The invention is a gravity-sensitive latch. The latch is operable when in a first orientation, secured in its closed position when in its second orientation.

2. Description of the related art.

Although other inventors have proposed various means for selectively permitting and preventing opening of a latch, the present inventor is unaware of any other latches using gravity for this purpose.

Some presently existing latches incorporate a catch fitting within a T-shaped slot in the handle. When the latch is in the closed position, the catch fits within the narrow portion of the T-shaped slot, thereby preventing the handle from being actuated to open the latch. To open the latch, the catch must first be moved to the wide portion to the T-shaped slot. The catch must be moved manually, and does not rely on gravity for automatic movement, unlike the present invention.

While not limited to such use, the present invention is directed towards lids attached to a center console of an automobile. Such consoles sometimes pivot between a horizontal position providing access to the console, and a vertical position wherein the console is contained within the seat back. An example of such a latch is pictured in Southco, Inc. Catalog No. 48 NA, 1998, p. G-l 0. This latch does not permit the use of gravity to selectively permit or prevent opening of the latch.

None of the above-referenced publications, taken singly or in combination, is seen to describe the present invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a gravity-sensitive latch. In a first orientation, the latch may be opened by pulling on its grasping paddle. In a second orientation, the latch is secured in its closed position so that a pull on the paddle will not open the latch.

The latch includes a base component and a swing arm. The base component includes a base, a paddle hingedly connected to the base, and a pawl depending downward from the base..

The pawl includes a flexible hook at its end for engaging keeper, and at least one peg parallel to the hinged connection between the base and paddle. The swing arm is pivotally attached to the

paddle at one end, and includes at least one hook at the opposite end, with the hook being dimensioned and configured to engage the pawl's peg. A mass projects outward from the swing arm, in the same direction as the hook.

The swing arm pivots between an engaged position wherein the hook engages the peg, and a disengaged position wherein the hook is disengaged from the peg. With the swing arm in the engaged position, pulling the paddle outward will cause the swing arm to pull on the peg, thereby pulling the pawl out of engagement with the keeper and allowing the latch to open. With the swing arm in the disengaged position, pulling the paddle will have no effect on the pawl, leaving the latch closed.

The pivoting of the swing arm from the open position to the closed position is controlled by gravity acting on the mass projecting from the swing arm. When the latch is in a horizontal position, gravity pulls the swing arm into its engaged position. When the latch is in a vertical position, gravity pulls the swing arm into its disengaged position.

The use of gravity to selectively permit or prevent operation of the latch is particularly useful for providing access to the center console of an automobile. Such consoles may pivot between a horizontal position wherein the console is used and access to an interior compartment is desired, and a vertical position wherein the console fits within a seat back. A latch of the present invention will facilitate access to the console when the console is horizontal, but prevent accidental opening of the latch when the console is vertical.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a latch that is easily opened when the latch is in a first orientation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a latch that cannot be opened when the latch is in the second orientation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a latch that is selectively permitted or prevented from opening by the operation of gravity on the latch.

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 perspective view of a gravity-sensitive latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base component for a gravity-sensitive latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swing arm for a gravity-sensitive latch according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a gravity-sensitive latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in a vertical orientation, and the swing arm in its disengaged position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a gravity-sensitive latch according to the present invention, showing the latch in a horizontal orientation, and the swing arm in its engaged position.

Like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is a gravity-sensitive latch. The latch selectively permits or prevents actuation based on its orientation, through the operation of gravity on the latch.

Referring to FIG. 1, the latch 10 includes a base component 12 and a swing arm 14.

Referring to FIG 2, the base component 12 includes a base 16, a paddle 18, and a pawl 20. The base 16 and paddle 18 are connected by a hinge 22, with a preferred and suggested type of hinge 22 being a live hinge. The pawl 20 depends downward from the base 16 opposite the paddle 18. The pawl 20 includes a flexible end portion 44, ending in a hook 24, projecting away from the paddle 18. The pawl also includes at least one peg 26 along its length, with the peg 26 being parallel to the hinge 22. A preferred and suggested number of pegs 26 is two. A flange 28 (FIG. 4) preferably depends downward from the paddle 18, and may include at least one peg 32 depending outward from the flange 28, parallel to the hinge 22. The base 16 preferably includes a plurality of mounting holes 30. for attachment to a lid (not shown).

The swing arm 14 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The swing arm 14 includes at least one arm member 34. The number of arm members 34 will correspond to the number of pegs 26, so the preferred and suggested swing arm 14 will include two arm members 34. Each arm member 34 includes a mounting end 36, which may define a hole 38, and a hook 40 on its opposite end. The hook 40 is dimensioned and configured to engage a peg 26. A mass 42 projects from the swing arm 14 in the same direction as the hook 40. In the preferred embodiment, the mass includes a pair of ends, and is attached at each end to one of the paired arm members 34. The swing arm 14 is pivotally attached to the paddle 18. A preferred and suggested attachment method is by

attaching the swing arm 14 to the flange 28 using mating pegs 32 and holes 38. The resulting latch 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1,4, and 5.

The use of the latch 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. The base 16 will typically be attached to a lid 46, thereby positioning the hook 24 so that the hook 24 mates with a keeper 48. A preferred and suggested keeper 48 is a slot 50 defined within the console 52. A typical vehicle console 52 may be rotated to a horizontal orientation for use and for access to its storage compartment (FIG. 5), or may be rotated to a vertical orientation so that it fits within a seat back, thereby permitting a passenger to sit where the console 52 is located. Such a console 52 will also typically include an interior storage compartment that is accessed by raising the lid 46. When the console 52 is in its horizontal orientation, the hook 40 is pulled into engagement with the peg 26 by the force of gravity acting on the mass 42, so that pulling upward on the paddle 18 will pull the swing arm 14, which in turn pulls the pawl 20. The pawl's flexible end 44 will bend, allowing the hook 24 to disengage from the keeper 48. Continued upward force on the paddle 18 will raise the lid 46, allowing access to the storage area within console 52. Lowering the lid will cause the pawl 20 to strike the console 52, bending the flexible end 44 and allowing the hook 24 to engage the keeper, securing the lid 46 closed.

When the console 52 is rotated from its horizontal orientation to its vertical orientation, the force of gravity acting on the mass 42 causes the swing arm 14 to rotate around the pivot formed by peg 32 and hole 38 so that the hook 40 no longer engages the peg 26. In this orientation, a pull on the paddle 18 will act on the swing arm 14. However, the force of the pull will not be transferred to the pawl 20, so the latch 10 will remain closed. Rotating the console 52 to its horizontal position will bring the hook 40 back into engagement with the peg 26, thereby permitting the latch to be opened by pulling on the paddle 18. The latch 10 thereby automatically permits the opening of the lid 46 whenever the console 52 is horizontal, and prevents the opening of the lid 46 whenever the console 52 is vertical.

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.