Patent Publication Number: US-10329799-B2

Title: Latch mechanism with status indicator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation patent application of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/020668, filed Mar. 3, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/303,112, filed Mar. 3, 2016, the disclosure of these applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to latching devices and more particularly to latching devices for securing a first member such as a door, panel or the like in a closed position relative to a second member such as a corresponding door, panel or frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of latching devices for use in securing a first closure member such as a door, panel or the like in a closed position relative to a corresponding second closure member such as a door, panel or frame are known. Some types incorporate a pawl or similar latching member that is actuated to engage a closure member for latching. 
     In certain applications, it is desirable to know whether the mechanism is in a latched or unlatched state. For example, latches used to secure the door of a baggage compartment of a coach bus or a train, for example, may be inspected prior to beginning a journey. If the latch is not properly locked, the stored luggage belonging to the passengers may be inadvertently lost, if the compartment door opens while in transit, or the baggage may be stolen during the excursion, if the storage compartment is not properly secured and left unattended. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a latch mechanism is provided that comprises a housing, a cap, and at least one indicator. The cap may include a central axis and may be mounted for selective rotational movement relative to the housing about the central axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. At least one indicator may be interposed between the cap and the housing, such that the cap is covering at least a portion of at least one indicator. The at least one indicator may also be mounted for radial movement outwardly from the central axis relative to the cap as the cap is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position such that the cap is no longer in a covering relationship to the portion of at least one indicator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a side view of a latch mechanism in a latched state and a key according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a side view of the latch mechanism and key in  FIG. 1 a    in an unlatched state; 
         FIG. 2 a    is top perspective view of the latch mechanism and key in  FIG. 1 a    in the latched state; 
         FIG. 2 b    is top perspective view of the latch mechanism and key in  FIG. 1 a    in the unlatched state; 
         FIG. 3 a    is top plan view of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    in the latched state; 
         FIG. 3 b    is top plan view of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    in the unlatched state; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a top perspective view of a cap of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 4 b    is a bottom perspective view of a cap of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 5 a    is a top perspective view of a housing of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 5 b    is a bottom perspective view of a housing of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an indicator of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 7 a    is a top plan view of two indicators and the housing of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    having a translucent cap and indicators; 
         FIG. 7 b    is a side view of the top portion of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    having a translucent housing flange and indicators; 
         FIG. 8 a    is a side view of a cap, housing, and indicators of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 8 b    is a cross-section of the side view of the cap, housing, and indicators in  FIG. 8   a;    
         FIG. 9 a    is a top plan view of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    in the latched state having a translucent cap, indicator, and base portion; 
         FIG. 9 b    is a top plan view of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 1 a    in the unlatched state having a translucent cap, indicator, and base portion; 
         FIG. 10  is top plan view of a latch mechanism in the latched state according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11 a  to 11 c    are top plan views of the latch mechanism of  FIG. 10  illustrating a cap of the latch mechanism in various angular positions; 
         FIG. 12 a    is an isometric view of a latch mechanism in the unlatched state according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12 b    is an isometric view of the latch mechanism of  FIG. 12 a    in the latched state; 
         FIG. 12 c    is a top plan view of the latch mechanism of  FIG. 12 a    in the unlatched state; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a sub-assembly of the latch mechanism of  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 14 a    is a top side isometric view of a cap of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 14 b    is a top plan view of the cap of  FIG. 14   a;    
         FIG. 14 c    is a cross-section view of the cap of  FIG. 14 b    taken along the lines  14   c - 14   c;    
         FIG. 14 d    is a cross-section view of the cap of  FIG. 14 b    taken along the lines  14   d - 14   d;    
         FIG. 14 e    is a side elevation view of the cap of  FIG. 14   a;    
         FIG. 14 f    is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 14   a;    
         FIG. 15 a    is a bottom side isometric view of a housing of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 15 b    is a top plan view of the housing of  FIG. 15   a;    
         FIG. 15 c    is a cross-section view of the housing of  FIG. 15 b    taken along the lines  15   c - 15   c;    
         FIG. 15 d    is a cross-section view of the housing of  FIG. 15 b    taken along the lines  15   d - 15   d;    
         FIG. 15 e    is a detailed view of the housing of  FIG. 15   d;    
         FIG. 15 f    is a detailed view of the housing of  FIG. 15   b;    
         FIG. 15 g    is a side elevation view of the housing of  FIG. 15   a;    
         FIG. 15 h    is a bottom plan view of the housing of  FIG. 15   a;    
         FIG. 16 a    is a top side isometric view of an indicator of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 16 b    is a top plan view of the indicator of  FIG. 16   a;    
         FIG. 16 c    is a side elevation view of the indicator of  FIG. 16   a;    
         FIG. 16 d    is a bottom plan view of the indicator of  FIG. 16   a;    
         FIG. 17 a    is a top side isometric view of an indicator decal of the latch mechanism in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 17 b    is a top plan view of the indicator decal of  FIG. 17   a;  and 
         FIG. 17 c    is a side elevation view of the indicator decal of  FIG. 17   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described by reference to exemplary embodiments and variations of those embodiments. Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown and described. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. 
     According to various embodiments of the present invention, a latch mechanism is provided that comprises a housing and a cap configured to rotate relative to one another and cause one or more indicators that may, for example, be wing-shaped to extend as the latch mechanism is unlatched. The starting withdrawn position of the indicators may be closer to the central axis of the cap and/or housing when latched and extend out radially as the cap is rotated to the unlatched condition. The indicators may immediately pivot or otherwise move radially outwardly and reach their fully extended position, for example, within the first five degrees of rotation of the cap, and remain in the fully extended position for the remaining rotation of the cap to the unlatched condition. For example, if a 180 degree rotation of the cap will unlock the latch mechanism, the indicators may extend within the first five degrees of unlocking rotation of the cap and maintain the fully extended position for the remaining 175 degrees of rotation. It is preferred to configure the latch mechanism, such that the indicators reach their fully extended position and maintain this position for as much of the rotation of the cap as possible to eliminate the impression of a ‘false-locked’ condition in which the indicators are withdrawn, but the latch is not fully closed. The indicators may be color coded, such as a bright red color that may be generally visible at least 5 meters away, to warn an operator that the latch is not fully closed, which may be critical in transportation applications, such as on a train or moving vehicle. Springs or other biasing means are optional, but may be included in some embodiments, to facilitate actuation of the indicators. The indicator&#39;s motion may be completely controlled by the rotation of the cap or may be controlled by the housing geometry. Therefore, the indicators may pivot about an axis that is fixed relative to the cap or the housing, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , 2 a , and 2 b   , a latch mechanism  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided in combination with a driver in the form of a key  22  for actuating the latch mechanism  20  between a latched and unlatched state. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other driving means may be used to actuate a latch mechanism made according to the various embodiments of the present invention. For example in applications in which security is not a concern, the driver may be a handle or knob attached to the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism  20  may further comprise a cap  24  configured to receive the key  22  and a housing  26 . The cap  24  may, for example, be mounted for rotational movement relative to the housing  26 . One or more indicators  28  may be interposed between the cap  24  and housing  26  at a first end  34  of the housing  26 . 
     The latch mechanism according to the present invention may be provided in the form of various types of latches, such as a simple cam latch. The inner features of the latch may allow axial and/or rotational movement of the pawl. In one embodiment of the present invention, the latch mechanism may be provided in the form of a cam latch, such as the latch described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,592, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the opposing second end  35  of the housing  26  may be provided with an opening, and a shaft  30 , positioned at least in part within the housing  26 , may extend through the opening. The shaft  30  may be operatively connected to the cap  24 . A pawl  32  may be attached to an end of the shaft  30  using a fastening means, such as a screw  36 . The outer surface of the housing  26  may also be provided with interrupted screw threads along a portion of the outer surface thereof. The screw threads on the outer surface of the housing  26  may be interrupted by two or more flats, preferably at least four flats, formed on the outer surface of the housing  26 . The flats formed on the outer surface of the housing  30  prevent the rotation of the housing  26  when the key  22  is used to turn the cap  24 , once the latch  20  is installed in a closure member such as a door or the door&#39;s frame. The interrupted threads on the outer surface of the housing  26  are engaged by a nut (not shown) to secure the latch  20  in place, once the latch  20  is installed in a closure member such as a door or the door&#39;s frame. 
     The cam latch may include a cam (not shown) having at least one cam slot. The cam may be rotatably supported within the housing  26 , as well as operatively connected to the cap  24 , so as to rotate in response to rotation of the cap  24  from the latched condition to the unlatched condition. The shaft  30  may include a cam follower located within the cam slot, which may be configured such that the shaft  30  and the pawl  32  rotate in unison and also shift axially away from the second end  35  of the housing  26  as the cap moves between the unlatched position and the latched position. 
     In order to indicate whether the latching mechanism is in the latched or unlatched condition, the one or more indicators  28  alternate between a withdrawn condition and an extended condition. For example in the withdrawn condition as provided in  FIG. 3 a   , the indicators  28  are substantially obscured from view because the cap  24  is in a covering relationship to the indicators  28 . The withdrawn condition of the indicators therefore corresponds to the latched condition of the latching mechanism. The cap  24  includes a square-shaped male portion  38 , which mates with a corresponding female portion of the key  22  having a similar square shape. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the male and female portions and shape of the mating portions of the cap and key may be reversed or provided in a number of shapes, e.g. triangle, hexagon, cross, etc. The cap may also alternatively include a lock plug for receiving a toothed key. As provided in  FIG. 3 b   , the cap  24  has been rotated approximately 180 degrees to the unlatched condition causing the indicators  28  to extend outside of the circumference of the cap  24 , such that at least a portion of the indicators  28  are no longer obscured. 
     It is preferred that the portion of the indicators that are no longer obscured be provided with a color that is different than the color of the cap, such that the indicators when extended are easily recognizable. The portion of the indicator therefore includes a visual enhancement feature. The visual enhancement feature can be a color, a light, a reflector, or any other indicator means that enhances visualization of the indicator. A reflective surface is particularly beneficial at night where a coach driver or a train inspector, for example, using a flashlight can quickly observe either the presence or absence of the reflecting indicator and determine whether one or more compartments are either latched or unlatched. 
     For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the indicator  28  includes a base portion  48  and a colored insert  50 , the colored insert  50  comprising the portion of indicator that is colored differently than the cap and is visible in the extended position. Other means may by incorporated in a latch mechanism according to the present invention for allowing a user to easily recognize that at least a portion of the indicator is in the extended position. For example that indicator may include a light, such as an LED, or a fluorescent or phosphorescent paint may be applied to at least a portion of the indicator, such that it is illuminated in the extended position. The extended position in this embodiment corresponds to the unlatched condition; however, if desired, the correlation between the position of the indicators and the latched and unlatched conditions of the latching mechanism may be reversed. 
     In order to cause the one or more indicators to transition from a withdrawn position to an extended position when the cap is rotated, one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more grooves  46  in the top surface of a flanged portion  44  of the housing  26 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 a  to 9 b   , the cap  24  may include a bottom surface  40  that is in opposing relationship to the top surface of the flanged portion  44  of the housing  26 . The indicator  28  may be interposed between the top surface and the bottom surface  40 . So that the indicator rotates with the cap  24 , one or more projections  42  may extend from the bottom surface  40  of the cap  24  and through a corresponding bore in one end of the indicator  28 . In some embodiments, the projections may be molded into the bottom surface of the cap, i.e., integral with the cap, and in other embodiments, the projections may be provided in the form a separate pin inserted through the cap and an end of an indicator for example. The side of the indicator  28  adjacent to the top surface of the housing  26  may include a peg  52  extending therefrom. The peg  52  may be positioned within one of the grooves  46  in the top surface of the housing  26 . Some embodiments of the present invention may include a plurality of indicators, wherein each indicator has a respective groove in the top surface of the housing. The latch mechanism preferably includes two indicators to provide a symmetrical design that is easy to fabricate and assemble. 
     Referring specifically now to  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   , as the cap  24  rotates counter-clockwise relative to the housing  28 , the indicators also rotate counter-clockwise with the cap  24 . The groove  46  includes an angled section  54 . The peg  52  of the indicator  28  that is positioned within the groove  46  slides along the angled section  54  causing the indicator  28  to pivot about the projection  42  of the cap  24  during rotation. Upon reaching the end of the angled section  54 , the indicators  28  are in the fully extended position and continue to rotate with the cap  24 , until the cap  24  has rotated approximately 180 degrees. It is preferred that the location of the peg is located as close as possible to the bore in the indicator to maximize the angle of rotation when the indicator pivots about the projection of the cap. 
     As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the configuration of the groove  46  may also be modified, for example, by changing the angle of the angled section  54 , such that the transition from the withdrawn position to the extended position of the indicator is less immediate. Also, the direction of the grooves  46  may be reversed, so that the indicators extend when the cap is rotated in the clockwise direction. This would allow selection of the appropriate status indicator to be incorporated in either a left- or right-handed latch depending on the desired indications in the latched and unlatched condition and latching rotation direction of the latch mechanism. It is preferred that the height from the bottom of the flange of the housing to the top surface of the cap is as short as possible to provide a latch mechanism having a head with a small profile. It is also preferred to provide a relatively deep groove in the housing flange. The peg should also be configured to have a sufficient height and thickness that is approximately the same depth and width of the groove, so that the peg remains positioned within the groove during actuation of the latch and there is no risk of the peg escaping from the groove. A symmetrical design as mentioned above comprising two indicators wherein each indicator is in a respective groove may also be configured, so that the indicators extend in sync during rotation of the cap. It is preferred to include two or more indicators arranged such that the indicators extend substantially about the entire perimeter of the cap when actuated, so that the unlatched condition of the latch is easily recognized from the exposed portions of the indicators. The indicators may also extend at an angle to the central axis of the cap, such that the extended position of the indicators may be recognized from the side of the latch mechanism. 
     An alternative embodiment of a latching mechanism according to the present invention is provided in  FIGS. 10 to 11   c . Similar to the first embodiment, at least one indicator  128  may be interposed between the cap  124  and the housing, such that the cap  124  is in covering relationship to the indicator  128 . The cap  124  may also optionally be provided with a square-shaped male portion  138  to mate with a corresponding female portion of a key for rotation of the cap  124 . In the second embodiment, however, the indicator  128  does not rotate with the cap  124 . A projection  142  extends upwards from the top surface of the housing and through a corresponding bore in the indicator  128 . The indicator  128  pivots about the projection  142  during rotation of the cap  124 . The cap  124  includes a radially extending pin  152  that resides in a notch  153  of the indicator  128 , when the latch mechanism is in the latched condition. As the cap  124  is rotated counter-clockwise, the pin  152  rotates with the cap  124  and urges the indicator  128  to pivot about the projection  142  away from the central axis of the cap  124 . The pin  152  continues to slide along a cam surface  154  of the indicator  128  to maintain the indicator in an extended position during rotation of the cap to the fully open unlatched position, preferably after about a 180 degree rotation or less. 
     In some embodiments, the tip of the indicator  128  opposite to the bore may impinge on a portion of the cap  124  or the housing to prevent the indicator  128  from over extending. When the cap  124  is rotated back 180 degrees in the clockwise direction, the pin  152  will mate with notch  153  and a raised area  200  on the cap  124  adjacent to the pin  152  will push an end of the indicator  128  and urge the indicator  128  back to its original withdrawn position in the latched condition. 
     In other embodiments, the latching mechanism in  FIGS. 10 to 11   c  may further comprise a washer-shaped cover for the cap. The cover may remain fixed during rotation of the cap and offer additional security by only exposing the central male portion  138 , which may be accessed only with a driver having the appropriate shape and depth. 
     Another alternative embodiment of a latching mechanism  220  according to the present invention is provided in  FIGS. 12 a  to 17 c   . This alternative embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 a  to 9 b   . Similar to the first embodiment, at least one indicator  228  may be interposed between the cap  224  and the housing  226 , such that the cap  224  is in covering relationship to the indicator  228 . The cap  224  may also optionally be provided with a square-shaped male portion  238  to mate with a corresponding female portion of a key for rotation of the cap  224 . 
     There are several differences between the first embodiment and the third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12 a  to 17 c   . In the third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12 a  to 17 c   , each indicator  228  includes a projection  244  ( FIG. 16 a   ) that is pivotably inserted into a corresponding bore  242  ( FIG. 14 f   ) in the bottom surface of the cap  224 . In contrast, in the first embodiment, a projection  42  extends from the bottom surface  40  of the cap  24  and through a corresponding bore in one end of the indicator  28 . Each indicator  228  also includes a peg  252  (like peg  52 ) for that is positioned within one of the grooves  246  (like grooves  46 ) in the top surface  247  of the housing  226 . 
     A sticker or decal  260  ( FIG. 17 a -17 c   ) is positioned on the top surface  251  of the indicator  228 . The decal  260  includes a hole  261  that is fitted over the projection  244 . Like the indicator  28 , the decal  260  is a color that is different than the color of the cap  224 , such that the indicators  228  when extended are easily recognizable. In lieu of the decal  260 , the top surface  251  of the indicator  228  could be painted a different color than the cap  224 . 
     Despite the aforementioned differences, operation of the indicator  228 , as well as the entire latching mechanism  220 , is generally the same as that of indicator  28  and latching mechanism  20 . 
     Like the latching mechanism  20  of  FIGS. 1 a -9 b   , the latching mechanism  220  includes a cam latch  280 , similar to the latch described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,592. The cam latch  280  includes a cam  282 , a control sleeve  284 , a cam follower in the form of a shaft  286  (like shaft  30 ), a cross-pin  288 , and a spring  290 . 
     The cam  282  includes prongs  283  extending from the top end that are engaged with slots on the bottom side of the cap  224 , such that the cam  282  rotates along with the cap  224 . The cam  282  also includes one or more cam slots  285  defined on the revolved exterior surface. 
     The control sleeve  284  includes prongs  291  extending from the bottom end that are engaged with slots  293  ( FIG. 15 d   ) on the bottom interior side of the housing  226 , such that the control sleeve  284  remains rotationally fixed with the housing  226 . The control sleeve  284  also includes one or more slots  287  defined on the revolved exterior surface. Each slot  287  includes an axially extending slot portion  287   a  and a circumferentially-extending slot portion  287   b.    
     In an assembled form of the latching mechanism  220 , the cross-pin  288  is fitted through a cross-wise hole in the shaft  286 , the slot(s)  287  of the control sleeve  284 , and the cam slot(s)  285  of the cam  282 . The free ends of the cross-pin  288  are positioned in a circumferential recess  289  ( FIG. 15 e   ) formed on the interior surface of the housing  226 . The spring  290  is configured to bias the cam  282 , as well as the cam latch  280 , toward the unlatched state. 
     The operation of the latch when installed as part of an assembly including a door or closure member, will now be described. When cap  224  is rotated, the sleeve-like cam  282  will be driven to rotate in the same direction as the cap  224 . When cam  282  is rotated, cross pin  288  is moved, but whether the movement is axial or rotational is dependent upon whether the ends of pin  288  are in the axial slot portions  287   a  or in the circumferential slot portions  287   b  of the motion-control sleeve  284 . 
     When in the latched position, the cap  224  is at its fully clockwise position, and the two opposite ends of cross pin  288  are positioned through the axial slot portions  287   a  of the motion-control sleeve  284 , near the ends of the axial slot portions  287   a . In addition, the portions of the cross pin  288  projecting from either side of the shaft  286 , simultaneously engage the cam slots  285  of the cam  282 . At the extreme of the clockwise rotation of the cap  224 , the projecting portions of the cross pin  288  are positioned nearest to the ends of the cam slots  285  which are closest to the proximal end (i.e., the end closest to the cap  224 ) of the cam  282 . The pitch of each of the cam slots  285  is such that the axial distance, i.e. the distance measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cam  282 , between a location along the cam slot  285  and the proximal end of the cam  282  increases in the clockwise direction, beginning at the end of the cam slot nearest the proximal end of the cam  282 . 
     To unlatch the closure member from a door frame (for example), cap  224  is turned in a counterclockwise direction. When this is done, cap  224  and cam  282  rotate as a unit. The cross pin  288  cannot move rotationally because its opposite ends are within the axial slot portions  287   a  of the stationary motion-control sleeve  284 . As a result, when cam  282  is rotated counterclockwise, the opposite ends of pin  288  follow the opposed cam slots  285 , and as a result, pin  288 , and hence also shaft  286  and the pawl  299  ( FIG. 12 b   ), will move away from the top end  247  of the housing  226  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  286 . The axial movement of the shaft  286  and the pawl  299 , away from the top end  247  of the housing  286  and away from the door frame, continues until the ends of the pin  288  reach the circumferential slot portions  287   b.    
     After cap  224  and cam  282  have been rotated as a unit through approximately 120 degrees (for example), cross pin  288  has moved axially away from the proximal end of the motion control sleeve  284 , and is now aligned with the opposed circumferential slot portions  287   b . Further rotation of cap  224  and cam  282  now causes rotational movement of cross pin  288 , shaft  286  and pawl  299 , as the ends of pin  288  move along the opposed circumferential slot portions  287   b . In this manner, pawl  299  is moved out of alignment with the door frame, and after approximately 60 degrees of rotation, the closure member or door is fully unlatched from the door frame. The cap  224  has now been rotated approximately 180° (for example) relative to its fully latched position. 
     The latching action is simply the reverse of the unlatching action just described. On latching, as cap  224  is turned clockwise, the opposite ends of cross pin  288  move in the clockwise direction along the circumferencial slot portions  287   b  and the shaft  286  rotates in the clockwise direction about its longitudinal axis. Then the cross pin  288  translates axially toward the proximal end of the motion control sleeve  284 , when the cross pin  288  reaches the axial slot portions  287   a . These sequential motions are caused by the walls of the cam slots  285 , which urge the ends of the cross pin  288  along the circumferential slot portions  287   b  in the clockwise direction, until the ends of the cross pin  288  abut against the edge of the axial slot portions  287   a . Thereafter, walls of the cam slots  285  urge the ends of the cross pin  288  axially toward the proximal end of the motion control sleeve  284  along the axial slot portions  287   a . Thus, cam  282  and the motion-control sleeve  284  cooperatively cause the rotational and axial motions of the shaft  286  to take place in sequence, in response to the rotational motion of the cap  224  in the latching or clockwise direction, in one continuous motion. 
     It should be understood that the latching mechanisms  20  and  220  are not limited to the cam latch  280  that is shown and described herein. In other words, the indicators, caps and housings described herein may be utilized with other latch styles. For example, the indicator(s) may be used with an adjustable grip latch having an externally threaded rod, which is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,775 or 6,640,592, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The indicator(s) described herein may be used with a minimal protrusion fixed grip latch having an internally threaded shaft, which is disclosed, for example, in PCT Patent Application Pub. No. WO/2017/011443, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As yet another example, the indicator(s) described herein may be used with non-compression cam latch (non-pull-up), which is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,931, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In the standard non-compression type cam latch, the pawl pivots between latched and unlatched positions without translating. 
     In the present embodiments, the components of the latch mechanism are preferably comprised of metal and metal alloy materials, however, other suitable materials can also be used where desired, such as plastic, aluminum, or zinc. In addition, in the present embodiment, the closure member can be comprised of any suitable materials, such as wood or metal, and can be of varying thickness. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.