Latching mechanism for access door

Claim 2

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; and a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon.

Claim 3

A latch mechanism according to claim 1 having means joined to the lever arm to raise the bolt from a locking position upon rotation of the cam.

Claim 4

A latch mechanism according to claim 1 having resilient means communicating with the bolt to urge it into a prelocking position.

Claim 5

A latch mechanism according to claim 1 in which the bolt is slidably mOunted, as well as pivotally mounted, to the bracket.

Claim 6

A latch mechanism according to claim 4 having resilient means which urges the bolt forward with respect to the bracket.

Claim 7

A latch mechanism according to claim 1 in which the cam contact surface upon touching a stop lug on the stationary surface ends pivotal movement of the bolt.

Claim 8

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; and a pin mounted on the cam and extending below the bolt to move the bolt from a locking position upon rotation of the cam and displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 9

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; and a pin mounted on the cam and extending below the bolt to move the bolt from a locking position upon rotation of the cam and displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 10

A latch mechanism according to claim 7 having resilient means communicating with the bolt to urge it into a prelocking position.

Claim 11

A latch mechanism according to claim 7 in which the bolt is slidably mounted, as well as pivotally mounted, to the bracket.

Claim 12

A latch mechanism according to claim 9 having resilient means which urges the bolt forward with respect to the bracket.

Claim 13

A latch mechanism according to claim 10 in which the cam has a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrains forward movement of the bolt.

Claim 14

A latch mechanism according to claim 11 in which the cam contact surface upon touching a stop lug on the stationary surface ends pivotal movement of the bolt.

Claim 15

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; and a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; said cams having contact faces which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrain forward movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon.

Claim 16

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; and a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; said cams having contact faces which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrain forward movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon.

Claim 17

A latch mechanism according to claim 13 having means joined to the lever arm to raise the bolt upon rotation of the cams.

Claim 18

A latch mechanism according to claim 13 in which the bolt is slidably mounted, as well as pivotally mounted, to the bracket, and in which the contact face of each cam is a roller mounted thereon, with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to be contactable with a stationary surface to restrain forward movement of the bolt.

Claim 19

A latch mechanism according to claim 15 having resilient means which urges the bolt forward with respect to the bracket.

Claim 20

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrain forward movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 21

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon touching a stationary surface, restrain forward movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 22

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface of the structure, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; and a pin mounted on the cam and extending below the bolt to move the bolt from the mating troughs upon rotation of the cam and displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 23

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface of the structure, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; and a pin mounted on the cam and extending below the bolt to move the bolt from the mating troughs upon rotation of the cam and displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 17 in which the bolt is slidably mounted, as well as pivotally mounted, to the bracket.

Claim 25

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon contacting the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough, restrain movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 26

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon contacting the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough, restrain movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 27

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; and a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface of the structure, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon.

Claim 28

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft extending laterally from the side of the bolt between the bolt ends; a cam mounted on the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the bolt; and a lever arm pivotally joined to the cam at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to rotate the cam; said cam having a contact face which, upon touching a stationary surface of the structure, restrains forward movement of the bolt and applies a rearward force thereon.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 21 including means to lift the bolt from the mating troughs upon rotation of the cam.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 21 in which the bolt is slidably mounted, as well as pivoTally mounted, to the bracket.

Claim 31

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon contacting the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough, restrain movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and means connected to the cams to raise the bolt upon rotation of the cams.

Claim 32

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt mounted by a pivot to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; said cams having contact faces which, upon contacting the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough, restrain movement of the bolt and apply a rearward force thereon; a lever arm pivotally joined to one of the cams at a point spaced away from the pivot shaft to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and means connected to the cams to raise the bolt upon rotation of the cams.

Claim 33

The combination of claim 24 in which the bolt is slidably mounted, as well as pivotally mounted, to the bracket, and in which the contact face of each cam is a roller mounted thereon with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to contact the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough to restrain forward movement of the bolt in the trough.

Claim 34

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt slidably and pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; a roller mounted to each cam with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to be contactable with a stationary surface to restrain forward movement of the bolt; a lever arm joined to one of the cams to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 35

A latch mechanism comprising: a locking bolt slidably and pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; a roller mounted to each cam with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to be contactable with a stationary surface to restrain forward movement of the bolt; a lever arm joined to one of the cams to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mounted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 36

A latch mechanism according to claim 26 having resilient means which urges the bolt forward with respect to the bracket.

Claim 37

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt slidably and pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; a roller mounted to each cam with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to contact the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough to restrain forward movement of the bolt in the trough; a lever arm joined to one of the cams to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mouNted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 38

In combination: an enclosed structure having an opening for access thereto; an access door, which can close the opening, mounted movably to the structure; and a latch mechanism for securing the door in closed position over the opening in the structure; the structure opening and access door each having complementary edge portions with faces which seal and close the opening, said edge portions each having a plurality of similar troughs, a pair of which in aligned and mating position are adapted to receive a locking bolt; the latch mechanism comprising a locking bolt slidably and pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket on the structure, to be swung into and out of engagement with a pair of said mating troughs; a pivot shaft rotatably positioned in a hole on the bolt lateral to the bolt axis; a pair of similar cams fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft with one cam on each side of the bolt; a roller mounted to each cam with the axis of each roller being lateral to the axis of the bolt, said rollers being positioned to contact the rear surface of the structure opening edge portion trough to restrain forward movement of the bolt in the trough; a lever arm joined to one of the cams to simultaneously rotate the cams and pivot shaft in unison; and a pin mouNted on and extending between the cams below the bolt to move the bolt upon rotation of the cams with displacement of the pin into contact with the bolt.

Claim 39

The combination of claim 28 in which a spring communicates with the bolt and urges it into the mating troughs.