Patent ID: 8539652
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: A44B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latching fastener comprising: a male fastener part with a latch coupler; a female fastener part configured to separatably latch to the latch coupler; a frame, part of the female fastener part; a bistable actuator coupled to the frame, the bistable actuator having an actuator member configured to move between an upper stable position and a lower stable position; a plurality of latches mounted on the frame, the latches configured to rotate between a latched position and an unlatched position; the latches having lower latch levers configured to rotate the latches to the unlatched position in response to the actuator member moving to its lower stable position and pushing down the lower latch levers; and the lower latch levers further configured to rotate the latches to the latched position in response to the latch coupler of the male fastener part pushing up the lower latch levers; wherein the bistable actuator is configured to apply an upward stabilizing force on the actuator member when the actuator member is between the upper stable position and a neutral position; wherein the bistable actuator is configured to apply a downward stabilizing force on the actuator member when the actuator member is between the lower stable position and the neutral position; wherein the bistable actuator comprises a snap spring coupled to the frame, wherein the snap spring is configured to be bistable between an upwardly convex form and an upwardly concave form; and wherein the actuator member comprises a thimble coupled to the snap spring.