Patent ID: 6974164
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: B60P,B61D,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch device for releasably holding a cargo container comprising: a housing a latch having, at one end, an upper convex surface located and shaped to engage a cargo container being lowered into latching engagement and a lower concave surface located and shaped to engage the cargo container being raised to release the latching engagement the latch having a housing engaging leg at a second end, the housing engaging leg having a first rigid surface shaped to pivotally engage a first surface of the housing when the cargo container is being lowered into latching engagement, the housing engaging leg having a second rigid surface shaped to pivotally engage a second surface of the housing when the cargo container is being raised to release the latching engagement, not more than one internal resilient element positioned to bias the latch to a locked position and to vary the latching forces being provided over the range of motion of the latch, and a pin movably mounted in the housing and supporting the latch between the latch one end and second end for pivotal and translational movement with respect to the housing.