Patent US3700301A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3700301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking latch mechanism
Assignee: Keystone Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1970-10-19
•
Granted: 1972-10-24
•
Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A self-locking positive latch mechanism for use between a pair of relatively slidable structures for holding the latter selectively in any one of many different positions. Spring means function to hold the parts in their normal positive locking position except when manually held unlocked.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther A Boeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:04
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A self-locking latch mechanism for use in locking a slidably supported drawer-like structure selectively and positively closed and in any selected open position, said mechanism comprising a main frame subassembly supporting movable latch means, toothed rack gear subassembly means, means for supporting said main frame and said rack gear subassemblies for linear movement relative to one another lengthwise of said rack gear subassembly, means continually urging said latch means into locking engagement with the juxtaposed teeth of said rack gear, actuator means including means movable into direct engagement with a juxtaposed portion of said latch means when engaged with said rack gear means and operable to positively lock said latch means against movement until deliberately released, and said actuator means being manually manipulatable and releasable from said latch means thereby disengaging said latch means from said rack gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-locking latch mechanism for use in locking a slidably supported drawer-like structure selectively and positively closed and in any selected open position, said mechanism comprising a main frame subassembly supporting movable latch means, toothed rack gear subassembly means, means for supporting said main frame and said rack gear subassemblies for linear movement relative to one another lengthwise of said rack gear subassembly, means continually urging said latch means into locking engagement with the juxtaposed teeth of said rack gear, actuator means including means movable into direct engagement with a juxtaposed portion of said latch means when engaged with said rack gear means and operable to positively lock said latch means against movement until deliberately released, and said actuator means being manually manipulatable and releasable from said latch means thereby disengaging said latch means from said rack gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means for restricting the movement of said movable latch means substantially to linear movement normal to the length of said rack gear subassembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said actuator means is reciprocable crosswise of the path of movement of said latch means and includes a camming surface engageable with said latch means and cooperating therewith and with said main frame subassembly to lock said latch means positively engaged with the teeth of said rack gear subassembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 3 characterized in the provision of swinging link means interconnecting said actuator means and said latch means and operable to reciprocate said latch means in a linear path lying at an angle to the path of movement of said actuator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said latch locking means locks said latch means positively engaged with said rack gear subassembly so long as said actuator means is held in the normal position thereof by said means constantly acting to engage the teeth of said latch means and of said rack gear subassembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means for securing said main frame subassembly to slidably supported structure, and means for securing said rack gear subassembly to stationary support means for said last named structure with the teeth of said latch means movable past the teeth of said rack gear subassembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said swinging link means comprises a U-shaped member having parallel legs one of which is journalled in said actuator means and the other of which is journalled in said latch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said main frame subassembly embraces and holds in assembled relation said latch means and the adjacent end of said actuator means and said link means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
A self-locking latch mechanism having a U-shaped main frame, a toothed latch member mounted for limited movement between and parallel to the legs of said main frame, actuator means captively mounted between the legs of said main frame for limited linear movement and operatively connected with said latch member to move the same between the locked and unlocked positions thereof, an elongated rack gear means adapted to be mounted close to and parallel to the path of the teeth of said latch member and having teeth mateable with said toothed latch member, spring means operable to urge said actuator means constantly toward the normal locking position thereof, and said actuator means including means movable into direct engagement with a juxtaposed portion of said latch member wheN engaged with said rack gear means and operable to positively lock said latch member against movement until deliberately released.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A self-locking latch mechanism having a U-shaped main frame, a toothed latch member mounted for limited movement between and parallel to the legs of said main frame, actuator means captively mounted between the legs of said main frame for limited linear movement and operatively connected with said latch member to move the same between the locked and unlocked positions thereof, an elongated rack gear means adapted to be mounted close to and parallel to the path of the teeth of said latch member and having teeth mateable with said toothed latch member, spring means operable to urge said actuator means constantly toward the normal locking position thereof, and said actuator means including means movable into direct engagement with a juxtaposed portion of said latch member wheN engaged with said rack gear means and operable to positively lock said latch member against movement until deliberately released.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 9 characterized in that said actuator means and said latch member have cooperating juxtaposed camming surfaces cooperable to positively lock said latch member in the locking position thereof when said actuator means is held in the normal position thereof by said spring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 9 characterized in that said latch member and said actuator means therefor are so constructed and arranged within said main frame that the movement of each thereof occurs generally at right angles to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 11 characterized in the provision of a pair of stops between the legs of said main frame positioned in the path of movement thereof and effective to limit the reciprocable movement of said actuator means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said latch means and said actuator means therefor include linkage means pivotally connected at its opposite ends to a respective one of said last mentioned means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said stop means bridge the gap between the legs of said main frame and are positioned to hold said legs assembled in spaced apart parallel relation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A latch mechanism as defined in claim 9 characterized in that one leg of said main frame extends beyond the other of said legs and includes means for securing said main frame rigidly to a support therefor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |