Closure fasteners – Bolts – Sliding
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-24
2001-10-23
Estremsky, Gary (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Sliding
C292S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305726
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to latch assemblies and, more particularly, to latch assemblies which are configured for locking a first wall member and a second wall member to one another to prevent relative movement between the first and second wall members.
The prior art is filled with myriad latch assemblies and locking assemblies, all of which serve the basic function of locking a first wall member and a second wall member to one another to prevent relative movement between the first and second wall members. Such assemblies are commonly used in storage containers, drawers, fences and doors of all kinds.
One such prior art latch assembly, which is employed in a collapsible storage bin, includes a base plate formed of a polymeric material, a locking piece formed of a polymeric material, and a pair of metal coil springs. The bin includes a bin bottom and four side walls extending upwardly from the bin bottom to form a bin interior. One of the side walls is pivotally moveable relative to the rest of the bin between open and closed positions. The base plate is fixed to the moveable side wall. The locking piece is slidably connected to the base plate for movement between locked and unlocked positions relative to the base plate. The locking piece and the base plate together define a pair of spring chambers when connected to one another. The two metal coil springs are positioned within the chambers to urge the locking member toward the locked position.
A problem with this prior art latch assembly is that the metal coil springs may tend to oxidize or corrode over time. Another problem is that the assembly is comprised of four separate components which are of at least two different materials, and which are most likely not all available from a single manufacturing source. Still another problem is that the assembly is somewhat difficult to assemble and disassemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch assembly which is comprised of components that are less susceptible to oxidation and corrosion. Another object is to provide a latch assembly which is comprised of fewer components than prior art latch assemblies. Still another object is to provide a latch assembly having components which are all of the same material, and which are available from a single manufacturing source. Yet another object is to provide a latch assembly which is designed for easier assembly and disassembly.
In general, a latch assembly of the present invention comprises a base portion, a locking member and a spring member. The latch assembly is configured for latching a first wall member and a second wall member to one another. One of the first and second wall members is moveable relative to the other. The base portion is fixed to the second wall portion. The locking member is movably connected to the base portion and is moveable relative to the base portion between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is adapted to engage the first wall member in a manner to prevent relative movement between the first and second wall members when the locking member is in the locked position, and to permit relative movement between the first and second wall members when the locking member is in the unlocked position. The spring member is adapted for engaging the base portion and the locking member in a manner for urging the locking member toward the locked position. The spring member and one of the base portion and the locking member are of a monolithic piece.
A method of the present invention for making a latch assembly comprises the steps of forming a base portion, forming a locking member, and forming a spring member. The base member is formed for fixation to the second wall portion. The locking member is formed for moveable connection to the base portion so that it can move between a first position and a second position relative to the base portion. The spring member is formed for engagement with the base portion and the locking member in a manner for urging the locking member toward the locked position. The steps of forming the base portion and forming the spring member are performed substantially simultaneously.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3125366 (1964-03-01), Cetrone
patent: 3671065 (1972-06-01), Bingham
patent: 3825289 (1974-07-01), Armstrong
patent: 4061369 (1977-12-01), Palmer
patent: 4641506 (1987-02-01), Boucher
patent: 4837975 (1989-06-01), Simpson
patent: 5145221 (1992-09-01), Pennebaker
patent: 5193707 (1993-03-01), Mizumura
patent: 5823583 (1998-10-01), Sandhu
patent: 5897147 (1999-04-01), Alyanakian
Exhibit A—Latch Assembly for bin known as “Ultimate Bin”; First manufactured and sold by Allibert-Contico, LLC in or around 1991.
Exhibit B—Latch, Component for bin; to Applicant's knowledge first manufactured and sold by Xytec in or around 1995.
Allibert-Contico, L.L.C.
Estremsky Gary
Mattingly Stanger & Malur, P.C.
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