Post latching systems

• US 5,467,619 A
• Filed: 08/13/1993
• Issued: 11/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Star Lock Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Star Lock Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Embry, Donald, Stillwagon, Woodrow C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US08/106,436
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/34, 70/207, 70/208, 70/224, 70/215-217, 70/306, 70/386, 70/387, 70/490, 70/491, 70/365, 70/378, 70/418, 70/419, 292/57-62, 292/251
• US Class Current: 70/34
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/108 the lock coaxial with spindle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 5/003 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/121 using balls or the like cooperating with notches
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/244 the striker being movable for latching, the bolt for unlatching, or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/24 for car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/1409 with balls or rollers urged by an axial displacement of a wedge or a conical member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0864 Combined motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/599 Spring biased manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/443 Single stem or shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5761 Retractable or flush handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7751 With ball or roller

Abstract

A latching system, in accordance with a first preferred, embodiment of the present invention, comprises a notched post assembly, a post gripping assembly and a handle assembly, and, in preferred embodiments, a lock assembly associated with the handle assembly. The notched post assembly is comprised of an elongated post formed at one end with at least two opposing, axially extending rows of notches or teeth and alternately disposed smooth surfaces. The post gripping assembly comprises a channel for accepting the notched end of the post and comprises movable latch elements which cooperate with the notches of the post to effect the primary latching function of the system. The unlatching of the post from the channel is accomplished by rotating the post to disengage the notches and the latch elements. A latch, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a post and collar gripping and release mechanism cooperatively mounted to the door and door frame of a vending machine, cabinet, or the like, to provide an initial latching function in the form of a frictional gripping of the post by the collar, and further comprises a lock assembly associated with the post and collar mechanism to provide a primary locking function and to effect release of the latching function.

Claims

1. A latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining,

an elongated axis,

an elongated, axially extending latching surface defined by at least one outer radius from said elongated axis, and

an elongated, axially extending releasing surface defined by at least one inner radius from said elongated axis, wherein said outer radius is greater than said inner radius;

a latching assembly defining a passage for receiving said post member and including a grip means extending at least partially into said passage for,

effecting a grip between said post member and said latching assembly when said grip means cooperates with said latching surface, and

releasing said grip between said post member and said latching assembly when said grip means cooperates with said releasing surface; and

a moving means for,

moving said latching surface into cooperation with said grip means, whereby said grip is effected between said post member and said latching assembly, and

moving said releasing surface into cooperation with said grip means, whereby said grip is released between said post member and said latching assembly.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said latching surface defines a smooth surface.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said latching surface defines a notched surface.

4. Apparatus of claim 3, wherein said notched surface includes, at least, a plurality of teeth.

5. Apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said grip means includes, at least, a ball, and

wherein said latching assembly further includes,

an inner shell defining said passage and further defining a radial opening in said inner shell, wherein said ball is located in and radially movable within said radial opening,

an outer shell positioned outside said inner shell, wherein said inner shell is axially slidable in a first direction and a second direction with respect to said outer shell, said outer shell including, at least, a tapered portion defining a tapered inner surface adjacent to said ball, and

a biasing means for biasing said inner shell axially in said first direction such that said ball is biased into engagement with said tapered inner surface, whereby said ball is biasly urged radially inwardly into said passage, wherein said biasing means accommodates movement of said inner shell in said second direction to accommodate radial movement of said ball out of said passage.

6. Apparatus of claim 3,

wherein said grip means includes, at least, a latching element, and

wherein said latching assembly further includes, at least,

a housing member including, at least, an entry element defining said passage for receiving said post member, wherein said passage defines a central entry axis, and

a biasing means extending from said latching element in a direction having a directional component toward an opposite side of said passageway for biasing said latching element toward said central entry axis, and

wherein said latching element is movable between an outward orientation and an inward orientation nearer said central entry axis.

7. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said latching assembly further includes, at least, an inward positioning means for maintaining a predetermined distance between said latching element and said central entry axis during said inward orientation.

8. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said latching surface defines an axially continuous arcuate surface defined by one radius from said elongated axis.

9. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said releasing surface is defined by a plurality of radii and further defines, in profile, a straight line.

10. Latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining a central post axis and including, at least, a grip portion defining a maximum grip portion radius and a release portion defining a maximum release portion radius, wherein said maximum grip portion radius is greater than said maximum release portion radius;

an engagement means for engaging said grip portion of said post member to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is oriented in a first angular orientation relative to said engagement means, and for cooperating with said release portion of said post member to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is oriented in a second angular orientation relative to said engagement means; and

a releasing means for effecting relative axial rotation between said post member and said engagement means.

11. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said grip portion and said release portion extend axially along said post member.

12. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein all points on said release portion are located at only one radial distance from said central post axis.

13. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said release portion defines a plurality of release surface points located at more than one radial distance from said central post axis.

14. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein said release portion defines, in profile, a straight line.

15. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein all points on said grip portion are located at only one radial distance from said central post axis.

16. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said grip portion defines a plurality of release surface points located at more than one radial distance from said central post axis.

17. Apparatus of claim 16, wherein said grip portion includes, at least, a notched portion.

18. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said releasing means is connected to said post member and includes, at least, a T-handle with a key-operated cylinder lock.

19. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said releasing means includes, at least, a lock assembly abutting an end of said post member.

20. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said engagement means includes at least one movable latch element and a biasing means for biasing said movable latch toward said post member.

21. Apparatus of claim 20, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, an elastic circular member, and wherein said latch element includes at least one planar surface.

22. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said engagement means includes, at least,

a housing member defining a passageway having a central axis for receiving said post member,

a latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and

a biasing means for biasing said latching element toward said central axis of said passageway.

23. Apparatus of claim 22, wherein said latching element defines a first latching element, and wherein said engagement means further includes, at least, a second latching element, and wherein said biasing means contacts both said first latching element and said second latching element.

24. Apparatus of claim 22, wherein said latching element is located on one side of said passageway, and wherein said biasing means extends around to an opposite side of said passageway.

25. Apparatus of claim 24, wherein said latching element is spherical, and wherein said biasing means includes, at least,

an inner cylindrical member defining an aperture for retaining said latching element,

an inclined member rigidly connected to said housing member at a position located between said inner cylindrical member and said housing member, and

a spring means for axially biasing said inner cylindrical member with respect to said housing member.

26. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said engagement means is engaged to said release portion of said post member when said post member is oriented in said second angular orientation.

27. Latching apparatus for releasably latching a first door element, such as a vending machine door, and a second door element, such as a vending machine frame, said apparatus comprising:

a post member defining, at least, a multi-surfaced latching portion, which latching portion includes at least one axially extending notched surface and at least one axially extending smooth surface disposed about the circumference of said post member, wherein said smooth surface defines, in profile, a surface at a plurality of radii from a central axis of said post member;

a latching assembly comprising a passage for accepting said latching portion of said post member therein, and a latch means for effecting a grip on said notched surface when said latching portion of said post member is within said passage, thus resisting removal of said latching portion of said post member from said passage of said latching assembly; and

a releasing means for releasing said grip between said notched surface and said latch means, thus facilitating removal of said latching portion of said post member from said passage of said latching assembly.

28. Apparatus of claim 27, wherein said smooth surface further defines a flat surface which defines, in profile, a straight line.

29. Latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining a central post axis and including, at least,

a grip portion defined by a plurality of grip portion surface points, wherein said plurality of grip portion surface points includes at least one outer grip portion surface point which is located at a first radial distance from said central post axis and is radially displaced from said central post axis at least as far as every other grip portion surface point of said plurality of grip portion surface points, and

a release portion angularly disposed around said post member from said grip portion defined by a plurality of release portion surface points, wherein said plurality of release portion surface points includes at least one outer release portion surface point which is located at a second radial distance from said central post axis and is radially displaced from said central post axis at least as far as every other release portion surface point of said plurality of release portion surface points,

wherein said first radial distance is greater than said second radial distance;

an engagement means for engaging said grip portion of said post member to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is in a first angular orientation relative to said engagement means, and for cooperating with said release portion of said post member to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is in a second angular orientation relative to said engagement means; and

a releasing means for effecting relative axial rotation between said post member and said engagement means.

30. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said releasing means includes means for rotating said post member.

31. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said grip portion and said release portion extend axially along said post member.

32. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said grip portion includes a plurality of notches and wherein said release portion is smooth.

33. Apparatus of claim 32, wherein each notch of said plurality of notches comprises a radial surface defining a plane parallel to a radial plane of said post member and an inclined surface defining a plane at an acute angle to said radial plane of said post member.

34. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said plurality of release surface points are located at a plurality of radial distances from said central post axis.

35. Apparatus of claim 34, wherein said release portion defines, in profile, a straight line.

36. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said plurality of grip surface points are located at one radial distance from said central post axis.

37. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said releasing means includes, at least, a T-handle.

38. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said releasing means is removably connected to said post member as an axial extension of said post member.

39. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said releasing means includes, at least, a lock assembly abutting an end of said post member.

40. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said engagement means includes, at least,

a housing member defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving said post member,

a latching element located within said housing member and movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and

a biasing means for biasing said latching element toward said central axis of, said passageway.

41. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, an elastic circular member.

42. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said latching element defines a first latching element, and wherein said engagement means further includes, at least, a second latching element, and wherein said biasing means contacts both said first latching element and said second latching element.

43. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said latching element is located on one side of said passageway, and wherein said biasing means extends around to an opposite side of said passageway.

44. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, means for constricting around said passageway.

45. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said latching element defines a first latching element, wherein said engagement means further includes, at least, a second latching element, and wherein said housing member includes, at least, separation means for maintaining separation between said first latching element and said second latching element.

46. Apparatus of claim 40, wherein said latching element is spherical, and wherein said biasing means includes, at least,

an inner cylindrical member defining an aperture for retaining said latching element,

an inclined member rigidly connected to said housing member at a position located between said inner cylindrical member and said housing member, and

a spring means for axially biasing said inner cylindrical member with respect to said housing member.

47. Apparatus of claim 29, wherein said engagement means is engaged to said release portion of said post member when said post member is oriented in said second angular orientation.

48. A latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining a central post axis and including, at least, a grip portion defining a maximum grip portion radius and a release portion defining a maximum release portion radius, wherein said maximum grip portion radius is greater than said maximum release portion radius;

a movable latch element selectively contacting said grip portion of said post member; and

a rotation extension connected to said post member.

49. The latching apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a frame member defining a passageway having a central axis, wherein said latch element is connected to said frame member and said post member is insertable into and axially rotatable within said passageway.

50. The latching apparatus of claim 49,

wherein said latch element is movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and said latch element is biased toward said inward position,

wherein said latching element engages said grip portion of said post member to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and in a first angular orientation relative to said latching element, and

wherein said latching element cooperates with said release portion of said post member to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is within said passageway and oriented in a second angular orientation relative to said latching element.

51. The latching apparatus of claim 50, wherein said grip portion and said release portion extend axially along said post member.

52. The latching apparatus of claim 50, wherein said latch element engages said release portion of said post member when said post member is oriented in said second angular orientation relative to said latching element.

53. The latching apparatus of claim 50, wherein said grip portion of said post member includes, at least, a radially extending protrusion that abuts said latching element when said post member is oriented within said passageway and in said first angular orientation relative to said latching element.

54. The latching apparatus of claim 50, wherein said grip portion and said release portion extend axially along said post member.

55. A gripping apparatus for receiving and releasably gripping a post member, the gripping apparatus comprising:

a frame member defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving the post member;

a plurality of latch elements movably connected to said frame member to be movable within a common plate between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and

a unitary bias member associated with at least two latch elements of said plurality of latch elements.

56. The gripping apparatus of claim 55, wherein said unitary bias member is connected to at least two latch elements of said plurality of latch elements.

57. The gripping apparatus of claim 55, wherein said unitary bias member biases each latch element of said plurality of latch elements toward said inward position.

58. The gripping apparatus of claim 55, wherein said plurality of latch elements includes, a least, a first latch element and a second latch element diametrically opposed to said first latch element.

59. The gripping apparatus of claim 58, wherein said first latch element defines a first direction of travel and said second latch element defines a second direction of travel that is collinear with said first direction of travel.

60. The gripping apparatus of claim 55, wherein said plurality of latch elements includes, a least,

a first latch element defining a first direction of travel having a first radial component, and

a second latch element defining a second direction of travel having a second radial component, wherein said first radial component and said second radial component are collinear.

61. The gripping apparatus of claim 60, wherein said unitary bias member biases each latch element of said plurality of latch elements toward said inward position.

62. A latching apparatus comprising:

a post member defining a central post axis;

a latch frame defining a passageway having a central axis for receiving said post member and allowing said post member to rotate therein; and

a latch element movably connected to said latch frame to be movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis to, while occupying said inward position, allow removal of said post member during a first angular orientation of said post member and, while also occupying said inward postion, restrict removal of said post member during a second angular orientation of said post member.

63. The latching apparatus of claim 62, wherein said latch element is biased toward said inward position to allow removal of said post member during said first angular orientation of said post member and restrict removal of said post member during said second angular orientation of said post member.

64. The latching apparatus of claim 62,

wherein said post member further defines an axially extending grip portion and an axially extending release portion,

wherein said latch element engages said grip portion to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and is oriented in said second angular orientation relative to said latch frame, and

wherein said latch element cooperates with said release portion to allow movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and is oriented in said first angular orientation relative to said latch frame.

65. The latching apparatus of claim 64, wherein said grip portion defines a maximum grip portion radius and said release portion defines a maximum release portion radius, wherein said maximum grip portion radius is greater than said maximum release portion radius.

66. The latching apparatus of claim 62, wherein said latch element includes at least one planar surface.

67. The latching apparatus of claim 62, wherein said latch element is biased toward said inward position.

68. The latching apparatus of claim 62,

wherein said latch element is a first latch element,

wherein the latching apparatus further comprises a second latch element movably connected to said latch frame to be movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis,

wherein said first latch element and said second latch element are movable within a common plane.

69. The latching apparatus of claim 68, further comprising a unitary bias member that biases said first latch element and said second latch element toward said inward position.

70. The latching apparatus of claim 68, wherein said first latch is distal from said second latch element.

71. A latching apparatus for releasably latching a first door element, such as a vending machine door, and a second door element, such as a vending machine frame, the latching apparatus comprising:

a post member for attachment to the first door element and defining,

an elongated axis,

a pair of grip surfaces that are diametrically opposed and axially extending, wherein each grip surface of said pair of grip surfaces includes, at least, protrusions extending outward therefrom, and

a pair of release surfaces that are diametrically opposed and axially extending, wherein each release surface of said pair of release surfaces defines, in profile, a flat surface; and

a latch assembly for attachment to the second door element and including, at least,

a frame member defining a passageway having a central axis, wherein said post member is insertable into and rotatable within said passageway, and

a pair of latch elements that are diametrically opposed,

wherein each latch element of said pair of latch elements is movably connected to said frame member, movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, and biased toward said inward position,

wherein said pair of latch elements engage said pair of grip surfaces to prevent axial movement of said post member in a first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and in a first angular orientation relative to said frame member, and

wherein said pair of latch elements cooperate with said pair of release surfaces to allow axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is within said passageway and oriented in a second angular orientation relative to said frame member.

72. The latching apparatus of claim 71,

wherein each protrusion of said protrusions extending outward from said pair of grip surfaces comprises a ridge, whereby each grip surface of said pair of grip surfaces includes, at least, a plurality of ridges,

wherein said plurality of ridges at least partially surround said elongated axis of said post member, and

wherein said pair of latch elements engage ridges of said plurality of ridges to prevent axial movement of said post member in said first axial direction when said post member is oriented within said passageway and in said first angular orientation relative to said frame member.

73. The latching apparatus of claim 71,

wherein each grip surface of said pair of grip surfaces is defined by at least one outer radius from said elongated axis, and

wherein each release surface of said pair of release surfaces is defined by at least one inner radius from said elongated axis, wherein said outer radius is greater than said inner radius.

74. The latching apparatus of claim 71,

wherein said post member includes, at least, a first end and a second end,

wherein said first end of said post member defines said pair of grip surfaces and said pair of release surfaces, and

wherein the latching apparatus further comprises a T-handle with a key-operated cylinder lock connected to said second end of said post member.

75. A method of latching a first body to a second body, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a post member to the first body, wherein the post member defines a central post axis and includes, at least, a grip portion defining a maximum grip portion radius and a release portion defining a maximum release portion radius, wherein the maximum grip portion radius is greater than the maximum release portion radius;

movably connecting a latch element to the second body;

effecting a grip between the latch element and the post member by, at least,

effecting a first angular orientation between the post member and the latch element, and

moving the first latch element into engagement with the grip portion of the post member so that a grip is effected between the latch element and the post member; and

effecting a second angular orientation between the post member and the latch element so that the latch element cooperates with the release portion of the post member to release the grip between the post member and the latch element.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the step of moving the first latch element includes, at least, allowing the latch element to move under the force of a biasing member.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the steps of effecting a first angular orientation and effecting a second angular orientation each include, at least, rotating the post member angularly about the central post axis.

78. The method of claim 75,

wherein the step of effecting a grip further includes, at least, moving the post member into engagement with the latch element such that the latch element is moved to an outward position by overcoming the force of a biasing member, and

wherein the step of moving the latch element into engagement with the grip portion includes, at least, allowing the latch element to move to an inward position under the force of the biasing member, wherein the inward position is nearer to the central post axis than the outward position.

79. The method of claim 75,

wherein the method further comprises the step of movably connecting a second latch element to the second body, and

wherein the step of effecting a grip further includes, at least,

interposing the post member between the first latch element and the second latch element, and

moving the second latch element into engagement with the post member.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the first latch element and the second latch element move in a common plane.

81. An engagement apparatus for being connected to a first element for receiving and releasably gripping a post member connected to a second element to form a connection between the first element and the second element, said engagement apparatus comprising:

an entry element defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving a post member;

a latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis;

a biasing means extending from said latching element in a direction having a directional component toward an opposite side of said passageway for biasing said latching element toward said inward position, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, an elastic circular means for radially biasing said latching element toward said central axis; and

a mounting means for connecting said engagement apparatus to the first element.

82. An engagement apparatus for being connected to a first element for receiving and releasably gripping a post member connected to a second element to form a connection between the first element and the second element, said engagement apparatus comprising:

an entry element defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving a post member;

a latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis, wherein said latching element includes, at least, a planar engagement surface;

a biasing means extending from said latching element in a direction having a directional component toward an opposite side of said passageway for biasing said latching element toward said inward position; and

a mounting means for connecting said engagement apparatus to the first element.

83. An engagement apparatus for being connected to a first element for receiving and releasably gripping a post member connected to a second element to form a connection between the first element and the second element, said engagement apparatus comprising:

an entry element defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving a post member;

a first latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis;

a second latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis;

a biasing means extending from said first latching element in a direction having a directional component toward an opposite side of said passageway for biasing said latching element toward said inward position; and

a mounting means for connecting said engagement apparatus to the first element.

84. Apparatus of claim 83, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, a unitary member contacting both said first latching element and said second latching element.

85. Apparatus of claim 83, wherein said biasing means includes, at least, means for constricting around both said first latching element and said second latching element to bias said first latching element and said second latching element toward said central axis.

86. An engagement apparatus for being connected to a first element for receiving and releasably gripping a post member connected to a second element to form a connection between the first element and the second element, said engagement apparatus comprising:

an entry element defining a passageway with a central axis for receiving a post member;

a spherical latching element movable between an outward position and an inward position nearer said central axis;

a biasing means extending from said latching element in a direction having a directional component toward an opposite side of said passageway for biasing said latching element toward said inward position, wherein said biasing means includes, at least,

an inner cylindrical member defining an aperture for retaining said latching element,

an inclined member rigidly connected to said entry element at a position located between said inner cylindrical member and said entry element, and

a spring means for axially biasing said inner cylindrical member with respect to said entry element; and

a mounting means for connecting said engagement apparatus to the first element.