Self-latching scissor mechanism

Details Self-latching scissor mechanism Self-latching scissor mechanism

1999-08-03

2001-11-13

Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)

Trunks and hand-carried luggage

Hand luggage

C190S113000, C190S114000, C190S900000, C190S901000, C403S061000, C403S117000, C403S080000, C403S113000, C403S052000, C403S119000, C403S059000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315095

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally a carrying case for a device such as a portable electronic instrument comprises an upper and lower module which are hinged together. For example a briefcase type field testing device might contain electronic circuitry in both the upper and lower module, and upon unfolding the control panels of both modules are exposed. Because the device is unfolded and subsequently folded along an axis, simple hinges will suffice with a latching mechanism secured to the edge opposite to the hinged edge. However if it is necessary upon unfolding the case to move apart the modules a limited distance while maintaining their relative alignment as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
the common scissor link assembly will not suffice.
Although the scissor link assembly can maintain alignment while extended (
FIGS. 2T and 2S
) and permits retraction (FIGS.
3
T and
3
S), upon folding and latching the scissor link assembly is still free to extend (FIGS.
4
S and
4
E). Unless a latch is also placed at the edge of the case upon which the scissor is secured the case can open (FIGS.
5
S and
5
E), separating the modules and placing a high stress on the latch at the opposite edge of the case. Even if such a secondary latch is provided, the operator, by inadvertently failing to secure the auxiliary latch, can still expose the device to damage. Such an eventuality is obviously undesirable, particular for valuable instruments.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to provide a scissor link assembly that extends without constraint in the usual fashion, but upon retraction and rotation about the slider axis required for folding the scissor-slider mechanism self-latches without manual actuation, preventing separation of the modules.
FIGS. 6A and 6B
,
7
A and
7
B, and
8
A and
8
B illustrate the operation of the latching scissor mechanism.
FIG. 6A
shows the static and slider pivot to which the conventional scissor linkages are secured to their pivot brackets in the ordinary manner. The pivots are positioned on the slide rod as they would be with the scissor link assembly extended as shown in
FIGS. 2T and 2S
.
When the scissor link assembly is retracted the slide pivot moves away from the static pivot along the slide rod. To prevent the latch stop from interfering with the motion of the slide pivot the slide pivot is provided with a relief as shown in FIG.
6
B.
FIG. 7A
shows the slide pivot fully displaced along the slide rod with the scissor link assembly fully retracted as shown in
FIGS. 3T and 3S
. There is no interference between the slide pivot and the latch stop as shown in FIG.
7
B.
Upon the case being folded the static and slide pivots rotate about their slide rod as shown in
FIG. 8A
, with the scissor link assembly now adjacent the case as shown in
FIGS. 4S and 4E
. However the latch stop now interferes with the slide pivot as shown in
FIG. 8B
, preventing the slide pivot from moving back towards the static pivot along the slide rod as required to extend the scissor link assembly, as shown in
FIGS. 5S and 4E
. Hence the scissor link assembly is locked and the case consequently latched. Of course alternative relief configurations can be provided for the slide pivot as shown in
FIG. 5C
without affecting the operation of the latching scissor link assembly.


REFERENCES:
patent: 828709 (1906-08-01), Buckland
patent: 906568 (1908-12-01), Labadie
patent: 2269271 (1942-01-01), Kiefer
patent: 3934770 (1976-01-01), Larsen

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Self-latching scissor mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Self-latching scissor mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-latching scissor mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2616132