Modular latch apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A modular latch assembly, comprising:
- a control element having a first state in which the control element has a first path of motion and a second state in which the control element has a second path of motion;
a pawl having latched and unlatched positions, the pawl being movable from the latched position to the unlatched position by the control element in its first state but not in its second state; and
at least two control element positions each dimensioned to receive a control element, the latch assembly having different operational modes corresponding to control elements occupying different control element positions, the control element occupying a first of the at least two control element positions.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is extended into engagement with the control element or retracted from engagement therewith. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. A manual override can be installed for manually shifting an engagement element into and out of engagement with a control element to place the control element in latched and unlatched states as desired. The latch assembly is preferably provided with a number of different control element positions for receiving control elements therein, each of which is actuatable to move the pawl when in an unlocked state. The number of control elements selected, their selected positions in the latch assembly, and their connection arrangement to input elements are highly flexible, providing latch adaptability to a large number of applications and latch functionalities. The latch assembly preferably has elements arranged and assembled in layers to increase assembly ease and speed. A highly preferred embodiment of the invention includes an automatic unlocking circuit powered by a backup power source.
106 Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A modular latch assembly, comprising:
-
a control element having a first state in which the control element has a first path of motion and a second state in which the control element has a second path of motion;
a pawl having latched and unlatched positions, the pawl being movable from the latched position to the unlatched position by the control element in its first state but not in its second state; and
at least two control element positions each dimensioned to receive a control element, the latch assembly having different operational modes corresponding to control elements occupying different control element positions, the control element occupying a first of the at least two control element positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
20. The modular latch assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control element is a first control element, the modular latch assembly further comprising:
-
a second control element having a first state in which the second control element has a first path of motion and a second state in which the second control element has a second path of motion;
an engagement element coupled to the second control element in the first state and decoupled from the second control element in the second state, the bell crank coupled to the engagement element for movement of the engagement element into and out of coupled relationship with the second control element in response to camming motion of the first control element against the bell crank.
-
-
25. A modular latch assembly comprising:
-
at least one control element having a first state in which the control element is rotatable about a first pivot point and an second state in which the control element is rotatable about a second pivot point;
a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position, the at least one control element capable of moving the ratchet from the latched position to the unlatched position when in the first state, the at least one control element incapable of moving the ratchet from the latched position to the unlatched position when in the second state, the latch assembly being modular to receive control elements in at least two of at least three configurations;
a first configuration in which the latch assembly has one control element occupying a first position in the latch assembly, a second configuration in which the latch assembly has one control element occupying a second position in the latch assembly, and a third configuration in which the latch assembly has two control elements occupying the first and second positions in the latch assembly. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
Specification