Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A latching device comprising: a first connector; a pair of latches mounted to said first connector at opposing ends thereof, respectively, each of said latches being pivotably mounted to said first connector for pivotal movement about a pivot axis in opposing latching and unlatching directions between latching and unlatching positions, each of said latches including an upper claw, a lower claw and a slider; a second connector adapted to be mounted to said first connector from below; a pair of cams disposed at opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said cams defining means for engaging and guiding said sliders to force said latches to pivot in said unlatching directions as said first connector is moved toward said second connector; a pair of pressure receiving portions disposed at said opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said pressure receiving portions defining means for pressing upwardly against said upper claws to cause pivoting of said latches in said latching directions when said first connector is moved toward said second connector; a pair of hook portions disposed at said opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said hook portions defining means for engaging said lower claws from below when said first connector is mounted to said second connector and said latches are in said latching positions; and wherein said upper claws define means for pressing against said pressure receiving portions to force said first connector to separate from said second connector when said latches are pivoted in unlatching directions from said latched positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A latching device comprising: a first connector; a pair of latches mounted to said first connector at opposing ends thereof, respectively, each of said latches being pivotably mounted to said first connector for pivotal movement about a pivot axis in opposing latching and unlatching directions between latching and unlatching positions, each of said latches including an upper claw, a lower claw and a slider; a second connector adapted to be mounted to said first connector from below; a pair of cams disposed at opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said cams defining means for engaging and guiding said sliders to force said latches to pivot in said unlatching directions as said first connector is moved toward said second connector; a pair of pressure receiving portions disposed at said opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said pressure receiving portions defining means for pressing upwardly against said upper claws to cause pivoting of said latches in said latching directions when said first connector is moved toward said second connector; a pair of hook portions disposed at said opposing ends of said second connector, respectively, said hook portions defining means for engaging said lower claws from below when said first connector is mounted to said second connector and said latches are in said latching positions; and wherein said upper claws define means for pressing against said pressure receiving portions to force said first connector to separate from said second connector when said latches are pivoted in unlatching directions from said latched positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A latching device as recited in claim 1, wherein said cams are spaced away from said hooks and are positioned at substantially the same height as or are slightly higher than said hooks, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A latching device as recited in claim 2, wherein said cams are substantially vertically aligned with said pivot axes of said latches, respectively, when said first connector is latched to said second connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A latching device as recited in claim 3, wherein in said unlatched positions of said latches, said sliders are substantially vertically aligned with said pivot axes, and are at substantially the same height as said lower claws, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A latching device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower claws extend downwardly of said pivot axes, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A latching device as recited in claim 5, wherein said latches further includes operating portions extending upwardly of said pivot axes, respectively, for permitting said latches to be manually pivoted about said pivot axes.