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Load-Floor Latch

a technology of latches and floor plates, applied in the direction of carpet fasteners, transportation and packaging, mechanical devices, etc., can solve the problems of dislodging of load floor plates, and achieve the effect of low profil

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-07-03
SOUTHCO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a latch for closure members such as panels, drawers, doors, etc. The latch includes a housing, handle, pawl, pawl torsion spring, actuator, and other components. The latch can be used to secure a first closure member to another closure member or a fame. The handle is easy to grip and can be used to open or close the latch. The latch is low-profile and can be used to move the closure member. The technical effects of the invention include automatic engagement with a keeper, slam-close action, and easy handling of the closure member.

Problems solved by technology

However, this commonly used arrangement has a draw back in that the load floor panel may become dislodged when travelling over rough roads.
Further, because the panel is not positively secured in place, it may become loose and rattle around in the trunk resulting in undesirable noises.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0029]Referring to FIGS. 1-16, the present invention is directed to a latch assembly 100 for use with closure members such as panels, drawers, doors, etc. Although the operation of the latch 100 will be described in the context of securing the load floor panel of the trunk of an automobile, the latch of the present invention is widely applicable to many kinds of doors, windows, panels, and drawers. The latch 100 of the present invention releasably secures a first closure member, such as a door, window, panel, or drawer, to a keeper on a second closure member, such as another door, window, panel, or drawer or a frame surrounding the first closure member. The latch assembly 100 of the present invention includes a housing 102, a handle 104, a pawl torsion spring 162, actuator 98, actuator torsion springs 232, and a pawl 110.

[0030]The latch housing 102 has a cavity or depression 112 which receives the handle 104 when the handle is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 The depression 11...

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PUM

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Abstract

A latch having a housing, handle, actuators pawl and rotary pawl torsion spring and two actuator torsion springs. The rotary pawl torsion spring biases the pawl toward the unlatched or opened position. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and has two paddles tat engage the actuator. The actuator is slidably supported by the housing. Lifting the handle to the open position causes rotating movement of the actuator which in turn causes the pawl to rotate to the unlatched or retracted position.

Description

BACKGROUND THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a latching device for releasably securing a closure member, such as a panel or door, in the closed position.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Trunks of automobiles are usually provided with removable load floor panels. These panels ordinarily support the weight of objects placed in the trunks of cars and are removable to allow access to a spare tire, for example, which is commonly stored under the load floor panel. It is common for the load floor panel to be held in place by gravity and a floor mat that usually covers the load floor panel. The load floor panels are usually equipped with handles that are flush with the top surface of the load floor panel in order to allow a user to remove the panel when necessary. However, this commonly used arrangement has a draw back in that the load floor panel may become dislodged when travelling over rough roads. Further, because the panel is n...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E05C3/16E05C3/06
CPCB60R13/013E05C3/162E05C3/122E05B5/00Y10S292/31Y10T292/1059Y10T292/57Y10T292/1047
Inventor VITRY, FABRICELATHAM, COLIN
Owner SOUTHCO