Closure fasteners – Bolts – Multiple
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-09-18
Estremsky, Gary (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Multiple
C292S196000, C292SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290268
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to door latches, and relates particularly to latches that are usable to hold doors of vehicles such as recreational vehicles (“RV's”) releasably in closed positions. The invention is particularly useful in RV's in which specially shaped doors create special problems of secure latching.
There is a real need for an improved latch assembly that will hold the doors of RV's and similar vehicles securely and tightly closed during high-speed highway travel, and also in case of accidents that can lead to overturning or even rolling of the vehicle. A particular problem exists for doors of irregular shapes such as the “cab” doors where one side portion of the door follows the slope of the windshield and thus does not lie along the hinge axis of the door. The upper portion of the sloped side of such a door cannot be hinged directly to the frame.
The present invention has as its principal objective the provision of a novel latch assembly for the secure latching of such a door, the latch assembly being smooth and easy to operate, capable of being concealed, and highly effective to secure the door releasably in the closed position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a novel dual latch assembly that utilizes two similar latches in positions spaced along the free edge of the door, one being selectively operable and positioned in the standard latch location and the other being positioned along the upper portion of the free edge, with a simple and effective operating connection between the latches that may be concealed inconspicuously in the door. This connection transmits the opening motion of the operator of the lower latch to the upper latch and opens the upper latch immediately before opening of the lower latch. The novel latch assembly, which may utilize two basically conventional latches, also is resistant to unlatching in high “G” turns of the type sometimes encountered in accidents, and is designed for smooth unlatching and relatching of the door in a manner that is not apparent to the user.
For these purposes, the preferred embodiment of the latch assembly of the invention uses two rotary latches that may be of the general type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,686 spaced apart along the free edge of the door, and connects those latches with an elongated linkage that is inconspicuously embedded in the body of the door and has motion-transmitting connections to the latches at each end. Between the latches, the linkage includes a spring-loaded lost-motion connection including a spring yieldably resisting movement of the linkage in the unlatching direction, thereby permitting the upper latch to be opened just before the lower latch is opened. The spring is effective to resist accidental unlatching of the second latch by “G” forces that may be applied to the linkage during rolling of the RV, and the connection includes a simple adjustment mechanism for setting the trigger point of the upper latch relative to the lower latch.
A feature of the invention is the manner of adapting the conventional latches, as sold by Tri/Mark Corporation under the above-identified patent, for use in the invention, by adding a slide alongside the patented latch as part of the linkage to be moved by the existing trip lever of the latch, and incorporating the spring-loaded and adjustable connection between this slide and the remainder of the linkage.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying detailed descriptions, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 1867776 (1932-07-01), Stuart
patent: 2839912 (1958-06-01), Corbin
patent: 2926943 (1960-03-01), Leslie
patent: 4273368 (1981-06-01), Tanaka
patent: 5069491 (1991-12-01), Weinerman
patent: 5127686 (1992-07-01), Gleason et al.
patent: 5595076 (1997-01-01), Weinerman
patent: 5722704 (1998-03-01), Chaput
patent: 6059352 (2000-05-01), Heldt
TRI/Mark; TRI/Mark Designers & Manufacturers of Vehicle Hardware Products; dated No. 6/96-3; pp. 1, 14 and 26; Printed in USA.
Cohen Victor I.
Helenick Robert F.
Estremsky Gary
Hehr International Inc.
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