Multi-pivot latch assemblies
First Claim
1. A latch assembly for engaging an anchor member, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a first jaw portion and first and second openings proximate the first jaw portion;
a pivotable latch having a second jaw portion, wherein the latch is operably coupled to the frame by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening;
an ejector operably coupled between the frame and the latch; and
a biasing member urging the ejector against the first guide feature to selectively move the latch from an open position to a closed position by pivoting the latch about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members 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 an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the ejector toward a position that holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the biasing member causes the ejector to rotate latch from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A latch assembly for engaging an anchor member, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a first jaw portion and first and second openings proximate the first jaw portion; a pivotable latch having a second jaw portion, wherein the latch is operably coupled to the frame by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening; an ejector operably coupled between the frame and the latch; and a biasing member urging the ejector against the first guide feature to selectively move the latch from an open position to a closed position by pivoting the latch about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the frame further having a first opening, a second opening, and a first jaw proximate the distal end portion; a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening, wherein the latch includes a second jaw spaced apart from the first jaw to define a latch mouth therebetween; an anchor ejector operably coupled to the frame between the first and second jaws, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame causes the second jaw to move toward the first jaw as the latch pivots about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; and a biasing member urging a first portion of the ejector against the first guide feature, wherein movement of a second portion of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame causes the first portion of the ejector to drive the first guide feature toward the distal end of the frame.
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9. A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the frame further having a first opening, a second opening, and a first jaw proximate the distal end portion; a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion by a first guide feature movably received in the first opening and a second guide feature movably received in the second opening, wherein the latch includes a second jaw spaced apart from the first jaw to define a latch mouth therebetween; and an anchor ejector operably coupled to the frame between the first and second jaws, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame causes the second jaw to move toward the first jaw as the latch pivots about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point, wherein the ejector includes a blocking surface, and wherein the blocking surface bears against the first guide feature to hold the latch in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 engaging the web and a distal end portion for engaging the anchor; a latch movably coupled to the frame toward the distal end portion via a first guide feature and a second guide feature; and an ejector operable to hold the latch in an open position via the first guide feature, wherein the latch is movable from the open position to a closed position via a first rotation about a first axis and a second rotation about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A latch assembly for releasably securing a child seat to an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a first jaw proximate the distal end portion; a latch movably coupled to the frame via a guide feature and proximate the distal end portion, wherein the latch includes a second jaw configured to move toward the first jaw to engage the anchor in a closed position as the latch rotates in a first direction about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; an elector positionable to engage the guide feature to hold the latch in an open position; and a release actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein pulling the release actuator away from the distal end portion of the frame rotates the latch in a second direction about the second pivot point and then the first pivot point to move the second jaw away from the first jaw to release the anchor and return the latch to an open position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification