Catch with anti-release latch

Claim 2

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control member being supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, said latch element being supported for movement with said control member and relative thereto and cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising first means for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and second means for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 3

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises said supporting means.

Claim 4

The combination as set forth in claim 1 including stop means for limiting movement of said control member in a longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever when said operating lever is in its closed position and said control assembly is in its latching position to prevent said latching means from moving out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control member in only said longitudinal direction relative to said operating member.

Claim 5

The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop means comprises coengageable abutment surfaces on said operating lever and said control member.

Claim 6

The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means for biasing said latch element toward its latching position.

Claim 7

The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spring acts between said latch element and said operating lever.

Claim 8

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control member comprises a control lever, said first means comprises means for moving said latch element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said control lever, and said second means comprises means for moving said latch element and said control lever in unison and in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of said operating lever.

Claim 9

The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said latch element comprises said supporting means and defines the pivotal axis of said control assembly and said means for moving said latch element comprises means for moving said pivotal axis of said control assembly relative to said operating lever.

Claim 10

The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pivotal axis of said control member is generally parallel to the pivotal axis of said operating lever.

Claim 11

The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said latch element includes a pin disposed in a slot in said control lever and disposed in another slot in said operating lever.

Claim 12

The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first means comprises a cam surface defining a portion of said slot in said control lever and said second means comprises another cam surface defining a portion of said other slot.

Claim 13

The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said latch element includes a plate which carries said pin and said first and second means includes a cam surface on said operating lever engaging said plate.

Claim 14

The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said pin comprises said latching means.

Claim 15

The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said base member has an abutment surface and said pin latchingly engages said abutment surface in said latching position.

Claim 16

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating member between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control assembly including a control member supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, a latch element having a latch-pin for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latch-pin comprising said means supporting said control assembly and supporting said control member on said operating lever for movement relative thereto, said latch-pin further supporting said latch element on said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto, and means for moving said latch-pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 17

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating member between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control assembly including a control member supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, a latch element having a latch-pin for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latch-pin comprising said means supporting said control assembly and supporting said control member on said operating lever for movement relative thereto, said latch-pin further supporting said latch element on said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto, and means for moving said latch-pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 18

The combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein said latch-pin is disposed within a pair of slots in said operating lever and within another pair of slots in said control member.

Claim 19

The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for moving said latch-pin out of latching engagement comprises cam means defined by said slots in said operating lever.

Claim 20

The combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein said means for moving said latch-pin out of latching engagement further includes coengaging cam surfaces on said operating lever and said latch element.

Claim 21

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part upwardly separable from the one part and carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part below the strike, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement about a fixed horizontal axis relative to said base between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon pivotal movement in a rearward direction toward said base to its closed position to move said drawbar downward into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for pivotal movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said operating lever having a generally downwardly facing cam surface thereon downwardly and rearwardly inclined in the direction of said base member when said operating lever is in its closed position, said latch element latchingly engaging said base member in said latching position and including a plate having a cam at its upper end engaging said cam surface, said latch element having a pin secured to said plate below said cam, said pin supporting said latch element on said control lever for pivotal movement with said control lever and for movement generally longitudinally of said control lever and comprising said means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever, said cam cooperating with said cam surface to move said latch element generally downwardly and out of latching engagement with said base in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 22

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part upwardly separable from the one part and carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part below the strike, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement about a fixed horizontal axis relative to said base between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon pivotal movement in a rearward direction toward said base to its closed position to move said drawbar downward into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for pivotal movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said operating lever having a generally downwardly facing cam surface thereon downwardly and rearwardly inclined in the direction of said base member when said operating lever is in its closed position, said latch element latchingly engaging said base member in said latching position and including a plate having a cam at its upper end engaging said cam surface, said latch element having a pin secured to said plate below said cam, said pin supporting said latch element on said control lever for pivotal movement with said control lever and for movement generally longitudinally of said control lever and comprising said means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever, said cam cooperating with said cam surface to move said latch element generally downwardly and out of latching engagement with said base in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 23

The combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein said latch element is supported for movement in a downward direction generally longitudinally of said operating member and said control lever during an initial portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching to its releasing position and with said control lever and in a generally downwardly and forwardly inclined direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said operating lever during said another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 24

The combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein said pin is disposed in a slot in said control lever and in another slot in said operating lever and said other slot defines a cam surface for cooperating with said pin to move said latch element with said control lever during said other portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 25

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for pivotal movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement in a longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever and with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control lever being supported for pivotal movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and for movement in a generally longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever, said latch element being supported for movement with said control lever and in a generally longitudinal direction relative thereto, said latch element including a latch plate and a latch pin carried by said latch plate and disposed in a slot in said control lever and in another slot in said operating lever, said latch pin being engageable with said base in said latching position to releasably retain said operating member in its closed position, means for moving said latch element relative to said control lever, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and means for moving said latch element and control lever in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, said means for moving said latch element comprising cam means defined by said other slot for engaging said latch pin and a cam surface on said operating lever engaging said plate.

Claim 26

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for pivotal movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement in a longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever and with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control lever being supported for pivotal movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and for movement in a generally longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever, said latch element being supported for movement with said control lever and in a generally longitudinal direction relative thereto, said latch element including a latch plate and a latch pin carried by said latch plate and disposed in a slot in said control lever and in another slot in said operating lever, said latch pin being engageable with said base in said latching position to releasably retain said operating member in its closed position, means for moving said latch element relative to said control lever, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and means for moving said latch element and control lever in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, said means for moving said latch element comprising cam means defined by said other slot for engaging said latch pin and a cam surface on said operating lever engaging said plate.

Claim 27

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said latch element having a latch pin supporting said control member for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and supporting said latch element for movement with said control member and relative thereto, said latch pin being engageable with said base member in said latching position, means for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and means for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latch pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 28

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said latch element having a latch pin supporting said control member for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and supporting said latch element for movement with said control member and relative thereto, said latch pin being engageable with said base member in said latching position, means for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and means for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latch pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 29

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control member being supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, said latch element having a latch pin supporting said control member for movement with said operating lever and supporting said latch element for movement with said control member and relative thereto, said latch pin being operable with said base in said latching position to releasably retain said operating member in its closed position, and co-engaging cam surfaces on said operating lever and said latch element for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position and for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latch pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 30

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said control member being supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, said latch element having a latch pin supporting said control member for movement with said operating lever and supporting said latch element for movement with said control member and relative thereto, said latch pin being operable with said base in said latching position to releasably retain said operating member in its closed position, and co-engaging cam surfaces on said operating lever and said latch element for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position and for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said latch pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 31

The combination as set forth in claim 24 wherein said means for moving said latch element includes cam means on said operating lever engageable with said pin.

Claim 32

The combination as set forth in claim 24 wherein said latch element includes a plate, said pin is carried by said plate, and said cam surfaces include one cam surface on said operating lever for cammingly engaging said plate and another cam surface of said operating lever for cammingly engaging said pin.

Claim 33

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewitn into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said latch element having latching means cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said latch element having a pin comprising said supporting means, said control member being supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, said latch element being supported for movement with said control member and relative thereto, means for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, means for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and a cam surface on said base member for engaging said pin to move said latch element relative to said control member in response to movement of said control assembly from a releasing position to its latching position when said operating lever is moved to its closed position to move said latching means into latching engagement with said base member.

Claim 34

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewitn into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control member and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said latch element having latching means cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said latch element having a pin comprising said supporting means, said control member being supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, said latch element being supported for movement with said control member and relative thereto, means for moving said latch element relative to said control member, relative to said operating lever and relative to said base member during one portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, means for moving said latch element and control member in unison and relative to said operating lever and said base member during another portion of the travel of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position to move said pin out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position, and a cam surface on said base member for engaging said pin to move said latch element relative to said control member in response to movement of said control assembly from a releasing position to its latching position when said operating lever is moved to its closed position to move said latching means into latching engagement with said base member.

Claim 35

The combination as set forth in claim 27 wherein said pin comprises said latching means.

Claim 36

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting the operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed positions, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating member between its open and closed positions, the improvement wherein said operating lever comprises a hollow lever having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an adjustment block mounted in fixed position in said channel and having a cam surface thereon, said means connecting said drawbar comprises a pivot block slidably received in said channel, means connecting said drawbar to said pivot block, and an adjustment screw acting between said pivot block and said adjustment block for adjusting the position of said pivot block relative to said operating lever, and said control assembly includes a control member supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, and a latch element supported by said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto and having latching means for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latching element having a cam thereon for cammingly engaging said cam surface to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 37

In a catch for releasably securing one part to another part carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part, an operating lever, means connecting the operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed positions, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon movement to its closed position to move said drawbar into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for movement with said operating member between its open and closed positions, the improvement wherein said operating lever comprises a hollow lever having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an adjustment block mounted in fixed position in said channel and having a cam surface thereon, said means connecting said drawbar comprises a pivot block slidably received in said channel, means connecting said drawbar to said pivot block, and an adjustment screw acting between said pivot block and said adjustment block for adjusting the position of said pivot block relative to said operating lever, and said control assembly includes a control member supported for movement with said operating lever and relative thereto, and a latch element supported by said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto and having latching means for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latching element having a cam thereon for cammingly engaging said cam surface to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching toward its releasing position.

Claim 38

In a catch of releasably securing one part to another part upwardly separable from the one part and carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part below the strike, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement about a fixed horizontal axis relative to said base between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon pivotal movement in a rearward direction toward said base to its closed position to move said drawbar downward into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for pivotal movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said operating lever having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side walls, a pair of opposing transversely spaced and longitudinally extending integral rear flanges projecting inwardly from said side walls at the rear ends thereof, a pair of opposing transversely spaced and longitudinally extending integral front flanges projecting inwardly from said side walls at the forward ends thereof, and an integral transversely extending web generally centrally connecting said front flanges and defining a downwardly facing abutment surface, said side walls, said flanges and said central web cooperating to generally define longitudinally extending lever channeling, an adjustment block slidably received in said lever channeling and mounted in fixed position therein, said adjustment block having a downwardly facing cam surface and including an upwardly facing shoulder at its forward end engaging said downwardly facing abutment surface to resist upward movement of said adjustment block within said channeling, said means connecting said drawbar comprising a pivot block slidably received in said channeling above said adjustment block and having a pair of transversely spaced upwardly opening slots, a pair of connecting links, each of said links received in an associated one of said slots, means for retaining said links in said slots for pivotal movement relative to said pivot block, and an adjustment screw extending through one of the blocks and threadably engaging the other of said blocks for adjusting the position of the pivot block relative to the operating lever, said control assembly including a control lever supported for pivotal movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and a latch element supported by said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto and having latching means for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latch element having a cam thereon for cammingly engaging said cam surface to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching position toward its releasing position.

Claim 39

In a catch of releasably securing one part to another part upwardly separable from the one part and carrying a strike, the catch having a base member adapted to be attached in fixed position to the one part below the strike, an operating lever, means connecting said operating lever to said base member for pivotal movement about a fixed horizontal axis relative to said base between open and closed position, a drawbar, means connecting said drawbar to said operating lever for movement therewith into and out of connected engagement with the strike, said operating lever being operable upon pivotal movement in a rearward direction toward said base to its closed position to move said drawbar downward into and retain it in connected engagement with the strike, a control assembly including a control lever and a latch element, and means supporting said control assembly on said operating lever for movement relative thereto and to said base member between latching and releasing positions and for pivotal movement with said operating lever between its open and closed positions, said control assembly cooperating with said base member in said latching position to releasably retain said operating lever in its closed position, the improvement comprising said operating lever having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side walls, a pair of opposing transversely spaced and longitudinally extending integral rear flanges projecting inwardly from said side walls at the rear ends thereof, a pair of opposing transversely spaced and longitudinally extending integral front flanges projecting inwardly from said side walls at the forward ends thereof, and an integral transversely extending web generally centrally connecting said front flanges and defining a downwardly facing abutment surface, said side walls, said flanges and said central web cooperating to generally define longitudinally extending lever channeling, an adjustment block slidably received in said lever channeling and mounted in fixed position therein, said adjustment block having a downwardly facing cam surface and including an upwardly facing shoulder at its forward end engaging said downwardly facing abutment surface to resist upward movement of said adjustment block within said channeling, said means connecting said drawbar comprising a pivot block slidably received in said channeling above said adjustment block and having a pair of transversely spaced upwardly opening slots, a pair of connecting links, each of said links received in an associated one of said slots, means for retaining said links in said slots for pivotal movement relative to said pivot block, and an adjustment screw extending through one of the blocks and threadably engaging the other of said blocks for adjusting the position of the pivot block relative to the operating lever, said control assembly including a control lever supported for pivotal movement with said operating lever and relative thereto and a latch element supported by said control member for movement therewith and relative thereto and having latching means for latching engagement with said base member in said latching position, said latch element having a cam thereon for cammingly engaging said cam surface to move said latching means out of latching engagement with said base member in response to movement of said control assembly from its latching position toward its releasing position.

Claim 40

The combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein each of said blocks has a cross sectional configuration substantially complementing the cross sectional configuration of an associated portion of said channeling and a major portion having front-to-rear dimension substantially equal to the overall front-to-rear dimension of the side walls.

Claim 41

The combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein said control lever is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on said operating lever.

Claim 42

The combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein said means retaining said links comprises a pair of pins slidably received in said pivot block, each of said pins retaining as associated one of said links, said pins retained in assembly with said pivot block by said side walls.

Claim 43

The combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein said control lever is engagable with said front and rear flanges to limit pivotal movement of said control assembly.

Claim 44

The combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein said operating lever includes a support member connecting said walls and extending transversely therebetween at the lower ends thereof.

Claim 45

The combination as set forth in claim 35 wherein said support member has an upwardly facing abutment surface and said operating lever has a downwardly facing abutment surface for engagement with said upwardly facing abutment surface on said support member when said operating lever is in its closed position and said control assembly is in its latching position to prevent said latching means from moving out of latching engagement with said base in response to movement of said control member in only said longitudinal direction relative to said operating lever.

Claim 46

The combination as set forth in claim 35 wherein said support member has a spring retaining tab and said catch includes a spring retained on said tab and acting between said support member and said control member.

Claim 47

The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said control member comprises a control lever supported intermediate its ends to pivot about an axis extending transversely of said operating lever and said second means comprises means for camming said pivot axis away from said base member in response to pressure applied to one end of said control lever in the direction of said base member to move the other end of said control lever away from said base member whereby to provide finger clearance between said other end and said base member.