MULTI-PIVOT LATCH ASSEMBLIES
First Claim
1. A latch assembly for use in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion;
an ejector movably coupled to the frame proximate the latch; and
a biasing member operably coupled between the latch and the ejector, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame drives the biasing member against the latch, causing the latch to releasably engage an anchor member in the vehicle by pivoting about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point.
15 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A multi-pivot latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the latch pivots from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.
85 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A latch assembly for use in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
-
a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion; an ejector movably coupled to the frame proximate the latch; and a biasing member operably coupled between the latch and the ejector, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame drives the biasing member against the latch, causing the latch to releasably engage an anchor member in the vehicle by pivoting about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
-
a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion of the frame at least partially defines a first jaw, and wherein the frame further includes a first opening and a second opening; a latch having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion of the latch at least partially defines a second jaw, and wherein the latch further includes a first guide feature and a second guide feature, wherein the first guide feature is movably received in the first opening of the frame and the second guide feature is movably received in the second opening of the frame; and an anchor ejector operably coupled to the frame between the first and second jaws, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame causes the second jaw to move toward the first jaw as the latch pivots about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A latch system for releasably coupling a web to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch system comprising:
-
a frame having a proximal end portion for receiving the web and a distal end portion for receiving the anchor; a latch movably coupled to the frame toward the distal end portion; means for holding the latch in an open position prior to engaging the latch system with the anchor; and means for coupling the latch system to the anchor by; pivoting the latch about a first axis; and pivoting the latch about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis to move the latch to a closed position about the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification