Lifevest compartment spring latch

Abstract

Devices, apparatus, and techniques are provided for a storage compartment including a housing (108) including a volume, a panel coupled to the housing, a cover which at least partially encapsulates the panel and at least partially encloses the volume, a latch (103) comprising a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume, and a second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel, a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end, and a retention mechanism (104) coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application LIFEVEST COMPARTMENT SPRING LATCH TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The field of the invention relates to passenger vehicles, and, more particularly, to lifevest compartment closing mechanisms.BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, typically include one or more lifevest compartments for emergency situations such as evacuations. Life vest compartments store life vests, also known as personal floatation devices (PFD), for passengers to use in the emergency situations. To keep the life vests secure during operation of the passenger vehicles, the compartments are typically closed and secured with a release handle that when used by a passenger causes the door to open so the passenger can retrieve the life vest. Conventional life vest compartments have used a “bottom-up” latch configuration which is susceptible to acceleration jerks and forces generally in the direction of gravity which are common in aircraft which can cause the door to in inadvertently open unexpectedly. Compartments opening unexpectedly during operation of vehicles is a safety hazard and can cause undesirable panic.SUMMARY

[0003] The terms “disclosure,” “the disclosure,” “this disclosure” and “the present disclosure” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the disclosure covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application

[0004] According to certain embodiments, an apparatus comprising a housing including a volume, a panel coupled to the housing, a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume, and a second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel, a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end, and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0005] According to certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch and a handle, wherein the handle is configured to actuate the latch connector which adjusts the engagement surface from the first position into the second position.

[0006] According to certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a bracket connected to the panel, wherein a first portion of the spring is coupled to the latch and a second portion of the spring is connected to the bracket.

[0007] According to certain embodiments, wherein the latch further comprises a bore, wherein the spring is coupled a locking member positioned within the bore.

[0008] According to certain embodiments, a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end, and the bore is positioned closer to the center of gravity of the latch compared to the first end or the second end.

[0009] According to certain embodiments, a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end.

[0010] According to certain embodiments, the latch is an L-shape latch and the engagement surface is a hook.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, a surface of the hook is angled relative to the L-shape latch, the retention mechanism includes a through-hole with a surface angled at approximately a same angle as the surface of the hook, and the through-hole is configured to receive the surface of the hook when the hook is in the first position.

[0012] According to certain embodiments, a comer of the L-shape latch is coupled to the panel, and the L-shape latch is configured to pivot to the first position or the second position about the corner.

[0013] According to certain embodiments, a device comprising a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface, and a second end including a connector, a spring coupled to the latch closer to a center of gravity of the latch than the first end or the second end, and aAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application retention mechanism, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the device further comprises a housing including a volume, an a panel coupled to the housing, wherein the retention mechanism is coupled to an upper surface of the housing within the volume, and the engagement surface is configured to couple the panel to the housing in the first position by slotting into a through-hole of the retention mechanism adjacent to the upper surface.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the device further comprises a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch, wherein the latch connector is configured to be stored flush with a latch housing coupled to the panel when the engagement surface is in the first position.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the device further comprises a cover coupled to the panel, wherein the cover is configured to enclose the volume when the engagement surface is in the first position, and the latch connector is accessible through an opening in the cover outside of the volume.

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the device further comprises the panel includes a concave surface which extends at least partially into the volume.

[0018] According to certain embodiments, a storage compartment comprising a housing including a volume, a panel coupled to the housing, a cover which at least partially encapsulates the panel and at least partially encloses the volume, a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume, and a second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel, a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end, and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0019] According to certain embodiments, the latch is positioned at a top portion of the panel and is adjacent to an upper internal surface of the housing when the engagement surface is in the first position.

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the spring is configured to bias at least a portion of the latch in a direction of gravity against a surface of the retention mechanism.

[0021] According to certain embodiments, the retention mechanism further comprises a body that is attached to an upper surface of the housing and has a height which extends at least a portion of a length of the spring, wherein the body includes a through-hole that is adjacent toAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application the upper surface of the housing and is configured to receive the engagement surface in the first position.

[0022] According to certain embodiments, the retention mechanism includes a surface adjacent to the through-hole that engages the engagement surface at an angle not parallel to a direction of gravity.

[0023] According to certain embodiments, the disengaging the engagement surface from the retention mechanism includes elevating the latch against a direction of gravity to the second position.

[0024] Various implementations described herein may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an example life vest compartment and door, according to various embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of example views of a life vest compartment door, according to various embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of an example rear view of a life vest compartment door, according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a simplified front side view of an example locking mechanism for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a simplified rear side view of an example locking mechanism for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of example views of a locking mechanism for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of example views of a locking mechanism and retention mechanism for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments.

[0032] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Not all instances of an element are necessarily labeled toAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application reduce clutter in the drawings where appropriate. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles being described.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0034] The described embodiments of the invention provide life vest compartment latch configurations for passenger vehicles. While the latch configurations are discussed for use with aircraft, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the latch and retention mechanisms may be used in any suitable compartment such as in the medical industry, chemical industry, or similar, and / or otherwise as desired.'

[0035] The described embodiments herein use the terms “top,” “bottom,” and similar. When these terms are used alone, or in combination, the terms are referring to a spatial relationship with respect an axis unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context of the discussion. For example, a top of a latch has a “higher” spatial relationship in a plane of the page along a y-axis than a bottom of the latch relative to the y-axis. These terms are intended to clarify reference points, locations, perspectives, and / or views, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0036] Life vest compartments are used to store and retrieve life vests for passengers of vehicles in secure and out of the way locations such as between or underneath seats. During operation, its important for the compartments to stay secure and enclosed to ensure that the life vests contained within are not damaged and that the passengers in the vehicle are not alarmed by unexpected opening of the compartment when the vehicle is in use. Conventional life vest compartment latches utilize a “bottom up” configuration where the latch vertically engages upwards against the direction of gravity with a retaining bracket. However, vehicles commonly experience jerks and accelerations which can occur in the direction of gravity which can cause conventional latch-retention configurations to become disengaged which can release a doorAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application mechanism causing the compartment to open thus releasing the contents which can potentially damage the contents, interfere with normal operations, and / or negatively affect passengers using the vehicle.

[0037] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a life vest compartment includes a latch configuration which advantageously uses the direction of gravity to ensure a safe and secure connection to prevent the compartment from opening unexpectedly. Latches of the disclosure herein utilize a “top down” approach by slotting a latch into a retention mechanism from the top of the retention mechanism. This configuration improves the technical field of compartment storage in that the latch configuration is resistant to jerks and accelerations normally experienced by passenger vehicles. In addition, due to the specific geometry of the latch, a center of gravity of the latch and spring is advantageously positioned to promote good retention during bumps, changes in direction, and various suitable forces experienced by the latch.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an example life vest compartment and door 100, according to various embodiments. The life vest compartment and door 100 includes a housing 108 configured to store one or more life vests (not depicted) in a volume 106 for use by passengers. The housing 108 includes a retention mechanism 104 located on an inner top surface of the housing 108 within the volume 106. The retention mechanism 104 includes a through-hole to receive a latch 103 when a door 102 is rotated towards the housing 108 and locked together. The latch 103 is biased in the direction of gravity by a spring (discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 4) and is configured to lock into the through-hole of the retention mechanism 104. The latch 103 has a geometry (e.g., L-shape) with a center of gravity (e.g., as discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 5) to help keep it in a closed position (e.g., locked) with the retention mechanism 104.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of example views of a life vest compartment door 200, according to various embodiments. The life vest compartment door 200 may include a cover 214. The cover 214 may be configured to cover and / or protect one or more components between the cover 214 and a housing (e.g., housing 108 with respect to FIG. 1). The cover 214 may be made of a material including, without limitation, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof. The cover 214 may include one or more apertures 211 through which components that may actuate a latch 203 (which is an example of latch 103 with respect to FIG.1). By way of example, latch 203 may be connected to a latch connector 210 which may be connected to a handle 212. A user of the life vest compartment door 200 may use the handleAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application 212 to actuate the latch 203 by way of the connection between the handle 212 and the latch connector 210 from a first position (e.g., not actuated 290a) to a second position (e.g., actuated 290b).

[0040] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of an example rear view of the life vest compartment door 200, according to some embodiments. The cover 214 is coupled to a panel 215 which may include, without limitation, one or more brackets (e.g., brackets 208, 240) and a housing connector 218. The brackets may function to couple, support, and / or enable functions of one or more components to the panel 215. By way of example, a first end of a spring 207 may be coupled to latch 203 by way of a locking member (e.g., bolt, screw, etc.), whereas a second end of the spring 207 may be coupled to a bracket retention mechanism (e.g., a hook, protrusion, bolt, etc.) on bracket 240. A latch housing 209 may be configured to support latch 203 by way of a rotatable locking mechanism (e.g., bolt) and house the latch connector 210 (depicted in FIG. 2). The panel 215, brackets 208, 240, and / or latch housing 209 may be made of a material including, without limitation, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof. The housing connector 218 may provide a movable connection (e.g., pivot) between a housing (e.g., housing 108 with respect to FIG. 1) and a door (e.g., door 102 with respect to FIG. 1).

[0041] FIG. 4 is a simplified front side view of an example locking mechanism 400 for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments. The locking mechanism 400 may include a latch 403 which includes a L-shape geometry as depicted in the latch cross-section 400a which is a two-dimensional cut-out of the latch 403. The latch 403 may include a number of bores, such as bore 448 (e.g., closed at one end), through-holes, such as through-holes 464, 465 (e.g., pass through the entirety of a width of the latch 403), or combinations thereof, to receive locking members (e.g., locking member 420, 421) to connect the latch 403 to a spring 407 (which is an example of spring 207 with respect to FIG. 2), the latch housing 409, and / or the latch connector (e.g., latch connector 210 with respect to FIG. 2).

[0042] In some embodiments, the spring 407 biases a first end 461 of the latch 403 downwards in a direction of gravity, by way of a connection to bracket 440, which biases an engagement surface 457 downwards in the direction of gravity to engage a retention mechanism (not depicted, discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 8). The bracket 440 provides good support for the spring 407 and is coupled to bracket 408 which provides support and connection to a door (e.g., door 102 with respect to FIG. 1). The bracket 408 may be concave and extend into a volume of a housing (e.g., volume 106 of housing 108 with respectAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application to FIG. 1) to provide a recess for the latch housing 409 so that the latch housing 409 does not extend out of the door. The latch 403 may include an engagement surface 457 (e.g., a hook, a protrusion, a loop, etc.) at a first end 461 configured to engage with the retention mechanism to provide a good and secure fit. In some embodiments, the engagement surface 457 is a hook with a complementary inner surface which is angled at a same angle as the retention surface. In various embodiments, more than one spring may be utilized on either side, or the same side, of the latch 403.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a simplified rear side view of an example locking mechanism 400 for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments. A latch connector 410 may connect to the latch 403 at a pivotable connection (e.g., through-hole 465 with respect to FIG. 4) which allows the latch connector 410 freedom of movement into and out of the latch housing 409. In some embodiments, when the latch connector 410 is not actuated (e.g., not actuated 290a with respect to FIG. 2), the latch connector 410 may be in a rest position where the latch connector 410 is flush, or substantially flush, with an outer edge 437 of the latch housing 409. In various embodiments, the latch connector 410 may be recessed within the latch housing 409 with respect to the outer edge 437 or may protrude from the latch housing 409 with respect to the outer edge 437. The latch connector 410 may include one or more through-holes, or slots, configured to connect to the latch 403 and / or a handle 412. For example, a through-hole at a first end of the latch connector 410 may receive a locking member (e.g., bolt, screw, etc.) therethrough from the through-holes in the latch 403 (e.g., through-hole 465 with respect to FIG. 4).

[0044] When actuated, the latch connector 410 may pivot with respect to one or both of the latch housing 409 and the latch 403 in order to pivot the latch 403 from the first position to a second position. By way of a non-limiting example, the latch connector 410 may apply a force to a through-hole of the latch 403 (e.g., through-hole 465 with respect to FIG. 4) which causes a subsequent rotation of the latch 403 about a second through-hole (e.g., through-hole 464) close to a corner (e.g., comer 463 with respect to FIG. 4) which is pivotably connected to the latch housing 409. It should be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that spring 407 provides an inverse bias to the latch connector 410 when actuated by the handle 412 (e.g., spring 407 resists movement of the latch connector 410). The handle 412 may be actuated by a pulling motion downward in a direction of gravity, perpendicular to the direction of gravity (e.g., horizontally pulled), or an upward direction (also parallel to gravity, but opposite in direction). In some embodiments, the handle 412 is optional. In this instance, the latchAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application connector 410 may extend out of the latch housing 409 and include a gripping surface (e.g., rubber encapsulation, grooves, textured surface, etc.) for easy gripping. In various examples, the handle 412 and / or the latch connector 410 may include a light source (e.g., glow in the dark material or paint, embedded light emitting diodes, etc.) configured to bring attention to a location of the handle 412, latch connector 410, and / or related components in the event of an emergency and / or a suitably relevant situation where a passenger may need to access a life vest compartment.

[0045] Now returning to the discussion of the latch 403, the latch 403 may include a center of gravity 467 located at an intermediate position (shown with a dotted circle). The center of gravity 467 (also known as center of mass) may be selected (e.g., by geometric shaping of latch 403) to be within a distance of a bore 448 which receives a locking member 420 which holds spring 407 to the latch 403. The distance may be a straight-line distance from a center of the bore 448 and the center of gravity 467. The distance may be between one millimeter (mm) and one hundred mm. The specific geometry and density of the latch 403 controls where the center of gravity 467 will be positioned. It should be recognized that any suitable latch geometry (e.g., latch shape) and density (e.g., as determined by through-holes, bores, material, etc.) may be selected to achieve a position of the center of gravity 467 between the second end 462 and the bore 448 along an x / y axis. The center of gravity 467 need not be positioned on the latch 403 and may exist in free space in proximity to the latch 403 between the bore 448 and the second end 462 along the x-axis.

[0046] In some embodiments, the latch 403 includes a height 472 between twenty-five mm and one hundred and eighty mm (about one inch to seven inches), where the height 472 is measured along a y-axis from a lowest portion of the latch 403 at the second end 462 to a highest portion of the latch 403 at the first end 461. The latch 403 may include a width 473 measured along an x-axis from a farthest left portion of the latch 403 to a farthest right portion of the latch 403. The width 473 may be between twenty-five mm and three hundred mm (about one inch to twelve inches). The latch 403 may include a thickness 474 between five mm and eighty mm.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of example views of a locking mechanism 600 for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments. A first view is a not actuated 690a view where a latch 603 (e.g., which is an example of latch 403 with respect to FIG. 4) is engaged with a retention mechanism 604, depicted with in a transparent view with dashed lines, (which is an example of retention mechanism 104 with respect to FIG. 1) by way of anAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application engagement surface 657 (e.g., a hook). The retention mechanism 604 may be attached to a housing 608 by way of one or more locking members 691 (e.g., bolts, washers, screws, etc.). The locking members 691 may enable a secure and reliable connection between an upper internal surface 683 of the housing 608 and the retention mechanism 604 such that when the latch 603 is engaged with the retention mechanism 604, the retention mechanism 604 provides a good resistive force against the latch 603 when a spring 607 biases the latch 603 in a direction of gravity against a surface (e.g., a surface of a through-hole) of the retention mechanism 604 due to a connection with bracket 640 (which is an example of bracket 440 with respect to FIG.4) and latch 603.

[0048] The retention mechanism 604 may include a surface 677 on an inner portion adjacent the through-hole in the retention mechanism 604. The engagement surface 657 may also have a surface 678 which may contact and / or be positioned substantially adjacent to surface 677. In some embodiments, surface 677 and surface 678 may be positioned along an angle a 627 relative to the x-axis. The angle a 627 may be in a range between thirty-five degrees and ninety degrees relative to the x-axis. In some examples, surface 677 and surface 678 may be at different angles within a threshold angle range. The threshold angle range can include, without limitation, an angle difference between surface 677 and surface 678 between half a degree and thirty degrees.

[0049] The second view is an actuated view where the latch 603 is actuated from a first position (e.g., not actuated 690a) to a second position (e.g., actuated 690b) by way of a force applied to a latch connector (e.g., latch connector 410 with respect to FIG. 4) and / or a handle (e.g., handle 412 with respect to FIG. 4) which pivots the latch 603 upwards towards the upper internal surface 683 of the housing 608 against the direction of gravity. Once the latch 603 is disengaged from the retention mechanism 604, the door (not depicted) may rotate back and away from the housing 608 freely. In some embodiments, a body of the retention mechanism 604 may extend along a portion of the spring 607 along a y-axis as depicted.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of example views 700 of a locking mechanism and retention mechanism for a life vest compartment, according to some embodiments. A latch 703 (which is an example of latch 403 with respect to FIG. 4) may be configured to selectively attach to a retention mechanism 704 (which is an example of retention mechanism 604 with respect to FIG. 6) through a through-hole 717. The through-hole 717 may be any suitable shape including, without limitation, oval, circular, triangular, rectangular, oblong, or combinationsAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application thereof. The retention mechanism 704 may be made of a material including, without limitation, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof.

[0051] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description, not of a form of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Thus, it should be understood that although the present disclosure includes specific embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be implemented to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the claims and description.

[0052] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises”. Further, the term “coupled” does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items. In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are referred to by comparisons to other values, procedures, or devices. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, or otherwise preferable to other selections. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “produce” and “provide” or similar to describe the disclosed methods. These terms should be considered high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one or ordinary skill in the art.

[0053] The systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed apparatus, devices, methods, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed apparatus, devices, and systems require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. Any theories of operation are to facilitate explanation, but the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses are not limited to such theories of operation.

[0054] Although the operations of some of the disclosed techniques, processes, and / or methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should beAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed apparatus, devices, and systems may be used in conjunction with other apparatus, devices, and systems.

[0055] Where terms are used without explicit definition, it is understood that the ordinary meaning of the word is intended, unless a term carries a special and / or specific meaning in systems or other relevant fields. The terms “approximately”, “same”, “about”, “similar”, or “substantially” are used to indicate a deviation from the stated property or numerical value within which the deviation has little to no influence of the corresponding function, property, or attribute of the structure being described. In an illustrated example, where a value is described as “substantially equal” or “approximate” to another value, the term “substantially” or “approximate” is intended to reflect that the two values being compared can be unequal within a percentage (e.g., + / - ten percent).

[0056] The description provides exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the devices and / or methods. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing various embodiments. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. In addition, specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough and detailed understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, specific apparatus, devices, systems, methods, and other elements of the present disclosure may be shown in schematic diagram form or omitted from illustrations in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0057] In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[0058] Example 1. An apparatus comprising a housing including a volume, a panel coupled to the housing, a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume, and a second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel, a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end, and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface isAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0059] Example 2: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, further comprising a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch and a handle, wherein the handle is configured to actuate the latch connector which adjusts the engagement surface from the first position into the second position.

[0060] Example 3: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, further comprising a bracket connected to the panel, wherein a first portion of the spring is coupled to the latch and a second portion of the spring is connected to the bracket.

[0061] Example 4: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, further comprising a bore, wherein the spring is coupled a locking member positioned within the bore.

[0062] Example 5: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end, and the bore is positioned closer to the center of gravity of the latch compared to the first end or the second end.

[0063] Example 6: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end.

[0064] Example 7: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the latch is an L-shape latch and the engagement surface is a hook.

[0065] Example 8: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein a surface of the hook is angled relative to the L-shape latch, the retention mechanism includes a through-hole with a surface angled at approximately a same angle as the surface of the hook, and the through-hole is configured to receive the surface of the hook when the hook is in the first position.

[0066] Example 9: The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein a comer of the L-shape latch is coupled to the panel, and the L-shape latch is configured to pivot to the first position or the second position about the corner.Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application

[0067] Example 10: A device comprising a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface, and a second end including a connector, a spring coupled to the latch closer to a center of gravity of the latch than the first end or the second end, and a retention mechanism, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0068] Example 11: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, a housing including a volume, and a panel coupled to the housing, wherein the retention mechanism is coupled to an upper surface of the housing within the volume, and the engagement surface is configured to couple the panel to the housing in the first position by slotting into a through-hole of the retention mechanism adjacent to the upper surface.

[0069] Example 12: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, the device further comprising a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch, wherein the latch connector is configured to be stored flush with a latch housing coupled to the panel when the engagement surface is in the first position.

[0070] Example 13: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, the device further comprising a cover coupled to the panel, wherein the cover is configured to enclose the volume when the engagement surface is in the first position, and the latch connector is accessible through an opening in the cover outside of the volume.

[0071] Example 14: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the panel includes a concave surface which extends at least partially into the volume.

[0072] Example 15: A storage compartment comprising a housing including a volume, a panel coupled to the housing, a cover which at least partially encapsulates the panel and at least partially encloses the volume, a latch comprising a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume, and a second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel, a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end, and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

[0073] Example 16: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the latch is positioned at a top portion of the panel and isAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application adjacent to an upper internal surface of the housing when the engagement surface is in the first position.

[0074] Example 17: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the spring is configured to bias at least a portion of the latch in a direction of gravity against a surface of the retention mechanism.

[0075] Example 18: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the retention mechanism further comprises a body that is attached to an upper surface of the housing and has a height which extends at least a portion of a length of the spring, wherein the body includes a through-hole that is adjacent to the upper surface of the housing and is configured to receive the engagement surface in the first position.

[0076] Example 19: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the retention mechanism includes a surface adjacent to the through-hole that engages the engagement surface at an angle not parallel to a direction of gravity.

[0077] Example 20: The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the disengaging the engagement surface from the retention mechanism includes elevating the latch against a direction of gravity to the second position.

[0078] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application CLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:a housing including a volume;a panel coupled to the housing;a latch comprising:a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume; anda second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel;a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end; and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch and a handle, wherein the handle is configured to actuate the latch connector which adjusts the engagement surface from the first position into the second position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a bracket connected to the panel, wherein a first portion of the spring is coupled to the latch and a second portion of the spring is connected to the bracket.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises:Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application a bore, wherein the spring is coupled a locking member positioned within the bore.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end, and the bore is positioned closer to the center of gravity of the latch compared to the first end or the second end.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of the latch is closer to the second end than the first end.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is an L-shape latch and the engagement surface is a hook.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a surface of the hook is angled relative to the L-shape latch, the retention mechanism includes a through-hole with a surface angled at approximately a same angle as the surface of the hook, and the through-hole is configured to receive the surface of the hook when the hook is in the first position.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a corner of the L-shape latch is coupled to the panel, and the L-shape latch is configured to pivot to the first position or the second position about the corner.

10. A device comprising:a latch comprising:a first end including an engagement surface; and a second end including a connector;a spring coupled to the latch closer to a center of gravity of the latch than the first end or the second end; andAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application a retention mechanism, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:a housing including a volume; anda panel coupled to the housing, wherein the retention mechanism is coupled to an upper surface of the housing within the volume, and the engagement surface is configured to couple the panel to the housing in the first position by slotting into a through-hole of the retention mechanism adjacent to the upper surface.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising:a latch connector coupled to the second end of the latch, wherein the latch connector is configured to be stored flush with a latch housing coupled to the panel when the engagement surface is in the first position.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising:a cover coupled to the panel, wherein:the cover is configured to enclose the volume when the engagement surface is in the first position, andthe latch connector is accessible through an opening in the cover outside of the volume.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the panel includes a concave surface which extends at least partially into the volume.

15. A storage compartment comprising:Attorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application a housing including a volume;a panel coupled to the housing;a cover which at least partially encapsulates the panel and at least partially encloses the volume;a latch comprising:a first end including an engagement surface that extends at least partly into the volume; anda second end including a connector that extends at least partly into the panel;a spring coupled to the latch between the first end and the second end; and a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the engagement surface is configured to couple to the retention mechanism in a first position and disengage from retention mechanism in a second position.

16. The storage compartment of claim 15, wherein the latch is positioned at a top portion of the panel and is adjacent to an upper internal surface of the housing when the engagement surface is in the first position.

17. The storage compartment of claim 15, wherein the spring is configured to bias at least a portion of the latch in a direction of gravity against a surface of the retention mechanism.

18. The storage compartment of claim 15, wherein the retention mechanism further comprises:a body that is attached to an upper surface of the housing and has a height which extends at least a portion of a length of the spring, wherein the body includes aAttorney Docket No. 038398-1543486Client Ref. No. B-030686PCT02Patent Application through-hole that is adjacent to the upper surface of the housing and is configured to receive the engagement surface in the first position.

19. The storage compartment of claim 18, wherein the retention mechanism includes a surface adjacent to the through-hole that engages the engagement surface at an angle not parallel to a direction of gravity.

20. The storage compartment of claim 15, wherein the disengaging the engagement surface from the retention mechanism includes elevating the latch against a direction of gravity to the second position.

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