Latch apparatus and method

• US 20050092045A1
• Filed: 09/07/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Dimig, Steven J., Edgar, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/277
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0009 with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0056 Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/28 for anti-theft purposes, e.g. double-locking or super-locking
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/30 allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/10 Hydraulic or pneumatic hydraulic or pneumatic circuits E05B81/52
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/90 Manual override in case of power failure
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/27 Disconnectable handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5805 Freely movable when locked
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]

Abstract

A latch assembly having at least one control element having a first path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and a second 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 engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control element can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element. If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element is preferably movable into contact with the control element and can move the control element to its first path of motion. The latch assembly can have a second control element also having first and second paths of motion determined at least partially upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the second control element or disengaged therefrom. The second control element can be connected to the first engagement element to move the first engagement element into and out of engagement with the first control element when the second control element is actuated in its engaged state.

Claims

1. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element movable in a first path generating release of the ratchet to the unlatched position and in a second path not generating release of the ratchet to the unlatched position;

a locking element having a locked position and an unlocked position; and

an actuator coupled to the locking element, actuation of the locking element to its unlocked position when the control element is in its second path generating movement of the control element from its second path to its first path.

2. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the pawl releasable by the control element in its first path of motion.

3. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control element is pivotable about a pivot point in its first path of motion to trigger release of the pawl.

4. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is pivotable about a first point at least partially defining the first path and about a second point at least partially defining the second path.

5. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element is mounted for pivotal movement between the locked and unlocked positions.

6. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking element is in contact with the control element in the unlocked position to at least partially limit the control element to its first path, and wherein the locking element is substantially free from contact with the control element in the locked position to permit control element movement in the second path.

7. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control element has a surface against which the locking element is pressed when in the unlocked position.

8. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user-manipulatable actuating element coupled to the locking element for user control of locking element position.

9. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the user-manipulatable actuating element is a lock cylinder.

10. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is a first control element, the latch assembly further comprising a second control element movable through a third path, the locking element movable to at least one of the locked and unlocked positions by the second control element in the third path.

11. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the second control element movable through the third path to trigger ratchet release via movement of the pawl.

12. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is a first control element, the latch assembly further comprising:

a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet; and

a second control element pivotably mounted for movement through a third path, the second control element movable against the pawl in the third path to move the pawl and disengage the ratchet.

13. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second control element is also movable against the locking element in the third path to change the position of the locking element.

14. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a linking element coupled to the control element for user manipulation of the control element.

15. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element movable through a first path causing release of the ratchet to the unlatched position and through a second path not causing release of the ratchet to the unlatched position;

an engagement element releasably engagable with the control element to at least partially define the first path of the control element, the engagement element movable into contact with the control element in the second path, the control element movable by the engagement element from the second path to a position in the first path in which the control element is engaged with the engagement element.

16. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control element is movable by the engagement element from the second path to an engaged position in the first path in which the ratchet is placed in its unlatched position.

17. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control element has a fully actuated position in the first path, movement of the control element by the engagement element to the first path from the fully actuated position in the second path generating ratchet release.

18. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control element is movable through the first path when engaged by the engagement element to cause ratchet release.

19. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engagement element is movable into contact with the control element in at least one position of the control element in the second path.

20. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engagement element is movable into contact with the control element in a range of control element positions in the second path.

21. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engagement element is movable into contact with the control element in all control element positions in the second path.

22. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engagement element has an engaged position in which the engagement element is biased against the control element in the first path to retain the control element in the first path.

23. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a pawl releasably engaged with the ratchet, the pawl movable to release the control element in the first path and not movable by the control element in the second path.

24. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the pawl is movable to release the ratchet via pressing contact of the control element against the pawl in the first path.

25. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engagement element has

a cam surface;

and

an engaged position, the control element retained in the first path by the cam surface of the engagement element in the engaged position.

26. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control element is a first control element, the latch assembly further comprising a second control element movable through a third path causing release of the ratchet.

27. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the engagement element is a first engagement element, the latch assembly further comprising a second engagement element releasably engagable with the second control element, the second control element movable through the third path when engaged with the second engagement element and movable through a fourth path when disengaged from the second engagement element, the second control element incapable of causing release of the ratchet in the fourth path.

28. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a second control element, the engagement element movable into engagement with the first control element responsive to movement of the second control element.

29. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the second control element is movable into camming contact with the engagement element.

30. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the engagement element is a first engagement element, the latch assembly further comprising a second engagement element releasably engagable with the second control element, the second control element movable through a third path when engaged with the engagement element and movable through a fourth path when disengaged from the engagement element, actuation of the second control element through the third path generating ratchet release, and actuation of the second control element through the fourth path not generating ratchet release.

31. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the pawl movable to release the ratchet responsive to movement of the second control element.

32. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element movable in a path to trigger release of the ratchet to the unlatched position;

a first actuating element coupled to the control element for actuating the control element; and

a second actuating element movable with respect to the control element for releasable engagement with the control element, the ratchet releasable from the latched position to the unlatched position responsive to actuation of the second actuating element during at least partial actuation of the first actuating element.

33. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the ratchet is releasable from the latched position to the unlatched position responsive to concurrent actuation of the first and second actuating elements.

34. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the first actuating element is a user-manipulatable element coupled to the control element.

35. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the second actuating element is a lever movable into and out of contact with the control element.

36. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the second actuating element is a lever movable into and out of contact with the control element.

37. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein the second actuating element is movable into engagement with the control element, the control element biased into a path of motion by the second actuating element when engaged therewith.

38. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein the control element is pivotable by the first actuating element about a pivot point to define the path of motion when engaged with the second actuating element.

39. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the control element has

a locked state in which the control element is disengaged from the second actuating element and in which the ratchet is not releasable by the control element;

and

an unlocked state in which the control element is engaged with the second actuating element and in which the ratchet is releasable by the control element.

40. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 39, wherein the path is a first path, the control element movable through a second path when disengaged from the second actuating element, the second actuating element movable with respect to the control element in at least one control element position in the second path for releasable engagement with the control element.

41. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the control element has a partially actuated position in the second path, the second actuating element movable with respect to the control element in the partially actuated position for releasable engagement with the control element.

42. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the control element has a fully actuated position in the second path, the second actuating element movable with respect to the control element in the fully actuated position for releasable engagement with the control element.

43. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 32, further comprising a pawl having an engaged position in which the ratchet is held in its latched position by the pawl and a disengaged position in which the ratchet is released by the pawl to its unlatched position, the control element movable in the path to move the pawl from its engaged position to its disengaged position.

44. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a first control element;

a second control element; and

an engagement element movable into an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the first control element,

the first control element movable in a first path when engaged by the engagement element in which the ratchet is movable by the first control element to the unlatched position, the first control element movable in a second path when disengaged from the engagement element in which the ratchet is not movable by the first control element to the unlatched position;

the second control element movable in a third path in which the second control element moves the engagement element into the engaged position with respect to the first control element and moves the ratchet to the unlatched position.

45. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 44, wherein the second control element is movable in the third path to a first position in which the engagement element is engaged with the first control element and is movable further to a second position in which the ratchet is free to move from its latched position.

46. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a locking element;

a first control element having a first path of motion generating release of the ratchet to its unlatched position and a second path of motion not generating release of the ratchet to its unlatched position;

a second control element movable to a first position in which the locking element is moved into engagement with the first control element to at least partially define the first path of motion, to a second position in which the locking element is moved out of engagement with the first control element to define the second path of motion, and to a third position in which the second control element releases the ratchet to its unlatched position.

47. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 46, wherein the locking element has a bearing surface against which the second control element moves to engage the locking element with the first control element.

48. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 46, wherein the locking element has a bearing surface against which the second control element moves to move the locking element out of engagement with the first control element.

49. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the pawl having

an engaged position in which the ratchet is held by the pawl in its latched position;

a disengaged position in which the ratchet is free to move from the latched position; and

a bearing surface against which the second control element moves to move the pawl from its engaged position to its disengaged position.

50. A latch assembly comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element having a first path of motion causing release of the ratchet to its unlatched position and a second path of motion not causing release of the ratchet to its unlatched position; and

a locking lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking lever in its unlocked position at least partially defining a pivot point about which the control element is rotatable in its first path of motion, the control element movable through the second path of motion substantially free from interaction with the locking lever when the locking lever is in its locked position.

51. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 50, wherein the control element is biased to pivot about the pivot point by contact with a bearing surface of the locking lever in its unlocked position.

52. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 50, wherein the pivot point is a first pivot point, and wherein the control element is pivotable about a second pivot point defining the second path of motion when the locking lever is in its locked position

53. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 52, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet to releasably hold the ratchet in its latched position, wherein the second pivot point is defined by a part of the pawl.

54. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 50, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet to releasably hold the ratchet in its latched position, wherein the pawl is movable out of engagement with the ratchet by contact with the control element in its first path of motion.

55. A method of unlatching a latch assembly, comprising:

providing a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

at least partially actuating a control element in a first path;

restraining the ratchet against release to the unlatched position while at least partially actuating the control element in the first path;

actuating a locking element movable with respect to the control element;

moving the control element to a position in a second path by actuation of the locking element to engage the control element with the locking element; and

releasing the ratchet.

56. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the ratchet is released upon moving the control element to the position in the second path.

57. The method as claimed in claim 55, further comprising actuating the control element further after moving the control element to the position in the second path to release the ratchet.

58. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the first path is defined by rotation of the control element about a pivot point.

59. The method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the second path is defined by rotation of the control element about another pivot point.

60. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the second path is defined by rotation of the control element about a pivot point.

61. The method as claimed in claim 55, further including moving the locking element into contact with the control element prior to moving the control element.

62. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein the locking element is moved into contact with the control element in at least one position of the control element in the first path.

63. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein moving the locking element into contact with the control element occurs independently of control element position in the first path.

64. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein moving the control element to the position in the second path includes moving the control element with the locking element.

65. The method as claimed in claim 64, wherein the control element is moved by pressing a bearing surface of the locking element against a bearing surface of the control element.

66. The method as claimed in claim 65, wherein the control element is moved by camming a surface of the locking element against a surface of the control element.

67. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein actuating the locking element includes actuating an actuator coupled to the locking element.

68. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the control element is a first control element, and wherein actuating the locking element includes actuating a second control element to move the locking element, the second control element movable through a third path to trigger release of the ratchet.

69. The method as claimed in claim 68, wherein the locking element is movable by pressing a surface of the second control element against a surface of the locking element to move the locking element into engagement with the first control element.

70. A method of unlatching a latch assembly, comprising:

retaining a ratchet in a latched position;

actuating a control element from a rest position at least partially through a first path of motion, the control element incapable of triggering release of the ratchet to an unlatched position when in the first path of motion;

actuating an engagement element after actuating the control element at least partially through the first path of motion;

engaging the control element with the engagement element, the control element movable when engaged to trigger release of the ratchet to its unlatched position; and

releasing the ratchet to the unlatched position via the control element engaged by the engagement element.

71. The method as claimed in claim 70, further comprising actuating the control element further after engaging the control element and prior to releasing the ratchet.

72. The method as claimed in claim 70, wherein the ratchet is released upon engagement of the control element by the engagement element.

73. The method as claimed in claim 70, further comprising moving the engagement element into contact with the control element prior to engaging the control element.

74. The method as claimed in claim 73, wherein contact with the control element by the engagement element can occur in at least one position of the control element in the first path of motion.

75. The method as claimed in claim 73, wherein contact with the control element by the engagement element occurs independently of control element position in the first path of motion.

76. The method as claimed in claim 70, further including moving the control element to a position in a second path of motion different than the first path of motion to engage the control element with the engagement element.

77. The method as claimed in claim 76, wherein the control element is moved to the position in the second path of motion by camming motion of the engagement element against the control element.

78. The method as claimed in claim 76, wherein the control element is moved to the position in the second path of motion by being pushed by the engagement element.

79. The method as claimed in claim 70, wherein the ratchet is retained in its latched position by a pawl releasably engaged with the ratchet, and wherein releasing the ratchet includes moving the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet.

80. The method as claimed in claim 70, wherein the control element is pivotable about a pivot point when engaged by the engagement element.

81. The method as claimed in claim 80, wherein actuating the control element from the rest position includes pivoting the control element about another pivot point.

82. The method as claimed in claim 70, wherein actuating the control element from the rest position includes pivoting the control element about a pivot point.

83. A method of unlatching a latch assembly, comprising:

providing a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

actuating a control element to move the control element in a first path;

restraining the ratchet against release to the unlatched position during movement of the control element in the first path;

actuating a locking element to move the locking element into contact with the control element while actuating the control element; and

moving the control element via the locking element to a second path different from the first path.

84. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the control element is partially actuated prior to actuating the locking element.

85. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the control element is fully actuated prior to actuating the locking element.

86. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein actuating the control element includes pivoting the control element about a pivot point.

87. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein restraining the ratchet includes maintaining engagement of the ratchet with a pawl, the pawl releasable from the ratchet by control element movement in the second path but not in the first path.

88. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein actuating the locking element and moving the control element include pivoting the locking element about a pivot point and against the control element.

89. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein moving the control element includes shifting the control element from a position in the first path to a different position in the second path.

90. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein moving the control element includes camming a surface of the locking element against a surface of the control element.

91. The method as claimed in claim 83, further comprising releasing the ratchet upon moving the control element to the second path.

92. The method as claimed in claim 83, further comprising:

actuating the control element to move the control element at least partially through the second path after moving the control element to the second path; and

releasing the ratchet to its unlatched position by motion of the control element at least partially through the second path.

93. A method of unlatching a latch assembly having a pawl with a latched position and an unlatched position with respect to a ratchet, comprising:

retaining the ratchet in the latched position via engagement with the pawl;

actuating a first latch assembly input to the pawl;

actuating a second latch assembly input while the first latch assembly is actuated to move the pawl from the latched position to the unlatched position, at least one of the first and second latch assembly inputs defined by a mechanical linkage to the pawl; and

releasing the ratchet via movement of the pawl from the latched position to the unlatched position.

94. The method as claimed in claim 93, wherein the first latch assembly input includes a lever movable through a first path triggering movement of the pawl to its unlatched position and movable through a second path not triggering movement of the pawl to its unlatched position, actuating the first latch assembly input includes moving the lever in the second path, and actuating the second latch assembly input includes retaining the lever in the first path.

95. The method as claimed in claim 94, wherein the second latch assembly input includes a lever movable against the lever of the first latch assembly input to move the lever of the first latch assembly input to the first path.

96. The method as claimed in claim 93, wherein the second latch assembly input includes a lever movable into releasable engagement with the first latch assembly input, engagement of the first latch assembly input by the lever of the second latch assembly input enabling release of the pawl by the first latch assembly input, disengagement of the first latch assembly input from the lever of the second latch assembly input disabling the first latch assembly input from releasing the pawl.

97. The method as claimed in claim 96, wherein the first latch assembly input includes a lever movable through a first path triggering movement of the pawl to its unlatched position and movable through a second path not triggering movement of the pawl to its unlatched position.

98. A method of unlatching a latch assembly, comprising:

providing a control element pivotable about a pivot point at a first location;

retaining a ratchet in a latched position during pivoting movement of the control element about the pivot point;

actuating a locking element;

engaging the control element with the locking element;

moving the location of the pivot point from the first location to a second location by engagement of the control element with the locking element;

pivoting the control element about the second location; and

releasing the ratchet to an unlatched position by pivotal movement of the control element about the second location.

99. A method of unlatching a latch assembly, comprising:

providing a first control element having a path of motion;

moving the first control element in a first stage of the path of motion;

transmitting motive force from the first control element to a locking element during motion of the first control element through the first stage;

moving the locking element into engagement with a second control element;

moving the first control element through a second stage of the path of motion; and

triggering release of a ratchet via movement of the first control element in the second stage of the path of motion.

100. The method as claimed in claim 99, wherein triggering release of the ratchet includes moving a pawl from an engaged position with respect to the ratchet to a disengaged position with respect to the ratchet.

101. The method as claimed in claim 100, wherein the pawl is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by movement of the first control element against the pawl.