Patent US3697743A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3697743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hinge and latch mechanism for fluorescent luminaire
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-11
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-02-11
Abstract
Abstract In a recessed fluorescent luminaire an improved combination hinge and latch mechanism which includes a plurality of inverted L-shaped latch members with raised curved cam portions on the upper ends thereof rotatably secured to the frame of the lighttransmitting luminaire door or closure. The luminaire housing includes laterally extending flanges on the side walls adjacent the bottom or open end having apertures therethrough at locations complementary to the locations of the latch members on the door. Curved leaf springs overlie the apertures and are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the curved cam portion of the latch member to releasably retain the latch members in a latched position. When the latches on one side of the luminaire are released the latches on the opposite side serve as hinges through their rotatable connection to the door frame.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Eargle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:39
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V17/00; F21V17/10; F21V17/16; F21V17/164; F21V17/107; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/02; F21Y; F21Y2103/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In a rectangular luminaire comprising a housing having a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls defining a lamp cavity, flange portions extending horizontally from the lower end of at least opposite pairs of said side or end walls, and a light transmissive framed door closing off said lamp cavity; the improved hinge and latch mechanism for mounting said door To said housing which hinge and latch mechanism comprises; a plurality of hooked latch members rotatably mounted on said light transmissive framed door, a plurality of complementary apertures in said flange portion each constructed and arranged to receive one of said plurality of hooked latch members therethrough, and curved leaf spring means overlying each of said apertures for releasably retaining said hooked latch member in said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a rectangular luminaire comprising a housing having a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls defining a lamp cavity, flange portions extending horizontally from the lower end of at least opposite pairs of said side or end walls, and a light transmissive framed door closing off said lamp cavity; the improved hinge and latch mechanism for mounting said door To said housing which hinge and latch mechanism comprises; a plurality of hooked latch members rotatably mounted on said light transmissive framed door, a plurality of complementary apertures in said flange portion each constructed and arranged to receive one of said plurality of hooked latch members therethrough, and curved leaf spring means overlying each of said apertures for releasably retaining said hooked latch member in said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improved hinge and latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein said hooked latch members include a curved cam surface on the ends thereof and said curved spring means being constructed and arranged to coact with said curved cam surface to force said hooked latch members into a latched relationship with said flange portion when said hooked latch member is inserted through the aperture in said flange portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved latch mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said flange portions extend horizontally and outwardly of each of said side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improved latch mechanism according to claim 3 wherein each of said flange portions have a pair of apertures therethrough adjacent the ends thereof and wherein the pair of hooked latch members associated with the pair of apertures in one of said flanges forms a hinge for said door when the latch members associated with the apertures in said other flange are moved to an unlatched position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The improved latch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said curved spring means are secured to said flange portions adjacent a side wall of said housing and include a first portion which extends vertically away from said flange portion, a second portion which curves 180* back toward said flange portion and a third portion which curves away from said side wall and downwardly toward said flange portion with said third portion overlying said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The improved latch mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said latch members are substantially in the form of an inverted L with a raised curved cam surface on the top thereof, said curved cam surface coacting with the third portion of said spring means to force said latch means into a latched position when said latch means is inserted through said aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
An interior fluorescent luminaire comprising: a housing, including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls defining a lamp cavity, a plurality of lamp sockets within said cavity, support flange means extending horizontally from at least one opposite pair of said end and side walls, a light transmissive door including a rigid frame closing off the open bottom of said housing, a plurality of hingedly mounted latch members secured to said rigid frame for rotation with respect thereto, a plurality of apertures in said flange means constructed and arranged to receive said latch means therethrough, and curved leaf spring means overlying each of said apertures and adapted to coact with a portion of said latch means to releasably retain said latch means in a latched position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
An interior fluorescent luminaire comprising: a housing, including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls defining a lamp cavity, a plurality of lamp sockets within said cavity, support flange means extending horizontally from at least one opposite pair of said end and side walls, a light transmissive door including a rigid frame closing off the open bottom of said housing, a plurality of hingedly mounted latch members secured to said rigid frame for rotation with respect thereto, a plurality of apertures in said flange means constructed and arranged to receive said latch means therethrough, and curved leaf spring means overlying each of said apertures and adapted to coact with a portion of said latch means to releasably retain said latch means in a latched position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A luminaire according to claim 7 wherein said curved spring means is secured to said flange adjacent said side wall and includes a first portion which extends vertically away from said flange, a second portion which curves 180* back toward said flange and a third portion which curves away from said side wall and downwardly toward said flange with said third portion overlying said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A luminaire according to claim 8 wherein said latch member is substantially in the form of an inverted L with a raised curved cam surface on the top thereof, said curved cam surface coacting with the third portion of said spring means to force said latch means into a latched position when said latch means is inserted through said aperture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |