WO2000079080A1

WO2000079080A1 - Compression latch

Info

Publication number: WO2000079080A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/017388
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Antonucci; Thomas Weuthen
Original assignee: Southco Inc
Current assignee: Southco Inc
Priority date: 1999-06-23
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2001-12-23
Also published as: TW436571B; AU5887800A

Abstract

A one-piece compression latch (10) for mounting in a panel cutout for sliding movement within a panel cutout to engage and disengage corresponding adjacent frame or keeper, the latch having a body portion (11) with a pawl (12) extending therefrom, a finger recess (14) for operation of the latch, and first (20) and second (25) mounting portions for facilitating retention of the latch in a panel cutout.

Description

COMPRESSION LATCH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Number 60/140,539, Filed June 23, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention This invention relates to the field of latches and more particularly to a compression latch that can be used to secure a first panel to a second panel or enclosure frame.

2. Background of the Invention

There exist many latches for securing a closure panel to a cabinet, frame, or other member. Many latches are used in the automotive industry, in connection with securing vehicle compartments, and other applications. A compression latch is used to provide a compression force that facilitates maintaining the latch in a closed position. Many compression latches have multiple components cooperating with each other. Generally, an actuating member must be moved to achieve compression of one or more other members in the latch. A need exists for a one-piece compression latch that can be readily installed and operated in a panel.

There are prior latches that rely on sliding an engaging portion of a latch out of the way of a keeper to release a closure panel to which the latch is attached. One example is a "Slam-Latch" of US patent 3,841,674 issued October 15, 1974 to Robert H. Bisbing, et al. and assigned to Southco, Inc. The slam-latch of the "674 patent incorporates a spring which engages with an edge of an enclosure panel to which the latch is mounted. The spring of the "674 latch facilitates retaining the latch in position within the closure panel, as well as providing a slam-action feature so that the latch is biased by the spring to return to a latching position after being released. In some applications, however, it is desirable for a latch to remain in an open position and be selectively closed by having a user return it to its engaging or latching position.

It is known to provide a slam-action latch which is activated to secure a door by separation of a door-frame-mounted striker when the door is merely pushed shut or slammed, where there is some operation of the latch mechanism required to release the latch and open the door. These latches for example can employ a cam surface on the end of a bolt element to cooperate with a striker surface to slide the bolt into the housing against the force of the spring contained therein. The spring force thereafter urges the bolt to engage behind the doorframe or to engage a keeper element on the doorframe. In order to open a door secured with such a latch, a handgrip is usually provided to operate the mechanism that withdraws the end of the bolt from engagement with the keeper on the doorframe.

Some slam latches include a flexible wall portion or a spring to bias sliding action of the latch for opening and closing. Examples of such a latch are shown in US patents 3,841,674 and 3,850,464, both entitled "Slam-Latch," the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. These types of latches operate by a spring-biased sliding action to engage a doorframe or striker plate. A separate spring member has been employed in this type of latch.

The latches discussed above, therefore, while permitting mounting by insertion in a cutout on a door or other closure panel require alignment of a spring member to cooperate to return the latch into its latching position. A need therefore exists to provide a latch that is readily mountable to a closure panel but which can operate by compression instead of reliance upon the bias of the spring force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel compression latch that can be inserted in a panel cutout and can be slid among the cutout space to secure and release a first member, such as a closure panel member, relative to a second member, such as an enclosure frame. The latch has a body with a pawl extending, at one end, outwardly therefrom at one end thereof. The pawl has a configuration for facilitating compression against another member when the latch is moved toward an engaging position. The latch body supports an upper flange in which a finger recess is disposed so that a user may operate the latch with the insertion of a finger therein, and slide the latch in one of two directions, for opening or closing. Similarly, a larger finger recess may be provided for an enlarged gripping, area to accommodate more fingers, if required to overcome the latching compression force.

The latch includes a retaining portion that extends from the body and is provided to sandwich a portion of the panel to which the latch is installed between the retaining portion and the lower side of the upper flange. It is an object of the present invention to provide a compression latch, which can be constructed of a one-piece unit and can be readily installed by insertion in a corresponding panel aperture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compression latch, which includes a pawl, which is configured to facilitate compression of the adjacent panel or keeper to maintain a latching engagement therewith. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a compression latch that can be installed in a panel aperture and can slide forward and rearward for securing and releasing, the latch respectively, from engagement with a keeper member or other surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a parallel perspective view of the compression latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation view of the compression latch with panels according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the compression latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the compression latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is right side elevation view of the compression latch without panels according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation view of the compression latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the compression latch according to the present invention. Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of the compression latch according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Fig. 1, a compression latch 10 according to the present invention is shown having a body portion 11 with a pawl 12 extending outwardly therefrom. Supported on the body portion 11 is an upper flange 13, which has a recess 14, disposed therein for accommodating one or more fingers of a user. The finger recess 14 permits the latch 10 to be slid in either direction corresponding to arrows "A" and "B", as shown in Fig. 2. The compression latch 10 is installed in a panel 100 shown in a fragmentary view. The panel 100 has a cut out 101 in which the latch 10 is mounted. The upper flange 13 is provided for contact with the surface of the panel 100 along which the flange 13 slides when the latch 10 is moved from an open to closed position, that is, along the directional lines of arrows A and B (Fig.2).

The pawl 12 is shown engaging a keeper 102 of a second panel member 103. The keeper 102 is shown as a portion of the panel 103, but, alternately, it may comprise any suitable member, which can engage with the pawl 12, including a separate member, which is installed on the second panel 103. While not shown, it is envisioned that the keeper may have a corresponding mating surface for facilitating engagement with the pawl portion 12 of the latch 10.

Mounting means is provided to facilitate mounting of the latch 10 on a panel 100. Mounting means is shown comprising a first upstanding mounting leg 20 extending upwardly from the body portion 11, and being spaced apart from the underside 21 of the upper flange 13, defining a space there between. Preferably, the edge 105 of the panel 100, which also defines the panel cutout 101, is provided to reside between the edge of the first upstanding mounting portion 20 and the rear wall 23 of the body portion 11. Preferably, the latch 10 is configured to fit snugly relative to the thickness of the panel 100 so that the panel 100 fills the space between the top of the first upstanding mounting portion 20, and the underside 21 of the upper flange 13. The latch 10 slides in direction of arrows A and B (Fig. 2) and moves the first upstanding mounting portion 20, along with the entire latch 10, along the panel 100, as indicated by double arrow "c." The latch 10 can be installed in a panel cutout 101 by tilting the latch 10 so that the front edge 106 of the cutout 101 fits between the second upstanding mounting portion 25 and the underside 21 of the upper flange 13. The latch 10 is then lowered so that the first upstanding wall member 20 is snapped into position behind the rear edge 105 of the panel cutout 101. Preferably the first upstanding leg 20 is provided with a flexible or spring action so that it can withstand the force exerted on it by the panel 100 upon insertion into the panel cutout 101.

The present latch 10 can be installed over a covered panel, such as, for example, a carpeted panel. The spacing between the first upstanding mounting portion 20 and the underside 21 of the upper flange 13, as well as the spacing between the second upstanding mounting portion 25 and the underside 21 of the upper flange 13, can be predetermined to accommodate a variety of panel thicknesses. This is accomplished by controlling the spacing between the aforementioned components.

Preferably, the upstanding mounting portions 20, 25 and the underside 21 of the upper flange 13 comprise smooth surfaces to facilitate movement of the latch 10 over a carpeted panel surface

These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood from a reading of the summary of the invention, the brief description of the drawing figures, and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is understood that modifications may be made within the consistent spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed therein.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A one-piece compression latch for securing a first panel member to a second panel member, wherein a pawl of the latch is provided to engage a keeper, said latch comprising: a) a housing; wherein said housing is a one-piece assembly comprising mounting means for mounting said latch to one of said first member and securing said second member; b) a pawl member fixably attached to said housing and adapted to engage said keeper to secure the latch in a closed position; wherein said pawl member is engaged by compression against said keeper; c) an upper flange member connected to said housing; d) a body portion adapted to slidably mount into a panel member;

2. The latch of claim 1, wherein said upper flange member comprises means for actuating the latch.

3. The latch of claim 2, wherein said means for actuating the latch comprises an aperture in said upper flange.

4. The latch of claim 1, wherein said pawl member is adapted to secure a second panel member.

5. The latch of claim 4, wherein said pawl member is adapted to engage the keeper to secure the latch in a closed position.

6. The latch of claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a first mounting leg and a second mounting leg.

7. The latch of claim 6, wherein said first mounting leg is adapted to secure a first panel member.

8. The latch of claim 6, wherein said second mounting leg is adapted to secure a first panel member.

9. The latch of claim 6, wherein said housing further comprises a gap between said first mounting leg and said upper flange member.

10. The latch of claim 6, wherein said housing further comprises a gap between said second mounting leg and said upper flange member.

11. The latch of claim 1, wherein said body portion is adapted to slidably move into and out of closed position.

12. The latch of claim 1, wherein said second panel member comprises said keeper.