Abstract:
A slam latch assembly for a trailer having an interior surface defined by a front, a first sidewall, a back, and a second sidewall and the trailer further having a partition with a first end hinged to the trailer first sidewall and a distal end comprising a housing having an interior cavity and an aperture for accessing the cavity wherein the housing is attached to the second sidewall such that the housing is contained in the second sidewall and the aperture is generally flush with the trailer interior surface; and a latching mechanism attached to and contained in the interior cavity of the housing and accessible through the housing aperture wherein the latching mechanism is adapted to selectively secure and release the distal end of the partition.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/640,594, filed Aug. 17, 2000, entitled “A Flush Interlocking Sidewall Mounted Slam Latch.” 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to latches for partitions used in livestock trailers and is particularly useful in horse trailers. In general, the present latch is related to devices such as may be used to secure hinged partitions which divide the interior of the horse trailer into a plurality of spaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to slam latches mounted generally flush in the sidewall of the trailer. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Partitions, commonly used in horse trailers, provide many functions including safety, comfort, and the conservation of space. Generally, the partitions are spaced to provide a cubical or stall for a horse to stand which will support the horse and help prevent it from falling or stumbling when the trailer is being moved. In addition, the partitions separate horses in a trailer to reduce the likelihood of one horse injuring another, such as is possible if a horse could kick or stumble into another horse. 
   It is important that one may quickly, easily, and safely open and close the partitions. This is particularly important when a horse is reluctant to enter the confined space of a trailer or even when a horse is just anxious to exit the trailer. Some prior art partition latches have used spring loaded devices to allow the partition to be closed quickly and easily, but such latches have lacked either the ease of opening or the safety of the latch of the current invention. In general, the prior art spring loaded latches have been either mounted on the partition or on the sidewall of the trailer. The latches mounted on the partition have either exposed the operator&#39;s fingers to being injured when operating the latch with one&#39;s hand through the partition and the fingers between the horse and the partition, or were difficult to reach and/or operate, especially if the operator was wearing a glove. The latches mounted on the sidewall of the trailer have parts extending into the trailer interior which could injure a horse or snag the operator&#39;s clothing and thereby expose the operator to injury. The latch of the current invention is flush mounted in the sidewall of the trailer, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art devices. 
   Once the partition is closed, the latch should be secure. It is common for a horse to lean or fall against a partition and push or kick the sidewall of the trailer thereby exerting significant force on the partition&#39;s latching mechanism. In some prior art devices the partition is not locked to the sidewall of the trailer and there is the possibility of a horse bowing or bending either the sidewall of the trailer or the partition to release the latch. Other prior art partition latches have used a spring loaded device to hold a partition in place until a pin or other securing device may be applied to lock the partition to the trailer sidewall. The current invention provides a latch which allows the operator to push, or slam, the partition and the latch automatically locks the partition to the sidewall of the trailer thereby eliminating the need for any other locking device. 
   While it is important that the latching mechanism for a partition is smooth surfaced to prevent scratching or cutting the horse or catching on the operator&#39;s clothing, prior art devices have either left openings in the partitions or had parts protruding into the interior of the trailer. The current invention avoids the foregoing disadvantages by providing a flush interlocking sidewall mounted slam latch. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of latches now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a sidewall mounted slam latch construction wherein the same can be utilized reliably in those situations where dependability, safety, and improved latches are desired. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which has all the advantages of the prior art devices and none of the disadvantages. 
   To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a housing insert which fits into the interior sidewall of a trailer generally flush with the interior of the trailer. Pivotally connected to the pocket insert is a rocker engagement arm forming a slam latch for receiving and holding the swinging or distal end of a hinged divider partition. The rocker engagement arm is also generally flush with the interior surface of the trailer wall when the partition is in the open or the closed position. A hook may be provided to the tip of the swinging or distal end of the divider partition which engages with and locks to catch on the trailer&#39;s interior wall to lock the partition to the trailer&#39;s sidewall when the partition is in a closed position. To release the partition, the rocker engagement arm handle is pulled in a direction perpendicular to the trailer wall releasing the end of the partition. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which is susceptible to a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible to low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such latch economically available to the buying public. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which provides all of the advantages of the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch having a generally planer surface to reduce the likelihood of injury to either the horse or the operator from contact with latch components. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sidewall mounted slam latch which automatically locks a partition to the sidewall of a trailer to prevent release of the partition by bowing or bending of either the partition or the trailer sidewall. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a sidewall mounted slam latch with simplified operation and few parts than the prior art. 
   These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a horse trailer with the present invention generally showing a partition in a closed position and arc of travel. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a partition in a generally closed position. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a partition shown engaging a preferred embodiment of the latching mechanism and an arc of travel. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a partition shown in a generally closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway cross-section of a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a partition in a generally closed position and an arc of travel. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section of a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a cut away of a locking mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a cut away of a locking mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is a general cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a housing, a flange, and a pin in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings in detail and to  FIG. 1  in particular, reference character  10  generally designates a sidewall mounted slam latch assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. Slam latch assembly  10  is generally provided for livestock trailer  12  with one or more hinged partition  14 . It is also contemplated that slam latch assembly  10  may further be used in association with other types of livestock partitions not related to trailers such as but not limited to stock pens, barns stalls, and livestock loading ramps. 
   Trailer  12  generally depicts a typical layout for a small slant load horse trailer and has a front  16 , a left side  18 , a right side  20 , and a rear  22 . Trailer  12  front  16  includes means for attaching the trailer  12  to a towing vehicle (not shown), in this case, the trailer  12  includes a tongue  24  with a hitch  26  and often further include additional amenities such as dressing room, saddle rack, storage area, lights, feed doors and bridle racks may also be provided as desired. 
   It is further contemplated that slam latch assembly  10  may be utilized in larger trailers that commonly utilize a goose-neck hitch in place of the tongue  24  and hitch  26  as shown. It is still further contemplated that the present invention, slam latch assembly  10 , can be used in self-propelled vehicles that may have one or more partition  14 . It is understood that slam latch assembly  10  may be used with a plurality of partitions  14  in livestock carriers and the illustrations depicting a preferred embodiment should not be considered to be limiting. It is still further understood that the arrangement of partition  14  in trailer  12  may be of various and numerous configurations and the depicted embodiment is for purposes of illustration. 
   As generally depicted in the illustration, partition  14  is hingedly mounted to trailer  12  first sidewall  28  such as left side  18  by one or more hinges  30 . In this way, partition  14  may generally pivot along arc  32  such that partition  14  may be in a closed position  34  or in an open position  36 . Partition  14  has sufficient length and is located along the right side  20  such that when the partition  14  is in the closed position  34 , a distal end  38  of the partition  14  is held in place by the slam latch assembly  10  which will be discussed in greater detail below. 
   When partition  14  is in closed position  34 , partition  14  distal end  38  interlocks with the slam latch assembly  10  to lock partition  14  to the trailer  12  right side  20 . In this way, slam latch assembly  10  prevents partition  14  from moving along arc  32  and prevents trailer  12  left side  18  or right side  20  from being pushed, bowed, or bent away such that partition  14  is released from the closed position  34 . In addition, this interlocking generally adds structural strength to trailer  12  left side  18  right side  20 , partition  14 , and to the trailer  12 , in general. 
   While the partition  14  may contact trailer  12  right side  20  generally perpendicularly, a preferred embodiment of partition  14  is such that it is long enough to contact the right side  20  at an angle such as generally depicted in the illustrations. It should be noted that the partition  14  may be mounted in a reverse manner so that it is hingedly connected to trailer  12  right side  20  and latched on trailer  12  left side  18 . It should also further be noted that partition  14  may have numerous angles of contact in different preferred embodiments while in closed position  34  and as such a preferred embodiment is depicted for purposes of illustration but should not be considered limiting. 
   Once again referring to the drawings and  FIGS. 2 through 8 , in a preferred embodiment, slam latch assembly  10  includes a housing  40  installed in trailer  12  second sidewall  42  on right side  20 . Housing  40  generally includes walls  44  with a first wall  46 , a second wall  48 , a third wall  50 , a fourth wall  52 , and a bottom wall  54  which generally define an interior cavity  56  with an aperture  58 . Housing  40  further generally includes a flange  60  around aperture  58  which will be discussed in greater detail below. 
   Housing  40  is provided to position latching mechanism  62  which generally includes rocker engagement arm  64 , pin  66 , torsion spring  68  and catch  70 . In a preferred embodiment, rocker engagement arm  64  is pivotally mounted within the housing  40  interior cavity  56  on pin  66  with torsion spring  68 . Rocker engagement arm  64  is generally biased by torsion spring  68  such that rocker engagement arm  64  is generally planar or flush with the flange  60 . 
   Rocker engagement arm  64  may further include a first recessed area  72  and a second recessed area  74 . In a preferred embodiment, first recessed area  72  is generally adapted to form a handle  76  to provide a convenient location for an operator to grasp the rocker engagement arm  64  and release partition  14  which will be discussed in greater detail below. Second recessed area  74  provides a location for torsion spring  68  to be mounted around pin  66  to bias the rocker engagement arm  64 . 
   Such as generally depicted in  FIG. 6 , in a preferred embodiment, torsion spring  68  is generally located at the bottom  78  of pin  66  so as greater structural integrity may be achieved with possibly less deforming of the housing  40 . In another preferred embodiment, torsion spring  68  is generally located in second recessed area  74  in the center  80  of pin  66  as generally depicted in FIG.  7 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, pin  66  is generally vertically oriented in housing  40  and may be secured in housing  40  walls  44  by conventional means such as but not limited to weld, screws, or holes  82  in housing  40  walls  44 . It is further contemplated that rocker engagement arm  64  is generally positioned such that outer surface  84  of rocker engagement arm  64  does not protrude past flange  60 , but rather is generally planar or flush when partition is in closed position  34  or open position  36 . It is realized that rocker engagement arm  64  may slightly protrude when partition  14  is engaging and pivoting rocker engagement arm  64  depending on construction and location of how deep pin  66  is generally positioned relative to housing  40  flange  60  as generally depicted in FIG.  3 . 
   Catch  70  is provided to engage the distal end  38  of partition  14  when partition  14  is in closed position  34 . It is further contemplated that housing  40  latching mechanism  62  catch  70  may be incorporated into housing  40  first wall  46 . In a preferred embodiment, housing  40  first wall  46  may be formed with a ledge  86  to provide catch  70 . 
   In a preferred embodiment of slam latch assembly  10 , partition  14  distal end  38  may further include a hook  88 . It is understood that hook  88  may be of various shapes and the depiction in the drawings is for purposes of illustration. The combination of catch  70  and hook  88  serve to lock the partition  14  as generally depicted in  FIG. 2  to the latching mechanism  62 . 
   As generally illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as partition  14  swings along arc  32 , partition  14  hook  88  contacts the rocker engagement arm  64  outer surface  84 , thus pivoting rocker engagement arm  64  on pin  66  such that torsion spring  68  is flexed. 
   To lock the partition  14  in the closed position  34 , all that is generally required is to push or slam partition  14  along arc  32 . Once the hook  88  has passed the rocker engagement arm  64 , the rocker engagement arm  64  will spring back into its original biased position locking the partition  14  in a closed position  34 . To release the partition  14 , one pulls the rocker engagement arm  64  handle  76  into the position generally shown in  FIG. 3  by pulling outward. The partition  14  may then be moved to the open position  36 . 
   In another preferred embodiment, housing  40  flange  60  further include attachment means  90  such as but not limited to holes  92  with recesses or beveled sides  94  as generally depicted in FIG.  7 . Attachment means  90  may be conventional means such as rivets  96  or screws, bolts, or the like to attach housing  40  to the interior surface  98  of trailer  12  second side wall  42 . Of note, attachment means  90  should be of a general construction that leaves a smooth and generally flush result with interior surface  98 . 
   It is contemplated that housing  40  including flange  60  and still further including rocker engagement arm  64  may be made from a synthetic material such as a plastic for acoustic and aesthetic reasons, however, they may also be made from other materials such as aluminum or steel. By using a synthetic material and screwing or riveting housing  40  flange  60  to trailer  12 , padding material (not shown) often used in association with trailers  12  may extend under the flange  60 . In this way, the flange  60  serves the dual function of securing the housing  40  to the trailer  12  second sidewall  42  and as a trim piece to cover the edges of the padding material. 
   It is preferred that the housing  40  and accompanying flange  60  are generally flush with trailer  12  second sidewall  42 . Of note, since the interior surface  98  of trailer  12  second sidewall  42  is preferably covered with a padding material (not shown), the housing  40  and accompanying flange  60  may actually be slightly recessed into trailer  12  second sidewall  42  due to the compression of the padding material when the slam latch assembly  10  housing  40  is installed. Of course, if no padding material is used housing  40  flange  60  may protrude ever so slightly from the interior surface  98  of trailer  12  second sidewall  42 , but in any case the housing  40  should not protrude more than 0.25 inches. 
   It is further contemplated, housing  40  is installed in a trailer  12  after it has been preassembled as generally shown in  FIG. 7. A  hole  100  may be cut or provided in the interior surface  98  of trailer  12  second sidewall  42  for generally positioning housing  40 . The hole  100  should be slightly larger than housing  40  and smaller than the flange  60  outer edge  102 . The housing  40  is then inserted into hole  100  so that housing  40  flange  60  and accompanying rocker engagement arm  64  outer surface  84  are generally planar or flush with interior surface  98  of trailer  12  second sidewall  42 . Hook  88  may be provided or attached to partition  14  distal end  38  to complete the slam latch assembly  10 . 
   It is still further contemplated that trailer  12  second sidewall  42  may be of a construction where housing  40  is integrated into trailer  12  second sidewall  42  and thus eliminating the need for a flange  60  or attachment means  90 . 
   Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.