Actuator assembly
First Claim
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1. A remote latching mechanism comprising:
- a longitudinal connecting member rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis thereof;
at least one latch assembly operably connected to said connecting member for movement between latched and unlatched conditions in response to rotational movement of said connecting member; and
actuator means for rotating said connecting member, said actuator means comprising a handle pivotally movable in substantially a perpendicular direction to the axis of rotation of said longitudinal axis of said connecting member between open and closed positions for rotatably moving said connecting member, wherein contact of said handle and a remainder of said actuator assembly occurs only during actuation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator is used for operating a variety of latching mechanisms. In one embodiment, the latching mechanism includes a rotatable connecting member comprised of a single piece or of separate pieces attached together and the actuator includes a handle assembly operable through pivotal movements of a handle. In operation, the actuator is mountable in a panel or similar member so that the pivoting motion of the handle occurs along a longitudinal axis of the connecting member.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A remote latching mechanism comprising:
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a longitudinal connecting member rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis thereof;
at least one latch assembly operably connected to said connecting member for movement between latched and unlatched conditions in response to rotational movement of said connecting member; and
actuator means for rotating said connecting member, said actuator means comprising a handle pivotally movable in substantially a perpendicular direction to the axis of rotation of said longitudinal axis of said connecting member between open and closed positions for rotatably moving said connecting member, wherein contact of said handle and a remainder of said actuator assembly occurs only during actuation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A remote latching mechanism comprising:
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a longitudinal connecting member rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis thereof;
at least one latch assembly operably connected to said connecting member for movement between latched and unlatched conditions in response to rotational movement of said connecting member; and
actuator means for rotating said connecting member, said actuator means comprising a handle pivotally movable in substantially along said longitudinal axis of said connecting member between open and closed positions for rotatably moving said connecting member, wherein said actuator means further comprises a slide assembly between said handle and said connecting member for rotatably moving said connecting member upon pivotal movements of said handle between said open and closed positions, wherein said slide assembly comprises a slide and a crank, said slide engaging said handle for substantially axial movement between inward and outward positions upon said pivotal movements of said handle between said closed and open positions, respectively, said crank engaging said slide proximate a first end of said crank and said connecting member proximate a second end for rotatably moving said connecting member upon said substantially axial movements of said slide, wherein said slide assembly further comprises a cage engaging said slide for regulating pivotal movement of said handle in said open position, wherein said actuator means further comprises a housing to which said handle is pivotally connected, wherein said remote latching mechanism further comprises a means between said handle and said housing for retaining said handle in said closed position thereof, wherein said remote latching mechanism further comprises a means for disengaging said retaining means and means for biasing said handle from said closed position toward said open position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A latching mechanism comprising:
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a latch assembly for movement between latched and unlatched conditions, said latch assembly including at least one longitudinal connecting member; and
actuator means for operating said latch assembly, said actuator means comprising a handle assembly, with said handle assembly having a handle pivotally movable in substantially a perpendicular direction to the axis of rotation of said longitudinal axis of said connecting member and a slide assembly between said handle and said latch assembly for operating said latch assembly upon pivotal movements of said handle between open and closed positions, wherein said slide assembly comprises a movable slide and a movable crank, said slide engaging said handle for substantially axial movement between said closed and open outward positions upon said pivotal movements of said handle between said closed and open positions, respectively, said crank engaging said slide proximate a first end of said crank and said at least one connecting member proximate a second end for moving said connecting member upon said substantially axial movements of said slide. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A latching mechanism comprising:
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a latch assembly for movement between latched and unlatched conditions, said latch assembly including at least one longitudinal connecting member and means for latching on said connecting member; and
actuator means for operating said latch assembly, said actuator means comprising a handle assembly, with said handle assembly having a handle and a slide assembly between said handle and said latch assembly for opening said latch assembly upon pivotal movements of said handle between open and closed positions, wherein said slide assembly comprises a slide and a crank, said slide engaging said handle for substantially axial movement between inward and outward positions upon said pivotal movements of said handle between said closed and open positions, respectively, said crank engaging said slide proximate a first end of said crank and said at least one connecting member proximate a second end for moving said connecting member upon said substantially axial movements of said slide, wherein said slide assembly further comprises a cage engaging said slide for regulating pivotal movement of said handle in said open position, wherein said handle assembly further comprises a housing to which said handle is pivoting connected, wherein said latching mechanism further comprises a means between said handle and said housing for retaining said handle in said closed position thereof, wherein said latching mechanisms further comprises a means for disengaging said retaining means and means for biasing said handle from said closed position toward said open position. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification