Abstract:
A casket latch assembly has a strike plate attached to a casket lid. The strike plate has a strike plate edge and a strike plate surface. A flexible latch arm is attached to a casket lower shell. The latch arm has a latch edge for engaging the strike plate surface of the strike plate to hold the lid in a closed position. A release mechanism for disengaging the latch edge from the strike plate surface to allow the closed lid to open.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to caskets. More specifically, the invention is directed to a latch for a casket. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Caskets are used for the interment of the bodies of deceased persons. Before interment, the body of the deceased is typically displayed for the benefit of loved ones at a funeral. When the body is displayed, the head portion of the casket lid and/or the leg portion of the casket lid is opened and locked in a raised position. When the viewing is completed, the lid portion(s) are returned to a closed position. 
   In the closed position, the lid portions are typically firmly held against the lower casket shell by one or more latch or locking mechanisms. The latch or locking mechanism should be economical and easy to use. Further, the latch mechanism should provide a positive indication that the lid has been locked in place. The invention provides such a casket latch. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A casket latch assembly has a strike plate attached to a casket lid. The strike plate has a strike plate edge and a strike plate surface. 
   A flexible latch arm is attached to a casket lower shell. The latch arm has a latch edge for engaging the strike plate surface of the strike plate to hold the lid in a closed position. 
   A release mechanism for disengaging the latch edge from the strike plate surface to allow the closed lid to open. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a casket showing a casket latch assembly of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of a casket lid showing a strike plate; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a casket lower shell showing a latch arm; and 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a casket  12  is shown having a lower shell  14 , a plurality of handrails  16 , and a lid  18 . The lower shell  14  includes a first end  15   a  and a second end  15   b . The lid  18  includes a head portion  20  and a leg portion  22 . The head portion  20  and the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  are connected to the lower shell  14  with hinges (not shown) allowing the head portion  20  and the leg portion  22  to be separately opened and closed. The casket  12  includes one or more casket latch assemblies  10  according to the invention. The head portion  20  of the lid  18  is firmly held against the lower shell  14  by a casket latch assembly  10 . Similarly, the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  is firmly held against the lower shell  14  by a casket latch assembly  10 . While the head portion  20  and the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  are illustrated as each having a single casket latch assembly  10 , it should be understood that more than one casket latch assembly can be used. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the casket latch assembly  10  includes a strike plate  28 , a latch arm  30  and a release button  31 . In this embodiment, the strike plate  28  is a metal plate attached to the leg portion  22  of the lid  18 . In another embodiment, the strike plate  28  can be another material, such as for example plastic. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the strike plate  28  is attached to the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  by a strike plate mounting screw  32 . Alternatively, the strike plate  28  can be attached to the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  by other mechanisms or structures, such as for example clips, clamps or adhesives. The strike plate  28  includes a strike plate edge  34  and a strike plate latch surface  36 . As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the strike plate  28  is mounted to the leg portion  22  of the lid  18  such that the strike plate latch surface  36  extends beyond an inside edge  38  of a framing member  40  of the leg portion  22 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the casket latch  10  includes a latch arm  30 . In this embodiment, the latch arm  30  is made of spring steel and is configured to flex as will be explained in more detail later. In another embodiment, the latch arm  30  can be made of another material, such as for example a polymer, sufficient to flex as will be explained. The latch arm  30  includes an attachment section  40  and a spring section  42 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the attachment section  40  of the latch arm  30  is attached to the lower shell  14 . In this embodiment, the attachment section  40  of the latch arm  30  is attached to the lower shell  14  by one or more attachment section mounting screws  44 . Alternatively, the attachment section  40  of the latch arm  30  can be attached to the lower shell  14  by other mechanisms or structures, such as for example clips, clamps or adhesives. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  includes a leaf section  46 , an angled section  48  and a latch section  50 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the leaf section  46  extends from the attachment section  40  to the angled section  48 . The leaf section  46  includes a leaf section upper end  52 . The leaf section upper end  52  includes a contact point  54 . 
   The angled section  48  extends from the leaf section upper end  52  to the latch section  50 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the angled section  48  forms an angle a with the lower shell  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the angle a is approximately 30°. Alternatively, the angle a can be more or less than 30°. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the latch section  50  includes an arcuate portion  55 , an extension segment  56  and a latch edge  58 . The arcuate portion  55  extends from the angled section  48  to the extension segment  56 . The extension segment  56  is substantially straight and is configured to be engaged by the strike plate edge  34  as the lid  18  is moved from an open position to a closed position. As the lid  18  closes, the strike plate edge  34  contacts the extension segment  56  thereby flexing the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  from an unflexed position P 1  as shown in  FIG. 5  to a flexed position P 2 . As the lid  18  continues to close, the strike plate edge  58  moves beyond the extension segment  56  and beyond the latch edge  58 . As the strike plate edge  34  moves beyond the latch edge  58 , the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  flexes back to the unflexed position P 1 . In this embodiment, the flexing of the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  back to the unflexed position P 1  causes an audible sound or a click. The audible sound provides funeral home personnel with a positive indication that the lid  18  is in the closed position. 
   Once the lid  18  is in a fully closed position and the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  is in unflexed position P 1 , the latch edge  58  engages the strike plate latch surface  36 . In this position, the latch arm  30  is configured to securely hold the lid  18  against the lower shell  14 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the casket latch assembly  10  includes a release button  31 . The release button  31  is configured to flex the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  into flexed position P 2  such that the strike plate edge  34  clears the latch edge  58  and the lid  18  can be moved to an open position. The release button  31  includes a push surface  60  connected to a shaft  62 . The shaft  62  extends through the lower shell  14 . A contact surface  64  is formed at the end of the shaft  62 . The contact surface  64  is configured to contact the contact point  54  of the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30 . In operation, as force is applied to the push surface  60 , the force is transmitted through the shaft  62  to the contact surface  64 . The contact surface  64  urges the spring section  42  of the latch arm  30  into flexed position P 2 . 
   While the invention as been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments, but that the invention shall include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.