US3752519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical latch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-02
•
Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical latch of the type widely utilized to retain, in closed position, an automotive truck cab that is pivoted to be swung open and closed above the truck engine (especially such a cab of the tractor unit of a transport truck-trailer combination) is constructed with its pivoted and axially extendible and retractible, hooked, latch element normally resiliently urged, by a relatively small spring, transversely toward its unlatched position, and is constructed for forced movement into latched position, upon axial retraction of the latch element from its axially extended, unlatched position, by camming means that preferably comprise a camming surface extending along the back of the hooked latch element and bearing, as such latch element is retracted, against a confronting portion of a housing within and from which the latch element operates. As normally constructed for hydraulic actuation, the relatively powerful spring that returns the power piston and effects latching following longitudinal extension of the latch element to its unlatched position bears against a seating ring that is freely rotatable and independent of, rather than integral with, the clevis element against which such power piston operates and in which the latch element is pivoted.
Inventors
- 👤 R Nordell
- 👤 H Kimball
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:53
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B51/00; E05B51/02; E05C; E05C5/00; E05C5/02; E05C5/04; E05B15/00; E05B15/0006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0911; Y10T292/0913; Y10T292/0914; Y10T292/0915; Y10T292/0936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A mechanical latch, comprising an elongate latch element having a keeper-engaging, laterally open hook portion at one of its ends and being pivotally mounted at its other end; means for extending and retracting said latch element along its longitudinal axis; extendible and retractible means pivotally mounting said other end of the latch element, such mounting means being extendible and retractible by said means for extending and retracting the latch element; spring means constantly urging said latch element transversely toward unlatched position; and camming means for positively moving said latch element transversely into latching position as it is retracted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A mechanical latch, comprising an elongate latch element having a keeper-engaging, laterally open hook portion at one of its ends and being pivotally mounted at its other end; means for extending and retracting said latch element along its longitudinal axis; extendible and retractible means pivotally mounting said other end of the latch element, such mounting means being extendible and retractible by said means for extending and retracting the latch element; spring means constantly urging said latch element transversely toward unlatched position; and camming means for positively moving said latch element transversely into latching position as it is retracted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the camming means comprises camming surfaces, one formed on the back of the hook portion of said latch element and the other provided by confronting stationary structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 2, wherein housing means are provided within and from which the latch element is operable, the other camming surface being provided by a surface of said housing means which confronts the camming surface of the latch element during longitudinal travel of said latch element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 3, wherein the camming surface formed on the back of the hook portion of the latch element has an initial relatively non-steep portion and a subsequent relatively steep portion arranged to provide differential rates of latching action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 4, wherein the tip of the hook portion at its open mouth is outwardly provided with a camming surface for coaction with a latch keeper in the latching of the latch element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the extendible and retractible means pivotallY mounting the other end of the latch element is a clevis element having a base flange; the means for extending and retracting the latch element along its longitudinal axis includes means operative on the clevis element for extending it and the latch element and a return coil spring operative on the clevis element for retraction purposes; an independent seating ring rotatably mounted on said base flange; and stationary reaction means for one end of said coil spring, the other end of said spring bearing against said seating ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 6, wherein the means operative on the clevis element is the terminal end of a power piston; and the underside of said clevis element is recessed to receive said terminal end of the piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 6, wherein the unlatching spring means is an elongate tensile coil spring anchored to the clevis element at one of its ends and to the latch element intermediate the length thereof at the other of its ends. 9 A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for extending and retracting the latch element along its longitudinal axis includes a hydraulically actuated power piston and cylinder combination, the piston thereof including a piston head and shank molded integrally from a tough plastic material, the forward face of said piston head in the direction of piston extension being beveled at its rim and the cylinder of said combination being correspondingly beveled internally to mate with the beveled rim of said piston head at the termination of the extension stroke of said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer end of the hook portion is provided with a camming surface adapted to coact with the latch keeper to move the latch element to its unlatching position in the event the spring means fails to function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A mechanical latch, comprising an elongate latch element having a keeper-engaging, laterally open, hook portion at one of its ends and being pivotally mounted at its other end; a housing within and from which said latch element is operable; a hydraulically actuated power piston and cylinder assembly having its cylinder engaging said housing with its piston operably disposed to extend said latch element along its longitudinal axis, extendible and retractible means pivotally mounting said other end of the latch element so that the opposite hooked end thereof projects from said housing, such mounting means being extendible by said piston; a return spring for retracting the latch element and its pivotal mounting means; spring means constantly urging said latch element transversely toward unlatched position; and camming surface means formed on the back of said hook member for coaction with the confronting surface of the housing from which the latch element projects, so as to move the latch element transversely into latching position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A mechanical latch, comprising an elongate latch element having a keeper-engaging, laterally open, hook portion at one of its ends and being pivotally mounted at its other end; a housing within and from which said latch element is operable; a hydraulically actuated power piston and cylinder assembly having its cylinder engaging said housing with its piston operably disposed to extend said latch element along its longitudinal axis, extendible and retractible means pivotally mounting said other end of the latch element so that the opposite hooked end thereof projects from said housing, such mounting means being extendible by said piston; a return spring for retracting the latch element and its pivotal mounting means; spring means constantly urging said latch element transversely toward unlatched position; and camming surface means formed on the back of said hook member for coaction with the confronting surface of the housing from which the latch element projects, so as to move the latch element transversely into latching position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a frame of U formation, and a cover plate extending across the legs of the U, the transverse bend of the U being slotted and the latch element extending through the slot, and the cylinder of the power piston and cylinder assembly being attached to said cover plate exteriorly of the housing so that the piston operates within the housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 12, wherein the inner face of the transverse bend of the U frame is formed as a seat for the corresponding end of the return spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 13, wherein the transverse bend of the U frame is recessed externally to accommodate the mount of a latch keeper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanical latch in accordance with claim 14, wherein the housing U frame is a casting.
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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |