SELF-ALIGNING MODULAR LATCH
First Claim
1. A container having a housing and a lid with a planar portion, the container comprising:
- a latch coupled to the lid, the latch freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid, the latch comprising;
a retention feature; and
a first reference surface perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid; and
a latch mechanism coupled to the housing, the latch mechanism comprising;
an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature; and
a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface;
wherein the first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction, when the lid is brought together with the housing with the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
95 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A container having a housing and a lid with a planar portion, the container comprising:
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a latch coupled to the lid, the latch freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid, the latch comprising; a retention feature; and a first reference surface perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid; and a latch mechanism coupled to the housing, the latch mechanism comprising; an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature; and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface; wherein the first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction, when the lid is brought together with the housing with the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A mechanism for securing a lid to a housing, the mechanism comprising:
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a latch configured to be slidably coupled to the lid, the latch comprising; a retention feature; and a first reference surface; and a latch mechanism configured to be coupled to the housing, the latch mechanism comprising; an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature; and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface; wherein the first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction, when the lid is brought together with the housing with the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of closing and securing a lidded container, the method comprising the steps of:
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bringing a lid having a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid together with a housing having a latch mechanism and a first alignment feature; laterally displacing the latch in a first direction, when the lid is brought together with the housing with the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, such that a first reference surface of the latch, the first reference surface being perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid, is aligned with a first alignment surface of the first alignment feature; and engaging a retention feature of the latch with an engagement element of the latch mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification