Latches and latching systems

Abstract

The present application relates to a latch, comprising: a housing having two side walls opposite to each other, the two side walls respectively having a sliding groove extending longitudinally; a handle pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position; a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod being pivotally connected to the housing, the other end of the connecting rod being pivotally connected to a middle portion of the handle; and a driving member connected to one end of the handle, inserted into the sliding grooves of the two side walls, and extending through at least one of the side walls to the outside of the housing to form a driving portion. The present application also relates to a latch system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a latch, particularly a cover plate latch, and also to a latching system including the latch. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, devices such as server enclosures have panels that can be opened and closed. In some applications, these panels may be bulky and heavy, and have a smooth surface that makes them difficult to hold. To address this, a cover-type latch can be installed on the panel. This latch can be operated to switch between a closed and open position, and during this switching process, it applies force to the panel, causing the panel to engage with or disengage from the enclosure.

[0003] There is a continuous need to improve latches. For example, while ensuring basic functionality, there is a desire for latches to adapt to different installation locations, and to minimize the number of latch components and reduce their size. Therefore, further design of each component of the latch is required. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A latch includes: a housing having two opposing sidewalls, each sidewall having a longitudinally extending sliding groove; a handle pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position; a linkage, one end of which is pivotally connected to the housing and the other end of which is pivotally connected to a middle portion of the handle; and a drive member connected to one end of the handle, inserted into the sliding grooves of the two sidewalls, and extending through at least one of the sidewalls to the outside of the housing to form a drive portion.

[0005] In one embodiment, the handle includes a pivot end and a free end opposite the pivot end, the pivot end having a longitudinally extending first slot: the drive member is laterally inserted into the pivot end, and a retaining ring is fitted on the outside of the drive member and accommodated in the first slot to prevent lateral relative movement between the drive member and the handle.

[0006] In one embodiment, the drive includes an annular groove recessed on its outer surface, the annular groove corresponding to the first gap; the retaining ring engages with the annular groove.

[0007] In one embodiment, the handle is rod-shaped and has approximately the same width and height as the internal accommodating space of the housing.

[0008] In one embodiment, the handle includes a recess between the middle portion of the handle and the free end, and on the side of the handle facing the housing; the connecting rod is at least partially received in the recess.

[0009] In one embodiment, the recess is provided with a longitudinally extending second slit, and the connecting rod is plate-shaped and partially accommodated in the second slit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the housing via a laterally extending second pin, on which a spring is fitted, the spring being accommodated in the recess, and the spring biasing the connecting rod toward the opening direction.

[0011] A latching system includes: a first object; a second object, the first object being movable relative to the second object to engage or disengage from the second object; and a latch according to this application, the housing of the latch being mounted on the first object, and the drive portion of the latch being engaged with the second object.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second object is provided with a drive hole, and the drive part is inserted into the drive hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first object is located at the top opening of the housing of the latch, and the second object is located at one side wall of the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0014] In the following description, embodiments of this application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figures 1A to 1F These are, respectively, the front view, rear view, left view, right view, top view, and bottom view of the latch according to this application;

[0016] Figure 1G and Figure 1H These are three-dimensional views of the latch from different angles;

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded 3D view of the latch;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the latch handle, showing the surface of the handle facing the housing;

[0019] Figure 4A This is a 3D view of the latch, with the handle in the closed position and the button holding the handle in place. Figure 4B It corresponds to Figure 4A The main view, Figure 4C It is along Figure 4B The sectional view taken by line AA in the figure. Figure 4D It is along Figure 4B A sectional view taken by the BB line in the diagram;

[0020] Figure 5A This is a 3D view of the latch, with the handle near the closed position and the button releasing the handle. Figure 5B It corresponds to Figure 5A The main view, Figure 5C It is along Figure 5B A cross-sectional view taken by the CC line in the image;

[0021] Figure 6A This is a 3D view of the latch, with the handle in the open position. Figure 6B It corresponds to Figure 6A The main view, Figure 6C It is along Figure 6B A cross-sectional view taken by the DD line in the image;

[0022] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The latches are shown respectively, one mounted to the first object and the other engaged with the second object, wherein... Figure 7 The latch is shown in the closed position. Figure 8 The latch is shown in the open position.

[0023] List of reference numerals

[0024] 100 latches

[0025] 110 Casing

[0026] 111 bottom wall

[0027] 112 Sidewall

[0028] 113 Top opening

[0029] 114 Sliding groove

[0030] 115 Casing Hole

[0031] 120 handle

[0032] 121 Pivot Terminal

[0033] 122 Free End

[0034] 123 First handle hole

[0035] 124 Second Handle Hole

[0036] 125 Depression

[0037] 125a Reception Section

[0038] 126 First Gap

[0039] 127 Second Gap

[0040] 128 Protrusions

[0041] 130 linkage

[0042] 131 First connecting rod hole

[0043] 132 Second connecting rod hole

[0044] 140 drive unit

[0045] 141 Annular groove

[0046] 142 Drive Unit

[0047] 150 buttons

[0048] 151 Installation Department

[0049] 152 button hole

[0050] 153 Operations Department

[0051] 181 First Selling

[0052] 182 Second Selling

[0053] 183 clasp

[0054] 184 Springs

[0055] 184a Foot

[0056] 184b Middle section

[0057] 185 rivets

[0058] 200 First item

[0059] 300 Second item

[0060] 310 drive hole Detailed Implementation

[0061] While this invention has been illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should not be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications to these details may be made within the scope of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.

[0062] The descriptions of directions such as "front," "back," "up," and "down" used in this article are for ease of understanding only. This invention is not limited to these directions, but can be adjusted according to actual circumstances.

[0063] Reference Figures 1A to 2 The latch 100 according to this application is described in general. The latch 100 includes a housing 110, a handle 120, a connecting rod 130, a drive element 140, a button 150, a first pin 181, a second pin 182, a retaining ring 183, a spring 184, and a rivet 185.

[0064] The housing 110 at least partially accommodates other components of the latch 100 and is mounted to a first object 200, such as a cover plate (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8 This allows the latch 100 to move together with the first object 200. The housing 110 includes a bottom wall 111, side walls 112, a top opening 113, a sliding groove 114, and a housing hole 115. The bottom wall 111 and side walls 112 extend longitudinally. The two side walls 112 rise from the bottom wall 111 in the height direction and are laterally opposite each other. The top opening 113 is opposite to the bottom wall 111, thus the housing 110 is formed as a longitudinally extending and upwardly opening box shape with an internal accommodating space. In this embodiment, the longitudinal ends of the housing 110 are closed for ease of installation; however, in other embodiments, the longitudinal ends of the housing 110 may be open.

[0065] The two side walls 112 of the housing 110 each have longitudinally extending sliding grooves 114, which are located at the midpoint of the height direction of the housing 110 and extend from near one longitudinal end of the housing 110 (i.e., the end of the housing 110 corresponding to the pivot end of the handle 120) toward the midpoint of the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 for approximately one-third of the longitudinal dimension of the housing 110. The two side walls 112 each have opposing housing holes 115, located between the other end of the housing 110 (i.e., the end of the housing 110 corresponding to the free end 122 of the handle 120) and the midpoint of the housing 110.

[0066] Combined with reference Figure 1H The bottom wall 111 of the housing 110 can be a substantially closed flat plate, i.e., without structures such as elongated slots. This prevents the internal components of the latch 100 from being exposed to the outside of the latch 100 through the housing 110, which is beneficial for the modularity of the housing 110. Simultaneously, since there is no need to provide slots at the bottom of the housing 110, the width of the housing 110 can be reduced, which is beneficial for the overall miniaturization of the latch 100. Furthermore, by simplifying the internal components of the latch 100, this application also allows for a reduction in the width of the housing 110, making the width and height of the housing 110 approximately the same, forming an approximately square cross-section. Compared to the flat latch 100 of the prior art, this application can significantly reduce the volume of the latch 100.

[0067] The handle 120 is rod-shaped and has approximately the same width and height as the internal accommodating space of the housing 110. Therefore, the handle 120 can have a generally square cross-section, thus ensuring sufficient strength while reducing size. The handle 120 includes a pivot end 121, a free end 122, a first handle hole 123, a second handle hole 124, a recess 125, a first slit 126, a second slit 127, and a protrusion 128. The pivot end 121 and the free end 122 are opposite each other. The pivot end 121 (specifically, the first handle hole 123 at the pivot end 121) is pivotally connected to the housing 110 via a drive member 140, which is slidably disposed in a sliding groove 114 of the housing 110. More specifically, the drive member 140 is inserted into the sliding grooves 114 of two sidewalls 112 and extends through at least one sidewall 112 to the outside of the housing 110 to form a drive portion 142 for engagement with a second object 300 (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0068] Therefore, the handle 120 can be in the closed position relative to the housing 110 (e.g., Figure 4A (as shown) and the opening position (e.g.) Figure 6A Pivoting between (as shown). When the handle 120 is in the closed position, the free end 122 is housed within the housing 110, so that the entire upper surface of the handle 120 is substantially flush with the top opening 113 of the housing 110, giving the latch 100 a clean appearance. When the handle 120 is in the open position, the free end 122 rises from the housing 110, allowing the user to hold the free end 122 to rotate the handle 120 or to drive the first object 200 via the handle 120.

[0069] Combined with reference Figure 3 and Figure 4D The handle 120 has a longitudinally extending first slit 126 at its free end 122, and the first slit 126 surrounds the first handle hole 123. The drive member 140 is laterally inserted into the pivot end 121, specifically into the first handle hole 123 at the pivot end 121. A retaining ring 183 is sleeved on the outside of the drive member 140 and accommodated in the first slit 126 to prevent lateral relative movement between the drive member 140 and the handle 120. More specifically, the drive member 140 includes an annular groove 141 recessed on its outer surface, corresponding to the first slit 126, to which the retaining ring 183 engages. The retaining ring 183 may be an open ring, such as a C-ring or an E-ring, so that it engages with the annular groove 141 of the drive member 140 after the drive member 140 has been inserted into the first handle hole 123.

[0070] Because the drive member 140 is engaged to the handle 120 via a single retaining ring 183, the connection structure between the handle 120 and the drive member 140 is simplified, allowing the handle 120 to have a smaller width, and consequently, the housing 110 to have a smaller width. However, it should be understood that other engagement methods, such as form fit or tight fit, can also be used between the drive member 140 and the handle 120, as long as lateral relative movement between the drive member 140 and the handle 120 is prevented.

[0071] The free end 122 of the handle 120 can be held in the closed position by the button 150. Specifically, the button 150 is formed as a generally L-shaped sheet and includes a mounting portion 151 and an operating portion 153 that are generally perpendicular to each other. The mounting portion 151 is fixed to the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110 by a rivet 185 and is located below the free end 122 of the handle 120 to avoid occupying additional vertical space. The operating portion 153 rises vertically from the mounting portion 151 to the top opening 113 of the housing 110. A button hole 152 is provided in the operating portion 153, the shape of which corresponds to the protrusion 128 at the free end 122 of the handle 120. When the handle 120 is in the closed position, the protrusion 128 is inserted into the button hole 152, so that the handle 120 is held in the closed position by the button 150. The user can turn the operating portion 153 to disengage the protrusion 128 from the button hole 152, thereby releasing the handle 120.

[0072] Since the button 150 occupies very little vertical space, the longitudinal dimension of the housing 110 is approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the handle 120. Therefore, there is no need to extend the housing 110 based on the longitudinal dimension of the handle 120 to accommodate the button 150, thereby reducing the overall longitudinal dimension of the latch 100.

[0073] One end of the connecting rod 130 is pivotally connected to the housing 110, and the other end is pivotally connected to the middle of the handle 120. More specifically, the connecting rod 130 is plate-shaped and has a first connecting rod hole 131 and a second connecting rod hole 132 at its two ends. The first connecting rod hole 131 is pivotally connected to a first handle hole 123 near the middle of the handle 120 via a laterally extending first pin 181, and the second connecting rod hole 132 is pivotally connected to a housing hole 115 of the housing 110 via a laterally extending second pin 182. Therefore, the connecting rod 130 restricts the rotational trajectory of the handle 120 relative to the housing 110.

[0074] In this embodiment, the connecting rod 130 is at least partially accommodated in a recess 125 of the handle 120. Specifically, the recess 125 is located between the middle of the handle 120 and the free end 122, and on the side of the handle 120 facing the housing 110. The recess 125 can extend laterally through the entire handle 120 to simplify the lateral structure of the handle 120. A longitudinally extending second slit 127 is provided at the recess 125, and the connecting rod 130 is sheet-shaped and partially accommodated in the second slit 127. More specifically, referring to reference... Figure 3 The second slit 127 recesses upward from the top of the recess 125, but does not need to extend through the top of the handle 120. The recess 125 surrounds the second handle hole 124, thus allowing the connecting rod 130 to rotate freely relative to the handle 120 at the second handle hole 124.

[0075] An arc-shaped receiving portion 125a is provided on the upper surface of the recess 125. The spring 184 is sleeved on the second pin 182 and partially received within the receiving portion 125a. More specifically, referring to reference... Figure 4C The spring 184 is configured as a coil spring and has two feet 184a and a middle portion 184b, wherein the feet 184a abut against the upper surface of the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110, and the middle portion 184b abuts against the lower surface of the connecting rod 130. Therefore, the spring 184 biases the connecting rod 130 upwards, thereby biasing the connecting rod 130 in the opening direction, causing the connecting rod 130 to tend to rotate the handle 120 to the opening direction. In other embodiments, the spring 184 may also be configured in different forms, such as a leaf spring or a compression spring.

[0076] Reference Figures 4A to 4D The diagram shows the handle 120 in the closed position with the button 150 holding the handle 120 in this state. In this state, the handle 120 is entirely housed within the housing 110, and the handle 120, connecting rod 130, and housing 110 are substantially aligned, i.e., all extending longitudinally. The drive member 140 is located at the sliding groove 114 away from the free end 122, and the protrusion 128 of the handle 120 engages with the button hole 152 of the button 150.

[0077] from Figures 4A to 4D The user starts from the indicated state and flips the operating part 153 of button 150 to transition the latch 100 to the desired state. Figures 5A to 5CThe state is shown. During this process, the operating part 153 undergoes elastic deformation and disengages from the protrusion 128, causing the button 150 to release the handle 120. The linkage 130, under the bias of the spring 184, rotates the handle 120 toward the open position. With the latch 100 installed on the first object 200 and the second object 300, the spring 184 is insufficient to drive the entire latch 100 to actuate the relatively heavy first object 200. Therefore, the free end 122 of the handle 120 only slightly springs out of the housing 110 for the user to grip, while the drive member 140 is relatively... Figures 4A to 4C The position shown has hardly moved.

[0078] from Figures 5A to 5C Starting from the indicated state, the user rotates the free end 122 of the handle 120 to the open position, causing the latch 100 to transition to the open position. Figures 6A to 6C The state shown is as follows. During this process, the handle 120 rotates relative to the housing 110, and the pivot end 121 moves together with the drive member 140 to the end of the sliding groove 114 near the free end 122. The end of the connecting rod 130 connected to the handle 120 is lifted upward, so that the handle 120, the connecting rod 130, and the housing 110 form a triangular configuration.

[0079] Easy to understand, from Figures 6A to 6C Starting from the indicated state, the user presses the free end 122 of the handle 120 down into the housing 110, which can return the latch 100 to its original position. Figures 4A to 4D The state shown.

[0080] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 Describes a latch 100 system according to this application. The latch 100 system includes a first object 200, a second object 300, and a latch 100 according to this application. The first object 200 is, for example, a cover plate, and the second object 300 is, for example, a housing. The first object 200 is longitudinally slidable relative to the second object 300 to engage or disengage from the second object 300. A housing 110 of the latch 100 is mounted to the first object 200, and a drive portion 142 of the latch 100 engages with the second object 300. More specifically, the first object 200 is located at a top opening 113 of the housing 110 of the latch 100, and the second object 300 is located at a side wall 112 of the housing 110. The second object 300 is provided with a drive hole 310 into which the drive portion 142 is inserted.

[0081] When the user rotates the handle 120 of the latch 100, the drive member 140 moves longitudinally relative to the housing 110 to drive relative movement between the first object 200 and the second object 300. For example, from Figure 7 Starting from the indicated position, the user rotates handle 120 to... Figure 8 The shown open position. During this process, the drive unit 140 moves towards... Figure 7 If the housing 110 moves to the right relative to the drive member 140, then the housing 110 will move towards the right. Figure 7 The shell 110 moves to the left, causing the first object 200 to move to the left and disengage from the second object 300. Conversely, from... Figure 8 Starting from the indicated position, the user rotates handle 120 to... Figure 7 When the closed position is shown, the first object 200 engages with the second object 300.

[0082] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are given by way of example only. Many variations, modifications, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A latch characterized by, The latch includes: The housing (110) has two opposing sidewalls (112), each of which has a longitudinally extending sliding groove (114); The handle (120) is pivotable relative to the housing (110) between a closed position and an open position; A connecting rod (130), one end of which is pivotally connected to the housing (110), and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the middle of the handle (120); and A drive unit (140), connected to one end of the handle (120), is inserted into the sliding groove (114) of the two side walls (112) and extends through at least one of the side walls (112) to the outside of the housing (110) to form a drive portion (142).

2. The latch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle (120) includes a pivot end (121) and a free end (122) opposite to the pivot end (121), wherein the pivot end (121) is provided with a longitudinally extending first slit (126): The drive member (140) is inserted laterally into the pivot end (121), and a retaining ring (183) is fitted on the outside of the drive member (140) and accommodated in the first gap (126) to prevent lateral relative movement between the drive member (140) and the handle (120).

3. The latch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive member (140) includes an annular groove (141) recessed on its outer surface, the annular groove (141) corresponding to the first gap (126); The retaining ring (183) engages with the annular groove (141).

4. The latch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The handle (120) is rod-shaped and has approximately the same width and height as the internal accommodating space of the housing (110).

5. The latch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle (120) includes a recess (125) between the middle of the handle (120) and the free end (122), and on the side of the handle (120) facing the housing (110). The connecting rod (130) is at least partially accommodated in the recess (125).

6. The latch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The recess (125) is provided with a longitudinally extending second slit (127), and the connecting rod (130) is sheet-shaped and partially accommodated in the second slit (127).

7. The latch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting rod (130) is pivotally connected to the housing (110) by a laterally extending second pin (182), on which a spring (184) is fitted. The spring (184) is accommodated in the recess (125) and biases the connecting rod (130) in the opening direction.

8. A latching system, characterized in that, The latching system includes: First item (200); A second object (300), wherein the first object (200) is movable relative to the second object (300) to engage or disengage from the second object (300); and According to any one of claims 1-7, the latch (100) has a housing (110) mounted on the first object (200) and a drive portion (142) engaged with the second object (300).

9. The latching system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second object (300) is provided with a drive hole (310), and the drive part (142) is inserted into the drive hole (310).

10. The latching system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first object (200) is located at the top opening (113) of the housing (110) of the latch (100), and the second object (300) is located at one side wall (112) of the housing (110).

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