LATCH MECHANISM

• US 3,580,623 A
• Filed: 07/31/1969
• Issued: 05/25/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Theodore F. Peters
• Original Assignee: Theodore F. Peters
• Inventors: Peters, Theodore F.
• Application Number:
  US04/846,538
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• US Class Current: 292/201
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/10 Hydraulic or pneumatic hydraulic or pneumatic circuits E05B81/52
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0945 Operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1092 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5615 Valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7051 Using a powered device [e.g., motor]

Abstract

A latch mechanism of the type comprising a latchbolt pivotally mounted on a vehicle body for releasably engaging a striker secured to the vehicle deck lid, the latchbolt being moved from an unlatched position toward a latched position upon engagement with the striker. Continued movement of the latchbolt to the latched position is power assisted by a differential-fluidpressure-operated motor connected to the latchbolt. The operation of the differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor is controlled by fluid valves, one of which is actuated upon initial movement of the latchbolt toward the latched position to operate the motor for effecting continued movement of the latchbolt to the latched position at which position it is releasably engaged by a latch hook.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism for latching a closure member to a support member by engagement with a striker fixed to one of the members, the closure member being swingably mounted for movement between open and closed positions relative to the support member, the latch mechanism including a latchbolt pivotally mounted on said other member for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position, said latchbolt having a fork at one end engageable with said striker when said members are partially closed, a differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means mounted adjacent to said latchbolt, cam link means, said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means being connected by said cam link means to said latchbolt and selectively operable to effect power-assisted movement of said latchbolt through said cam link means from said unlatched position to said latched position and from said latched position to said unlatched position, valve-controlled conduit means connected to said differentialfluid-pressure-operated motor means and connectable to a source of differential fluid pressure and operable to control the supply of fluid to said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means to selectively operate said differential-fluidpressure-operated motor to move said latchbolt from said unlatched position to said latched position and from said latched position to said unlatched position, and latch-hook means swingably mounted for engagement with said latchbolt to releasably retain said latchbolt in said latched position and for engagement by said cam link means to release said latchbolt.

2. A latch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor includEs expansible chamber means having a movable wall, means connecting said movable wall with said cam link to effect movement of said latchbolt to said latched position, and bias means operatively connected to said movable wall to normally move said latchbolt to said unlatched position.

3. A latch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said valve-controlled conduit means includes first valve means connected to a first fluid source and connectable to a second fluid source, and second valve means operatively connected to said first valve means for connecting said first valve means to said second fluid source, said second valve means being positioned for actuation by said cam link means.

4. A latch mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said valve-controlled conduit means includes a relief valve connected to said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor and vented to atmospheric pressure.

5. A latch mechanism for latching a closure member to a support member by engagement with a striker fixed to one of said members including a latchbolt pivotally mounted on said other member for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position relative to said striker, a differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means for moving said latchbolt to said latched position, cam link means connecting said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means to said latchbolt, bias means connected to said cam link means to normally bias said latchbolt to said unlatched position, fluid-control means including first valve means and second valve means connected to said differential-fluid-pressure-operated motor means and to sources of fluid, said first valve means being selectively operable and said second valve means being positioned for actuation by said cam link means, and detent means swingably mounted for releasably retaining said latchbolt in said latched position and engageable by said cam link means to release said latchbolt.