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A latching apparatus includes a latching frame, at least one latching member, and at least one spring that exerts a force that drives a curved part of the latching member about a pivot toward a guiding edge of an end portion of the latching frame. A guiding edge of the latching member guides an exte

A latching apparatus includes a latching frame, at least one latching member, and at least one spring that exerts a force that drives a curved part of the latching member about a pivot toward a guiding edge of an end portion of the latching frame. A guiding edge of the latching member guides an external mounting pin toward an opening, formed by the curved part of the latching member and the guiding edge of the end portion of the latching frame, when the mounting pin is pushed against the guiding edge of the latching member. The pin initially causes the latching member to pivot away from the end portion until the pin slides past the guiding edge of the latching member and is secured between the curved part of the latching member and the guiding edge of the end portion by the force exerted by the spring.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A latching apparatus, comprising: (a) a latching frame having at least one end portion that includes a guiding edge;(b) at least one latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, and being coupled at a pivot to the end portion such that the gu

1. A latching apparatus, comprising: (a) a latching frame having at least one end portion that includes a guiding edge;(b) at least one latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, and being coupled at a pivot to the end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the latching member face the guiding edge of the end portion, the curved part of the latching member and the guiding edge of the end portion forming an opening; and(c) at least one spring coupled at one end to the latching member such that the spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the latching member about the pivot toward the guiding edge of the end portion; wherein(d) the guiding edge of the latching member is configured to guide an external mounting pin toward the opening in response to the mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the latching member whereby the mounting pin initially causes the latching member to pivot away from the end portion until the mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the latching member and is secured between the curved part of the latching member and the guiding edge of the end portion by the force exerted by the spring, wherein (i) the at least one end portion includes (A) a first end portion located at one end of the latching frame and having a guiding edge, and(B) a second end portion located at another end of the latching frame and having a guiding edge;(ii) the at least one latching member includes (A) a first latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the first latching member being coupled at a first pivot to the first end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the first latching member face the guiding edge of the first end portion, the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion forming a first opening, and(B) a second latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the second latching member being coupled at a second pivot to the second end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the second latching member face the guiding edge of the second end portion, the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion forming a second opening. 2. The latching apparatus of claim 1, wherein (iii) the at least one spring includes (A) a first spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the first end portion such that the first spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion, and(B) a second spring coupled at one end to the second latching member and at another end to the second end portion such that the second spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion; wherein(iv) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide an external first mounting pin toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the first spring, and(v) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide an external second mounting pin toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the second spring. 3. The latching apparatus of claim 1, wherein (iii) the at least one spring is a spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the second latching member such that the spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion and drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion; wherein(iv) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide an external first mounting pin toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the spring, and(v) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide an external second mounting pin toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the spring. 4. A latching apparatus, comprising: (a) a latching frame that includes a first end portion located at one end of the latching frame and a second end portion located at another end of the latching frame, each having a respective guiding edge;(b) a first latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the first latching member being coupled at a first pivot to the first end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the first latching member face the guiding edge of the first end portion, the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion forming a first opening;(c) a first spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the first end portion such that the first spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion,(d) a second latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the second latching member being coupled at a second pivot to the second end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the second latching member face the guiding edge of the second end portion, the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion forming a second opening;(e) a second spring coupled at one end to the second latching member and at another end to the second end portion such that the second spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion; wherein(f) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide a first mounting pin of an external bracket toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the first spring, and(g) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide a second mounting pin of the external bracket toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the second spring. 5. The latching apparatus of claim 4, further comprising (i) a first actuating portion configured to compress the first spring and cause the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion in response to pressure being applied to the first actuating portion, and(ii) a second actuating portion configured to compress the second spring and cause the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion in response to pressure being applied to the first actuating portion. 6. The latching apparatus of claim 5, wherein first and second actuating portions are configured to compress the first and second springs concurrently in response to pressure being concurrently applied to the first and second actuating portions. 7. The latching apparatus of claim 4, further comprising (i) a first motion limiting pin formed in one of the first latching member or the first end portion, and a first opening formed in another of the first latching member or the first end portion and that receives the first motion limiting pin, wherein motion of the first latching member about the first pivot is stopped by the first motion limiting pin contacting a wall of the first opening, and(ii) a second motion limiting pin formed in one of the second latching member or the second end portion, and a second opening formed in another of the second latching member or the second end portion and that receives the second motion limiting pin, wherein motion of the second latching member about the second pivot is stopped by the second motion limiting pin contacting a wall of the second opening. 8. A latching apparatus, comprising: (a) a latching frame that includes a first end portion located at one end of the latching frame and a second end portion located at another end of the latching frame, each having a respective guiding edge;(b) a first latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the first latching member being coupled at a first pivot to the first end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the first latching member face the guiding edge of the first end portion, the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion forming a first opening;(c) a second latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the second latching member being coupled at a second pivot to the second end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the second latching member face the guiding edge of the second end portion, the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion forming a second opening;(d) a spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the second latching member such that the spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion and drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion; wherein(e) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide a first mounting pin of an external bracket toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the spring, and(f) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide a second mounting pin of the external bracket toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the spring. 9. The latching apparatus of claim 8, wherein (i) the first latching member includes a first actuating portion, and(ii) the second latching member includes a second actuating portion, wherein(iii) the first actuating portion and the second actuating portion are configured to compress the spring and cause the first and second latching members to pivot away from the latching frame in response to pressure being concurrently applied to the first and second actuating portions. 10. The latching apparatus of claim 8, further comprising (i) a first motion limiting pin formed in the first end portion of the latching frame, wherein motion of the first latching member about the first pivot is stopped by the first latching member contacting the first motion limiting pin, and(ii) a second motion limiting pin formed in the second end portion of the latching frame, wherein motion of the second latching member about the second pivot is stopped by the second latching member contacting the second motion limiting pin. 11. A latching system, comprising: (a) a bracket including a first mounting pin and a second mounting pin; and(b) a latching apparatus, comprising: (i) a latching frame that includes a first end portion located at one end of the latching frame and a second end portion located at another end of the latching frame, each having a respective guiding edge,(ii) a first latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the first latching member being coupled at a first pivot to the first end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the first latching member face the guiding edge of the first end portion, the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion forming a first opening,(iii) a first spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the first end portion such that the first spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion,(iv) a second latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the second latching member being coupled at a second pivot to the second end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the second latching member face the guiding edge of the second end portion, the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion forming a second opening,(v) a second spring coupled at one end to the second latching member and at another end to the second end portion such that the second spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion, wherein(vi) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide the first mounting pin of the bracket toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the first spring, and(vii) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide the second mounting pin of the bracket toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the second spring. 12. A latching system, comprising: (a) a bracket including a first mounting pin and a second mounting pin; and(b) a latching apparatus, comprising: (i) a latching frame that includes a first end portion located at one end of the latching frame and a second end portion located at another end of the latching frame, each having a respective guiding edge;(ii) a first latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the first latching member being coupled at a first pivot to the first end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the first latching member face the guiding edge of the first end portion, the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion forming a first opening;(iii) a second latching member having a curved part and a guiding edge located at an outer end of the curved part, the second latching member being coupled at a second pivot to the second end portion such that the guiding edge and the curved part of the second latching member face the guiding edge of the second end portion, the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion forming a second opening;(iv) a spring coupled at one end to the first latching member and at another end to the second latching member such that the spring exerts a force that drives the curved part of the first latching member about the first pivot toward the guiding edge of the first end portion and drives the curved part of the second latching member about the second pivot toward the guiding edge of the second end portion; wherein(v) the guiding edge of the first latching member is configured to guide the first mounting pin of the bracket toward the first opening in response to the first mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the first latching member whereby the first mounting pin initially causes the first latching member to pivot away from the first end portion until the first mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the first latching member and is secured between the curved part of the first latching member and the guiding edge of the first end portion by the force exerted by the spring, and(vi) the guiding edge of the second latching member is configured to guide the second mounting pin of the bracket toward the second opening in response to the second mounting pin being pushed against the guiding edge of the second latching member whereby the second mounting pin initially causes the second latching member to pivot away from the second end portion until the second mounting pin slides past the guiding edge of the second latching member and is secured between the curved part of the second latching member and the guiding edge of the second end portion by the force exerted by the spring.