CN219365692U - Latch and latch system - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses a latch, including: a housing mounted to the first article; a handle disposed at least partially in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position; a locking bolt disposed at least partially in the housing and connected to the handle, the locking bolt being driven by the handle to a locked position at least partially extending out of the housing when the handle is moved to the first position, the locking bolt being driven by the handle to an unlocked position retracted into the housing when the handle is moved to the second position; and a holder connected to the lock tongue and holding the lock tongue in the locked position and the unlocked position when the lock tongue is in the locked position and the unlocked position, respectively. The application also discloses a latching system.

Description

Latch and latch system

Technical Field

The present application relates to a latch, and a latching system including the same.

Background

A latch is a common device that is operable to connect or disconnect a first item to or from a second item. The latch is typically mounted to a first item and inserted into a second item through a component such as a tongue, thereby connecting the first item to the second item. In some applications, it is desirable that the locking tab does not protrude from the first article, particularly so that the locking tab retracts into the first article during attachment or detachment of the first article to or from the second article. Thus, for environmentally complex applications, such as in servers with many cables deployed, the locking tongue does not interfere with the cable and cause unnecessary problems.

Moreover, it is desirable to achieve the above objectives with a latch that is as simple and as small as possible. Therefore, there is a need to design a new latch.

Disclosure of Invention

A latch according to the present application for locking a first article to a second article, the latch comprising: a housing mounted to the first article; a handle disposed at least partially in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position; a locking bolt disposed at least partially in the housing and connected to the handle, the locking bolt being driven by the handle to a locked position at least partially out of the housing when the handle is moved to the first position, the locking bolt being driven by the handle to an unlocked position in which the handle is withdrawn from the housing when the handle is moved to the second position; and a retainer connected to the locking bolt and retaining the locking bolt in the locked position and the unlocked position, respectively, when the locking bolt is in the locked position and the unlocked position.

In one embodiment, the retainer is rotatable relative to the housing and is in a first angular position when the locking bolt is moved to the locked position and is in a second angular position when the locking bolt is moved to the unlocked position; the latch further includes a resilient member coupled between the keeper and the housing, the resilient member maintaining the keeper in the first and second angular positions, respectively, when the keeper is in the first and second angular positions.

In one embodiment, the rotational path of the holder has a dead point between the first and second angular positions; the resilient member biasing the retainer toward the first angular position when the retainer is located between the first angular position and the dead center; and when the retainer is located between the second position and the dead point, the elastic member biases the retainer toward the second angular position.

In one embodiment, the elastic member rotates relative to the housing and is configured to: when the retainer is positioned between the first angular position and the dead point, the elastic member is positioned at one side of the rotation axis of the retainer, so as to apply a moment to the retainer toward the first angular position; when the elastic member is located between the second angular position and the dead point, the elastic member is located on the other side of the rotation axis of the holder, thereby exerting a moment on the holder toward the second angular position.

In one embodiment, the handle rotates about a handle axis and the holder rotates about a holder axis that is generally parallel to the handle axis.

In one embodiment, the holder comprises: a holder hole, which is provided with a holder axis, and is sleeved on a holder shaft in the shell through the holder hole; pins substantially parallel to and at opposite ends of the holder from the holder holes, the pins being inserted into the second sliding holes of the locking tongue such that the holder rotates with the sliding movement of the locking tongue; both ends of the elastic member are connected to the pin and an elastic member connection portion in the housing, respectively, so that the elastic member rotates with the holder.

In one embodiment, the locking bolt includes: a sliding part provided in the housing and sliding along a chute in the housing; a locking portion extending from the sliding portion along a sliding direction of the lock tongue, the locking portion protruding from the housing and being lockable to the second object when the lock tongue is in the locking position; and the protruding part extends from the sliding part towards the handle, a first sliding hole is formed in the protruding part, and the handle connecting part of the handle is inserted into the first sliding hole, so that the lock tongue slides along with the rotation of the handle.

In one embodiment, the sliding portion has two sliding walls opposed transversely to the sliding direction, each of the sliding walls forming a second sliding hole, the holder is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation space between the two sliding walls, and both ends of the pin are respectively inserted in the two second sliding holes.

In one embodiment, the handle comprises: an operation unit operable from outside the housing; the handle connecting part is opposite to the operating part and connected to the first sliding hole of the lock tongue, so that the handle drives the lock tongue to move; and a handle hole located between the operating part and the handle connecting part, and rotatably connected to the handle shaft of the housing.

In one embodiment, the operating portion is arranged such that when the handle is in the first position, the operating portion is proximate to the housing; when the handle is in the second position, the operating portion is separated from the housing and is easily pulled to separate the first object from the second object.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises: a first housing having a bottom wall, a side wall extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall, an open top opposite the bottom wall, the latch bolt being extendable through the side wall to the exterior of the housing; and a second housing closing the open top of the first housing to form a closed space.

A latching system according to the present application, comprising: a latch according to the present application; and another latch provided on the first article and symmetrically provided with the latch along a direction transverse to a direction in which the first article is connected to the second article.

Drawings

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the latch;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the first housing of the latch at different angles, respectively;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the second housing of the latch;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the handle of the latch at different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the latch bolt of the latch at different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the keeper of the latch at different angles, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latching system according to the present application, wherein the first article has been connected to the second article;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a latching system according to the present application with a first article being connected to or disconnected from a second article;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the latch system according to the present application, wherein the first article has been connected to the second article, and wherein the second housing has been removed to show other components of the latch;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the latching system according to the present application with the first article being connected to or disconnected from the second article, and with the second housing removed to show other components of the latch;

11A-11F are front, rear, left, right, top, bottom views, respectively, of another latch according to the present application; FIGS. 11G and 11H are perspective views of a different angle of another latch, respectively;

fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another latch.

List of reference numerals:

1. latch system

100. Latch lock

101. Shell body

110. First shell body

111. Bottom wall

112. Side wall

113. Handle shaft

114. Holder shaft

115. Sliding chute

116. Elastic piece connecting part

117. Assembling part

120. Second shell

121. Screw hole

130. Handle

131. Operation part

132. Handle hole

133. Handle connecting part

A1 Handle axis

140. Spring bolt

141. Sliding part

142. Locking part

143. Protruding part

144. Inclined plane

145. First sliding hole

146. Accommodating space

147. Second sliding hole

148. Sliding wall

150. Retaining member

151. Pin

152. Retainer hole

A2 holder axis

160. Elastic piece

170. Screw

200. Another latch

210. Another first shell

220. Another second shell

230. Another handle

240. Another bolt

250. Another holding member

260. Another elastic member

300. First article

400. Second object

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 description of the directions of "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", etc. are referred to herein for convenience of understanding only, and the present utility model is not limited to these directions but may be adjusted according to actual circumstances.

A latch 100 according to the present application is generally described with reference to fig. 1A-2. The latch 100 of the present application includes: housing 101, handle 130, tongue 140, retainer 150, elastic member 160, and screw 170.

The housing 101 is configured to at least partially house other components of the latch 100. In this application, the housing 101 is composed of a first housing 110 and a second housing 120 by screws 170 to facilitate assembly of the latch 100. In other embodiments, the housing 101 may also be formed as an integral part.

The handle 130 is at least partially disposed in the housing 101 and is rotatable relative to the housing 101. A locking tongue 140 is at least partially disposed in housing 101 and connected to handle 130. Locking bolt 140 is slidable relative to housing 101 as handle 130 rotates. A retainer 150 is connected to locking tongue 140 and is used to retain locking tongue 140 in either the locked or unlocked position, as will be described in greater detail below. An elastic member 160 is connected between the holder 150 and the housing 101, and applies a rotational moment to the tongue 140 through the holder 150 so as to hold the tongue 140.

A specific structure of the first housing 110 is described with reference to fig. 3A and 3B.

The first housing 110 includes: a bottom wall 111, a side wall 112 extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 111, an open top opposite the bottom wall 111. In the present embodiment, the first housing 110 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. The bottom wall 111 of the first housing 110 is provided with a handle shaft 113, a holder shaft 114, and an elastic member connection portion 116 to mount the handle 130, the holder 150, and the elastic member 160, respectively. The handle shaft 113, the holder shaft 114, and the elastic member connecting portion 116 are distributed in the longitudinal direction and extend in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, respectively. The handle shaft 113 is provided near one end of the first housing 110 in the longitudinal direction, the holder shaft 114 and the elastic piece connecting portion 116 are provided near the other end of the first housing 110 in the longitudinal direction, and the elastic piece connecting portion 116 is closer to the other end of the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction than the holder shaft 114. A chute 115 is provided between the handle shaft 113 and the holding shaft, the chute 115 extending transversely and through the side wall 112.

It should be appreciated that the above-described shape of the first housing 110 facilitates the manufacture and neat appearance of the latch 100, and in other embodiments, the first housing 110 may take other shapes, and the handle shaft 113, the holder shaft 114, and the spring link 116 may be disposed in different positions, so long as the holder shaft 114 is located generally between the handle shaft 113 and the spring link 116.

At least one assembling portion 117 is further provided on the bottom wall 111 of the first housing 110 to assemble the housing 101.

A specific structure of the second housing 120 is described with reference to fig. 3C.

The second housing 120 is also substantially rectangular in shape, corresponding to the first housing 110. The second housing 120 may not be provided with the side wall 112. The second housing 120 is provided with at least one screw hole 121, and the screw 170 assembles the second housing 120 to the first housing 110 through each screw hole 121, so that the second housing 120 closes the open top of the first housing 110, thereby forming a closed space.

The specific structure of the handle 130 is described with reference to fig. 4A, 4B, and 2.

The handle 130 includes an operation portion 131, a handle connection portion 133, and a handle hole 132. The operating portion 131 and the handle connecting portion 133 are located at both longitudinal ends of the handle 130. The operation portion 131 can be operated from outside the housing 101. The handle connection part 133 is opposite to the operation part 131, and is connected to the latch bolt 140, specifically, to the first sliding hole 145 of the latch bolt 140, so that the handle 130 moves the latch bolt 140. The handle hole 132 is located near the longitudinal middle of the handle 130, that is, the handle hole 132 is located between the operation portion 131 and the handle connecting portion 133. The handle 130 is rotatably connected to the handle shaft 113 of the housing 101 through the handle hole 132, and thus the handle 130 rotates about a handle axis A1 at the handle hole 132.

In the present embodiment, the operating portion 131 is configured to extend in a lateral direction, and a gripping portion extending in a longitudinal direction is provided away from the handle hole 132, so as to facilitate the user pulling out the first object 300 through the handle 130, which will be described in detail below. In other embodiments, the operation portion 131 may be provided in other appropriate shapes as long as it can be operated to rotate from the outside of the housing 101.

The specific structure of locking bolt 140 is described with reference to fig. 5A, 5B, and 2. Locking tongue 140 includes slide 141, lock 142, and projection 143.

The sliding portion 141 has a substantially rectangular shape, is provided in the housing 101, and slides laterally along the chute 115 in the housing 101. The locking portion 142 extends from the sliding portion 141 in the sliding direction of the latch 140, that is, laterally from the sliding portion 141. In this embodiment, one longitudinal side of the locking part 142 may be formed with a slope 144. Thus, when first object 300 is inserted into second object 400, ramp 144 abuts against second object 400, such that locking tongue 140 automatically retracts into first object 300. The projection 143 extends from the sliding portion 141 toward the handle 130, i.e., in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion 143 is provided with a first sliding hole 145 therein, and the handle connecting portion 133 of the handle 130 is inserted into the first sliding hole 145 such that the tongue 140 slides with the rotation of the handle 130. In the present embodiment, the first sliding hole 145 extends in the longitudinal direction, and may extend in the lateral direction or in an oblique direction in other embodiments.

More specifically, the sliding portion 141 has two sliding walls 148 opposed transversely to the sliding direction (i.e., in the thickness direction), each sliding wall 148 forms one second sliding hole 147, the holder 150 is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation space 146 between the two sliding walls 148, and both ends of the pin 151 of the holder 150 are respectively interposed in the two second sliding holes 147. In this way, the holder 150 can be stably coupled to the sliding portion 141, and can compress the entire volume of the latch 100.

A specific structure of the holder 150 is described with reference to fig. 6A, 6B and 2.

The retainer 150 is generally rod-shaped and includes a retainer hole 152 and a pin 151. The holder hole 152 is opened at one end of the holder 150 along the rotation axis of the holder 150, and the holder 150 is sleeved on the holder shaft 114 in the housing 101 through the holder hole 152. The pin 151 is generally parallel to the holder hole 152 and is located at the other end of the holder 150. The pin 151 is inserted into the second sliding hole 147 of the locking bolt 140 such that the holder 150 rotates with the sliding movement of the locking bolt 140. In the present embodiment, pins 151 extend from the other end of holder 150 in two thickness directions opposite to each other so as to be inserted in two second sliding holes 147 of locking bolt 140.

The operation of the latch 100 of the present application is described with reference to fig. 7-10.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, the first article 300 is now locked to the second article 400. The handle 130 is in the first position, and the operating portion 131 of the handle 130 is relatively close to the housing 101 to reduce the space occupied by the latch 100. Handle connection 133 is located to the left in fig. 9 such that locking tongue 140 moves to the locked position to the left of housing 101. Accordingly, the latch tongue 140 extends to the outside of the case 101 through the sidewall 112, protrudes from the case 101, and is inserted into the second object 400, thereby locking the first object 300 to the second object 400. The pin 151 of the holder 150 moves with the tongue 140 to the left of the holder axis A2, i.e. the first angular position.

Both ends of the elastic member 160 are connected to the pin 151 and the elastic member connection portion 116 in the housing 101, respectively, so that the elastic member 160 rotates with the holder 150. Spring 160 applies a pulling force to pin 151 such that pin 151 tends to move in the counterclockwise direction of fig. 9, thus maintaining locking bolt 140 in the locked position.

The elastic member 160 holder 150 rotates with respect to the housing 101 and is provided as: when the holder 150 is located between the first angular position and the dead point, the elastic member 160 is located at one side of the rotation axis of the holder 150, thereby applying a moment to the holder 150 toward the first angular position; when the elastic member 160 is located between the second angular position and the dead point, the elastic member 160 is located at the other side of the rotation axis of the holder 150, thereby exerting a moment on the holder 150 toward the second angular position. More specifically, the path of movement of the holder 150 includes a dead point where the spring 160 moves with the holder 150 just past the holder axis A2. The elastic member 160 always applies a downward pulling force to the holder 150 during the movement of the holder 150. However, when the holder 150 passes through the dead point, the tension of the elastic member 160 changes from driving the holder 150 in the counterclockwise direction to driving the holder 150 in the clockwise direction.

When the user desires to unlock the latch 100, he rotates the handle 130 in a counterclockwise direction in fig. 9, so that the handle connection part 133 moves rightward, and the tongue 140 is thereby driven to move rightward. The pin 151 is moved rightward by the latch tongue 140, so that the holder 150 is rotated clockwise. The latch 100 reaches the state shown in fig. 8 and 10.

When the user rotates the handle 130 to the second position shown in fig. 8 and 10, the tongue 140 reaches the unlocked position on the right side of the housing 101 with the handle 130, and thus retracts into the housing 101, and no longer locks to the second object 400. Retainer 150 moves to the second angular position as locking bolt 140, and spring 160 tends to maintain retainer 150 in the second angular position. In this way, retainer 150 retains locking tab 140 in the unlocked position even if the user is no longer holding handle 130, thus avoiding interference of locking tab 140 extending out of housing 101 with other items (e.g., cables near first item 300, second item 400).

In this embodiment, the handle axis A1 is generally parallel to the holder axis A2 to facilitate manufacturing. However, in other embodiments, the handle axis A1 may not be parallel to the holder axis A2.

Also shown in fig. 7 and 8 is another latch 200 according to the present application, which is arranged symmetrically to the latch 100, thereby forming the latch system 1. More specifically, the other latch 200 is disposed on the first object 300 and symmetrically to the latch 200 along a direction transverse to a direction in which the first object 300 is connected to the second object 400. Accordingly, the user can operate the latch 100 and the other latch 200 by two hands, respectively, to more easily separate the first object 300 from the second object 400.

Referring to fig. 11A to 12, the other latch 200 includes another first housing 220, another second housing 220, another handle 230, another locking tongue 240, another holder 250, and another elastic member 260. These components are laterally symmetrically disposed with respect to the corresponding components of the latch 100, respectively.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only. Many modifications, changes, and substitutions will now 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 (12)

1. A latch (100) for locking a first object (300) to a second object (400), the latch (100) comprising:

-a housing (101) mounted to the first article (300);

a handle (130) disposed at least partially in the housing (101) and rotatable relative to the housing (101) between a first position and a second position;

a locking bolt (140) disposed at least partially in the housing (101) and connected to the handle (130), the locking bolt (140) being driven by the handle (130) to a locked position at least partially protruding out of the housing (101) when the handle (130) is moved to the first position, the locking bolt (140) being driven by the handle (130) to an unlocked position withdrawing the housing (101) when the handle (130) is moved to the second position;

a retainer (150) is connected to the locking bolt (140) and retains the locking bolt (140) in the locked position and the unlocked position, respectively, when the locking bolt (140) is in the locked position and the unlocked position.

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

the retainer (150) is rotatable relative to the housing (101) and the retainer (150) is in a first angular position when the tongue (140) is moved to the locked position and the retainer (150) is in a second angular position when the tongue (140) is moved to the unlocked position;

the latch (100) further comprises an elastic member (160), the elastic member (160) being connected between the holder (150) and the housing (101), the elastic member (160) holding the holder (150) in the first and second angular positions, respectively, when the holder (150) is in the first and second angular positions.

3. The latch (100) according to claim 2, wherein:

the rotational path of the holder (150) has a dead point between the first angular position and the second angular position;

when the retainer (150) is located between the first angular position and the dead point, the elastic member (160) biases the retainer (150) toward the first angular position; and is also provided with

The resilient member (160) biases the retainer (150) toward the second angular position when the retainer (150) is located between the second position and the dead point.

4. A latch (100) according to claim 3, wherein:

the elastic member (160) rotates with respect to the housing (101) and is configured to: when the retainer (150) is located between the first angular position and the dead point, the elastic member (160) is located at one side of the rotation axis of the retainer (150), thereby applying a moment to the retainer (150) toward the first angular position; when the elastic member (160) is located between the second angular position and the dead point, the elastic member (160) is located on the other side of the rotation axis of the holder (150), thereby exerting a moment on the holder (150) toward the second angular position.

5. The latch (100) according to claim 4, wherein:

the handle (130) rotates about a handle axis (A1) and the holder rotates about a holder axis (A2) substantially parallel to the handle axis (A1).

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

the holder (150) includes:

a holder hole (152) provided with a holder axis (A2), the holder (150) is sleeved on a holder shaft (114) in the housing (101) through the holder hole (152),

-a pin (151) substantially parallel to the holder hole (152) and at opposite ends of the holder (150) from the holder hole (152), the pin (151) being inserted into a second sliding hole (147) of the bolt (140) such that the holder (150) rotates with a sliding movement of the bolt (140);

both ends of the elastic member (160) are connected to the pin (151) and an elastic member connection portion (116) in the housing (101), respectively, so that the elastic member (160) rotates with the holder (150).

7. The latch (100) according to claim 6, wherein:

the tongue (140) includes:

a sliding part (141) provided in the housing (101) and sliding along a chute (115) in the housing (101);

a locking portion (142) extending from the sliding portion (141) along a sliding direction of the tongue (140), the locking portion (142) protruding out of the housing (101) and being lockable to the second object (400) when the tongue (140) is in the locking position;

a protruding part (143) extending from the sliding part (141) toward the handle (130), wherein a first sliding hole (145) is formed in the protruding part (143), and a handle connecting part (133) of the handle (130) is inserted into the first sliding hole (145) so that the lock tongue (140) slides along with the rotation of the handle (130).

8. The latch (100) according to claim 7, wherein:

the sliding part (141) has two sliding walls (148) opposite transversely to the sliding direction, each sliding wall (148) forms a second sliding hole (147), the retainer (150) is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space (146) between the two sliding walls (148), and both ends of the pin (151) are respectively inserted into the two second sliding holes (147).

9. The latch (100) according to claim 8, wherein:

the handle (130) comprises:

an operation unit (131) that can be operated from the outside of the housing (101);

a handle connection part (133) which is opposite to the operation part (131) and is connected to a first sliding hole (145) of the lock tongue (140), so that the handle (130) drives the lock tongue (140) to move; and

a handle hole (132) located between the operation part (131) and the handle connection part (133), and rotatably connected to a handle shaft (113) of the housing (101).

10. The latch (100) according to claim 9, wherein:

the operating part (131) is arranged such that the operating part (131) is close to the housing (101) when the handle (130) is in the first position; when the handle (130) is in the second position, the operating portion (131) is separated from the housing (101) and is easily pulled to separate the first object (300) from the second object (400).

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

the housing (101) comprises:

a first housing (110) having a bottom wall (111), a side wall (112) extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall (111), an open top opposite the bottom wall (111), the locking tongue being extendable through the side wall (112) to the outside of the housing (101);

a second housing (120) closing the open top of the first housing (110) to form a closed space.

12. A latching system, the latching system comprising:

the latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-11;

another latch is provided on the first object (300) and is provided symmetrically to the latch (100) along a direction transverse to a direction in which the first object (300) is connected to the second object (400).