Latching mechanism for a guard assembly of a processing machine

Abstract

A latching mechanism (200) comprising a latch (210) having a first latch protrusion (220) and a second latch protrusion (230), and a catch (240) having a first catch protrusion (260) and a second catch protrusion (270). The first catch protrusion (260) engages the first latch protrusion (220) in a first catch position (P1). Upon release of the first catch position (P1), the second catch protrusion (270) engages the second latch protrusion (230) in a second catch position (P2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a guard assembly and more particularly to a latching mechanism for a guard assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a handler, such as a wire terminator, a guard door is attached to a frame and is rotatable relative to the frame. An open position of the guard door allows access to an interior of the frame in which tools of the handler are disposed. A closed position of the guard door prevents an operator from accessing the interior of the frame and allows the tools to perform a process, such as crimping terminals onto wires.

[0003] A releasable latching mechanism holds the guard door in the closed position. A spring plunger biases the guard door toward the open position and when an operator wishes to access the interior of the frame, the latching mechanism is released and the guard door is pushed open to the open position by the force of the spring plunger. The force exerted by the spring plunger opens the guard door to the open position at a speed that can cause damage to the guard door or injury to the operator. SUMMARY

[0004] The latching mechanism includes a latch having a first latch protrusion and a second latch protrusion and a catch having a first catch protrusion and a second catch protrusion. The first catch protrusion engages the first latch protrusion in a first catch position. After releasing the first catch position, the second catch protrusion engages the second latch protrusion in a second catch position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a side view of a guard assembly according to an embodiment;

[0007] Figure 2 is a side view of a latch of a guard assembly;

[0008] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a latch;

[0009] Figure 4 is a side view of a catch of a guard assembly;

[0010] Figure 5A is a side view of a guard assembly in a closed position and a first catch position;

[0011] Figure 5B is a side view of a guard assembly with the latch in a depressed position;

[0012] Figure 5C is a side view of a guard assembly in a second catch position;

[0013] Figure 5D is a side view of the guard assembly with the latch in the released position;

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the processor according to the embodiment with the guard assembly in the closed position and the shroud in the lower position; and

[0015] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the processor with the guard assembly in the open position and the shroud in the upper position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The guard assembly 10 according to the embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 includes a guard 100 and a latch mechanism 200 attached to the guard 100. The latch mechanism 200 is shown in Figure 1 fixing the guard 100 in the closed position C.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1 the guard 100 includes a fixed portion 110 and a door 120. The fixed portion 110 has a hinge 112. The door 120 has a first end 122 and an opposite second end 124. The second end 124 is attached to the hinge 112 and the door 120 is rotatable about the hinge 112 relative to the fixed portion 110 between the closed position C and an open position O, as shown in Figure 7 The guard 100 includes a stop 130. In an embodiment, the stop 130 is made of a rubber material.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1 the latch mechanism 200 includes a latch piece 210, a catch 240 engaged with the latch piece 210, a holder 280 holding the latch piece 210, and a plunger 290 disposed in the holder 280 and extending from the holder 280. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the latch piece 210 is integrally formed as a single piece and the catch 240 is integrally formed as a single piece.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 the latch piece 210 has a stem 212 having a first end 214, a second end 216 opposite the first end 214, an upper surface 218, and a lower surface 219 opposite the upper surface 218. The latch piece 210 has a first latch protrusion 220 extending from the upper surface 218 and a second latch protrusion 230 extending from the lower surface 219.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2As shown, the first latch protrusion 220 has a flat latch side 222 and a sloping latch side 224 opposite to the flat latch side 222. The flat latch side 222 extends substantially perpendicularly to the upper surface 218. The sloping latch side 224 extends at an angle relative to the flat latch side 222. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat latch side 222 and the sloping latch side 224 form a first acute angle α1 between them.

[0021] The second latching protrusion 230 has a latching angled side 232, such as Figure 2 As shown. The angled latch side 232 faces the same direction as the flat latch side 222; towards the second end 216 of the lever 212. The angled latch side 232 extends at an angle relative to the lower surface 219. In the illustrated embodiment, the angled latch side 232 extends at a second acute angle α2 relative to the lower surface 219.

[0022] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the latch 210 has a pressing element 234 and a bolt 236 extending from the lever 212 between a first end 214 and a second end 216. The pressing element 234 extends from the upper surface 218 and is approximately rectangular in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the pressing element 234 may be any other shape extending from the lever 212 to allow the user to press, as described in more detail below. The bolt 236 extends from the lever 212 in a direction perpendicular to the first latch protrusion 220, the second latch protrusion 230, and the pressing element 234.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the latch 240 has a base 242, a first leg 250 extending from the base 242, and a second leg 252 extending from the base 242. The base 242 has an upper end 244 and a lower end 246 opposite to the upper end 244. The first leg 250 extends from the upper end 244 and the second leg 252 extends from the lower end 246. The latch 240 has a first latching protrusion 260 at the end of the first leg 250 opposite to the base 242, and a second latching protrusion 270 at the end of the second leg 252 opposite to the base 242.

[0024] The first latching protrusion 260 has a flat latching side 262 and a tilted latching side 264 opposite to the flat latching side 262, such as Figure 4 As shown. The flat side 262 of the latch extends substantially perpendicularly to the first leg 250. The angled side 264 of the latch extends at an angle relative to the flat side 262. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat side 262 and the angled side 264 of the latch form a third acute angle β1 between them.

[0025] The second buckle protrusion 270 has a buckle angled side 272, such asFigure 4 The catch angled side 272 extends at an angle relative to the second leg 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the catch angled side 272 extends at a fourth acute angle β2 relative to the second leg 252.

[0026] As Figures 1-3 shown, the holder 280 is disposed adjacent the rod 212 and extends from the second end 216 to the press element 234. The holder 280 includes a passage 282 extending through the holder 280, a fastener 284 securing the holder 280 to the second end 216 of the rod 212, and a spring 286 disposed within the holder 280.

[0027] To form the guard assembly 10, as Figure 1 shown, the latch mechanism 200 is attached to the guard 100. The fastener 284 attaches the holder 280 and the latch 210 to the fixed portion 110. The catch 240 is attached to the first end 122 of the door 120.

[0028] The operation of the guard assembly 10, including the engagement of the latch 210 with the catch 240, will now be described in greater detail with primary reference to Figures 5A-5B

[0029] The latch mechanism 200 is shown in Figure 5A a first catch position PI. As Figure 1 and Figure 5A shown, the first catch position PI corresponds to a closed position C of the door 120 relative to the fixed portion 110. The first latch projection 220 engages the first catch projection 260 in the first catch position PI, with the latch flat side 222 engaging the catch flat side 262.

[0030] In the first catch position PI, as Figure 5A shown, the plunger 290 is elastically compressed within the holder 280 by the catch 240 and abuts a portion of the catch 240 at the second catch projection 270. In the first catch position PI, the elastic compression of the plunger 290 exerts a plunger force F on the catch 240, thereby urging the catch 240 in a direction away from the latch 210. Despite the plunger force F being exerted on the catch 240, the engagement of the first latch projection 220 with the first catch projection 260 retains the latch mechanism 200 in the first catch position PI.

[0031] In the release position R, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5D shown, the plunger 290 is elastically compressed within the holder 280 by the catch 240 and abuts a portion of the catch 240 at the first catch projection 260. In the release position R, the elastic compression of the plunger 290 exerts a plunger force F on the catch 240, thereby urging the catch 240 in a direction away from the latch 210. The engagement of the second latch projection 230 with the second catch projection 270 retains the latch mechanism 200 in the release position R. Figure 5B and Figure 5C ​Between the indicated depressed positions D, the latch 210 can pivot about the fastener 284 at the second end 216 relative to the retainer 280 and the fixed portion 110. Figure 3 The spring 286 shown biases the latch 210 toward the release position R. The bolt 236 extends through the channel 282 and moves within the channel 282 between the release position R and the depressed position D, thereby limiting the maximum movement of the latch 210 relative to the retainer 280 and the fixed portion 110 between the release position R and the depressed position D.

[0032] For example, the operator's finger presses down on the pressing element 234, causing the latch 210 to... Figure 5A The release position R shown is pivoted to Figure 5B and Figure 5C The depressed position D is shown. The latch 210 pivots toward the depressed position D, releasing the first latch protrusion 220 and the first latch protrusion 260 from their first latch position P1 engagement, as shown. Figure 5B As shown. The latch flat side 222 moves away from the latch flat side 262, and... Figure 5B In the initial released state of this engagement, the latch 210 does not engage with the snap 240.

[0033] exist Figure 5B In the initial released state shown, the plunger 290 adjacent to the latch 240 continues to apply a plunger force F, thereby moving the latch 240 away from the latch 210. This movement of the latch 240 away from the latch 210 causes the door 120 to rotate about the hinge 112 and away from the fixed portion 110, as shown. Figure 5C As shown. When the pressing element 234 remains pressed down and the latch 210 remains in the pressed position D, the latch 240 moves away from the latch 210 until the latch 240 is in the position D. Figure 5C In the second latch position P2 shown, the latch 210 re-engages. In the second latch position P2 after the first latch position P1 has been released, the second latch protrusion 230 engages the second latch protrusion 270. The angled latch side 272 engages the angled latch side 232 in the second latch position P2.

[0034] A single press of the pressing element 234 releases the first latching position P1 and engages the second latching position P2. A plunger force F is applied to the latch 240 and pushes the door 120 away from the fixed portion 110 between the first latching position P1 and the second latching position P2, thereby moving the door 120 out of the closed position C and towards the open position O; the second latching position P2 is between the closed position C and the open position O. In the second latching position P2, the plunger 290 does not apply the plunger force F to the latch 240, as... Figure 5C As shown.

[0035] from Figure 5CIn the second latch position P2 shown, the pressing element 234 is released from pressure, and the spring 286 moves the latch 210 back to its original position. Figure 5D The release position R is shown. During the movement from the second latch position P2 back to the release position R, the second latch protrusion 230 disengages from the second latch protrusion 270, thereby releasing the second latch position P2.

[0036] After the second latch position P2 is released, as Figure 5D As shown, latch 210 does not engage with latch 240. In the released state of the second latch position P2, plunger 290 does not apply plunger force F to latch 240. Only under gravity G, door 120 moves about hinge 112 from the released state of the second latch position P2 toward stop 130 and... Figure 7 The door 120 is rotated to the open position O shown. In the open position O, the door 120 is adjacent to the stop 130.

[0037] In order to move door 120 back Figure 5A In the closed position C shown, the operator rotates the door 120 back around the hinge 112 toward the fixed part 110. From Figure 5D At the position shown, the latching tilt side 264 contacts the latching tilt side 224, and the engagement of the tilting sides 224 and 264 causes the latch member 210 to pivot against the bias of the spring 286 toward the depressed position D. After the first latching protrusion 260 passes the first latching protrusion 220, in Figure 5B In the position shown, spring 286 pivots latch 210 back to release position R, thereby returning latch mechanism 200 to first latch position P1 and causing door 120 to return to... Figure 5A The closed position C is shown. If the first latch protrusion 260 does not fully engage the first latch protrusion 220, then the plunger force F from the plunger 290 pushes the door 120 back to the open position O.

[0038] According to the embodiment of the processor 1, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, it includes the protective assembly 10 described in detail above, the frame 20 to which the protective assembly 10 is attached, the tool 30 disposed in the frame 20, the guard 40 mounted to the frame 20, the safety switch 50 mounted on the door 120, the power supply 60, and the control unit 70 connected to the tool 30, the safety switch 50, and the power supply 60. In one embodiment, the processor 1 is a wire terminator for terminating (e.g., crimping) the terminal T to the end of the wire W.

[0039] like Figure 7 As shown, frame 20 defines a working area 22 including a protective portion 24 and a protective cover portion 26. Tool 30 is disposed in the working area 22.

[0040] The shield 40 may be relative to the frame 20 in the enclosed shield portion 26 (e.g. Figure 6 The lower part L of the shield 26 (as shown) is adjacent to the exposed shield portion 26. Figure 7 The shield 40 slides between the upper position U (as shown). The shield 40 has a safety switch actuator 42 disposed on the bottom of the shield 40.

[0041] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the fixed part 110 is attached to the frame 20. Figure 6 In the closed position C shown, door 120 closes the protective portion 24 of the working area 22. Figure 7 In the open position O shown, door 120 exposes the protective portion 24 of the work area 22. (As shown...) Figure 7 As shown, latch 210 is attached to fixed portion 110, and latch 240 is attached to door 120, as described above regarding... Figure 1 and Figures 5A-5D Detailed description.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, the processor 1 operates with the enclosure 40 in the lower position L and the door 120 in the closed position C. When the enclosure 40 is in the lower position L and the door 120 is in the closed position C, the safety switch actuator 42 of the enclosure 40 actuates the safety switch 50 on the door 120. The control unit 70 receives an actuation signal indicating the actuation of the safety switch 50 and allows the tool 30, located in the enclosed working area 22, to be started by the power supply 60. In the illustrated embodiment, starting the tool 30 involves crimping terminal T onto the wire W. The enclosure 40 must be in the lower position L and the door 120 must be in the closed position C to allow the tool 30 to be started.

[0043] To remove the part processed by tool 30 (e.g., terminal T crimped to wire W), the cover moves to... Figure 7 The upper position U is shown. Then, the part processed by tool 30 can be replaced for similar processing of additional parts.

[0044] To change the tool 30 of processor 1, door 120 must be moved to... Figure 7 The open position O is shown in the diagram. Due to the... Figures 5A-5BThe engagement of the latching member 210 with the catch 240 detailed above, when the operator depresses the press element 234, rotates the door 120 from the closed position C to the second catch position P2 under only the plunger force F. Release of the press element 234 then allows the door 120 to fall to the open position O abutting the stop 130 under only the force of gravity G; without requiring additional plunger force F to be applied by the plunger 290. The multiple catch positions P1, P2 from a single depression operation of the press element 234 prevents the door 120 from opening too quickly or too forcefully, thereby limiting the contact force of the door 120 with an operator or other object that can cause injury or damage.

Claims

1. A latching mechanism (200), comprising: a latch piece (210) having a first latch protrusion (220) and a second latch protrusion (230); and a catch (240) having a first catch protrusion (260) and a second catch protrusion (270), the first catch protrusion (260) engaging the first latch protrusion (220) in a first catch position (PI), the second catch protrusion (270) engaging the second latch protrusion (230) in a second catch position (P2) following release of the first catch position (PI); wherein the latching mechanism (200) further comprises a plunger (290), the plunger (290) exerting a plunger force (F) on the catch (240) in the first catch position (PI) to urge the catch (240) in a direction away from the latch piece (210), the plunger (290) not exerting the plunger force (F) on the catch (240) in the second catch position (P2). the latch piece (210) is integrally formed as a single piece, and the catch (240) is integrally formed as a single piece.

2. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 1, wherein, the latch piece (210) has a stem (212), the first latch protrusion (220) extending from an upper surface (218) of the stem (212), and the second latch protrusion (230) extending from a lower surface (219) of the stem (212).

3. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 1, wherein, the catch (240) has a base (242) having a first leg (250) and a second leg (252) extending from the base (242), the first catch protrusion (260) positioned at an end of the first leg (250) opposite the base (242), and the second catch protrusion (270) positioned at an end of the second leg (252) opposite the base (242).

4. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 3, wherein, the first latch protrusion (220) has a latch flat side (222) and a latch angled side (224) opposite the latch flat side (222), and the first catch protrusion (260) has a catch flat side (262) and a catch angled side (264) opposite the catch flat side (262), the latch flat side (222) engaging the catch flat side (262) in the first catch position (PI).

5. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 1, wherein, the second latch protrusion (230) has a latch angled side (232) facing in the same direction as the latch flat side (222), the second catch protrusion (270) having a catch angled side (272) engaging the latch angled side (232) in the second catch position (P2).

6. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 5, wherein, the latch piece (210) has a press element (234), depression of the press element (234) releasing the first catch position (PI) and engaging the second catch position (PI), release of the depression of the press element (234) releasing the second catch position (P2).

7. The latching mechanism (200) of claim 1, wherein, ​ 8. Guard assembly (10) comprising: a guard (100) comprising a fixed part (110) and a door (120) attached to the fixed part (110) by a hinge (112) and rotatable with respect to the fixed part (110) between a closed position (C) and an open position (O); and the latching mechanism (200) according to claim 1, wherein the latching member (210) is attached to the fixed part (110) and the catch (240) is attached to the door (120), wherein the first catch position (PI) corresponds to the closed position (C) of the door (120).

9. The guard assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein, the second catch position (P2) is between the open position (O) and the closed position (C), the door (120) reaching the open position (O) abutting a stop (130) after release in the second catch position (P2).

10. The guard assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein, upon release in the second catch position (P2), only gravity (G) moves the door (120) to the open position (O).

11. A processing machine (1) comprising: a frame (20) defining a work area (22); and a guard assembly (10) comprising a guard (100) having a fixed part (110) attached to the frame (20) and a door (120) attached to the fixed part (110) by a hinge (112), the door (120) being rotatable with respect to the fixed part (110) between a closed position (C) and an open position (O), the closed position (C) enclosing a guarded portion (24) of the work area (22), the open position (O) exposing the guarded portion (24) of the work area (22), a latching member (210) attached to the fixed part (110) and a catch (240) attached to the door (120), wherein a first catch position (PI) corresponds to the closed position (C).

12. The processing machine (1) according to claim 11, further comprising a shield (40) mounted to the frame (20), the shield (40) being slidable with respect to the frame (20) between a lower position (L) enclosing a shielded portion (26) of the work area (22) and an upper position (U) exposing the shielded portion (26) of the work area (22).

13. The processing machine (1) according to claim 12, further comprising a safety switch (50) mounted on the door (120), the shield (40) having a safety switch actuator (42) that actuates the safety switch (50) with the door (120) in the closed position (C) and the shield (40) in the lower position (L), thereby allowing a tool (30) disposed in the work area (22) to be activated. ​

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