초록 ▼

A linkage assembly includes a frame, an arm movement coordinating member slidably supported by the frame, and a pair of arms pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the coordinating member to ensure that the arms pivot in unison when the coordinating member is slided relative to the frame

A linkage assembly includes a frame, an arm movement coordinating member slidably supported by the frame, and a pair of arms pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the coordinating member to ensure that the arms pivot in unison when the coordinating member is slided relative to the frame by depressing a push button that is connected to the frame for translation relative thereto. Either of the arms can be link-connected to a latch assembly for operating either a single latch assembly or for concurrently operating a pair of latch assemblies in response to depression of the push button. An optional emergency release cable may connect with the arm movement coordinating member to facilitate latch operation from inside a tonneau cover of a pickup truck or the like that is held closed by the latch or latches.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A linkage assembly for moving a plurality of latch connected links to operate latches that are connected to the links in response to movement of an actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the actuator is connected, comprising:a) a generally right angle frame adapted for co

1. A linkage assembly for moving a plurality of latch connected links to operate latches that are connected to the links in response to movement of an actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the actuator is connected, comprising:a) a generally right angle frame adapted for connection to the housing, said frame having a first leg and a second leg; b) a first arm having a first outer end adapted for connection to one of the latch connected links, having a first inner end, and having a first central region located between the first inner end and the first outer end; c) a second arm having a second outer end adapted for connection to another of the latch connected links, having a second inner end, and having a second central region located between the second inner end and the second outer end; d) a slide connected to the first leg of the frame and adapted for being engaged by the actuator to be moved along a path of travel defined by the frame in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement defined by the housing; e) a pivot assembly connected to the frame, for defining a first pivot axis that extends through the first central region and about which the first arm pivots relative to the frame, and for defining a second pivot axis that extends through the second central region and about which the second arm pivots relative to the frame, wherein the first and second pivot axes are located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the slide at substantially equal distances from the path of travel of the slide, and wherein the first and second pivot axes extend substantially parallel to each other within a plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the slide; f) a slide connection defining a third pivot axis that substantially parallels the first and second pivot axes and that extends through the first inner end region of the first arm and through the second inner end region of the second arm, and for concurrently pivoting the first and second arms about the first and second pivot axes, respectively, in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions of the first and second arms to move the one and another links to operate latches connected to the one and another links in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement of the actuator. 2. The linkage assembly of claim 1 additionally including an emergency release member connected to the slide and adapted to be grasped and moved manually to move the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions in unison to cause the latches connected to the links to be operated.3. The linkage assembly of claim 2 wherein the emergency release member includes a length of flexible cable having a graspable formation near one end region thereof, and having an opposite end region thereof connected to the slide.4. The linkage assembly of claim 3 wherein the first inner end of the first arm has a first opening formed therethrough, wherein the second inner end of the second arm overlies the first inner end of the first arm and has a second opening formed therethrough that aligns, at least in part, with the first opening, wherein the means for being connected to the slide includes an elongate formation that extends through the first and second openings, and wherein the opposite end region of the flexible cable is connected to the elongate formation.5. The linkage assembly of claim 4 wherein the opposite end region of the flexible cable is connected to the elongate formation at a location between the overlying first and second ends of the first and second arms.6. The linkage assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis includes a first member extending from the frame along the first pivot axis through a hole formed in the first central region of the first arm, and a second member extending from the frame along the second pivot axis through a hole formed in the second central region of the second arm.7. The linkage assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame defines a pair of spaced abutment surfaces, wherein the slide is engageable with one of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to one end of a permitted range of travel of the slide, wherein the slide is engageable with the other of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to an opposite end of the permitted range of travel of the slide, and wherein the slide's engagement with the one and the other of the abutment surfaces serves to limit pivotal movement of the first and second arms to a desired permitted range of angular movement.8. The linkage assembly of claim 7 wherein the abutment surfaces are defined at opposite ends of a frame-defined opening formed through the frame, and the slide has a formation that extends into the frame-defined opening to engage the one and other of the abutment surfaces when at opposite ends of the permitted range of travel of the slide.9. The linkage assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second outer ends and the first and second central regions of the first and second arms extend in a common plane, whereas the first and second inner ends extend in planes that are offset one from another to permit a selected one of the first and second inner ends to overlie the other of the first and second inner ends.10. The linkage assembly of claim 9 wherein an emergency release member connects with the means for being connected to the frame at a location between the overlying first and second inner ends.11. The linkage assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes an actuator cam that is movable between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein the slide defines a formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam when the actuator cam is in the unlocked position of the actuator cam, but not when the actuator cam is in its locked position.12. The linkage assembly of claim 11 wherein the formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam has a surface that is inclined slightly relative to a plane in which the actuator cam moves while traveling between the locked and unlocked positions of the actuator cam, and the inclined surface is oriented to guide the actuator cam into engagement with said formation of the slide when the actuator cam pivots from the locked position to the unlocked position of the actuator cam.13. The linkage assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first leg, and the second leg defines an opening adapted to receive portions of the housing.14. The linkage assembly of claim 13 wherein the first leg has a centrally located portion that is offset from a common plane in which first and second opposite side portions of the first leg extend, wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg, and wherein the slide is movable alongside the centrally located portion of the first leg between the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg.15. A linkage assembly for moving a latch connected link to operate a latch that is connected to the link in response to movement of an actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the actuator is connected, comprising:a) a generally right angle frame adapted for connection to the housing, said frame having a first leg and a second leg; b) a first arm having a first outer end adapted for connection to the link, having a first inner end, and having a first central region located between the first inner end and the first outer end; c) a second arm having a second outer end adapted for connection to the link, having a second inner end, and having a second central region located between the second inner end and the second outer end; d) a slide connected to the first leg of the frame and adapted to be engaged by the actuator to be moved along a path of travel defined by the frame in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement defined by the housing; e) a pivot assembly connected to the frame, for defining a first pivot axis that extends through the first central region and about which the first arm pivots relative to the frame, and for defining a second pivot axis that extends through the second central region and about which the second arm pivots relative to the frame, wherein the first and second pivot axes are located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the slide at substantially equal distances from the path of travel of the slide, and wherein the first and second pivot axes extend substantially parallel to each other within a plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the slide; f) a slide connection defining a third pivot axis that substantially parallels the first and second pivot axes and that extends through the first inner end region of the first arm and through the second inner end region of the second arm, and for concurrently pivoting the first and second arms about the first and second pivot axes, respectively, in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions of the first and second arms in unison in one direction away from each other to an extended position, and in unison in a second direction toward each other to a retracted position; and, g) means for connecting the link to a selected one of the first and second outer end regions of the first and second arms for causing the latch connected to the link to be operated when the selected one of the first and second outer end regions is moved in a selected one of the first and second directions. 16. The linkage assembly of claim 15 additionally including an emergency release member connected to the slide and adapted to be grasped and moved manually to move the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the selected one of the first and second outer end regions in the selected one of the first and second directions to cause the latch connected to the link to be operated.17. The linkage assembly of claim 16 wherein the emergency release member includes a length of flexible cable having a graspable formation near one end region thereof, and having an opposite end region thereof connected to the slide.18. The linkage assembly of claim 17 wherein the first inner end of the first arm has a first opening formed therethrough, wherein the second inner end of the second arm overlies the first inner end of the first arm and has a second opening formed therethrough that aligns, at least in part, with the first opening, wherein the means for being connected to the slide includes an elongate formation that extends through the first and second openings, and wherein the opposite end region of the flexible cable is connected to the elongate formation.19. The linkage assembly of claim 18 wherein the opposite end region of the flexible cable is connected to the elongate formation at a location between the overlying first and second ends of the first and second arms.20. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the means for defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis includes a first member extending from the frame along the first pivot axis through a hole formed in the first central region of the first arm, and a second member extending from the frame along the second pivot axis through a hole formed in the second central region of the second arm.21. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the frame defines a pair of spaced abutment surfaces, wherein the slide is engageable with one of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to one end of a permitted range of travel of the slide, wherein the slide is engageable with the other of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the-slide to an opposite end of the permitted range of travel of the slide, and wherein the slide's engagement with the one and the other of the abutment surfaces serves to limit pivotal movement of the first and second arms to a desired permitted range of angular movement.22. The linkage assembly of claim 21 wherein the abutment surfaces are defined at opposite ends of a frame-defined opening formed through the frame, and the slide has a formation that extends into the frame-defined opening to engage the one and other of the abutment surfaces when at opposite ends of the permitted range of travel of the slide.23. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second outer ends and the first and second central regions of the first and second arms extend in a common plane, whereas the first and second inner ends extend in planes that are offset one from another to permit a selected one of the first and second inner ends to overlie the other of the first and second inner ends.24. The linkage assembly of claim 23 wherein an emergency release member connects with the means for being connected to the face at a location between the overlying first and second inner ends.25. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the actuator includes an actuator cam that is movable between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein the slide defines a formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam when the actuator cam is in the unlocked position of the actuator cam, but not when the actuator cam is in its unlocked position.26. The linkage assembly of claim 25 wherein the formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam has a surface that is inclined slightly relative to a plane in which the actuator cam moves while traveling between the locked and unlocked positions of the actuator cam, and the inclined surface is oriented to guide the actuator cam into engagement with said formation of the slide when the actuator cam pivots from the locked position to the unlocked position of the actuator cam.27. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first leg, and the second leg defines an opening adapted to receive portions of the housing.28. The linkage assembly of claim 27 wherein the first leg has a centrally located portion that is offset from a common plane in which first and second opposite side portions of the first leg extend, wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg, and wherein the slide is movable alongside the centrally located portion of the first leg between the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg.29. A linkage assembly for moving at least one latch connected link to operate at least one latch that is connected to the link in response to movement of a push button actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the push button actuator is connected, comprising:a) a frame adapted for connection to the housing; b) at least one arm having an outer end adapted for connection to the latch connected link, having an inner end, and having a central region located between the inner end and the outer end; c) a slide connected to the frame and adapted for being engaged by the actuator to be moved along a path of travel defined by the frame in response to movement of the push button actuator along the path of movement defined by the housing; d) means for being connected to the frame, for defining one pivot axis that extends through the central region and about which the arm pivots relative to the frame, wherein the one pivot axis is located to one side of the path of travel of the slide, and wherein the one pivot axis extends within a plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the slide; e) means for being connected to the slide, for defining another pivot axis that substantially parallels the one pivot axis and that extends through the inner end region of the arm and through the slide for pivoting the arm about the one pivot axis in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the outer end region of the arm to move the link to operate a latch connected to the link in response to movement of the push button actuator along the path of movement of the push button actuator; and, f) a release cable connected to the means for being connected to the slide that can be pulled to move the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the outer end region of the arm to move the link to operate the latch connected to the link without causing movement of the push button actuator along the path of movement of the push button actuator. 30. The linkage assembly of claim 29 wherein the inner end of the arm has an opening formed therethrough, and wherein the means for being connected to the slide includes an elongate formation that extends through the opening, and wherein the release cable is connected to the elongate formation.31. The linkage assembly of claim 29 wherein the frame defines a pair of spaced abutment surfaces, wherein the slide is engageable with one of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to one end of a permitted range of travel of the slide, wherein the slide is engageable with the other of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to an opposite end of the permitted range of travel of the slide, and wherein the slide's engagement with the one and the other of the abutment surfaces serves to limit pivotal movement of the arm to a desired permitted range of angular movement.32. The linkage assembly of claim 29 wherein the frame includes first and second legs that cooperate to define an L shape, the arm is pivotally connected to the first leg, and the second leg defines an opening adapted to receive portions of the housing.33. A linkage assembly for moving a plurality of latch connected links to operate latches that are connected to the links in response to movement of an actuator along a path of movement defined by a housing to which the actuator is connected, comprising:a) a generally rectangular frame adapted for connection to the housing, said frame having a first leg and a second leg; b) a first arm having a first outer end adapted for connection to one of the latch connected links, having a first inner end, and having a first central region located between the first inner end and the first outer end, wherein the first outer end, the central region and the first inner end all extend within one plane; c) a second arm having a second outer end adapted for connection to another of the latch connected links, having a second inner end, and having a second central region located between the second inner end and the second outer end, wherein the second outer end and the second central region extend in the one plane, and the second inner end extends in a second plane that parallels the one plane and overlaps the first inner end; d) a slide connected to the first leg of the frame and adapted for being engaged by the actuator to be moved along a path of travel defined by the frame in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement defined by the housing; e) a pivot assembly connected to the frame, for defining a first pivot axis that extends through the first central region and about which the first arm pivots relative to the frame, and for defining a second pivot axis that extends through the second central region and about which the second arm pivots relative to the frame, wherein the first and second pivot axes are located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the slide at substantially equal distances from the path of travel of the slide, and wherein the first and second pivot axes extend substantially parallel to each other within another plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the slide; and, f) a slide connection defining a third pivot axis that substantially parallels the first and second pivot axes and that extends through the overlying inner end regions of the first and second arms, and for concurrently pivoting the first and second arms about the first and second pivot axes, respectively, in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions of the first and second arms to move the one and another links to operate latches connected to the one and another links in response to movement of the actuator along the path of movement of the push button actuator. 34. The linkage assembly of claim 33 additionally including an emergency release member connected to the slide at a location between the overlying inner end regions of the first and second arms, and adapted to be grasped and moved manually to move the slide along the path of travel of the slide to move the first and second outer end regions in unison to cause the latches connected to the links to be operated.35. The linkage assembly of claim 34 wherein the emergency release member includes a length of flexible cable having a graspable formation near one end region thereof, and having an opposite end region thereof connected to the slide.36. The linkage assembly of claim 35 wherein the first inner end of the first arm has a first opening formed therethrough, wherein the second inner end of the second arm overlies the first inner end of the first arm and has a second opening formed therethrough that aligns, at least in part, with the first opening, wherein the means for being connected to the slide includes an elongate formation that extends through the first and second openings, and wherein the opposite end region of the flexible cable is connected to the elongate formation.37. The linkage assembly of claim 33 wherein the means for defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis includes a first member extending from the frame along the first pivot axis through a hole formed in the first central region of the first arm, and a second member extending from the frame along the second pivot axis through a hole formed in the second central region of the second arm.38. The linkage assembly of claim 33 wherein the frame defines a pair of spaced abutment surfaces, wherein the slide is engageable with one of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to one end of a permitted range of travel of the slide, wherein the slide is engageable with the other of the abutment surfaces when moved along the path of travel of the slide to an opposite end of the permitted range of travel of the slide, and wherein the slide's engagement with the one and the other of the abutment surfaces serves to limit pivotal movement of the first and second arms to a desired permitted range of angular movement.39. The linkage assembly of claim 38 wherein the abutment surfaces are defined at opposite ends of a frame-defined opening formed through the frame, and the slide has a formation that extends into the frame defined opening to engage the one and other of the abutment surfaces when at opposite ends of the permitted range of travel of the slide.40. The linkage assembly of claim 33 wherein the actuator includes an actuator cam that is movable between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein the slide defines a formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam when the actuator cam is in the unlocked position of the actuator cam, but not when the actuator cam is in its unlocked position.41. The linkage assembly of claim 40 wherein the formation that is configured to be engaged by the actuator cam has a surface that is inclined slightly relative to a plane in which the actuator cam moves while traveling between the locked and unlocked positions of the actuator cam, and the inclined surface is oriented to guide the actuator cam into engagement with said formation of the slide when the actuator cam pivots from the locked position to the unlocked position of the actuator cam.42. The linkage assembly of claim 33 wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first leg, and the second leg defines an opening adapted to receive portions of the housing.43. The linkage assembly of claim 42 wherein the first leg has a centrally located portion that is offset from a common plane in which first and second opposite side portions of the first leg extend, wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg, and wherein the slide is movable alongside the centrally located portion of the first leg between the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg.44. A linkage assembly for operating a latch, comprising:a) a frame having first and second legs made from substantially flat material so that the first and second legs cooperatively define an L shape; b) a first arm attached to the first leg of the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a first axis between retracted and extended positions of the first arm, and having a first inner end and a first outer end adapted to be connected by a link to a first latch to effect operation of the first latch as an incident of the first arm moving from a selected one of the retracted and extended positions to the other of the retracted and extended positions; c) a slide slidably engaging the first leg for movement along a path of travel of the slide that is transverse to said first axis, and pivotally connected to the first inner end region of the first arm for pivoting the first arm about the first axis in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide; d) a housing attached to the second leg; and, e) a push button actuator supported in the housing for movement relative to the frame and the housing between normal and actuating positions along a path of travel of the push button actuator that is transverse to said first axis and that aligns with the path of travel of the slide, wherein movement of the push button actuator along the path of travel of the actuator from the normal position to the actuating position causes engagement of the actuator with the slide to move the slide along the path of travel of the slide to pivot the first arm about the first axis. 45. The linkage assembly of claim 44 further comprising a second arm attached to the first leg of the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a second axis between retracted and extended positions of the second arm, and having a second inner end pivotally connected to the slide and a second outer end adapted to be connected by a link to a second latch to effect operation of the second latch as an incident of the second arm moving from a selected one of the retracted and extended positions of the second arm to the other of the retracted and extended positions of the second arm in response to movement of the slide along the path of travel of the slide.46. The linkage assembly of claim 45 wherein the first and second axes reside within a single plane, and the path of travel of the actuator is orthogonal to said single plane.47. The linkage assembly of claim 44 wherein the first and second legs of the frame are formed as one piece.48. The linkage assembly of claim 47 wherein the first leg has a centrally located portion that is offset from a common plane in which first and second opposite side portions of the first leg extend, wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg, and wherein the slide is movable alongside the centrally located portion of the first leg between the first and second opposite side portions of the first leg.