Retractable latch mechanism

Claim 2

A retractable latch mechanism comprising a frame member, a body member pivotally mounted on the said frame member to pivot between an operative position and a retracted position, the said body member having an opening therethrough, a pintle member extending through the said opening and having a latch portion on one end thereof, and a laterally exteNding handle rigidly connected near the other end of the said pintle member for pivoting the said pintle member about its axis, the said handle being arranged when in one pivotal position of the pintle for pivoting the body member between the said operative position and the said retracted position.

Claim 3

A retractable latch mechanism as specified in claim 1 in which the said axis of the pintle member is offset from the axis about which the said body member is pivotally mounted on the said frame member.

Claim 4

A retractable latch mechanism as specified in claim 1 in which the said frame member comprises a bolster and wherein the said handle, extends out the end of the said bolster in all positions of the latch mechanism except the latched position.

Claim 5

A latch mechanism as specified in claim 3 in which the said handle, extends out the side of the said bolster member in the said latched position and a keeper secured to the bolster is provided for holding the said handle, in such position.

Claim 6

A latch mechanism comprising an elongated bolster having an opening in the upper surface thereof, a body member pivotally mounted about a transverse axis to pivot between a horizontally disposed retracted position within the said bolster and an upright operative position projecting partially above the said bolster through the said opening therein, the said body member having an opening therethrough, a pintle member extending through the said opening in the body member and having a latch portion on the end thereof which projects above the said bolster in the operative position, the other end of the said pintle member being adjacent the end of the said bolster when the said body member is in the retracted position, and a laterally extending handle rigidly connected near the said other end of the said pintle member for pivoting the pintle member about between its axis, the said handle being arranged when in one pivotal position of the said pintle for pivoting the said body member between its retracted position and its upright position.

Claim 7

A latch mechanism comprising an elongated bolster having an opening in the upper surface thereof, a body member pivotally mounted about a transverse axis to pivot between a horizontally disposed retracted position within the said bolster and an upright operative position projecting partially above the said bolster through the said opening therein, the said body member having an opening therethrough, a pintle member extending through the said opening in the body member and having a latch portion on the end thereof which projects above the said bolster in the operative position, the other end of the said pintle member being adjacent the end of the said bolster when the said body member is in the retracted position, and a laterally extending handle rigidly connected near the said other end of the said pintle member for pivoting the pintle member about between its axis, the said handle being arranged when in one pivotal position of the said pintle for pivoting the said body member between its retracted position and its upright position.

Claim 8

A retractable latch mechanism as specified in claim 5 in which the said handle is straight and is connected at right angles to the said pintle, the end of the said bolster having a cutout portion which permits the said handle to be moved through an angle of approximately 180* when the said body portion is in the retracted position.

Claim 9

A retractable latch mechanism as specified in claim 6 in which the said bolster member has an additional cutout portion on one side thereof which permits the said handle to be pivoted horizontally approximately 90* from an outwardly projecting position to a transverse position when the said body portion is in its upright position, and a keeper on the said bolster for retaining the said handle in the last-mentioned position.