Latch and latch system

Abstract

The present application relates to a latch, comprising: a housing having two side walls opposite to each other, the two side walls each having a longitudinally extending sliding groove; the handle can pivot between a closing position and an opening position relative to the shell; one end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the shell, and the other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the middle part of the handle; and the driving piece is connected to one end of the handle, is inserted into the sliding grooves of the two side walls, and penetrates through at least one side wall to extend to the outside of the shell to form a driving part. The utility model also relates to a latch system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a latch, in particular a cover latch, and a latch system comprising the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, equipment such as server cabinets has panels that can be opened and closed. In some application environments, the panels can have a large volume and weight, and have a smooth surface that is difficult to hold. For this purpose, a cover latch can be installed to the panel. The latch can be operated to be switched between a closed position and an open position, and can generate a force to the panel during the switching so that the panel is engaged to or detached from the cabinet.

[0003] There is a constant need for improvement of the latch, for example, in the case of ensuring basic functions, it is desirable that the latch is adapted to different installation positions, and it is desirable to minimize the components of the latch and to reduce the size of the latch. For this purpose, further design of the components of the latch is needed. SUMMARY

[0004] A latch comprises a housing having two side walls opposite to each other, the two side walls each having a longitudinally extending sliding groove; 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.

[0005] In one embodiment, the handle comprises a pivot end and a free end opposite to the pivot end, the pivot end being provided with a longitudinally extending first gap; the driving member is inserted into the pivot end in a transverse direction, a snap ring is sleeved on the outside of the driving member and accommodated in the first gap to prevent transverse relative movement between the driving member and the handle.

[0006] In one embodiment, the driving member comprises an annular groove recessed at the outer surface thereof, the annular groove corresponding to the first gap; the snap ring is engaged to the annular groove.

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

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

[0009] In one embodiment, the recess is provided with a second slot extending longitudinally, and the link is in the form of a tab and is partially housed in the second slot.

[0010] In one embodiment, the link is pivotally connected to the housing by a second pin extending transversely, a spring is sleeved on the second pin, the spring is housed in the recess, and the spring biases the link towards the open direction.

[0011] A latch system comprising: a first article; a second article, the first article being movable relative to the second article to engage or disengage the second article; and a latch according to the present application, the housing of the latch being mounted to the first article, and the driving portion of the latch being engaged to the second article.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second article is provided with a driving hole, and the driving portion is inserted into the driving hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first article is located at the top opening of the housing of the latch, and the second article is located at one side wall of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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

[0016] Figure 1G and Figure 1H are respectively perspective views of the latch from different angles;

[0017] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the latch;

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

[0019] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the latch, in which the handle is in the closed position and the button holds the handle, Figure 4B is a front view corresponding to Figure 4A , Figure 4C is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 4B , Figure 4D is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 4B ,

[0020] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the latch, in which the handle is in the vicinity of the closed position and the button releases the handle,Figure 5B is a front view corresponding to Figure 5A , Figure 5C is a sectional view taken along the C-C line in Figure 5B ;

[0021] Figure 6A is a perspective view of the latch with the handle in the open position, Figure 6B is a front view corresponding to Figure 6A , Figure 6C is a sectional view taken along the D-D line in Figure 6B ;

[0022] Figure 7 and Figure 8 respectively show the latch mounted to a first article and engaged to a second article, wherein Figure 7 shows the latch in the closed position, Figure 8 shows the latch in the open position.

[0023] List of reference signs

[0024] 100 latch

[0025] 110 housing

[0026] 111 bottom wall

[0027] 112 side wall

[0028] 113 top opening

[0029] 114 sliding groove

[0030] 115 housing hole

[0031] 120 handle

[0032] 121 pivotal end

[0033] 122 free end

[0034] 123 first handle hole

[0035] 124 second handle hole

[0036] 125 recess

[0037] 125a accommodation portion

[0038] 126 first slit

[0039] 127 second slit

[0040] 128 protrusion

[0041] 130 link

[0042] 131 first link hole

[0043] 132 second link hole

[0044] 140 driving member

[0045] 141 annular groove

[0046] 142 driving part

[0047] 150 button

[0048] 151 mounting part

[0049] 152 button hole

[0050] 153 operating part

[0051] 181 first pin

[0052] 182 second pin

[0053] 183 snap ring

[0054] 184 spring

[0055] 184a foot

[0056] 184b middle part

[0057] 185 rivet

[0058] 200 first article

[0059] 300 second article

[0060] 310 driving hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Although the present utility model is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the present utility model should not be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications can be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the utility model.

[0062] The direction descriptions such as "front", "back", "up", "down" and the like involved herein are only for the convenience of understanding, and the present utility model is not limited to these directions, but can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1A-2 The latch 100 according to the present application is described in its entirety. The latch 100 comprises a housing 110, a handle 120, a link 130, a driving member 140, a button 150, a first pin 181, a second pin 182, a snap ring 183, a spring 184, and a rivet 185.

[0064] The housing 110 at least partially houses other components of the latch 100, and is mounted to a first article 200 (refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 ) such as a cover plate, so that the latch 100 moves together with the first article 200. The housing 110 includes a bottom wall 111, side walls 112, a top opening 113, sliding grooves 114, and housing holes 115. The bottom wall 111 and the side walls 112 respectively extend in the longitudinal direction. The two side walls 112 respectively rise from the bottom wall 111 in the height direction and are opposite to each other in the lateral direction. The top opening 113 is opposite to the bottom wall 111, so that the housing 110 is formed as a box-shaped structure extending in the longitudinal direction and open upward, and has an accommodation space inside. In the present embodiment, the two longitudinal ends of the housing 110 are closed to facilitate mounting, but in other embodiments, the two longitudinal ends of the housing 110 can be open.

[0065] The two side walls 112 of the housing 110 respectively have a sliding groove 114 extending in the longitudinal direction, which is respectively located at the middle in the height direction of the housing 110, and extends from the vicinity of one longitudinal end of the housing 110 (i.e. the end of the housing 110 corresponding to the pivoting end of the handle 120) to the middle in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 by about one third of the longitudinal dimension of the housing 110. The two side walls 112 respectively have housing holes 115 opposite to each other, which are 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 middle of the housing 110.

[0066] In combination with the above description Figure 1H , the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110 can be a substantially closed flat plate, i.e. does not have a structure such as an elongated slot, so that the internal components of the latch 100 are not exposed outside the latch 100 through the housing 110, which is beneficial to the modularization of the housing 110. At the same time, since there is no need to provide a slot at the bottom of the housing 110, the width of the housing 110 can be reduced, which is beneficial to the overall miniaturization of the latch 100. Moreover, by simplifying the internal components of the latch 100, the present application also allows the width of the housing 110 to be reduced, so that the width and height of the housing 110 are approximately the same, and the housing 110 is formed as a square cross section. Compared with the flat latch 100 of the prior art, the present application can significantly reduce the volume of the latch 100.

[0067] The handle 120 is rod-shaped and has substantially the same width and height as the interior accommodating space of the housing 110. Therefore, the handle 120 can have a substantially square cross-section to ensure sufficient strength while reducing the size. The handle 120 includes a pivoting 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 pivoting end 121 and the free end 122 are opposite to each other, the pivoting end 121 (particularly the first handle hole 123 at the pivoting end 121) is pivotally connected to the housing 110 by a driving member 140, and the driving member 140 is slidingly arranged in the sliding groove 114 of the housing 110. More particularly, the driving member 140 is inserted into the sliding groove 114 of the two side walls 112 and extends through at least one side wall 112 to the outside of the housing 110 to form a driving portion 142 so as to be engaged to the second article 300 (refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0068] Therefore, the handle 120 can be pivoted relative to the housing 110 between a closed position (as shown in Figure 4A ) and an open position (as shown in Figure 6A ). When the handle 120 is in the closed position, the free end 122 is accommodated in the housing 110, so that the upper surface of the entire handle 120 is substantially flush with the top opening 113 of the housing 110, so that the latch 100 has a neat appearance. When the handle 120 is in the open position, the free end 122 is raised from the housing 110, allowing the user to hold the free end 122 in order to rotate the handle 120 or to drive the first article 200 by the handle 120.

[0069] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4D , the free end 122 of the handle 120 is provided with a longitudinally extending first slit 126, and the first slit 126 surrounds the first handle hole 123. The driving member 140 is transversely inserted into the pivoting end 121, particularly the first handle hole 123 at the pivoting end 121. A snap ring 183 is sleeved on the outside of the driving member 140 and accommodated in the first slit 126 to prevent transverse relative movement between the driving member 140 and the handle 120. More particularly, the driving member 140 includes an annular groove 141 recessed at the outer surface thereof, the annular groove 141 corresponds to the first slit 126, and the snap ring 183 is engaged to the annular groove 141. The snap ring 183 can be an open ring, such as a C-shaped ring or an E-shaped ring, so as to be engaged to the annular groove 141 of the driving member 140 after the driving member 140 is inserted into the first handle hole 123.

[0070] Since the driving member 140 is engaged to the handle 120 by only a single snap ring 183, the connection structure between the handle 120 and the driving member 140 is simplified, allowing the handle 120 to have a smaller width, and in turn allowing the housing 110 to have a smaller width. It should be understood, however, that other engagement means, such as a form fit or an interference fit, can also be employed between the driving member 140 and the handle 120, as long as lateral relative movement between the driving 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 in a substantially L-shaped sheet shape, and includes a mounting portion 151 and an operating portion 153 which are substantially 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 longitudinal space. The operating portion 153 rises from the mounting portion 151 in the height direction to the top opening 113 of the housing 110. A button hole 152 is formed in the operating portion 153, and has a shape corresponding 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 pull 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 little longitudinal space, the longitudinal dimension of the housing 110 is substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the handle 120. Therefore, it is not necessary to lengthen 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 link 130 is pivotally connected to the housing 110, and the other end of the link 130 is pivotally connected to the middle portion of the handle 120. More specifically, the link 130 is in a sheet shape and has first and second link holes 131 and 132 at the two ends, respectively. The first link hole 131 is pivotally connected to the first handle hole 123 near the middle portion of the handle 120 by a first horizontally extending pin 181, and the second link hole 132 is pivotally connected to the housing hole 115 of the housing 110 by a second horizontally extending pin 182. Therefore, the link 130 restricts the rotational trajectory of the handle 120 relative to the housing 110.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the link 130 is at least partially housed in a recess 125 of the handle 120. Specifically, the recess 125 is between the middle portion and the free end 122 of the handle 120, and on the side of the handle 120 facing the housing 110. The recess 125 can extend through the entire handle 120 in the transverse direction to simplify the transverse structure of the handle 120. The recess 125 is provided with a second longitudinal slit 127, and the link 130 is in the form of a sheet and is partially housed in the second slit 127. More specifically, referring to Figure 3 , the second slit 127 is recessed upward from the top of the recess 125, but need not extend through the top of the handle 120. The recess 125 surrounds the second handle hole 124, thus allowing the link 130 to rotate freely relative to the handle 120 at the second handle hole 124.

[0075] The upper surface of the recess 125 is provided with an arc-shaped housing portion 125a. The spring 184 is sleeved on the second pin 182 and is partially housed in the housing portion 125a. More specifically, referring to Figure 4C , the spring 184 is in the form of a coil spring and has two foot portions 184a and an intermediate portion 184b, wherein the foot portions 184a abut against the upper surface of the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110, and the intermediate portion 184b abuts against the lower surface of the link 130. Thus, the spring 184 upwardly biases the link 130, thereby biasing the link 130 in the opening direction so that the link 130 tends to rotate the handle 120 in the opening direction. In other embodiments, the spring 184 can also be in different forms, such as a leaf spring or a compression spring.

[0076] Referring to Figures 4A-4D , which shows the state that the handle 120 is in the closed position and the button 150 holds the handle 120. In this state, the handle 120 is entirely housed in the housing 110, and the handle 120, the link 130, and the housing 110 are substantially located on the same straight line, i.e., all extend in the longitudinal direction. The driving member 140 is located at the position of the sliding groove 114 away from the free end 122, and the protruding portion 128 of the handle 120 is engaged into the button hole 152 of the button 150.

[0077] Starting from the state shown in Figures 4A-4D , the user pulls the operating portion 153 of the button 150 to transition the latch 100 to Figures 5A-5Cthe position shown. In this process, the operating portion 153 elastically deforms to disengage from the protruding portion 128, so that the button 150 releases the handle 120. The link 130 rotates the handle 120 toward the open position under the bias of the spring 184. In the case where the latch 100 is installed to the first article 200 and the second article 300, the spring 184 is not enough to drive the entire latch 100 to carry the relatively heavy first article 200. Therefore, the free end 122 of the handle 120 is only slightly popped up from the housing 110 to be held by the user, while the driving member 140 is almost not moved from the position shown. Figures 4A-4C The position shown.

[0078] From Figures 5A-5C the position shown, the user rotates the free end 122 of the handle 120 to the open position, so that the latch 100 is transitioned to Figures 6A-6C the position shown. In this process, the handle 120 is rotated relative to the housing 110, and the pivot end 121 is moved with the driving member 140 to the end of the sliding groove 114 close to the free end 122. The end of the link 130 connected to the handle 120 is lifted up, so that the handle 120, the link 130, and the housing 110 form a triangular configuration.

[0079] It is easily understood that, from Figures 6A-6C the position shown, the user presses the free end 122 of the handle 120 into the housing 110, so that the latch 100 can be returned to Figures 4A-4D the position shown.

[0080] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the latch 100 system according to the present application is described. The latch 100 system includes a first article 200, a second article 300, and the latch 100 according to the present application. The first article 200 is, for example, a cover plate, and the second article 300 is, for example, a box body. The first article 200 is capable of sliding along a longitudinal direction relative to the second article 300 to engage or disengage the second article 300. The housing 110 of the latch 100 is installed to the first article 200, and the driving portion 142 of the latch 100 is engaged to the second article 300. More specifically, the first article 200 is located at the top opening 113 of the housing 110 of the latch 100, and the second article 300 is located at one side wall 112 of the housing 110. The second article 300 is provided with a driving hole 310, and the driving portion 142 is inserted into the driving hole 310.

[0081] When the user rotates the handle 120 of the latch 100, the driving member 140 moves relative to the housing 110 along the longitudinal direction to drive the relative movement between the first article 200 and the second article 300. For example, from Figure 7 the position shown, the user rotates the handle 120 to Figure 8 the open position shown. In this process, the driving member 140 is moved towardFigure 7 to the right, the housing 110 moves relative to the drive member 140 to the left. Thus, the housing 110 brings the first article 200 to the left and disengages the second article 300. Conversely, starting from the state shown in Fig. 2, the user rotates the handle 120 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, which brings the first article 200 to engage the second article 300. Figure 7 to the right, the housing 110 moves relative to the drive member 140 to the left. Thus, the housing 110 brings the first article 200 to the left and disengages the second article 300. Conversely, starting from the state shown in Fig. 2, the user rotates the handle 120 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, which brings the first article 200 to engage the second article 300. Figure 8 to the right, the housing 110 moves relative to the drive member 140 to the left. Thus, the housing 110 brings the first article 200 to the left and disengages the second article 300. Conversely, starting from the state shown in Fig. 2, the user rotates the handle 120 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, which brings the first article 200 to engage the second article 300. Figure 7 to the right, the housing 110 moves relative to the drive member 140 to the left. Thus, the housing 110 brings the first article 200 to the left and disengages the second article 300. Conversely, starting from the state shown in Fig. 2, the user rotates the handle 120 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, which brings the first article 200 to engage the second article 300.

[0082] While the

Claims

1. A latch characterized by, The latch comprises: a housing (110) having two side walls (112) opposite to each other, the two side walls (112) each having a longitudinally extending sliding groove (114); a handle (120) pivotable relative to the housing (110) between a closed position and an open position; a link rod (130) having one end pivotally connected to the housing (110) and the other end pivotally connected to a middle portion of the handle (120); and a driving member (140) connected to one end of the handle (120), inserted into the sliding grooves (114) of the two side walls (112) and extending through at least one of the side walls (112) to the outside of the housing (110) to form a driving portion (142).

2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein: the handle (120) comprises a pivot end (121) and a free end (122) opposite to the pivot end (121), the pivot end (121) being provided with a longitudinally extending first gap (126); the driving member (140) is inserted into the pivot end (121) in a transverse direction, and a snap ring (183) is sleeved on the outside of the driving member (140) and accommodated in the first gap (126) to prevent transverse relative movement between the driving member (140) and the handle (120).

3. The latch according to claim 2, wherein: the driving member (140) comprises an annular groove (141) recessed on the outer surface thereof, the annular groove (141) corresponding to the first gap (126); the snap ring (183) is engaged to the annular groove (141).

4. The latch according to claim 2, wherein: the handle (120) is rod-shaped and has substantially the same width and height as the internal accommodation space of the housing (110).

5. The latch according to claim 1, wherein: the handle (120) comprises a recessed portion (125) between the middle portion and the free end (122) of the handle (120) and on the side of the handle (120) facing the housing (110); the link rod (130) is at least partially accommodated in the recessed portion (125).

6. The latch according to claim 5, wherein: the recessed portion (125) is provided with a longitudinally extending second gap (127), and the link rod (130) is sheet-shaped and partially accommodated in the second gap (127).

7. The latch according to claim 5, wherein: the link rod (130) is pivotally connected to the housing (110) by a second pin (182) extending in a transverse direction, a spring (184) is sleeved on the second pin (182), the spring (184) is accommodated in the recessed portion (125), and the spring (184) biases the link rod (130) to the open direction.

8. A latching system characterized by, The latch system comprises: a first article (200); a second object (300) relative to which the first object (200) is movable to engage or disengage the second object (300); and The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the housing (110) of the latch (100) is mounted to the first object (200), and the driving portion (142) of the latch (100) is engaged to the second object (300).

9. The latch system according to claim 8, wherein: The second object (300) is provided with a driving hole (310) into which the driving portion (142) is inserted.

10. The latch system according to claim 9, wherein: 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 one side wall (112) of the housing (110).

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