초록 ▼

A push button latch release assembly includes a push button actuator and a latch cord which extends through the push button actuator and connects at its opposite ends to release arms of respective rotary spring latches. The push button actuator includes a housing having a base and a tubular barrel,

A push button latch release assembly includes a push button actuator and a latch cord which extends through the push button actuator and connects at its opposite ends to release arms of respective rotary spring latches. The push button actuator includes a housing having a base and a tubular barrel, and a button cylinder which is axially movable in the barrel. The button cylinder includes a shaft which extends through a hole in the base of the housing and the base mounts two posts which are located on opposite sides of the shaft. The latch cord extends through respective guide channels in the posts and a passageway through the shaft. Pressing the button cylinder moves the shaft so that the latch cord is extended between the posts and the ends of the latch cord are drawn in, releasing the release arms.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A push button latch release assembly which includes a push button actuator and a latch cord which extends through said push button actuator and includes at least one end for connection to a spring latch, said push button actuator comprising: a housing which includes a base having opposi

I claim: 1. A push button latch release assembly which includes a push button actuator and a latch cord which extends through said push button actuator and includes at least one end for connection to a spring latch, said push button actuator comprising: a housing which includes a base having opposite first and second faces and a hole therethrough, a tubular barrel which extends away from said first face and surrounds said hole, and means on a side of said base opposite said tubular barrel which provides first and second guide channels on respective opposite sides of said hole, and a button cylinder which is movably positioned within said tubular barrel and which includes an extension shaft that extends through said hole in said base, said extension shaft including a lateral passageway through which said latch cord extends, pushing of said button cylinder from an inactive position away from said base to an operating position closer to said base causing said passageway in said extension shaft to lengthen said latch cord between said first and second guide channels and draw said at least one end of said latch cord inwardly towards said push button actuator. 2. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said push button actuator includes a spring in said tubular barrel to bias said button cylinder to said inactive position. 3. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein an end of the barrel remote from said base includes external threads, and including a nut for threadingly engaging said external threads. 4. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said button cylinder is key lockable. 5. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said lateral passage in said shaft is generally cylindrical. 6. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said means forming first and second guide channels on opposite sides of said hole comprises opposed first and second posts which extend away from said base on a side opposite said tubular barrel, said first and second guide posts respectively defining said first and second guide channels therein. 7. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first and second guide channels are aligned and said passageway in said extension shaft is located further from said base than said aligned guide channels. 8. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said passageway is an axial slot. 9. A push button latch release mechanism according to claim 8, including an emergency actuator mechanism operatively connected to said cord, said emergency actuator mechanism comprising a sleeve slidingly positioned around said shaft, said sleeve including opposed holes near a first end thereof through which said latch cord extends, a pull cord attached to a second end of said sleeve, and a pull handle attached to said pull cord, pulling said pull cord by said pull handle causing said sleeve to slide relative to said shaft and said opposed holes therein to extend said latch cord relative to said posts to draw said at least one end of said latch cord inwardly towards said push button actuator. 10. A push button actuator release mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said emergency actuator mechanism includes a screw cap attached to said second end of said sleeve, said screw cap including an eye connector to which said pull cord is attached. 11. A combination of first and second spaced spring latches which are operable to connect a first element to a second element and a push button latch release assembly for unlatching said first and second spring latches, said push button latch release assembly comprising a push button actuator located between said first and second latches and a latch cord which extends through said push button actuator and which is connected at its respective opposite ends to said first and second spring latches, said push button actuator comprising: a housing which includes a base having opposite first and second faces and a hole therethrough, a tubular barrel which extends away from said first face and surrounds said hole, and two posts which extend away from said second face on opposite sides of said hole, said posts including channels through which said latch cord extends, and a button cylinder which is movably positioned within said tubular barrel and which includes an extension shaft which extends through said hole in said base, said extension shaft including a passageway through which said latch cord extends, pushing of said button cylinder from an inactive position away from said base to an operating position close to said base causing said opening in said extension shaft to extend said latch cord between said posts to draw said ends of said latch cord inwardly towards said push button actuator. 12. A push button actuator which comprises: a housing which includes a base having opposite first and second faces and a hole therethrough, a tubular barrel which extends away from said first face and surrounds said hole, and two posts which extend away from said second face on opposite sides of said hole, said posts including channels through which said cord extends, and a button cylinder which is movably positioned within said tubular barrel and which includes an extension shaft which extends through said hole in said base, said extension shaft including a passageway through which said latch cord extends, pushing of said button cylinder from an inactive position away from said base to an active position close to said base causing said opening in said extension shaft to extend said latch cord between said posts to draw at least one end of said latch cord inwardly towards said push button actuator. 13. A tonneau cover for use with a vehicle, said tonneau cover including a top, left, right and rear sides, left and right spring latches for connecting said tonneau cover to a vehicle, and a push button latch release assembly for unlatching said left and right spring latches when latched to said vehicle, said push button latch release assembly comprising a push button actuator and a latch cord which extends through said push button actuator and is connected at respective opposite ends thereof to said left and right spring latches, said push button actuator comprising: a housing which includes a base having opposite first and second faces and a hole therethrough, a tubular barrel which extends away from said first face and surrounds said hole, and two posts which extend away from said second face on opposite sides of said hole, said posts including holes through which said cord extends, and a button cylinder which is movably positioned within said tubular barrel and which includes an extension shaft which extends through said hole in said base, said extension shaft including an opening therethrough through which said latch cord extends, pushing of said button cylinder from an inactive position away from said base to an operating position close to said base causing said opening in said extension shaft to extend said latch cord between said posts to draw said opposite ends of said latch cord inwardly towards said push button actuator and release said left and right spring latches.