Closure fasteners – Bolts – Multiple
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-09
2001-05-15
Grady, Steve (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Multiple
C292SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231091
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to latches, as used for example on an enclosure element to releasably maintain the closure element in a closed state and, more particularly, to a control mechanism for changing the state of the latch. The invention is also directed to a system including the control mechanism and latch.
2. Background Art
Push-button types of actuators are used to operate latch systems on doors, lids, and other types of closures, in a number of different environments. It is known to simultaneously operate multiple rotary or slide bolt latches through a push-button actuator. It is also known to use a push-button actuator for operating a single rotary or slide bolt latch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention, a control mechanism is provided for operating a latch. The control mechanism has a frame and a first arm attached to the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a first axis between first and second positions. The first arm has a first edge and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is connectable to a latch to effect operation of the latch connected to the first connecting portion as an incident of the first arm moving from the first position into the second position. An actuator assembly is translatable relative to the frame between normal and actuating positions along a line that is transverse to the first axis. The actuator assembly engages the first edge and causes the first arm to move from the first position into the second position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position.
In one form, a second arm is attached to the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a second axis between third and fourth positions. The second arm has a second edge and a second connecting portion, with the second connecting portion being connectable to a latch to effect operation of a latch connected to the second connecting portion as an incident of the second arm moving from the third position into the fourth position.
In one form, the actuator assembly engages the second edge and causes the second arm to move from the third position into the fourth position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position.
The actuator assembly may move as one piece between the normal and actuating positions.
The actuator assembly may be spring biased towards the normal position.
In one form, the first arm has an L shape.
In one form, the first and second axes reside within a single plane and the actuator assembly is translatable in a first line between the normal and actuating positions, and the first line is orthogonal to the single plane.
In one form, the frame has first and second transverse legs cooperatively defining an L shape, the actuator assembly is supported on the first leg, and the first and second arms are each pivotably connected to the second leg.
The first and second transverse legs may be formed as one piece.
In one form, the frame has an opening which is fully surrounded by the first leg. The actuator assembly includes a plate which causes the first arm to move from the first position into the second position and the second arm to move from the third position into the fourth position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position. The plate may extend through the opening in the frame.
In one form, the actuator assembly plate abuts the first and second edges, and thereby causes the first arm to move from the first position into the second position and the second arm to move from the third position into the fourth position as an incident of the actuator moving from the normal position into the actuating position.
The first edge may have a curved configuration.
The plate may have a flat surface which abuts to the first edge.
The flat surface on the plate may reside in a plane that is substantially parallel to the single plane.
A cantilevered finger grip may be provided having a surface against which a user's finger on one hand can be placed to facilitate pressing by another finger on the user's one hand against the actuator assembly.
The control mechanism may be provided in combination with a latch having first and second operating states and a linkage acting between the first connecting portion of the first arm and the latch to change the latch from the first operating state into the second operating state as an incident of the first arm moving between the first and second positions.
The invention is also directed to a control mechanism for operating a latch, which control mechanism has a frame and a first arm attached to the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a first axis between first and second positions. The first arm has a first connecting portion that is connectable to a latch to effect operation of a latch connected to the first connecting portion as an incident of the first arm moving from the first position into the second position. The actuato r assembly is translatable relative to the frame between normal and actuating positions along a line that is transverse to the first axis. The actuator assembly causes the first arm to move from the first position into the second position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position.
A second arm may be attached to the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a second axis between third and fourth positions. The second arm has a second connecting portion that is connectable to a latch to effect operation of a latch connected to the second connecting portion as an incident of the second arm moving from the third position into the fourth position. The second arm moves from the third position into the fourth position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position.
The first and second axes may be substantially parallel to each other. In one form, the actuator assembly is movable along a first line between the normal and actuating positions and the first line is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.
The control mechanism may be provided in combination with a latch having first and second operating states and a linkage which acts between the connecting portion on the first arm and the latch to cause the latch to change from the first state into the second state as an incident of the first arm moving from the first position into the second position.
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Gleason Stephen James
Iverson David Grant
Grady Steve
Tri/Mark Corporation
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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