Position latch device
First Claim
1. A position latch device for use with a clamp of the type including a pair of pivotally coupled gripping members respectively defining gripping jaws at one end and first and second handle portions at the opposite end, the gripping members being operable between a latched open-jaw condition and a non-latched closed-jaw condition, said position latch device comprising:
- a bias mechanism resiliently urging the gripping members to the closed-jaw condition,a resiliently deflectable spring extending from the first handle portion toward the second handle portion in an arcuate manner and resiliently deflectable thereby as the gripping members move from the closed-jaw condition to the open-jaw condition so as to exert on the second handle portion a force component opposite the direction of movement of the second handle portion, said spring having a fixed end connected to the first handle portion and a free end; and
at least one latching abutment disposed adjacent to the free end of said spring and engageable in the latched condition with the second handle portion in response to movement of the clamp from the closed-jaw condition to retain the clamp against movement toward the closed-jaw condition, said at least one abutment being disengageable from the latched condition in response to application to the free end of a release force having a substantial component in the direction of movement of the second handle member toward the open-jaw condition.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A position latch device is used with a clamp of the type including a pair of pivotally coupled gripping members respectively defining gripping jaws at one end and first and second handle portions at the opposite end. The gripping members are operable between a latched open-jaw condition and a non-latched closed-jaw condition. The position latch device includes a resilient spring extending from the first handle portion toward the second handle portion in an arcuate manner and deflectable by the second handle portion as the gripping members move from the closed-jaw condition to the open jaw condition so as to exert on the second handle portion a force component in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second handle portion. The spring has a fixed end connected to the first handle portion and a free end. The latch device further includes a latching abutment disposed adjacent to the free end of the spring and engageable in the latched condition with the second handle portion in response to movement of the clamp from the closed-jaw condition to retain the clamp against movement toward the closed-jaw condition. The abutment is disengageable from the latched condition in response to application to the free end of a release force having a substantial component in the direction of movement of the second handle member toward the open-jaw condition.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A position latch device for use with a clamp of the type including a pair of pivotally coupled gripping members respectively defining gripping jaws at one end and first and second handle portions at the opposite end, the gripping members being operable between a latched open-jaw condition and a non-latched closed-jaw condition, said position latch device comprising:
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a bias mechanism resiliently urging the gripping members to the closed-jaw condition, a resiliently deflectable spring extending from the first handle portion toward the second handle portion in an arcuate manner and resiliently deflectable thereby as the gripping members move from the closed-jaw condition to the open-jaw condition so as to exert on the second handle portion a force component opposite the direction of movement of the second handle portion, said spring having a fixed end connected to the first handle portion and a free end; and at least one latching abutment disposed adjacent to the free end of said spring and engageable in the latched condition with the second handle portion in response to movement of the clamp from the closed-jaw condition to retain the clamp against movement toward the closed-jaw condition, said at least one abutment being disengageable from the latched condition in response to application to the free end of a release force having a substantial component in the direction of movement of the second handle member toward the open-jaw condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A position latch device for use with a clamp of the type including a pair of pivotally coupled gripping members respectively defining gripping jaws at one end and first and second handle portions at the opposite end, the gripping members being operable between a latched open-jaw condition and a non-latched closed-jaw condition, said position latch device comprising:
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a bias mechanism resiliently urging the gripping members to the closed-jaw condition, a resiliently deflectable spring extending from the first handle portion toward the second handle portion in an arcuate manner and resiliently deflectable thereby as the gripping members move from the closed-jaw condition to the open-jaw condition so as to exert on the second handle portion a force component opposite the direction of movement of the second handle portion, said spring having a fixed end connected to the first handle portion and a free end; a single latching abutment disposed adjacent to the free end of said spring and engageable in the latched condition with the second handle portion in response to movement of the clamp from the closed-jaw condition to retain the clamp against movement toward the closed-jaw condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification