Closure latch assembly

Claim 2

In a latch assembly disposed on a rigid support structure and including latch means actuable from a latched condition to an unlatched condition and handle means having a rod element bodily shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to corresponding movement of a handle portion of said handle means, the improvement comprising, a first lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about an axis thereof and engageable on said latch means for actuating the latter to the unlatched condition upon pivotal movement in one direction, a second lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about said axis, said rod element being engageable on said second lever and operative to pivot the latter in said one direction in response to bodily movement of said rod element to the extended position, and one-way clutch means between said first and said second levers operative to establish therebetween a rigid connection only in said one direction of pivotal movement so that pivotal movement of either of said first and said second levers relative to the other in the opposite direction effects adjustment of the angle included therebetween.

Claim 3

In a latch assembly disposed on a rigid support structure and including latch means actuable from a latched condition to an unlatched condition and handle means having a rod element bodily shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to corresponding movement of a handle portion of said handle means, the improvement comprising, a first lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about an axis thereof and engageable on said latch means for actuating the latter to the unlatched condition upon pivotal movement in one direction, a second lever disposed on said support struCture for pivotal movement about said axis, said rod element being engageable on said second lever and operative to pivot the latter in said one direction in response to bodily movement of said rod element to the extended position, means on one of said first and said second levers defining a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl, means supporting said pawl on the other of said first and said second levers for pivotal movement and for engagement on respective ones of said ratchet teeth thereby to establish between said first and said second levers a rigid connection only in said one direction of pivotal movement while permitting relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in the other direction of pivotal movement, said pawl engaging successive ones of said ratchet teeth in response to relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in said other direction of pivotal movement thereby to effect adjustment of the angle included therebetween, and spring means urging said pawl into engagement on said ratchet teeth.

Claim 4

In a latch assembly disposed on a rigid support structure and including latch means actuable from a latched condition to an unlatched condition and handle means having a rod element bodily shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to corresponding movement of a handle portion of said handle means, the improvement comprising, a first lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about an axis thereof and engageable on said latch means for actuating the latter to the unlatched condition upon pivotal movement in one direction, a second lever disposed on said support struCture for pivotal movement about said axis, said rod element being engageable on said second lever and operative to pivot the latter in said one direction in response to bodily movement of said rod element to the extended position, means on one of said first and said second levers defining a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl, means supporting said pawl on the other of said first and said second levers for pivotal movement and for engagement on respective ones of said ratchet teeth thereby to establish between said first and said second levers a rigid connection only in said one direction of pivotal movement while permitting relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in the other direction of pivotal movement, said pawl engaging successive ones of said ratchet teeth in response to relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in said other direction of pivotal movement thereby to effect adjustment of the angle included therebetween, and spring means urging said pawl into engagement on said ratchet teeth.

Claim 5

In a latch assembly disposed on a rigid support structure and including latch means actuable from a latched condition to an unlatched condition, a first handle means having a rod element bodily shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to corresponding movement of a handle portion of said first handle means, a second handle means having a remote handle portion, and a remote lever pivotable from an inoperative to an operative position in response to corresponding movement of said remote handle portion, the improvement comprising, a first lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about an axis thereof and engageable on said latch means for actuating the latter to the unlatched condition upon pivotal movement in one direction, said remote lever being engageable on said first lever and operative to pivot the latter in said one direction upon movement from the inoperative to the operative position thereof, a second lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about said axis and including an arcuate slot, means on said rod element for effecting engagement between one end of the latter and on end of said arcuate slot so that movement of said rod element from the retracted to the extended position thereof effects pivotal movement of said second lever in said one direction, means on said second lever defining a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl, means mounting said pawl on said first lever for pivotal movement and for engagement on respective ones of said ratchet teeth thereby to establish between said first and said second levers a rigid connection only in said one direction of pivotal movement while permitting relative angular movement therebetween in the opposite direction of pivotal movement, said pawl engaging successive ones of said ratchet teeth in response to relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in said opposite direction of pivotal movement thereby to effect adjustment of the angle included therebetween, and spring means on said first lever urging said pawl into engagement on said ratchet teeth.

Claim 6

In a latch assembly disposed on a rigid support structure and including latch means actuable from a latched condition to an unlatched condition, a first handle means having a rod element bodily shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to corresponding movement of a handle portion of said first handle means, a second handle means having a remote handle portion, and a remote lever pivotable from an inoperative to an operative position in response to corresponding movement of said remote handle portion, the improvement comprising, a first lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about an axis thereof and engageable on said latch means for actuating the latter to the unlatched condition upon pivotal movement in one direction, said remote lever being engageable on said first lever and operative to pivot the latter in said one direction upon movement from the inoperative to the operative position thereof, a second lever disposed on said support structure for pivotal movement about said axis and including an arcuate slot, means on said rod element for effecting engagement between one end of the latter and on end of said arcuate slot so that movement of said rod element from the retracted to the extended position thereof effects pivotal movement of said second lever in said one direction, means on said second lever defining a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl, means mounting said pawl on said first lever for pivotal movement and for engagement on respective ones of said ratchet teeth thereby to establish between said first and said second levers a rigid connection only in said one direction of pivotal movement while permitting relative angular movement therebetween in the opposite direction of pivotal movement, said pawl engaging successive ones of said ratchet teeth in response to relative angular movement between said first and said second levers in said opposite direction of pivotal movement thereby to effect adjustment of the angle included therebetween, and spring means on said first lever urging said pawl into engagement on said ratchet teeth.