IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0723848
(2000-11-28)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
9 인용 특허 :
19 |
초록
▼
The present invention provides a latch system and method which is rotatably engaged/disengaged. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment provides a latch actuator, disposed in a latch cup of a surface to be provided restricted movement, and a latch bolt coupled to the latch actuator such that rotationa
The present invention provides a latch system and method which is rotatably engaged/disengaged. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment provides a latch actuator, disposed in a latch cup of a surface to be provided restricted movement, and a latch bolt coupled to the latch actuator such that rotational manipulation of the latch actuator results in rotational manipulation of the latch bolt. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a locking mechanism allowing controlled restriction of the rotational movement of the latch mechanism.
대표청구항
▼
The present invention provides a latch system and method which is rotatably engaged/disengaged. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment provides a latch actuator, disposed in a latch cup of a surface to be provided restricted movement, and a latch bolt coupled to the latch actuator such that rotationa
The present invention provides a latch system and method which is rotatably engaged/disengaged. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment provides a latch actuator, disposed in a latch cup of a surface to be provided restricted movement, and a latch bolt coupled to the latch actuator such that rotational manipulation of the latch actuator results in rotational manipulation of the latch bolt. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a locking mechanism allowing controlled restriction of the rotational movement of the latch mechanism. 280/735; US-5607180, 19970300, Kornhauser, 180/274; US-5660414, 19970800, Karlow et al., 180/274; US-5927821, 19990700, Bauer et al., 303/001; US-5975566, 19991100, Bocker et al., 280/730.2; US-6000715, 19991200, Tschaeschke, 280/729; US-6076852, 20000600, Faigle, 280/735; US-6158767, 20001200, Sinnhuber, 280/730.2; US-6186536, 20010200, Fischer, 280/728.2; US-6191686, 20010200, Gabriel, 340/435; US-6217060, 20010400, Mangold et al., 280/730.2; US-6325410, 20011200, Eyrainer, 280/728.3; US-6371459, 20020400, Schick et al., 267/131 of apertures forming a first attaching member, a plate attached to the rear side of the instrument panel and having a second attachment member at a side opposite to the first attachment member, and a portion extending along the wall portion and having holes overlapping the apertures, and said passenger-side airbag device fixed to the rear side of the instrument panel and including: a container having first and second side faces facing oppositely, a coupling member disposed on the first side face of the container for coupling the container to the first attachment member of the instrument panel so that the coupling member engages the apertures and holes of the instrument panel and the plate, and a fixing member disposed on the second side face of the container for fixing the container to the second attachment member so that the container is fixed to the instrument panel by fixing the fixing member to the plate after coupling the coupling member to the instrument panel. 7. A structure for attaching a passenger side airbag device to an instrument panel, comprising: said instrument panel having a first attachment member on a rear side, a plate attached to the rear side of the instrument panel and having a second attachment member at a side opposite to the first attachment member and a hole, and said passenger-side airbag device fixed to the rear side of the instrument panel and including: a container having first and second side faces facing oppositely, a coupling member disposed on the first side face of the container for coupling the container to the first attachment member of the instrument panel, and a fixing member disposed on the second side face of the container for fixing the container to the second attachment member and having a flange with a hole fixed to the second side face of the container, said holes of the flange and plate overlapping each other, and a clamping member for fixing the flange to the plate having a U-shaped section with pawls bent toward each other, said U-shaped section being disposed over the flange and plate so that the pawls are inserted into the holes, and the container is fixed to the instrument panel by fixing the fixing member to the plate after coupling the coupling member to the instrument panel. 94 n claim 1 wherein the receiver structure has an aperture in opposite side walls of said square tube and said insertion member has a hollow interior and an elongated slot on opposite sides thereof, said aperture in the side walls being coextensive with the center portion of the insertion member elongated slot when the insertion member is inserted in said recess, said coupling device having a main pin that is adapted to fit within said elongated slots and said apertures to hold said coupling device in said receiver structure. 3. The coupling device as defined in claim 2 wherein said insertion member further comprises: front and rear stop plates respectively located at opposite end portions of said insertion member, with said elongated slots being located between said stop plates; a slide block located within said receiver insertion member and being adapted to slide therein, said slide block having an aperture with a diameter smaller than the width of said elongated slots and being coextensive therewith; a first cushion member positioned between said slide block and said rear stop plate; a second cushion member positioned between said slide block and a front stop plate; said main pin passing through said slots, said receiver structure apertures and said slide block aperture to thereby attach said receiver insertion member in said receiver structure and permit limited relative movement between the same along said slots while compressing one of said cushion members depending upon the direction of movement of said receiver insertion member relative to said receiver structure. 4. The coupling device as defined in claim 3 wherein said main pin has a releasable locking means adapted to prevent removal of said main pin from said slots, said receiver structure apertures and said slide block aperture. 5. The coupling device as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said first and second cushion members is generally bullet-shaped with a hemispherical portion contacting said rear stop plate. 6. The coupling device as defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second cushion members are fabricated from a polyurethane material. 7. The coupling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said ball hitch means comprises a ball with a post attached thereto, the second end portion having an aperture therein through which said post can be inserted, said hitch means having fastening means operatively attachable to said post for securing said hitch means to said second end portion of said tongue member. 8. The coupling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said hitch assembly comprises: an elongated hollow generally square tube having a tongue aperture and a tongue lock aperture in said outer end portion; connecting means operatively positioned in said tongue aperture and being attached to said tongue member, whereby said tongue member is rotatable relative to said square tube; a tongue locking lever operatively positioned in said tongue lock aperture and adapted to releaseably engage said tongue member to lock the same at a predetermined pivotal position. 9. The coupling device as defined in claim 8 further including a first biasing means is operatively associated with said square tube and said tongue locking lever for biasing said lever toward locking engagement with said tongue member when the same is located in said predetermined pivotal position. 10. The coupling device as defined in claim 9 wherein said first biasing means comprised a compression spring located in said square tube having one end bearing against the inside wall of the top thereof, said locking lever having a transverse extension for engaging the opposite end of said compression spring. 11. The coupling device as defined in claim 8 wherein said tongue member has a generally semicircular recess in the upper surface thereof adapted to receive said tongue locking lever, said tongue member also having an aperture in said recess adapted to receive the end portion of said tongue lo cking lever to lock the tongue member in said predetermined position. 12. The coupling device as defined in claim 8 wherein said hitch assembly square tube and said hitch housing each have a locking aperture in at least one side wall thereof adapted to receive a portion of a lock lever, said receiver assembly having a hitch locking lever operatively connected to said hitch housing and adapted to be inserted into said hitch locking lever aperture in said hitch housing and said hitch assembly square tube to hold said hitch assembly in place. 13. The coupling device as defined in claim 12 wherein said receiver assembly further comprises biasing means for biasing said hitch locking lever toward said insertion into said hitch locking lever aperture. 14. The coupling device as defined in claim 8 wherein said hitch housing comprises an elongated square tube having an interior dimension larger than the outer dimension of said hitch assembly square tube so that the latter can be inserted into the hitch housing square tube, said hitch housing square tube having an opening in its bottom wall at the location of said connecting bracket, said connecting bracket having a portion that extends below said square tube thereby forming a volume therein, a roller mounted on an axle that is mounted to said connecting bracket such that the outer surface of the roller extends a small distance into the interior of the square tube so that the bottom surface of said hitch assembly square tube can ride on said roller during insertion. 15. The coupling device as defined in claim 14 wherein the bottom surface of said hitch assembly square tube has an opening near said outer end portion so that said bottom surface is out of contact with said roller when said hitch assembly is fully inserted into said receiver assembly. 16. The coupling device as defined in claim 14 wherein said hitch assembly square tube includes at least two roller openings in the top wall thereof, and a roller for each roller opening, each roller being mounted inside said square tube and having its surface extending beyond the outer surface of the square tube so that said rollers can ride on the inside of the top wall of said hitch housing during insertion of said hitch assembly into said receiver assembly. 17. The coupling device as defined in claim 16 wherein the length of said hitch assembly square tube is greater than the length of said hitch housing square tube so that a portion of said hitch assembly square tube extends beyond the end of said hitch housing square tube, said roller openings being located in said portion extending beyond the end of said hitch housing square tube. 18. The coupling device as defined in claim 17 wherein said hitch assembly includes a removable stop means attached generally at the outer end of said end portion of said hitch assembly square tube, said stop means preventing said hitch assembly square tube from being removed from said hitch housing when said stop means is in place. 19. A coupling device for attaching a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, the towing vehicle having a receiver structure mounted thereto, the receiver structure having an elongated hollow square tube adapted to receive a cooperating hitch structure therein, said coupling device comprising: a receiver assembly having a square tube that is adapted to be inserted into said receiver structure square tube, and having a cushioned locking means for removably securing said coupling device to the receiver structure, said receiver assembly including a hitch housing hollow square tube; an elongated hitch assembly including an elongated hitch member square tube appropriately sized to be inserted into said hitch housing hollow square tube, said hitch assembly having an outer end portion; and, a tongue member having a first end portion attached to said outer end portion of said hitch assembly and being generally horizontally pivotally mounted thereto, said tongue member having a second end p
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