US4385423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Over-center latching coupling
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1980-12-22
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2000-12-22
Abstract
Abstract An over-center latching device for coupling two members by the operation of a handle with the use of one hand. The device has a rod having a T at one end for engaging a hook, the other end of the rod being pivotally engaged intermediate the ends of the handle. One end of the handle is pivotally engaged on a support member adjacent and spaced from the pivot point of the rod. The other end of the handle is adapted to be gripped by the operator for completing the latching and unlatching operation. The support member which is adapted to be secured to a fixed member has a concave cam surface facing the pivoted end of the rod. The pivoted end of the rod has a leaf spring extending therefrom toward the concave cam surface. To engage the latch, the operator grips the handle and rotates it on its pivot so that the leaf spring is moved into engagement with the end of the cam surface. By the contact of the spring on the cam surface the rod is rotated so that the T-bar is moved toward the hook and as the spring is continued to be rotated on the cam the T-bar is rotated into latching engagement with the hook and the center of the rod pivot is moved over the center of the handle pivot to securely latch the rod and hook together to complete the coupling operation. A safety lock is also provided to maintain the coupling in the latched engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Vermilye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:17
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/10; E05C19/12; E05C19/14; B; B64; B64D; B64D29/00; B64D29/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/21; Y10T24/2143; Y10T24/2145; Y10T24/2196; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0886; Y10T292/0892; Y10T292/20; Y10T292/205; Y10T292/212; Y10T292/216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In an over-center latching device, a latching member having one end for engaging a second member in a latched position; an operating member having one end pivotally engaged with a support member; said latching member having its other end pivotally engaged with said operating member for rotation of the other end of the latching member by the operating member toward the support member; said other end of said latching member having a leaf spring to be engaged with a concave surface on said support member to rotate said latching member so as to engage said second member during rotation of the latching member by the operating member; and said leaf spring and said concave surface being biased together during said rotation of said latching member, the spring being compressed to continue contact with the concave surface as continued rotation moves the center of the latching member pivot on the operating member over the center of the operating member pivot on the support member to secure the one end of the latching member in the latched position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In an over-center latching device, a latching member having one end for engaging a second member in a latched position; an operating member having one end pivotally engaged with a support member; said latching member having its other end pivotally engaged with said operating member for rotation of the other end of the latching member by the operating member toward the support member; said other end of said latching member having a leaf spring to be engaged with a concave surface on said support member to rotate said latching member so as to engage said second member during rotation of the latching member by the operating member; and said leaf spring and said concave surface being biased together during said rotation of said latching member, the spring being compressed to continue contact with the concave surface as continued rotation moves the center of the latching member pivot on the operating member over the center of the operating member pivot on the support member to secure the one end of the latching member in the latched position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
In an over-center latching mechanism, hook means for fastening on one end of a member to be secured; a rod having one end adapted to be engaged with said hook means; a handle having a free gripping end and having its other end pivotally secured to a fixed pivot on a support member; the other end of said rod being pivotally engaged with said handle adjacent and spaced from the other end of said handle; means on said other end of said rod for engaging means on said support member; said handle being rotatable on its pivoted other end to move said other end of said rod toward said support member so that said means on said other end of said rod slidably engages said means on said support member; said means on said other end of said rod when engaged with means on said support member being adapted to rotate said rod so that its one end is moved toward said hook means, and becomes engaged therein as said handle is continued to be rotated to further slidably engage said means on said rod with said means on said support member, said pivotal other end of said rod being rotatable around said pivotal other end of said handle during said further engagement; and said one end of said rod being securely engaged with said hook means when the center of said rod pivot is rotated around and over the center of the pivot on the other end of said handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
In an over-center latching mechanism, hook means for fastening on one end of a member to be secured; a rod having one end adapted to be engaged with said hook means; a handle having a free gripping end and having its other end pivotally secured to a fixed pivot on a support member; the other end of said rod being pivotally engaged with said handle adjacent and spaced from the other end of said handle; means on said other end of said rod for engaging means on said support member; said handle being rotatable on its pivoted other end to move said other end of said rod toward said support member so that said means on said other end of said rod slidably engages said means on said support member; said means on said other end of said rod when engaged with means on said support member being adapted to rotate said rod so that its one end is moved toward said hook means, and becomes engaged therein as said handle is continued to be rotated to further slidably engage said means on said rod with said means on said support member, said pivotal other end of said rod being rotatable around said pivotal other end of said handle during said further engagement; and said one end of said rod being securely engaged with said hook means when the center of said rod pivot is rotated around and over the center of the pivot on the other end of said handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 2 including: lock means on said handle and on said support member to be automatically engaged to lock said handle to said support member and to lock said one end of said rod in said hook means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 2 in which: said hook means are two juxtaposed, aligned, spaced hooks; said one end of said rod having a T-bar to engage said hooks with said rod therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 2 in which: said means on said other end of said rod is a cam follower; and said means on said support member is a cam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 5 in which: said cam follower is a leaf spring; said cam being a concave surface; said spring being engaged with said concave surface to rotate said rod; said spring being compressed during said rotation to continue contact with said concave surface during rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an over-center latching device, a latching member having one end for engaging a second member in a latched position; an operating member having one end pivotally engaged with a support member on a fixed pivot; said latching member having its other end pivotally engaged with said operating member to rotate the other end of the latching member toward the support member; said other end of said latching member and said support member each having means to be slidably and removably engaged with each other to guide said latching member so as to engage said second member; and said means to be engaged on said latching and support members being biased together during said rotation of said latching member, as continued rotation thereof moves the center of the latching member pivot on the operating member over the center of the operating member pivot on the support member to secure the one end of the latching member in the latched position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an over-center latching device, a latching member having one end for engaging a second member in a latched position; an operating member having one end pivotally engaged with a support member on a fixed pivot; said latching member having its other end pivotally engaged with said operating member to rotate the other end of the latching member toward the support member; said other end of said latching member and said support member each having means to be slidably and removably engaged with each other to guide said latching member so as to engage said second member; and said means to be engaged on said latching and support members being biased together during said rotation of said latching member, as continued rotation thereof moves the center of the latching member pivot on the operating member over the center of the operating member pivot on the support member to secure the one end of the latching member in the latched position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 7 in which: said means on the other end of the latching member is a cam follower; and said means on said support member is a cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 8 in which: said cam follower is a leaf spring; said cam being a concave surface; said spring being engaged with said concave surface to rotate said latching member; said spring being compressed during said rotation to continue contact with said concave surface during rotation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
257 words
In an over-center mechanism, hook means for fastening on one end of a member to be secured; a rod having one end adapted to be engaged with said hook means; a handle having a free gripping end and having its other end pivotally secured adjacent one end of a support member; the other end of said rod being pivotally engaged with said handle adjacent and spaced from the other end of said handle; a leaf spring on said other end of said rod for engaging a concave surface on said support member; said handle being rotatable on its pivoted other end to move said other end of said rod toward said support member so that said leaf spring on said other end of said rod engages said concave surface on said support member; said leaf spring when engaged with said concave surface being adapted to rotate said rod so that its one end is moved toward said hook means, and becomes engaged therein as said handle is continued to be rotated to further engage said leaf spring with said concave surface; said leaf spring being compressed during said rotation to continue contact with said concave surface during rotation; said pivotal other end of said rod being rotatable around said pivotal other end of said handle during said further engagement; and said one end of said rod being securely engaged with said hook means when the center of said rod pivot is rotated around and over the center of the pivot on the other end of said handle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
257 words
In an over-center mechanism, hook means for fastening on one end of a member to be secured; a rod having one end adapted to be engaged with said hook means; a handle having a free gripping end and having its other end pivotally secured adjacent one end of a support member; the other end of said rod being pivotally engaged with said handle adjacent and spaced from the other end of said handle; a leaf spring on said other end of said rod for engaging a concave surface on said support member; said handle being rotatable on its pivoted other end to move said other end of said rod toward said support member so that said leaf spring on said other end of said rod engages said concave surface on said support member; said leaf spring when engaged with said concave surface being adapted to rotate said rod so that its one end is moved toward said hook means, and becomes engaged therein as said handle is continued to be rotated to further engage said leaf spring with said concave surface; said leaf spring being compressed during said rotation to continue contact with said concave surface during rotation; said pivotal other end of said rod being rotatable around said pivotal other end of said handle during said further engagement; and said one end of said rod being securely engaged with said hook means when the center of said rod pivot is rotated around and over the center of the pivot on the other end of said handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 10 including: lock means on said handle and on said support member to be engaged to lock said handle to said support member and to lock said one end of said rod in said hook means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 10 in which: said support member is adapted to be secured to a fixed member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 10 in which: said hook means are two juxtaposed, aligned, spaced hooks; and said one end of said rod having a T-bar to engage said hooks with said rod therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |