Abstract:
A pivoting handle latch for attachment to a first member, such as a panel, to provide controlled actuation for facilitating attachment of the first member to a second member, such as a cabinet, the latch including a handle with a gripping portion, a based portion, a pawl member and and a first pin connecting the pawl member to the handle and extending through a slot provided in the base member to regulate the movement of the pawl when the handle is lifted from a closed horizontal position to a upright vertical position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/246,044, filed Nov. 6, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a latching device for releasably securing a closure member, such as a panel or door, in the closed position. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Latches for securing one member, such as a door, panel, drawer, etc., against another member, such as a frame, another door or panel, etc., are known in the prior art. However, none are seen to teach or suggest the unique features of the present invention or to achieve the advantages of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a latch for releasably securing one closure member, such a panel, drawer, door, or lid, relative to another closure member, such as another panel, a doorframe, or a compartment opening. The latch includes a handle pivotally attached to a base. The base is adapted for attachment to a first member. A pawl is supported by the base and is movable between a closed position and an open position in response to pivotal movement of the handle. The pawl can be brought into engagement with a portion of a second member or a keeper attached to the second member in order to releasably secure the first member in a closed position relative to the second member. In the preferred embodiment, the latch is attached to the movable member, e.g. a door or panel, while the keeper is part of the stationary member or frame. However, the positions of the latch and keeper may be reversed and both members may be of the movable type. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a right side view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the details of the resilient finger for capturing the quarter-turn fastener used with the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pawl of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a right side view of the pawl of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a front view of the pawl of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a side view showing the pin used with the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is an end view of the pin used in the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of the quarter-turn fastener used with the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of the quarter-turn fastener used with the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view showing the quarter-turn fastener and spring installed in the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 is a side view of the coil spring used in the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the coil spring used in the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the receptacle installed in the base of the latch assembly of the present invention for engagement by the quarter-turn fastener. 
     FIG. 25 is a side view of the receptacle installed in the base of the latch assembly of the present invention for engagement by the quarter-turn fastener. 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the spring clip used for retaining the latch assembly of the present invention in place after installation. 
     FIG. 27 is a side view of the spring clip used for retaining the latch assembly of the present invention in place after installation. 
     FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the spring clip used for retaining the latch assembly of the present invention in place after installation. 
     FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the spring clip used for retaining the latch assembly of the present invention in place after installation. 
     FIG. 30 is a fragmentary view of the spring clip used for retaining the latch assembly of the present invention in place after installation, showing the catch tabs of the spring clip. 
     FIG. 31 is an exploded view showing the relationship of the latch assembly of the present invention in relation to a panel prepared for the installation of the latch assembly. 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a frame prepared for engagement by the pawl of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 33 is a top view of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 34 is an environmental view of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention with the open positions of the handle and pawl shown in dashed lines. 
     FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 37 is a top view of a second embodiment of the base of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 39 is a front view of a second embodiment of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the handle of the latch assembly of the present invention. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-34, the present invention is directed to a latch assembly  100  for use with closure members such as panels, lids, drawers, doors, etc. The latch assembly of the present invention is widely applicable to many kinds of doors, lids, windows, panels, and drawers. The latch  100  of the present invention releasably secures a first closure member, such as a panel  102 , to a second closure member, such a frame  104  (only a portion of the frame is shown). The latch assembly  100  of the present invention includes a latch base  106 , a handle  108 , and a pawl  110 . 
     The latch base  106  is best illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. The latch base  106  is roughly in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having an elongated cavity  112  extending from the bottom of the base  106  to near the top of the base. The cavity  112  terminates in a bottom opening  114  and is closed at the top. The base  106  has a flange  116  which abuts the panel  102  once the base  106  is installed to the panel  102 . The base  106  has a cylindrical boss  118  located above the flange  116 . The cylindrical boss  118  projects to either side of the top portion of the base  106 . The cylindrical boss  118  has a central bore  120  for receiving the pivot pin  122  for pivotally attaching the handle  108  to the base  106 . The walls of the cavity  112 , in the upper portion of the base  106 , are provided with arcuate slots  124  and  126  which are in registry with one another. The slots  124  and  126  follow circular arcs having a center of curvature which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the bore  120 . Near each end of each of the slots  124  is a resilient detent projection  128  for preventing uncontrolled movement of the handle  108 . The resilience of each projection  128  is enhanced by thinning the material behind each projection by providing a hole  130  behind each projection. 
     The base  106  also includes a receptacle housing  132  which is integral with the rest of the base  106  and is attached to the rest of the base  106  in part by an extension of the flange  116 . The housing  132  has a cavity  134  that is open at both the top and bottom. The top opening  136  of the cavity  134  is smaller than the bore of the cavity  134 , while the bottom opening  138  of the cavity  134  is larger than the top opening  136  and may essentially be of the same size as the bore of the cavity  134 . The portion  140 , extending below the flange  116 , is the lower portion of the base  106  and is inserted through an opening  142  in the panel  102  in order to mount the base  106  to the panel  102 . The lower portion of the base also has flanges  144  which extend on either side of the bottom opening  114 , flanges  144  are parallel to and spaced apart from the bottom surface  146  of the flange  116 . The flange  116  is positioned below the inner surface  148  of the panel  102  when the base  106  is installed to the panel  102 . Each flange  144  has a notch  150  for retaining the spring clip  152 . 
     The base  106  is installed to the panel  102  by inserting the lower portion  140  through the opening  142  until the lower surface  146  of the flange  116  abuts the outer surface of the panel  102 . The base  106  is oriented such that the rear of the base  106  is closest to the edge of the panel  102 . The spring clip  152  is then inserted between the inner surface  148  of the panel  102  and the flanges  144 . The spring clip  152  has a pair of leaf spring arms  154  that extend in parallel from a transverse strip  156 . The spring arms  154  have a shallow V-shaped profile and are spaced apart such that the portion of the base  106  intermediate the flange  116  and the flanges  144  can fit between the arms  154 . At the apex of each arm  154  is a projecting tab  158  which extends toward the transverse strip  156 . The transverse strip  156  has a down-turned lip  160 . With the spring clip  152  inserted between the inner surface  148  of the panel  102  and the flanges  144 , each of the tabs  158  snaps into a respective notch  150 . This arrangement prevents the spring clip  152  from sliding out accidentally from between the inner surface  148  of the panel  102  and the flanges  144 . The spring clip  152  is wider than the opening  142  such that after insertion of the spring clip  152  the lower portion of the base  106  cannot be pulled back through the opening  142 . Because of the flexibility of the spring clip  152 , the base  106  can be installed to panels of varying thickness. This is due to the fact that the angle between the portions of each arm  154  on either side of the apex of each arm can vary to accommodate panels of different thickness. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-13, the handle  108  can be seen. The handle  108  has two sidewalls  162  that extend in parallel on either side of the top portion of the base  106 . Each sidewall  162  has a pair of holes  164  and  166 . The holes  164  are placed in registry with the bore  120 . The pivot pin  122  is the inserted through the holes  164  and the bore  120  to pivotally attach the handle  108  to the base  106 . The handle  108  has a quarter-turn fastener housing  168  which has a top opening  170  and a bottom opening  172 . A shoulder  174  is provided near the bottom opening  172 . A plurality of resilient fingers  176  are distributed along the perimeter of the bottom opening  172 . The resilient fingers  176  project radially inward from the perimeter of the bottom opening  172 . 
     An example of a quarter-turn fastener  178  for use with the latch  100  can be seen in FIGS. 19-21. The quarter-turn fastener  178  has a head  180  and a shaft  182 . The tip of the shaft  182  distal from the head  180  is provided with a pair of opposing flukes  184 . Intermediate the head  180  and the flukes  184 , an annular flange  186  is provided on the shaft  182 . The coil spring  188  is placed around the shaft  182  and bears against the head  180  at one end. As the fastener/spring assembly is inserted through the top opening of the fastener housing  168 , the other end of the spring  188  bears against the shoulder  174  and the flange  186  snaps through the resilient fingers  176  such that the quarter-turn fastener cannot be pulled back out through the top opening of the fastener housing  168 . The spring  188  biases the fastener  178  toward the retracted position wherein the flange  186  abuts the fingers  176 . 
     The handle  108  moves pivotally between the open (dashed lines) and closed (solid lines) positions shown in FIG.  34 . In the closed position the fastener housing  168  registers with the receptacle housing  132  such that the fastener  178  can engage the quarter-turn fastener receptacle  190 . The receptacle  190  is pushed into the receptacle housing  132  from the bottom through the opening  138  and is held within the receptacle housing  132  by a press fit. The fastener receptacle  190  is cylindrical and has an open bottom  192  and a top opening  194  that is specially shaped to allow the passage of the flukes  184  therethrough. The receptacle  190  also has a pair of alignment cuts  222  and a serrated portion  224  to aid in retaining the receptacle  190  within the receptacle housing  132 . A pair of stops  196  are provided on either side of the opening  194 . With the handle  108  in the closed position, the quarter-turn fastener can be pushed against the pressure of the spring  188  such that the tip portion of the fastener  178  including the flukes  184  is inserted into the opening  194 . Once the flukes  184  clear the opening  194 , the fastener  178  is turned a quarter of a turn to position the flukes  184  behind the stops  196 . Once the flukes  184  are positioned behind the stops  196 , the fastener  178  cannot be disengaged from the receptacle  190  and the handle is locked in the closed position. Turning the fastener  178  back a quarter turn once again brings the flukes  184  into proper alignment with the opening  194  such that the flukes clear the stops  196  and the bias of the spring  188  disengages the fastener  178  from the receptacle  190 . The handle  108  can now be moved pivotally to the open position without interference from the fastener  178 . 
     The turning of the fastener  178  can be accomplished with or without tools depending upon the type of head provided for the fastener  178 . In the illustrated example, the fastener  178  is of the phillips head type and can be turned by a phillips head screwdriver. 
     The pawl  110  is elongated and has an L-shaped end  198 . Distal from the L-shaped end, the pawl  110  is provided with an elongated slot  200 . The pawl  110  also has parallel surfaces  202  and  204 , and an angled surface  206 . The slotted end of the pawl  110  is positioned within the cavity  112  such that the longitudinal axis of the slot  200  transects the arc followed by the slots  124  and  126 . A second pin  208  passes through the holes  166 , the slots  124  and  126 , and the slot  200  to attach the pawl  110  to the handle  108 . The pin  208  moves along a circular arc as the handle  108  is moved pivotally between the open and the closed position. The pin  208  can be similar to the pin  122 . The L-shaped end of the pawl  110  remains outside the cavity  112 . As the handle  108  is pivotally moved from the closed position to the open position, the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  is moved outward away from the base  106 , while moving the handle  108  to the closed position draws the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  toward the base  106 . 
     With the handle  108  in the closed position, the surfaces  202  and  204  are adjacent the walls  212  and  214  of the cavity  112  and the movement of the pawl  110  is essentially linear during the initial phase of the movement of the handle  108  to the open position. Once the surface  204  clears the walls of the cavity  112 , the pawl  110  will start to move pivotally as well as linearly such that the L-shaped end of the pawl pivots counter clockwise in the view of FIG.  34 . The pivotal movement of the pawl  110  is due to the reaction forces at the corner  210  of the pawl, which remains in contact with the wall  214  of the cavity  112 , and the force exerted on the pawl  110  by the pin  208 . Once the handle  108  reaches the open position, the angled surface  206  is pressed flat against the wall  214  of the cavity  112  with the result that the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  is moved toward the front of the base  106 . Thus, during opening the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  is moved downward and forward. Moving the handle  108  to the closed position reverses this movement such that the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  is moved rearward and upward. 
     In use, the frame  104  is provided with an aperture  216 . When the panel  102  is moved to the closed position and as the handle  108  is also moved to the closed position, the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  moves into the aperture  216  and is pulled up against the top side  218  of the aperture to thereby tightly secure the panel  102  against the frame  104 . This action allows the compression of any gasket or the like between the panel  102  and the frame  104 . Moving the handle  108  toward the open position, initially lowers the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  out of engagement with the top side  218  of the aperture  216  and then pivotally moves the L-shaped end of the pawl  110  completely out of the aperture  216  to thereby allow opening of the panel  102 . Preferably, a shelf  220  is provided at the bottom of the aperture  216  such that the pawl  110  impacts the shelf  220  and provides an initial opening of the panel  102  as the handle  108  is moved to the open position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 35-40, a second embodiment  106   a  and  108   a  of the base and handle of the latch can be seen. The base and handle  106   a  and  108   a  are identical to those of the latch  100  except that the openings  136  and  170  have been eliminated from the base  106   a  and the handle  108   a , respectively, to create a non-locking version of the latch  100 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.