Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20050212307?dq=5537618&ei=urENT6-uEoHegQe698i5Bw
Timestamp: 2014-04-16 11:43:22
Document Index: 171639823

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 40', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 218', 'art 218', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 42', 'art 242']

Patent US20050212307 - Operating mechanism for a movable closure element - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn operating mechanism to releasably engage a strike assembly to maintain a movable closure element in a predetermined position. The operating mechanism has a base with a first axis and a wall extending around the first axis and defining a passageway. A latch system has (a) a latched state in which the...http://www.google.com/patents/US20050212307?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20050212307 - Operating mechanism for a movable closure elementAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20050212307 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/811,693Publication dateSep 29, 2005Filing dateMar 29, 2004Priority dateMar 29, 2004Also published asDE102005014700A1, US7198308Publication number10811693, 811693, US 2005/0212307 A1, US 2005/212307 A1, US 20050212307 A1, US 20050212307A1, US 2005212307 A1, US 2005212307A1, US-A1-20050212307, US-A1-2005212307, US2005/0212307A1, US2005/212307A1, US20050212307 A1, US20050212307A1, US2005212307 A1, US2005212307A1InventorsChristopher Lane, Ricci MarzolfOriginal AssigneeTri/Mark CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (1), Classifications (15), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetOperating mechanism for a movable closure elementUS 20050212307 A1Abstract An operating mechanism to releasably engage a strike assembly to maintain a movable closure element in a predetermined position. The operating mechanism has a base with a first axis and a wall extending around the first axis and defining a passageway. A latch system has (a) a latched state in which the latch system engages a strike element and (b) a released state wherein the latch system can be disengaged from the strike element. The operating mechanism further includes an actuating system that is changeable from a first state into a second state to thereby change the state of the latch system. The actuating system has a first link which is movable within the passageway from a first position into a second position to change the state of the latch system. The actuating system further includes an actuating assembly that can be connected to the base without requiring separate fasteners. Images(15) Claims(52)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A schematic representation of a system, incorporating the present invention, is shown at 10 in FIG. 1. The system 10 includes a movable element 12 that may be virtually any type of element, such as a closure element, in either a static or dynamic environment, that is movable between first and second different positions relative to a frame support 14, and releasably maintainable in a predetermined position relative to the frame support 14. The movable element 12 may be repositionable by movement pivotably, translationally, etc., relative to the frame support 14 between the first and second positions. An operating mechanism 16 is mounted on the movable element 12. The operating mechanism 16 has an associated latch system 18 having (a) a latched state, wherein the latched system 18 engages a strike element 20 on a strike assembly 22 on the frame support 14 so as to maintain the movable element 12 in a predetermined position and (b) a released state wherein the latch system 18 can be disengaged from the strike element 20 so as to allow the movable element 12 to be moved from the predetermined position. The latch system 18 is changed from the latched state into the released state through an actuating system 24 mounted upon a base 26 on the movable element 12. The actuating system 24 includes at least a first link 28, which operatively connects to the latch system 18, and a second link 30 which changes the at least first link 28 from a first position into a second position to thereby change the latch system 18 from the latched state into the released state. With the actuating system 24 in a first state, the second link is in a first orientation, the at least first link 28 is in the first position, and the latch system 18 is in the latched state. With the actuating system 24 in a second state, the second link 30 is in a second orientation, the at least first link 28 is in the second position, and the latch system 18 is in the released state. The system 10 is shown in generic form because it is contemplated that the environment for the present invention and the configuration thereof may take myriad different forms. One exemplary environment for, and form of, the present invention, will now be described. It should be understood that the following description is intended to be exemplary in nature only and not limited to the specific structure shown and described. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame support 14 is shown as a wheeled agricultural implement having a cab at 32 with an internal compartment 34 that can be occupied by a user. The cab 32 has an access opening 36 which can be selectively closed and exposed by a movable element 12 in the form of a closure. The closure 12 is movable relative to the frame support 14 selectively between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and an open position, as shown in FIG. 3. The closure 12 is releasably maintainable in the closed position through cooperation between the operating mechanism 16 and strike assembly 22, as hereinafter described. As seen in FIGS. 4-6, the latch system 18 on the operating mechanism 16 includes a housing 38, consisting of joinable first and second parts 40,42 which are maintained together through bolts 44 and nuts 46. The housing 38 supports cooperating rotors 48,50, which are pivotable about parallel axes 52,54 between latched positions, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, and released positions, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6. The specific details of the operation of the latch system 18 are not critical to the present invention. It is sufficient to say that the rotors 48,50 are normally spring biased to their released positions. As the closure 12 is moved from the open position into the closed position, the strike element 20 on the strike assembly 22 is caused to bear upon the rotors 48,50 in the direction of arrow 55 in FIG. 6. As the closure 12 moves further towards the closed position, the rotors 48,50 are pivoted about their axes 52,54 from the released positions into the latched positions. In the latched positions for the rotors 48,50, the rotors 48,50 cooperatively define a closed receptacle 56 for the strike element 20, which is captively maintained therewithin. With the rotors 48,50 in their latched positions, the latch system 18 is in the latched state. An L-shaped operator 58 is mounted to a tab 60 on the housing 38 for pivoting movement around an axis 62. With the latch system 18 in the latched state, pivoting movement of the operator 58 in the direction of the arrow 64 in FIG. 4, around the axis 62, releases the rotors 48,50 so that they are driven under a stored bias force, produced by coil springs 66,68, into their released positions. With the rotors 48,50 in their released positions, the latch system 18 is in the released state. An optional cover 70 may be provided to shield the user from the mechanism on the housing 38 and for purposes of aesthetics. As previously noted, the operating mechanism 16 is contemplated to be used with myriad different types of latch systems including, for example, those utilizing a single rotor. The latch system 18 is intended only as one representative structure. The inventive concept, as explained in greater detail below, can be used in association with any latch system that is operable by repositioning an element through the application of either a compressive or tensile force. In the initial embodiment described herein, the latch system 18 is changeable from the latched state into the released state by exerting a force on an arm 72 of the operator 58 generally in the direction of arrow 74 in FIG. 4 that causes the operator 58 to pivot in the direction of the arrow 64 around the axis 62. The base 26 on the operating mechanism 16 consists of an elongate portion 76 defined by a hollow tubular element 78 having a central axis 80 around which a wall 82 extends. The tubular element 78 has spaced axial ends 84,86. The end 84 is mounted to the closure 12 through a support element, in this embodiment defined by the housing part 42. A separate support at 88 mounts the opposite end 86 of the tubular element 78 to the closure 12 so that the tubular element 78 is spaced from an inside surface 90 (FIG. 3) of the closure 12 to allow the radially outwardly facing surface 92 on the tubular element 78 to be grasped by the hand of a user to facilitate repositioning of the closure 12. In this embodiment, a bolt 94 extends through the support/housing part 42 and the tubular element 78 and is secured by a U-shaped spring nut 96 clipped to the end of the tubular element 78. The housing 38, including the support/housing part 42, is suitably secured to the closure 12, as shown for example in previously referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/316,359. The support 88 consists of an elbow 98 with a reduced diameter male portion 100 on one leg 102 and a circular flange 104 on the other leg 106. The male portion 100 of the elbow 98 is press fit into the passageway 114. The flange 104 has a flat surface 108 which can be borne facially against the inside surface 90 of the closure 12 and secured therethrough as through a threaded fastener 110. In this embodiment, the fastener 110 is integrated into a cap 112 with a rounded, exposed side 114 and a stepped opposite side 116. The opposite side 116 has a reduced diameter portion 118 that extends into a part of the closure 12, such as a window, so that an annular flat portion 119 bears facially against the outside thereof. The tubular element 78 has a rectangular opening 120 through the wall 82. The opening 120 is a blind opening. In other words, there is no opening through the wall 82 diametrically opposite to the location of the opening 120. The opening 120 is bounded by a continuous edge 122. The opening 130 is dimensioned to accommodate an actuating assembly at 124 on the operating mechanism 16, and consisting of a frame 126, an actuating element 128, and the aforementioned second link 30. The frame 126 has a wall 130 with a surface 132 that is curved to substantially match the curvature of the radially outwardly facing surface 92 on the tubular element 78. A flange 134 projects away from the surface 132 and has an outer peripheral surface 136 that nominally matches the shape and dimension of the edge 122 bounding the opening 120 through the tubular element 78. The flange 134 has spaced tabs 138,140, which define surfaces 142,144 which each face the surface 132. The tabs 138,140 have the same configuration. Exemplary tab 138 has a ramp surface 146 which is angled relative to the planes of the surfaces 132,142,144. The tab 140 has a like ramp surface 148. The frame 126 can be pressed into operative engagement with the base 26, as shown in FIGS. 7, 11 and 24-30, by aligning the flange 134 with the opening 120 and pressing the frame 126 radially inwardly, as shown in FIG. 9. Continued inward pressure causes the ramp surface 146 on the exemplary tab 138 to be cammed against the edge 122 and thereby moved towards the center of the opening 120, as shown in an exaggerated manner in FIG. 10. Continued radial movement causes a further deformation until the surface 142 moves radially inwardly beyond the inside surface 150 of the wall 82 on the tubular element 78 and springs back from a deformed state, as seen in FIG. 10, to an undeformed state, as seen in FIG. 11, wherein the edge 122 resides captively between the surfaces 132,142. The thickness T (FIG. 9) of the wall 82 of the tubular element 78 is approximately the same as the width dimension W (FIG. 9) between the surfaces 132,142 on the frame 126. The ability of the tabs 138,140 to deform is made possible by constructing part or all of the frame 126 from a deformable material, such as rubber or plastic. While the frame 126 is shown to be deformable to allow this snap-fit connection of the frame 126 and tubular element 78, part or all of the tubular element 78 could be made deformable to achieve the same end. By reason of using the tabs 138,140 at the axial ends of the opening 120, the frame 126 can be positively maintained in the operative position, as shown in FIGS. 7, 11 and 24-30. Additional tabs or a continuous tab fully around the opening 120, are also contemplated. Further, the snap-fitting of the frame 126 can be alternatively accomplished by initially bending the frame 126 so as to effectively diminish the spacing between the tabs 138, 140, and thereafter directing the frame 126 into the opening 120. By then releasing the frame 126, the tabs 138, 140 seat and the same operative position therefor is realized. With the frame 126 operatively positioned, the wall 130 and flange 134 cover the edge 122 of the opening 120 to provide a consistently neat appearance, even if the edge 122 has some minor irregularities. Depending upon how the opening 120 is formed, the edge 122 may have a rough shape with potentially sharp and/or jagged portions and/or flash thereon. The frame 126 shields the user from this edge 122 so that the edge 122 is not inadvertently contacted during use, as might otherwise cause discomfort to the user. The actuating element 128 has a length dimension L and a width dimension W1 that are each slightly less than the corresponding length and width dimensions L1,W2 of an opening 152 bounded by an inside surface 154 of the flange 134 on the frame 126. With this arrangement, the length and width dimensions L,W1, respectively, of the actuating element 128 can be directed through the frame opening 152 through the corresponding length and width dimensions L1,W2. The actuating element 128 is preferably operatively engaged with the frame 126 before the frame 126 is snap fit to the tubular element 78. The actuating element 128 has an actuating surface 156 that is placed in a leading direction as the actuating element 128 is directed through the frame opening 152 from the inside 158 of the frame 126 to the outside 160 of the frame 126. The frame 126 and actuating element 128 can be relatively angularly reoriented, and otherwise relatively moved with the actuating element 128 extending into the opening 152, to allow pivot stub shafts 162,164, which project towards each other from the flange 134 on the frame 126 across the width of the opening 152, to be extended into openings 166,168, respectively, in spaced walls 170,172 on the actuating element 128. The walls 170,172 have undercut guide slots 174,176, respectively, which converge outwardly towards the openings 166,168, to guide the pivot stub shafts 162,164 into alignment with the openings 166,168. The spacing between the walls 170,172 is selected so that as the pivot stub shafts 162,164 move within the guide slots 174,176, the walls 170,172 are compressed slightly towards each other by the pivot stub shafts 162, 164. Once the pivot stub shafts 162,164 move up to the openings 166,168, the walls 170,172 relax to cause the pivot stub shafts 162,164 to seat in the openings 166,168. With the actuating element 128 assembled in this manner, the pivot stub shafts 162,164 cooperatively define a pivot axis at 178 for the actuating element 128, which is movable therearound between a normal position, as shown in FIGS. 7, 23, 25, 27 and 28, and an actuated position, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28. The walls 170,172 have projecting tabs 180,182 which abut to the inside surface 154 of the tubular element 78 to arrest pivoting of the actuating element 128 from the actuated position outwardly to beyond the normal position. The link 30 is mounted between the walls 170,172 and is maintained in position by a pivot pin 184, which spans between the walls 170,172 and guides a mounting end 186 of the link 30 in pivoting movement around an axis 188, that is substantially parallel to the axis 178. The link 30 has an actuating end 190 with a curved edge 192 that bears against the inside surface 154 of the tubular element 78 at a location diametrically opposite to the location of the opening 120. A wall 194 on the actuating element 128, spanning between the walls 170,172, and defining the actuating surface 156, has a cantilevered post 196 that projects therefrom in a first direction. The link 30 has a corresponding cantilevered post 198 projecting therefrom generally oppositely to the first direction. The lines of projection of the posts 196,198 nominally coincide so that a compression coil spring 200 can be mounted over the posts 196,198 to act between the wall 194 and link 30 in compression. The spring 200 biases the link 30 in one direction in movement around the axis 188. Movement in this direction is limited by the abutment of an arm 202 on the link 30 to a stop tab 204 projecting inwardly from the wall 194 of the actuating element 128. Opposite pivoting movement of the link 30 is limited by abutment of an edge 206 on the link to a separate stop tab 208 projecting inwardly from the wall 194 on the actuating element 128. The actuating assembly 124, consisting of the frame 126, actuating element 128, link 30, and spring 200, can be preassembled preparatory to installation by radial movement through the opening 120 in the tubular element 78. The actuating assembly 124 can be directed radially, as a unit, to be snap fit into, and maintained in, operative engagement with the tubular element 78. The actuating assembly 124 can thus be assembled without requiring any separate fasteners in a simple press fit step through the blind opening 120 to maintain the operative engagement between the actuating assembly and the tubular element 78. It is further possible to operatively connect the at least one link 28 to the link 30 without requiring separate fasteners. To make this possible, the link 30 is provided with a receptacle 210 to receive a part 212 of the link 28 so as to guide the part 212 and link 30 in relative movement around an axis 214. The link 30 has a slot 216 in communication with the receptacle 210 and projecting radially therefrom along a reference line RL, as seen in FIG. 25. The slot 216 permits a modicum of flexing of the link 30 to allow a slight, effective enlargement of the diameter D of the receptacle 210, and also accommodates the part 212, during assembly. The significance of this is explained below. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 15-17, the link 28 has an elongate part 218 with a length that extends along a reference line RL2. The elongate part 218 has a straight section 220 which joins to the part 212. The part 212 is straight and extends along a reference line RL3, which is generally orthogonal to the reference line RL2. The end of the part 212 remote from the straight section 220 is return bent to define a straight, free end section 224 that projects along a reference line RL4, which is shown to be orthogonal to the reference line RL3 and substantially parallel to the reference line RL2. The free end section 224 terminates at a free end 226. The connection of the link 28 to the link 30 is accomplished by directing the straight section 220 of the link 28 through the receptacle 210 while strategically relatively angularly and translationally reorienting the links 28,30. As seen in FIG. 15, the links 28,30 are initially relatively oriented so that the free end 224 can be translated through the receptacle 210 to the point that the part 212 abuts to the link 30. The links 28,30 are reoriented as shown in FIG. 16 and then ultimately moved to the position shown in FIG. 17. In FIG. 16, the relative movement of the links 28,30 causes a wedging action which deforms the link 30 in the slot region to allow passage of the part through the receptacle 210 to the FIG. 17 position. This deformation is permitted by the provision of the slot 216, which also receives a part of the straight section 220 during the assembly process, as shown in FIG. 16. With this construction, the actuating assembly 124 can be preassembled. With the actuating assembly 124 preassembled, the link 30 can be operatively connected to the link 28, as shown in FIGS. 15-17, after which the actuating assembly 124 can be press fit into its operative position on the tubular element 78. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end 232 of the at least one link 28, remote from the free end 226, has a bent configuration similar to that adjacent to the free end 226 of the link 28. The end 232 is preferably preassembled to the operator 58 before installation of the actuating assembly 124 takes place. With the end 232 of the at least one link 28 connected, the opposite free end 226 resides axially along the tubular element at a location to register with the opening 120. The link 30 can be connected to the link 28, accessed through the opening 120, preparatory to snap-fitting the actuating assembly 124 in place. With the links 28,30 operatively connected, and the actuating assembly 124 snap fit in place, the edge 192 of the link is loaded against the radially inwardly facing surface 154 on the tubular element 78 through the spring 200. The spring 200 likewise biases the actuating element 128 to the normal position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 24-27. By pressing inwardly on the surface 156 of the actuating element 128 at a location remote from the pivot axis 178, the actuating element 128 is pivoted to the actuated position of FIG. 28. This movement is resisted by the link 30, which is biased by the spring 200 in the direction of the arrow 234 around the axis 188. As the actuating element 128 changes from the normal position into the actuated position, the link 30 is changed from a first orientation, as shown in FIG. 27, into a second orientation as shown in FIG. 28. This causes the receptacle 210 with the part 212 therein to shift along the axis 80 of the tubular element 78 in the direction of the arrow 235. The link 30 thus draws the link in the same axial direction, as indicated by the arrow 236. Thus a force in tension is exerted along a reference line RL4 that is between, and generally parallel to, the reference lines RL2,RL4. The parts are dimensioned so that the requisite movement of the operator 58 is imparted to effect the required pivoting around the axis 62 to change the state of the latch system 18. The slot 216 is oriented so that the line RL thereof is not parallel to the force line RL4, as might tend to draw the part 212 radially through the slot 216. The diameter D1 of the part 212 is greater than the width W of the slot 216 so that separation of the part 212 from the link 30 will not occur. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the pivot direction for the actuating element 128 around the axis 78 may be reversed by reversing the mounting position of the frame 126 within the opening 120. This reversal is accommodated by also reversing the orientation of the link 30 relative to the actuating element 128 around the axis 188. A corresponding movement of the actuating element 128, between normal and actuated positions, causes the link 30 to be moved guidingly against the inside surface 154 of the tubular element 78, axially in the direction of the arrow 238, so as to shift the link 28 in the same axial direction. To accommodate the reversal of the link 30, the spring 200 acts against a corner surface 239 on the inside of the actuating element 128. In each of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and FIGS. 29 and 30, the movement of the actuating element 128 from the normal position into the actuated position effects a translation of the at least one link 28 from a first position into a second position to actuate a latch system and change the latch system from a latched state into a released state. The actuating element 128 and tubular element 78 are configured so that an operator can extend a hand around the actuating element 128 and tubular element 78 so as to exert a squeezing force on the surface 156 and a portion of the tubular element 78 at 240 that is diametrically opposite to the surface 156. By effecting this squeezing action, the latch system 18 can be placed in the released state, whereupon the user can change the position of the closure 12 by conveniently manipulating the grasped tubular element 78. As shown in FIG. 26, the opening 120 can be located at any angular position around the circumference of the tubular element 78 for ease of operation, as dictated by a particular application. With the axial end 84 of the tubular element 78 connected to the support/housing part 42, as shown in FIG. 5, the orientation of the length of the tubular element 78 relative to the housing 38 can be changed selectively, as between the horizontal arrangement, as shown at A in FIG. 2, to a vertical arrangement, as shown in phantom lines at B in FIG. 2, as well as to other positions therebetween. As an alternative to using the bolt 94 as shown in FIG. 4, a modified form of housing support 38′ for mounting the tubular element 78 may be provided, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. The housing 38′ has an integral T-shaped mounting post 242 that can be directed into an oval opening 244 having its major axis aligned with the length of the tubular element 78. The mounting post has a stem 246 and a cross bar 248. By aligning the length of the cross bar 248 with the major axis of the opening 244, the cross bar 248 can be projected through the opening 244. The tubular element 78 can be shifted axially to abut the stem 246 against the edge 250 of the opening 244 adjacent the axial end 84 of the tubular element 78. Once this occurs, the tubular element 78 can be oriented as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 31 and 32, or with the length extending at an angle 900 to the orientation of the length of the tubular element 78, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 31. In either position, with the stem 246 against the opening edge 250, the tubular element 78 is maintained against separation from the housing/support 38′ by the mounting post 242. As shown in FIG. 32, the mounting part 242 can be bent to be wrapped conformingly against the edge 250 to more positively fix the connection between the tubular element 78 and housing support 38′. Once the support 88 is fixed in place, the relative positions of the tubular element 78 and housing 38′ are maintained so that no separate fasteners are required to maintain the end 84 of the tubular element 78 attached to the housing 38′. The invention also makes possible the provision of a kit with tubular elements 78,78′, as shown in FIG. 33, having different lengths, and with the aforementioned openings 120, 120′. The tubular elements 78,78′ can be selectively installed either at the point of manufacture or on site to configure the operating mechanism 16 as desired for a particular application. As see in FIGS. 12-14, the link 30 preferably has integrally formed, oppositely projecting, stub shaft portions 252,254 that define the pivot pin 184, which permit installation of the link 30 without the requirement of a separate pivot pin. Of course, a separate pivot pin is also contemplated. To facilitate installation of the link 30, the legs 170,172 are provided with undercuts 258,260, respectively, each with a diminishing width which converges towards openings 262,264, to receive the stub shaft 252,254. Thus, connection of the link 30 to the actuating element 128 can be simply effected by sliding the link 30 controllably against the actuating element 128. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, optional, redundant operation of the latch system 18 can be effected through a separate, in this case external, actuator 268. The actuator 268 is mounted to the closure 12 using an angled reinforcing plate 270 and bolts 272. The actuator 268 in this embodiment has a pivotable actuating handle 274 which is repositionable to move an actuating element 276 in such a manner as to reposition a post 278 on a latch element 280 so as to change the latch system 18 from the latched state into the released state. This mechanism is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/316,359, referenced above. In this embodiment, as show in FIGS. 4 and 6, the latch element 280 is mounted upon an axle 290 for pivoting movement around an axis 292. The latch element 280 has an L shape with an actuating leg 294 and a catch leg 296. The latch element 280 is biased towards the FIG. 6 position by the coiled torsion springs 66, 68, wrapped respectively around the axle 290 and a spaced axle 302. In the FIG. 6 position, the latch element 280 releasably maintains the rotors 48, 50 in the latched positions therefor. By pivoting the latch element 280 in the direction of the arrow 304 around the axle 290, against the bias of the springs 66, 68, the rotors 48, 50 are allowed to pivot into their released positions. As previously noted, this action can be effected either a) through the aforementioned operator 58 by pivoting the same to cause an edge 306 to bear on an edge 308 on the latch element 280 or b) by causing the actuating element 276 to reposition the post 278 on the latch element 280. As previously mentioned, the precise configuration of the latch system 18 is not critical to the present invention. An exemplary, modified form of latch assembly, usable with the present invention, is shown at 18′ in FIG. 34. The latch system 18′ has a housing 38′ which mounts rotors 48′, 50′ for pivoting movement between latched and released positions. In this embodiment, the rotors 48′, 50′ are mounted upon axles 312, 314 for pivoting movement around axes 318, 320, respectively. Torsion coil springs 322, 324 bias the rotors 48′, 50′ towards their released positions. An L-shaped latch element 280′ is mounted on an axle 326 for pivoting movement around an axis 328. The latch element 280′ is normally biased in the direction of the arrow 330 in FIG. 34 around the axis 328 into a position wherein the latch element 280′ maintains the rotors 48′, 50′ in a latched position. By reversely pivoting the latch element 280′, the rotors 48′, 50′ are allowed to move to their released positions. The latch element 280′ is biased into the position of FIG. 34 by a coiled torsion spring 332 on the axle 326 and a separate, coiled torsion spring 324 on a spaced axle 336. The latch element 280′ has a post 278′, corresponding to the post 278, that can be acted against, as by the actuating element 276, to reposition the latch element 280′. The invention also contemplates utilizing latch systems that may have a single rotor or other types of latching mechanism. Another variation of the present invention is shown in FIG. 35. In FIG. 35, the frame 126 and actuating element 128 are mounted within an opening 120′ in a tubular element 78′. The tubular element 78′ has a diameter D1 that is larger than the corresponding diameter D for the tubular element 78 (see FIG. 29). As one example, D may be on the order of 25 mm, with D1 on the order of 32 mm. By reason of the frame 126 being made from a deformable material, the frame 126 will conform to the outside surface 92′ of the larger diameter tubular element 78′, to facilitate operative mounting thereof. Thus, a single configuration of frame 126 will be usable for a range of diameters of tubular element 78, 78′. In FIG. 35, the link 30′ is mounted as in FIGS. 29 and 30 and is biased using a coil spring 200′. To accommodate the larger diameter tubular element 78′, the link 30′ is made slightly longer than the link 30. The link 30′ can be snap fit into its operative position on the actuating element 128 in the same manner as for the link 30. The coil spring 200′ acts between the link 30′ and the corner surface 239 on the actuating element 128. As also shown in FIG. 35, the link 28, while shown to cause the link 28 to be moved in the direction of the arrow 238″ so that it operates in tension, as shown in phantom lines, the link 28 can be placed in compression between the link 30′ and a latch system 18′ corresponding to the latch system 18. While the invention has been described with particular reference to the drawings, it should be understood that various modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8011699 *Oct 4, 2007Sep 6, 2011Tri Mark CorpCable actuated latch system* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification292/336.3International ClassificationE05C7/00, E05B1/00, E05B9/08, E05B65/32, E05B65/20Cooperative ClassificationY10S292/64, E05B85/16, E05B85/247, E05B85/10, E05B79/12European ClassificationE05B85/10, E05B85/247, E05B79/12, E05B85/16Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 4, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Sep 13, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: TRI/MARK CORPORATION, IOWAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LANE, CHRISTOPHER M.;MARZOLF, RICCI L.;REEL/FRAME:015773/0781Effective date: 20040809RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google