Patent ID: 9580946
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: B65G,E05C

Claim:
1. A latch mechanism for an auger-driven conveyor, the conveyor having a container segment, and a corresponding cover, the latch mechanism comprising: a plurality of upper latches disposed along a length of the cover, each upper latch having an upper hook; a plurality of lower latches disposed along a length of the container, each lower latch having a lower hook and a pivot point; a plurality of brackets configured to pivotally support respective corresponding lower latches at the pivot point; a linkage member coupling each lower latch, wherein the linkage member is a rigid rod coupled to a body portion of each lower latch; wherein urging in a first direction at any point along the linkage member causes the lower hooks to disengage from the corresponding upper hooks; and wherein in the absence of a force applied to the linkage member in the first direction, a weigh of the lower latch relative to the pivot point causes the lower hooks to be urged against the upper hooks and engage the upper hooks so as to lock the cover to the container.