Patent ID: 7108525

Claim:
A latch device for latching a member that is movable in a predetermined direction, said latch device comprising: a base member; a latch member mounted on said base member and having an engaging portion for engaging with said member in said predetermined direction, said latch member being swingable about a fulcrum at one end thereof in a predetermined plane between a first position where said engaging portion engages said member in said predetermined direction; a cam member disposed between said latch member and said base member and attached to said base member so as to be slidable in said predetermined direction, said cam member having a heart cam and an operating projection which is operated by said member to make said cam member follow movement of said member in said predetermined direction; a cam follower engaging said heart cam and said latch member to urge said latch member toward one of said first and second positions following movement of said heart cam, said cam follower comprising a rod spring having a first end portion locked by said latch member and a second end portion locked by said heart cam; and a control mechanism that controls movement of said latch member depending on a shape and the number of times of movement of said heart cam, said control mechanism comprising a latch locking mechanism for forcibly locking said latch member at said first position and a latch release mechanism for releasing operation of said latch locking mechanism depending on the movement of said heart cam.