Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A latch mechanism in the lift assembly of a vehicle adapted to latch a lift arm of the assembly in a raised position, the mechanism comprising: support means for supporting the latch mechanism on the chassis of the vehicle, an elongated latch member having first and second longitudinally spaced ends, a cam face at the first end of the latch member, and spring means for urging the latch member in a first longitudinal direction to a latching position wherein the first end of the latch member can latch the aforementioned lift arm in a raised position, the latch member being manually movable against the resilient force of the spring means in a second longitudinal direction to an unlatched position, the latch member being rotatable while in the unlatched position, said spring means additionally applying a torsional force for holding the latch member in the unlatched position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A latch mechanism in the lift assembly of a vehicle adapted to latch a lift arm of the assembly in a raised position, the mechanism comprising: support means for supporting the latch mechanism on the chassis of the vehicle, an elongated latch member having first and second longitudinally spaced ends, a cam face at the first end of the latch member, and spring means for urging the latch member in a first longitudinal direction to a latching position wherein the first end of the latch member can latch the aforementioned lift arm in a raised position, the latch member being manually movable against the resilient force of the spring means in a second longitudinal direction to an unlatched position, the latch member being rotatable while in the unlatched position, said spring means additionally applying a torsional force for holding the latch member in the unlatched position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A latch comprising; a latch bolt having a pivot axis and including a non-circular body portion and a transverse abutment surface, means for mounting said body for limited translatory movement along said pivot axis and for limited pivotal movement about said axis, and resilient means connected between said bolt and said mounting means for normally urging said bolt along said axis toward a latching position and for urging said bolt to pivot about said axis toward an unlatched position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A latch comprising; a latch bolt having a pivot axis and including a non-circular body portion and a transverse abutment surface, means for mounting said body for limited translatory movement along said pivot axis and for limited pivotal movement about said axis, and resilient means connected between said bolt and said mounting means for normally urging said bolt along said axis toward a latching position and for urging said bolt to pivot about said axis toward an unlatched position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A latch according to claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes a guide member disposed transversely of said axis for defining a transverse abutment and a non-circular opening complimentary to said non-circular body, said bolt being selectively movable into either a translatory position wherein said non-circular body is slidably received in said non-circular opening for allowing said resilient means to resiliently translate said bolt into said latching position, or in a pivotal position wherein said non-circular body is withdrawn from said non-circular opening for causing said resilient means to transversely twist about said axis and maintain said transverse abutment surface of said bolt in engagement with said transverse surface of said mounting means to resiliently lock said bolt in said unlatched position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A latch according to claim 3 wherein said non-circular body and said non-circular opening are square.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A latch according to claim 2 wherein said resilient means is a single spring which is prestressed in both compression and torsion.