Multi-pivot latch assemblies
First Claim
1. A latch assembly for releasably engaging an anchor in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion is oriented perpendicular to the distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion includes a web aperture for receiving a web, and wherein the distal end portion includes a nose portion;
a latch pivotally coupled to the distal end portion of the frame;
a release actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein movement of the release actuator from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position rotates the latch from a first latch position to a second latch position about a first pivot point, and from the second latch position to a third latch position about a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; and
a biasing member having a first end coupled to the nose portion and a second end coupled to the latch, wherein the biasing member urges the latch toward the first latch position.
15 Assignments
0 Petitions
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, another biasing member urges the latch to pivot 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.
90 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A latch assembly for releasably engaging 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, wherein the proximal end portion is oriented perpendicular to the distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion includes a web aperture for receiving a web, and wherein the distal end portion includes a nose portion; a latch pivotally coupled to the distal end portion of the frame; a release actuator operably coupled to the latch, wherein movement of the release actuator from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position rotates the latch from a first latch position to a second latch position about a first pivot point, and from the second latch position to a third latch position about a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point; and a biasing member having a first end coupled to the nose portion and a second end coupled to the latch, wherein the biasing member urges the latch toward the first latch position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A coupling for engaging an anchor in a vehicle, the coupling comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion includes a nose portion; a latch movably coupled to the frame proximate the distal end portion; an ejector movably coupled to the frame proximate the latch, wherein the ejector includes a blocking portion configured to abut the latch and hold the latch in an open position; a first biasing member having a first end coupled to the nose portion and a second end coupled to the latch and positioned to urge the latch toward a closed position; and a second biasing member operably coupled to the ejector and positioned to urge the ejector toward the distal end portion of the frame, wherein movement of the ejector toward the proximal end portion of the frame moves the blocking portion away from the latch, whereby the first biasing member urges the latch to pivot about a first pivot point and then a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point as the latch moves to the closed position and engages the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. 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 first end portion for receiving the anchor and a second end portion for receiving the web; a latch movably coupled to the frame toward the first end portion, wherein the latch is configured to move in a plane; a biasing member operably coupled to the distal end portion of the frame and to the latch; means for orienting the second end portion of the frame at an angle relative to the plane; means for holding the latch in an open position prior to engaging the latch system with the anchor; and means for coupling the latch system to the anchor by; pivoting the latch about a first axis; and pivoting the latch about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis to move the latch to a closed position about the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification