Patent ID: 7066504

Claim:
A slam latch and strike assembly for releasably connecting together two adjacent support members that are relatively displaceable between a generally planar closed position and a relatively laterally displaced open position, comprising: (a) a generally tubular body adapted for connection with a first one of said support members, said body having a vertical longitudinal axis and a horizontal divider wall defining upper and lower chambers in said body, said body having at its lower end a wall portion containing a transverse opening communicating with said lower chamber; (b) a latch member mounted in said wall opening for axial displacement between retracted and extended positions relative to said body, said latch member including a first end portion that extends from said housing when said latch member is in said extended position; (c) spring means biasing said latch member toward said extended position relative to said body; (d) release means for displacing said latch toward said retracted position relative to said body, said release means comprising: ( 1 ) a handle member arranged in said upper chamber above said divider wall; ( 2 ) pivot means connecting said handle for pivotal movement relative to said tubular body, said pivot means including a pivot shaft extending trough at least one shaft opening in said tubular body; ( 3 ) rack and pinion means arranged in said lower chamber below said divider wall, said rack and pinion means being operable by said pivot shaft to displace said latch member between its retracted and extended positions; and ( 4 ) seal means sealing said shaft opening; and (e) a strike member adapted for connection with a second one of said support members at a location adjacent said latch first end when said latch member is in said extended position, said strike member having a longitudinal axis generally parallel with said body longitudinal axis; (f) said latch member first end portion and said strike member having adjacent generally parallel surfaces each provided with a series of cooperating ratcheting latch teeth and strike teeth, respectively, ( 1 ) said latch teeth and said strike teeth being in engagement when said latch is in said extended position and said support members are in said relatively closed position; ( 2 ) the ratcheting configuration of said latch teeth and said strike teeth being such as to permit movement of said support members toward said closed position, but to prevent movement of said support members toward said open position; ( 3 ) said latch teeth and said strike teeth, when in the engaged condition, having transverse tips contained in vertically spaced horizontal planes, respectively, all of said tips of said latch teeth being curved and convex, thereby to compensate for slight misalignment between said latch and strike members.