Combined latch and hinge for vehicle covers

Claim 1

A combined hinge and latch device for covers for vehicles, comprising: a. a plate element having horizontal and vertical planar portions at right angles to each other, and an arcuate portion therebetween; b. means for mounting the plate element to the vehicle; c. a latch element comprising; 1. a rod element having a handle portion and an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion being formed as a semicircle having a radius and center of curvature; 2. a circular pivot element centered upon the center of curvature of the arcuate portion of the rod element, having a radius less than that of the arcuate portion of the rod element; 3. the circular pivot element being attached to at least the handle portion of the rod element, whereby movement of the handle portion of the rod element in an arcuate path causes the pivot element and the arcuate porton of the rod element to pivot around the center of curvature; 4. means for attaching the latch element to the vehicle cover; d. the plate element having at least two holes therein, in at least the arcuate portion thereof, the holes being of large enough diameter for the arcuate portion of the rod element to freely pass therethrough, and spaced apart sufficiently that the arcuate portion of the rod element may pass through both holes, locking the latch element and plate element together; e. the radius of the pivot element being chosen such that the pivot element contacts the plate element when the arcuate portion of the rod element is passed through the holes in the plate element, whereby the outer surface of the pivot element rides upon the arcuate portion of the plate element, and the cover may be hinged to the vehicle by the combined plate element and latch element.