Latching mechanism
First Claim
1. A latching mechanism having utility in holding a door-like member in a fixed position with respect to an opening in an enclosure, comprising:
- a housing adapted to be affixed to said door-like member, said housing having first and second flanges located adjacent opposite sides of said housing, each flange having at least two openings disposed therein, said at least two openings sized as to slidably receive a pair of rods;
a first and second elongate rod slidably mounted with respect to said housing in each of said at least two openings, each rod having an inner segment and an outer segment as considered with respect to said housing, the respective outer segment of each of said pair of rods extending outwardly from said housing at opposite ends of said housing;
a stub affixed to each of said rods at a point within said inner segment wherein each stub shall protrude from said housing between said first and second flange, each stub having a length which permits manipulation by a person'"'"'s digit; and
biasing means mounted within said housing and adapted to urge said first and second elongate rod outward from said housing.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member in at least one position with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door), with the base lying in a plane which is generally parallel to the plane established by the cage door. A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions, with the appendage outer regions being configured to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing). The control device includes a pair of protuberances, each having a length which is sufficient as to be easily engaged by a single digit of a user'"'"'s hand. A pair of coil springs is provided for continuously urging the appendages in different directions away from the housing. A pair of cap-like members are ideally affixed to the exterior surface of each of the protuberances so as to facilitate gripping the protuberances with at least one digit of a person'"'"'s hand.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A latching mechanism having utility in holding a door-like member in a fixed position with respect to an opening in an enclosure, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be affixed to said door-like member, said housing having first and second flanges located adjacent opposite sides of said housing, each flange having at least two openings disposed therein, said at least two openings sized as to slidably receive a pair of rods; a first and second elongate rod slidably mounted with respect to said housing in each of said at least two openings, each rod having an inner segment and an outer segment as considered with respect to said housing, the respective outer segment of each of said pair of rods extending outwardly from said housing at opposite ends of said housing; a stub affixed to each of said rods at a point within said inner segment wherein each stub shall protrude from said housing between said first and second flange, each stub having a length which permits manipulation by a person'"'"'s digit; and biasing means mounted within said housing and adapted to urge said first and second elongate rod outward from said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification