Abstract:
The double hinged latch is an ambidextrous latch having corresponding activation means substantially parallel on either side of a lid substrate. During activation, a slide member drives a rotary linkage, which in turn disengage slide pins from the housing. Simultaneously, a lock link is driven by a rotary link, to secure the opposite rotary link, thereby locking the second side slide pins within the housing thereby being used as hinge. The slide members are biased by a living spring with aperture located therein. Engagement is biased by a compression spring attached to the rotary linkages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/204,290 filed May 15, 2000, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/210,928 filed Jun. 12, 2000, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/218,920 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/228,628 filed Aug. 29, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a latch assembly and more particularly to console latches where an actuation member is depressed to release the latch.  
           [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Console latches are generally used to secure the cover of a compartment such as, for example, a console in a vehicle. Often, a console consists of a container, which is swingably hinged between passenger seats to swing out of the way when the vehicle operator or passenger desires. Often, the consoles can store objects therein such as loose change, sunglasses, maps, pens, paper and other articles, which the driver and/or passengers may find it necessary to use.  
           [0006]    It is desirable to maintain the console cover in a closed position to secure contents therein when the vehicle is being operated. It is also desirable to lift the console from a horizontal position to a vertical position in order to have access to the contents within the console, such that the console may be lifted from either the driver&#39;s side or the passenger&#39;s side, with the opening capable of facing both the driver&#39;s direction and the passenger&#39;s direction. It is known to provide a depressible latching device, which can secure a console lid to the console body and be opened as the vehicle operator or passenger desires by depression of a latch button.  
           [0007]    There are, however, console latches, which employ more complex configurations than simply a cover or lid and console body. These console latches are often provided in intricate designs, with several individual parts, each of which must be separately manufactured and combined into one console lid unit. Thus, these intricate designs are often very expensive to manufacture and add to the overall cost of the vehicle. Moreover, in the event that the console lid is removed from the console body, reinstallation of the lid becomes very difficult as a result of trying to engage the several independent parts together and at the same time.  
           [0008]    A need, therefore, exists for an improved latch, which can selectively regulate the opening and closing of a first console compartment, and which is constructed out of high strength material and of a simpler design than is currently available, and at a much lower manufacturing cost.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides for a novel latch assembly, which can secure a closure cover to a compartment body. The latch of the present invention is a double hinge latch, whereby, the left side (or driver side) is the mirror image of the right side (or passenger side). The latch assembly has a lid substrate, which has molded elements for housing or securing various sub elements of the latch assembly. The latch assembly includes four slide pins, two mounted on the driver side, and two mounted on the passenger side. Each slide pin carries a pin member for engagement with a pair of keepers, which can be provided in the panel or bin of the console. An actuation member, such as a button, is connected to the slide member and is disposed for depression by an operator to actuate the latch. The actuation with the button moves the pins rearward with respect to the panel and out of engagement with the keepers. The actuation buttons are provided to be actuated on the front side of the console, with one button closer to the driver side, and one button closer to the passenger side. The latch assembly preferably includes an rotary link, which is actuates a lock link providing articulation between the driver&#39;s side components with the passenger&#39;s side components. The button includes a living spring component to facilitate returning of the button to its original position, once the console lid is returned to the closed position. The assembly is provided on both the driver&#39;s side and the passenger&#39;s side in order to allow the console lid to be opened in both directions. As such, when one assembly is used to open the lid from one side, the opposite mirror assembly acts as a hinge and allows for opening and closing of the console lid. The lock link allows the driver&#39;s side to be opened, while the passenger&#39;s side remains locked. Conversely, the lock link allows the passenger&#39;s side to be opened, while the driver&#39;s side remains locked.  
           [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch, which is useful for securing a console in a vehicle.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch, which includes a living spring member, which allows for the latch and button to return to their original position once it is released and the console lid is returned to the closed position.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a keeper member, which has a latching accommodating element for securing a pin  
           [0013]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a mirrored pair of latch assemblies such that each side of the console comprises the same assembly as the other side.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch, which includes a rotary link and lock link, which allows one side of the console lid to be opened, while the other side stays locked.  
           [0015]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a latch, which is easily mounted in the console body and can easily accommodate the console lid.  
           [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch, which is designed relatively simply, yet can perform its function properly. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the neutral position according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 1 in the neutral position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is an alternate top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 1 in the neutral position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 3 in the neutral position cut along line B-B of FIG. 3.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 1 in the neutral position.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 1 in the neutral position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the driver semi-open position according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 8 in the driver semi-open position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is an alternate top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 8 in the driver semi-open position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 10 in the driver semi-open position cut along line A-A of FIG. 10.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a magnified view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 11.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 8 in the driver semi-open position.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 8 in the driver semi-open position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the driver open position according to the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 15 in the driver open position.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is an alternate top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 15 in the driver open position.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 17 in the driver open position cut along line C-C of FIG. 17.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19 is a magnified view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 18.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 15 in the driver open position.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 21 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 15 in the driver open position.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the passenger open position according to the present invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 22 in the passenger open position.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 24 is a rear elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 22 in the passenger open position.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 25 is a left side elevation view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 22 in the passenger open position.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the lid substrate according to the present invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the lid substrate of FIG. 26.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of the lid substrate of FIG. 26.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 29 is a left side elevation view of the lid substrate of FIG. 26.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the slide pin according to the present invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 32 is a left side elevation view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 33 is a front elevation view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 34 is a right side elevation view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 36 is a rear elevation view of the slide pin of FIG. 30.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the rotary link according to the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 39 is a left side elevation view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 40 is a front elevation view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 41 is a right side elevation view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 42 is a rear elevation view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 43 is a bottom plan view of the rotary link of FIG. 37.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the button according to the present invention.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 45 is a top plan view of the button of FIG. 44.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 46 is a front elevation view of the button of FIG. 44.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 47 is a left side elevation view of the button of FIG. 44.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 48 is a rear elevation view of the button of FIG. 44 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 49 is a bottom plan view of the button of FIG. 44.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 50 is a right side elevation view of the button of FIG. 44.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 51 is a rotated top view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the neutral position according to the present invention.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 52 is a magnified view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 51.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 53 is a rotated top view of the double-hinge console latch assembly in the driver semi-open position according to the present invention.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 54 is a magnified view of the double-hinge console latch assembly of FIG. 53.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the angled trigger according to the present invention.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 56 is a top plan view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 57 is a front elevation view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 58 is a left side elevation view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 59 is a rear elevation view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 60 is a right side elevation view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 61 is a bottom plan view of the angled trigger of FIG. 55.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the extension spring according to the present invention.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 63 is a top plan view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 64 is a left side elevation view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 65 is a front elevation view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 66 is a right side elevation view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 67 is a rear elevation view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 68 is a bottom plan view of the extension spring of FIG. 62.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the lock link according to the present invention.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 70 is a top plan view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 71 is a rear elevation view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0088]    [0088]FIG. 72 is a right side elevation view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 73 is a front side elevation view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0090]    [0090]FIG. 74 is a left side elevation view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 75 is a bottom plan view of the lock link of FIG. 69.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 76 is a perspective view of the lock link compression spring according to the present invention.  
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 77 is a right side elevation view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76.  
         [0094]    [0094]FIG. 78 is a rear elevation view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 79 is a top plan view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76.  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 80 is a left side elevation view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76.  
         [0097]    [0097]FIG. 81 is a bottom plan view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76.  
         [0098]    [0098]FIG. 82 is a front elevation view of the lock link compression spring of FIG. 76. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0099]    Reference now being made to FIGS.  1 - 7 , where a double-hinge console latch  1  is shown in alternative views. In FIGS.  1 - 7 , the double-hinge console latch  1  is shown in a neutral position. The double-hinge console latch assembly  1  comprises a front end  107 ; a back end  106 ; a driver&#39;s side  108 ; a passenger&#39;s side  109 ; a lid substrate  2 ; a plurality of slide pins  4 , designated in the preferred embodiment as four slide pins shown as slide pin  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d ; a plurality of buttons  5 , designated in the preferred embodiment as two buttons shown as button  5   a ,  5   b ; a lock link  6 , a plurality of rotary links  7 , designated in the preferred embodiment as two lock links shown as rotary link  7   a ,  7   b ; a plurality of extension springs  8 , designated in the preferred embodiment as two extension springs shown as extension spring  8   a ,  8   b ; and a plurality of angled triggers  9 , designated in the preferred embodiment as two angled triggers  9   a  (shown) and  9   b  (not shown). The double-hinge console latch is shown comprising a driver&#39;s side and a passenger&#39;s side, wherein the passenger&#39;s side mirrors the driver&#39;s side. The lid substrate  2  connects to the buttons  5   a ,  5   b , which are connected to the slide pins  4   b ,  4   d  respectively. The slide pins  4   b ,  4   d  are connected to the rotary links  7   a ,  7   b  respectively, which are connected to the lid substrate  2 . The rotary links  7   a ,  7   b  are also connected to slide pins  4   a ,  4   c  respectively.  
         [0100]    In the neutral position, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 7 , neither the driver&#39;s side button  5   a , nor the passenger&#39;s side button  5   b  have been actuated, and in the neutral position a console lid (not shown) which would mount directly on top of the latch assembly would be in a closed position. FIG. 4 shows a left side view cut along line B-B of FIG. 3. In the magnified view shown in FIG. 5, the driver&#39;s side button  5   a  is shown. In this neutral position, a living spring  78   a  attached to the button  5   a  is shown. The living spring  78   a  terminates at a contact end  10 , wherein said living spring is capable of flexing. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the angled trigger  9   a , wherein said angled trigger  9   a  is fixably attached to a console bin (not shown).  
         [0101]    Next, reference is made to FIGS.  8 - 14 , which shows the driver&#39;s side button  5   a  being actuated, thus the latch assembly is said to be in a driver semi-open position. In these views, the button  5   a  is actuated, thereby causing lateral movement of button  5   a  in a direction cc. This lateral movement causes lateral movement of slide pin  4   b  also in the direction cc. This lateral movement further causes said rotary link  7   a  to rotate counter-clockwise, thereby causing said lock link  6  to move in a direction bb towards the passenger&#39;s side, and also causing slide pin  4   a  to move in a direction aa. An extension spring  8 , shown on the driver&#39;s side as  8   a , attaches said rotary link  7   a  to the lid substrate  2 , whereby rotational movement of said rotary link  7   a  causes said extension spring  8  to extend or expand. In FIG. 2, the extension springs  8   a ,  8   b  shown, are in the neutral position, thus there is no expansion or extension of said extension springs  8   a ,  8   b . Furthermore, in this position, said extension springs  8   a ,  8   b  do not cross a center hole  60  in the rotary links  7   a ,  7   b , and said extension springs  8   a ,  8   b  remain on a side closer to the driver&#39;s side and passenger&#39;s side respectively. However, in FIG. 9, extension spring  8   a  is shown in a state of extension, such that said extension spring  8   a  begins to articulate across the center hole  60  of the rotary link  7   a.  FIG. 12 shows a magnified view of FIG. 11, which is a left side elevation view of the latch assembly in the semi-open position. In FIG. 12, it is seen that button  5   a  is actuated in a direction cc. It can be seen that button  5   b  remains in the neutral position. In the driver semi-open position, the living spring  78   a  begins to flexibly bend such that contact end  10  is in full contact with the angled trigger  9   a.  Thus, angled trigger  9   a  creates a trigger force upon contact end  10 , thus causing the living spring  78   a  to bend.  
         [0102]    Referring now to FIGS.  15 - 21 , shows the driver&#39;s side button  5   a  being fully actuated, thus the latch assembly is said to be in a driver open position. In these views, the button  5   a  is fully actuated, thereby causing full lateral movement of slide pin  4   b  in a direction cc, and full lateral movement of slide pin  4   a  in a direction aa. This full lateral movement further causes said rotary link  7   a  to further rotate counter-clockwise, thereby causing said lock link  6  to move further in a direction bb towards the passenger&#39;s side. An extension spring  8 , shown on the driver&#39;s side as  8   a , attaches said rotary link  7   a  to the lid substrate  2 , whereby rotational movement of said rotary link  7   a  causes said extension spring  8  to extend or expand. In FIG. 16, extension spring  8   a  is shown in a state of full extension, such that said extension spring  8   a  articulates across the center hole  60  of the rotary link  7   a.  FIG. 19 shows a magnified view of FIG. 18, which is a left side elevation view of the latch assembly in the driver open position. In FIG. 19, it is seen that button  5   a  is fully actuated in a direction cc. It can be seen that button  5   b  remains in the neutral position. In the driver open position, the living spring  78   a  is no longer in contact with the angled trigger  9   a.  Thus, angled trigger  9   a  has articulated in a direction dd, and the latch assembly remains in this driver open position, until the console lid, including the latch assembly, is closed by slam-action, which returns the button  5   a  back into the neutral position.  
         [0103]    Reference is now made to FIGS.  22 - 25 . In these figures, the passenger&#39;s side button  5   b  being fully actuated, thus the latch assembly is said to be in a passenger open position. In these views, the button  5   b  is fully actuated, thereby causing full lateral movement of slide pin  4   d  in a direction cc, and full lateral movement of slide pin  4   c  in a direction aa. This full lateral movement further causes the rotary link  7   b  to rotate counter-clockwise, thereby causing said lock link  6  to move further in a direction ee towards the driver&#39;s side. The extension spring  8 , shown on the passenger&#39;s side as  8   b , attaches said rotary link  7   b  to the lid substrate  2 , whereby rotational movement of said rotary link  7   b  causes said extension spring  8  to extend or expand. In FIG. 23, extension spring  8   b  is shown in a state of full extension, such that said extension spring  8   b  articulates across the center hole  60  of the rotary link  7   b.  It can be best seen in FIG. 25 that button  5   b  is fully actuated in a direction cc, while button  5   a  remains in the neutral position. Although not shown, in the passenger open position, the living spring  78   b  is no longer in contact with the angled trigger  9   b.  Thus, angled trigger  9   b  has articulated in a direction dd, and the latch assembly remains in this passenger open position, until the console lid, including the latch assembly, is closed by slam-action, which returns the button  5   b  back into the neutral position.  
         [0104]    FIGS.  30 - 35  detail the slide pin  4 . Slide pin  4  further comprises a generally rectangular middle portion  18 , with an elongated tail portion  16 , and a protruding neck portion  14 . A curved mid section  19  connects the rectangular middle portion  18  to a generally sloped portion  12 , which terminates at a slightly tapered bottom portion  13 , which connects to the pin  11 . Pin  11  terminates with a pair of rounded ends  23   a ,  23   b  located on opposite sides. The generally rectangular middle portion  18  of the slide pin  4  further includes three generally elongated eyelet holes  20 ,  21 ,  22 . The tail portion  16  includes an eyelet hole  17 , and the protruding neck portion  14  includes an eyelet hole  15 .  
         [0105]    FIGS.  26 - 29  show the lid substrate  2 . Said lid substrate  2  includes a base  3 , which has molded sub-elements fixably attached to it, which are detailed next. A lock link housing  24  is fixably attached on the base in the middle of the lid substrate  2 . Said lock link housing  24  comprises a rear straight wall  41 , a rear angled wall  42 , a front straight wall  43 , a front angled wall  44 , a driver&#39;s side end wall  46 , a middle catch wall  45 , and a passenger&#39;s side end wall  47 . Said passenger&#39;s side end wall  47  comprises two protruding guides  48 ,  49  which are perpendicular to said passenger&#39;s side end wall  47 , and are contained within said lock link housing  24 . The lid substrate  2  further comprises a pair of living spring holes  25   a ,  25   b , which allow the living springs  78   a ,  78   b  to protrude through the lid substrate and catch with the angled triggers  9   a ,  9   b  respectively. The lid substrate  2  further includes a plurality of slide pin housings  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c ,  26   d , which house the slide pins  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  respectively. Moreover, said slide pin housings  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c ,  26   d  include a pin groove  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d  to slidably guide said slide pins  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  respectively, and a plurality of slide pin holes  33   a ,  33   b ,  33   c ,  33   d  to slidably guide and catch slide pins  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  respectively. Said slide pin housings  26   a ,  26   b  further comprises a base  50 ; likewise, said slide pin housings  26   c ,  26   d  further comprises a base  51 .  
         [0106]    A pair of rotary center posts  27   a ,  27   b  are also fixably mounted to said lid substrate  2 , wherein said rotary center posts comprise wings  53 ,  54  attached to rotary center post  27   a , and wings  55 ,  56  attached to rotary center post  27   b.  The lid substrate  2  further comprises a pair of extension spring posts  28   a ,  28   b ; button guide posts  29   a ,  30   a  used to guide button  5   a , and corresponding button guide posts  29   b ,  30   b  used to guide button  5   b ; rotary link post  31 ; rotary link stop post  32   a ,  32   b , which terminate the rotational movement of rotary link  7   a ,  7   b.  The lid substrate also includes a plurality of slide pin housing guides  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d , which guide the slide pins  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d  respectively. Said slide pin housing guide  34   a  further comprises a plurality of slide pin guiding posts  35   a ,  36   a ,  37   a , which protrude through generally elongated eyelet holes  20 ,  22 ,  21  respectively of said slide pin  4 . Likewise, said slide pin housing guide  34   b  further comprises a plurality of slide pin guiding posts  38   b ,  39   b ,  40   b , which protrude through generally elongated eyelet holes  21 ,  22 ,  20  respectively of said slide pin  4 . Moreover, said slide pin housing guide  34   c  further comprises a plurality of slide pin guiding posts  38   c ,  39   c ,  40   c , which protrude through generally elongated eyelet holes  21 ,  22 ,  20  respectively of said slide pin  4 . Finally, said slide pin housing guide  34   d  further comprises a plurality of slide pin guiding posts  35   d ,  36   d ,  37   d , which protrude through generally elongated eyelet holes  20 ,  22 ,  21  respectively of said slide pin  4 . Thus said slide pin  4  remains guided within said respective slide pin guiding posts described above.  
         [0107]    FIGS.  37 - 43  fully illustrate the rotary link  7 . Said rotary link  7 , specifically rotary link  7   a ,  7   b , comprises a center hole  60  for mounting on rotary center posts  27   a ,  27   b  of lid substrate  2 . Wherein said rotary link  7   a  rests on top of wings  53 ,  54  attached to rotary center post  27   a , and said rotary link  7   b  rests on top of wings  55 ,  56  attached to rotary center post  27   b.  Said rotary link  7  further comprises a link  57 ; a notch  58 ; a catch  59 ; a generally circular cam portion  64 ; a plurality of snap posts  61 ,  62 ,  63 ; and a pair of legs  65 ,  66 . Wherein, the underside of snap post  61  comprises a base  67  and a pair of semi-circular openings  67   a ,  67   b.  Likewise, the underside of snap post  62  comprises a base  68  and a pair of semi-circular openings  68   a ,  68   b . Moreover, the underside of snap post  63  comprises a base  69  and a pair of semi-circular openings  69   a ,  69   b . Furthermore, snap post  61  further comprises a pair of prongs  61   a ,  61   b.  Likewise, snap post  62  further comprises a pair of prongs  62   a ,  62   b.  Finally, snap post  63  further comprises a pair of prongs  63   a ,  63   b.  The semicircle openings  67   a ,  67   b ,  68   a ,  68   b ,  69   a ,  69   b  allow for support means to be inserted during construction of the rotary link  7 , thereby reinforcing the snap posts  61 , 62 , 63 . The enhanced durability of the prong members  61   a ,  61   b ,  62   a ,  62   b ,  63   a ,  63   b  is preferred due to the pinching and releasing during attachment of the slide pins  4 .  
         [0108]    Upon actuation of button  5   a , said rotary link  7   a  rotates counter-clockwise and continues to rotate until catch  59  comes into contact with rotary link stop post  32   a.  Similarly, upon actuation of button  5   b , said rotary link  7   b  rotates counter-clockwise and continues to rotate until catch  59  comes into contact with rotary link stop post  32   b.  Snap post  63  protrudes through eyelet hole  15  of slide pin  4 , thus connecting said rotary link  7   a  with slide pin  4   a , and said rotary link  7   b  with slide pin  4   d.    
         [0109]    [0109]FIGS. 44 through 50 illustrate the button  5  in further detail, wherein said button comprises an actuation portion  70  and a generally elongated link portion  81 . Said actuation portion  70  further comprises a front surface  71  and a rear surface  72 , wherein the user pushes the button  5  by pushing on the front surface  71  of the actuation portion  70 . Said generally elongated link portion  81  further comprises a front link portion  79 , a center link portion  76 , a rear link portion  80 , a protruding tail section  77 , a living spring eyelet  74 , a button guide eyelet  73 , a rear link eyelet  75 , and said living spring  78 , wherein said living spring  78  protrudes through said living spring eyelet  74 , and is attached to the front link portion  79  of said button  5 . The living spring  78  protrudes through living spring holes  25   a ,  25   b  of the lid substrate  2 . The button guide posts  29   a ,  30   a  protrude through said button guide eyelet  73  on button  5   a , wherein the button guide posts  29   b ,  30   b  protrude through said button guide eyelet  73  on button  5   b , thereby attaching said button  5   a ,  5   b  to lid substrate  2 . The legs  65 ,  66  of the rotary link  7  protrude downward through said rear link eyelet  75  of the button  5 , thereby connecting said button  5  with said rotary link  7 .  
         [0110]    [0110]FIGS. 51 through 54 show alternate views of the double hinge console latch  1 . Moreover, further magnified views of the lock link  6  are shown, as well as a view some of the external and internal components of said lock link  6 . These views show the sequence of the lock link  6  moving towards the passenger&#39;s side  109  in a direction bb.  
         [0111]    [0111]FIGS. 55 through 61 illustrate the angled trigger  9 , which is connected to the bin (not shown), and whose function has been described above in relation to the living spring  78  upon actuation of the button  5 . The angled trigger  9  comprises a sloped portion  84 , which comes into and out of contact with the contact end  10  of the living spring  78 . Moreover, the angled trigger further comprises a top wall  85 , a back wall  86 , a front wall  87 , a left side surface  88 , a right side surface  92 , and a bottom wall  93 , wherein a curved portion  90  joins top wall  85  to back wall  86 ; a curved portion  91  joins top wall  85  with sloped portion  84 ; a curved portion  89  joins sloped portion  84  with front wall  87 .  
         [0112]    [0112]FIGS. 62 through 68 illustrate the extension spring  8 , wherein the present invention comprises two extension springs  8   a ,  8   b , wherein said extension spring  8  comprises a coiled central portion  94  terminating on each side by a hooks  95   a ,  95   b , each connected to the coiled central portion  94  by a straight connecting portion  96 ,  97  respectively. Hook  95   a  attaches to extension spring post  28   a  (and also  28   b  for the second extension spring on the passenger&#39;s side). Hook  95   b  attaches to snap post  62  of rotary link  7   a  (and also  7   b  for the second extension spring on the passenger&#39;s side).  
         [0113]    [0113]FIGS. 69 through 75 further illustrate the lock link  6 . The lock link  6  comprises a push peg  83 , a push end  110 , a top surface  101 , a bottom surface  100 , a straight portion  99 , a generally angled portion  102 , and a stop  98 . Wherein said stop  98  further comprises two angled support legs  103 ,  104 . Lock link  6  fits onto said lock link housing  24  of lid substrate  2 . The straight portion  99  of lock link  6  fits within rear straight wall  41  and front straight wall  43  of the lock link housing  24 . A compression spring  82 , comprising coils  105 , further shown in FIGS. 76 through 82, is housed within the protruding guides  48 ,  49  located within lock link housing  24 . The compression spring  82  is sandwiched between the passenger&#39;s side end wall  47  of the lock link housing  24  and the stop  98  of the lock link  6 . The generally angled portion  102  of the lock link  6  fits within rear angled wall  42  and front angled wall  44  of the lock link housing  24 .  
         [0114]    When the button  5   a  is actuated, on the driver&#39;s side, causing rotary link  7   a  to rotate, the link  57  of rotary link  7   a  pushes against push end  110  of the lock link  6  thereby causing the lock link  6  to move in a direction bb towards the passenger&#39;s side. This movement allows the push peg  83  of the lock link  6  to move into notch  58  of rotary link  7   b  on the passenger&#39;s side, thereby preventing rotary movement of rotary link  7   b , and causing the passenger&#39;s side of the latch assembly to remain in a neutral or locked position, and thus causing components of the passenger&#39;s side of the latch assembly to act merely as a hinge to allow the opening of the console lid. This is best seen in FIGS. 51 through 54.  
         [0115]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood upon a reading of the Summary of the Invention, the Brief Description of the Drawing Figures and the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. Other modifications may be made consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention described herein.