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Latching mechanism with trigger actuator

  • US 7,370,891 B1
  • Filed: 11/22/2006
  • Issued: 05/13/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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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