Latch apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A latch assembly for coupling first and second inputs to a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch assembly comprising:
- a first control element coupled to the first input;
a second control element coupled to the second input, the second control element positioned and actuatable to move the ratchet to its unlatched position upon actuation of the second control element independent of the first control element, the first control element positioned to generate movement of the second control element upon actuation of the first control element, the first control element capable of exerting motive force for moving the ratchet to its unlatched position only via the second control element; and
an engagement element having an engaged state and a disengaged state in which the engagement element is engaged and disengaged with the second control element, respectively, the second control element movable through different paths corresponding to the engaged and disengaged states of the engagement element movement of the second control element in a first path generating movement of the ratchet to its unlatched position, and movement of the second control element in a second path not generating movement of the ratchet to its unlatched position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more unlatching inputs are capable of unlatching the latch assembly. However, two or more of these inputs are in series rather than in parallel so that the number of paths ending at the element or device holding the latch in its latched state is preferably fewer than the number of unlatching inputs to the latch assembly. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also employs a mechanical actuation assembly that can transmit actuation force from a control element to an engagement element in order to change the engaged state of the engagement element (and thereby to place the control element or another control element in a locked or unlocked state). The present invention also provides a fast-acting two stage actuator employing magnetic force to quickly and directly or indirectly hold an element to be controlled until an armature of the actuator can be engaged therewith.
115 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A latch assembly for coupling first and second inputs to a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch assembly comprising:
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a first control element coupled to the first input;
a second control element coupled to the second input, the second control element positioned and actuatable to move the ratchet to its unlatched position upon actuation of the second control element independent of the first control element, the first control element positioned to generate movement of the second control element upon actuation of the first control element, the first control element capable of exerting motive force for moving the ratchet to its unlatched position only via the second control element; and
an engagement element having an engaged state and a disengaged state in which the engagement element is engaged and disengaged with the second control element, respectively, the second control element movable through different paths corresponding to the engaged and disengaged states of the engagement element movement of the second control element in a first path generating movement of the ratchet to its unlatched position, and movement of the second control element in a second path not generating movement of the ratchet to its unlatched position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification