AU2005203765A1 - Releasable closure assembly for security systems - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 0 0 ci ci ci COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: JIM REID Invention Title: RELEASABLE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR SECURITY SYSTEMS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

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-2o ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF RELEASABLE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR c-i SECURITY SYSTEMS Field of the Invention ;Z The present invention relates to security systems which are designed to bar entry to a building.

Background of the Invention The invention is particularly relevant to security screens such as those placed across a window in order to prevent unauthorised access to a building. The security screen may be in the form of bars, shutters or screen mesh.

o A typical security screen assembly consists of a ci fixed frame which is mounted in an opening such as a window of a building. A moveable frame with a security screen attached thereto is connected to the fixed frame to allow the moveable frame to open and close.

In the applicant' s earlier filed patent application no. WOO1/90519, an assembly for releasably retaining a security grill was described in which a latch assembly was-connected to the fixed frame so as to be engaged with a catch located on the moving frame. In one embodiment of that patent application the latch assembly could be operated by moving a handle of the latch assembly to engage or disengage a latch of the latch assembly with a catch located on the moving frame.

In some situations it may be necessary to ensure the moveable frame with the security screen attached to it can be quickly and easily moved to an open position so that in the event of an emergency someone can escape through the window.

The present invention provides an alternative type of releasable closure assembly which preferably enables an easy way of operating a latch assembly to move a moving frame to an open position.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a releasable closure assembly for security systems comprising a base frame which is adapted 4: \SueB\Keep\speci\P5391&-SPECcioc 12/081/05 -3 o to be located in an opening, a moveable frame having a c-i security screen portion for retaining a security screen and configured to be attached to the base frame and moveable with respect thereto, a latch means including a coupling portion which (N is able to engage with an engagement portion to retain the movealie frame in a closed position or disengage with the engagement portion to permit movement of the moveable frame to an open position and an urging means for urging the engagement portion to a disengagement position in a release mode of operation of a control means.

o In the release mode of operation it is preferred (Nthat the latch means releases the catch so that the moveable frame can move to an open position.

The moveable frame may be able to pivot with respect to the base frame.

The base frame is preferably a fixed frame.

The moveable frame may be able to slide with respect to the base frame.

The latch means may be attached to either the base frame or the moveable frame.

According to another embodiment the latch means is fixed to either the base or moveable frame.

The engagement portion preferably is part of or attachable to the frame which does not have the latch means.- Preferably the releasable closure assembly includes a control portion which is able to be controlled by a person to permit release of the coupling portion from engagement with the engagement portion.

The control means may include a control portion.

The control portion preferably includes a control lever, The control lever may be a handle which may be finger operable to allow operation of the latch means to disengage or engage with the catch.

The urging means preferably applies a force to the latch means which is able to disengage the coupling F: \SueB\Keep\speci\P57,91E.SPEC.doc 12/08/05 4 O portion from the engagement portion.

c The releasable closure assembly preferably Sincludes a closure means which is adapted to apply a force to the latch means to engage the coupling portion with the engagement portion when the control means is operated in a close mode.

In the close mode the control means preferably Vresults in the coupling portion engaging with the engagement portion.

S10 It is preferred that the control means control ci f lever is moveable between a release position and closed Sposition in the release and close mode respectively.

C The latch means may include a latch member which is moveable between the open and closed position.

The latch member may be able to pivot between the open and closed position.

The closure means preferably applies a force to the latch member to pivot it in one direction.

The urging means may apply a force to the latch member to pivot it in another direction.

Preferably the other direction is in a direction opposite to the one direction.

The closure means may apply the force directly or indirectly to the latch member.

The urging means may apply force directly or indirectly to the latch member.

It is preferred that the latch member has the coupling portion at one end.

The coupling portion is preferably in the form of a catch portion which is able to retain the engagement portion.

The engagement portion may be a catch.

The latch member may have a curved section which is generally semi-circular.

The latch member preferably has another end which may be the opposite end to the coupling portion end, which other end is configured to couple with part of the closure H: \SueB\Keep\speci\Pbi915,SFEC.doc 12/?8/05 5 o member.

c Preferably, the latch member has a distal end with a coupling formation which is configured to be located in a matching recess of the closure member.

c 5 The matching recess of the closure member may be a socket recess.

The closure member may be able to pivot with respect to the frame to which it is attached.

The closure member may have a pivot portion which is adapted to fit in a pivot socket of the releasable Sclosure assembly.

o The closure member may have a support portion for Sat least partially supporting the release means.

Alternatively, the closure member may have a support portion for partly housing the release means.

The support portion may extend between the control means and the urging means.

Preferably the support portion extends between the control lever and the urging means.

The latch means preferably includes the latch member and closure member.

The latch means may be in the form of a latch assembly including one or more parts.

The urging means may be adapted to apply a force to the closure member, which force is resisted by the control means when in the close mode of operation.

The urging means may be adapted to apply force to the first portion of the closure member.

Preferably the urging means applies a force to pivot the closure member with respect to the pivot portion.

The first control portion may extend between the socket recess and pivot portion.

It is preferred that the first control portion comprises a distended portion which contacts the urging means.

The distended portion may include a bulge, H:\SueB\Keep\speca\P57938.SPEC.dcc 12/06/05 -6enlarged portion, bulbous portion or a bend in the closure member.

It is preferred that the control portion extends ;Z generally at right angles to the support portion.

Preferably the support portion extends laterally CIfrom the control portion.

The support portion has a generally irregular elongate shape which curves upwardly at its distal end from the control portion.

o0 The urging means may be adapted to apply a force to the distended portion to force it to pivot with respect to the pivot portion in one direction.

It is preferred that the urging means is able to overcome the restraining force applied by the control means when the control means is in a release mode.

The urging means may be adapted to apply a force which urges the support portion to pivot with respect to the pivot portion in the sane direction of rotation as the first control portion.

The rotation of the closure member in the one direction preferably moves the latch member away from the engagement portion.

Preferably the support portion extends from the first control portion to a second control portion which is adjacent the control member.

The second control portion may comprise an attachment portion adapted to be attached to part of the control member.

The control member may include a pivot part which fits into the pivot recess of the second control portion and is able to pivot therein.

The support portion may be substantially elongate with a recess formed on an outer burface to seat the closure means.

Preferably the support portion extends upwardly at an angle from where the recess is formed to the second control portion.

}I:\Su~eB\Keep\5pecl\P/191S.SPEC.c'oc1/u/T 7 o The control member may be generally T-shaped.

C It is preferred that the closure member has a generally T-shaped configuration with the pivot portion located at one end of the head of the T-shape and the C 5 latch member attached to the opposite end of the T-shape.

Preferably, the support portion forms the long stem of the T-shape.

The control member preferably has a generally Tshaped configuration.

The control member preferably has a pivot part which is located at one end of the head of the T-shape.

o The control member preferably has a handle Ci section corresponding to the stem of the T-shape.

The control member may include a fulcrum portion at an opposite end to the pivot part.

It is preferred that the handle can be moved in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction with respect to the pivot part. It is preferred that movement of the handle in a clockwise direction results in rapid downward movement of the second control portion under action of the urging means applied to the closure member.

The urging means may comprise a spring housed in a recess in the base frame if the engagement portion is part of the moveable frame.

Preferably the distended portion comprises a curved outer surface on the opposite surface of the first control portion to that from which the support portion extends.

The latch member may be generally C-shaped.

The latch member preferably has a bottom portion which contacts an upper portion of the closure means.

When the control member is pushed upwardly the fulcrum portion preferably moves to one side to allow the pivot portion to move clockwise and the second control portion to move downwardly.

According to one embodiment, upward movement of the control member corresponds to clockwise movement.

H: \SeH\Keep\spec1\I-5?9IY.?~.doc 1/66/05 -8o Anticlockwise movement of the control portion may result in anticlockwise movement of the latch member.

The urging means may urge the closure member to pivot in an anticlockwise direction.

The urging means preferably provides a snap force which forces the second control member anticlockwise when the control lever is pushed to a release position or release mode.

According to one embodiment the engagement portion comprises a lateral extension extending from an inwardly directly wall from the moveable frame.

o It is preferred that a right-angled outer edge of Ci the closure member is located adjacent a distal end of the inwardly directly wall of the moveable frame.

The base frame may include a socket for receipt of the pivot portion of the closure member.

The base frame according to one embodiment includes a recess for receipt of the urging means.

The urging means preferably has an axial direction which is substantially similar to the axial direction of the inwardly directed wall of the moveable frame.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention the latch means is attached to the moveable frame.

It is preferred that the closure assembly includes a connecting means for attaching the latch means to the moveable frame.

The connecting means may comprise a connecting member.

The connecting member may have a recess for receipt of the urging means.

The connecting means may have a socket for receipt of the pivot portion.

Preferably the connecting means has a recess for receipt of a portion of the control lever to allow coupling therewith.

H:\$LJCE\Keep\speCi\7Y715.SECAdOC 12IOCIO5 -9o Movement of the control member to a release position Cl preferably results in the latch assembly snapping open.

It is preferred that the second control portion ;Z in this embodiment comprises a tail portion which couples with a lateral portion of the control lever when the Cl control lever is in a closed position.

According to one embodiment the latch member comprises a catch portion which is able to retain the engagement portion, a pivot portion allowing pivoting of the latch member and a control portion for attachment to a control lever.

o Preferably the catch portion, pivot portion and Cl control portion branch in different directions from a common point.

It is preferred that the control portion includes a recess for receiving a pivot portion of a control lever.

According to another embodiment the releasable closure assembly includes a control rod which is slidable within a guide to urge the control lever to release from engagement with the control portion.

Preferably the control lever includes a socket recess for receiving a pivot portion of the fixed frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a top cross-sectional view of a releasable closure assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an expanded cross-sectional view of the closure assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional top view of a releasable closure assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional top view of a releasable closure assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and H: Sue\ Keep\ spociP57 18SPEC. doc 12/08/65 10 o Figure 5 shows a cross sectional top view of a 0 releasable closure assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

;Z Detailed Description of the Drawings As shown in Figure 1 the closure assembly 11 consists of a fixed frame 12 and a moving frame 13 to which a security screen mesh is typically attached.

The moveable screen 12 is provided with an

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inwardly directed wall 13 with a lateral catch 14 extending to the left (or central region) of the assembly.

The fixed frame 11 has an outwardly directed straight wall 15 which is aligned with the inwardly directed wall 13 so as to shield it from outside tampering.

A latch assembly 16 is attached to the fixed frame 11 and consists of a generally C-shaped latch member 17 which is coupled to a pivotable support member 18 which in turn is coupled to a control lever 19 which is able to be pivoted with respect thereto.

The latch member 17 has an outer end 20 which is configured to engage with the catch 14.

In Figure 1 the latch member 17 is shown in a closed position engaging the catch 14 so that the moveable frame is also in a closed position.

The opposite end of the latch member 17 has a rounded configuration 21 which fits in a rounded socket 22 of the support component 18.

A bottom surface 23 of the latch member 17 curves outwardly and rests on a bow-spring 24 which itself is seated in a small recess 25 formed in an upper surface of a lateral elongate wall 26 of the support component 18.

The support component 18 has a wall 26 which extends along and above the top inner surface of the lower section of the latch member 17. A rounded pivot wall 27 is located at the bottom of the support component and is housed in a semi-circular recess formed at an inner-bend of curved wall section 28 of the fixed frame 11.

N:\Sk~eB\Keep\specA\P579Th-SPEC-doc o The support component 18 extends generally c-iupwardly from the pivot wall 27 and at right angles around the rounded socket 22 which supports the rounded end 21 of the latch member 17.

c-i An outer curved surface 29 is formed on an outer right side of this upwardly (outwardly) extending wall and contacts a bow spring 30 which is housed in a rectangular recess 31 in a section of the wall section 28 which is directed outwardly towards the moveable frame.

The lateral wall 25 has a generally irregular shape but extends away from the junction with the straight wall section on the opposite side of the curved surface 29. This lateral wall 25 extends approximately at right angles and curves upwardly from the recess 25 which houses spring 24 at around At the outer end 32 of the lateral wall 25 a hooked portion forms a generally semi-circular recess which houses a rounded pivotable wall 33 of the control lever 19. Lever 19 is generally T-shaped with the stem of the T acting as a release handle. The end 34 of the lever 19 which is opposite to the rounded wall 33 contacts the inner straight section 35 of the wall 28.

Operation of the latching assembly 16 will now be described.

As shown in Figure 1 the moveable frame 12 is closed with the latch 17 in engagement with the catch 14.

In this closed mode of operation the components of the latch assembly are as previously described. Thus, the control lever 19 is in a generally horizontal disposition or parallel with the face of the moveable frame and the rear wall 35 of the fixed frame 11.

In the closed position the spring 24 which is located between outer wall 23 of the latch 17 and the recess 25, forces the surface 23 upwardly and thus the opposite wall to 23 into abutment with wall 26 and the outer edge 20 into engagement with the catch 14.

At the same time the spring 19 applies a lateral H; \SUeB\IKeep~spec1\FPSI 916.SPFC. doc 12/06B/05 -12o force against surface 29 which attempts to force the c-I support component to the left or in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to pivot wall 27. However, the ;Z control lever 19 which affectively supports the end 32 of the lateral wall 25 prevents any rotational movement of the support component 18.

If the lever 19 is moved inwardly in the direction of the arrow this effectively rotates the lever 19 in a clockwise direction with respect to the pivot wall 33. As a result of this movement the lower edge 34 also moves clockwise and eventually it moves a sufficient distance so that the distal end 32 of the support component is able to move downwardly in a counterclockwise direction under the pressure applied by spring 30. When this occurs there is a sudden downward movement of the distal end 32 in a snapping action and the outer edge 34 is forced rapidly in a clockwise direction no longer providing any resistance to the anticlockwise movement of the distal end 32. When this occurs the whole of the support component 18 moves in a counter-clockwise direction and the wall 26 which abuts the opposite wall of latch member 17 takes the latch member 17 with it.

The result is the latch member 17 also moves in a counter-clockwise direction rapidly with the support component 18 resulting in a rapid disengagement of the outer edge 20 from the catch 14. The moveable frame 12 is then able to open and move away from the fixed frame 11.

According to another version of the invention it is also possible to move the lever 19 in the opposite direction to the arrow shown in Figure 1 and produce a similar opening action of latch 17. Thus in an embodiment where movement of the lever in either direction results in sudden opening of the moveable frame, very little force is required in order to operate the latch mechanism if an emergency requires that there is quick and easy opening of the moveable frame.

According to one embodiment it is also possible H:.\SueB\Keep\speci\,P5791&.SPEC.doc 32/Oe/O5 -13 o to reverse the above steps in order to re-engage the latch c-i member 17 with a catch 14.

Although it is preferred to have the components ;Z described above with the specifically described configurations, it should be understood that components (N may be designed differently with less or more moving parts and still attain the same rapid release effect.

According to a second embodiment of the invention

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shown in Figure 3, the latch assembly 17 is replaced by a similar latch assembly 117. Many parts of the latch assembly 117 are similar to those of latch assembly 17 with like components having the same numeral with a prefixed 1. The main differences will be outlined below.

The main difference between the latch assembly 117 and latch assembly 17 is the provision of a special connecting piece 50 which allows the latch assembly 117 to be attached to the moveable frame 112. The connecting piece 50 consists of a planar wall section 51 which is retained in a channel 52 tonmed under a right-angled ridge extending inwardly from the moveable frame 112. This connecting piece 50 is provided with an inwardly directed wall section 54 having a rounded channel 55 which houses the pivot wall 127 in a similar way to the recess formed in wall 28. In addition the wall 54 has a rectangular recess 56 which houses spring 130. Thus the connecting piece 50 provides a special piece for mounting the spring 130 and pivot wall 127 to the mnoveable frame 112 without having to specially configure the moveable frame 112. it should be noted however, that if it is desired to specially configure the moveable frame 112 then the connecting piece 50 can be simply incorporated as an integral formation on the inner surface of the moveable frame 112.

In addition to the above, the connecting piece also has a rounded recess formed at its opposite end to the end having recess 55 and 56. This recess 57 allows a rounded end 133 of control lever 119 to be connected to II:k~u~h\eopspcfl579~-SEC-oc12/08I05 -14 o the moveable frame 112 so as to pivot with respect 0 thereto.

In contrast to control lever 19, control lever ;Z 119 is effectively a right-angled wall section with a lateral ridge 60 (angled upwardly at approximately 450) contacting a lower surface of the outer edge 132 of the lateral wall 125.

A catch 61 is provided on the fixed frame Il1 and has an inner surface which engages with the corresponding inner surface of the outer edge 120.

The latch assembly can be operated in a similar fashion to that described in relation to Figure 1. Thus, movement of lever 119 in a clockwise direction eventually disengages the lateral ridge 60 from the outer edge 132.

When this occurs, the spring 130 provides a sudden force urging the support component 118 in a clockwise direction moving the latch 117 with it. When this occurs, clockwise movement of latch 117 moves the outer edge 120 out of engagement with the catch 61 and provides an automatic opening of the releasable assembly.

Figure 2 shows the opposite sides of the moveable and fixed frames for a moveable frame which is pivotally attached to the fixed frame 11 as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 also shows a pivotal connection between the fixed and moving frame when these frames are configured for the latch assembly to be connected to the moveable frame. The same principle applies when the moving frame is sliding instead of pivoting.

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in which the latch member 17 and pivotable support member 18 of the first embodiment are combined into a latch assembly 70 with a head section 71 consisting of an upright straight section (vertical in the figure) with an outer end 72 which is bent at slightly less than 900 to form a catch 73 which is analogous to the catch 14 of the first embodiment.

The bottom of the head section 71 extends from an speciP7W.SPEC>Jiou 12/Os/OSb angled straight section 74 which extends between a control lever 75 (analogous to control lever 19) and a support section 76 (analogous to support component 18) which has a pivot wall 77.

The upper end of the support section 76 extends CI substantially in parallel to the vertical section of the head section 71. As with the first embodiment a bow spring 78 is provided in a recess 79 so as to act on an outer curved surface 80 of the support section 76.

The above embodiment dispenses with a spring 24 as shown in Figure 1.

o In Figure 5 a variation on the first embodiment CIis shown in which the control level 15 is replaced by a control lever 90 which is able to be activated by a telescopic arm 91.

A central rod 92 of the telescopic arm 91 is able to move upwardly (according to the frame of reference of Figure 5) and strike the control lever 90 which is pivotally supported on a pivot extension 93 of the frame 94. A spring 95 housed in a recess in the side of the frame 94 directed outwardly from the rear part of the frame supports this spring 95 and normally urges the control level 90 into engagement with the outer end 96 of the latch assembly 97. The outer edge 96 engages with a catch of the control level 90 which keeps the latch assembly engaged with the lateral catch 98 (strike) of the movable frame. By moving the rod 92 to strike the outermost end 99 of control lever 90, the control lever pivots with respect to the pivot support 93 against the force applied by the spring 95. The latch assembly then snaps open in a similar fashion to that described in relation to the first embodiment.

According to a further embodiment the rod 92 can be controlled by an automated mechanism involving electromagnets or similar. Therefore a simple clicking of a switch can operate the rod to open the latch assembly and release the movable frame.

H:\SueB\Keep~speci\F& 7 '96SFG.oc 16 o It should be noted for convenience many of the Scomponcnts and parts of the releasable closure assembly have been described having regard to the specific representation shown in Figures 1 to 3. Thus, if the components are viewed from different angles, directions of movement and rotation could be different.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art Spublication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part S 10 of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia Sor in any other country.

SIn the claims which follow and in the preceding Cl description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

H: \SueB\Keep\speci\-P591 SPEC.Ooc li/('*/Li

Claims (27)

1. 2. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the release mode of operation the latch means releases the catch so that the movable frame can move to an open position.
2. 3. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the movable frame is able to pivot with respect to the base frame.
3. 4. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the base frame is a fixed frame. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movable frame is able to slide with respect to the base frame.
4. 6. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch means is attached to either the base frame or the movable frame.
5. 7. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch means is fixed to either the base or movable frame.
6. 8. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim I wherein the engagement portion is part of the frame which does not have the latch means.
7. 9. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the engagement portion is attachable to H: Sue\Kep~seciPS718.FECdoc12/08/05 -18 o the frame which does not have the latch means. c-i 10. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 including a control portion which is able to be controlled by a person to permit release of the coupling portion from engagement with the engagement portion.
8. 11. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the control means includes a control V) portion including a control lever.
9. 12. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control lever comprises a handle which is finger operable to allow operation of the latch means to disengage or engage the catch.
10. 13. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the urging means applies a force to the latch means which is able to disengage the coupling portion from the engagement portion.
11. 14. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a closure means which is adapted to apply a force to the latch means to engage the coupling portion with the engagement portion when the control means is operated in a closed mode. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the control means control lever is movable between a release position and a closed position in the release and closed mode respectively.
12. 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch means includes a latch member which is movable between the open and closed positions.
13. 17. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein'the latch member is able to pivot between the open and closed position.
14. 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure means applies a force to the latch member to pivot it in one direction.
15. 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the urging means applies a force to the latch member to H \Suelflep\pt\5791. SPEC, do. 12/0H/O5 19 pivot it in another direction. c-i 20. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the other direction is in a direction ;Z opposite to the one direction. c-i 521. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 c-i wherein the latch member has the coupling portion at one end which is able to retain the engagement portion. V) 22. A releasable closure assembly as claimed in IND claim 21 wherein an engagement portion comprises a catch.
16. 23. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the latch member has another end which o is configured to couple with part of the closure member. (N24. The releasabl e closure assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the latch member comprises a catch portion which is able to retain the engagement portion, a pivot portion for allowing pivoting of the latch member and a control portion for attachment to a control lever. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the catch portion, pivot portion and control portion branch out in different directions.
17. 26. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein the control portion includes a socket configured to receive a pivot portion of a control lever.
18. 27. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein the latch member is urged by a spring to snap release when the control portion is controlled by a control lever which is moved to a release position.
19. 28. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the latch member has a distal end with a coupling formation which is configured to be located in a matching recess of the closure member.
20. 29-. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 28 wherein the closure member has a pivot portion which is configured to fit in a pivot socket of the releasable closure assembly to allow pivoting of the The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein the closure member has a support H: \SlieB\Knep\ Spec]2\P57 916. SPI;. doc 20 o portion for partly housing the release means, the support C portion extending between the control means and the urging means. 31 The releasable closure assembly as claimed c- 5 in claim 30 wherein the support portion extends between C the control lever and the urging means.
21. 32. The releasable closure assembly as claimed V)in claim 31 wherein the latch means includes the latch ID member and closure member. 10 33. The releasable closure assembly as claimed CA Sin claim 32 wherein the urging means is adapted to apply a force to the first portion of the closure member. CA 34. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein the urging means applies a force to pivot the closure member with respect to the pivot portion. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 34 wherein the first control portion extends between the matching recess of the closure member and the pivot portion.
22. 36. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 35 wherein the support portion has an outer end which engages with a catch of control lever for controlling operation of the latch member.
23. 37. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 35 wherein the support portion has an outer end portion configured to couple with a pivot portion of a control lever.
24. 38. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch means includes a control rod which is movable to operate a control lever of the latch means.
25. 39. The releasable closure assembly as claimed in claim 37 wherein the latch means includes a control lever with a catch which engages a catch portion at an outer end of the support portion. The releasable closure assembly as claimed H: \suee\Eeep\speci\PS791.$-PEC doc 21 o in claim 39 including a control rod with an outer end C- which is adapted to control operation of the control DJ lever.
26. 41. The releasable closure assembly as claimed C- 5 in claim 40 wherein the control lever is urged by a spring into engagement with the engagement portion of the support portion.
27. 42. A releasable closure assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone of the ebodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. o 10 embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. c- c-I H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P57918.SPEC.doc i2/0