OVERRIDING LATCH MECHANISM

• US 3,699,632 A
• Filed: 07/30/1971
• Issued: 10/24/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John William Anhalt
• Inventors: Anhalt, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Eager, Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US05/167,565
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 29/23H,23HM,23HC,206
• US Class Current: 81/322
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/22 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53283 Means comprising hand-manipulatable implement

Abstract

An overriding latch mechanism for positioning a pair of members in a first and second predetermined positions. A bracket portion contains an end wall, an enlarged width slot and a reduced width slot adjacent thereto. The bracket portion is secured to one of the members. A lipped spring portion contains a lip surface, an enlarged width portion and a reduced width portion. The lipped spring portion is secured to the other member. The lip surface interlocks with the bracket portion end wall when the members are in a first predetermined position. When the members are moved from the first position to a second position, the reduced width portion and the enlarged width portion pass through the reduced width slot and the enlarged width slot, respectively, during the movement. The bracket and lipped spring portion may be formed integrally with the members.

Claims

1. An overriding latch mechanism for Positioning a pair of members in a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position comprising:

a bracket portion having an enlarged width slot and a reduced width slot adjacent thereto, and having an end wall, said bracket portion being secured to one of said members; and

a lipped spring portion having an enlarged width section, a reduced width section and a lip surface, said lipped spring portion being secured to the other of said members, said lip surface interlocking with said bracket portion end wall when said members are in a first predetermined position, movement of said members from said first predetermined position enabling said members to move to a second position, with said reduced width section and said enlarged width section passing through said reduced width slot and said enlarged width slot, respectively, during said movement.

2. A latch mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bracket portion and said lipped spring portion are each integrally formed with one of said members.

3. A latch mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bracket portion slots are adjacent each other.

4. A latch mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein the width of said enlarged slot and said reduced slot is greater than the width of said enlarged width section and said reduced width section, respectively.

5. A latch mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein the slotted part of said bracket portion is formed at an acute angle with the main bracket portion.