Joints and connections – Biased catch or latch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-10-30
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Biased catch or latch
C403S328000, C403S321000, C403S322100, C403S282000, C296S037800, C024S460000, C024S462000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309134
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a retainer catch assembly having one or more configurable spring clips, the retainer catch assembly particularly adaptable to a vehicle center console.
2. Description of Related Art
Retainer catch assemblies are often used in automotive applications such as glove compartments, center console compartments and other compartments requiring a latched cover or retainer. Different applications clearly require different removal forces depending upon the location, function and composition of the relevant components. In general, prior art retainer catch assemblies are manufactured for a specific application and are not selectably adaptable for use in other applications.
Therefore there is a need for a retainer catch assembly wherein the force of removal of the latch from the receiver may be selectably adjustable during the manufacturing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A retainer catch assembly according to one preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a striker and a corresponding receiver having an inner channel and an outer shell.
A plurality of detents are preferably positioned on each of opposite sides of the outer shell, preferably in one or more aligned columns of two or more detents per column.
The retainer catch assembly further includes one or more spring clips that are each selectably positioned within a pair detents on opposite sides of the outer shell. Therefore, each spring clip preferably requires a spaced pair of detents for engagement.
When the spring clip is engaged with the outer shell, the compressive force of the spring clip preferably results in a narrowing, however slight, of the inner channel within the receiver. Therefore, depending upon the spring force exhibited by the spring clip, a width of the inner channel can be controlled by the relative position of the spring clip on the outer shell. Outer edges of the spring clip may be positioned in detents in one of at least a first position and a second position within the outer shell. In the first position, towards a top of the outer shell, the spring clip exerts a greater compressive force on the outer shell then in the second position lower down on the outer shell.
One or more columns of detents may be positioned, preferably in vertical alignment, on each side of the outer shell thereby permitting variable compressive forces along the length of the inner channel.
The striker engages with the inner channel and becomes more difficult to remove as the inner channel is narrowed. The striker may be connected with respect to a cover or any other component that requires mating engagement with receiver.
The striker may be slideably positioned within the inner channel so that the striker is slideable along a sliding axis of motion and removable in an axis perpendicular to such sliding axis.
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, the retainer catch assembly is used in connection with a center console including a cover slidable positioned with respect to a compartment. The receiver is preferably positioned within the compartment and the striker is positioned with respect to the cover.
The striker is slidable within the inner channel of the receiver and removable from the inner channel under an adjustable force depending upon the relative position of the spring clips on the outer shell of the receiver. The striker and thus the cover may then be removable from the receiver under an adjustable force depending upon the relative position of the cover with respect to the compartment. This may be accomplished by placing spring clips in the second position in one or more columns, thus making the cover more easily removable at some slidable positions, and in the first position in one or more other columns, thus making the cover more difficult to remove at other slidable positions.
It is one object of this invention to provide a retainer catch assembly wherein the force of removal of the latch from the receiver may be selectably adjustable during the manufacturing process.
It is another object of this invention to provide a retainer catch assembly wherein a spring clip is selectably engageable with one of a plurality of detents.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a retainer catch assembly having a striker that is slideably adjustable with respect to a receiver.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a retainer catch assembly wherein the striker is removable under selectably varying forces depending upon the position of the striker with respect to the receiver.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a retainer catch assembly adaptable for use in connection with a center console having a cover and a compartment.
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Browne Lynne H.
Hutton Doug
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
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