초록 ▼

This invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a glove box including a door latch assembly which is self-contained and latches within itself eliminating the need for a striker and therefore reduces the stack-up disadvantages associated with the prior art. In an exe

This invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a glove box including a door latch assembly which is self-contained and latches within itself eliminating the need for a striker and therefore reduces the stack-up disadvantages associated with the prior art. In an exemplary embodiment, the glove box according to the present invention generally includes a storage bin, a glove box door base portion, a glove box door outer cover, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly generally includes a handle, a connector plate, and a pair of latch arms, all of which cooperate with one another. Generally, the latch arms keep the glove box door latched by penetrating the storage bin through openings formed on side of the storage bin and openings formed in the glove box door base portion. The glove box door of the present invention has a number of integral molded features which guide the latch arms laterally, up and down, and forward and backward during operation thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A glove box for use in a vehicle, the glove box comprising:a storage bin;a glove box door pivotally mounted to the storage bin, the glove box door having an outer cover and a base portion; anda glove box door latch assembly cooperating with the glove box door, the latch a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A glove box for use in a vehicle, the glove box comprising:a storage bin;a glove box door pivotally mounted to the storage bin, the glove box door having an outer cover and a base portion; anda glove box door latch assembly cooperating with the glove box door, the latch assembly including:a connector plate disposed between the outer cover and the base portion, the connector plate having a first tab formed thereon and extending therefrom and a pair of slots formed therein;a handle having an elongated extension for causing unlatching of the glove box door from the storage bin; anda pair of latch arms disposed between the outer cover and the base portion, the latch arms being biased against one other, the latch arms each having a boss which is received within the slots of the connector plate for guiding the lateral movement of the latch arms such that operation of the handle causes the connector plate to move and the motion of the connector plate is translated into lateral movement of the latch arms for disengaging the latch arms from openings formed in the glove box door and the storage bin thereby freeing the glove box door from the storage bin.