US3850463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Latch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-23
•
Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A latch assembly for preventing unauthorized entry into a drawer or the like includes a latch arm with a longitudinally extending slot at one end, and a transversely extending slot disposed generally medially in the arm. Adjacent to one end of the transverse slot an angled latch lug extends transversely from the latch arm to selectively engage the top of a drawer hole during opening. A screw passing through each slot slidably secures the arm to the interior surface of the side of a drawer, and a spring biases the arm upwardly. Included in the transverse slot are upper and lower detents, the former selectively engaging the transverse slot screw to prevent the lug from engaging the top of the drawer opening. With the screw freely disposed in the transverse slot, the drawer may be closed. Upon opening of the drawer, the lug engages the edge of the drawer hole, forcing the lower detent to engage the transverse slot screw and preventing further entry into the drawer by children, pets and those unaware of the latch assembly. The drawer may be fully opened by manually disengaging the lower detent and depressing the latch arm.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:45
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/0014; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0886; Y10T292/0887; Y10T292/0891; Y10T292/0911; Y10T292/0913; Y10T292/0914; Y10T292/0918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising; a latch arm secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, a first slot and a second sloT spaced apart and extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said first and second slots for pivotally and translatably securing said latch arm to said first member, and spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising; a latch arm secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, a first slot and a second sloT spaced apart and extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said first and second slots for pivotally and translatably securing said latch arm to said first member, and spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said latch arm comprises a flat member extending longitudinally substantially in said first direction with a handle extending from one end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The latch assembly of claim 2, wherein said lug extends normally from the plane of said flat member, said lug including a planar surface disposed obliquely with respect to said longitudinal direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring means is arrayed between said securance means and said latch arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said second slot is parallel to said first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said lug further includes an oblique surface for impinging on said second member without engagement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The latch assembly of claim 5, wherein said first slot extends substantially perpendicular to said first direction, and includes at least one detent for engaging said securance means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising: a latch arm pivotally secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, aperture means extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said aperture means for pivotally securing said latch arm to said first member, spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member, said aperture means including a first slot extending through said latch arm and transverse to said first direction, and said first slot including an upper detent for engaging said securance means and retaining said latch arm with said lug out of engagement with said second member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising: a latch arm pivotally secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, aperture means extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said aperture means for pivotally securing said latch arm to said first member, spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member, said aperture means including a first slot extending through said latch arm and transverse to said first direction, and said first slot including an upper detent for engaging said securance means and retaining said latch arm with said lug out of engagement with said second member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising: a latch arm pivotally secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, aperture means extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said aperture means for pivotally securing said latch arm to said first member, spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member, said aperture means including a first slot extending through said latch arm and transverse to said first direction, and said first slot including a lower detent for engaging said securance means and retaining said latch arm with said lug engaging said second member and blocking motion of said first member in said first direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A latch assembly for selectively preventing motion in a first direction of a first member with respect to a second member, comprising: a latch arm pivotally secured to said first member and including a lug extending therefrom adapted to engage said second member only from said first direction, aperture means extending through said latch arm, securance means extending through said aperture means for pivotally securing said latch arm to said first member, spring means for resiliently urging said lug toward said second member, said aperture means including a first slot extending through said latch arm and transverse to said first direction, and said first slot including a lower detent for engaging said securance means and retaining said latch arm with said lug engaging said second member and blocking motion of said first member in said first direction.
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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |