LATCH MECHANISM
First Claim
1. A handle for a latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to first and second latches, the hinged gate having a front wall and a rear wall that extend between a first opposing end and a second opposing end of the hinged gate, the hinged gate including a side cover is connected to the first opposing end and structured to extend between the front wall and rear wall, the side cover including a guide slot, the handle comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first retention arm and a first release mechanism, the first retention arm configured for a locking engagement with the first latch, the second end having a second retention arm and a second release mechanism, the second retention arm configured for a locking engagement with the second latch;
wherein, when the body portion is being pivotally displaced, the first and second release mechanisms are adapted to pivotally displace the first and second latches to release the first and second retention arms from the locking engagements with the first and second latches; and
wherein the release mechanism is slidably guided though the opening in the side cover.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A handle for a latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to first and second latches, the hinged gate having a front wall and a rear wall that extend between a first opposing end and a second opposing end of the hinged gate, the hinged gate including a side cover is connected to the first opposing end and structured to extend between the front wall and rear wall, the side cover including a guide slot, the handle comprising:
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a body portion having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first retention arm and a first release mechanism, the first retention arm configured for a locking engagement with the first latch, the second end having a second retention arm and a second release mechanism, the second retention arm configured for a locking engagement with the second latch; wherein, when the body portion is being pivotally displaced, the first and second release mechanisms are adapted to pivotally displace the first and second latches to release the first and second retention arms from the locking engagements with the first and second latches; and wherein the release mechanism is slidably guided though the opening in the side cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A latch mechanism comprising:
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a latch having a tip portion and an engagement portion, the engagement portion generally defining a recess; and a handle having at least one retention arm and at least one release mechanism, the handle configured for pivotal displacement between a first position and a second position, at least a portion of the at least one retention arm adapted to be received within the recess when the handle is in the first position and to be removable from the recess at least when the handle is in the second position, the at least one release mechanism configured to engage the tip portion to pivotally displace the latch as the handle is pivotally displaced toward the second position; a tailgate having a front wall and a rear wall that extend between a first opposing end and a second opposing end of the tailgate, the tailgate structured to retain the handle; and a side cover connected to the first opposing end of the tailgate and structured to extend between the front wall and rear wall, the side cover including a guide slot through which the release mechanism is slidably guided. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hinged gate comprising:
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a gate wall having a front portion, a rear portion, and a pair of opposing ends; a handle pivotally connected to the gate wall for pivotal displacement of the handle between a first position and a second position, the handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being generally adjacent to one of the pair of opposing ends and the second end being generally adjacent to the other of the pair of opposing ends, the handle further including a first retention arm and a first release mechanism positioned at the first end and a second retention arm and a second release mechanism positioned at the second end; a first latch positioned adjacent to the first end, the first latch having a first engagement portion that generally defines a first recess, the first recess configured to receive the insertion of at least a portion of the first retention arm for a locking engagement between the first latch and the first retention arm; a second latch positioned adjacent to the second end, the second latch having a second engagement portion that generally defines a second recess, the second recess configured to receive the insertion of at least a portion of the second retention arm for a locking engagement between the second latch and the second retention arm; and a cover connected to one of the pair of opposing ends of the gate wall and structured to extend between the front portion and rear portion, the side cover including a guide slot through which the first release mechanism is slidably guided. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification