초록 ▼

A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The latch assembly includes an actuator having an latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system. The latch assembly further includes a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having

A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The latch assembly includes an actuator having an latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system. The latch assembly further includes a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch on a vacuum cleaner housing. A latching surface of the latch extends through the latch opening. Moving the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator to disengage the latching surface of the latch from the catch and place the latch assembly in a disengaged position. Moving the latch in the first direction causes the latching surface of the latch to pass through a latch opening defined in the actuator to place the latch assembly in a return position. A method of operating a latch assembly is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system, comprising: an actuator having a latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system; and a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch

1. A latch assembly for a removable dirt separation system, comprising: an actuator having a latch opening defined therethrough pivotally mounted to a lid of the dirt separation system; and a latch positioned beneath the actuator and having a latching surface which is operable to engage a catch on a vacuum cleaner housing, wherein: the latching surface of the latch extends through the latch opening,moving the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator to disengage the latching surface of the latch from the catch and place the latch assembly in a disengaged position, andmoving the latch in the first direction causes the latching surface of the latch to pass through the latch opening defined in the actuator to place the latch assembly in a return position.2. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a living spring integrally formed in the actuator, wherein the living spring bias the actuator away from the latch. 3. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing spring which biases the latching surface in a second direction.4. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the biasing spring further biases the actuator in the second direction.5. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an axle attached to the latch, a sleeve attached to the actuator, wherein: the axle is pivotally mounted to an axle support on the lid, andand the sleeve is positioned about the axle to allow the actuator to pivot about the axle.6. The latch assembly of claim 5, further comprising a biasing spring, wherein the biasing spring includes a first coil placed on a first outboard end away from the sleeve.7. The latch assembly of claim 6, the spring further comprising a second coil, wherein the second coil is placed on the axle on a second outboard end opposite of the first outboard end.8. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover having an actuator opening defined therethrough, wherein the actuator opening does not become smaller as the catch moves the latch in the first direction. 9. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a living spring integrally formed in the actuator, wherein the living spring biases the actuator toward the top of the actuator opening. 10. The latch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a biasing spring, wherein the biasing spring biases both the actuator and the latch toward the top of the actuator opening.