US3714843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable latching mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-15
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-06-15
Abstract
Abstract The adjustable latching mechanism functions on the vernier principle. In the preferred embodiment, a row of pivotally mounted side-by-side detent elements corresponds to a vernier scale. A latching element having a plurality of recesses corresponds to the regular measuring scale. The latching element is movable with respect to the detent elements. The detent elements are biased towards engagement with the recesses. At any given relative position of the detent elements and latching element, one of the detent elements will always be close to or in alignment with one of the recesses in accordance with the vernier principle for pivotal movement thereinto to result in locking engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bracey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/04; B60N2/06; B60N2/08; B60N2/0806; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B60N2/0812; B60N2/0825; B60N2/0831; B60N2/0837; B60N2/0843; B60N2/0862; B60N2/0875; G; G05; G05G; G05G5/00; G05G5/12; G05G5/20; G05G5/24; B60N2205/00; B60N2205/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An adjustable latching mechanism comprising a plurality of detent elements mounting means for said detent elements, said detent elements being pivotally mounted in said mounting means in side-by-side relationship in a row, a latching element having a plurality of recesses arranged in side-by-side relationship in a row, one of said rows being shorter than the other and defining a unit length, there being a difference of at least one between the number of detents and the number of recesses per said unit length, one of the number of detent elements or the number of recesses per said unit length not being a whole number multiple of the other, said row of detent elements and said latching element being relatively movable with respect to each other with the detent elements facing the recesses whereby at any given position one of the detent elements will always be close to or in alignment with one of the recesses in accordance with the vernier principle for pivotal movement thereinto to result in locking engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An adjustable latching mechanism comprising a plurality of detent elements mounting means for said detent elements, said detent elements being pivotally mounted in said mounting means in side-by-side relationship in a row, a latching element having a plurality of recesses arranged in side-by-side relationship in a row, one of said rows being shorter than the other and defining a unit length, there being a difference of at least one between the number of detents and the number of recesses per said unit length, one of the number of detent elements or the number of recesses per said unit length not being a whole number multiple of the other, said row of detent elements and said latching element being relatively movable with respect to each other with the detent elements facing the recesses whereby at any given position one of the detent elements will always be close to or in alignment with one of the recesses in accordance with the vernier principle for pivotal movement thereinto to result in locking engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
170 words
An adjustable latching mechanism comprising a plurality of detent elements mounting means for said detent elements, said detent elements being pivotally mounted in said mounting means in side-by-side relationship in a row, a latching element having a plurality of recesses arranged in side-by-side relationship in a row, one of said rows being shorter than the other and defining a unit length, there being a difference of at least one between the number of detents and the number of recesses per said unit length, one of the number of detent elements or the number of recesses per said unit length not being a whole number multiple of the other, said row of detent elements and said latching element being relatively movable with respect to each other with the detent elements facing the recesses whereby at any given position one of the detent elements will always be close to or in alignment with one of the recesses in accordance with the vernier principle for pivotal movement thereinto to result in locking engagement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
An adjustable latching mechanism comprising a plurality of detent elements mounting means for said detent elements, said detent elements being pivotally mounted in said mounting means in side-by-side relationship in a row, a latching element having a plurality of recesses arranged in side-by-side relationship in a row, one of said rows being shorter than the other and defining a unit length, there being a difference of at least one between the number of detents and the number of recesses per said unit length, one of the number of detent elements or the number of recesses per said unit length not being a whole number multiple of the other, said row of detent elements and said latching element being relatively movable with respect to each other with the detent elements facing the recesses whereby at any given position one of the detent elements will always be close to or in alignment with one of the recesses in accordance with the vernier principle for pivotal movement thereinto to result in locking engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said row of recesses is longer than said row of detent elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said latching element has a curved portion on the side opposite from said recesses, means mounting said latching element for sliding parallel to the row of detent elements and for rotation about an axis parallel thereto whereby the latching element may be disengaged from said detent elements by rotation thereof to present the curved portion thereof to the detent elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said rows are linear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said rows are configured along circular paths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A meChanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that there are more detent elements per said unit length than there are recesses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 6, further characterized in that there are more than twice as many detent elements per unit length as there are recesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in the provision of means to bias each of the detent elements towards the recesses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 8, further characterized in that said means to bias the detent elements comprises a spring secured to said mounting means and having a plurality of spring fingers, each spring finger being in engagement with one of the detent elements to bias said elements towards the recesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 8, further characterized in that said means to bias comprises chamber means provided over said detent elements, an inlet to said chamber means, a source of air under pressure, means connecting said inlet to said source of air under pressure for injecting air under pressure into the chamber means, and outlet means for flow of air through the chamber in a direction to apply pressure to the detent elements biasing the elements towards the recesses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 8, further characterized in that said detent elements are positioned above said recesses whereby to be biased towards the recesses as a consequence of gravity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in the provision of a cam structure equal in length to the length of the row of detent elements, said cam structure being engageable with the detent elements to pivot the elements out of engagement with the latching element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in the provision of means connected to the mounting means for the detent elements for moving said detent elements in a path towards and away from the latching element to permit selective engagement and disengagement of the detent elements with the latching element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said recesses each have one sidewall inclined at an obtuse angle to the pivotal axis of the detent elements, each of said recesses having an opposed wall oriented at substantially right angles to the pivotal axis of the detent elements whereby a detent element received in a recess will prevent relative movement in one direction but will be cammed out of the recess upon movement in the opposite direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said recesses have opposed sidewalls which are oriented at substantially right angles to the pivotal pivotal axis of the detent elements whereby reception of a detent element in a recess will prevent relative movement of the latching element and detent elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said latching element is annular, said recesses being provided in annular row thereon, said detent elements arranged in a mating annular row.
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) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |