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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/239,650 filed Oct. 12, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to latching devices, and more particularly to a side panel slam-to-close latching system for latching hinged doors or panels and the like to a corresponding frame for various uses, such as in vehicles.  
           [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Door-mounted “slam” latches employ a camming surface on the end of a sliding-bolt element that cooperates with a striker on the door frame to cause a bolt action to secure the door when it is closed against the frame. Such latches are activated to secure the door when the door is merely pushed shut or slammed. However, to open the door, operation of the latch mechanism is required to release the latch. In some slam latches, as the door is being closed, the bolt is urged against a spring force by the action of a camming surface cooperating with the striker to slide into the latch housing. Once the camming surface has passed the door frame inner surface, the spring force then urges the bolt element to engage behind the door frame, or to engage a keeper mounted on the door frame. In order to open the door, the bolt is manually operated, usually through a grip, to withdraw the bolt from engagement with the keeper.  
           [0006]    Examples of prior art slam latches are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,841,674, 3,850,464, 5,482,333 and 5,628,634.  
           [0007]    The spring force for such latches can be provided through separate spring elements, such as a torsion bar spring (FIGS.  8 - 9 , U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,674), a torsion coil spring (FIGS.  11 - 13 , U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,674), or a compression coil spring (FIG. 13, U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,674). Alternatively, the spring element can be integrally molded with a latch body made from an appropriate plastic or polymeric material (FIGS.  1 - 7 , U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,674; U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,333; FIG. 6A- 6 E, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,534).  
           [0008]    Slam latches with integrally molded spring elements have a number of advantages over slam latches that use separate metal springs. First, slam latches with integrally molded spring elements tend to be less expensive because fewer parts are required to be made and assembled for each latch. Further, during manufacture metal springs may become embrittled and thus subject to breakage.  
           [0009]    On the other hand, prior art latches with integrally molded spring elements may not have the same life expectancy as those that use separate metal springs. Elements formed from polymeric materials that are subjected to cyclic stresses, such as integrally molded spring elements in slam latches, sometimes fail at stress levels far below their yield stress, due to fatigue failure.  
           [0010]    Prior slam latches have employed generally planar integrally molded spring elements. Examples include those shown in FIGS.  1 - 7  of U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,464, and FIGS.  6 B- 6 E of U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,534. A variation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,333, in which the spring member  5  includes two pairs of integrally hinged generally planar elements, molded from a suitable resin, such as polypropylene, in a relaxed configuration. In each of these designs, when the latch is operated stresses are generated primarily proximate the portion of the latch where the spring extends from the latch body.  
           [0011]    There is a need for a simple, inexpensive slam latch having an integrally molded spring element that resists cyclic stresses and fatigue failure, and which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured with minimal parts, and which is user friendly.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention provides a latch of the slam type for installation in an opening in a door or panel for releasably retaining the panel relative to a frame. The latch is particularly useful for securing carpeted panels, such as are found in automotive interiors.  
           [0013]    The latch is adapted for installation in a generally rectangular opening or aperture formed in the panel near the edge of the door panel.  
           [0014]    The latch includes a generally flat, rectangular upper plate, which is positioned above the door panel when the latch is mounted in the opening. In a presently preferred embodiment, the plate extends beyond the edge of the door panel and over the top of the frame, thereby serving to prevent inward movement of the door panel beneath the frame.  
           [0015]    The latch also includes a generally box-like latch housing that extends and is molded directly under the plate and through the opening in the door panel when the latch is mounted in the door panel. The latch housing forms a central well, and the well extends through a generally rectangular central opening that is formed in the plate. The central well is divided into a pawl recess and an actuation recess, whereby a housing wall separates the pawl recess from the actuation recess.  
           [0016]    The latch is a two-piece assembly comprising a pawl and a housing. The pawl is assembled within the housing, and snaps together. The pawl includes a living spring portion, which flexibly moves the locking portion of the pawl into and out of locking position under the frame.  
           [0017]    The latch is operated in the following manner: the operator squeezes the pawl against the housing wall, using two fingers, one against the pawl and the other against the backside of the housing wall. As a result of the squeezing action, the pawl living spring flexes and the pawl moves away from the frame. When the pawl exits the frame completely the latch is unlocked and the operator can pull the latch and the panel will open. The pawl provides for a slam action by the use of a ramp shape, which interacts with the frame, which forces the pawl away from the frame and forces the pawl living spring to flex. After the latch has cleared the frame the pawl living spring relaxes and the pawl engages the frame, completing the latching process.  
           [0018]    The latch is installed into the door panel by snapping. The lower part of the housing is placed into a hole provided for this purpose, while leaving the upper part of the housing (a flange or upper lip) above the surface of the panel.  
           [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch, which is useful for securing a door panel such as a door panel in a vehicle.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch, which includes a living spring member, which allows for the latch o return to its original position once it is released.  
           [0021]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a latch, which is easily mounted in the door or panel frame and can easily accommodate the door or panel.  
           [0022]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch, which is designed relatively simply and inexpensive, yet can perform its function properly.  
           [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a latch, which comprises a minimum number of parts.  
           [0024]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a latch, which comprises two separate pieces, which snap-fit together for assembly. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side panel latch shown in the neutral position according to the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a top view of the side panel latch of FIG. 1 shown in the neutral position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the side panel latch of FIG. 1 shown in the neutral position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side panel latch shown in the actuated position according to the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a top view of the side panel latch of FIG. 4 shown in the actuated position.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the side panel latch of FIG. 4 shown in the actuated position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pawl according to the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a top view of the pawl of FIG. 7.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the pawl of FIG. 7.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the housing according to the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 10.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 10.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 13 is a top view of the side panel latch installed in an assembly shown in the neutral position with the door or panel portion closed according to the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the side panel latch of FIG. 13 installed in an assembly shown in the neutral position.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch of FIG. 13 installed in an assembly shown in the neutral position.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 16 is a magnified view of the cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch of FIG. 15 installed in an assembly shown in the neutral position.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 17 is an alternate cross-sectional perspective view of the side panel latch of FIG. 13 installed in an assembly shown in the neutral position.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 19 is a magnified view of the cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch of FIG. 18 installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the side panel latch installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position with the door or panel portion open.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 21 is an isolated cross-sectional perspective view of the side panel latch installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch of FIG. 20 installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position with the door or panel portion open.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 23 is a magnified cross-sectional side elevation view of the side panel latch of FIG. 22 installed in an assembly shown in the actuated position with the door or panel portion open. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS.  1 - 6  various views of a side panel latch according to the present invention. The latch  1  comprises two separate parts, a housing  2  and a pawl  3 , each of which is a separately molded piece.  
         [0049]    Reference now will be made to the individual components of the latch  1 . FIGS.  7 - 9  show various views of the pawl  3  of the latch  1 . Wherein said pawl  3  comprises a locking portion  71 , and a living spring portion  4 , wherein said living portion  4  is embodied in a generally inverted U-shaped mechanism. Said pawl  3  further comprises a pair of locking pegs  5 ,  6  for retaining the latch  1  in a closed position. Said locking peg  5  comprises an indentation  7  recessed on the top wall  31  of locking peg  5 . Similarly, said locking peg  6  comprises an indentation  8  recessed on the top wall  32  of locking peg  6 . Said locking peg  5  further comprises a front ramped wall  22 , a curved bottom peg portion  63 , a front straight upper wall  29 , outer side wall  24 , inner side wall  28 , and bottom wall  33 . Moreover, said locking peg  6  also further comprises a front ramped wall  23 , a curved bottom peg portion  64 , a front straight upper wall  30 , outer side wall  25 , inner side wall  27 , and bottom wall  34 .  
         [0050]    Said locking pegs  5 ,  6  are separated from each other by a space  26 , wherein said space  26  terminates at a sloped inner wall  41 , wherein a straight upper lip  42  extends upwardly from said sloped inner wall  41 . A sloped outer wall  68  is the opposite side of sloped inner wall  41 , wherein said sloped outer wall  68  joins said locking pegs  5 ,  6  to the living spring portion  4  of the pawl  3 .  
         [0051]    As best seen in FIG. 9, the bottom wall  33  of locking peg  5  comprises an indentation  35 , wherein said indentation  35  comprises a sloped back wall  37 , which is angled at the same position and at the same plane as sloped inner wall  41 . Diametrically opposed to said sloped back wall  37  is front wall  39  of indentation  35 . Similarly, the bottom wall  34  of locking peg  6  comprises an indentation  36 , wherein said indentation  35  comprises a sloped back wall  38 , which is angled at the same position and at the same plane as sloped inner wall  41 . Diametrically opposed to said sloped back wall  38  is front wall  40  of indentation  36 .  
         [0052]    Said living spring portion  4  of said pawl  3  further comprises a curvilinear flexion portion  9  located at a position atop of said living spring portion  4 . Said living spring portion  4  further comprises a pair of generally downward sloping walls  10 ,  11  extending downwardly from said curvilinear flexion portion  9 . Whereby, generally downward sloping wall  11  is diametrically opposed to sloped outer wall  68 . Generally downward sloping wall  10  comprises an outer wall  12 , an inner wall  13 , and a curved portion  19 . Whereas, generally downward sloping wall  11  comprises an outer wall  14 , an inner wall  15 , and a curved portion  20 . An open space  16  separates said downward sloping wall  10  from downward sloping wall  11 . A pair of catches  17 ,  18  extend from said curved portion  19  of said living spring portion  4 , wherein a catch indent separates said catch  17  from said catch  18 .  
         [0053]    Said curved portion  20  of said living spring portion  4  terminates at a pawl base  69 , which joins said living spring portion  4  with said locking portion  71 . Said sloped outer wall  68  terminates at a curved joining portion  70 , which terminates at said pawl base  69 , thus joining said locking portion  71  with said living spring portion  4 .  
         [0054]    FIGS.  10 - 12  show various views of the housing  2  of the latch  1 . The housing  2  comprises a pawl recess  43 , an actuation recess  44 , a top surface  45 , a front upper lip  58 , a rear upper lip  66  a right side wall  46 , a left side wall  47 , a housing wall  48 , a pair of peg opening holes  49 ,  50 , a pair of catch opening holes  51 ,  52 , a base  53 , a curved base  61 , a rear catch  54 , a front catch  55 , a stop  62 , a guide  67 , and a catch stop  65 .  
         [0055]    The housing wall  48  divides said housing  2  into two compartments, wherein one of the compartments is the pawl recess  43 , and the other compartment is the actuation recess  44 . The pawl recess  43  is adapted to receive the pawl  3 , wherein the actuation recess  44  is adapted to receive the means for actuating the pawl, such as the user&#39;s fingers (not shown). The bottom of said pawl recess  43  comprises the base  53 , and the bottom of said actuation recess  44  comprises the curved base  61 . The top surface  45  of the housing  2  is generally flat such that when said latch  1  is mounted into the assembly (shown in FIGS.  13 - 23 ), the latch  1  becomes almost flush with other parts of the assembly (such as a frame  59  and a door  60 ) with only a thickness in an amount equal to a thickness of front upper lip  58  and rear upper lip  66  extending from the surface of the panel  59  and the door  60 .  
         [0056]    Said housing wall  48  terminates at its bottom with said pair of catch opening holes  51 ,  52 . Said pair of catch opening holes  51 ,  52  are adapted to accommodate catches  17 ,  18  of said pawl  3 . Thus, when the pawl  3  is installed in the housing  2 , said catches  17 ,  18  snap into position within catch opening holes  52 ,  51  respectively.  
         [0057]    The housing is adapted to receive the locking portion  71  of the pawl  3  also. Whereby, the peg opening holes  49 ,  50  are adapted to receive the locking pegs  5 ,  6  respectively. The front catch  55  is positioned such to reside within space  26  of pawl  3  once the pawl  3  is installed in the housing  2 . The front catch  55  comprises an upper sloped portion  56  and a lower sloped portion  57 . Said front catch  55  is dimensioned and configured such that when the latch  1  is mounted into the door  60 , the front catch  55  prevents said latch  1  from moving by sandwiching said door  60  in between said front catch  55  and said front upper lip  58 .  
         [0058]    The rear catch  54  likewise keeps the latch  1  in position, and prevents the latch  1  from moving once the latch  1  is installed into the door  60 . The rear catch  54 , as best seen in FIG. 12, terminates at the catch stop  65 , thereby the door  60  is sandwiched in between the rear upper lip  66  and the catch stop  65  of said rear catch  54 . The guide  67  is included just below said rear upper lip, attached to the curved base  61  of the housing  2 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 11 most clearly shows the stop  62  extending from the top surface  45  of the housing  2 . The stop  62  prevents the straight upper lip  42  of said pawl  3  from moving into the pawl recess  43 , thereby limiting the lateral movement of said locking pegs  5 ,  6 .  
         [0060]    FIGS.  13 - 23  show the latch  1  installed in the door  60 , and also show the frame  59 . FIGS.  13 - 17  show the latch in a neutral position, whereby the locking pegs  5 ,  6  extend under the frame  59 , thereby locking the latch  1  and preventing the door  60  from opening. FIG. 16 best shows locking peg  6  extending beyond door-frame boundary  72 , wherein said boundary  72  is the demarcation line between where the frame  59  ends and the door  60  begins. Thus, once locking pegs  5 , 6  extend beyond this boundary  72 , the latch is said to be in a neutral position, and when the door is closed, the door will be locked.  
         [0061]    FIGS.  18 - 23  show the latch in an actuated position, whereby the locking pegs  5 ,  6  do not extend under the frame  59 , thereby the latch  1  is open, and thus the door  60  may swingably open outward. FIG. 19 best shows locking peg  6  extending only under the door  60 , and only up to, but not including, the door-frame boundary  72 . Thus, the door  60  is capable of being opened. Once the latch  1  is actuated, and the door  60  is opened, then the user may release the pawl, such that it returns to its neutral position, whereby the locking pegs  5 ,  6  extend to their fullest lateral positions.  
         [0062]    When the user wishes to close the door, then he or she does not have to actuate the latch  1 . Rather the user may simply slam the latch down, wherein the front ramped walls  22 ,  23  of the locking pegs  5 ,  6  will allow the door  60  to close. At the point of contact when the latch is being slammed shut (door  60  is being slammed shut), the frame  59  at the door-frame boundary  72  will contact the front ramped walls  22 ,  23 , causing the locking pegs  5 ,  6  of the pawl  3  to move laterally into a position of actuation, thereby causing the living spring portion  4  to compress, and allowing the locking pegs  5 ,  6  to clear the frame  59 . Once the locking pegs  5 ,  6  clear the frame  59 , and the door  60  is closed, the locking pegs  5 ,  6  snap back into neutral position, whereby locking pegs  5 ,  6  extend under the frame  59 , past the door-frame boundary  72 . Thus, the living spring portion  4  returns to its neutral, non-compressed position. The front upper lip  58  extends beyond the door-frame boundary  72  and over the top of the frame  59 , thereby serving to prevent inward movement of the door  60  beneath the frame  59 .  
         [0063]    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.

Summary:
A side panel slam action latch comprising a two-piece assembly embodied in a rigid housing and a relatively flexible pawl member. The flexible portion of the pawl serving to actuate the pawl from a closed position to an open position. Locking pegs extend from the pawl to lock the latch, and upon actuation of the pawl, the locking pegs retract and allow for opening and closing of the door panel, which houses the latch.