Scissor mechanism for a latch assembly

• US 20060038407A1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Spurr, Nigel V., Shelley, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,557 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/04 Spring arrangements in locks E05B3/065, E05B15/101, E05B15/143, E05C19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/0451 Folded springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/0486 A single spring working on more than one element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/025 characterised by having a particular shape F16F1/04, F16F1/14, F16F1/18, F16F1/32, F16F1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/61 Spring devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/03 Miscellaneous

Abstract

A scissor apparatus for a latch assembly is disclosed, which includes a spring comprising a plurality of fingers for controlling the motion one or more sliders associated with said latch assembly, wherein said spring comprises a spring control independent of the actuation of such sliders. The fingers are generally integrated with the spring. Such a one-piece spring can be implemented as a stamped component with 2-off, 3-off or 6-off fingers to control the motion of the sliders. The stamped spring can clip onto existing latch assembly components in order to promote retention, and overcome friction with the latch assembly and return the sliders to a neutral position thereof.

Claims

1. A scissor apparatus for a latch assembly, comprising:

a latch assembly associated with at least one slider; and

a spring comprising a plurality of fingers associated with said latch assembly, wherein said spring controls a motion of said at least one slider, thereby providing a spring control thereof, which is independent of the actuation of said at least one slider.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a scissor spring.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers are integrated with said spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 2-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 3-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 6-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a stamped spring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stamped spring clips into said latch assembly in order to promote component retention thereof and overcome friction associated with said latch assembly and thereby return said at least one slider to a neutral position thereof.

9. A scissor apparatus for a latch assembly is disclosed, comprising:

a latch assembly associated with at least one slider;

a spring comprising a plurality of fingers associated with said latch assembly, wherein said plurality of fingers are integrated with said spring and wherein said spring comprises a scissor spring that controls a motion of said at least one slider, thereby providing a spring control thereof, which is independent of the actuation of said at least one slider; and

wherein said spring comprises a stamped spring that clips into said latch assembly in order to promote component retention thereof and overcome friction associated with said latch assembly and thereby return said at least one slider to a neutral position thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 2-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 3-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of fingers comprises a stamped component arranged in a 6-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

13. A scissor method for a latch assembly, comprising the steps of:

Associating a latch assembly with at least one slider; and

configuring a spring to comprise a plurality of fingers associated with said latch assembly; and

permitting said spring to control a motion of said at least one slider, thereby providing a spring control thereof, which is independent of the actuation of said at least one slider.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

configuring said spring to comprise a scissor spring; and

integrating said plurality of fingers with said spring.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said plurality of fingers as a stamped component arranged in a 2-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said plurality of fingers as a stamped component arranged in a 3-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said plurality of fingers as a stamped component arranged in a 6-off finger configuration for controlling said motion of said at least one slider.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said spring as a stamped spring.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said stamped spring to clip into said latch assembly in order to promote component retention thereof and overcome friction associated with said latch assembly and thereby return said at least one slider to a neutral position thereof.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of clipping said stamped spring into at least one component of said latch assembly.