Latching mechanism

Abstract

Abstract A LATCHING MECHANISM ADAPTED TO ADJUSTABLY AND RELEASABLY CONNECT TWO SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF A STRUCTURE SUCH AS A PALLET RACK. THE LATCHING MECHANISM INCLUDES ONE STRUCTURAL MEMBER HAVING HEADED CONNECTING ELEMENTS SPACED THEREALONG AND ANOTHER STRUCTURAL MEMBER HAVING SPACED SLOTS OR APERTURES HAVING A WIDE PORTION FOR RECEIVING THE HEADED CONNECTING ELEMENT AND A NARROW PORTION PREVENTING THE REMOVAL OF THE CONNECTING ELEMENT ONCE THEY ARE INSERTED THEREIN. TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENTAL DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HEADED CONNECTING ELEMENT FROM THE SLOT, A SAFETY LOCKING MEANS IS PROVIDED AND COMPRISES A LOCKING FINGER OR PROJECTION OF A LOCKING MEMBER WHICH IS MOUNTED BY A BRACKET FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF A POSITION WITH THE LOCKING FINGER OR PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO THE WIDE PORTION OF ONE OF THE SLOTS TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE CONNECTING ELEMENTS INTO THAT PORTION. TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE LOCKING MEMBER, TWO EMBODIMENTS OF THE DEVICE PROVIDE AN IRREGULAR CROSS-SECTION TO FORM A CAM PORTION ENGAGED BY A RESILIENT PORTION OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET WHICH PORTIONS COACT WITH EACH OTHER TO OPPOSE MOVEMENT OF THE LOCKING MEMBER TO WITHDRAW THE LOCKING FINGER. IN THE OTHER EMBODIMENT ILLUSTRATED, THE MOUNTED BRACKET HAS A DETENT WHICH IS RECEIVED IN A GROOVE ON THE LOCKING MEMBER WHEN THE FINGER IS IN A LOCKING POSITION BUT DURING MOVEMENT OF THE LOCKING MEMBER FROM THE LOCKING POSITION, THE DETENT ENGAGES THE LOCKING MEMBER TO OPPOSE ROTATION THEREOF.

Inventors

• 👤 Robert J Evans

Bibliographic Details