Latch assembly

• US 6,746,059 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Thomas, Leron R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US10/141,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20030209913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 292/128, 292/228, 292/219, 292/220, 292/95, 292/DIG.11, 292/DIG.61, 292/194, 292/121, 292/202
• US Class Current: 292/228
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1409 Rigid filtering receptacles dust collecting receptacles for cyclones A47L9/1683
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1463 specially adapted for rigid filtering receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/14 with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the latch E05C3/122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0934 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1051 Spring projected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1052 Operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1061 Rigid

Abstract

A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The latch assembly includes an actuator having an latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system. The latch assembly further includes a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch on a vacuum cleaner housing. A latching surface of the latch extends through the latch opening. Moving the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator to disengage the latching surface of the latch from the catch and place the latch assembly in a disengaged position. Moving the latch in the first direction causes the latching surface of the latch to pass through a latch opening defined in the actuator to place the latch assembly in a return position. A method of operating a latch assembly is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system, comprising:

an actuator having a latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system; and

a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch on a vacuum cleaner housing, wherein;

the latching surface of the latch extends through the latch opening,

moving the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator to disengage the latching surface of the latch from the catch and place the latch assembly in a disengaged position, and

moving the latch in the first direction causes the latching surface of the latch to pass through the latch opening defined in the actuator to place the latch assembly in a return position.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a living spring integrally formed in the actuator,

wherein the living spring bias the actuator away from the latch.

3. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing spring which biases the latching surface in a second direction.

4. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the biasing spring further biases the actuator in the second direction.

5. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an axle attached to the latch,

a sleeve attached to the actuator, wherein;

the axle is pivotally mounted to an axle support on the lid, and

and the sleeve is positioned about the axle to allow the actuator to pivot about the axle.

6. The latch assembly of claim 5, further comprising a biasing spring, wherein the biasing spring includes a first coil placed on a first outboard end away from the sleeve.

7. The latch assembly of claim 6, the spring further comprising a second coil, wherein the second coil is placed on the axle on a second outboard end opposite of the first outboard end.

8. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover having an actuator opening defined therethrough,

wherein the actuator opening does not become smaller as the catch moves the latch in the first direction.

9. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a living spring integrally formed in the actuator,

wherein the living spring biases the actuator toward the top of the actuator opening.

10. The latch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a biasing spring,

wherein the biasing spring biases both the actuator and the latch toward the top of the actuator opening.