초록

A linear compression latch includes a lever handle linked to a pawl. As the latch is opened, the pawl is initially constrained to move vertically within a carriage. After an intermediate position is achieved, the pawl is constrained to move horizontally within the carriage.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A linear compression latch comprising; a housing; a lever handle rotatable by an operator between a first position and a second position, the lever handle being mounted in the housing; a pawl mounted for substantially linear motion, the pawl being actuated by rotation of the lever hand

We claim: 1. A linear compression latch comprising; a housing; a lever handle rotatable by an operator between a first position and a second position, the lever handle being mounted in the housing; a pawl mounted for substantially linear motion, the pawl being actuated by rotation of the lever handle and traveling substantially linearly between an open position to a closed position as the lever handle is rotated between the first position to second position; wherein the pawl is mounted to travel between the open position along a first path and an intermediate position; and wherein the pawl is mounted to travel in a second path in an upward direction substantially perpendicular to the first path between the intermediate position and the closed position. 2. A linear compression latch according to claim 1 wherein the first path is linear. 3. A linear compression latch according to claim 1 wherein the second path is linear. 4. A linear compression latch according to claim 3 further comprising a carriage, the carriage being mounted for linear motion within the housing, the pawl being mounted within the carriage. 5. A linear compression latch according to claim 4 further comprising connection means for rotatably connecting the lever handle and the pawl. 6. A linear compression latch comprising: a housing; a lever handle rotatable by an operator between a first position and a second position, the lever handle being mounted in the housing; a pawl mounted for substantially linear motion, the pawl being actuated by rotation of the lever handle and traveling substantially linearly between an open position to a closed position as the lever handle is rotated between the first position to second position; wherein the pawl is mounted to travel between the open position along a first path and an intermediate position; wherein the pawl is mounted to travel in a linear second path in an upward direction substantially perpendicular to the first path between the intermediate position and the closed position; and a carriage, the carriage being mounted for linear motion within the housing, the pawl being mounted within the carriage. 7. A linear compression latch according to claim 6 further comprising connection means for rotatably connecting the lever handle and the pawl. 8. A linear compression latch according to claim 6 wherein the first path is linear.