Latching mechanism with trigger actuator
First Claim
1. A container latch assembly, including:
- a latch body having an outside surface and adapted to be pivotally mounted through a latch body pivot axis to a first container section of a container for movement between an open position and a closed position;
a trigger mounted to the latch body at a location spaced apart from the latch body pivot axis for arcuate travel about the latch body pivot axis as the latch body pivots, the trigger further being mounted for movement relative to the latch body between a latching position and a release position, the trigger having a coupling element adapted to form a releasable engagement with a coupling feature integral with a second container section responsive to movement of the latch body toward the closed position, to retain the latch body in the closed position to maintain container closure;
a biasing component adapted to urge the trigger toward the latching position to maintain said releasable engagement when the latch body is in the closed position; and
an actuator mounted to the latch body for movement toward and away from a nominal actuator position in which an outside surface of the actuator is selectively aligned with the outside surface of the latch body, said actuator having a trigger-contact feature positioned for contact with the trigger whereby the actuator is operable, when moved away from the nominal actuator position during said contact, to move the trigger from the latching position toward the release position against the force of the biasing component;
wherein the biasing component is operable through the trigger during said contact, to urge the actuator toward the nominal actuator position; and
wherein the trigger-contact feature further is adapted to allow movement of the trigger away from the latching position and toward the release position while the actuator is maintained in the nominal actuator position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A latching mechanism for a carrying case includes a latch body pivotally attached to a top cover of the case, a trigger pivotally attached to the latch body, and an actuator that pivots about the same axis as the trigger. The trigger is pivotable between a latching position for keeping the latch body closed, and a release position to allow the case to be opened. The actuator is pivotable toward and away from a nominal actuator position in which a panel of the actuator assumes a predetermined alignment with the latch body. A torsion spring biases the trigger toward the latching position, and through trigger/actuator contact biases the actuator into the nominal position. The trigger can move toward the release position while the actuator is held in the nominal position, to maintain the selected alignment for a more natural, intuitive latching mechanism closure.
108 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A container latch assembly, including:
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a latch body having an outside surface and adapted to be pivotally mounted through a latch body pivot axis to a first container section of a container for movement between an open position and a closed position; a trigger mounted to the latch body at a location spaced apart from the latch body pivot axis for arcuate travel about the latch body pivot axis as the latch body pivots, the trigger further being mounted for movement relative to the latch body between a latching position and a release position, the trigger having a coupling element adapted to form a releasable engagement with a coupling feature integral with a second container section responsive to movement of the latch body toward the closed position, to retain the latch body in the closed position to maintain container closure; a biasing component adapted to urge the trigger toward the latching position to maintain said releasable engagement when the latch body is in the closed position; and an actuator mounted to the latch body for movement toward and away from a nominal actuator position in which an outside surface of the actuator is selectively aligned with the outside surface of the latch body, said actuator having a trigger-contact feature positioned for contact with the trigger whereby the actuator is operable, when moved away from the nominal actuator position during said contact, to move the trigger from the latching position toward the release position against the force of the biasing component; wherein the biasing component is operable through the trigger during said contact, to urge the actuator toward the nominal actuator position; and wherein the trigger-contact feature further is adapted to allow movement of the trigger away from the latching position and toward the release position while the actuator is maintained in the nominal actuator position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A container including:
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first and second container sections adapted to be coupled to one another in a container closure configuration, and a coupling feature integral with the second container section; a latch body pivotally coupled to the first container section for movement about a latch body pivot axis between an open position for allowing entry into the container and a closed position adjacent the second container section for maintaining the first and second container sections in the closure configuration; a trigger mounted to the latch body at a location spaced apart from the latch body pivot axis for arcuate travel about the latch body pivot axis as the latch body pivots the trigger further being mounted for movement relative to the latch body between a latching position and a release position, wherein the trigger includes a coupling element adapted to form a releasable engagement with the coupling feature responsive to movement of the latch body into the closed position, thereby to retain the latch body in the closed position; a biasing component adapted to urge the trigger toward the latching position to maintain said releasable engagement when the latch body is in the closed position; and an actuator mounted to the latch body for movement toward and away from a nominal actuator position relative to the latch body, said actuator having a trigger-contact feature positioned for contact with the trigger whereby the actuator is operable, when moved away from the nominal actuator position during said contact, to move the trigger from the latching position toward the release position against the force of the biasing component; wherein the biasing component is adapted to urge the trigger into contact with the trigger-contact feature of the actuator, and to act through the trigger during said contact to urge the actuator toward the nominal actuator position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A container latching mechanism, including:
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a latch body adapted to be pivotally mounted through a latch body pivot axis to a first container section of a container for movement between an open position and a closed position; a trigger mounted to the latch body at a location spaced apart from the latch body pivot axis for arcuate travel about the latch body pivot axis as the latch body pivots, the trigger further being mounted for movement relative to the latch body between a latching position and a release position, the trigger having a coupling element adapted to form a releasable engagement with a coupling feature integral with a second container section responsive to movement of the latch body toward the closed position, to retain the latch body in the closed position to maintain container closure; a biasing component adapted to urge the trigger toward the latching position to maintain said releasable engagement when the latch body is in the closed position; an actuating component mounted for movement relative to the latch body toward and away from a nominal position, operable when moved away from the nominal position to move the trigger from the latching position toward the release position against the force of the biasing component; wherein the actuating component includes a panel supported at a free end thereof and positioned for a predetermined alignment with the latch body when the actuating component is in the nominal position, in which the respective outside surfaces of the latch body and the panel are substantially adjacent and aligned; and wherein the actuating component further includes a panel support region extending in cantilever fashion to the panel from a location proximate a the second container section, when in the nominal position with the latch body in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A container including:
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first and second container sections adapted to be removably coupled to one another in a container closure configuration, and a coupling feature integral with the second container section; a latch body pivotally coupled to the first container section for movement about a latch body pivot axis between an open position for allowing entry into the container and a closed position adjacent the second container section for maintaining the first and second container sections in the closure configuration; a trigger pivotally mounted to the latch body about a trigger pivot axis parallel to and spaced apart from the latch body pivot axis, for movement relative to the latch body between a latching position and a release position, wherein the trigger includes a coupling element adapted to form a releasable engagement with the coupling feature responsive to movement of the latch body into the closed position, thereby to retain the latch body in the closed position; a biasing component adapted to urge the trigger toward the latching position to maintain said releasable engagement when the latch body is in the closed position; and an actuator mounted to pivot relative to the latch body about an actuator axis that coincides with the trigger pivot axis, for movement toward and away from a nominal actuator position relative to the latch body, said actuator having a trigger-contact feature positioned for contact with the trigger whereby the actuator is operable, when moved away from the nominal actuator position during said contact, to move the trigger from the latching position toward the release position against the force of the biasing component; wherein the biasing component is adapted to urge the trigger into contact with the trigger-contact feature of the actuator, and to act through the trigger during said contact to urge the actuator toward the nominal actuator position.
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Specification