Latch mechanism for a snowmobile engine cover

Details Latch mechanism for a snowmobile engine cover Latch mechanism for a snowmobile engine cover

2001-11-07

2004-03-30

Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3677)

Closure fasteners

Bolts

Hooked end

C029SDIG005, C029SDIG004, C029SDIG003, C029SDIG004, C029S246000, C024S458000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06712405

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a latch mechanism, and more particularly to a latch mechanism for use with a vehicle, such as a snowmobile.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1
is a side view of a prior art snowmobile
10
. The snowmobile
10
includes a main body
15
that is supported by a frame. A rear portion of the main body
15
includes a seat
20
and a front portion of the main body includes an engine cover
25
. The engine cover can be removed or pivoted to a raised position (
FIG. 2
) to allow access to the engine and/or other interior compartments of the snowmobile
10
. Various prior art latching mechanisms have been used to secure the cover
25
with respect to the main body
15
.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, which is a partial rear perspective view of the snowmobile
10
, such a latching mechanism
30
may include an elastic member
35
. The elastic member
35
in
FIG. 3
is shown as being anchored or secured to the main body
15
of the snowmobile
10
using a fastener
40
. The elastic member
35
includes an opening
45
that is intended to receive and cooperate with a hook
50
provided on the cover
25
. To secure the cover
25
to the main body
15
using the latching mechanism
30
, the elastic member
35
is stretched until the opening
45
overcomes the hook
50
, and the elastic member
35
is released such that the hook
50
is coupled to the elastic member
35
, preferably under a predetermined tension.
FIGS. 4 and 5
show an alternative prior art latching mechanism.
FIG. 4
shows a lever
55
that is pivotably connected to the main body
15
of the snowmobile
10
. The cover
25
includes a receptacle
60
with a slot
65
that is sized to receive the lever
55
. A square protrusion
70
on the lever
55
fits within the slot
65
when the lever
55
is pivoted into the locking position, as shown in FIG.
5
. The lever
55
can be pivoted using a knob
75
.
FIGS. 6A-7
show yet another prior art latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a latch
76
(
FIG. 6A
) provided on cover
77
that can be used to releasably connect the cover
77
to a hook
78
(
FIG. 6B
) provided on a main body
79
of the snowmobile. The latch
76
is pivotably mounted on a support bracket
80
, which is mounted to a base
81
connected to the cover
77
. The latch
76
is shown in the open position in
FIG. 6A
, with a pair of arms
82
extending away from the latch
76
. The arms
81
include springs and are connected by a cross member
83
.
When the cover
77
is closed, the cross member
83
is coupled to the hook
78
on the main body
79
(FIG.
6
B). After reaching this position, the latch
76
is pivoted downwardly toward the base
81
, such that the cover
77
and main body
79
are secured to one another. This secured position is shown in
FIG. 7. A
pair of upstanding flanges
84
are aligned with the tab portion of the latch
76
. The flanges
84
include through holes
85
that can accommodate a locking pin (not shown) to maintain the latch
76
in the closed position shown in FIG.
7
.
These prior at latch mechanisms have drawbacks. For example, these latch mechanisms can require a great deal of strength or space to operate. Also, the designs can be overly complicated and expensive, and they can require additional parts to keep them in stable open and closed positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one aspect of the invention to avoid the main drawbacks of the related art, e.g., by providing a snowmobile with an improved latch mechanism that is easy to assemble and manufacture. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a lightweight and durable latch mechanism that can be reliably secured in the open and closed positions with little effort.
These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be described in or apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.


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