09/255,586, filed on February 22,1999, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of latches and more particularly to slam-action latches in which a handle is lifted to release the latch.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Slam-action latches are known in the art and are employed in a number of applications for securing one or more panels together. Generally, latches coming within this category operate by forcing a pawl into engagement with a keeper. For example, where a first panel member has a pawl mounted on it and a second panel member, such as, for example, a cabinet, has a keeper mounted thereon, slamming shut the first panel member against the second panel member can secure the panels with the latch.

In many instances, separately provided spring members are utilized to bias the pawl into engagement with a keeper member. Thus, when a panel to which the latch is installed is closed, the pawl engages a keeper.

The utilization of a separately provided spring member often increases the cost of the latch and the time for assembly or construction of the latch. In some cases, complex mechanisms are required to maintain spring members and align them with a pawl so the pawl can be regulated to operate and engage and disengage a keeper.

A need exists for a latch which can provide an improvement over the prior art in that it will be less costly to produce and less time-consuming to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel slam latch having a handle and a housing with a pawl member which is disposed to engage a keeper member to secure a first member, such as a door or floor panel, to a second member, such as a frame or floor. Preferably, the latch can be installed on a closure panel and the keeper member on another panel or frame. The latch handle, upon actuation, retracts the pawl from engagement with a keeper member by contacting the pawl member and forcing the pawl member out from engagement with the keeper to release the latch and permit the closure panel to be opened. The pawl member is a living spring member which permits it to be deflected by engagement with the handle. The pawl member is connected to the housing and extends therefrom. Handle mounting elements pivotally connect the handle to the housing.

The pawl member is provided as a flexible member, and preferably is a living spring member, which can be deflected by the handle. A locking mechanism is employed to permit locking of the latch so that the pawl will not be released from the keeper member.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel latch which can secure one or more members together, such as panels or the like, for selective release by actuating a handle of the latch.

Another object of the present invention is to accomplish the above objects by providing a spring-biased latch which can be closed by slam- action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch which can be used in connection with panels of vehicles to regulate access to and from an area or compartment, such as, for example, a floor panel and a floor storage compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel latch having a pawl member which is also a living spring member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism which can secure the latch against unauthorized opening.

Another object of the present invention is to accomplish the above objects wherein the handle is positioned by positioning elements relative to the housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide resistance when the pawl member is being opened or closed with the handle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide one or more elements associated with the handle to increase the latching force of the pawl relative to a keeper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the latch of Fig. 1, shown with the retaining member partially installed thereon.

Fig. 3 is a rear parallel perspective view of the handle of the latch shown in Figs. 1 and 2, shown with a lockplug installed thereon, as viewed from the left.

Fig. 4 is a parallel perspective view of the handle of the latch of Figs.

1-3, as viewed from the bottom.

Fig. 5 is a parallel perspective view of the handle shown in Fig. 4, as viewed from the top.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the latch of Fig. 1 shown with the retaining member in the unlocked position.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the latch of Fig. 1 shown with the retaining member in the locked position.

Fig. 8 is a left side, parallel perspective sectional view of the latch of Fig. 1, shown in the closed position.

Fig. 9 is a left side, parallel perspective sectional view of the latch of Figs. 1-5 shown with the handle in a partially raised position.

Fig. 10 is a left side, parallel perspective sectional view of the latch of Figs. 1-5 shown with the handle in its fully raised position and the pawl member retracted.

Fig. 11 is an alternate embodiment of a handle for use with the latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front parallel perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a latch according to the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a rear parallel perspective view of the second alternate latch embodiment shown in Fig. 12, viewed from the back with the handle in the open position.

Fig. 14 is a bottom parallel perspective view of the second alternate embodiment of the latch shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a rear parallel perspective view of the handle and lock plug of the second alternate embodiment of the latch shown in Fig. 12, shown with the lock plug detached from the housing.

Fig. 16 is a front parallel perspective view of the housing of the second alternate embodiment of the latch of Fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a rear parallel perspective view of the housing of the second alternate embodiment of the latch shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 18 is a top perspective view of the handle of the second alternate embodiment of the latch shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 19 is a top parallel perspective view of the retaining member of the second alternate embodiment of the latch shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 20 is a side parallel perspective view of the lock plug shown with the second alternate embodiment of the latch of Fig. 12.

Fig. 21 is a front parallel perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of a latch according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference being made to Fig. 1, where a latch 10 according to the present invention is shown comprising a latch body or housing 11, a handle

12 and a pawl member 13. The housing 11 has an upper flange 14 which defines the perimeter of the latch 10. As shown in Fig. 2, mounting means is provided on the housing 11, comprising bores 20,21, which, for example, can be threaded to receive a matingly threaded bolt (not shown) for attachment of the latch 10 to a panel member (not shown). It will be understood that any suitable mounting members, such as, rivets, screws, pins, barbs and the like can be used to secure the housing 11 to a panel.

Preferably, the latch 10 can be installed on a floor panel of a vehicle to regulate access to and from a compartment.

Locking means is also provided to lock the latch 10 against unauthorized opening. The locking means is shown comprising a lockplug 15 which has a key slot 16 therein. The locking means further includes retaining means for retaining the lockplug 15 on the housing 11. The retaining means is shown in Fig. 2 comprising a retaining member 23 which is disposed on a connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15 located on the lockplug end opposite of the key slot 16 end. Fig. 2 shows the retaining member 23 during assembly, where it is partially installed on the lockplug connecting end 27. The retaining member 23 has an assembly slot 24 having a circular slot portion 25 and a narrow slot portion 26 extending from the circular slot portion 25. The circular slot portion 25 is configured for placement over the connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15.

Preferably, the retaining member 23 includes connecting means for connecting it to the connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15 to secure it

thereto for corresponding rotational movement with the lockplug 15. i. e., when the lockplug key (not shown) is rotated in the key slot 16. The retaining member connecting means is shown comprising a pair of tapered walls 30,31 provided on opposite sides of the narrow slot portion 26. The lock plug 15, preferably, is configured for snap-fit installation of the retaining member 23 onto the connecting end 27 by first positioning the circular slot portion 25 over the lockplug connecting end 27, and then sliding the retaining member 23, from its Fig. 2 position, over the connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15, to its installed position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The retaining member 23 has a first cam slot 34 with an opening 39. Likewise, the retaining member 23 also has a second cam slot 35 having an enlarged slot portion to facilitate installation of the retaining member 23 on the lockplug connecting end 27. First and second pin members, respectively, 36,37 are provided on the housing 11 to facilitate holding the retaining member 23. The opening 39 of the first cam slot 34 allows the first cam slot 34 to be moved along the first pin member 36, and the enlarged slot portion of the second cam slot 35 facilitates installation and movement of the second cam slot 35 along the second pin member 37.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lockplug 15 preferably has an annular groove 28 disposed at the connecting end 27. This permits the retaining member 23 to slide along the groove 28 and snap the narrow slot portion 26 onto the connecting end 27. The tapered walls 30,31 maintain the retaining member 23 on the connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15. Preferably, the groove 28

has at least two vertical components, such as the vertical wall 29, only one side being shown, there being an identical vertical wall portion on the opposite side.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the handle 12 is provided with an aperture 70 to permit the lockplug 15 to be installed therein. A pair of locking legs 71,72 is disposed on opposite sides of the aperture 70. The locking legs 71,72 preferablv comprise generally L-shaped members. The lockplug 15 is provided with an upper ring portion 75 which is disposed to rotate with a key (not shown). The lockplug 15 has notches 73,74 disposed in the upper ring portion 75 which are rotated to block the locking legs 71, 72 of the handle 12 and to release the locking legs 71,72 when the notches 72,73 are aligned with the locking legs 71,72. In Fig. 1, the locking legs 71,72 are shown positioned in a horizontal alignment. In this (Fig. 1) position, the handle 12 is restrained from lifting relative to the housing 11, and the pawl member 13 cannot be moved to unlatch the latch 10 from a keeper.

Fig. 3 shows the position of the handle locking legs 71,72, which are vertically disposed in relation to the notches 72,73. When the upper ring portion 75 of the lockplug is rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the notches 72,73 are aligned with the locking legs 71,72 of the handle (Fig. 3), the handle 12 can then be lifted for pivoting to engage the pawl member 13. The pawl member 13 is retracted rearwardly into the housing when the handle 12 is fully pivoted (as

shown best in its Fig. 10 position). The housing 11 has a cut-out portion 32 disposed in the vicinity of the pawl member 13 to permit the pawl member 13 to be retracted with the handle 12 and/or deflected inwardly, toward the housing 11.

Preferably, the housing includes flange members 77,78 disposed on each side of the pawl member 13 and extending parallel to the length of the pawl member 13. The flange members 77,78 are provided to facilitate clearance of the latch 10 with a keeper member or surface.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, the retaining member 23 is installed on the connecting end 27 of the lockplug 15. The housing first pin member 36 and second pin member 37 extend outwardly from the rear surface 38 of the housing 11. The first cam slot 34 and second cam slot 35 are positioned for movement along the respective first pin member 36 and second pin member 37 when the lockplug 15 is operated by turning a key (not shown) to rotate the upper ring or locking member 75. The retaining member 23 rotates with the upper ring or locking member 75 of the lockplug 15. The retaining member 23 is shown in Fig. 6, with the lock in the open position, and can be rotated from that position, along the direction of arrow"a,"to the latch's locked position (Fig. 7). When the lockplug 15 is in the locked position, the lockplug upper ring or locking member 75 secures the handle 12 against pivotal movement, i. e. lifting, by retaining the locking legs 71,72 of the handle 12.. During the movement from the open position to the closed or locked position, the retaining member 23 travels along the first

and second pin members 36,37 which facilitate guiding of the retaining member movement. The retaining member 23 secures the lockplug 15 to the housing 11 and prevents the lockplug 15 from otherwise being lifted out of the latch 10 with the handle 12. When the lockplug 15 interferes with the locking legs 71,72 of the handle 12, then the handle 12 is not able to freely move and it cannot pivot to engage the pawl member 13.

Reference now being made to Fig. 8, wherein the pawl member 13 is shown having a leg portion 40 which is connected to the housing 11 and extends downwardly from the housing flange 14. Preferably, the pawl member 13 comprises a living spring member, which, as shown in Fig. 10, permits the pawl member 13 to be moved along a generally radial path through the movement of the leg portion 40 when the handle 12 is actuated.

The pawl leg portion 40 has an engaging foot 41 which is provided for engaging a keeper member, and an actuating foot 42 which the handle 12 engages to deflect the pawl member 13 away from the keeper so the latch 10 can be opened. As shown best in Fig. 8, the pawl actuating foot 42 has a pair of slots 44,45 disposed therein. The handle 12 is shown in a partially lifted position and has actuating means for engaging the pawl member 13. Preferably, the actuating means comprises a pair of fingers 47, 48 which engage the actuating foot 42 of the pawl member 13 to retract the pawl member 13 and draw it into the housing 11 away from the keeper member. The actuating fingers 47,48 are provided to grip the pawl member 13 by protruding into the slots 44,45, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Preferably, the handle 12 has a lifting portion 50 which can be gripped by a user to pivot the handle 12 for engagement with the pawl member 13. The handle 12 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 for pivotal movement relative thereto. Referring again to Figs. 3-4, the handle 12 includes limiting elements, such as, for example, positioning tabs 51,52 disposed thereon and provided on opposite sides of the pawl member 13.

The housing 11, referring to the views of Figs. 8-10, has handle stop means comprising a pair of locking legs 54,55 disposed on opposite sides of the pawl member 13 at locations corresponding to the handle positioning tabs 51,52. The locking legs 54,55 preferably are resilient members and can comprise spring arms which are provided for deflection relative to the housing 11. The locking legs 54,55 each have an engaging element, such as, for example, a stop element 56,57, respectively, disposed at each upper end thereof. The stop elements 56,57 of the locking legs 54,55 cooperate to engage the positioning tabs 51,52, to retain the handle 12 in a flat position, level with the housing flange 14, when the latch 10 is secured to a keeper or in its closed position, as shown in Figs 1 and 8.

Referring to Fig. 9, the locking legs 54,55 (while shown in other Figs.) can facilitate the positioning of the handle 12 for unlatching by maintaining it in the position shown. The handle 12 preferably can include tread means, shown comprising a series of raised projections 60 disposed on the top surface thereof. To open the latch 10, the handle 12 can be depressed by pressing on the raised projections 60 to pivot the handle

actuating fingers 47,48 in the direction of the pawl actuating foot 42. The stop elements 56,57, preferably, are disposed to maintain the handle 12 in a partially raised position (Fig. 9) to permit further lifting of the handle 12 with the lifting portion 50, which is accessible when the handle 12 is partially raised.

Referring now to Fig. 10, the handle 12 is shown in its fully actuated position with the pawl member 13 retracted. The handle 12 preferably is provided with a pair of pintles 61 at opposite sides thereof (see Fig. 3) for pivotally connecting the handle 12 to the housing 11. The housing 11 can be provided with apertures or grooves (not shown) in which the handle pintles 61 can be seated for pivotal movement. It will be further understood that other suitable connecting means for pivotally attaching the handle 12 to the housing 11 can be utilized consistent with the scope of the invention described herein. For example, the housing can be provided with the pintles and the handle 12 can have apertures for receiving the pintles. Other alternate connecting arrangements are possible including the utilization of pins, bolts, and the like.

As shown best in Figs. 3,4 and 10, the handle 12 has side flanges 62,63, which facilitate alignment of the handle 12 relative to the housing 11. The housing 11 is provided with a ledge 64, as shown in Fig. 7, there being a ledge on the opposite side of the housing 11 (not shown). The ledge 64 provides a seat for the handle side flange 63 when the handle 12 is in its closed (Fig. 1) position. The handle 12 preferably has a second flange 62 on

the opposite handle side. which can rest on a housing ledge on that side (not shown).

Referring now to Fig. 11, an alternate embodiment of a handle 112 according to the present invention is shown. The handle 112 is similar to the handle 12 shown and described above in relation to that of the latch embodiment of Figs. 1-10, but does not include a lockplug. The handle 112 has a lifting portion 150 and a pair of pintles 161 disposed on each side thereof for mounting the handle 112 to the housing 11. The handle 112 further has actuating fingers 147,148, positioning tabs 152,153, and flanges 162,163 disposed at each side thereof. The handle 112 is provided to function similar to the handle 12, but without the locking means.

Reference now being made to Fig. 12, a second alternate embodiment of a load floor latch 210 is shown, comprising features similar to the first alternate embodiment, with an alternate locking configuration and with means for facilitating securing of a pawl with a keeper. The second alternate embodiment of the latch 210 is shown comprising a latch body or housing 211, a handle 212 and a pawl member 213. The housing 211 preferably, can have an upper flange 214 which defines the perimeter of the latch 210.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 17, mounting means is provided on the housing 211, comprising bores 220,221, which, for example, can be threaded to receive a matingly threaded bolt (not shown) for attachment of <BR> <BR> the latch 210 to a panel member (not shown), in the manner that the latch 10

can be mounted, as described above. In addition, locking arms 257,258 can also be provided to function similar to the locking arms 54,55 of the first latch embodiment 10.

Referring to Fig. 13, locking means is also provided to lock the latch 210 against unauthorized opening. The locking means is shown comprising a lockplug 215 which has a key slot 216 therein. The locking means further includes retaining means for retaining the lockplug 215 on the housing 211.

The retaining means is shown in Fig. 19 comprising a retaining member 223 which is configured for disposition on a connecting end 227 (Figs. 14 and 15) of the lockplug 215 located on the lockplug end opposite of the key slot 216 end. Fig. 14 shows the retaining member 223 installed on the lock plug end 227.

The retaining member 223 has a retaining portion 225 with a plurality of connecting flanges thereon 229 which, as shown in Fig. 14, clamp over the lock plug end 227. A radial slot portion 226 is disposed on one side of the retaining member 223 as shown in Fig. 19. The radial slot portion 226 has a pair of protrusions 226a, 226b provided at each opposite end of the slot arc, with each pair being disposed so that one member of each pair 226a is located on one side of the slot 226 to face the other member of the pair 226a located on the other side of the slot 226. The protrusions 226a and 226b define a convergence of the slot 226 at each end thereof to provide a discrete retention position for accommodating a cam pin member 239 (Fig. 17) at each opposite slot end.

Preferably, the retaining member 223 includes connecting means for connecting it to the connecting end 227 of the lockplug 215 to secure it thereto for corresponding rotational movement with the lockplug 215. i. e., when the lockplug key (not shown) is rotated in the key slot 216. The retaining member connecting means is shown comprising a plurality of flanges 229 provided on opposite sides of the radial slot portion 226. The lockplug 215, preferably, is configured for snap-fit installation of the retaining member 223 onto its connecting end 227 by first positioning the retaining portion 225 over the lockplug connecting end 227, and then sliding the retaining member 223 over the connecting end 227 of the lockplug 215.

As shown best in Fig. 17, the cam pin member 239 is provided on the housing 211 to facilitate holding the retaining member 223. The radial slot 226 is moved along the cam pin member 239 during the rotation of the lockplug 215 when opening and closing the locking means.

As best shown in Figs. 15 and 20, the lockplug 215 preferably has a groove 228 disposed at the connecting end 227. The groove 228 is keyed for corresponding connection with the retaining member 223. This permits the retaining member 223 to snap onto the connecting end 227. The key configuration comprises notches 230, 231 which maintains the retaining member 223 on the connecting end 227 of the lock plug 215 to permit rotation of the lockplug 215 and retaining member 223 as a unit (when the locking means is operated to release and secure the handle 212).

The lockplug 215 has a collar 235 disposed at the end opposite the connecting end 227. The collar 235 has engaging means comprising a pair of outwardly extending radial flanges 236,237 which are spaced apart.

Referring to Figs. 13,15 and 18, the handle 212 is shown with a pair of locking legs or keeper elements 240,241 disposed on the rear surface on opposite circumferential sides of the lockplug aperture 243. The radial flanges 236,237 are shown in Fig. 15 positioned over the keeper elements 240,241 to lock the handle 212 and prevent lifting of the handle 212 relative to the housing 211. This secures the pawl 213 against release from a keeper (not shown).

The pawl 213 preferably comprises a spring member, as described above in connection with the pawl 13 of the first latch embodiment 10. As shown in Fig. 18, fingers 247,248 are provided on the handle 212 for engaging the pawl 213 and rotating it to release the pawl 213 from a keeper (not shown). The pawl 213 preferably has slots (not shown) which are disposed therein, similar to those slots 44,45 of the pawl 13 of the first latch embodiment 10 described above.

The latch 210 further has latching facilitating means for increasing the engaging force between the pawl 213 and a keeper (not shown). The latching facilitating means further provides means for securing the latch 210 against unauthorized use, tampering, and forcing, thereby providing enhanced latching capability. The latching facilitating means is shown comprising a plurality of projecting elements 250,251 and 252 provided on

the handle 212 in the vicinity of the fingers 247,248. First and second projecting elements 250,251 are disposed on each respective finger 247, 248 and protrude forward in relation to the housing 211. A third projecting element 252 is shown disposed between the fingers 247,248 on a leg 255 extending from the top of the handle 212. The projecting elements 250, 251,252 engage the pawl 213 when the handle 212 is closed, to urge the pawl 213 into its secured position, against a keeper (not shown).

Preferably, the housing includes flange members 277,278 disposed on each side of the pawl member 213 and extending parallel to the length of the pawl member 213. The flange members 277,278 are provided to facilitate clearance of the latch 210 with a keeper member or surface.

Reference being made to Figs. 14,16, and 17, where the pawl 213 is provided with resistive means comprising bosses 260,261 disposed on opposite lateral sides thereof. The bosses 260,261 engage the flange members 277,278 of the housing 211, respectively, when the pawl 213 is retracted with the handle 212. This provides resistance to prevent excessive play in the pawl 213 when in a latched position or when the pawl 213 is being retracted or closed.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 16, the housing 211 is provided with a lockplug sleeve 290 which extends upwardly from the floor 291 of the housing 211. The sleeve 290 has a generally cylindrical configuration with a pair of notches 292,293 disposed along the upper peripheral edge thereof.

The notches 292,293 facilitate accommodation of the keeper elements 240,

241 when the handle 212 is closed. The locking means of the second latch embodiment 210 is operated by using a key to rotate the lockplug flanges 236, 237 into or out from engagement with the respective corresponding keepers 240,241 provided on the handle 212.

The latch 210 operates in the same manner as the latch 10 described above, but with the additional features described herein. It will be further understood that one or more of the features disclosed herein in connection with the second alternate embodiment of the latch 210 can also be utilized with the latch 10 of the first embodiment consistent with the present invention.

Fig. 21 shows a third alternate embodiment of a latch 310 according to the present invention, similar to the second alternate embodiment shown and described above, but without a lockplug. Referring to Fig. 21, it will be understood that the second alternate embodiment 210 can be provided for use without the lockplug 215 to function similar to the handle 112 described above, but including the latching facilitating means of the second alternate latch embodiment 210 shown and described above.

One or more of the features described herein in connection with a latch embodiment disclosed herein, can be employed with another latch embodiment consistent with the principles of the applicant's present invention. Other modifications to the above description can be made consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein. For example, while the keeper is referred to as a separate member, it will be

understood that the keeper can comprise a panel, enclosure frame or other surface which the pawl can engage, consistent with the disclosure provided herein. Also, while the present invention is described in connection with a lockplug, it is also understood that a knob, handle or other member can be used to rotate a member into and out of the way of the handle locking legs 71,72 or keeper elements 240.241 to regulate the opening and closing.

These and other advantages of the present invention can be made consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the Summary of the Invention, the Brief Description of the Drawing Figures, the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the appended claims. While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is subject to modification, variation and change, without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the present invention. In this regard, while the various features of the present invention have been shown and described in relation to a vehicle floor panel, it will be understood that many of these features are suitable in connection with latching of other members.