Abstract:
A flexible draw latch for use in securing two closure members together, including a keeper adapted to be affixed to one of the closure members, a mounting bracket adapted to be affixed to the other closure member, a flexible arm pivotally connected to the mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket, the flexible arm having a mounting portion with an annular groove disposed therein, and there being provided on the mounting bracket arcuate surface portions which are configured to correspond with the annular groove to facilitate guiding of the flexible arm throughout its pivot range.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to draw latches for use in securing two closure members together. More specifically, the present invention relates to draw latches of the flexible or elastic type. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of draw latches are generally known in the art. One such type, an over-center draw latch, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,181,095, issued May 4, 1965, 3,466,076, issued Sep. 9, 1969, Des. 324,165, issued Feb. 25, 1992, and Des. 333,775, issued Mar. 9, 1993, each of which is assigned to Southco, Inc. The latches disclosed in these patents essentially comprise a keeper and a one-piece part having three segments, namely a base segment, a locking segment, and an intermediate segment, wherein the intermediate segment is flexibly connected to the base and locking segments. When in a latched condition, the locking segment is detachably connected to the keeper and is in overlying relation to the keeper, the base segment, and the intermediate segment. 
     These latches were often considered desirable because they provided positive over-center latching, were lightweight, and also were inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, these latches were attractive in appearance. Typically, however, these latches were of a molded plastic construction and were incapable of use in situations where high loads were placed on the latch. Another disadvantage in these latches was the fact that considerable precision was required in the installation of the latch and the keeper in order for the latch to operate properly. 
     Flexible draw latches are also known in the art and have been used for many years. Perhaps the most simple example of a flexible draw latch comprises a mounting bracket, a rubber stretch arm affixed to the bracket, and a keeper. These flexible draw latches are typically used to secure loose-fitting hoods or covers on heavy machinery or mechanical equipment. In operation, the rubber stretch arm would be pulled up and into engagement with the keeper, whereby the elasticity of the rubber arm would keep the hood or cover secure. Although these latches were not very pleasing in appearance and did not provide the more positive over-center latching action, they were considered desirable because the flexibility of the rubber arm compensated for misalignment of the bracket and keeper during installation. Another advantage of these flexible draw latches was that the load capability of the latch could be varied, within a range, by simply increasing or decreasing the distance between the bracket and the keeper and, thus, the tension on the rubber stretch arm. In high load situations, this type of latch became impractical, however, because of the difficulty in stretching the heavy-duty rubber arm required in such situations. 
     Another type of flexible draw latch is also known which was primarily developed to overcome the disadvantages of the above-mentioned flexible latch by providing a lever handle to assist in stretching the rubber arm. Essentially, these lever-assisted flexible draw latches comprise a bracket, a rubber stretch arm, a lever handle and a keeper. The rubber stretch arm is connected at one end to the bracket and connected at the other end to the lever at a point intermediate the ends of the lever. To operate the latch, the lever handle was inserted in the keeper and pivoted to stretch the rubber arm and then seating to secure the latch with a positive over-center action. Despite its advantages over the previous flexible draw latches, however, these lever assisted latches were considered unsightly and their use was essentially limited to high load situations where heavy-duty latches are required. 
     Other flexible draw latches, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,298 issued May 9, 1989, and 4,804,215 issued Feb. 14, 1989, and being assigned to Southco, Inc., are known which provide a simple draw-pull latch for use in securing two closure members together which has the advantages of a flexible locking member in an aesthetically pleasing latch which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and has a wide variety of practical applications. A flexible draw latch is shown in U.S. Patent D 333,775, issued on Mar. 9, 1993. The latch shown in the &#39;775 patent provides a mounting bracket, a flexible arm, and a keeper. At times, the arm can be interfered with by the mounting bracket which holds it. 
     A need exists for a flexible draw latch which has a smooth operation for facilitating the pivotal movement of the flexible arm relative to the mounting bracket. The present invention provides a flexible draw latch which has improved operating features and which has advantages of being easy to use, install and to construct. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a flexible draw latch for use in securing two closure members together, comprising a keeper adapted to be affixed to one of the members, a mounting bracket adapted to be affixed to the other member, and a flexible arm pivotally held by the mounting bracket. In operation, the arm is pivotally maintained at one end thereof by the mounting bracket, and swings from an open relaxed position toward the keeper, and is flexed to connect with the keeper. 
     The flexible draw latch features a guide which preferably can comprise an annular groove disposed in the mounting portion of the arm. The mounting bracket, likewise, is configured with a pair of mounting bosses with which the annular groove of the arm mates for correspondence in order to facilitate the smooth pivoting of the latch arm and to provide a hold-open feature. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel flexible draw latch. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a draw latch having a flexible arm. 
     It is a further object of the invention to accomplish the above objects in a flexible draw latch operated by stretching a flexible arm over a keeper for latching engagement therewith. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a flexible draw latch having variable load capabilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to accomplish the above objects by providing a flexible draw latch with improved operating and aligning features. 
     It is a further object of the invention to accomplish the above objects where a flexible draw latch is operated by stretching a flexible arm over a keeper for latching engagement therewith. 
     It is yet a further object to accomplish the above objects where the draw latch is provided with a smoothly pivotable arm. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a flexible draw latch wherein a groove provided in the arm is used to facilitate smooth pivoting of the latch by mating with at least one boss of the mounting bracket. 
     These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a flexible draw latch according to the present invention, as shown securing a closure panel member to a corresponding frame. 
     FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the draw latch shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown mounted to a closure panel member, illustrated in the unlatched condition. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown mounted to a closure panel member, illustrated in the unlatched condition with the mounting bracket shown in sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective, separate view of the mounting bracket of the flexible draw latch shown in FIGS. 1-4. 
     FIG. 6 is right side elevation, separate view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5, the left side being a mirror image of the right. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the keeper of the flexible draw latch of the present invention in isolation. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now being made to FIG. 1, a flexible draw latch  10  according to the present invention is shown comprising a keeper  11 , a mounting bracket  12 , and a flexible arm member  13 . Preferably, the flexible arm is comprised of a flexible, resilient material, such as, for example, an elastomer. Examples of suitable elastomers include natural rubber and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the keeper  11  is adapted for being affixed to a closure member, such, for example, the closure panel  100 , and preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical body member  14  having a bore  15  disposed therein for mounting and a retaining lip  16  at the end thereof. A flange  17  is provided at the cylindrical member at the end thereof opposite the lip  16 . 
     As shown best in FIG. 2, the keeper  11  is affixed to a member, such as, for example, a corresponding frame or panel  100  with a screw  20  or other suitable fastener disposed within the bore  15  of cylindrical body portion  14 . The flange  17  facilitates the retention of the keeper  11  and the distribution of the force load across the panel  100  or frame  101 . 
     The mounting bracket  12  is shown in a separate view in FIG.  5 . The mounting bracket  12  has mounting means for attachment of the mounting bracket  12  to a panel member, such as, for example, the closure panel  100  shown in FIGS. 1-3. The mounting means can comprise bores  26 ,  27  provided in the bracket  12  and through which fastening members, such as the screws  30 ,  31  as shown in FIG. 1, extend to connect with the panel  100 . Alternately, while not shown, it is conceivable that fastening members other than screws can be employed. In addition, while not shown, fastening members can comprise threaded bolts which can extend through the panel  100  and be secured with a matingly associated nut. As best shown in FIG. 5, the mounting member  12  is provided with wells  32 ,  33  which are disposed in the upper surface  34  to accommodate the heads of the corresponding respective fastening members, such as the screws  30 ,  31 . 
     The flexible arm member  13  is shown in FIG. 4 having a body portion  40  with a first aperture  41  therein, a lifting portion  42  disposed at one end thereof, and a mounting portion  43 . The body portion  40  further has a pair of legs  45 ,  46  which connect with the mounting portion  43  to define a second aperture  47 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting bracket  12  is shown comprising a generally u-shaped configuration. The mounting bracket  12  further has a space  51  therein, through which, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting portion  43  of the flexible arm  13  passes. The mounting bracket  12  retains the flexible arm  13  of the latch  10  on the closure panel  100 . The latch arm  13  is therefore able to pivot relative to the mounting bracket  12 . 
     Guide means is provided for facilitating the pivoting of the flexible arm member  13  throughout its pivot range. The guide means is shown in FIG. 4 comprising an annular groove  50  disposed in the mounting portion  43  of the arm  13 . Preferably, as shown, the annular groove  50  is tapered from each edge thereof to its center, forming a generally concave configuration. The guide means further is shown comprising groove-engaging means disposed on said mounting bracket  12  which is matingly associated for contact with the annular groove  50  of the flexible arm  13 . The groove-engaging means preferably comprises an arcuate surface portion, such as the arcuate surfaces  55 ,  56  disposed on opposite sides of the mounting bracket space  51 . Preferably, posts or bosses  57 ,  58  can be employed on which the arcuate surfaces  55 ,  56  can be provided. The bosses  57 ,  58  preferably can have the mounting bores  26 ,  27  disposed therein. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the arcuate surfaces  55 ,  56  is configured for mating association with the annular groove  50  of the arm mounting portion  43 . The arcuate surfaces  55 ,  56  are spaced apart to narrow the opening  51  at a zone between the bosses  57 ,  58 , the dimension of the narrowing defined by the distance between the bosses  57 ,  58  in this zone being represented by the double arrow “a” in FIG.  6 . The groove  50  of the mounting portion  43  is held between the bosses  57 ,  58  and is guided by the arcuate surfaces  55 ,  56  throughout its pivot range. The flexible arm  13  has a pivot range which permits the arm  13  to pivot from its fully open position shown by broken lines in FIG. 2, to its latched position where it is secured to a keeper  11 . 
     While the bosses  57 ,  58  are shown having bores  26 ,  27  disposed therein, respectively, which extend through the upper surface  34  of the mounting bracket  12 , it will be understood that bores  26 ,  27  can also be blind such that the bores end below the top surface  34  of the mounting bracket and are thus not visible. For example, while not shown, it will be understood that, with the blind bores, screws can be inserted into the bores  26 ,  27  such that the screw heads are positioned on the reverse side of the closure panel  100 , relative to the side of the panel  100  on which the mounting bracket  12  is provided, in order to secure the mounting bracket  12  to the panel  100 . 
     The operation of the flexible draw latch will now be described with reference being had to the drawing Figures. First, as seen in FIG. 2, in order to secure the latch, the latch arm  13  is moved from its unlatched position by pivoting in the direction of double arrow “b” so that the first aperture  41  aligns with the keeper  11 . The flexible arm member  13  preferably is stretched and the first aperture  41  drawn over the lip  16  of the keeper  11  and onto the keeper body  14 . Likewise, unlatching is accomplished by pulling the arm  13  to slightly stretch the arm  13  to allow the aperture  41  to clear the lip  16  of the keeper  11 . The arm  13  may then be pivotally moved off of the keeper  11 . 
     It can be seen from the above specification, that the latch of the present invention, due to the presence of a flexible, resilient locking member, provides all of the advantages associated with flexible draw latches. For example, the flexibility of the locking member insures a positive latching action, even if the mounting bracket and the keeper are not in precise alignment, and thus compensates for misalignment of the bracket and keeper during installation. In addition, the load or tension generated by the locking member can be varied, within a particular range, by simply increasing or decreasing the distance between the mounting bracket and the keeper to provide a lesser or greater degree of stretch in the locking member when the latch is closed. Of course, if the distance is too short the locking member will not properly engage the keeper and the latch will be ineffective. Likewise, if the distance is too large, the latch will tend to release spontaneously because the stretch capabilities of the locking member have been exceeded. 
     The minimum diameter of the mounting portion  43  at the bottom of the groove  50  and/or the dimensions of the groove  50  are selected such that there is frictional engagement between the arcuate surfaces  55  and  56  of the bosses  57  and  58  and the concave surface of the groove  50 . This frictional engagement provides a hold-open feature by preventing uncontrolled pivotal movement of the arm  13  when the arm  13  is unlatched and not being actively moved by a user. 
     The function of the groove  50  may optionally be enhanced by a pair of spaced-apart, annular projecting ridges provided on either side of the groove  50 . These annular ridges would project radially outward relative to the remaining portions of the mounting portion  43 . Also, these annular projecting ridges may in whole or in part define the annular groove  50 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting portion  42  is in the form of a T-shaped handle which is integrally made with the remaining portions of the arm  13 . The lifting portion  42  provides a means for allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the arm  13 . For example, the user may grasp the lifting portion  42  to stretch and pivotally move the arm  13 . 
     The keeper illustrated in FIG. 7 has a blind bore for engagement by a screw inserted from the side of the panel  101  opposite the side on which the keeper  11  is mounted. Alternatively, the keeper  11  may be provided with a counter-sunk through hole similar to bores  26  and  27 , and the keeper may be secured to closure member  101  by a screw inserted through the top of the keeper such that the head of the screw is positioned near the end of the keeper having the lip  16 . 
     Preferred forms of the invention have been described and illustrated herein for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, and various modifications or alternatives may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, all of which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.