초록 ▼

A latch mechanism for maintaining laboratory storage units, such as refrigerators, incubators and cabinets in a closed configuration when such units are subjected to a sudden force or shock. The latch mechanism generally comprises a base member which is adapted to be easily and quickly interfaced to

A latch mechanism for maintaining laboratory storage units, such as refrigerators, incubators and cabinets in a closed configuration when such units are subjected to a sudden force or shock. The latch mechanism generally comprises a base member which is adapted to be easily and quickly interfaced to existing laboratory storage units. Connected to the base member is a latch member which is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch member includes a stop member attached thereto for maintaining the latch member in a fixed orientation within the base member. The latch mechanism is constructed to provide a holding force which may not be easily overcome and is further constructed so as to provide a quickly ascertainable visual indication of whether the storage unit is in a closed configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

A latch mechanism comprising: a base member adapted to be securable to a generally planar surface of a storage unit, said base member comprising: (a) a generally planar center portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) first flange portion extending perpendicularly from said inner sur

A latch mechanism comprising: a base member adapted to be securable to a generally planar surface of a storage unit, said base member comprising: (a) a generally planar center portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) first flange portion extending perpendicularly from said inner surface of said center portion, said first flange portion including a first aperture extending therethrough; and (c) a second flange portion extending perpendicularly from said inner surface of said center portion, said second flange portion being substantially parallel to said first flange portion and including a second aperture extending therethrough, said second aperture being in substantial axial alignment with said first aperture; a latch member connected to said base member, said latch member being movable between a locked position wherein said latch member is operable to maintain said storage unit in a closed configuration, and an unlocked position wherein said storage unit may be opened, said latch member comprising: (a) an elongate rod having a first end, a middle portion and a second end, said first end and said middle portion being sized and configured to be slidably receivable into said first aperture and said second aperture of said base member and said second end being formed at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to said first end and said middle portion; and (b) a disk member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface of said disk member being attached to said second end of said rod in a manner wherein said inner surface of said disk member has an orientation generally perpendicular to said first end and said middle portion of said rod; and a cylindrical member attached to and extending outwardly from said middle portion of said rod for maintaining said latch member within said base member in a fixed orientation, said cylindrical member having a diameter not exceeding the diameter of said rod.