched and unlatched positions, securing and releasing, respectively, the pawl portion of the latching member with a corresponding keeper member or surface. The compression latch further has a detenting feature (50, 51) which facilitates the positioning of the latching element with respect to the housing in a fully opened or fully closed position until the detent force is overcome by further force supplied by a user.

Description

COMPRESSION LATCH CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION.

This application is based on a Provisional Application, Serial No. 60/140,538, filed

on June 23, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of latching devices for securing a first member to the second member, particularly where the first member is a closure panel and the second member is a corresponding frame or enclosure cabinet, and more particularly where the latch is a compression latch.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Latch devices for opening, closing and securing one or more panels together have been known and used for many years. Throughout the years, latches have developed in a number of types to suit particular needs of an environment in which they are used. For example, there are latches in which a pivotally mounted and spring biased arm is rotatably mounted on a housing that is installed by insertion into an opening formed in a panel in a hinged door. In such latch devices, the arm is held in a closed position by means of a latch attached to the housing and engaging a keeper integral with one end of the arm. On disengagement of such a latch with a keeper the arm is free to pivot to an open position in response to a spring bias and becomes a handle for use in opening and closing the door panel. In this type of prior art latch, the latch remains rotatably fixed to the housing and does not form a part of the handle nor does it move with the handle to the open position or to the closed position. The arm is relatched when it is returned to the fully closed position with the keeper at the end of the arm once again engaging the latch. An improvement of a lever latch, shown in US patent 4,693,503 issued on September 15, 1997 to Robert H. Bisbing and assigned to Southco, Inc, provides a handle and latch assembly mounted in a flanged housing which is constructed for mounting in an opening formed in a hinged door. The door can be attached to a cabinet of the like with the outer contiguous surfaces of the handle latch being substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing when the latch and a handle are in a fully closed and latched position. A "Link and Lever Operated Toggle Latch Mechanism" is disclosed in US patent 4,230,351 issued on October 28, 1982, to Robert H. Bisbing and assigned to Southco, Inc. The "351 latch mechanism is furnished to secure a door to a fixed frame member. A keeper is installed on a frame and the lever portion of the latch is mounted on a door panel. The lever is interconnected with a pawl through a link bar secured by pivot pins. The lever, when lifted, imposes a force on the link which draws the pawl out of engagement with the keeper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel compression latch which includes a housing with mounting elements for mounting to a first panel which is to be selectively secured and released relative to an adjacent frame or second panel. A handle member is disposed in the housing and, preferably, is pivotable over a range of positions. Detent elements are provided on the handle and the housing to facilitate positioning of the handle at one or more location over its pivot range relative to the housing.

The detent elements permit the handle to stay raised and out of the way of the second panel or a corresponding keeper member when the latch is unlatched and also permit the handle to remain flush with the top of the housing, when the latch is secured. It is an object of the present invention to provide a compression latch with a handle which transfers direct force to a pawl to release and secure the pawl from and to, respectively, a keeper member or an adjacent enclosure frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle which can be detained in one or more positions relative to a housing over one or more positions of the handle swing arc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compression latch which can easily be mounted by snap-fit engagement into a panel cutout or aperture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide integrated mounting elements on a housing and provide a pawl which can be pivotally mounted on the housing to pivot into and out of engagement with a keeper member of a corresponding adjacent panel or member.

A further object of the above invention is to accomplish the above objects when the compression latch is mounted to a floor panel of a vehicle wherein the latch secures the floor panel to an adjacent frame or panel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a detaining feature which is incorporated and integral with the housing and latching member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a rightside parallel perspective view of a compression latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a left side elevation view of the compression latch of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the compression latch of Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the compression latch of Fig.1.

Fig. 5 is a parallel perspective view of the handle member of the latch shown in Figs. 1-4 Fig. 6 is a left side elevation view of the handle member of Fig. 5

Fig.7 is a top plan view of the handle member of Fig.5.

Fig.8 is a front elevation view of the handle member of Fig.5.

Figs. 9-12 correspond to Figs. 1-4 and show the compression latch according to the present invention, but with the handle lifted and the pawl withdrawn (in the unlatched position).

Fig.13 is a parallel perspective view of the housing of the compression latch according to the present invention, shown looking into the cavity of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Fig.1, a compression latch 10 according to the present invention is shown having a housing 11 and a latching element 12 which is pivotally connected to the housing 11. The latching element 12 has actuating means, shown preferably comprising a lifting portion 13 and a pawl portion 14 which are connected by a central body portion 15 (Fig. 5). The housing 11 has a body 16 with a cavity 17 defined by a wall 18 which surrounds the cavity 17 and extends upwardly from the floor 20 (Fig.3) of the housing 11.

Mounting means is provided to mount the latch 10 onto a mounting surface, such as a closure panel (not shown). For example, the closure panel, can be a floor or other compartment of a vehicle. For example, the closure panel may be attached with hinges, brackets, or, additionally, can be a lift off panel. The closure panel (not shown) is generally used to close a compartment enclosure. The compartment enclosure may have a frame or a keeper member installed on a surface or edge adjacent to the closure panel so that the pawl portion 14 of the latch 10 can engage therewith and maintain the closure panel in a secured relation with its enclosure frame or other panel member. The mounting means preferably comprises snap legs 22, 23, 24, 25 which are disposed on the upstanding wall 18 of the housing 11. The snap legs 22, 23, 24, and 25, are preferably provided having a retaining surface, such as that 26 described in relation with the snap leg 22, which secures the panel between the snap leg 22, and the underside 27 of the housing flange 28. The snap leg 24 is shown in Fig. 2 being spaced apart from the upstanding wall portion 18 by the grooves 30, 31 provided on each side of the snap leg 24. The snap leg 24 as with other snap legs 2,23, and 25, preferably is resilient and includes a tapered edge portion 32 for facilitating installation into an aperture or opening of a closure panel (not shown).

Referring now to Fig. 5, the latching member 12 is shown in a separate view, apart from the housing 11. The latching member 12 includes the lifting portion 13 and the pawl portion 14 which are connected by a body portion 15. Connecting means is provided to connect the latching member 12 to the housing 11 and maintain a pivotal relationship therewith so the latching member 12 can be pivoted between the open and closed positions (i.e. where the pawl 14 releases from a keeper and where the pawl 14 secures or engages with a keeper). Preferably, the connecting means is shown comprising a pair of pivot bosses 35, 36 which extend outwardly on opposite sides of the body portion 15. The pivot bosses 35, 36 are configured for receipt within respective pivot recesses 37, 38 of the housing 11 (Fig. 13). The housing 11 is best shown in Figs. 3 and 13 and includes a pawl recess 39 which has a first slot 41 and a second slot 42 for accommodating the pawl supporting flange portions 43, 44 (Fig. 1) when the latching portion 12 is actuated by lifting the lifting portion 13 to retract the pawl 14 (as shown in Figs. 9-11). When the pawl 14 is retracted by the pivoting of the latching member 12, the supporting flange portions 43, 44 are rotated and accommodated in the first and second slots 41, 42, respectively, of the housing floor 20. Positioning means is provided to maintain the position of the latching member 12 at one or more predetermined positions over its rotational arc, (that is between the closed position (Fig.1) or the open or unlatched position (Fig. 9)). The positioning means preferably comprises detent means. The detent means is shown comprising a first detent recess 50 and a second detent recess 51 disposed on the first flange portion 43 of the latching member 12. A corresponding detent pin 52 is provided on the housing 11. Preferably, the detent pin 52 is disposed on the housing wall 18 having an axis perpendicular to the wall 18. The detent pin 52 is provided at the lower portion of the house wall 18, proximate the housing floor 20. The detent pin 52 engages with a detent recess 50, 51, for example, when the latch 10 is in its closed or latched position. As shown in Fig. 1, the first detent recess 50 is engaged by the detent pin 52. This facilitates maintenance of the latching member 12 in a position which, preferably, can be level with the housing flange 28. This also facilitates securing of latch 10 from any vibrations it encounters, which, otherwise, might operate to loosen the compression of the latch 10 and pawl 14. The second detent recess 51 engages with the detent pin 52 when the latching member 12 is pivoted to withdrawal the pawl 14 from a keeper, as shown in the position of Fig. 9. A post 55 is provided on the housing 11 to support the lifting portion 13.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood by reading the summary of the invention, the brief description of the drawing figures, and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The invention is to be construed broadly in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A compression latch comprising:

a housing having a an aperture therein;

an actuator means for engaging and disengaging said latch from a keeper member;

and

a connecting means for connecting said latching member and said housing, wherein a pivotal relationship is maintained therewith, whereby said latching member can be pivoted

between the open and closed positions.

2. The compression latch of claim 1 , wherein said actuator means

comprises a lifting portion and a pawl portion connected by a central body portion, wherein

said pawl portion is comprised of an engaging portion and pawl supporting flange portion.

3. The compression latch of claim 2, wherein said housing comprises side walls and extending from a floor area and concluding with a flange extending perpendicular from said

walls.

4. The compression latch of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting means for

mounting said latch on a mounting surface.

5. The compression latch of claim 4, wherein said mounting means comprises snap

legs each having a tapered wall, said snap legs are attached to said housing, wherein said

snap legs comprise a retaining surface for securing a closure panel between said flange of

said housing and said snap legs.

6. The compression latch of claim 5, wherein said snap legs are flexibly attached to

said wall portion of said housing, wherein attachment of said snap legs are spaced apart

from said wall portions, wherein said snap legs are deflected during attachment to a closure

panel.

7. The compression latch of claim 1 , where said connecting means comprises a pair of pivotal bosses which extend outwardly on opposite sides of said latching member, said bosses are configured for receipt within pivot recesses on said housing.

8. The compression latch of claim 3, wherein said housing floor is configured to receive said pawl supporting flange portion of said actuator means when in the actuated position through a pair of slot apertures extending from said housing aperture and terminating within said housing floor.

9. The compression latch of claim 1, wherein said latch further comprises a positioning means for maintaining said latching member at one or more predetermined position over the area of its rotational movement.

10. The compression latch of claim 9, wherein said positioning means comprises a detent pin attached to said housing wall protruding in substantially a peφendicular direction from said wall and a plurality of detent recesses located on said latching member, wherein the said latching member is maintained at predetermined positions over its rotational arc when said detent recesses are engaged with said detent pin.

11. The compression latch of claim 1 , wherein said lifting portion is supported in a position flush to said flange of said housing by a post attached to said housing wall when said pawl member is in the fully extended position.

12. A compression latch comprising:

a housing having an aperture therethrough;

a latching member rotatably connected to said housing; and

a connecting means for connecting said latching member and said housing, wherein

a pivotal relationship is maintained therewith, whereby said latching member can be pivoted between the open and closed positions.

13. The compression latch of claim 12, wherein said latching member

comprises a rifting portion and a pawl portion connected by a central body portion, wherein said pawl portion is comprised of an engaging portion and pawl supporting flange portion.

14. The compression latch of claim 13, wherein said housing comprises side walls and

extending from a floor area and concluding with a flange extending peφendicular from said

walls.

15. The compression latch of claim 12, further comprising a mounting means for

mounting said latch on a mounting surface.

16. The compression latch of claim 15, wherein said mounting means comprises snap

said housing and said snap legs, wherein said snap legs are flexibly attached to said wall portion of said housing, wherein attachment of said snap legs are spaced apart from said

wall portions, wherein said snap legs are deflected during attachment to a closure panel.

17. The compression latch of claim 12, wherein said connecting means comprises a pair

of pivotal bosses which extend outwardly on opposite sides of said latching member, said

bosses are configured for receipt within pivot recesses on said housing.

18. The compression latch of claim 14, wherein said housing floor is configured to

receive said pawl supporting flange portion of said actuator means when in the actuated

position through a pair of slot apertures extending from said housing aperture and

terminating within said housing floor.

19. The compression latch of claim 18, wherein said latch further comprises a

positioning means for maintaining said latching member at one or more predetermined

position over the area of its rotational movement.

20. The compression latch of claim 20, wherein said positioning means comprises a detent pin attached to said housing wall protruding in substantially a peφendicular direction from said wall and a plurality of detent recesses located on said latching member, wherein the said latching member is maintained at predetermined positions over its rotational arc when said detent recesses are engaged with said detent pin.

21. The compression latch of claim 20, wherein said lifting portion is supported in a position flush to said flange of said housing by a post attached to said housing wall when said pawl member is in the fully extended position.