Latch mechanism with environmentally protected portion

• US 7,413,225 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products USA LLC (Intevac)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Spurr, Nigel V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lugo; Carlos
• Application Number:
  US10/914,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20050140146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,471 Days
• Field of Search: 292/216, 292/201, 292/DIG.23
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/007 Devices for reducing friction between lock parts E05B17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/34 Protection against weather or dirt, e.g. against water ingress closures or guards for keyholes E05B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/26 Cooperation between bolts and detents
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/24 in the form of a bifurcated member automatic catches with a bifurcated latch E05C19/024; locks with a bifurcated bolt E05B65/0046, E05B85/243
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor

Abstract

A latch mechanism includes a latch plate and a latching element attached to the latch plate. A pawl engages the latching element at an interface. Applying a force to the pawl releases the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism also includes an enclosure for enclosing a portion of the latching mechanism.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism comprising:

a latch plate associated with a first object;

a claw rotatably attached to the latch plate;

a toggle link rotatably attached to the latch plate;

a primary pawl rotatably attached to the toggle link, wherein the primary pawl is for retaining the claw, and a primary pawl pivot point of the primary pawl is offset from a toggle link pivot point of the toggle link;

a secondary pawl rotatably attached to the latch plate, wherein the secondary pawl is for retaining the toggle link; and

an enclosure for enclosing at least a portion of the latch mechanism and including at least a portion of the secondary pawl.

2. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein a toggle link portion of the toggle link and a secondary pawl portion of the secondary pawl contact each other at an interface, and the interface is located within the enclosure.

3. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the secondary pawl is located within the enclosure.

4. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the enclosure inhibits contaminants from entering the enclosure.

5. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has an opening therein, the latch mechanism including a driveable connection extending through the opening in the enclosure and to a lever outside the enclosure.

6. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has an opening, the latch mechanism including a driveable connection extending through the opening and linked to the secondary pawl, the enclosure further including a seal between the drivable connection and the opening in the enclosure.

7. The latch mechanism of claim 6 wherein the seal is a grommet.

8. The latch mechanism of claim 6 wherein the seal is a gasket.

9. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a primary biasing element for applying a biasing force to the primary pawl.

10. The latch mechanism of claim 9 further comprising a fixed pin attached to the latch plate, wherein a surface of the primary pawl rides on the fixed pin.

11. The latch mechanism of claim 9 comprising a secondary biasing element for applying a biasing force to the secondary pawl, wherein at least a portion of the secondary biasing element is located within the enclosure.

12. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a stop positioned to limit motion of the primary pawl with respect to the toggle link.

13. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the claw further includes a first surface for engaging the primary pawl and determining a primary latched position and a second surface for engaging the primary pawl and determining a secondary latched position.

14. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the primary pawl pivot point moves relative to the latch plate.

15. A latch mechanism comprising:

a latch plate associated with a first object;

a claw rotatably attached to the latch plate;

a toggle link rotatablv attached to the latch plate;

a primary pawl rotatablv attached to the toggle link, wherein the primary pawl is for retaining the claw, and primary pawl pivot point of the primary pawl is offset from a line between an engagement point between the primary pawl and the claw and a toggle link pivot point of the toggle link to the latch plate;

a secondary pawl rotatably attached to the latch plate, wherein the secondary pawl is for retaining the toggle link; and

an enclosure for enclosing at least a portion of the latch mechanism and including at least a portion of the secondary pawl.