Locking lever connector mechanism
First Claim
1. The combination comprising:
- a first component having an elongated guide rib extending outwardly thereof along a first direction, a flexible latch arm extending outwardly from the first component at a location spaced from the guide rib to define a narrow slot extending in said first direction, said latch arm having a latch element extending therefrom in a direction laterally away from the slot, and,a second component having a catch element extending outwardly therefrom and positioned to engage with the latch element when the first component and the second component are in an assembled relationship, said second component further including a locking lever having a body portion extending from the second component into said slot when the first component and the second component are in said assembled relationship to selectively prevent lateral movement of the latch arm away from the catch element, said locking lever including a resilient portion for permitting selective deflection of said locking lever out of said slot to permit said lateral movement of said latch arm away from the catch element to allow relative movement between the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component are disassembled.
5 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly of a first component and a second component joined by a locking lever connector mechanism includes a first component having an elongated guide rib extending outwardly thereof in a second direction. A flexible latch arm also extends outwardly from the second component at a location spaced from the guide rib to define a narrow slot extending in a first direction. The latch arm has a terminal end with a latch element extending therefrom in a direction laterally away from the slot. The first component has a catch element positioned to engage with the latch element when the first component and the second component are in an assembled relationship. The first component further includes a locking lever having a body portion extending from the first component into the slot to prevent movement of the latch arm laterally away from the catch element. A resilient portion is provided for permitting selective manual deflection of the locking lever out of the slot to permit lateral movement of latch arm away from the catch element to allow the first component and the second component to be disassembled.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. The combination comprising:
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a first component having an elongated guide rib extending outwardly thereof along a first direction, a flexible latch arm extending outwardly from the first component at a location spaced from the guide rib to define a narrow slot extending in said first direction, said latch arm having a latch element extending therefrom in a direction laterally away from the slot, and, a second component having a catch element extending outwardly therefrom and positioned to engage with the latch element when the first component and the second component are in an assembled relationship, said second component further including a locking lever having a body portion extending from the second component into said slot when the first component and the second component are in said assembled relationship to selectively prevent lateral movement of the latch arm away from the catch element, said locking lever including a resilient portion for permitting selective deflection of said locking lever out of said slot to permit said lateral movement of said latch arm away from the catch element to allow relative movement between the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component are disassembled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification