LOCKABLE LATCH

• US 20100308604A1
• Filed: 06/08/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Whitens, Michael James, Pauken, Junko, Rocco, Charles Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,297,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/169.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/02 Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/028 the position-locking means being pivotally connected
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/036 with an elastically bending closing member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45408 Resilient, self-biased gate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45429 Gate and hook formed from single piece of sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45581 having inserted end formed by oppositely biased surface segments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/087 Loops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0894 Spring arm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0898 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0982 Bolt blocking or disabling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1043 Swinging

Abstract

A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.

Claims

1. A lockable latch system for a vehicle comprising:

an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle;

a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar;

a springboard disposed on the rigid hook, the springboard being operable between an obstructing position wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar, and an unobstructing position wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar; and

a lock assembly having a cam operable between an interference position wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.

2. The lockable latch system of claim 1, wherein the cam abuts an underside of the springboard when the cam is in the interference position.

3. The lockable latch system of claim 1, wherein the cam rotates approximately 90 degrees between the obstructed and unobstructed positions.

4. The lockable latch system of claim 3, wherein the cam of the lock assembly is rotated by a key.

5. The lockable latch system of claim 1, wherein the lock is assembly is attached to a plate fixedly connected to the rigid hook.

6. The lockable latch system of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible belt attached to the rigid hook.

7. The lockable latch system of claim 5, further comprising:

a lock box connected with the flexible belt.

8. A lockable latch comprising:

a rigid hook defining a bar receiving portion;

a flexible springboard disposed in the bar receiving portion, the springboard capable of flexing between an obstructing position wherein the springboard substantially blocks the bar receiving portion and an unobstructing position wherein the springboard does not substantially block the bar receiving portion;

a lock assembly having a cam operable between an interference position wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.

9. The lockable latch of claim 8, wherein the cam abuts an underside of the springboard when the cam is in the interference position.

10. The lockable latch of claim 8, wherein the cam rotates approximately 90 degrees between the obstructed and unobstructed positions.

11. The lockable latch of claim 8, wherein the lock is assembly is attached to a plate fixedly connected to the rigid hook.

12. The lockable latch of claim 8, further comprising:

a flexible belt attached to the rigid hook.

13. The lockable latch of claim 12, further comprising:

a lock box connected with the flexible belt.

14. A method for locking a vehicle restraining latch to a vehicle, the method comprising:

forming a rigid hook having a bar receiving portion;

connecting a springboard to the rigid hook, the spring board being operable between an obstructing position wherein the springboard substantially blocks the bar receiving portion and an unobstructing position wherein the springboard does not substantially block the bar receiving portion;

operably connecting a lock assembly to the rigid hook;

forming a cam on the lock assembly that is operable between an interference position wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position;

operably engaging the rigid hook with an anchor bar of a vehicle;

positioning the springboard in the obstructed position; and

positioning the cam in the interference position.

15. The method of claim 14, the step of connecting a springboard further comprising:

connecting a springboard that is biased to the obstructed position;

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cam rotates approximately 90 degrees between the obstructed and unobstructed positions.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

rotating the cam to abut an underside of the springboard when the cam is in the interference position.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

attaching the lock assembly to a plate that is fixedly connected with the rigid hook.

19. The method of claim 16, the step of rotating the cam approximately 90 degrees further comprising:

rotating the cam with a key adapted to operate with the lock assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

locking the cam in the interference position.