US4971372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible plastic latch
Assignee: Vollrath Co LLC
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Filing: 1990-04-24
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Granted: 1990-11-20
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Expires: 2010-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A plastic latch for latching a first surface to a second, substantially coplanar, surface is disclosed having a flexible plastic band with a planar attachment segment adapted for attachment to the first surface, an upper arcuate segment extending upwardly from the attachment segment, a planar first segment depending from the upper arcuate segment and substantially parallel to and longer than the attachment segment, a lower arcuate segment extending from the flex segment beneath the upper arcuate segment, and an engaging segment extending upwardly from the lower arcuate segment parallel to the flex segment and in substantial alignment with the attachment segment. A connecting segment flexibly connects the engaging segment to the attachment segment and extends towards the flex segment. A projecting nub is located on the engaging segment and is adapted to engage beneath the projecting ledge extending from the planar surface when the first surface is placed in contact with the second surface. The flex segment, the arcuate segment, the engaging segment and the connecting segment are adapted to deflect from the first surface if brought into contact with the second surface to enable the nub to engage beneath the ledge. A reinforcing rib may extend from the attachment segment within the band to prevent excessive deflection of the band. The latch may be fabricated entirely of transparent plastic.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey E. Gunderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:39
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/06; E05C19/063; E05C19/066; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/38; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0894; Y10T292/0895; Y10T292/0902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A plastic latch for latching a planar member having a first surface to a second member having a substantially coplanar second surface, comprising: (a) a flexible plastic band having a planar attachment segment adapted for attachment to the first surface, an upper arcuate segment extending upwardly from the attachment segment, a planar flex segment depending from the upper arcuate segment and substantially parallel to and longer than the attachment segment, a lower arcuate segment extending from the flex segment beneath the upper arcuate segment, and an engaging segment extending upwardly from the lower arcuate segment parallel to the flex segment and in substantial alignment with the attachment segment, and a connecting segment flexibly connecting the engaging segment to the attachment segment and extending towards the flex segment; and (b) a projecting nub on the engaging segment adapted to engage beneath a projecting ledge extending from the second surface when the first surface is placed in coplanar contact with the second surface, the flex segment, the arcuate segments, the engaging segment, and the connecting segment being adapted to deflect when the first member is brought into contact with the second member so that the first and second surfaces are coplanar to enable the nub to engage beneath the ledge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A plastic latch for latching a planar member having a first surface to a second member having a substantially coplanar second surface, comprising: (a) a flexible plastic band having a planar attachment segment adapted for attachment to the first surface, an upper arcuate segment extending upwardly from the attachment segment, a planar flex segment depending from the upper arcuate segment and substantially parallel to and longer than the attachment segment, a lower arcuate segment extending from the flex segment beneath the upper arcuate segment, and an engaging segment extending upwardly from the lower arcuate segment parallel to the flex segment and in substantial alignment with the attachment segment, and a connecting segment flexibly connecting the engaging segment to the attachment segment and extending towards the flex segment; and (b) a projecting nub on the engaging segment adapted to engage beneath a projecting ledge extending from the second surface when the first surface is placed in coplanar contact with the second surface, the flex segment, the arcuate segments, the engaging segment, and the connecting segment being adapted to deflect when the first member is brought into contact with the second member so that the first and second surfaces are coplanar to enable the nub to engage beneath the ledge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The latch of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing rib extending from the attachment segment within the plastic band, the rib being spaced from the band to restrict excessive deformation of the band.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The latch of claim 1 further comprising a ledge chip having a planar surface and adapted to fit between the engaging segment and the second surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The latch of claim 1 wherein the nub has an opening surface and an inclined closing ramp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The latch of claim 1 wherein the band and nub are formed out of transparent plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The latch of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the connecting segment is less than the thickness of the other portions of the band.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The latch of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the attachment segment is substantially greater than the thickness of the other portions of the band.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
A plastic latch for a box with a hinged lid having a first planar surface and a base with a second planar surface, comprising: (a) a flexible plastic band having a planar attachment segment adapted for attachment to the first surface, an upper arcuate segment extending upwardly from the attachment segment, a planar flex segment depending from the upper arcuate segment and substantially parallel to and longer than the attachment segment, a lower arcuate segment extending from the flex segment beneath the upper arcuate segment, and an engaging segment extending upwardly from the lower arcuate segment parallel to the flex segment and in substantial alignment with the attachment segment, and a connecting segment flexibly connecting the engaging segment to the attachment segment and extending towards the flex segment; and (b) a projecting nub on the engaging segment adapted to engage beneath a projecting ledge on the base extending from the second planar surface when the lid is closed on the base, the flex segment, the arcuate segments, the engaging segment, and the connecting segment being adapted to deflect when the lid is closed on the base to enable the nub to engage beneath the ledge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
195 words
A plastic latch for a box with a hinged lid having a first planar surface and a base with a second planar surface, comprising: (a) a flexible plastic band having a planar attachment segment adapted for attachment to the first surface, an upper arcuate segment extending upwardly from the attachment segment, a planar flex segment depending from the upper arcuate segment and substantially parallel to and longer than the attachment segment, a lower arcuate segment extending from the flex segment beneath the upper arcuate segment, and an engaging segment extending upwardly from the lower arcuate segment parallel to the flex segment and in substantial alignment with the attachment segment, and a connecting segment flexibly connecting the engaging segment to the attachment segment and extending towards the flex segment; and (b) a projecting nub on the engaging segment adapted to engage beneath a projecting ledge on the base extending from the second planar surface when the lid is closed on the base, the flex segment, the arcuate segments, the engaging segment, and the connecting segment being adapted to deflect when the lid is closed on the base to enable the nub to engage beneath the ledge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The latch of claim 8 further comprising a reinforcing rib extending from the attachment segment within the band, the rib being spaced from the band to restrict excessive deformation of the band.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The latch of claim 8 wherein the nub has an opening surface and an inclined closing ramp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The latch of claim 8 wherein the band and nub are formed out of transparent plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The latch of claim 8 wherein the thickness of the connecting segment is less than the thickness of the other portions of the band.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The latch of claim 8 wherein the thickness of the attachment segment is substantially greater than the thickness of the other portions of the band.
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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) | 1993-11-19 | 1994-05-21 | 1994-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-19 | 1998-05-21 | 1998-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-19 | 2002-05-21 | 2002-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |