Patent ID: 7726707
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch capable of releasably securing a first member in a closed configuration relative to a second member by engaging a striker supported on the second member, said latch comprising: a housing; an actuator; and a pawl pivotally attached to a wall of said housing and being movable between a closed position and an open position about a pivot-axis, said pawl being provided with a biasing means for biasing the pawl toward the open position, said pawl having an actuator engaging portion and a striker engaging portion being axially adjacent on a similar end of said pawl, said actuator engaging portion being rotatable about said pivot-axis on a first plane perpendicular to said pivot axis and said striker engaging portion being rotatable about said pivot-axis on a second plane parallel to said first plane, and said striker engaging portion being dimensioned and configured to sweep an arc which extends further out from said pivot-axis about which said pawl pivots when said pawl is pivoted than an arc which is swept by said actuator engaging portion when said pawl is pivoted; wherein said actuator is pivotally attached to said housing and movable between a pawl-releasing position and a pawl-retaining position, said actuator being provided with a biasing means for biasing the actuator toward the pawl-retaining position, said actuator having a pawl engaging portion, said pawl engaging portion engages said actuator engaging portion such that said actuator is pivoted by said pawl upon pivoting of said pawl to the closed position, and wherein when said pawl impacts the striker during closing of the first and second members together, said pawl is moved to the closed position, such that said pawl and said actuator are in an opposing relationship about the striker in the closed position, and said pawl engaging portion retains said pawl in the closed position, and wherein pivoting of said actuator allows said biasing means for biasing the pawl to rotate said pawl to the open position to thereby permit said latch to be disengaged from the striker.