5, 927,772, issued to Jeffrey L. Antonnuci et al. on July 27,1999 and assigned to Southco Inc., U. S. Pat. App. No. 09/299,246. filed April 26,1999, and U. S. Pat. App. No. 09/400,033, filed September 21,1999, all incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation-in- part of U. S. Pat. App. No. 09/400,033.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention.

The invention is an improved ratcheting pawl latch having an improved pivot for its paddle.

2. Description of the related art.

Latches are commonly used to secure a moving panel to a stationary panel, and it comes as no surprise that several other latches have been proposed by various inventors. However, the present inventor is unaware of any other latch having a handle being pivotally secured at each end with a gooseneck-shaped member. thereby providing the user with the leverage and ease of use provided by the present invention.

An example of a latch is described in U. S. Pat. No. 4,838,056, issued to L. S. Weinerman et al. on June 13.1989. Weinerman discloses a latch and lock assembly having expansible latch elements. US. Pat. No. 4,850.208. also issued to L. S. Weinerman et al. on July 2,1989, describes a latch and lock assembly with spring-biased pivot bolts. A similar latch is described

in U. S. Pat. No. 4. 969, 916. also issued to L. S. Weinerman on Nov. 13, 1990. and in U. S. Pat.

No. 5. 046. 340. issued to L. S. Weinerman et at. on Sept. 10, 1991.

U. S. Pat. No. 4, 911,487, issued to M. J. Rachocki on March 27, 1990, describes a rotary paddle latch.

U. S. Pat. No. 4, 989. 907. issued to M. Edmonds et al. on Feb. 5. 1991, describes a paddle handle latch.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,098,141, issued to K. A. Bull on March 24,1992, describes a quick release glove box latch mechanism.

U. S. Pat. No. 5. 127.686. issued to S. J. Gleason et al. on July. 7.1992, describes a door closure assembly U. S. Pat. No. 5.234. 238, issued to K. Takimoto on Aug. 10, 1993, describes a ratchet type latch assembly.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,299,844. issued to S. J. Gleason on April 5,1994. describes a sealed latch assembly.

U. S. Pat. No. 5. 340, 174, issued to F. F. Bender et al. on Aug. 23. 1994. describes a mounting arrangement for a vehicle door handle.

U. S. Pat. No. 5, 413. 391. issued to T. J. Clavin et al. on May 9. 1995, describes a self- closing latch.

None of the above patents, taken either singly or in combination is believed to teach or suggest a ratcheting pawl latch having a handle pivotallv secured on either side bv a gooseneck- shaped member. allowing the user to fit all the fingers on one hand behind the handle. and providing maximum leverage and ease of use for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a latching system for securing two panels together such as those of storage structures in which an enclosure is secured by means of a door or panel which will remain in a closed position until released. An example of a use of the present latching system is in connection with automobile glove boxes or other compartments which are to be secured for storage of items therein.

The present invention provides a ratcheting pawl latch assembly with a spring locking member which provides the locking member with its own internal spring force when the locking member is deflected by an actuating lever. The actuating lever can be provided in the form of a handle or paddle. The spring locking member enables a force from a handle of the latch assembly to be transmitted to a pawl which selectively engages and disengages a keeper member. When the keeper member engages the pawl. the pawl is rotated until the locking member slips in behind it. The pawl is provided with a torsional spring member which causes a force load from the spring member to be supplied to the pawl.

The paddle is pivotally secured to a surrounding paddle surface, with a pair of gooseneck-shaped members extending from either side of the paddle to the pivots. When the paddle is pivoted away from the panel surface to which it is attached. the spring locking member is engaged and is lowered and retracted out of the way of the pawl. The pawl is disengaged from the keeper with the actuation of the paddle. which causes the spring locking member to release from its engagement with the pawl. whereupon the torsional pawl spring member which provides a force load to the pawl. releases its force load to return the pawl to its unlocked position awav from engagement with the keeper. The keeper wire is thereby disengaged. The gooseneck- shaped members on either side of the handle permit the paddle to pivot sufficientlv far away

from the panel to which it is attached for a user to slide his fingers completely under the paddle, thereby making the latch easier to use. and giving the user additional leverage for opening the door. When the user releases the paddle. the paddle or handle is reset with a spring loading mechanism to its original position.

A preferred and suggested embodiment of the latch includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism preferably includes a key-actuated locking plug secured within the paddle.

The end of the locking plug has a circular cam with a locking flange protruding outward from the circle. in the same plane. In the locked position. the flange abuts the latch's frame. preventing actuation of the paddle. Inserting a kev and rotating the cam to the unlocked position moves the flange out of engagement with the frame. allowing the latch to be opened.

The present invention also provides a locking mechanism in which a key can selectively lock and unlock the latch assembly.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel latch assembly which is selectively engagable with a keeper member, and includes a spring locking member which is spring-loaded with its own spring force for engaging and releasing a pawl from a keeper member when a handle is actuated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking member which is comprised of spring steel or plastic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lock which can be operated bv a key or other operator, such as radio. infrared, electronic or other means. which selectively engages the locking member against movement.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide greater clearance for a user's fingers through the use of the gooseneck-shaped flanges and the concave finger recess.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent through the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in its open position.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its open position.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in its open position.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position.

FIG. 7 is a rear view or a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in its closed position and installed in a panel.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in its closed position and installed in a panel.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a door panel for a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front and side perspective view of a door panel for a ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed. unlocked position.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed, unlocked position.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed. unlocked position.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed. unlocked position.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in the closed. locked position.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed, locked position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the closed. locked position.

FIG. 18 is a top view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in the closed. locked position.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the open position.

FIG. 20 is a front view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the open position.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in the open position.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in the open position.

FIG. 23 is a top and rear perspective view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in the closed. locked position.

FIG. 24 is a bottom and rear perspective view of a locking ratcheting pawl latch according to the present invention. showing the latch in the closed, locked position.

Like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is a ratcheting pawl latch for securing a moving panel to a stationarv panel. Referring to the figures, the latch 10 comprises a housing 14. a pawl 36. for engaging a keeper. a spring locking member 60, for controlling movement of the pawl 36. and an actuating member such as a handle or paddle 12. The locking member and the actuating member are in a cooperating relation with each other for the selective engagement and release of the latch assembly with said keeper member. The pawl pivots between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position. the pawl abuts the spring locking member. and the pawl pivots from the latched position to the unlatched position when the spring locking member is deflected.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8. the housing 14 is illustrated. The housing 14 includes a finger recess panel 74, defining a concave finger recess 78 and a pair of slots 76. The housing 14 is provided with means for accommodating the handle 12 (described below) to allow the handle 12 to rotate over a predetermined range when installed. In addition to FIGS. 1-8, FIGS. 11-24 illustrate the operative structures of the latch 10 with certain portions of the housing 14 omitted for clarity. The handle accommodating means is shown comprising brackets 16 and 18

extending outward from one side of the recess panel 74. The brackets 16, 18 have cylindrical pins 20 projecting outward. The central portion of the housing 14 includes an upper flange 44, having a hook shape with the concave portion of the hook facing the convex portion of the finger recess panel 74. Upper flange 44 preferably defines a slot 45. dimensioned and configured to receive a pawl 36 (described later), and a pair of coaxial apertures 39. dimensioned and configured to receive a pawl pivot 38 (described later). A beam 35 preferably connects each flange 16. 18 with the upper flange 44.

The actuating member of the latch 10 is preferably a handle or paddle 12 which is pivotally mounted to a latch housing 14. The paddle or handle 12 is preferably provided with suitable means for attachment to the housing. In the preferred embodiment, gooseneck-shaped mounting flanges 22 are provided on opposite handle sides. dimensioned and configured to pass through the slots 76 of the finger recess panel 74. The flanges 22 define holes 24 dimensioned and configured to receive the pins 20. The paddle 12 is shown having an actuation arm 26 extending rearwardly therefrom. Although the preferred embodiment is illustrated having the pins 20 on the brackets 16, and the holes 24 on the gooseneck flanges 22. this configuration may be reversed with equal effectiveness.. Additionally. it is conceivable that other fastening means such as a pins, axles, bearings. and the like can also be emploved.

The gooseneck flanges 22 are preferably connected by beam 34. at their ends opposite the paddle 12. The beam 34 includes a paddle-retaining pin 28 extending rearwardly therefrom.

Extending from the housing body 14 is a spring retaining socket 30, located on the beam 35, in the area of the paddle-retaining pin 28. A paddle compression spring 32 is installed on the retaining pin 28 and is held in part bv the socket 30. The spring 32 biases the handle 12 towards its rest position, wherein the handle 12 abuts the housing 14.

The latch assembly 10 also includes a pawl 36 shown pivotally connected to the latch housing 14 with suitable attachment means such as the pawl pivots 38 extending outwardly from the pawl 36 at opposite sides thereof. The pivot members 38 can also be provided as a single pivot member extending through the pawl 36. The pawl 36 has a locking arm 40 and is provided with a pawl slot 42 to retain a keeper member. Preferably the keeper member is attached to the stationary panel or compartment (not shown) at a position such that when the swinging panel to which the latch assembly 10 is attached is rotated to engage the keeper member, the keeper member will be below the arm portion of the upper flange 44 for engagement with the pawl 36.

The pawl 36 is also shown having an arm portion 46 extending from the pawl 36. A pawl torsional spring 48 is shown installed on the pawl 36. having a pair of coil portions 50. a pair of horizontally extending tail portions 52, and a pair of arms 54 connected together at their ends to form a slot 56 for receiving the pawl arm 46 therein for engagement therewith. The pawl spring 48 biases the pawl towards its unlatched position. A locking notch 41 is located opposite the locking arm 40 and arm portion 46. for engaging a locking member 60 (described later). A notched portion 66 is shown in the back of the pawl 36 to provide clearance for the locking member 60. when the pawl 36 is released. This facilitates the relief of stress upon the spring locking member 60 when the pawl 36 is in its released position.

The actuation arm 26 of the paddle 12 is provided to engage the paddle-engaging end 58 of the spring locking member 60 (Fig. 1). The spring locking member 60 extends laterally through the upper portion of the housing 14. The spring locking member 60 includes a retaining portion 62 at its opposite end. One preferred retaining portion 62 is dimensioned and configured to snap into a recess 63 on the housing 14, with a suggested shape for the retaining portion 62 being rectangular. An alternative spring retaining portion is in the form of a flat rectangle, being

dimensioned and configured to slide into a slot in the housing (not shown, but described in U. S.

Pat. No. 5. 927,772, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). The spring locking member 60 is preferably comprised of a spring steel composition or plastic composition such as for example acetal, or any suitable like flexible member which is also durable enough to withstand the forces of actuation of the latch assembly. The spring locking member 60 is also provided with a pawl-engaging portion 64 which engages the locking notch 41 of the pawl 36.

Suitable mounting means are provided to retain the latch assembly 10 on a panel or mounting surface, such as those illustrated in FIGS 9-10. For example, installation of the latch assembly 10 to a panel 72 may be accomplished with the mounting means shown in Fig. 2 comprising apertures 68 and bolts or screws 70. The panel 72 may be plastic so that when the screws 70 are secured in the apertures 68, the process of turning the screws in the aperture creates corresponding threads within the aperture 70. An example of a panel 72 where such a latch 10 would be useful is a glove box of an automobile.

The latch 10 works in conjunction with a keeper installed on the stationary panel. The keeper is secured within the latch 10 when the latch 10 is in the closed position. The keeper member may comprise a striker wire or any like suitable member such as a bar. claw. or other suitable attachment member.

The usual rest position of the latch will be the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. with the pawl 36 in its latched position, and the keeper trapped within the pawl slot 42 and between the pawl-locking arm 40 and the upper flange 44. The pawl 36 is biased towards its unlatched position by the spring 58. but is abutted at the locking notch 41 by the locking member 60, thereby securing the pawl 36 in the latched position. The latch assembly 10 is actuated by

lifting the paddle 12 in an upward direction (away from the surface to which the latch assembly 10 is mounted). The actuation arm 26 of the paddle 12 engages the paddle-engaging portion 58 of the locking member 60 (Fig. 2) and the engaging portion 58 is lowered within the housing 14.

The pawl-engaging portion 64 of the locking member 60 therebv moves out of engagement with the pawl locking notch 41 thereby freeing up the pawl 36 for pivoting. The bias provided by the pawl torsional spring 48 releases the pawl 36 from its vertical position and allows the pawl 36 to rotate to its unlatched position to disengage the keeper member, thereby opening the compartment or panel to which the latch assembly 10 is attached. The open position of the latch is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. When the panel 72 is closed, the keeper strikes the pawl's arm 46. therebv rotating the pawl so that the locking arm 40 traps the keeper between itself and the upper flange 44. within the pawl slot 42. The rotation of the pawl will also cause the notched portion 66 of the pawl to strike the pawl engaging portion 64 of the spring locking member 60. thereby pushing the spring locking member 60 downward and out of the path of the pawl.

An important advantage of the present invention over other latches is the ease with which a user may grasp the paddle 12. and use the paddle to open the panel 72. The finger recess 78 allows a user to insert their fingers fully behind the paddle 12 for maximum leverage. The gooseneck-shaped mounting flanges 22 of the paddle 12 allow the paddle 12 to move away from the panel 74 as the latch is actuated. thereby allowing additional room for a user's fingers and providing maximum leverage for the user to open the panel 72.

The latch 10 may include a lock. preferably key-operated. for locking the latch in the closed position. The structure and function of the lock is fully described in U. S. Pat. App. No.

09/299, 246. and U. S. Pat. No. 5. 927. 772 The full disclosure of both is incorporated by reference.

Another lock 80 is illustrated in FIGS. 11-24. This lock 80 includes a lock plug 82 mounted within an aperture 84 in the paddle 12. The lock plug 82 includes a keyhole 86. dimensioned and configured to receive a standard key (not shown), and facing outward from the paddle 12 to permit actuation of the lock 80 by the key. The opposite end of the lock plug includes a cam 88 with an outwardly projecting flange 90. The cam 88 is dimensioned and configured to rotate between a locked position wherein the flange 90 abuts the beam 92 of the housing 14. preventing the paddle 12 from being pulled forward. and an unlocked position permitting actuation of the paddle 12. The structure and function of the lock plug 82. permitting rotation of the key and simultaneous rotation of the cam 88 only when the proper key is inserted. is well known to those skilled in the art of locks. and is therefore not further described here.

The closed and locked position of the latch is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18 and 23-24.

Opening the latch requires insertion of a key into keyhole 86, and rotation of the key in the direction of the arrow A. The cam 88 is thereby rotated so that the flange 90 is brought out of engagement with the beam 92. illustrated in FIGS. 11-14. An outward pull on the paddle 12 will then open the latch, illustrated in FIGS. 19-22. The latch mav be opened and closed using the paddle 12 until the kev is again inserted and rotated in the direction opposite arrow A. thereby locking the latch.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein, but encompasses all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.