PIEZO ACTUATED SLIDE LATCHING MECHANISM
First Claim
1. In combination, a slide with a latching mechanism, comprising:
- a slide comprising a first slide member and a second slide member, said first and second slide members configured to move relative to one another; and
a latching mechanism comprising;
a first latching member comprising a moveable latch lever, said first latching member mounted to said first slide member, said latch lever having a first end extending towards said second slide member, said latch lever movable between a first position and at least a second position;
a second latching member mounted to said second slide member, said second latching member extending outwardly from said second slide member towards said first slide member; and
a controllable actuator configured to control the linear movement of a plunger, said plunger movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said controller when unpowered preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controller when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position;
whereby when said plunger is in said extended position, said controller is unpowered, and said latch lever is in said first position, said second slide member is prevented from being extended from said first slide member by said plunger preventing said latch lever from moving to a position permitting said second latching member to pass said first end of said latch lever, and when said controller is powered, said second slide member permitted to be extended from said first slide member by said second latching member causing said latch lever to move to said second position by moving said plunger to said retracted position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A latching mechanism is particularly suited for use in latching a slide mechanism, such as used to slidably mount a drawer. The latching mechanism includes a latch assembly comprising a latch lever mounted for movement between a first, second and third positions, a latch tab for selective engagement with a second end of the latch lever, and a piezo electric controller. The controller has a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of the latch lever between the first and second positions, the plunger movable between an extended position corresponding to a first, locked position of the latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second, unlocked position of the latch lever, the controller when unpowered preventing the plunger from moving from the extended to the retracted position and the controller when powered permitting the plunger to move from the extended to the retracted position.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. In combination, a slide with a latching mechanism, comprising:
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a slide comprising a first slide member and a second slide member, said first and second slide members configured to move relative to one another; and a latching mechanism comprising; a first latching member comprising a moveable latch lever, said first latching member mounted to said first slide member, said latch lever having a first end extending towards said second slide member, said latch lever movable between a first position and at least a second position; a second latching member mounted to said second slide member, said second latching member extending outwardly from said second slide member towards said first slide member; and
a controllable actuator configured to control the linear movement of a plunger, said plunger movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said controller when unpowered preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controller when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position;whereby when said plunger is in said extended position, said controller is unpowered, and said latch lever is in said first position, said second slide member is prevented from being extended from said first slide member by said plunger preventing said latch lever from moving to a position permitting said second latching member to pass said first end of said latch lever, and when said controller is powered, said second slide member permitted to be extended from said first slide member by said second latching member causing said latch lever to move to said second position by moving said plunger to said retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A latching mechanism comprising:
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a latch assembly comprising a latch lever mounted to a shaft for movement between a first, a second and a third position, said latch lever having a first end and a second end; a latch tab for selective engagement with said second end of said latch lever; and a piezo electric controller having a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of said latch lever between at least said first and second positions, said plunger movable between an extended position corresponding to said first position of said latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to said second position of said latch lever, said controller when unpowered preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controller when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of selectively latching a slide mechanism comprising:
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unpowering a piezo electric controller; locking a plunger of said piezo electric controller in an extended position as a result of said unpowering of said controller; preventing a latch lever associated with a first slide of said slide mechanism from rotating from a locked to an unlocked position by said locked plunger; preventing a second slide of said slide mechanism from being extended from said first slide by engagement of a latch tab associated with said second slide with said locked latch lever; powering said piezo electric controller; unlocking said plunger of said piezo electric controller as a result of said powering of said controller; and permitting said second slide to be extended from said first slide by allowing said latch tab to pass said latch lever by rotating said latch lever from said locked to said unlocked position by moving said plunger from said extended to a retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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20. The method in accordance with 16 including the step of moving said plunger from said retracted to said extended position and unpowering said controller after said latch tab passes said latch lever.
Specification