Patent ID: 8516864
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: B62B,E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch apparatus for cooperating with a strike to provide secure storage to an enclosure associated therewith, comprising: an actuating device for selectively placing said latch apparatus in either of a locked state and an unlocked state thereof in response to a control signal; a latch hook movable between respective open and closed positions thereof relative to said strike; bi-stable latch hook detent biasing means for biasing said latch hook to either of said open position and said closed position thereof while said latch apparatus is in either of said locked state and said unlocked state thereof; and a biased actuating device catch, associated with said actuating device and interoperative with said latch hook, so that said latch hook is movable from said open position thereof to said closed position thereof while said latch apparatus is in either one of its locked and unlocked states; wherein said actuating device comprises an electrically operated solenoid with a bi-position movable plunger which moves to an opposite position thereof when said solenoid is actuated; and said latch apparatus further includes bi-stable solenoid biasing means associated with said solenoid so that said latch apparatus can be maintained in either of said locked state and said unlocked state thereof without having to continuously supply power to said latch apparatus, said bi-stable solenoid biasing means including a spring for biasing said solenoid plunger to said unlocked state of said latch apparatus, and including a magnet for biasing said solenoid plunger to said locked state of said latch apparatus.