Patent Abstract:
A draw latch for latching together two closure members having an open and a closed position and having a keeper, a base bracket, a housing, and a clevis, the keeper secured to one of the closure members, the a base bracket attached to the other of the closure members, the a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end of the housing pivotally and detachably connected to the keeper, the a clevis having a first and a second end, the first end of the clevis pivotally secured to the base bracket, and the second end of the clelvis pivotally secured to the second end of the housing; and the draw latch having secondary catches to secure the draw latch in the open and/or closed position.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/233,759, filed Jan. 20, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,865. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to draw latches for latching together two closure members. The latch is referred to as a “draw latch” because it forcibly draws together the two members on which the latch members are mounted. Such members may be components of a cabinet, a case, a housing for a machine, or any type of enclosure. In many cases, the closure members will be co-planar panels. But in other cases, the two closure members will be angularly disposed, such as at an angle to each other, for example, at right angles, or when used to close a “pop-open” style window in an automobile. 
     Draw latches are essentially toggle latches having three links and three pivot points. One of the pivot points is disengageable so that the latch may be unlatched to separate the closure members. 
     The present invention relates particularly to a draw latch of the toggle type. A unique aspect of this invention is special features that allow the latch to be held firmly in place by secondary catching features in a fully open position and/or a fully closed position. 
     Numerous draw latches are in the prior art, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,206 to Frame et al., the complete specification of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The draw latch of the present invention is for latching together two closure members. The draw latch has an open and a closed position and has a keeper secured to one of the closure members, a bracket attached to the other of the closure members, and a housing having a first end and a second end with the first end of the housing pivotally and detachably connected to the keeper, and a clevis having a first and a second end. The first end of the clevis is pivotally secured to the bracket, and the second end of the clevis is pivotally secured to the second end of the housing. 
     The housing has a secondary catch means to secure the draw latch in the open position. In addition to or instead of the secondary catch means to hold the latch in the open position, the housing may have a second secondary catch means to secure the draw latch in the closed position. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved draw latch that has a secondary catch means to secure the latch in either an open and/or a closed position. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved draw latch that has a secondary catch means to secure the latch in either an open and/or a closed position, where the secondary catch means is a detent in the housing. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the open position. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 21 is a rear elevation view of the draw latch of FIG. 1, with the latch in the closed position. 
     FIG. 22 is a side view of the latch, depicted as mounted on a closure member, being moved in the direction of the arrow toward a fully latched position to draw together and to latch two closure members which are at right angles to one another. 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its open position. 
     FIG. 24 is a side cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its open position. 
     FIG. 25 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position. 
     FIG. 27 is a side cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position. 
     FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its open position. 
     FIG. 29 is a side cross sectional view of a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its open position. 
     FIG. 30 is a bottom view of a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a cover for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 32 is a bottom view of a cover for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a base for a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 34 is a side view of a base for a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 35 is a bottom view of a base for a second embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a base for a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 37 is a side view of a base for a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 38 is a bottom view of a base for a third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a levis for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 40 is a top view of a clevis for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a keeper for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 42 is a side view of a keeper for a second and third embodiment of a draw latch according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 21 a draw latch  10  in a open or closed position in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative device is shown generally comprising a base bracket  20 , a clevis  30 , and a housing  40 . The keeper  50  is shown for example in FIG. 22 (also clearly depicted as item  21  in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,206, incorporated herein by reference). The keeper  50  is attached to one closure member  60  as is known in the art, for example, as a keeper for a flip-out style automobile window. Base bracket  20  is secured to another closure member  70 , for example, by rivets  23  through holes  22 . A first end  32  of clevis  30  is pivotally attached to base bracket  20  such that it is free to swing in an arc of, for example, about 180 degrees. The second end  34  of clevis  30  is pivotally attached to housing  40  in a manner known in the art, as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,206. 
     All of the component parts of the draw latch  10  of the present invention are preferably molded of engineering plastic with the resilience necessary for assembly and use of the components. 
     As seen in FIG. 22, the draw latch  10  is shown about to be moved, for example, by manually applying a light force to the end of the housing  40  in the direction of the arrow A toward a fully latched position. The tip of the hooked nose portion  42  at the lower end of the housing  40  is in detachable engagement with the keeper  50  and the inner radius  44  of the hook portion  42  is about to engage the corresponding outer radius of lip  52  of keeper  50 . 
     When the latch  10  is moved from a position which is on the open side of the “on-center” position to the “over-center” fully latched position, the second end  34  of the clevis  30  bears against the inner radius of the upper end of the housing  40 . Thus, in the fully latched position, the pivoting joints are positioned in an over center arrangement characteristic of toggle mechanisms. 
     To unlatch the latch  10 , an outward force is applied manually to the upper end  46  of the housing  40 , as by placing the fingers under the flange  48 . 
     As indicated, important new features of the present invention are the features which hold the latch in an open position and/or a closed position. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4 where the draw latch of the present invention is held in the open position, it can be seen that an internal surface of the housing  40  has a keyhole shaped slot  41 . This slot acts as a detent such that the main longitudinal shaft of the clevis  30  snaps into place in the keyhole slot  41  to retain the housing  40  in an open position. 
     Additionally, and/or alternatively, another feature adds additional security to hold the latch in the closed position, or acts to hold the latch in a closed position even if a second closure member to which a keeper is attached is not in position. As seen in FIGS. 18 and 21 where the latch is in the closed position (and also in FIGS. 10 and 12 where the latch is in the open position), outwardly protruding detent surface  25  on the base bracket  20  mates with a groove  45  extending along the inner surface of the housing  40  such that when the handle  40  is in a fully closed position, whether or not the handle  40  has engaged a keeper, the handle snaps into position and is held in place by the mating detent surface  25  and groove  45 . 
     FIGS. 23-27,  31 - 35 , and  39 - 42  illustrate a second embodiment of the latch  10 . As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment includes a base bracket  20 , a clevis  30 , a housing  40 , and a keeper  50 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 31-32, the housing  40  is illustrated. The housing includes a hooked nose portion  42 , defining an inner radius  44 . The housing&#39;s rear includes a slot  41 , dimensioned and configured to contain a clevis  30 , and a flange  48 , dimensioned and configured to permit grasping the flange  48  to raise the housing  40 . The rear portion of the housing  40  preferably also defines means for pivotally securing a clevis  30 , preferably holes  45 , which may include ramped surfaces  47  to facilitate snapping the clevis  30  into place. A rib  100  protrudes from the inside of the top of housing  10 , illustrated in FIG.  32 . 
     The base bracket  20  is best illustrated in FIGS. 33-35. The base bracket  20  defines at least one hole  22 , dimensioned and configured to receive mounting means such as the rivets  23 , described above. The base bracket  20  also includes means for pivotally securing the clevis  30 , preferably by defining an opening  24 , having a hole or depression  26  on either side. A ramped surface  27  may extend from the top of the base bracket  20  to the holes  26 , facilitating snapping in the clevis  30 . A slot  28 , communicating with the opening  24 , is located at the rear of the base bracket  20  and is dimensioned and configured to receive the clevis  30 . A rib  29  preferably protrudes into the opening  23 . The base bracket  20  may also include a ramped front surface  108 . 
     The rear of the base bracket  20  may include a secondary catch for retaining the clevis, which preferably includes a pair of arms  102 , defining a vertical slot  104  therebetween. The vertical slot  104  narrows at its top opening  106 . The vertical slot  104  is dimensioned and configured to receive the clevis  30 , but to allow the clevis  30  to pass through the top opening  106  only by flexing the arms  102  outward. 
     Referring to FIGS. 39-40, a clevis  30  is illustrated. The clevis  30  includes a first end  32 , dimensioned and configured to pivotally attach to a base bracket  20 , and a second end  34 , dimensioned and configured to pivotally attach to the housing  40 . A main longitudinal shaft  36  connects the ends  32 , 34 . The first end  32  and second end  34  each include means for pivotally securing the clevis  30 , which are preferably pegs  33 . The pegs  33  preferably have a ramped surface  35  or curved surface  37  to facilitate snapping the clevis  30  into a base bracket  20  or housing  40 . The first end may include a channel  39   a  dimensioned and configured to mate with the rib  29  of the base bracket  20 . Likewise, the second end  34  may include a channel  39   b,  dimensioned and configured to mate with the rib  100  of the housing  40 . The interaction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b  creates friction, thereby securing the latch in any desired position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 41-42, a keeper  50  is illustrated. The keeper  50  includes a lip  52 , dimensioned and configured to mate with the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40 . The keeper also preferably includes a ramped surface  110 , dimensioned and configured to abut the ramped front surface  108  of the base bracket  20  when the latch  10  is closed. The keeper  50  may include at least one mounting hole  112 . 
     The operation of the second embodiment of the latch  10  is illustrated in FIGS. 23-27. Referring to FIGS. 26-27, the latch is illustrated in the closed position, wherein the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40  engages the lip  52  of the keeper. FIG. 27 clearly illustrates how the clevis&#39; first end  32  is higher than the second end  34 . The off center positioning of the clevis  30  will cause the force exerted on the housing  40  by the keeper  50  to maintain the latch  10  in its closed position. Secondly, the friction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b  maintains the latch  10  in the closed position. Lastly, the arms  102  surrounding the shaft  36  of the clevis also retain the latch  10  in its closed position. In this position, the ramped surface  108  of the base bracket  20  and the ramped surface  110  of the keeper  50  abut each other. 
     The latch is opened by raising the housing&#39;s rear flange  48 , thereby removing the clevis  20  from the arms  102 . The latch  10  is moved to the position illustrated in FIGS. 23-25. In this position, the housing  40  has become disengaged from the keeper  50 , thereby allowing the panel to which the keeper is secured to separate from the panel to which the base bracket  20  is secured. The latch  10  is retained in this position, or in any other position desired, by the friction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b.    
     To close the latch  10 , the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40  is hooked over the lip  52  of the keeper, and the housing&#39;s flange  48  is rotated downward. The keeper  50  and base bracket  20  are thereby drawn together as the latch  10  is returned to the closed position described above. 
     A third embodiment of the latch is illustrated in FIGS. 28-32 and  36 - 41 . This third embodiment of the latch  10  differs from the second embodiment only in that the base bracket  20  does not include the arms  102 . As in the second embodiment, the third embodiment includes a base bracket  20 , a clevis  30 , a housing  40 , and a keeper  50 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 31-32, the housing  40  is illustrated. The housing includes a hooked nose portion  42 , defining an inner radius  44 . The housing&#39;s rear includes a slot  41 , dimensioned and configured to contain a clevis  30 , and a flange  48 , dimensioned and configured to permit grasping the flange  48  to raise the housing  40 . The rear portion of the housing  40  preferably also defines means for pivotally securing a clevis  30 , preferably holes  45 , which may include ramped surfaces  47  to facilitate snapping the clevis  30  into place. A rib  100  protrudes from the inside of the top of housing  10 , illustrated in FIG.  32 . 
     The base bracket  20  is best illustrated in FIGS. 36-38. The base bracket  20  defines at least one hole  22 , dimensioned and configured to receive mounting means such as the rivets  23 , described above. The base bracket  20  also includes means for pivotally securing the clevis  30 , preferably by defining an opening  24 , having a hole or depression  26  on either side. A ramped surface  27  may extend from the top of the base bracket  20  to the holes  26 , facilitating snapping in the clevis  30 . A slot  28 , communicating with the opening  24 , is located at the rear of the base bracket  20  and is dimensioned and configured to receive the clevis  30 . A rib  29  preferably protrudes into the opening  23 . The base bracket  20  may also include a ramped front surface  108 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 39-40, a clevis  30  is illustrated. The clevis  30  includes a first end  32 , dimensioned and configured to pivotally attach to a base bracket  20 , and a second end  34 , dimensioned and configured to pivotally attach to the housing  40 . A main longitudinal shaft  36  connects the ends  32 , 34 . The first end  32  and second end  34  each include means for pivotally securing the clevis  30 , which are preferably pegs  33 . The pegs  33  preferably have a ramped surface  35  or curved surface  37  to facilitate snapping the clevis  30  into a base bracket  20  or housing  40 . The first end may include a channel  39   a  dimensioned and configured to mate with the rib  29  of the base bracket  20 . Likewise, the second end  34  may include a channel  39   b,  dimensioned and configured to mate with the rib  100  of the housing  40 . The interaction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b  creates friction, thereby securing the latch in any desired position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 41-42, a keeper  50  is illustrated. The keeper  50  includes a lip  52 , dimensioned and configured to mate with the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40 . The keeper also preferably includes a ramped surface  110 , dimensioned and configured to abut the ramped front surface  108  of the base bracket  20  when the latch  10  is closed. The keeper  50  may include at least one mounting hole  112 . 
     The operation of the second embodiment of the latch  10  is illustrated in FIGS.  26  and  28 - 30 . Referring to FIG. 26, the latch is illustrated in the closed position, wherein the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40  engages the lip  52  of the keeper. Like the second embodiment of FIG. 27, the clevis&#39; first end  32  is higher than the second end  34 . The off center positioning of the clevis  30  will cause the force exerted on the housing  40  by the keeper  50  to maintain the latch  10  in its closed position. Secondly, the friction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b  maintains the latch  10  in the closed position. In this position, the ramped surface  108  of the base bracket  20  and the ramped surface  110  of the keeper  50  abut each other. 
     The latch is opened by raising the housing&#39;s rear flange  48 . The latch  10  is moved to the position illustrated in FIGS. 28-30. In this position, the housing  40  has become disengaged from the keeper  50 , thereby allowing the panel to which the keeper is secured to separate from the panel to which the base bracket  20  is secured. The latch  10  is retained in this position, or in any other position desired, by the friction between the ribs  29 , 100  and the channels  39   a , 39   b.    
     To close the latch  10 , the hooked nose portion  42  of the housing  40  is hooked over the lip  52  of the keeper, and the housing&#39;s flange  48  is rotated downward. The keeper  50  and base bracket  20  are thereby drawn together as the latch  10  is returned to the closed position described above. 
     It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8