Push to release latch friction type

Claim 2

A push release latch for first and second members movable toward each other to a clOsed position and away from each other to an open position, comprising: a first latch element carried by the first member; a second latch element carried by the second member; at least one of said latch elements adapted for rotation relative to the other latch element between a latched position and an unlatched position; cam means associated with said latch elements for rotating said one latch element toward said unlatched position when the members are moved toward each other from the closed position; whereby the members may be released by the latch from the closed position by moving the members toward each other from the closed position; and a rotation control means, associated with the latch element adapted for rotation, to require rotation of said latch element to a position intermediate said latched and unlatched positions and a return rotation to said latched position before said latch element may be rotated to said unlatched position; whereby the members may not be released by the latch from the closed position for movement to the open position until said latch element adapted for rotation has been rotated to said intermediate position, has been returned to said latched position, and has been rotated to said unlatched position by moving the members toward each other from the closed position.

Claim 3

A push release latch for first and second members movable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, comprising: a first latch element carried by the first member and adapted for rotation relative to the first member between a latched position and an unlatched position; a second latch element secured to the second member; biasing means adapted to bias said first latch element toward said latched position; at least one of said latch elements having a cam means associated therewith for rotating said first latch element relative to said second latch element toward said unlatched position when the members are moved toward each other from the closed position; whereby the members may be released by the latch from the closed position by moving the members toward each other from the closed position; and a rotation control means associated with said first latch element to require rotation of said first latch element to a position intermediate said latched and unlatched positions and a return rotation to said latched position before said first latch element may be rotated to said unlatched position; whereby the members may not be released by the latch from the closed position for movement to the open position until said first latch element has been rotated to said intermediate position, has been returned to said latched position, and has been rotated to said unlatched position by movement of the members toward each other from the closed position.

Claim 4

A push release latch for first and second members movable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, comprising: a first latch element carried by the first member and adapted for rotation relative to the first member between a latched position and an unlatched position; a second latch element secured to the second member; biasing means adapted to bias said first latch element toward said latched position; at least one of said latch elements having a cam means associated therewith for rotating said first latch element relative to said second latch element toward said unlatched position when the members are moved toward each other from the closed position; whereby the members may be released by the latch from the closed position by moving the members toward each other from the closed position; and a rotation control means associated with said first latch element to require rotation of said first latch element to a position intermediate said latched and unlatched positions and a return rotation to said latched position before said first latch element may be rotated to said unlatched position; whereby the members may not be released by the latch from the closed position for movement to the open position until said first latch element has been rotated to said intermediate position, has been returned to said latched position, and has been rotated to said unlatched position by movement of the members toward each other from the closed position.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 wherein: said first latch element includes a strike projecting from said first member; said second latch element includes a catch spring adapted to engage said strike in the closed position; and said cam means includes at least one cam surface formed on said strike.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 3 wherein: said rotation control means includes a first stop, a second stop and a follower; said follower and said first stop being operable to limit the rotation of said first latch element to a position intermediate said latched and unlatched positions; and said follower and said second stop being operable to limit the rotation of said first latch element to said unlatched position.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 4 wherein said rotation control means additionally includes a first cam and a second cam, said first cam and said second cam being operable to alternatively cause said follower to cooperate with said first stop and said second stop on subsequent rotations of said first latch element toward said unlatched position.