Abstract:
A latching system comprising a base having a first keeper secured thereto, a closable member adapted to engage the base, an elongated member rotatably secured to the closable member, said elongated member including a first connector adapted to engage the first keeper when the closable member engages the base and the elongated member is rotated, and a latch plate assembly hingedly secured to the closable member and adapted to rotate the elongated member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a door latching system, and more particularly to a door latch having a hinged latch plate assembly to engage a shaft which operates a pair of rotating latch hooks for latching the door shut.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    During the normal course of using trailers or other vehicles it is necessary to latch, secure and seal the door against unwanted entry of persons or substances, such as water. Latches for securing doors and the like are widely known and readily available. However, many such latches are difficult to latch and/or unlatch and do not provide adequate sealing between the door and the vehicle body, thereby allowing the entrance of water and other liquids into the storage compartment. The latches often require a relatively high amount of force from the user to close the latch.  
           [0003]    Latching device such as those taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,339,537 to Wise, 2,727,774 to Marple et al., 3,893,722 to Galbreath et al., 5,269,586 to Hahn et al., and 5,632,515 to Dowling are known. However, many of these devices are quite complicated and include a large number of moving parts.  
           [0004]    A long felt need exists for a latching device that is easy to latch, requires a minimal amount of parts and overcomes the other disadvantages of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0005]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a latching system comprising a base having a first keeper secured thereto, a closable member adapted to engage the base, a elongated member rotatably secured to the closable member, the elongated member including a first connector adapted to engage the first keeper when the closable member engages the base and the elongated member is rotated, and a latch plate assembly hingedly secured to the closable member and adapted to rotate the elongated member.  
           [0006]    In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a second keeper and the elongated member includes a second connector adapted to engage the second keeper. The first and second connectors are secured at opposite ends of the elongated member. In another preferred embodiment, the elongated member includes a rotator clevis secured thereto, and the latch plate assembly further includes a latch lever extending from the handle. The latch lever is adapted to engage the rotator clevis, so that when the handle is hinged the latch lever causes the elongated member to rotate. In another preferred embodiment, the handle includes a beak striker plate that is secured thereto and is at least partially disposed in the elongated opening in the handle. The beak striker plate defines a cam surface that is adapted for sliding contact with the beak member.  
           [0007]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latching system for securing a first object to a second object. The latching system includes a hinged latch plate assembly including a handle, a shaft assembly including an elongated member having at least one connector secured thereto, and at least one keeper. Hinged movement of the handle causes rotational movement of the elongated member and cooperation between the at least one connector and the at least one keeper. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft assembly includes a shield portion for rotationally securing the elongated member and for securing the shaft assembly to the first object. The shield portion preferably includes a pair of spaced inner shield members and an outer shield member. The inner shield members and the outer shield member cooperate to form a tube through which the elongated member extends.  
           [0008]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of latching a cover to a base. The method includes the steps of closing the cover, hinging a handle associated with the cover, rotating an elongated member having at least one connector secured thereto, and engaging the at least one connector with at least one keeper that is secured to the base, thereby latching the cover to the base.  
           [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of removing an elongated shaft from a shaft assembly. The method comprising the steps of detaching at least one inner shield member from an outer shield member, where the inner and outer shield members cooperate to form a tube through which the elongated shaft extends, and removing the elongated shaft from the tube.  
           [0010]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the open hatch of a vehicle showing a latch system having the cover portion removed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open hatch of a vehicle showing the latch system of FIG. 1 thereon.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the latch plate assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shaft assembly, latch plate assembly and keepers of the latch system of FIG. 1 exploded from the vehicle cover and vehicle base.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the shaft assembly and the latch plate assembly of FIG. 1 in a retracted/unlatched position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation of the shaft assembly and the latch plate assembly of FIG. 1 in a latched/closed position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the latch system of FIG. 1 in a retracted/unlatched position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the latch system of FIG. 1 in a latched/closed position.  
         [0020]    Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    Described herein are preferred embodiments of a latching device for lowering and latching the free end of a vehicle cover, such as a trunk, hatch, door or the like, onto the frame or base of the vehicle from an open position in which the vehicle cover or the like is disposed above the vehicle base, to a closed position where the vehicle cover is secured to the vehicle base by the latching device. It will be understood that the use of the latching device is not limited to vehicles, but can be used in any situation where a closable member is to be secured to a base. The description of the present invention herein as used with a vehicle is only exemplary and not limiting.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , a preferred embodiment of a door latching system  10  is shown. The latching system  10  generally includes a hinged latch plate assembly  12  secured to a shaft assembly  14  a portion of which is in rotational cooperation with the hinged latch plate assembly  12 , and a pair of keepers  16  affixed to the sill  112  of the vehicle base  114 . It will be appreciated that terms such as “upper,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “bottom,” “below,” “top,” “side,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “downwardly” and “lower” used hereinbelow are used merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the Figures. It should be understood that any orientation of components of the latching system  10  described herein is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]    Referring to FIG. 3, the latch plate assembly  12  generally includes a base plate  18 , handle  20 , latch lever  22  and beak member  24 . The base plate  18  includes a first set of opposed members  26  having openings  28  defined therein for receiving a handle pivot pin  30 . The handle  20  also includes opposed members  32  having openings  34  defined therein. The latch lever  22  has an opening  35  defined therethrough for receiving the handle pivot pin  30  and a pair of openings  36  defined therethrough for receiving threaded fasteners  37  for securing the latch lever  22  to the handle  20 .  
         [0024]    In assembling the latch plate assembly  12 , the handle pivot pin  30  extends through openings  34  in the handle  20 , openings  28  in the base plate  18  and opening  35  in the latch lever  22 . The handle pivot pin  30  can be secured in place in a number of different ways. For example, the handle pivot pin may be a bolt secured in place by a nut or it may include a keyway defined therein and be secured in place via a set screw or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, base plate  18  has a recess  38  that receives a portion of the latch lever  22 , and allows the latch lever  22  to rotate relative to base  18 .  
         [0025]    Preferably, the handle pivot pin  30  has a torsion spring  39  thereon to hold the handle  20  (when in the open position) at an angle (preferably approximately a 45° angle) to prevent unintentional engagement of the beak member  24  if the cover  110  should accidentally drop shut.  
         [0026]    Base plate  18  also includes a plurality of apertures  40  defined therethrough for receiving a plurality of threaded fasteners  41  or the like for securing the base plate  18  to the shaft assembly  14 . It will be understood that any method for securing the base plate  18  to the shaft assembly  14  is within the scope of the present invention. For example, the base plate  18  can be secured to the shaft assembly  14  by rivets, welding, gluing or the like.  
         [0027]    Base plate  18  includes a second set of opposed members  42  having openings  44  defined therethrough for receiving a beak pivot pin  46 . Preferably, the second set of opposed members  42  are located at an end of base plate  18  opposite that of the first set of opposed members  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the beak pivot pin  46  is an elongated bolt having a nut  46   a  for securing the elongated bolt in place. The beak member  24  includes a main body portion  24   a  through which an opening  24   b  extends and a beak  24   c . The beak pivot pin  46  extends through openings  44  in the base plate  18  and opening  24   b  in the beak member  24 . The beak pivot pin  46  includes a torsion spring  48  or the like thereon for urging the beak member  24  into latched engagement with a striker plate  54 , which is secured to handle  20  (as described more fully hereinbelow).  
         [0028]    Handle  20  includes a handhold end  20   a  and a hinge end  20   b . Defined preferably in a central portion of the handle  20  is an elongated opening  50  having two pairs of apertures  52  defined on opposite sides thereof. The elongated opening  50  is adapted to receive the beak member  24 . Apertures  52  receive threaded fasteners  41  or the like for securing the beak striker plate  54  (via apertures  56 ) to the handle  20 . The beak striker plate  54  includes a striker portion  54   a  that protrudes through elongated opening  50  and is oriented to be engaged by the beak member  24  when the latch plate assembly  12  is in a closed/latched position. The striker portion  54   a  includes a cam surface  54   b  that is engaged by the top of the beak member  24  when the latch plate assembly  12  is being closed. The curved shape of the cam surface  54   b  causes the beak member  24  to be urged inwardly during closing, thereby loading spring  48 . As the beak member  24  reaches the end of the cam surface  54   b , the spring  48  is at least partially unloaded, and the beak  24   c  engages the striker portion  54   a . The latch plate assembly  1   2  is now in the latched/closed position. As shown in FIG. 3, the apertures  56  of the beak striker plate  54  correspond to one of the pairs of apertures  52  in the handle  20 . Accordingly, threaded fasteners  37  are received therein for securing the beak striker plate  54  to the handle  20 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 4, the shaft assembly  14  generally includes inner shield members  58 , an outer shield member  60 , an elongated member or shaft  62  having a rotator clevis  64  thereon and a pair of connectors or hooks  66  preferably disposed at the ends of the elongated shaft  62 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of different components can be substituted for the elongated member  62 . For example, without limitation, the elongated member  62  can be a shaft, rod, tube, channeled member, etc. Throughout the specification and figures, an elongated shaft is shown. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of different components can be substituted for the connectors  66 . For example, without limitation, the connectors  66  can be hooks, clamps, clasps, magnets, buttons, snaps, latches, pins, etc. Throughout the specification and figures, hooks are shown. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention.  
         [0030]    The outer shield member  60  is adapted to be affixed to the underside of the vehicle cover  110  as shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that the outer shield member  60  provides an anchor for attaching the shaft assembly  14  to the vehicle cover  110 . Any method for attaching the shaft assembly  14  to the vehicle cover  110  is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0031]    The inner shield members  58  are secured to the outer shield member  60  in spaced relation to one another. Preferably, the inner shield members  58  are secured to the outer shield member  60  via threaded fasteners  41  (either within tapped holes in outer shield member  60  or using nuts). This allows the shaft assembly  14  to be disassembled for maintenance. However, any method of securing the inner shield members  58  to the outer shield member  60  (i.e., welding, gluing, etc.) is within the scope of the present invention. The gap formed between the inner shield members is to accommodate the clevis  64  as described below. The inner shield members  58  have a semi-tubular portion  58   a  formed therein and the outer shield member  60  has a semi-tubular portion  60   a  formed therein. When the inner shield members  58  are secured to the outer shield member  60  the semi-tubular portions  58   a  and  60   a  cooperate to form a tube through which the elongated shaft  62  extends. In another embodiment, the elongated shaft  62  can extend through a tube or a pair of tubes that are welded or otherwise secured to the outer shield member  60 .  
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 5, the inner shield members  58  include a tab portion  58   b  that is adapted to be received in a corresponding tab receiving portion  60   b  defined in the outer shield member  60 . When the inner shield members  58  are secured to the outer shield member  60 , the tab portion  58   b  is received in the tab receiving portion  60   b , thereby helping to align the semi-tubular portions  58   a  and  60   a  and helping secure the inner shield members  58  to the outer shield member  60 .  
         [0033]    Referring again to FIG. 4, the rotator clevis  64  is comprised of a tube  72  having a pair of spaced forks  74  extending therefrom. The hooks  66  are comprised of a tube  66   a  having a hook member  66   b  extending therefrom and preferably are disposed at or adjacent to opposite ends of the elongated shaft  62 . In a preferred embodiment, the hooks  66  are secured to the elongated shaft  62  by roll pins  67 . The hooks can also be secured via a set screw(s) or the like. The hooks  66  may also be welded to the elongated shaft  62  or the hooks  66  and elongated shaft  62  may be formed as a unit.  
         [0034]    As described above, the elongated shaft  62  extends through the tube (referred to herein as  72 ) formed by cooperating semi-tubular portions  58   a  and  60   a . In a preferred embodiment, the tube  72  includes a plurality of bushings  73  therein for supporting the elongated shaft  62  (see the Figures for the preferred placement of bushings  73 ). The rotator clevis  64  is preferably secured to the elongated shaft  62  by a roll pin  67  or a set screw or screws. The elongated shaft  62  includes apertures or indentations for receiving the roll pins  67 . In another embodiment, the elongated shaft  62  and the rotator clevis  64  can be formed as a unit or can be welded or otherwise adhered together.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 1, the inner shield members  58 ,  60  are spaced apart to form an opening  76  for receiving the rotator clevis  64  therein. As described below, in operation, the elongated shaft  62  rotates within tube  72 , relative to the inner and outer shield members  58  and  60 . The opening  76  allows the rotator clevis  64  to rotate as necessary.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIGS.  6 - 8 , the latch lever  22  includes an engagement member  78  that extends through opening  76  and engages the rotator clevis  64 . The engagement member  78  preferably includes a pair of opposed knobs  78   a  extending laterally therefrom. The opposed knobs  78   a  are each received in the opening  74   a  defined within each of the forks  74 .  
         [0037]    The outer shield member  60  also has a plurality of apertures  79  (as shown in FIG. 4) for receiving the plurality of threaded fasteners  41  or the like for securing the  25  base plate  18  to the shaft assembly  14  as described above. A spacer  81  can be placed on threaded fastener  41  to space the outer shield portion  60  from the base plate  18 . In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle cover  110  can include a protection member  116  (see FIG. 2) that substantially encloses the shaft assembly  14 , but has openings defined therein for allowing the hooks  66  to extend therethrough for engagement with the keepers  16 .  
         [0038]    Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 4, the keepers  16  generally include a main body portion  80  and a hook receiving opening  82 . The keepers are secured to the sill  112  of the vehicle base  114  by threaded fasteners  41 . Any securing method is within the scope of the invention. The keepers  16  are positioned on the sill  112  so that they correspond to the hooks  66  when the vehicle cover  110  is closed. It will be understood that the keepers can be any structure that is capable of receiving the hooks. For example, at their simplest, the keepers may be openings defined in the vehicle base  114 .  
         [0039]    Preferably, the components of the latching system are made of a rigid material such as a metal. However, the type of material used is not a limitation on the present invention.  
         [0040]    The operation of the latching system  10  will now be described. It will be understood that the vehicle cover  110  has an open position where the cover  110  is spaced above the vehicle base  114  and a compartment  118  defined within the vehicle base  114 , and a closed position where the cover  110  engages the vehicle base  114 . It will be further understood that the latching system  10  has a retracted/unlatched position and a closed/latched position. In general, hinged operation of the handle  20  causes movement of the latch lever  22  which in turn drives rotational movement of the hooks  66  via rotation of the rotator clevis  64  and elongated shaft  62 .  
         [0041]    The vehicle cover  110  preferably defines a recess  120  therein for receiving the handle  20 . When the handle is in the closed/latched position, the handle is substantially flush with the top surface of the vehicle cover  110 . FIG. 1 shows the latch system  1   0  in the retracted unlatched position and the vehicle cover  110  in the open position with the cover member  116  removed (FIG. 2 shows the cover member  116  in place). To latch the latching system  10 , the vehicle cover  110  is closed, such that the hooks  66  and keepers  16  are in close proximity. The handle  20  is then hinged or pivoted inwardly (see arrow A in FIG. 7), relative to the base plate  18 . This movement urges the latch lever  22  generally along the same arcuate path as the hand-hold end handle  20  is pivoting (see arrow A in FIG. 7). Latch lever  22  moves within opening  76  between the inner shield members  58  and recess  38  in the base plate  18 . The movement of the latch lever  22 , the knobs  78   a  of which are engaged within the forks  74  of the rotator clevis  64 , causes rotational movement of the rotator clevis  64  (see arrow C in FIG. 7), the elongated shaft  62  and ultimately the horizontally spaced hooks  66  on the ends of the elongated shaft  62  (see arrow B in FIG. 7). The rotation of the hooks  66  causes the hook member  66   b  to be received in the hook receiving opening  82  of the keepers  16 , thereby latching the vehicle cover  110  to the vehicle base  114 . It will be understood that the hooks  66  rotate in an arcuate direction (see arrow B in FIG. 6) substantially opposite of arrow A. It will be understood that the arrows in FIG. 7 illustrate the rotational direction of the components when the latching system is being closed, and the arrows in FIG. 5 illustrate the rotational direction of the components when the latching system is being opened.  
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment, there is a resilient compressible material provided between the vehicle base  114  and the vehicle cover  110 . As the hooks  66  engage the keepers  16 , the keepers  16  are oriented such that the inner surface of the hook member  66   b  engages a cylindrical portion of the keeper  16 . As the hook further enters the hook receiving opening  82 , the force of the hook member  66   b  against the cylindrical portion increases, thereby compressing the resilient material and sealing the compartment  118 .  
         [0043]    As the handle  20  is hinged toward the closed position (with enough force to overcome the urging of the torsion spring  39  and the friction between the cam surface  54   b  and the beak member  24 ), the beak member  24  is received in the elongated opening  50  of the handle  20 . As the beak  24   c  passes through the elongated opening  50 , the spring  48  urges the beak  24   c  into engagement with the beak striker plate  54  as described above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the elements of the latch plate assembly  12  are dimensioned such that when the handle  20  is in its closed/latched position, the beak  24   c  engages the beak striker plate  54  and holds the latch plate assembly in its closed/latched position. In a preferred embodiment, the beak member  24  has a lock opening  24   b  defined therethrough for receiving a padlock or the like and preventing unauthorized unlatching of the latching system  10  and opening of the vehicle cover  110 .  
         [0044]    The embodiments of the present invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous modifications to them without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a single hook and keeper can be used; the hook or hooks may not be disposed at the ends of the elongated shaft; the beak member  24  and torsion spring  39  may be omitted; the keepers can be an opening defined in the vehicle base; the shield  60  may be omitted and the latch plate assembly and elongated shaft may be affixed directly to the vehicle cover; the rotator clevis may be a tube or a pair of tubes that are engaged by the latch lever. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.