Patent ID: 6955378
Filing Date: 2005-10-18
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch assembly for securing a first panel relative to a second panel, the latch assembly comprising: a housing adapted for attachment to the first panel; a pawl pivotally attached to said housing, said pawl being movable between closed and open positions relative to said housing, said pawl being movable pivotally about a pivot axis defined by a pivot pin provided at a fixed location relative to said housing, said pawl having at least one longitudinal axis, wherein said pawl is approximately U-shaped in plan view so as to define a pair of pawl arms each having a slotted aperture; a rod supported such that it can rotate about its own longitudinal axis with said longitudinal axis of said rod being substantially fixed in location relative to said housing, said pivot axis of said pawl being spaced apart from said longitudinal axis of said rod; a crank member engaged to said rod so as to rotate therewith about said longitudinal axis of said rod, said crank member rotating between first and second positions responsive to rotation of said rod, said crank member having a longitudinal axis, said rod being adapted for providing means for actuating said crank member during operation of the latch assembly; and a crank pin attached to said crank member at a location spaced apart from said rod, said crank member fitting at least in part between said pawl arms and said crank pin engaging said slotted aperture in each of said pawl arms, said crank pin being positioned at least in part within said slotted aperture in each of said pawl arms and being engageable with said slotted aperture in each of said pawl arms and being movable relative to said slotted aperture in each of said pawl arms such that said crank pin can move and slide translationally within said slotted aperture in each of said pawl arms, wherein said pawl moves said open position to said closed position as said crank member pivotally moves from said first position to said second position, wherein said longitudinal axis of said pawl is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said crank member when said pawl is in said open position, and wherein said pawl pivots through approximately 90° as said pawl moves between said open and closed positions.