CN215956901U - Latch and locking structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A latch locks first and second objects to a third object. The latch includes: a housing secured to a third article and having a bottom wall, two laterally opposed side walls extending vertically from the bottom wall, an end wall connected between the two side walls, an open end longitudinally opposed from the end wall, and an open top vertically opposed from the bottom wall; the first locking piece and the second locking piece are respectively at least partially accommodated between the two side walls of the shell and are stacked along the vertical direction, and the second locking piece is closer to the top part than the first locking piece; the first locking piece and the second locking piece respectively slide along the longitudinal direction, and when the first locking piece and the second locking piece are positioned at the respective locking positions, the first locking piece and the second locking piece respectively lock the first object and the second object; wherein, be equipped with first butt portion on the first locking piece, be equipped with the second on the second locking piece and lean on the portion, first butt portion butt second butt portion, and drive the second locking piece and remove its release position together. A locking structure is also disclosed.

Description

Latch and locking structure

Technical Field

The present application relates to a latch, and more particularly to a dual layer latch capable of locking a second object and a third object relative to a first object. The present application also relates to a locking structure incorporating the latch.

Background

A latch is a common locking element or fastener that is capable of locking and releasing one item relative to another.

In some use environments, it is desirable for the latch to be able to lock and release more than one item, for example, a first item and a second item relative to a third item, such as may occur in an interposed structure of multiple electronic components (such as a storage board, circuit board) of a server. Moreover, it would be desirable if such a latch were not a simple superposition of two independent latches, but rather had a more compact structure, fewer parts, and more space efficient than two independent latches, while also providing a better use experience. In addition, such latches are expected to have simplified operation, enabling simultaneous unlocking or locking of two items by one operation.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

A latch according to the present application is used to lock first and second objects to a third object. The latch includes: a housing secured to the third article and having a bottom wall, two laterally opposite side walls extending vertically from the bottom wall, an end wall connected between the two side walls, an open end longitudinally opposite the end wall, and an open top longitudinally opposite the bottom wall, wherein the vertical, the lateral and the longitudinal directions are perpendicular two by two; a first locking member and a second locking member, each of which is at least partially received between two side walls of the housing and is stacked along the vertical direction, wherein the second locking member is closer to the top than the first locking member; said first and second locking members being slidable relative to said housing in said longitudinal direction between a locking position away from said end wall and a release position adjacent said end wall, respectively, said first and second locking members locking said first and second objects, respectively, when in their respective locking positions; when the first locking piece and the second locking piece are both in the locking position and the first locking piece moves from the locking position to the releasing position, the first abutting part abuts against the second abutting part to drive the second locking piece to move to the releasing position together.

In one embodiment, when the first and second locking members are both in the locking position and the second locking member is moved from its locking position to its releasing position, the first and second abutment portions are separated from each other and the second locking member is independently movable relative to the first locking member.

In one embodiment, when the first locking member and the second locking member are both in the release position and the second locking member moves from the release position to the locking position, the second abutting portion abuts against the first abutting portion to drive the first locking member to move to the locking position together.

In one embodiment, said first locking member is provided with a first locking portion at said open end which projects outwardly of said open end in said longitudinal direction; the second locking piece is provided with a second locking portion at the open end, which protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the open end; the first locking portion and the second locking portion are aligned along the vertical direction when the first locking member and the second locking member are both in their respective locking positions.

In one embodiment, the first locking portion has a generally tapered shape extending along the vertical direction, having a smaller cross-sectional area on a side near the top wall and a larger cross-sectional area on a side near the bottom wall; the second locking portion has substantially the same shape as the first locking portion.

In one embodiment, the housing is provided with a first carrier stage and a second carrier stage at the open end; the first bearing table is arranged to face the first locking part when the first locking part is located at the locking position of the first bearing table so as to clamp the first object, wherein one side of the first locking part with a larger cross section area is a clamping side; the second bearing table is arranged to face the second locking part when the second locking part is located at the locking position thereof so as to clamp the second object, wherein one side of the second locking part having a larger cross-sectional area is a clamping side.

In one embodiment, the first abutment extends laterally outward from at least one of the two lateral sides of the first locking member to the outside of the side wall and then extends toward the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction to form a vertical first abutment facing the end wall; the second abutting portion extends from at least one of two lateral sides of the second locking piece corresponding to the first abutting portion toward the bottom wall to form a second abutting surface which faces the first abutting surface and can abut against the first abutting surface.

In one embodiment, a resilient member is provided in the housing and is arranged to bias the first and second locking members towards their respective locking positions.

In one embodiment, the elastic member is a torsion spring having a spiral portion in the middle and two legs extending from both ends of the spiral portion, respectively, the spiral portion is fitted over the second locking member, one of the two legs abuts against an end wall of the housing, and the other of the two legs abuts against the first locking member.

In one embodiment, the first locking member is provided with a longitudinally extending hook on a side adjacent to the end wall, the hook extending out of the first notch in the end wall and capable of hooking on the outer side of the end wall to limit the moving distance of the first locking member towards the locking position.

In one embodiment, the second locking member is provided with a longitudinally extending slider on a side adjacent the end wall, the slider extending through a second slot in the end wall and having a complementary shape to the second slot for guiding movement of the second locking member relative to the housing in the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the second locking member substantially closes the top of the housing when in its locked position.

A locking structure according to the present application includes a first article, a second article, a third article, and a latch according to the present application. The first object is a first electronic device, the second object is a second electronic device, and the third object is a third electronic device; the third member is substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the housing and is fixed to the bottom wall; the first, second, third objects are substantially parallel to each other and stacked in the longitudinal direction when the first and second objects are locked to the third object via the latch.

In one embodiment, one end of the first object is a first pivot end pivotally connected to the third object, and the other end is a first free end capable of being locked by the latch; one end of the second object is a second pivot end pivotally connected to the third object, and the other end is a second free end capable of being locked by the latch.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

1A-1F are front, rear, left, right, top, bottom views, respectively, of a latch according to the present application, and FIGS. 1G-1J are perspective views from different angles of a latch according to the present application;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a latch according to the present application;

3A-3B are perspective views of the housing of the latch according to the present application at different angles;

4A-4B are different angle perspective views of a first locking member of a latch according to the present application;

5A-5B are different angle perspective views of the second locking member of the latch according to the present application;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spring of a latch according to the present application;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mount of a latch according to the present application;

FIG. 8A is a front view of a latch according to the present application with both the first locking member and the second locking member in a locked position, FIG. 8B is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9A is a front view of a latch according to the present application with the first locking member in a locked position and the second locking member in an unlocked position, FIG. 9B is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 9B;

FIG. 10A is a front view of a latch according to the present application with both the first locking member and the second locking member in an unlocked position, FIG. 10B is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 10B;

11A-11C are side views of a locking arrangement according to the present application, in FIG. 11A, a first object and a second object are both locked; in FIG. 11B, the first object is locked and the second object is released; in fig. 11C, both the first and second objects are released.

List of reference numerals:

100 latch

110 casing

111 bottom wall

112 side wall

113 end wall

114 open end

115 top part

116a first carrier

116b second bearing table

117a first notch

117b second notch

118a first longitudinal groove

118b second longitudinal groove

120 first locking member (lower locking member)

121 first locking part

122 first abutting part

123 hook

130 second locking piece (Upper locking piece)

131 second locking part

132 second abutting part

133 slider

134 another slide block

135 elastic member mounting shaft

140 resilient member

141 helical portion

142 support leg

150 fastener

200 first article

210 first pivot end

220 first free end

300 second object

310 second pivot end

320 second free end

400 third article

Detailed Description

Although the utility model is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the utility model is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the utility model.

The directions of "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", etc. referred to herein are merely for convenience of understanding, and the present invention is not limited to these directions, but may be modified according to the actual situation.

A latch 100 according to the present application is first generally described with reference to fig. 1A-2.

As shown, the latch 100 includes a housing 110, a first locking member 120 (lower locking member), a second locking member 130 (upper locking member), an elastic member 140, and a fixing member 150. Wherein the housing 110 is used to secure the entire latch 100 to a third item 400 (e.g., an electronic device such as a server, circuit board, etc.) and at least partially house other components of the latch 100; the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 are at least partially accommodated in the housing 110, respectively, and are used for locking and releasing the first object 200 and the second object 300 (for example, electronic devices such as circuit boards, chips, etc.); the elastic member 140 is received in the housing 110 for biasing the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 toward respective locking positions; mount 150 is used to secure housing 110 to third member 400.

The specific structure of the housing 110 will now be described with reference to fig. 3A-3B.

As shown, the housing 110 is generally square box-shaped. The housing 110 has a bottom wall 111, side walls 112, and end walls 113. The bottom wall 111 is a portion fixed to the third member 400. In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 111 is generally flat and has some securing features that project outwardly from the bottom wall 111. The bottom wall 111 has a circular hole near the open end 114, and the fixing member 150 is received in the hole (see fig. 8C, 9C, and 10C). It should be understood that the flat surface of the bottom wall 111, the fixing feature protruding from the bottom wall 111, and the circular hole formed on the bottom wall 111 are adapted to the features of the third member 400, and in other embodiments, the features may be adjusted according to actual requirements according to the shape of the third member 400.

In other embodiments, mount 150 may be in a different form, for example, mount 150 may be injection molded into housing 110, extruded into housing 110, and stamped into housing 110. In other embodiments, the fastener 150 may be part of the housing 110 rather than a separate component, such as a thread formed directly in a hole in the bottom of the housing 110 for fastening purposes. In other embodiments, the fixing member 150 may be an O-ring, a caliper, or other forms of fixing members.

Two side walls 112 extend vertically from the bottom wall 111 and are laterally opposite. In the present embodiment, the two sidewalls 112 of the housing 110 are parallel to each other and have the same shape, but the present application is not limited thereto, and the two sidewalls 112 may be angled to each other and may have different shapes. The side wall 112 defines a first longitudinal slot 118a and a second longitudinal slot 118b for respectively limiting the longitudinal movement of the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 in the housing 110, as will be described in detail below. In the present embodiment, the first longitudinal groove 118a and the second longitudinal groove 118b are opened at the same positions of the two side walls 112, respectively. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the first longitudinal slot 118a and the second longitudinal slot 118b may be opened at different positions (e.g., different vertical positions or different longitudinal positions) on both sidewalls 112, or may be opened on only one sidewall 112. In other embodiments, the first longitudinal groove 118a and the second longitudinal groove 118b may also extend in an oblique direction to limit the oblique movement of the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130.

It will be appreciated that the provision of longitudinal slots in the side wall 112 facilitates the compact construction of the present application. In other embodiments, the moving directions of the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 can be defined by other methods, for example, a sliding groove or a sliding rail can be formed inside the housing 110.

An end wall 113 is connected between the two side walls 112. In this embodiment, an end wall 113 is provided at only one end (referred to as a rear end) of the housing 110, and the other end is an open end 114. In the present embodiment, the end wall 113 is substantially flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, however, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the end wall 113 may be curved or folded, and may be disposed obliquely to the longitudinal direction. The end wall 113 is provided with a first notch 117a and a second notch 117b therethrough. The first notch 117a corresponds to the shape of the hook 123 of the first locking member 120 to limit the moving distance of the first locking member 120 toward its locking position. The second notch 117b corresponds to a shape of the slider 133 of the second locking member 130 to guide the second locking member 130 to move in a longitudinal direction with respect to the housing 110.

In the present embodiment, the top 115 of the housing 110 is open, and the second locking member 130 may cover the top 115 of the housing 110. In other embodiments, the housing 110 may have a closed top 115, and the second locking member 130 may be inserted into the housing 110 through the open end 114, just like the first locking member 120.

The housing 110 is provided with a first carrier 116a and a second carrier 116b at the open end 114. The first bearing platform 116a is disposed to face the first locking part 121 when the first locking member 120 is located at its locking position, so as to clamp the first object 200. The second carrier table 116b is disposed to face the second locking part 131 when the second locking member 130 is located at its locking position, so as to clamp the second object 300. In this embodiment, the first and second stages 116a and 116b are substantially vertically aligned, and the second stage 116b may have a smaller cross-sectional area so that the first object 200 can pass through the second stage 116b to reach the first stage 116a, as will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 11A-11C. In other embodiments, the first and second stages 116a, 116b may be vertically misaligned, for example, the second stage 116b may be closer to the end wall 113, so as to leave a space for the first article 200 to pass through.

The specific structure of the first locking member 120 will now be described with reference to fig. 4A-4B.

As shown, the first locking member 120 includes: a first locking portion 121, a first abutting portion 122, and a hook 123. The first locking portion 121 is disposed at one side edge of the first locking member 120 toward the open end 114, and projects outwardly in the longitudinal direction from the open end 114. In the present embodiment, the first locking portion 121 has a substantially tapered shape extending in the vertical direction, and has a smaller cross-sectional area on the side near the top portion 115 and a larger cross-sectional area on the side near the bottom wall 111. Thus, when the first object 200 moves from above (top side) of the first locking member 120 to below the first locking member 120, the first object 200 pushes the tapered surface of the first locking portion 121 of the first locking member 120 to move the first locking member 120 to the rear end (end wall side), thereby allowing the first object 200 to pass the first locking member 120. In the present embodiment, the first locking portion 121 has a substantially circular cross section throughout. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the first locking portion 121 may have a different shape, such as a square shape, a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, or a cylindrical shape, according to the shape and the moving manner of the first object 200.

The first abutment portion 122 extends laterally outward from at least one of the two lateral sides of the first locking member 120 to the outside of the side wall 112 and then extends longitudinally and vertically to form a vertically facing first abutment surface toward the end wall 113. A transverse portion of the first abutting portion 122 is inserted into the first longitudinal groove 118a of the housing 110 so as to define a moving direction of the first locking member 120. Such a design allows the first abutment 122 to have multiple functions, resulting in a more compact structure for the present application. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the first abutting portion 122 may not be inserted into the first longitudinal groove 118a, but an additional slider 133 or the like may be provided on the first locking member 120, and the slider 133 is inserted into the first longitudinal groove 118 a.

The hook 123 is provided at a side of the first locking member 120 near the end wall 113. The hook 123 extends out of the first notch 117a in the end wall 113 and can hook on the outside of the end wall 113 to limit the distance the first locking member 120 moves toward its locking position. The provision of the hook 123 and notch facilitates the compact construction and ease of manufacture of the present application. It should be appreciated that the limiting of the movement of the first locking member 120 may be achieved in other ways, such as providing a limit stop on the open end 114 or the sidewall 112 of the housing 110.

The specific structure of the second locking member 130 will now be described with reference to fig. 5A-5B.

As shown, the second locking member 130 includes: the second locking part 131, the second abutting part 132, the slider 133, the other slider 134, and the elastic member mounting shaft 135. The second locking portion 131 is provided at one side edge of the second locking piece 130 toward the open end 114, and projects outwardly in the longitudinal direction from the open end 114. In the present embodiment, the second locking portion 131 has the same shape as the first locking portion 121, and the description thereof is omitted. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, the second locking portion 131 and the first locking portion 121 may have different shapes. In other embodiments, the second locking part 131 may have a different shape, for example, a square shape, a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, or a cylindrical shape, according to the shape and moving manner of the first article 200.

In the present embodiment, when the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 are both located at their respective locking positions, the first locking portion 121 and the second locking portion 131 are aligned in the vertical direction. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the first and second locking portions 121, 131 may be arranged out of alignment. For example, the second locking portion 131 may be closer to the rear end (end wall side) so as to leave more space for the first article 200 to pass through.

The second abutting portion 132 extends from at least one of the two lateral sides of the second locking member 130 corresponding to the first abutting portion 122 toward the bottom wall 111, forming a second abutting surface facing and capable of abutting the first abutting surface. In this embodiment, the first and second abutment surfaces extend vertically, however, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the first and second abutment surfaces may extend in other directions, such as a slope with a lower end inclined toward the open end 114.

A slider 133 is disposed adjacent the side of the end wall 113, the slider 133 extending longitudinally through the second slot 117b in the end wall 113 and having a complementary shape to the second slot 117b for guiding the second lock 130 to move longitudinally relative to the housing 110. In this embodiment, the slider 133 and the second notch 117b each have a dovetail-shaped cross-section to facilitate retaining the second lock 130 in the housing 110. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the slider 133 and the second notch 117b may have other shaped cross-sections, such as square, triangular, trapezoidal.

Another slider 134 is provided at a position corresponding to the second longitudinal groove 118b, which is inserted into the second transverse groove so as to define the moving direction of the second locking member 130 and to define the moving limit of the second locking member 130. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the moving direction and the moving limit of the second locking member 130 can be defined by other means, such as a sliding slot, a sliding rail, and a limiting member disposed inside the housing 110.

The elastic member mounting shaft 135 is provided at a substantially central position of a side of the second locking member 130 facing the bottom wall 111, and extends substantially in the lateral direction. The spiral portion 141 of the elastic member 140 is fitted over the elastic member mounting shaft 135, as will be described in detail below.

Specific structures of the elastic member 140 and the fixing member 150 will now be described with reference to fig. 6 and 7. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 140 is a torsion spring having a spiral part 141 and two legs 142 extending from the spiral part 141. According to the design of the present application, the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 are simultaneously biased to their respective locking positions by one elastic member 140, which facilitates the compact structure of the present application. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, other forms of resilient member 140 may be employed, such as a compression spring or an elastomeric material. The elastic members 140 may also be provided for the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130, respectively. The fixing member 150 is a knob having an internal thread, and other forms of fixing member 150 may be adopted according to the third member 400.

The manner of assembly and specific operation of the latch 100 of the present application will now be described with reference to fig. 8A-10C.

Looking first at fig. 8A-8C, the latch 100 has both the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 in the locked position. It can be seen that the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 are housed between the two side walls 112 of the housing 110 and are stacked in the longitudinal direction, with the second locking member 130 being closer to the top 115 of the housing 110. The first and second locking parts 121 and 131 face the first and second stages 116a and 116b of the housing 110, respectively, and thus can lock the first and second objects 200 and 300. The hook 123 and the first abutment 122 of the first locking member 120 are respectively inserted in the first notch 117a and the first longitudinal groove 118a of the housing 110; the slider 133 and the other slider 134 of the second locking member 130 are respectively inserted in the second notch 117b and the second longitudinal groove 118b of the housing 110. The spiral portion 141 of the elastic member 140 is disposed on the second locking member 130, one of the two legs 142 abuts against the end wall 113 of the housing 110, and the other of the two legs 142 abuts against the first locking member 120. The fixing member 150 is received in a hole on the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110. The first abutment 122 and the second abutment 132 abut one another with the first abutment 122 being closer to the open end 114 and the second abutment 132 being closer to the end wall 113. The second locking member 130 covers the top 115 of the housing 110.

When the user pulls the secondary locking member 130 in its unlocking direction, the latch 100 changes to the state shown in fig. 9A-9C. At this time, the second locking member 130 is moved to its unlocking position against the biasing force of the elastic member 140 due to the pulling of the user. The second locking part 131 no longer faces the second carrier table 116b, thus releasing the second object 300. Because the second abutment 132 is closer to the end wall 113, the first abutment 122 and the second abutment 132 are disengaged from each other without interaction when the second locking member 130 is moved to its unlocked position. The helical portion 141 of the resilient member 140 tends to bias the second locking member 130 back to its locking position as the second locking member 130 moves toward the end wall 113.

Turning now back to the state of fig. 8A-8C, from which the latch 100 changes to the state shown in fig. 10A-10C if the user pulls the first locking member 120 toward its unlocking direction. At this time, the first locking member 120 is moved to its unlocking position against the biasing force of the elastic member 140 due to the pulling of the user. The first locking portion 121 no longer faces the first carrying platform 116a, thereby releasing the first object 200. Because the first abutment 122 is closer to the open end 114, when the first locking member 120 is moved to its unlocked position, the abutment between the first abutment 122 and the second abutment 132 acts to move the second locking member 130 to its unlocked position as well. The helical portion 141 of the resilient member 140 moves with the second locking member 130 toward the end wall 113 and the leg 142 of the resilient member 140 abutting the first locking member 120 also moves with the first locking member 120 toward the end wall 113, thereby tending to bias the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 back to their locking positions.

Of course, the user may also start from the state of fig. 9A-9C and pull the first locking member 120 to the state shown in fig. 10A-10C, i.e., sequentially unlock the second object 300 and the first object 200. However, the user can unlock the first and second objects 200 and 300 simultaneously by pulling directly on the first locking member 120 from the state of fig. 8A-8C, which is the operational convenience provided by the latch 100 of the present application to the user.

In addition, when the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 are both in the release position shown in fig. 10A-10C, the resilient member 140 tends to bias the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130 toward the locking position, as previously described. At this point, the user may release the first locking member 120 and the second locking member 130, and either return to the locked position of fig. 8A-8C.

A locking structure according to the present application will now be described with reference to fig. 11A-11C.

As shown, the locking structure includes the first, second, third, and latch pieces 200, 300, 400, and 100 described above. Wherein the first object 200 is a first electronic device (e.g., a circuit board or a chip), the second object 300 is a second electronic device (e.g., a circuit board or a chip), and the third object 400 is a third electronic device (e.g., a motherboard).

In the present embodiment, the third member 400 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110, and is fixed to the bottom wall 111. When the first and second objects 200, 300 are locked to the third object 400 via the latch 100 (the state shown in fig. 11A), the first, second, and third objects 200, 300, 400 are substantially parallel to each other and stacked in the longitudinal direction. However, it should be understood that the positions and orientations of the first, second and third objects 200, 300, 400 may vary depending on the actual situation.

The first object 200 has one end pivotally connected to the first pivot end 210 of the third object 400 and the other end is a first free end 220 that can be locked by the latch 100. One end of the second object 300 is a second pivot end 310 pivotally connected to the third object 400 and the other end is a second free end 320 capable of being locked by the latch 100.

From the state shown in fig. 11A, when the user moves the second locking member 130 to its unlocked position, the free end of the second object 300 is released and the user can remove the second object 300. When the user moves the first locking member 120 to its unlocked position, the second locking member 130 also automatically moves to its unlocked position, the free ends of the first and second objects 200 and 300 are released, and the user can remove the first and second objects 200 and 300.

In this embodiment, the first article 200 is configured to snap down onto the latch 100 from the top 115 of the latch 100, such that the latch 100 is configured to allow the first article 200 to pass over the second platform 116 b. In other embodiments, the first object 200 may be snapped onto the latch 100 from other directions, and the latch 100 need not be configured to allow the first object 200 to pass through the second carrier platform 116 b.

In summary, the present application provides a novel latch capable of locking and unlocking two objects. The latch of the present application has a compact structure and a simplified design, using fewer parts than two separate latches. And the latch of the present application provides an easy way of operation, allowing a user to unlock two items simultaneously in a single operation.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications, changes, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the utility model. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the utility model.

Claims (14)

1. A latch (100) for locking first and second articles (200, 300) to a third article (400), the latch (100) comprising:

a housing (110) fixed to the third object (400) and having a bottom wall (111), two side walls (112) extending vertically from the bottom wall (111) and laterally opposite, an end wall (113) connected between the two side walls (112), an open end (114) longitudinally opposite the end wall (113), and an open top (115) longitudinally opposite the bottom wall (111), wherein the vertical direction, the lateral direction, and the longitudinal direction are perpendicular two by two;

a first locking element (120) and a second locking element (130), each at least partially housed between two side walls (112) of the casing (110), and stacked along the vertical direction, wherein the second locking element (130) is closer to the top (115) than the first locking element (120);

said first (120) and second (130) locking members being slidable in said longitudinal direction with respect to said housing (110) between a locking position remote from said end wall (113) and a release position adjacent to said end wall (113), respectively, said first (120) and second (130) locking members, respectively, said first (200) and second (300) articles when they are in their respective locking positions;

when the first locking piece (120) and the second locking piece (130) are both in a locking position and the first locking piece (120) moves from the locking position to a releasing position, the first abutting portion (122) abuts against the second abutting portion (132) to drive the second locking piece (130) to move to the releasing position together.

2. The latch (100) of claim 1, wherein:

when the first locking member (120) and the second locking member (130) are both in the locking position and the second locking member (130) is moved from its locking position to its releasing position, the first abutting portion (122) and the second abutting portion (132) are separated from each other, and the second locking member (130) can be moved independently with respect to the first locking member (120).

3. The latch (100) of claim 1, wherein:

when the first locking piece (120) and the second locking piece (130) are both in the release position and the second locking piece (130) moves from the release position to the locking position, the second abutting portion (132) abuts against the first abutting portion (122) to drive the first locking piece (120) to move to the locking position together.

4. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

the first locking member (120) is provided with a first locking portion (121) at the open end (114) that projects outwardly of the open end (114) in the longitudinal direction;

the second locking piece (130) is provided at the open end (114) with a second locking portion (131) that projects outwardly of the open end (114) in the longitudinal direction;

the first locking portion (121) and the second locking portion (131) are aligned along the vertical direction when the first locking member (120) and the second locking member (130) are both in their respective locking positions.

5. The latch (100) of claim 4 wherein:

the first locking portion (121) has a substantially conical shape extending along the vertical direction, and has a smaller cross-sectional area on a side close to the top portion (115) and a larger cross-sectional area on a side close to the bottom wall (111);

the second locking portion (131) has substantially the same shape as the first locking portion (121).

6. The latch (100) of claim 5, wherein:

the housing (110) is provided with a first bearing platform (116a) and a second bearing platform (116b) at the open end (114);

the first bearing table (116a) is configured to face the first locking part (121) when the first locking part (120) is located at the locking position thereof so as to clamp the first object (200), wherein one side of the first locking part (120) with a larger cross-sectional area is a clamping side;

the second bearing table (116b) is arranged to face the second locking part (131) when the second locking member (130) is in its locking position, so as to clamp the second object (300), wherein the side of the second locking member (130) having a larger cross-sectional area is a clamping side.

7. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

the first abutting part (122) extends from at least one of two transverse sides of the first locking part (120) to the outside of the side wall (112) and then extends towards the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction to form a vertical first abutting surface facing the end wall (113);

the second abutting portion (132) extends from at least one of two lateral sides of the second locking piece (130) corresponding to the first abutting portion (122) toward the bottom wall (111), and forms a second abutting surface facing and capable of abutting against the first abutting surface.

8. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

a resilient member (140) is disposed in the housing (110) and is configured to bias the first locking member (120) and the second locking member (130) toward respective locking positions.

9. The latch (100) of claim 8 wherein:

the elastic member (140) is a torsion spring, the torsion spring has a spiral portion (141) in the middle and two legs (142) extending from two ends of the spiral portion (141), the spiral portion (141) is sleeved on the second locking member (130), one of the two legs (142) abuts against the end wall (113) of the housing (110), and the other of the two legs (142) abuts against the first locking member (120).

10. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

the first locking member (120) is provided with a longitudinally extending hook (123) at a side close to the end wall (113), and the hook (123) extends out of a first notch (117a) on the end wall (113) and can hook on the outer side of the end wall (113) so as to limit the moving distance of the first locking member (120) towards the locking position.

11. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

the second locking member (130) is provided with a longitudinally extending slider (133) on a side adjacent to the end wall (113), the slider (133) extending through a second notch (117b) in the end wall (113) and having a shape complementary to the second notch (117b) for guiding the second locking member (130) to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing (110).

12. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

when the second locking member (130) is in its locked position, it substantially closes the top (115) of the housing (110).

13. A locking arrangement comprising a first article (200), a second article (300), a third article (400) and a latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein:

the first object (200) is a first electronic device, the second object (300) is a second electronic device, and the third object (400) is a third electronic device;

-said third element (400) is substantially parallel to a bottom wall (111) of said casing (110) and is fixed to said bottom wall (111);

when the first and second articles (200, 300) are locked to the third article (400) via the latch (100), the first, second and third articles (200, 300, 400) are substantially parallel to each other and stacked in the longitudinal direction.

14. The locking structure of claim 13, wherein:

one end of the first object (200) is a first pivoting end (210) pivotally connected to the third object (400), and the other end is a first free end (220) lockable by the latch (100);

one end of the second object (300) is a second pivot end (310) pivotally connected to the third object (400), and the other end is a second free end (320) lockable by the latch (100).

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