Multi-pivot latch assemblies
First Claim
1. A latch assembly for releasably engaging an anchor in vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a first jaw;
a latch movably coupled to the frame and having a second jaw with a tip portion, wherein the first and second jaws cooperate to retain the anchor when the latch is in a first latch position;
an actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein movement of the actuator from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position rotates the latch away from the first latch position toward a second latch position about a first pivot point spaced apart from the tip portion of the second jaw, and wherein continued movement of the actuator from the second actuator position toward a third actuator position rotates the latch away from the second latch position toward a third latch position about a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; and
a blocker movably coupled to the frame proximate the latch, wherein the blocker moves from a first blocker position toward a second blocker position when the latch rotates from the second latch position toward the third latch position, and wherein the blocker prevents rotation of the latch from the third latch position toward the second latch position when the blocker is in the second blocker position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-pivot latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchors and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and a release actuator movably coupled to a frame. In operation, movement of the release actuator causes the latch to rotate from a first position to a second position about a first pivot point, and from the second position to a third position about a second pivot point to open the latch. In some embodiments, a blocker holds the latch in the open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. In other embodiments, a biasing member holds the latch in the open position.
93 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A latch assembly for releasably engaging an anchor in vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a first jaw; a latch movably coupled to the frame and having a second jaw with a tip portion, wherein the first and second jaws cooperate to retain the anchor when the latch is in a first latch position; an actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein movement of the actuator from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position rotates the latch away from the first latch position toward a second latch position about a first pivot point spaced apart from the tip portion of the second jaw, and wherein continued movement of the actuator from the second actuator position toward a third actuator position rotates the latch away from the second latch position toward a third latch position about a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; and a blocker movably coupled to the frame proximate the latch, wherein the blocker moves from a first blocker position toward a second blocker position when the latch rotates from the second latch position toward the third latch position, and wherein the blocker prevents rotation of the latch from the third latch position toward the second latch position when the blocker is in the second blocker position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A latch assembly for releasably securing a web to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a first non-circular opening and a second non-circular opening shaped differently than the first non-circular opening; a latch having a first guide feature and a second guide feature, wherein the first guide feature is movably received in the first non-circular opening and the second guide feature is moveably received in the second non-circular opening to moveably couple the latch to the frame; an actuator operably coupled to the latch and movable relative to the frame between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, wherein at least one of the first and second guide features bears against a portion of the corresponding first and second non-circular opening to prevent the latch from moving away from a closed position when the actuator is in the first actuator position, wherein movement of the actuator from the first actuator position to the second actuator position moves the latch from the closed position to an open position, and wherein the first guide feature remains within the first non-circular opening and the second guide feature remains within the second non-circular opening when the latch is in the closed position and the open position; and a blocking member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the blocking member moves into a blocking position when the actuator moves the latch from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the blocking member prevents the latch from moving from the open position to the closed position when the blocking member is in the blocking position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A latch system for releasably coupling a web to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch system comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end portion for receiving the web and a distal end portion for receiving the anchor; a latch movably coupled to the frame toward the distal end portion; means for holding the latch open prior to engaging the latch with the anchor; means for pivoting the latch about a first location and a second location spaced apart from the first location to engage the latch with the anchor; an actuator operably coupled to the latch; and means for moving the actuator solely in a straight line to pivot the latch about the second location and then the first location to release the latch from the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification