Patent ID: 6899362
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A linkage assembly for moving a plurality of latch connected links to operate latches that are connected to the links in response to movement of an actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the actuator is connected, comprising: a) a generally right angle frame adapted for connection to the housing, said frame having a first leg and a second leg; b) a first arm having a first outer end adapted for connection to one of the latch connected links, having a first inner end, and having a first central region located between the first inner end and the first outer end; c) a second arm having a second outer end adapted for connection to another of the latch connected links, having a second inner end, and having a second central region located between the second inner end and the second outer end; d) a slide connected to the first leg of the frame and adapted for being engaged by the actuator to be moved along a path of travel defined by the frame in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement defined by the housing; e) a pivot assembly connected to the frame, for defining a first pivot axis that extends through the first central region and about which the first arm pivots relative to the frame, and for defining a second pivot axis that extends through the second central region and about which the second arm pivots relative to the frame, wherein the first and second pivot axes are located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the slide at substantially equal distances from the path of travel of the slide, and wherein the first and second pivot axes extend substantially parallel to each other within a plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the slide; f) a slide connection defining a third pivot axis that substantially parallels the first and second pivot axes and that extends through the first inner end region of the first arm and through the second inner end region of the second arm, and for concurrently pivoting the first and second arms about the first and second pivot axes, respectively, in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions of the first and second arms to move the one and another links to operate latches connected to the one and another links in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement of the actuator.