Container and latching system

A container is disclosed that has a base and a lid that is rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The lid may be secured to the base with a latch assembly. A latch assembly may have a locked position and an unlocked position, where the latch assembly includes: a latch body pivotally connected to the lid, a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, the latch button having a latch button-locking member, a latch-locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body, and a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm. When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm may engage the base and rotate against the rotational force from the latch-locking arm causing the latch button to move against the linear force until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to portable container with latching systems.

BACKGROUND

Various types of containers and latching systems exist. Containers may be used for food, beverages, and other materials or items. Latching systems exist to lock the containers in a closed configuration. However, conventional containers and latching systems are often not very durable and may not be easy to use. For instance, containers may not be strong enough to hold certain items and may not be strong enough to hold items on top of the container. Additionally, some latching systems may engage when a user does not want the system engaged and in other cases may not provide a sufficient lock between for the container. In such arrangements these and other deficiencies may render the container and/or latching system virtually useless.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure may relate to a container comprising: (a) a base that includes (1) a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, where the base opening is configured to allow access to an interior void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; and (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the base, where the lid is configured to rotate between an open configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closed configuration that prevents access to the base opening; and (c) a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly may comprise: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, the latch button having a latch button-locking member; (c) a latch-locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body, where the latch-locking arm has an latch arm-locking member; (d) a latch button biasing member that exerts a linear force on the latch button; and (e) a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm. To move the latch assembly to a locked position, the latch-locking arm engages the base and rotates against the rotational force of the latch-locking arm biasing member, and the latch button moves against the linear force of the latch button biasing member until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member. Additionally, the latch button-locking member may engage the arm-locking member when the latch-locking arm is in a substantially vertical position. In the exemplary embodiment, the latch-locking arm biasing member is a torsional spring. The latch arm-locking member may include a first locking surface and a curved upper surface extending from an upper edge of the first locking surface, where the latch arm-locking member may be substantially centered along the latch-locking arm. The latch-locking arm may have a pair of engaging members arranged on each side of the arm-locking member, and each engaging member of the pair of engaging members may be spaced from the arm-locking member. In addition, each engaging member of the pair of engaging members of the latch-locking arm may have an end with a curved surface that engages a receiver positioned under a lip that extends along the first side of the base. The latch assembly may also include an interlocking pawl that is rotatably attached to the latch body and located closer to an upper edge of the latch body than a lower edge of the latch body. The interlocking pawl may include a central member with an aperture extending through the base, a first protrusion extending outward from the central member, and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member opposite the first protrusion. The first protrusion of the interlocking pawl may contact the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch button from moving upwards. And the second protrusion of the interlocking pawl may have a curved outer surface that contacts the lid when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the lid is in the closed configuration. The latch assembly may also include a third biasing member that exerts a second rotational force on the interlocking pawl. In some examples, the container may include a divider that extends across a lid opening of the lid, where the divider is pivotally connected to the lid. The divider may be connected to the lid with a hinge and be selectively secured to the lid on a side opposite the hinge to prevent rotational movement of the divider. The divider may also be releasably secured to the lid with a snap fit. The divider may include a plurality of elongated openings.

Other aspects of the disclosure may relate to a container comprising: (a) a base that includes: (1) a base sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end, (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure that is configured to support the container on a surface, and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure, where the base opening being configured to allow access to a base interior void of the base formed by the base sidewall structure and the bottom portion; and (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base, where the lid includes: (1) a lid sidewall structure that has at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, (2) an upper portion connected to the second end of the lid sidewall structure, (3) a lid opening formed at the first end of the lid sidewall structure the lid opening being configured to allow access to a lid interior void formed by the lid sidewall structure and the upper portion, and (4) a divider pivotally connected to an interior portion of the lid that separates the base interior void and the lid interior void; and (c) a latch assembly pivotally connected to the lid having a locked position and an unlocked position. The divider may include a front side, a rear side, a first side that includes an integrated hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, where the integrated hinge is connected to a hinge receiver of the lid. The lid may be configured to rotate between an open configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closed configuration that prevents access to the base opening. The second side of the divider may include a centrally located recess that forms a pair of tabs, where each tab of the pair of tabs includes an engagement receiver that form a friction fit with a lid engaging member that extends from an interior surface of the lid to prevent rotational movement of the divider.

In some examples, the divider may also include a plurality of elongated openings that extend across a portion of the front side of the divider in a direction oriented from the first side of the divider to the second side of the divider. The latch assembly of the container may comprise: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, where the latch button has a latch button-locking member; (c) a latch-locking arm that is pivotally connected to the latch body, where the latch-locking arm has an arm-locking member; (d) a latch button biasing member that exerts a linear force on the latch button; and (e) a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm. When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm may engage the base and rotate against the rotational force, and the latch button may move against the linear force until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member.

Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, aspects of this invention relate to a containers and latching assemblies for containers. According to various aspects and embodiments, the containers and latching assemblies described herein may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composites, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the containers and latching assemblies may contain components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components, may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. Additionally, polymer components, such as elastomers, can be manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various molding and casting techniques and/or other known techniques.

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of containers and latching assemblies according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same or similar parts throughout.

FIGS.1-15depict different views of a container100. The container100may include a base110and a lid150that, in some examples, may be coupled, or in some examples may be non-destructively, removably coupled, thereto. The base110may be a structure forming a void for containing articles, as will be discussed more fully herein. In some examples, the base110may be cuboidal or substantially cuboidal in shape. In other examples, the base110may be prismoidal or substantially prismoidal (e.g., a rectangular prism, a pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, or the like) in shape. In still other examples, the base110may be substantially cylindrical in shape or may have a substantially trapezoidal cross section. Various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention.

The base110may include a base sidewall structure112having a first side114, a second side116opposite the first side114, a third side118extending between an edge of the first side114and an edge of the second side116, and a fourth side120opposite the third side118. The base sidewall structure112may also include a first end122and a second end124with a bottom portion126connected to the first end122of the base sidewall structure112. The bottom portion126may be configured to support the container100on a surface such as a table, the ground, or the like. In some embodiments, the bottom portion126may also and/or include a support member128that may be attached to the bottom portion126to help provide a slip resistant surface for the container100. The support member128may be a single member that may be integrally formed with the base110or may be attached after the base110has been formed. The support member128may have a size that encompasses at least 50 percent of the surface area of the bottom portion126. While not shown, in some examples, the support member128may comprise a plurality of feet that are arranged on the bottom portion126.

The base110may include a base opening130at the second end124of the base sidewall structure112(shown inFIGS.3-5). The base opening130is configured to allow access to a base interior void132formed by the base sidewall structure112and the bottom portion126.

The container100may include a lid150. The lid150may be pivotally connected to the base110and be configured to rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration, where the open configuration allows access to the base opening130and the base interior void132and the closed configuration prevents access to the base opening130and the base interior void132. In some examples, rotating the lid150from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes rotating the lid about 90° from the closed configuration, or about 180° from the closed configuration, or about 270° from the closed configuration. As shown inFIG.1, the base opening130may be covered by lid150, when the container100is in a closed configuration. In some arrangements, the lid150may connect to the base110in a closed configuration using a press fit. Additionally, or alternatively, other securing systems or devices may be used to secure the lid150to the base110, as will be discussed more fully herein.

In some examples, the lid150may be hinged such that it is connected to (either removably or permanently) the base110at a hinge142and may be rotated about the hinge142. The hinge142may be one of various types of hinges, including a continuous piano hinge, double hinge, ball joint hinge, living hinge, and the like. These and various other hinge arrangements may be discussed more fully herein. The hinge142may permit the lid150to be opened and rotated away from the base110, to allow access to the base interior void132defined by the base110(e.g., via base opening130). That is, the hinge142may facilitate rotation of the lid150from a closed configuration of the container100(e.g., when the lid150is in place covering the base interior void132formed by the base110, as shown inFIG.1) to an open configuration (e.g., when the lid150is not covering the base interior void132formed by the base110, as shown inFIGS.3-5), and vice versa.

The lid150may include an lid sidewall structure152having a first side154, a second side156opposite the first side154, a third side158extending between an edge of the first side154and an edge of the second side156, and a fourth side160opposite the third side158. The lid sidewall structure152may also include a first end162and a second end164with an upper portion166connected to the second end164of the lid sidewall structure152. The upper portion166may be configured to act as a cover for the container100that could support items placed on top of the container100. In some examples, the upper portion166may have a centrally located recess168along the upper portion to allow a second container to be placed on top of the upper portion166. The lid150may further include a lid opening170at the first end162of the lid sidewall structure152. The lid opening170is configured to allow access to a lid interior void172formed by the lid sidewall structure152and the upper portion166at the second end164of the lid sidewall structure152. In most examples, a height of the lid sidewall structure152may be less than a height of the base sidewall structure112. Thus, the volume of the base interior void132may be larger than the volume of the lid interior void172.

In some arrangements, the container100may include a gasket199or other sealing device. The gasket199may be arranged in either the lid150or the base110and may aid in sealing the lid150and base110when the lid150is in a closed configuration. For example, in one example, the container100may be manufactured such that it is dust tight when tested for 8 hours and/or waterproof when tested for 30 minutes under 1 meter of water. In some embodiments, the container100may be capable of achieving an IP68 (as set forth by International Electrotechnical Commission) rating which specifies that there is no ingress of dust or complete protection from dust when tested for 8 hours and ingress of water in harmful quantities is not possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (at 1 meter of submersion). The IP68 dust test is 8 hours long and the enclosure is tested in a vacuum. The IP68 water test is 30 minutes long and the enclosure is tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1 meter deep water.

In some examples, (and as best shown inFIGS.12-14) the gasket199may be seated in a recess174formed in the lid150that extends around a perimeter of the lid150. Additionally, in some examples, the container100may include a ridge134in the base110extending around a perimeter of the base110. The gasket199may be placed between the recess174and the ridge134. When the lid150is in a closed configuration, the ridge134having a shape corresponding to recess174may contact the gasket199and compress the gasket199and aid in sealing the lid150and the base110in the closed configuration as shown inFIGS.12-14. In some examples, the gasket199may be a traditional gasket having a substantially circular cross section. In other arrangements, the gasket199may include strategically placed cut-outs that may reduce or eliminate a need for a vent (e.g., a vent to prevent lid lock). The gasket199may aid in maintaining a seal between the interior of the container100and the outside environment, and in some examples, the gasket199may aid in maintaining the temperature of the articles contained within the container100. Alternatively, the gasket199may be arranged in a recess or channel formed in the base110.

The container100may include additional features, such as a lanyard198, shown inFIG.2, to allow a user to carry the container100or attach the container100to other objects. The lanyard198may connect to the base on the third side118to the fourth side120and extends along the bottom portion126. As shown in the illustrated example, the support member128may have a groove136(or pair of grooves) that receives and guide the lanyard198along the bottom portion126. In addition, the third side118and fourth side120of the base sidewall structure112may include guide rails138to engage and guide the lanyard198along the third and fourth sides118,120. The base sidewall structure112may also include connecting members140adjacent the guide rails138to secure the lanyard198to the base110of container100. The guide rails138and connecting members may be integrally formed with the base110.

As shown inFIGS.3,4,5, and12-15, the lid150may include a divider178that is pivotally connected to an interior portion of the lid150to separate any items that may be stored in a lid interior void172from the base interior void132. The divider178may extend across the lid opening170separating the base interior void132from the lid interior void172. The divider178may have a front side179and a rear side180and an integrated hinge181formed along a first side182that is pivotally connected to the lid150at a hinge receiver175of the lid150. The integrated hinge181may include a plurality of apertures spaced from the edge of the first side182. In addition, the integrated hinge181may be located on an angle to the front side179and may be snap-fit into a hinge receiver175of the lid150to secure the divider178to the lid150. As such, the divider178is releasably secured to the lid150. The divider178may include a plurality of elongated openings184. The elongated openings184may extend across a portion of the divider178in a direction generally oriented from the first side182to a second side183opposite the first side182. Each elongated opening184may have a length, L, extends at least 50 percent of the width, W, of the divider178, or between a range of 55 percent and 80 percent of the width, where the width, W, is the distance from the first side182to the second side183. Alternatively, the divider178may be a continuous surface without openings.

When the divider178is installed, the second side183of the divider178may be selectively secured to the lid150to prevent rotational movement of the divider178as best illustrated inFIG.15. The divider178may include a central recess185along the second side183forming a pair of tabs186. Each tab186may have an engagement receiver187that forms a friction or snap fit with a lid engaging member177that extends from an interior surface of the lid150. The lid engaging member177may fit into a groove formed by the engagement receiver187of the divider178.

The container100may also include a removable tray188. The tray188may allow another level for a user to store items in the container100. The tray188rests along a shelf148that extends along an inner perimeter of the base interior void132. The tray188may include an upper ledge190with a perimeter wall192that extends from an inner edge194of the upper ledge190to a bottom wall196forming the bottom portion of the tray188. The volume formed by the perimeter wall192and the bottom wall196of the tray may form an upper storage region of the base interior void132. The tray188may have a tray depth that is less than a depth of the base sidewall structure112of the base110such that the bottom wall196of the tray188is spaced from the bottom portion126of the base110, which allows for a secondary storage region within the base interior void132underneath the bottom wall196of the tray188. As noted, since the tray188is removable, with the tray188removed, the base interior void132may form a single storage region within the base110.

The upper ledge190may be continuous along the perimeter wall192to form a solid upper ledge190. Similarly, the perimeter wall192and the bottom wall196may be continuous such that no holes or apertures are present in the tray188. Alternatively, the perimeter wall192and/or the bottom wall196may include apertures. In some examples, the shelf148may be continuous along the inner perimeter of the base interior void132, while in other examples, the shelf148may be interrupted or a plurality of mounts (not shown) may be positioned along an interior surface of the base sidewall structure112such that the mounts form a planar surface to support the tray188.

The divider178and the tray188may have an elastomeric material coating to provide a soft touch and feel and for storing delicate objects. This divider178and/or the tray188may be overmolded onto a more rigid base, or in some cases, the divider178and/or the tray188may be formed from an elastomeric material. The elastomeric materials used to form, or partially form, an exemplary divider178and/or tray188may materials such as or including natural and synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic urethanes (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), or other similar materials.

In some arrangements, the container100may also include a latch assembly200. As best illustrated inFIGS.16A-20, the latch assembly200may have a locked position and an unlocked position, where the latch assembly200is configured to lock the lid150when the lid150is in a closed configuration. The latch assembly200may include a latch body210that is pivotally connected to the lid150, a latch button230that is slidably connected to the latch body210, and a latch-locking arm250pivotally connected to the latch body210around a latch pin270that is connected to the latch body210. The latch assembly200may also include a latch button biasing member280that exerts a vertically oriented force onto the latch button230, and a locking arm biasing member282that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm250. The latch button230may have a latch button-locking member232, and the latch-locking arm250may have an arm-locking member252. In some examples, the latch assembly200may further comprise an interlocking pawl288that is rotatably attached to the latch body210via a pin connection where the interlocking pawl288is located closer to an upper edge212of the latch body210than a lower edge214of the latch body210. As will be described in more detail below, when the latch assembly200is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm250engages the base110and rotates against the rotational force of the locking arm biasing member282and the latch button230moves against the vertically oriented force of the latch button biasing member280until the latch button-locking member232engages the arm-locking member252as shown inFIGS.16A-16D.

FIGS.16A-16Dillustrates the movement of the latch assembly200from an unlocked position to a locked position. As shown inFIG.16A, the latch assembly200is in an unlocked position with the latch-locking arm250extending away from the latch body210toward the base110. The interlocking pawl288may prevent the latch-locking arm250from inadvertently engaging the latch button230into its locked position when the container100is in an open configuration (e.g., the base110and the lid150are separated from each other on at least one side). The interlocking pawl288may include a central member290with an aperture292extending through the central member290, a first protrusion294extending outward from the central member290, and a second protrusion296extending outward from the central member290opposite the first protrusion294. The first protrusion294may contact the latch button230when the latch assembly200is in an unlocked position to prevent the latch button230from moving upward toward an upper edge212of the latch body210. The second protrusion296of the interlocking pawl288may have a curved outer surface that may contact the lid150when the latch assembly200is in an unlocked position to prevent the latch-locking arm250from locking before the lid150is in the closed configuration. In addition, a pawl biasing member298may exert a rotational force on the interlocking pawl288to keep the interlocking pawl288in contact with the latch button230when the container100is in an open configuration. Since the latch button230cannot slide, the latch-locking arm250cannot rotate to inadvertently engage the latch button230prior to the lid150being closed onto the base110. For example, the pawl biasing member298may be a torsion spring that exerts a rotational force to bias the first protrusion294toward the latch body210(i.e., a clockwise direction as shown inFIG.16A). The rotary motion of the interlocking pawl288may be controlled by a cam-like interaction between the outer surface of the second protrusion296of the pawl288and the lid150. In some examples, the corresponding engagement region176with a corresponding curved surface to engage the curved outer surface of the second protrusion296.

FIGS.16B and16Cillustrate the latch assembly200engaging the base110causing the latch assembly200to begin to move from an unlocked position to a locked position. As a locking arm engaging member254of the latch-locking arm250engages a receiver144positioned under a lip146that extends outward along a first side114of the sidewall structure (as best shown inFIG.13), the latch-locking arm250begins to rotate towards the latch body210(i.e., the latch-locking arm250rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown inFIG.16B). In some examples, the lip146may extend outward along an entire perimeter of the base110. The receiver144may have a concave cross-sectional shape, and the locking arm engaging member254may have a convex shape cross-sectional shape. As the latch-locking arm250contacts the base110, the latch-locking arm250begins to move underneath the base110. The rotational movement of the latch-locking arm250may cause the latch button-locking member232to contact and ride up along an outer surface258of the arm-locking member252. As the latch button-locking member232moves along the outer surface258, the latch button230may translate upward in a sliding motion toward an upper edge212of the latch body210. As the latch-locking arm250rotates, the entire latch assembly200rotates towards a vertical orientation.

FIG.16Dillustrates the latch assembly200in a locked position. In the locked position, the latch button-locking member232engages the arm-locking member252, where the latch-locking arm250is in a substantially vertical orientation. Each locking member232,252may include a locking surface234,256respectively that confront each other when the latch assembly200is in a locked position. Further, when in a locked position each locking surface234,256may be substantially vertically oriented. As the latch button-locking member232moves the curved outer surface258of the arm-locking member252, the latch button-locking member232eventually reaches an upper edge260of the curved outer surface258. The upper edge260may also be the upper edge of the locking surface256such that once the latch button-locking member232passes the upper edge260of outer surface258, the latch button-locking member232drops such that the locking surface234moves downward to confront the locking surface256of the arm-locking member252.

To move the latch assembly200from a locked position to an unlocked position, the above described process is reversed as shown inFIGS.17A-17C. A user may push the latch button230upward where locking surface234disengages from locking surface256. The locking arm biasing member282may then cause the latch-locking arm250to rotate towards the base110causing the latch button-locking member232to slide down the outer surface258of the arm-locking member252. In addition, the latch button biasing member280exerts a downward force on the latch button230to help pull the latch button230and assist the latch button-locking member232to slide down the outer surface258of the arm-locking member252. In some examples, the latch assembly200may operate without the interlocking pawl288.

FIGS.18-20illustrate the latch assembly200disconnected from the lid150. As discussed above, the latch assembly200may include a latch body210, a latch button230that is slidably connected to the latch body210, and a latch-locking arm250pivotally connected to the latch body210around a latch pin270that is connected to the latch body210.

The latch body210may include an upper edge212, a lower edge214, and an outward facing surface216extending between the upper and lower edges212,214. On the inward side217opposite the outward facing surface216, the latch body210may further comprise a pair of hinge members223, a latch pin receiver218, a pair of latch button guides220, and a button biasing member receiver222. The hinge members223may be configured to receive a lid latch pin272to connect the latch assembly200to the lid150. A latch pin receiver218may include an aperture228arranged on a side surface226of the latch body210and also include a pin support221that receives the latch pin270on at least two sides. In addition, each latch button guide220may be a protrusion arranged on either side of the latch button230to keep the latch button230moving in a linear orientation. The button biasing member receiver222may comprise a recess or pair of recesses in the latch body210that are configured to hold a portion of the latch button biasing member280. The latch button biasing member280may be a compression spring or pair of compression springs to exert a linear force toward the lower edge214onto the latch button230. This linear force helps to keep the latch button-locking member232engaged with the arm-locking member252. In an exemplary latch assembly200that includes an interlocking pawl288, the latch body210may further include a pawl receiver224that receives a pin and a pawl biasing member298.

The latch button230may include a latch button-locking member232that extends outward from a rear surface236, while the front surface238may be configured to confront and slidably move along an interior surface of the inward side217of the latch body210. The latch button230may further include a bottom surface240to provide an interface for a user to exert an upward force to disengage and/or engage the latch assembly200. A latch button pin receiver242may be positioned above the bottom surface240. The latch button pin receiver242may comprise an aperture that receives the latch pin270. The latch button pin receiver242may have a height that is larger than a diameter of the latch pin270to enable the latch button230to slide along the latch body210, while the latch pin270remains fixed to the latch body210. For example, a height of the latch button pin receiver242may be two times greater than a diameter of the latch pin270. In some examples, the height of the latch button pin receiver242may be within a range of 1.5 to 3 times greater than a diameter of the latch pin270. As another feature, the front surface238may include a recess substantially aligns with the button biasing member receiver222in the latch body210that are configured to hold a portion of the latch button biasing member280.

The latch button-locking member232may be centrally located on the latch button230and may include a locking surface234that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface240. The latch button-locking member232may include a slide surface244adjacent to a lower edge of the locking surface234, where the slide surface244may be configured to slide along the outer surface258of the arm-locking member252. The slide surface244may be arranged at an acute angle (i.e., within a range of 1 degree and 89 degrees) to the locking surface234. In some examples, a stop245may extend from an upper surface246of the latch button230, where the stop is configured to contact the interlocking pawl288to prevent the latch button230from inadvertently moving when the latch assembly200is in an unlocked position.

The latch-locking arm250may have a front side268that faces the latch body210and a rear side269that faces the base110. The latch-locking arm250may include an arm-locking member252that is substantially centered along the latch-locking arm250, a pair of locking arm engaging members254arranged on each side of the arm-locking member252, and where each engaging member254may be spaced from the arm-locking member252. Further, each engaging member254may have a free end262with a curved or convex cross-sectional shape that engages the receiver144on the base110and a fixed end264that receives the latch pin270. As The locking arm biasing member282may be a torsional spring or a pair of torsional springs that is (are) connected to the latch pin270and exert a rotational force(s) on the engaging members254. In addition, as shown inFIG.14, the free end262of each engaging member254may include a locking surface266that may confront and contact a locking member149positioned in the receiver144of the base110. The locking surface266may be substantially parallel to the locking surface256of the arm-locking member252and may be spaced forward (toward the latch body210) from the locking surface256.

The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.