Latch apparatus and method

• US 6,786,070 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2000
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Edgar, James, Dimig, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/571,340
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 702/786, 702/787, 702/77, 702/37, 702/64, 292/201, 292/216, 292/DIG.23, 292/DIG.26, 292/DIG.27
• US Class Current: 70/277
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0009 with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0056 Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/28 for anti-theft purposes, e.g. double-locking or super-locking
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/30 allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/10 Hydraulic or pneumatic hydraulic or pneumatic circuits E05B81/52
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/90 Manual override in case of power failure
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/27 Disconnectable handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5805 Freely movable when locked
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]

Abstract

A latch assembly having at least one control element having a first path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and a second 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, the control element can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element. If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element is preferably movable into contact with the control element and can move the control element to its first path of motion. The latch assembly can have a second control element also having first and second paths of motion determined at least partially upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the second control element or disengaged therefrom. The second control element can be connected to the first engagement element to move the first engagement element into and out of engagement with the first control element when the second control element is actuated in its engaged state.

Claims

1. A latch assembly, comprising:

a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element pivotable about a first point to at least partially define a first path of motion generating release of the ratchet to the unlatched position and pivotable about a second point to at least partially define a second path of motion between an unactuated at rest position and an actuated position not generating release of the ratchet to the unlatched position;

a locking element having a locked position and an unlocked position; and

an actuator coupled to the locking element, actuation of the locking element to its unlocked position when the control element is actuated from the unactuated at rest position in its second path generating movement of the control element from its second path to its first path, the ratchet releasable from the latched position to the unlatched position responsive to actuation of the locking element to its unlocked position during at least partial actuation of the control element from the unactuated at rest position.

2. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the pawl releasable by the control element in its first path of motion.

3. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control element is pivotable about a pivot point in its first path of motion to trigger release of the pawl.

4. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is pivotable about a first point at least partially defining the first path and about a second point at least partially defining the second path.

5. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element is mounted for pivotal movement between the locked and unlocked positions.

6. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking element is in contact with the control element in the unlocked position to at least partially limit the control element to its first path, and wherein the locking element is substantially free from contact with the control element in the locked position to permit control element movement in the second path.

7. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control element has a surface against which the locking element is pressed when in the unlocked position.

8. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user-manipulatable actuating element coupled to the locking element for user control of locking element position.

9. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the user-manipulatable actuating element is a lock cylinder.

10. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is a first control element, the latch assembly further comprising a second control element movable through a third path, the locking element movable to at least one of the locked and unlocked positions by the second control element in the third path.

11. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet, the second control element movable through the third path to trigger ratchet release via movement of the pawl.

12. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element is a first control element, the latch assembly further comprising:

a pawl releasably engagable with the ratchet; and

a second control element pivotably mounted for movement through a third path, the second control element movable against the pawl in the third path to move the pawl and disengage the ratchet.

13. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second control element is also movable against the locking element in the third path to change the position of the locking element.

14. The latch assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a linking element coupled to the control element for user manipulation of the control element.