Latch assembly

• US 7,303,216 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Bivens, Steven L., Bella, Joseph J., Donovan, Paul F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lugo; Carlos
• Application Number:
  US11/228,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20060186677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 292/300, 292/303, 292/288, 292/341.15, 292/341.18, 292/DIG.4, 292/DIG.37, 292/DIG.38, 292/DIG.53, 292/333, 292/DIG.54, 292/332, 292/335
• US Class Current: 292/303
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/06 by means of inertial forces
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/30 for glove compartments
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/022 Released by pushing in the closing direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/04 Automatic release latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/37 Push button operators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/438 Spring-arm catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/444 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/54 Trippers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/546 Sliding detent

Abstract

A latch assembly includes a latch and a casing having a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by the base and the outer walls. The casing securely retains the latch within the latch chamber and allows limited movement of the latch within the latch chamber during an impact. Thus, the latch may move within a storage bin door upon impact, thereby preventing unlatching.

Claims

1. A latch assembly positioned on a stationary structure, said latch assembly comprising:

a latch;

a casing comprising a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by said base and said outer walls, said casing securely retaining said latch within said latch chamber and allowing limited movement of said latch within said latch chamber during an impact, said casing having a fastener extending from said base and away from said latch chamber, wherein said fastener is configured to secure said casing to the stationary structure; and

a slider having an outwardly-extending boss, wherein said latch is secured to said slider, wherein said casing further comprises a slot formed within one of said outer walls and a boss-retaining snap disposed within said slot, said slot receiving said boss, said boss-retaining snap allowing said boss to pass in a first direction and blocking movement of said boss in an opposite second direction.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said boss-retaining snap comprises a protuberance having a slanted edge joined to a straight edge.

3. The latch assembly of claim 2, wherein said boss comprises a rounded tip and a rear edge, said rounded tip sliding past said protuberance in the first direction, and said rear edge abutting against said straight edge in the opposite second direction.

4. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said latch is integrally formed with said slider.

5. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said casing further comprises at least one spring member extending into said latch chamber from at least one of said outer walls, said at least one spring member exerting a biasing force toward said latch, wherein said at least one spring member allows limited movement of said latch in the first direction.

6. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said casing further comprises at least one stop member extending into said latch chamber from at least one of said outer walls, said at least one stop member configured to limit movement of said latch in a third direction.

7. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said casing is integrally formed with a stationary structure.

8. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said latch comprises a camming chamber.

9. A latch assembly comprising:

a slider comprising outwardly-extending bosses;

a latch secured to said slider; and

a casing comprising;

(i) a main body having a base integrally formed with first, second, and third walls defining a latch chamber therebetween, said first and second walls having slots and boss-retaining snaps disposed within said slots, said slow receiving said bosses, said casing receiving and retaining said slider through said boss-retaining snaps allowing said bosses to pass in a first direction, and said boss-retaining snaps blocking movement of said bosses in an opposite second direction;

(ii) spring arms extending into said latch chamber from said third wall, said spring arms exerting a force into said slider causing said bosses to bias against said boss-retaining snaps, wherein said slider compresses said spring arms during an impact, said compressed spring arms allowing limited movement of said slider in the first direction during the impact; and

(iii) at least one stop member extending into said latch chamber from at least one of said first and second walls, said at least one stop member configured to allow said slider to pass underneath and limit movement of said latch in a third direction that is generally normal to said first and second direction.

10. The latch assembly of claim 9, wherein said latch is integrally formed with said slider.

11. The latch assembly of claim 9, wherein said casing is integrally formed with a dashboard of a vehicle.