초록 ▼

A push-push latch may include a body and a lever arm that is rotatively coupled to the body. A toggle may be coupled to the lever arm and the body. A pin of the toggle may be positioned within a groove in the body of the latch. When the pin is in a first stable position in the groove, an end of the

A push-push latch may include a body and a lever arm that is rotatively coupled to the body. A toggle may be coupled to the lever arm and the body. A pin of the toggle may be positioned within a groove in the body of the latch. When the pin is in a first stable position in the groove, an end of the lever arm is positioned away from the body, and the latch is open. When the pin is in a second stable position, the end of the lever arm is near the body, and the latch is closed. A torsion spring, which may be coupled between the body and the lever arm, moves the pin to either the first stable position or the second stable position during use. When the latch is open, applying a closing force to the latch rotates the lever arm towards the body and causes the pin to move from the first position to the second position when the closing force is removed. Applying an opening force to the latch rotates the lever arm towards the body and causes the pin to move from the second stable position to the first stable position when the opening force is removed.

대표청구항 ▼

A push-push latch may include a body and a lever arm that is rotatively coupled to the body. A toggle may be coupled to the lever arm and the body. A pin of the toggle may be positioned within a groove in the body of the latch. When the pin is in a first stable position in the groove, an end of the

A push-push latch may include a body and a lever arm that is rotatively coupled to the body. A toggle may be coupled to the lever arm and the body. A pin of the toggle may be positioned within a groove in the body of the latch. When the pin is in a first stable position in the groove, an end of the lever arm is positioned away from the body, and the latch is open. When the pin is in a second stable position, the end of the lever arm is near the body, and the latch is closed. A torsion spring, which may be coupled between the body and the lever arm, moves the pin to either the first stable position or the second stable position during use. When the latch is open, applying a closing force to the latch rotates the lever arm towards the body and causes the pin to move from the first position to the second position when the closing force is removed. Applying an opening force to the latch rotates the lever arm towards the body and causes the pin to move from the second stable position to the first stable position when the opening force is removed. tion element; and the bracket also includes the second non-rotatable friction surface and the friction surface on the second friction element is an outer surface of the second friction element. 3. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bracket is a spring bracket providing a first inward spring force between the friction surface on the first friction element and the first non-rotatable friction surface and a second, oppositely directed, inward spring force between the friction surface on the second friction element and the second non-rotatable friction surface. 4. The handle support mechanism of claim 3 wherein: the lock is a mortise lock having a thickness; and the bracket is generally U-shaped and includes a base portion and a pair of legs separated by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the mortise lock, the legs extending to opposite sides of the mortise lock. 5. The handle support mechanism of claim 4 wherein the bracket comprises a self-aligning spring bracket not rigidly attached to the mortise lock. 6. The handle support mechanism of claim 4 wherein the base portion of the bracket is attached to a back surface of the mortise lock. 7. The handle support mechanism of claim 3 wherein the bracket is made of spring steel. 8. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bracket and the first and second friction elements are externally mounted to the lock. 9. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the handle support mechanism is externally mounted to the lock without any fasteners. 10. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces include at least one dimple in frictional contact with corresponding notches formed in the friction surfaces of the first and second friction elements. 11. The handle support mechanism of claim 10 wherein the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces each include four dimples and the friction surfaces of the first and second friction elements each include four corresponding notches. 12. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein: the first friction element disc includes the first cylindrical bearing surface and a square hole extending axially therethrough for engaging a first spindle extending from the first handle; and the second friction element disc includes the second cylindrical bearing surface and a square hole extending axially therethrough for engaging a second spindle extending from the second handle. 13. The handle support mechanism of claim 12 wherein the friction discs are formed of sintered powdered metal. 14. The handle support mechanism of claim 13 wherein the friction discs are coated with an anti-wear coating. 15. The handle support mechanism of claim 13 wherein the friction discs are plated with nickel before the anti-wear coating is applied. 16. The handle support mechanism of claim 14 wherein the anti-wear coating includes PTFE. 17. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first and second friction elements comprise first and second friction discs, and the friction discs are formed of sintered powdered metal. 18. The handle support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first and second friction elements are coated with an anti-wear coating. 19. A handle support mechanism for attachment to a mortise lock operable by first and second lever handles, the handle support mechanism comprising: a first friction disc connected to and rotationally driven by the first lever handle when the first lever handle is turned, the first friction disc having a first friction surface and at least one notch formed therein; a second friction disc connected to and rotationally driven by the second lever handle when the second lever handle is turned, the second friction disc having a second friction surface and at least one notch formed therein; a free-floating U-shaped spring bracket extending to opposite sides of the mortise lock, the spring bracket having first and second spring bracket friction surfaces held in frictional contact with the friction surfaces on the first and second friction discs by inward spring pressure applied by the spring bracket, the first and second spring bracket friction surfaces having at least one dimple formed thereon, the at least one dimple on the first spring bracket friction surface cooperatively engaging the at least one notch on the first friction disc to hold the first lever handle in a level position when the second lever handle is rotated, and the at least one dimple on the second spring bracket friction surface cooperatively engaging the at least one notch on the second friction disc to hold the second lever handle in a level position when the first lever handle is rotated. 20. A handle support mechanism for attachment to a lock operable by first and second handles, the handle support mechanism comprising: a first friction element having a friction surface, the first friction element being connected to and rotationally driven by the first handle when the first handle is turned; a second friction element having a friction surface, the second friction element being connected to and rotationally driven by the second handle when the second handle is turned; a first non-rotatable friction surface in frictional contact with the friction surface on the first friction element; a second non-rotatable friction surface in frictional contact with the friction surface on the second friction element, the first and second fixed friction surfaces being non-rotatable relative to the lock; and a spring bracket holding the friction surfaces on the first and second friction elements in frictional contact with the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces, the spring bracket providing a first inward spring force between the friction surface on the first friction element and the first non-rotatable friction surface and a second, oppositely directed, inward spring force between the friction surface on the second friction element and the second non-rotatable friction surface. 21. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein: the first friction element includes a first cylindrical bearing surface; the second friction element includes a second cylindrical bearing surface; and the bracket includes first and second bearing holes engaging the first and second cylindrical bearing surfaces to rotationally hold the first and second friction elements. 22. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the first and second friction elements are discs. 23. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein: the bracket includes the first non-rotatable friction surface and the friction surface on the first friction element is an outer surface of the first friction element; and the bracket also includes the second non-rotatable friction surface and the friction surface on the second friction element is an outer surface of the second friction element. 24. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein: the lock is a mortise lock having a thickness; and the bracket is generally U-shaped and includes a base portion and a pair of legs separated by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the mortise lock, the legs extending to opposite sides of the mortise lock. 25. The handle support mechanism of claim 24 wherein the bracket comprises a self-aligning spring bracket not rigidly attached to the mortise lock. 26. The handle support mechanism of claim 24 wherein the base portion of the bracket is attached to a back surface of the mortise lock. 27. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the bracket is made of spring steel. 28. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the bracket and the first and second friction elements are externally mounted to the lock. 29. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the handle support mechanism is externally mounted to the lock without any fasteners. 30. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces include at least one dimple in frictional contact with corresponding notches formed in the friction surfaces of the first and second friction elements. 31. The handle support mechanism of claim 30 wherein the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces each include four dimples and the friction surfaces of the first and second friction elements each include four corresponding notches. 32. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein: the bracket comprises a spring bracket having two bearing holes; the first friction element comprises a friction disc having a first cylindrical bearing surface and a square hole extending axially therethrough for engaging a first spindle extending from the first handle; and the second friction element also comprises a friction disc having a second cylindrical bearing surface and a square hole extending axially therethrough for engaging a second spindle extending from the second handle. 33. The handle support mechanism of claim 32 wherein the friction discs are formed of sintered powdered metal. 34. The handle support mechanism of claim 33 wherein the friction discs are coated with an anti-wear coating. 35. The handle support mechanism of claim 33 wherein the friction discs are plated with nickel before the anti-wear coating is applied. 36. The handle support mechanism of claim 34 wherein the anti-wear coating includes PTFE. 37. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the first and second friction elements comprise first and second friction discs, and the friction discs are formed of sintered powdered metal. 38. The handle support mechanism of claim 20 wherein the first and second friction elements are coated with an anti-wear coating. of the lever arm such that the pin remains within the groove. 9. The latch of claim 1, wherein fastening means couple the lever arm to the body, and the toggle to the lever arm. 10. The latch of claim 9, wherein the fastening means comprises rivets. 11. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch. 12. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is a touch latch. 13. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to be used in an aircraft cabin. 14. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion spring has failed. 15. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch, and wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion member has failed. 16. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, and wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use. 17. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use, and wherein the latch is a touch latch. 18. The latch of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to be used in a boat. 19. A system for latching and unlatching two members, comprising: a first member, wherein the first member comprises a stationary portion of a storage device; a second member, wherein the second member comprises a platform of the storage device, and wherein the first member and the second member are configured to move relative to each other; a catch coupled to the first member; and a latch coupled to the second member, the latch comprising: a body; a path formed in or coupled to the body, the path having at least a first position and a second position; a lever arm pivotally coupled to the body, said lever arm having an end; a toggle pivotally coupled to the lever arm between the end and the body; a tracing member coupled to the toggle, wherein the tracing member is configured to follow the path during use, and wherein the tracing member couples the toggle to the body; and a torsion member coupled to the body and to the lever arm, the torsion member configured to rotate the lever arm away from the body; wherein the latch is configured to open and close the storage device, and wherein the platform of the storage device can be raised to an open position when the latch is open; a drive mechanism configured to raise the platform when the latch is open; wherein the catch is releasably coupled to the end of the lever arm when the latch is closed, and wherein the latch closes when a force exerted on the lever arm by the first member rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the tracing member away from the first position such that the tracing member moves to the second position when the force is no longer applied to the lever arm; and wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the latch opens when an opening force exerted on the lever arm by the first member rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the tracing member from the second position such that the tracing member moves to the first position when the opening force is no longer applied to the lever arm. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the toggle and the tracing member are conf igured to inhibit a closed latch from opening when an outward force is applied to the first member. 22. The system of claim 19, wherein the torsion member comprises a torsion spring. 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the end of the lever arm comprises a roller that is rotationally coupled to the lever arm. 24. The system of claim 19, wherein the path comprises a continuous loop groove in the body, wherein the tracing member comprises a pin, and wherein a portion of the pin is configured to fit within the continuous loop groove. 25. The system of claim 19, wherein the first member comprises a cabinet, and wherein the second member comprises a cabinet door. 26. The system of claim 19, wherein the first member comprises a cabinet door, and wherein the second member comprises a cabinet. 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a gas spring. 28. The system of claim 19, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a spring reel. 29. The system of claim 19, wherein the first member is a drawer. 30. The system of claim 19, wherein fastening means couple the lever arm to the body, and the toggle to the lever arm. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the fastening means comprises rivets. 32. The system of claim 19, wherein the toggle and the tracing member are configured to inhibit a closed latch from, opening when an outward force is applied to the first member. 33. A latch comprising: a body, wherein the body comprises a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises aluminum bronze; a lever arm pivotally coupled to the body; a toggle pivotally coupled to the lever arm; a tracing member coupled to the toggle, said tracing member configured to couple the toggle to the body, wherein a portion of the tracing member is within a continuous loop path formed in the first member, and wherein the continuous loop path comprises at least a first position and a second position; and a torsion member coupled to the lever arm and to the body, the torsion member configured to rotate the lever arm away from the body; wherein a closing force applied to the lever arm when the lever arm is in an open position rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the portion of the tracing member in the continuous loop path away from the first position so that the portion of the tracing member in the continuous loop path moves to the second position when the closing force is removed from the lever arm. 34. The latch of claim 33, wherein an opening force applied to the lever arm when the lever arm is in a closed position rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the portion of the tracing member in the continuous loop path away from the second position so that the portion of the tracing member in the continuous loop path moves to the first position when the opening force is removed from the lever arm. 35. The latch of claim 33, wherein the toggle and the tracing member are configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating to the open position from the closed position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm. 36. The latch of claim 33, wherein the torsion member comprises a torsion spring. 37. The latch of claim 33, further comprising a roller rotationally coupled to the lever arm near an end of the lever arm. 38. The latch of claim 33, wherein fastening means couples the lever arm to the body. 39. The latch of claim 38, wherein the fastening means comprises a rivet. 40. The latch of claim 33, wherein the latch is a touch latch. 41. The latch of claim 33, wherein the latch i s a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch. 42. The latch of claim 33, wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion member has failed. 43. The latch of claim 33, wherein the latch is configured to be used in an aircraft cabin. 44. A latch comprising: a body, wherein the body comprises a first member and a second member; a lever arm pivotally coupled to the body; a toggle pivotally coupled to the lever arm, the toggle comprising a pin, wherein a portion of the pin is configured to fit within a closed-loop pathway formed in or coupled to the first member, wherein the closed-loop pathway comprises at least a first position and a second position, and wherein the pin is able to travel in the closed-loop pathway during use; a member coupled to the lever arm and to the body, the member configured to rotate the lever arm away from the body; a roller rotationally coupled to the lever arm near an end of the lever arm; and wherein a closing force applied to the lever arm when the lever arm is in an open position rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the pin away from the first position so that the pin moves to the second position when the closing force is removed from the lever arm. 45. The latch of claim 44, wherein an opening force applied to the lever arm when the lever arm is in a closed position rotates the lever arm toward the body and moves the pin away from the second position so that the pin moves to the first position when the opening force is removed from the lever arm. 46. The latch of claim 44, wherein the toggle and the tracing member are configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating to the open position from the closed position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm. 47. The latch of claim 44, further comprising a spring placed coupled to the fastening means between the toggle and the upper member of the lever arm. 48. The latch of claim 44, wherein the first member comprises aluminum bronze. 49. The latch of claim 44, wherein the torsion member comprises a torsion spring. 50. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is a touch latch. 51. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch. 52. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion member has failed. 53. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch, and wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion member has failed. 54. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is configured to be used in an aircraft cabin. 55. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, and wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use. 56. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use, and wherein the latch is a touch latch. 57. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use, and wherein the latch is a touch latch able to withstand an outward pulling force in excess of 90 pounds of force without releasing the latch from a closed position and without damaging the latch. 58. The latch of claim 44, wherein the latch is an aircraft cabin latch, and wherein the latch is configured to latch a storage device in an aircraft during use, and wherein the latch is configured to inhibit the lever arm from rotating from a closed position to an open position when an outward force is applied to the lever arm even if the torsion member has failed.