초록 ▼

A plunger latch includes a housing and a generally elongate shaft that is driven in the housing between extended and retracted positions. A spring or similar member can be provided for urging the shaft to its extended position. Also, the plunger latch can be adapted so that the shaft is retained in

A plunger latch includes a housing and a generally elongate shaft that is driven in the housing between extended and retracted positions. A spring or similar member can be provided for urging the shaft to its extended position. Also, the plunger latch can be adapted so that the shaft is retained in its extended position and/or its retracted position.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [12.]12. A plunger mechanism adapted for attachment to a first member having at least one aperture, the plunger mechanism being used for selectively latching the first member to a second member having a keeper in the form of a receptacle, the plunger mechanism comprising:a substantially

[ We claim:] [12.]12. A plunger mechanism adapted for attachment to a first member having at least one aperture, the plunger mechanism being used for selectively latching the first member to a second member having a keeper in the form of a receptacle, the plunger mechanism comprising:a substantially tubular housing adapted to extend at least in part through at least a portion of the at least one aperture of the first member when the plunger mechanism is mounted to the first member, said housing having a longitudinal axis and a bore extending longitudinally through said housing, said housing having a first end and a second end, said housing having a flange adjacent said first end of said housing, and said housing being coaxial with the at least one aperture of the first member when the plunger mechanism is mounted to the first member, said housing having a slot having a first end and a second end, said slot extending at least in part in a circumferential direction about said longitudinal axis of said housing, said first end of said slot being closer to said first end of said housing as compared to said second end of said slot, a portion of said slot intermediate said first and second ends of said slot lying closer to said first end of said housing as compared to said first and second ends of said slot;means for securing the plunger mechanism to the first member, said means for securing the plunger mechanism engaging a portion of said housing adjacent said second end of said housing, said means for securing the plunger mechanism and said flange cooperating to releasably secure the plunger mechanism to the first member when the plunger mechanism is mounted to the first member;an elongated shaft positioned at least in part within said bore of said housing, said elongated shaft being coaxial with said bore of said housing, and said shaft being disposed for selective movement between an extended and a retracted position relative to said housing in the direction of said longitudinal axis of said housing, said shaft having a projection engaged to said slot, said projection of said shaft being positioned at said first end of said slot to retain said shaft in the retracted position, said projection of said shaft being positioned at said second end of said slot when said shaft is in said extended position, and said shaft being moved between said retracted and said extended positions by a combination of turning and axial movement of said shaft; andmeans for driving said shaft, said means for driving said shaft being attached to said shaft, said means for driving said shaft allowing an operator to selectively move said shaft between said retracted position and said extended position, whereby the plunger mechanism latches the first member to the second member when the plunger mechanism is mounted to the first member and the shaft is moved to the extended position in order to engage the receptacle of the second member.