AU2021221833A1

AU2021221833A1 - Latch mechanism for vehicle glove box

Info

Publication number: AU2021221833A1
Application number: AU2021221833A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fengji WANG
Original assignee: Vehicle Development Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vehicle Development Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2023-03-16

Abstract

The invention provides a latch mechanism (1) of a vehicle glove box 20). The vehicle glove box (20) comprises a rectangular body or box (21) defining a storage space (22) for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening (23) for accessing that 5 space (22), and a cover (24) for the opening (23) of the rectangular body or box (21). The cover (24) is moveable between a closed position and an open position. The latch mechanism (1) comprises: a housing (2) configured to be mounted to a side (27) of the body or box (21); and an elongate latching member (5) within the housing (2), one end region (6) of which latching member (5) is configured to engage a strike (29) on the 0 cover (24) to retain the cover in the closed position. The latching member (5) is adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position engaging the strike and a retracted position to release the cover to open the compartment. The latch mechanism (1) further includes an actuating assembly (7) having a first actuating member (8) that projects for manual contact by an operator and a second actuating member (10) located 5 within the housing (2) in abutment with the first actuating member (8). The first and second actuating members (8, 10) are configured for linear or siding movement along an axis (Y) generally perpendicular to an axis of movement of the latching member (5). Manually pressing the first actuating member (8) moves the second actuating member (10) to a depressed position and drives the latching member (5) from the extended 0 position to the retracted position. (Fig. 1) 1/5 20 25 1.-.-.- --- 8 26: 31 13 -26 6 22 3 2- 227 "A"l Fig. 1 26 20 24 25 30, 31 28 X+ 29 5 28 61 1 23,22 27 Fig. 2

Description

1/5 20 25

1.-.-.- --- 8 26: 31 13 -26 6 22 3 2- 227 "A"l

Fig. 1 26 20

24

25 30, 31

28 X+ 29

5 28 61

1

23,22

27

Fig. 2

LATCH MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE GLOVE BOX

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a latch mechanism for a vehicle glove box, also known as a glove compartment, and to a vehicle glove box or glove compartment incorporating such a latch mechanism.

[0002] The latch mechanism of the invention is designed for use in a vehicle glove box or glove compartment, more particularly those typically found in automobiles, and it will be convenient to describe the invention in this exemplary context. It will be appreciated, however, that the latch mechanism of the invention is not limited to such applications and may be used in a range of other compartment closure applications.

Background Art

[0003] The following discussion of background art in this specification should in no way be considered an admission that such background is prior art or that such background art is well known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or in any other country.

[0004] Automobiles manufactured for the European and North American markets are typically built in a left-hand drive configuration. As the right-hand drive vehicle markets, such as Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, are individually quite small compared to Europe and North America, there are certain vehicles manufactured ?0 for the European and North American markets which the original manufacturers do not produce in a right-hand drive configuration, despite the fact that a demand for those vehicles may exist in the right-hand drive markets. This has created niche markets for specialists in converting left-hand drive vehicles to a right-hand drive configuration.

[0005] It will be appreciated that the conversion of a left-hand drive vehicle to a right ?5 hand drive configuration can be a complicated procedure and often requires significant redesign of vehicle panels, components, and assemblies, especially in and around the dashboard of the vehicle. This redesign may be necessitated by a number of factors, including local standards and local vehicle compliance requirements, but also because the original arrangement of panels, components, and assemblies, may not lend itself to or even permit a simple reversal of orientation. In the present instance, the Applicant has found this to be the case during a conversion from a left-hand drive configuration to a right-hand drive configuration. A redesign of the glove box or glove compartment and its latch mechanism has been required.

[0006] It would therefore be desirable to provide a new latch mechanism for a vehicle glove box or glove compartment as well as a vehicle glove box or glove compartment that includes such a latch mechanism. Throughout this specification the terms "glove box" and "glove compartment" will be used and understood interchangeably.

Summary

[0007] According to one broad aspect, the invention provides a latch mechanism for a vehicle glove compartment. The vehicle glove compartment comprises a compartment body defining a compartment space for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening for accessing that space, and a cover for the opening of the compartment body, the cover being moveable between a closed position and an open position (i.e., to close and to open the compartment space, respectively). The latch mechanism includes a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the compartment body; an elongate latching member within the housing, one end region of the latching member being configured to engage a strike on the compartment cover to retain the cover in the closed position, the latching member being adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position engaging the strike and a retracted position to release the cover to open the compartment; and an actuating assembly comprising a first actuating member projecting for manual contact by an operator and a second actuating member located within the housing in abutment with the first actuating member. The first and second actuating members are configured for linear or siding movement along an axis generally perpendicular to an axis of movement of the latching member. Manually pressing the ?5 first actuating member moves the second actuating member to a depressed position and drives the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0008] In an embodiment, the elongate latching member is resiliently biased (e.g., by a spring) to the extended position. The first actuating member is preferably also resiliently biased (e.g., by a spring) to project from the housing for manual operation. In this regard, the second actuating member may be resiliently biased (e.g., by a spring) away from the depressed position, which, in turn, biases the first actuating member to project from the housing for manual operation.

[0009] In an embodiment, the cover for the glove compartment is configured to move between the closed and open positions by rotation about a pivot axis. In this regard, the cover includes a cover panel supported on side arms or struts mounted to the glove compartment body for rotation about the pivot axis, and the strike on the compartment cover engaged by the latching member in the extended position is provided on one of the side arms or struts.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first actuating member is constrained via a tongue and groove arrangement for linear or siding movement along an axis. The second actuating member in abutment with the first actuating member is preferably constrained, also via a tongue and groove arrangement, for linear or siding movement along the axis.

[0011] In an embodiment, the second actuating member includes one or more contact surfaces for engaging and interacting with one or more corresponding ramp surfaces on the latching member as the second actuating member moves to the depressed position to drive the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position. The interaction between the contact surface(s) and the ramp surface(s) operates to transfer the linear movement of the second actuating member in one direction into the linear movement of the latching member in a substantially perpendicular direction. To this end, the ramp surface(s) is/are preferably pitched at an angle in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees, and more preferably at about 45 degrees.

[0012] In an embodiment, the housing presents a face with multiple fastening points for secured fastening to the side of the compartment body for stable and reliable mounting of the latch mechanism to the glove compartment. In this regard, the face of the housing with multiple fastening points is preferably adjacent the one end region of the latching member configured to engage the strike on the compartment cover.

?5 [0013] In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one fastening point to secure the housing to a cross-vehicle beam or member of a dashboard frame. The at least one fastening point for securing the housing to a cross-vehicle beam or frame member is at or adjacent an opposite end region of the latching member.

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention provides a latch mechanism of a vehicle glove compartment, the vehicle glove compartment comprising: a compartment body defining a compartment space for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening for accessing that space, and a cover for the opening of the compartment body, the cover being moveable between a closed position and an open position. The latch mechanism comprises: a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the compartment body; an elongate latching member within the housing, one end region of which latching member is configured to engage a strike on the compartment cover to retain the cover in the closed position, wherein the latching member is adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position engaging the strike and a retracted position to release the cover to open the compartment; and an actuating assembly comprising an actuating member projecting for manual contact by an operator, wherein manually pressing the actuating member drives the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position. The housing has multiple fastening points for stably and securely mounting the latch mechanism to the side of the glove compartment body.

[0015] In an embodiment, the housing presents a face with multiple fastening points for securely fastening the latch mechanism to the side of the compartment body. The face of the housing with the multiple fastening points is adjacent the one end region of the latching member configured to engage the strike on the compartment cover.

[0016] In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one fastening point to secure the housing to a cross-vehicle beam or frame member of a dashboard subframe. The at least one fastening point for securing the housing to a cross-vehicle beam is preferably at or adjacent an opposite end region of the latching member.

[0017] In an embodiment, the actuating assembly includes at least one contact surface for engaging and interacting with a corresponding ramp surface on the latching member as the actuating member is pressed to drive the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position. In this way, interaction between the contact surface(s) ?5 and ramp surface(s) operates to transfer linear movement of the actuating member in one direction to linear movement of the latching member in a substantially perpendicular direction. The ramp surface(s) is/are preferably pitched at an angle in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees, and more preferably at about 45 degrees.

[0018] According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a vehicle glove box or glove compartment, comprising: a compartment body defining a space for receiving and holding items therein with an opening for accessing that space, a cover for the opening of the compartment body, wherein the cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a latch mechanism according to any one of the embodiments of the invention described above.

[0019] In an embodiment, the cover for the glove compartment is configured to move between the closed position and the open position by rotation about a pivot axis. The cover includes a cover panel supported on side arms or side struts mounted to the compartment body for rotation about the pivot axis, and the strike on the compartment cover engaged by the latching member in the extended position is provided on one of the side arms or side struts. The cover for the glove compartment is resiliently biased to the open position.

[0020] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method of repositioning a vehicle glove box initially provided in a dashboard on a right-hand side of a vehicle to a left-hand side of a vehicle, the method including steps of: removing the glove box from a right-hand side of a dashboard of a left-hand drive vehicle (i.e., from a passenger side of the left-hand drive vehicle); locating the glove box in a left-hand side of a dashboard of a right-hand drive vehicle (i.e., in a passenger side of the right-hand drive vehicle); and operatively associating a latch mechanism according to any of the embodiments described above with the glove box located in the left-hand side of the dashboard.

[0021] According to another aspect, the invention provides, in combination, a vehicle glove box and a latch mechanism according to any one of the embodiments described above, wherein the glove box is repositioned from a dashboard in which the glove box is initially positioned on a right-hand side of the vehicle to a left-hand side of the vehicle, wherein the latch mechanism is operatively associated with the repositioned glove box.

[0022] In an embodiment, the latch mechanism may be affixed to the glove box and/or ?5 to a frame of the dashboard. In an embodiment, the first actuating member for manual operation is located in a portion of the dashboard on the passenger side of the right hand-drive vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] For a more complete understanding of the invention and advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle glove box or glove compartment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective partial side view of a vehicle glove box according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a latch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the region "A" in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the latch mechanism in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is another exploded perspective view of the latch mechanism in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the latch mechanism in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the latching member and the second actuating member in the housing of the latch mechanism of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the latching member and the second actuating member from Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the latching member and the second actuating member from Fig. 8.

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of ?0 the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the following detailed description.

?5 [0025] It will be appreciated that common and/or well understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a more abstracted view of the embodiments. Furthermore, it will be noted that the elements of the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to each other. It will also be understood that certain actions or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0026] With reference firstly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, an embodiment of a vehicle glove box 20 according to the invention is illustrated. The glove box 20 comprises a generally rectangular hollow body or box 21 having an interior storage space 22 for receiving and holding items, such as driving gloves, sunglasses, maps, or the like, therein. An opening 23 for accessing that storage space 22 is provided at the front of the body or box 21, and a cover or door 24 forming a closure for that opening 23 is provided. The cover or door 24 comprises a cover panel 25 which extends across the opening 23 supported on side arms or struts 26 which are mounted at opposite sides 27 of the body or box 21 for rotation about a pivot axis X via a hinge connection 28. In this way, the cover or door 24 of the glove box 20 is configured to move between a closed position and an open position by rotation of the cover panel 25 on the side arms or struts 26 about the pivot axis X.

[0027] The glove box 20 further includes a latch mechanism 1 mounted to one side 27 of the body or box 21. The latch mechanism 1 includes a housing 2 formed as moulded plastic component having a flange 3 with multiple fastening points 4 (e.g., holes with screws) for securely fastening to a side 27 of the body or box 21 for stably and reliably mounting the latch mechanism 1 to the glove box 20. An elongate latching member 5 is arranged within the housing 2, with an end region 6 of the latching member 5 being ?5 configured to engage a strike or abutment 29 (e.g., in the form of a lobe) on one arm or strut 26 of the cover 24 to retain the cover 24 in the closed position. In this regard, it will be noted that the cover 24 of the glove box 20 is resiliently biased to the open position by one or more springs, e.g., a torsion spring, (not shown) in the hinge connection 28 of the opposite arms or struts 26. The latching member 5 is adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position (as seen in Figs. 1 to 4) engaging the strike or abutment 29 and a retracted position to release the cover 24 to open the glove box 20 under the action of the spring bias in the hinges 28. When the latching member 5 is retracted from its engagement with the strike or abutment 29 on the arm or strut 26, the arm or strut 26 is released to pivot about the axis X. In doing so, the free end 6 of the latching member 5 may bear and/or slide against a smooth flat surface 30 of a contact element 31 provided on the arm or strut 26 adjacent the strike or abutment 29. It will be noted that in Fig. 2 the latching member 5 is shown in isolation (i.e., without surrounding parts of the latch mechanism 1) for a clearer (more abstracted) view of the positional relationship of the latching member 5 to the strike or abutment 29 in operation.

[0028] Referring also to drawing Figs. 5 to 7, the latch mechanism 1 further includes an actuating assembly 7 comprising a range of components that cooperate to actuate the movement of the latching member 5. The actuating assembly 7 includes a first actuating member in the form of a button 8 which projects from a rectangular chamber 9 of the housing 2 for manual contact by an operator. A second actuating member 10 is located within the rectangular chamber 9 in abutment with the first actuating member or button 8. The first and second actuating members 8, 10 are each constrained via their own tongue 11 and groove arrangements 12 for linear or siding movement along an axis Y within the rectangular chamber 9 of the housing 2. This axis Y of the actuating members 8, 10 extends generally perpendicular to a direction or line of movement of the latching member 5. When an operator manually presses the first actuating member or button 8 into the chamber 9, this then moves the second actuating member 10 to a depressed position and operates to drive the latching member 5 from its extended position in engagement with the strike 29 into the retracted position to release and thereby open the cover 24 of the glove box 20. A cap 13 having fastening points 4 (e.g., holes with screws) secures the two actuating members 8, 10 in the rectangular chamber 9 of the housing 2, and a compression spring 14 provided on a stem 15 of the second actuating member 10 resiliently biases both actuating members 8, 10 towards the cap ?5 13 so the button 8 is biased to project from the cap 13 for manual operation. It will be noted from Fig. 7 that the stem of the second actuating member 10 may extend through a hole 16 in a base of the housing 2 when an operator manually presses the button 8 into the chamber 9 to move the second actuating member 10 to the depressed position.

[0029] With reference also now to drawing Figs. 8 to 10, it will be seen that the second actuating member 10 includes curved contact surfaces 17 for engaging and interacting with corresponding ramp surfaces 18 on the latching member 5 as the second actuating member 10 moves to the depressed position to drive the latching member 5 from the extended position to the retracted position. In this regard, the interaction between the curved contact surfaces 17 and the ramp surfaces 18 operates to transfer the linear movement of the second actuating member 10 in the Y direction within the chamber 9 into the linear movement of the latching member 5 in a substantially perpendicular direction. To this end, the ramp surfaces are preferably pitched at an angle of about 45 degrees. The latching member 5 is resiliently biased to return to the extended position via a spring 19 provided on a stem-like extension 19' at an end region of the elongate latching member 5 opposite to the end region 3 which engages the strike 29. Thus, as an operator releases manual pressure on the button 8, both of the springs 14, 19 act to return the mechanism to its original position. However, as the cover 24 is biased to the open position, the latching member 5 will only return to the extended, latched position in engagement with the strike or abutment 29 when an operator manually closes the cover 24 of the glove box 20. It will be appreciated that the housing 2 further includes at least one fastening point 32 at or adjacent the opposite end region of the latching member 5 (i.e., adjacent the stem-like extension 19') to secure the housing 2 to a cross-vehicle beam or member of a dashboard frame (not shown). An insert 33 covers and encloses the latching member 5 within the housing 2, secured by screws at fastening points 4. The insert component 33 provides a supporting frame around the latching member 5 to guide its movement between the extended and retracted positions. In this regard, for example, the insert component 33 includes an aperture 34 for supporting end region 6 of the latching member 5 which engages the arm 26 of the glove box cover 24. The end region 6 is laterally offset from the main extent of the elongate latching member 5 in order to position that end region 6 optimally for the strike or abutment 29 on the arm or strut 26 of the glove box 20.

[0030] It will be noted that the various parts or components of the latch mechanism 1 ?5 (other than the springs 14, 19) are preferably formed of a polymer plastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP). polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), or the like. The components of latch mechanism 1 may, for example, be moulded parts.

[0031] Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that each exemplary embodiment is an example only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0032] It will also be appreciated that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain", "containing", "have", "having", and variations thereof used in this document are, unless the context indicates otherwise, intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus, or system described herein is not limited to those features, integers, parts, elements, or steps recited but may include other features, integers, parts, elements, or steps not expressly listed and/or inherent to such process, method, device, apparatus, or system. Further, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third" etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose any numerical requirements on or to establish any ranking of importance of their objects. In addition, reference to positional terms, such as "lower" and "upper", used in the above description are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee in the appropriate context.

[0033] Reference signs:

1 latch mechanism 20 glove box or glove compartment 2 housing 21 hollow body or box 3 flange 22 storage space 4 fastening point 23 opening latching member 24 cover or door 6 end region of latching member 25 cover panel 7 actuating assembly 26 side arms or struts 8 first actuating member or button 27 side of hollow body or box 9 rectangular chamber 28 hinge connection second actuating member 29 strike or abutment 11 tongue 30 smooth flat surface 12 groove 31 contact element 13 cap 32 fastening point 14 spring 33 insert component stem 34 aperture 16 hole X pivot axis 17 contact surface Y axis of actuating assembly 18 ramp surface 19 spring 19' stem-like extension

Claims

Claims:

1. A latch mechanism of a vehicle glove compartment, wherein the vehicle glove compartment comprises a compartment body defining a compartment space for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening for accessing that space, and a cover for the opening of the compartment body, the cover being moveable between a closed position and an open position, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the compartment body; an elongate latching member within the housing, one end region of which latching member is configured to engage a strike on the compartment cover to retain the cover in the closed position, wherein the latching member is adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position engaging the strike and a retracted position to release the cover to open the compartment; and an actuating assembly comprising a first actuating member projecting for manual contact by an operator and a second actuating member located within the housing in abutment with the first actuating member, wherein the first and second actuating members are configured for linear or siding movement along an axis generally perpendicular to an axis of movement of the latching member; wherein manually pressing the first actuating member moves the second actuating member to a depressed position and drives the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position.

2. A latch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the latching member is biased (e.g., resiliently biased or spring biased) to the extended position.

3. A latch mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first actuating member is biased (e.g., resiliently biased or spring biased) to project from the housing for manual operation.

4. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover for the glove compartment is configured to move between the closed and open positions by rotation about a pivot axis, wherein the cover includes a cover panel supported on side arms or struts mounted to the compartment body for rotation about the pivot axis, and wherein the strike on the compartment cover engaged by the latching member in the extended position is provided on one of the side arms or struts.

5. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first actuating member is constrained via a tongue and groove arrangement for linear or siding movement along an axis, and/or wherein the second actuating member in abutment with the first actuating member is constrained via a tongue and groove arrangement for linear or siding movement along the axis.

6. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second actuating member is spring biased away from the depressed position, which, in turn, biases the first actuating member to project from the housing for manual operation.

7. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second actuating member includes one or more contact surfaces for engaging and interacting with one or more corresponding ramp surfaces on the latching member as the second actuating member moves to the depressed position to drive the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position.

8. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing presents a face with multiple fastening points for secured fastening to the side of the compartment body for stable and reliable mounting of the latch mechanism to the glove compartment.

9. A latch mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the face of the housing with multiple fastening points is adjacent the one end region of the latching member configured to engage the strike on the compartment cover.

10. A latch mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes at least one fastening point to secure the housing to a cross vehicle beam or frame member of a dashboard.

11. A latch mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the at least one fastening point for securing the housing to a cross-vehicle beam is adjacent an opposite end region of the latching member.

12. A latch mechanism of a vehicle glove compartment, wherein the vehicle glove compartment comprises a compartment body defining a compartment space for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening for accessing that space, and a cover for the opening of the compartment body, the cover being moveable between a closed position and an open position, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the compartment body; an elongate latching member within the housing, one end region of which latching member is configured to engage a strike on the compartment cover to retain the cover in the closed position, wherein the latching member is adapted for linear or siding movement between an extended position engaging the strike and a retracted position to release the cover to open the compartment; and an actuating assembly comprising a first actuating member projecting for manual contact by an operator, wherein manually pressing the first actuating member drives the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position; wherein the housing has multiple fastening points for stably mounting the latch mechanism to the side of the glove compartment body.

13. A latch mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the housing presents a face O with multiple fastening points for securely fastening the latch mechanism to the side of the compartment body.

14. A latch mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the face of the housing with multiple fastening points is adjacent the one end region of the latching member configured to engage the strike on the compartment cover.

?5 15. A latch mechanism according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the housing includes at least one fastening point to secure the housing to a cross-vehicle beam or frame member of a dashboard.

16. A latch mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the at least one fastening point for securing the housing to a cross-vehicle beam is adjacent an opposite end region of the latching member.

17. A latch mechanism according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the actuating assembly includes one or more contact surfaces for engaging and interacting with one or more corresponding ramp surfaces on the latching member as the first actuating member is pressed thereby to drive the latching member from the extended position to the retracted position.

18. A vehicle glove compartment comprising: a compartment body defining a space for receiving and holding items therein and having an opening for accessing that space, a cover for the opening of the compartment body, wherein the cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a latch mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 17 mounted to a side of the compartment body.

19. A vehicle glove compartment according to claim 18, wherein the cover for the glove compartment is configured to move between the closed position and the open position by rotation about a pivot axis, wherein the cover includes a cover panel supported on side arms or struts mounted to the compartment body for rotation about the pivot axis, and wherein the strike on the compartment cover engaged by the latching member in the extended position is provided on one of the side arms or struts.

20. A vehicle glove compartment according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the cover for the glove compartment is resiliently biased to the open position.

21. A method of repositioning a vehicle glove box initially provided in a dashboard on a right-hand side of a vehicle to a left-hand side of a vehicle, the method including steps of: removing the glove box from a right-hand side of a dashboard of a left hand drive vehicle (i.e., from a passenger side of the left-hand drive vehicle); locating the glove box in a left-hand side of a dashboard of a right-hand drive vehicle (i.e., in a passenger side of the right-hand drive vehicle); and operatively associating a latch mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 with the glove box located in the left-hand side of the dashboard.

22. In combination, a vehicle glove box and a latch mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the glove box is repositioned from a dashboard in which the glove box is initially positioned on a right-hand side of the vehicle to a left-hand side of the vehicle, the latch mechanism being operatively associated with the repositioned glove box.

23. The combination according to claim 22, wherein the latch mechanism is affixed to the glove box.

24. The combination according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the latch mechanism is affixed to a frame of the dashboard.

25. The combination according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the first actuating member is located in a portion of the dashboard on the passenger side of the right hand-drive vehicle.