Locks – Special application – For control and machine elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-06-05
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For control and machine elements
C070S451000, C292S336300, C292S348000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240751
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to latch systems, as commonly used on repositionable closure elements and, more particularly, to an operator for such latch systems.
2. Background Art
It is known to construct operators for latch systems using a U-shaped main body with a control unit that is selectively repositionable relative to the main body to change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated. In one form, the control unit is a push button actuator which can be engaged and depressed by a finger on a user's hand that is grasping the main body. The control unit is captively held in the operative position by a plate which is attached to the main body through the use of fasteners. The fasteners must be inventoried and assembled in a separate manufacturing step.
Typically, the exposed portion of the main body has a fixed configuration and appearance. If a customer wishes to obtain an operator with a different appearance, typically the entire main body would be custom built for that particular customer's needs. This may necessitate that the fully assembled operators be separately stored and tracked by customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to an operator for a latch system. The operator has a main body, a control unit, and a retainer. The control unit has at least a portion that is selectively repositionable relative to the main body by a user with the control unit in an operative position on the main body to change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated. A retainer is placeable in an assembled position on the main body wherein the retainer maintains the control unit in the operative position. The main body has a first shoulder, with the retainer element having a second shoulder. The first and second shoulders face and abut each other with the retainer in the assembled position to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position such that the control unit could be moved out of the operative position. There are cooperating surfaces on the main body and retainer which guide the retainer and main body each against the other to allow the retainer to be guidingly moved against and relative to the main body from a first position relative to the main body into the assembled position. At least a part of at least one of the main body and retainer is deformable and is deformed as an incident of the retainer moving from the first position into the assembled position whereupon the first and second shoulders face and abut each other to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position.
In one form, the retainer is moved in a predetermined path in a first direction as the retainer is moved from the first position into the assembled position. The first and second shoulders prevent the retainer from being moved from the assembled position in the predetermined path oppositely to the first direction into the first position.
The predetermined path may be a substantially straight path.
The control unit may be captively maintained in the operative position between the retainer and main body with the retainer in the assembled position.
In one form, the retainer is a single piece and there is no fastener separate from the retainer that extends into the retainer for maintaining the retainer in the assembled position.
In one form, the retainer has first and second spaced walls which straddle the main body.
The operator has an exposed external surface. In one form, the first and second spaced walls define a part of the exposed external surface of the operator.
The main body may have an overall U shape with a base and first and second spaced legs. The base is graspable by a hand of a user, with the spaced legs defining first and second spaced mounting portions which are abuttable and attachable to a closure element on which the operator is used. The control unit is on the first mounting portion.
The control unit may have a depressible, push button actuator which can be engaged and depressed by a finger on a user's hand that is grasping the base of the main body.
The control unit may have a keyed element which can be repositioned to change the control unit between a locked state and an unlocked state.
The retainer may be at least one of a) a non-metallic material, b) a composite material, and c) a plastic material.
In one form, a first finger projects in cantilever fashion from one of the retainer and main body and defines one of the first and second shoulders, with the first finger deforming as an incident of the retainer moving from the first position into the assembled position.
In one form, the main body has a third shoulder and the retainer a fourth shoulder. The third and fourth shoulders face and abut each other with the retainer in the assembled position to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position. Another part of the at least one of the main body and retainer is deformable and is deformed as an incident of the retainer moving from the first position into the assembled position whereupon the third and fourth shoulders face and abut each other to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position.
A first finger may project in cantilever fashion from one of the retainer and main body and defines one of the third and fourth shoulders. A second finger is spaced from and projects in cantilever fashion from one of the retainer and the main body and defines one of the first and second shoulders. The first and second fingers each deform as an incident of the retainer moving from the first position into the assembled position.
In one form, the control unit has a push button actuator which is translated in a first line between depressed and undepressed positions and the first and second fingers are diametrically oppositely located with respect to the first line.
The control unit may have a plunger that moves guidingly against the retainer in the first line as the push button actuator translates between the depressed and undepressed positions.
A spring element may act between the retainer and push button actuator to normally urge the push button actuator towards the undepressed position.
The retainer may define a receptacle for a part of the spring element.
The invention is also directed to a method of assembling an operator for a latch system, which operator has a main body with a first shoulder, a control unit, and a retainer with a second shoulder. The method involves the steps of placing the control unit in an operative position on the main body so that at least a portion of the control unit is repositionable relative to the main body by a user to thereby change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated, and moving the retainer from a) a first position relative to the main body wherein the retainer is fully separated from the main body into b) an assembled position by moving the retainer guidingly against the main body in a predetermined path in a first direction and thereby causing at least a part of at least one of the retainer and main body to deform. This allows the first and second shoulders to face and abut each other with the retainer in the assembled position so that the retainer element is prevented by the shoulders from moving from the assembled position into the first position by movement of the retainer in the first path oppositely to the first direction.
The invention also contemplates a kit for an operator for a latch system. The kit has a main body, a control unit that has at least a portion that is selectively repositionable relative to the main body by an operator with the control unit in an operative position on the main body to change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated, a first retainer and a second retainer. The first retainer is placeable in an assembled position on the main body wherein the first retainer maintains the control unit in the operative position. The second retainer is placeable in an assembled po
Bools Andrew
Craft David
Houdek Julie
Marzolf Ricci L.
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Tri/Mark Corporation
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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