US3145038A

US3145038A - Catch for a packing case or the like

Info

Publication number: US3145038A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gunnar E Swanson
Original assignee: Nielsen Hardware Corp
Current assignee: Nielsen Hardware Corp
Priority date: 1962-10-19
Filing date: 1962-10-19
Publication date: 1964-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-18

Description

Aug. 18, 1964 G. E- S'WANSON 3,145,033

CATCH FOR A PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 19, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GUNNAR E. SWANSON BY- l w (M ATTORNEYS Aug 18, 1964 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 FEGIO G. E- SWANSON CATCH FOR A PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,145,038 CATCH FOR A PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Gunnar E. Swanson, Middletown, Conn. Nielsen lgardvgare Corp, 770 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford 6,

Filed Get. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 231,798 23 @laims. (Cl. 292-113) This invention relates to a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels as for example the mating panels provided by the cover and main body of a packing case. More particularly, this invention relates to a catch adapted for attachment to one of said separable panels and including a hooked latch member or the like adapted to engage a strike attached to the other of said panels and which latch member is movable relative to the first panel by the action of the catch to exert or release a closing pressure on said strike.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved catch of the foregoing type including a main lever movable about a fixed axis for moving said latch member between open and closed positions relative to the strike and which catch in the closed condition is resistant to accidental release by shock loads, vibrations or the like. In keeping with this object of the invention a more particular object is to provide a locking means for holding the main lever in the position corresponding to a closed position of the latch member and which locking means is highly resistant to release by normally encountered shock forces and the like while nevertheless being easily releasable by manual action.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control lever for a catch of the foregoing character which requires relatively simple manipulative movements to effect release and which may be easily operated by a gloved hand.

A further object of this invention is to provide a catch of the foregoing character wherein the locking means are released and set as a result of apparent and generally normal opening and closing movements of the main lever.

Another object of this invention is to provide a catch of the foregoing character which is relatively economical to manufacture and which has a relatively low profile so as to project only a small distance from the panel or other surface to which it is attached.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a catch of the foregoing character a control lever which is capable of moving a considerable distance relative to the main lever and through which ample force can be transmitted to the main lever to permit manual operation of the main lever by means of the control lever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a catch of the foregoing character which is so constructed as to permit the easy application of a seal wire for sealing the catch in the closed position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings forming a part thereof.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and such embodiments will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and descriptions are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a catch embodying the present invention, the full lines showing the catch in its closed condition and the broken lines showing the catch in its released position.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the catch of FIG. 1 with the same being shown in its released condition.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the catch being shown in its closed condition.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the main lever and control lever of the catch of FIG. 1 with various parts being broken away to show more clearly other parts.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and shows the control lever in its normal or locked position relative to the main lever with the main lever being shown in its closed position.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but shows the control lever moved to its unlocked position.

FIG. 8 is generally similar to FIG. 7 but shows the main lever moved to a partially released position.

FIG. 9 is generally similar to FIG. 8 but shows the main a lever moved downwardly slightly from the FIG. 8 position.

FIG. 10 is a view generally similar to FIG. 5 but shows a catch construction comprising another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view generally similar to FIG. 6 but showing the embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is generally similar to FIG. 11 but shows the control lever moved to its unlocked position.

FIG. 13 is a view generally similar to FIG. 5 but shows a catch construction comprising still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view generally similar to FIG. 6 but showing the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but shows the control lever moved to its unlocked position.

Latch Construction of FIGS. 1 1'0 9 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a catch having a body adapted for attachment to one of two separable panels or the like and including a main lever pivotally secured to the body for movement about a fixed axis between first and second positions for the purpose of moving an associated latch member or the like into and out of closing relation with a strike fixed to the other separable panel. Carried by the main lever is a control lever which is engageable by the fingers and/ or thumb of a user for the purpose of moving the main lever between its first and second position. The control lever is movable both longitudinally and angularly relative to the main lever and includes at least one generally longitudinally extending stop surface which engages a corresponding stop surface on the body of the catch to hold the main lever in the position corresponding to the closed condition of the latch member. Biasing means are provided between the control member and the main lever for biasing the control lever toward its locked relationship with the body member, and means are further provided between the main lever and the control leverfor moving the control lever longitudinally of the main lever and out of locked relationship with the body member as a result of a manual force applied to the control lever in the direction corresponding to move ment of the main lever toward the position corresponding to an open condition of latch member.

One latch construction embodying the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive. Referring to these figures the illustrated catch includes a body member 15 having a generally fiat base portion 16 adapted for attachment to a panel 17 as by a plurality of

rivets

18, 18.

Also, included on the body member are two longitudinally extending and laterally spaced

side flanges

19, 19 which are integral with the base portion 16.

Located between the

body side flanges

19, 19 is a main lever 20 having two laterally spaced

side flanges

21, 21 which are received between the

body side flanges

19, 19 and which are pivotally secured at their forward ends to the forward ends of the

body side flanges

19, 19 by a transverse pivot pin 22. The pivot pin 22 therefore defines a fixed transverse axis about which the main lever is movable between first and second positions relative to the body member. FIG. 3 and the solid lines of FIG. 1 show the main lever in its second or closed position relative to the body while FIG. 2 and they broken lines of FIG. 1 show the main lever in its first or released position. The main lever 2t) also includes a transverse web 23 which extends between and is integral with the bottom edge portions of the two

side flanges

21, 21. Along their upper edge portions the side flanges 21, 21 of the main lever are provided with two

short tabs

24, 24 which project inwardly toward one another from the associated flanges.

Associated with the main lever 28 is a latch member 25 having a forward portion adapted to engage a strike on the associated panel 26. In the illustrated case the strike is integral with the panel 26 and constitutes a forwarclly extending bead 27, the forward portion of the latch member 25 being provided with a hook 28 adapted to engage the bead 27 as shown in FIG. 1. The rear end portion of the latch member 25 is pivotally connected to the main lever by a transverse pivot pin 29 which is located rearwardly of the first pivot pin 22. From FIG. 1 it will therefore be obvious that as the main lever 20 is moved from its first or broken line position to its sec-- 0nd or full line position the latch member 25 Will be brought into engagement with the bead or strike 27 on the panel 26 so as to exert closing pressure between the two

panels

26 and 17. From FIG. 4 it will also be noted that the pivot pin 29 is so located relative to the bead 27 and to the pivot pin 22 that as the main lever is moved. to its second position the pivot pin 29 passes over center or beyond the line drawn between the head 27 and the pin 22 so that when the main lever is in its second position it is normally retained in such position by the closing pressure and the over center position of the pivot pin 29.

Even though the main lever is normally maintained in its, second position by the over center action, shock loads, vibrations or the like may accidentally cause the main lever to move to its first or released position. To guard against this occurrence, the main lever has associated therewith a control lever 32 which is movable longitudinally and angularly relative to the main lever. When the main lever is in its second or closed position the control lever 32 normally occupies the position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The lever 32 comprises a, generally flat top portion 34 and. two laterally spaced

side flanges

36, 36 which are located between the

side flanges

21, 21 of the main lever and which extend inwardly from the top portion 32 toward the base portion 16 of the body member when the main lever is in the second or closed position. The rear portions of the two

side flanges

36, 36 are bent laterally outwardly to define two laterally outwardly extending. and longitudinally

inclined ears

38, 38.

The two

ears

38, 38 in turn define two

inclined stop surfaces

39, 39 which engage two correspondingly

inclined stop surfaces

40, 40 on, the rear end portions of the body ,

sidefl'anges

19, 19. Due to their inclined nature the

surfaces

39, 39 and 40, 40,. extend some distance longitudi'nally or in the direction toward and away from the pivot pin 22, and as best shown in FIG., 3', when the control lever 32 is in its normal or locked position and the main leveris in its second or closed position the

surfaces

39, 39 longitudinally overlap the surfaces 40, 4t) and thereby in cooperation with the slot and pin connection between the control lever and the main lever as hereinafter described restrain the main lever against movement to its first or released position.

The control lever 32 is secured to the main lever 20 by a transverse pivot pin 42 carried by the rear end portions of the main

lever side flanges

21, 21. This pivot pin 42 passes through enlarged

openings

44, 44 in the

side flanges

36, 36 of the control lever which openings loosely receive the pivot pin so as to permit the control lever to move some distance longitudinally as well as angularly relative to the main lever. The

openings

44, 44 may take various different shapes but preferably, and as shown, are triangular or some other shape so that each opening includes a rear edge 46 inclined substantially in the same direction as the associated ear 38 so as to be substantially parallel thereto, and an upper horizontal edge 48. The control lever is therefore movable angularly relative to the main lever as by moving angulary about the axis of the pivot pin 42 and is also movable longitudinally of the main lever as by sliding movement of the

edges

46, 46 or 48, 48 relative to the pivot pin. When the control lever is in its normal position the pin 42 is located rearwardly in the

openings

44, 44, as shown in FIG. 6, so as to engage the notch defined in each opening by the intersection of the

surfaces

46 and 48 and the angular position of the control lever is also such that the

tabs

24, 24 on the main lever engage the stop surfaces 49, 49 provided on the forward portions of the control

lever side flanges

36, 36. In this position of the control lever the main lever is therefore effectively locked in its closed position and the arrangement of the parts is such as to resist opening movements of the main lever as a result of shock loads, an opening force on the main lever being transmitted by the pin 42 to the control lever through the walls of the

openings

44, 44 and in turn resisted by the engagement of the ears 38, 33 with the

surfaces

40, 40.

Associated with the control lever 34 is a means for biasing the same to its normal position and for resisting its movement both angularly and longitudinally from such normal position. This means may take various forms and in the illustrated case comprises a biasing spring 52 which, as shown best in FIG. 5, surrounds the pivot pin 42 between the

side flanges

36, 36 of the control lever. The spring 52 includes two coiled

portion

54, 54 which are joined by a forwardly extending U-shaped portion' 56 that engages the transverse web 23 of the main lever. On each end of the spring 52 is an arm 58 which extends generally forwardly and transversely of the control lever and which at its forwardmost end is received in a 'rearwardly opening U-shaped notch defined by a tab 60 bend downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge of the control lever.

In operation the spring 52 serves both as a torsion spring and as a compression spring. When the control lever is in the normal position illustrated in FIG. 6 the U-shaped portion 56 of the spring bearing against the web 23 and the two

arms

58, 58 bearing against the top portion 34 of the control lever tend to urge the control lever in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 about the axis of the pin 42 and to thereby normally hold the stop surfaces 49, 49 of the control lever against the

tabs

24, 24 of the main lever and to resist movement of the control lever about the axis of the pin 42 in the counterclockwise direction. In addition, the two

arms

58, 58 of the spring 52 are held in a compressed state and press forwardly against the control lever tabs 60, 60 so as to normally hold the control lever in a longitudinally forward position relative to the main lever and to resist movement of the control lever rearwardly or to the right as viewed in FIG. 6.

The control lever 32 constitutes essentially a rearward extension of the main lever 20 and is movable with the main lever between its closed and released positions. The top portion 34 of the control lever is-freely accessible to the thumb and/or fingers of a user and extends rearwardly beyond the rear end portions of the body member so that the rear portion thereof may easily be grasped by a user. Referring to FIG. 4, an upward or lifting lever.

the rear or right-hand portion thereof. down on the control lever to bring the same to the posiforce is applied to the rear or right-hand end portion of the control lever 32 to move the main lever to its first or released position while a downward or lowering movement is applied to the control lever to move the main lever to its second or closed position. When the main lever is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5, and before lifting force is applied to the control lever, the control lever by engagement of the cars 38, 3% with the stop surfaces ll), 40 on the body member prevents accidental movement of the main lever to its released position. As a lifting force is applied to the rear portion of the control lever, however, the main lever initially remains stationary and the control lever pivots angularly about the axis of the pivot pin 42. At the same time the lifting force applied to the control lever also causes the pin 4-2 to slide along the inclined surfaces 46, of the

openings

44, 44 in the side flanges of the control lever, and consequently causes the control lever to move longitudinally and rearwardly relative to the main lever. The

surfaces

46, 46 and the pin 42 therefore act as a cam means for moving the control lever rearwardly in response to the lifting force. As shown in FIG. 7, the result of this rearward and angular movement of the control lever is that the locking ears 38, 33 are moved out of engagement or locked relationship with the stop surfaces 40, 4t on the body member. In this regard it should be noted that as the lifting force is applied to the rear end of the control lever the main lever initially remains in its closed position because of the over center force applied thereto by the latch member 25 and/or because of the engagement between the ears 38, 3d and the stop surfaces 40, 4'1 with the result that the lifting force is resisted to produce a reaction which rotates the control lever relative to the main lever and causes the

surfaces

46, 46 to slide relative to the pin 42 against the face of the spring 52.

If after the control lever is moved to the position shown in FIG. 7 the lifting force is maintained thereon, the main lever will be swung to its fully released position, further pivotal movement of the control lever relative to the main lever and in the counterclockwise direction being prevented by engagement of the forward portion of the control lever with the Web 23. If the lifting force is applied only momentarily to the control lever and released shortly after the control lever reaches the position of FIG. 7 the control lever will snap back to its normal position relative to the main lever, but after doing so the locking ears 3%, 33 on the control lever will now engage the downwardly and rearwardly inclined surfaces 62, 62 on the rear end portions of the body flanges 19, 19 so as to no longer hold the main lever in a locked condition. Thereafter, a further lifting force may be applied to the rear end of the control lever to move it and the main lever to the released position of the main This fact is of importance in that it allows release of the locking means by pressing down on the forward portion of the control lever rather than by lifting up on the rear portion thereof. That is, referring to FIG. 7, the control lever 32 may be moved to the illustrated position by pushing down on the forward or left-hand portion of the control lever rather than by lifting up on By pressing tion shown in FIG. 7 and by then releasing the pressure,

the control lever will generally snap back to the position shown in PEG. 8. Thereafter the control lever may be raised from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position corresponding to the released position of the main lever. One advantage of being able to release the control lever .by pressing down on its forward portion is that when the latch is in the closed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 .the rear portion thereof is located relatively close to the on the control lever, with the finger or thumb of an ungloved hand, but the same space may not he sufficient to permit the convenient insertion of a gloved finger or thumb. Therefore, when the users hands are gloved, or any other time, the latch may be opened by depressing and then releasing the forward portion of the control lever to bring the same to the position shown in FIG. 8. In this position the rear edge portion of the control lever is located considerably further from the panel 17 than it is when the catch is fully closed and the distance between the control lever and the panel is such that a gloved finger or thumb may be conveniently inserted under the rear portion of the control lever to apply a lifting force. Instead of following this exact procedure the same results may also be obtained by depressing the forward portion of the control lever to bring the same to about the position shown in FIG. 7, whereat the rear portion is raised from the panel, and then while holding the lever in this position inserting a thumb or finger under the rear portion and using it to apply a lifting force.

When the main lever is moved from its first or released position toward its second or closed position the main lever and the control lever will again be brought to the position shown in FIG. 8 whereat the

ears

38, 38 engage the rearwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces 62, 62 of the body member. After this engagement occurs, further downward pressure on or near the rear or righthand portion of the control lever will cause the ears 38, 33 to slide along the surfaces 62, 62 so as to cam the control lever 32 rearwardly relative to the main lever 29. During this camming movement of the control lever the

horizontal surfaces

48, 48 of the

openings

44, 44 in the

side flanges

36, 36 of the control lever slide relative to the transverse pivot pin 4-2 and little or no angular movement of the control lever relative to the main lever occurs. Just as the

ears

38, 38 pass over the apexes or extreme rear portions of the body member flanges as defined by the intersections of the inclined surfaces 40, 4t and 62, 62 the position of the transverse pin 42 in the

openings

44, 44 is as shown in FIG. 9. After the control and main levers move downwardly beyond the position shown in FIG. 9 the control lever again moves forwardly relative to the main lever to the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 whereat the locking

ears

38, 38 engage the

inclined surfaces

40, 46 to hold the control lever and the main lever in a locked condition relative to the body member.

At this time it should also be noted that the construction of the latch is such as to permit the easy application of a seal wire when the main lever 20 is in its closed position. Referring to FIG. 1 a seal wire opening, such as shown at 61 is provided in each body side flange 19 at a point intermediate the ends thereof. Referring to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 other openings, such as shown at 63, are provided in each of the main

lever side flanges

21, 21 slightly forwardly of the tabs 24, 24-. The location of the

openings

61, 61 and 63, 63 is such that they register when the main lever is closed and is further such as to make the same readily accessible for the insertion of a seal wire.

Latch Construction of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 Various different means may be employed for securing the control lever to the main lever and for biasing the same to its normal position, and FIGS. l0, l1 and 12 show a latch construction employing such a meansdilferent from the means employed in the construction of FIGS. 1 to 9. In these three figures the main lever 20, the body 15, and all other parts of the catch, except for the control lever, may be and are illustrated as being, similar to the corresponding parts shown in. FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive. Therefore, this discussion will be limited to the control lever, and in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 the illustrated main lever and other parts have been given the same reference numerals as the corresponding parts shows in FIGS. 1 to 9.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the control lever of the illustrated latch is indicated by the reference numeral 64 and is generally similar to the control lever 32 of FIGS. 1 to 9, it including two

side flanges

66, 66 located between the

side flanges

21, 21 of the main lever and it also including two laterally outwardly extending

ears

67, 67 which cooperate with the inclined surfaces 46, 41 and 62, 62 of the body side flanges in the same manner as the

ears

38, 38 of the lever 32.

The controllever 64 is secured to the main lever 20 by a first transverse pin 68 which is carried by and secured to the

side flanges

21, 21 of the main lever and which'pin passes through enlarged triangular openings 69, 69 in the

side flanges

66, 66 of the control lever 64. As shown in FIG. 11 each opening 69 includes a downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 70 generally parallel with the associated ear 67 and a generally horizontal surface 72. From FIG. 11 it will be evident that the connection provided by the pin 68 and the opening 69 permits the control lever 64 to move angularly about the axis of the pin 68 and also rearwardly or to the right from the position shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 illustrates the normal position of the control lever 64 in which position the control lever is so positioned longitudinally of the main lever that the transverse pin 68 engages the right hand end of the openings 69, 69 and is so positioned angularly relative to the main lever as to be substantially parallel thereto. The control lever is biased to this normal position by means including a second transverse pin 74 carried by and secured to the

side flanges

21, 21 of the main lever and extending through longitudinally extending slots formed one in each of the control

lever side flanges

66, 66, one of said slots being shown at 75 in FIGS. 11 and 12. R- tatably secured to the pin 74 is a bushing 76 having fixed thereto a forwardly projecting guide arm 77 which passes through an opening formed in a flange 78 bent downwardly from the upper surface of the control lever 64 at the forward end of the latter. Received on the guide arm 77 is a helical compression spring 79 so as to urge the control lever forwardly relative to the transverse pin 74, and therefore relative to the main lever 20 and to resist longtiudinal movement of the control lever in the opposite or rearward direction.

From FIGS. and 11 it will be obvious that in addition to the action of the spring 79 urging the control lever 64 to its forward position, the transverse pin 68 through engagement with the surfaces 71), 7t and 72, 72 of the openings 69, 69 will urge the control lever to its normal angular position as the control lever is moved to its forward position. 4

When a lifting force is applied to the rear end portion of the control lever, or when a depressing force is applied to the forward end portion of the control lever, the control lever is moved to an unlatched position relative to the body flanges, such position being shown in FIG. 12. As the control lever moves to this position the slot 75 moves rearwardly relative to the transverse pin 74 and the

inclined surfaces

70, 70 of the

openings

68, 68 slide relative to the first transverse pin 68 to bring the same to the positions shown in FIG. 12. After the control lever 64 is brought to the unlatched position shown in FIG. 12 the catch may be released and thereafter reclosed in the same manner as described above in. connection with the latch of FIGS. 1 to 9.

Latch Construction of FIGS. 13, 14 and FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show still another embodiment of the invention, in which embodiment the control lever is secured to the main lever in a manner somewhat different from that shown in the previous two constructions and in which embodiment somewhat different means are employed for providing longitudinally extending coengaging latch or stop surfaces on the control lever and the body member.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the body member of the illustrated catch is shown by the reference numeral 80. This body member is generally similar to the body member 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, except instead of being provided with inclined surfaces such as 40, 40 and 62, 62 on the rear end portions of the side flanges, a transverse bar 82 is provided which bar 82 is securely fixed to the rear end portion of the body and extends between the side flanges thereof.

The main lever of the latch is illustrated at 84 and similar to the main lever of FIGS. 1 to 9 includes two transversely spaced

side flanges

85, 85, a transverse web 86 and two short inwardly extending

tabs

87, 87. The control lever is illustrated at 88 and includes two laterally spaced

side flanges

89, 89 which are located between the side flanges 85, of the main lever.

The control lever 88 is secured to the main lever 84 by means of a first transverse pin 90 which is fixed to the

side flanges

89, 89 of the control lever and which pin includes two laterally outwardly extending portions which portions are received in longitudinally extending slots formed in the side flanges of the main lever, one such slot being shown at 91 in FIGS. 14 and 15. Also provided is a second transverse pin 92 located forwardly of the first pin 96 and also fixed to the side flanges 89, S9 of the control lever. The second

transverse pin

92, 92 includes laterally outwardly extending portions which portions are received in triangular shaped enlarged openings formed in the

side flanges

85, 85 of the main lever, one such opening being shown at 93 in FIGS. 14 and 15. Each opening 93 includes a downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 94 and a generally horizontal surface 95.

FIG. 14 shows the normal position of the control lever 38 relative to the main lever 84. From this figure it will be observed that each side flange 89 of the control lever is formed to provide a forwardly extending notch which at least partially receives the transverse pin 82 and which includes a longitudinally extending surface 96 which is engageable with the bottom longitudinally extending surface of the bar 82 to prevent movement of the main lever 84 from its illustrated or closed position. On each side flange of the control member is a forwardly and downwardly inclined surface 97.

The control lever 88 is urged to the normal position of FIG. 14 by a biasing means which includes a bushing 98 rotatably received on the second pin 92 and having fixed thereto a forwardly extending guide arm 99 which at its forward end passes through an opening in a tab 100 bent upwardly from the forward edge of the transverse web 23 of the main lever. Received on the guide arm is a helical compression spring 161 which is compressed between the bushing 98 and the tab 199 so as to urge the second transverse pin 92, and therefore the control lever 88, rearwardly relative to the main lever 84. In addi tion to the spring 161 urging the control lever 88 rearwardly the action of the transverse pin 92 in the

triangular openings

93, 93 and the movement of the pin 90 in the elongated slots 91, 91 causes the lever 88 to be also biased to its normal angular position relative to the main lever.

In operation, the control lever 88 is moved to an unlocked position relative to the transverse bar 82 by applying a lifting force to the rear end portion of the control lever 88 or by applying a depressing force to the forward portion thereof. Either force causes the rear end of the control lever to move upwardly and at the same time a resultant force is applied between the sec- 'ond transverse pin 92 and the inclined surfaces 94, 94

of the

openings

93, 93 causing the pin 92 to move along the surfaces 94, 94 and therefore downwardly and forwardly relative to the main lever. As the pin 92 does move forwardly relative to the main lever the locking surface 96 also moves forwardly relative to the bar 82 so as to move forwardly beyond said latter to an unlatched position. The unlatched position of the control lever 88 is shown in FIG. from which figure it will be observed that the control lever is now unlocked relative to the bar 82 so as to free the main lever for movement to its open or released position. When the main lever is returned to its closed position the inclined surfaces 97, 97 on the control lever engage the bar 82 and cam the control lever 88, 83 forwardly relative to the main lever thereby allowing the bar 82 to again enter the notches formed on the rear end portions of the control

lever side flanges

89, 89.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels or the like one of which includes a strike, the combination comprising a body adapted for attachment to the other of said panels, a main lever pivotally connected to said body for movement relative thereto about a fixed transverse axis between closed and released positions corresponding respectively to closed and released conditions of said catch, a member adapted to engage said strike and pivotally connected with said main lever, a control lever carried by the free end portion of said main lever and including a rear portion freely accessible to a user, coengaging locking means on said body and integral with said control lever for holding said main lever in its closed position relative to said body, said control lever being movable relative to said main lever between first and second positions at which positions said control lever is respectively locked and unlocked relative to said body when said main lever is in its closed position, biasing means between said main lever and said control lever for urging said control lever into its first position relative to said main lever, and means for moving said control lever to its second position relative to said main lever so as to unlock the same from said body in response to a force applied to said rear portion of said control lever and in the direction corresponding to movement of said main lever toward its released position.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 further characterized by said control lever having an exposed forward portion, said means for moving said control lever to its unlocked position being additionally responsive to a depressing force applied to said forward portion to effect movement of said control lever to its sunlocked position.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 further characterized by means for moving said control lever relative to said main lever and into locked relationship with said body as said main lever is moved toward its closed position.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 further characterized by said coengaging locking means on said body and integral with said control levercomprising respectively portions of said body and said control lever which same portions also comprise said means for moving said control lever relative to said main lever and into locked relationship with said body as said main lever is moved toward its closed position.

5. The combination defined in claim 1 further characterized by said locking means on said body and integral with said control lever comprising respectively portions of said body and said control lever which portions are so shaped as to define oppositely facing first surfaces which longitudinally overlap when said main lever is in its closed position and said control lever in its first position relative to said main lever and which surfaces are moved out of overlapped relationship when said control lever is in its second position relative to said main lever, said portions of said body and control lever being also so shaped as to define coengageable cam surfaces for moving said entire lever relative to said main lever so as to permit said first surfaces to return to longitudinally overlapped relationship as said main lever is moved toward its closed position.

6. In a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels or the like one of which includes strike, the combination comprising a body adapted for attachment to the other of said panels, a main lever pivotally connected to said body for movement relative thereto about a fixed transverse axis between closed and released positions corresponding respectively to closed and released conditions of the catch, a member adapted to engage said strike and pivotally connected with said main lever, a control lever carried by the free end portion of said main lever and including a rear portion freely accessible to a user, said control lever being movable both angularly relative to said main lever between first and second angular positions and longitudinally of said main lever toward and away from said fixed axis, means on said body defining a first stop surface extending some distance longitudinally of said body, means on said control lever defining a second stop surface extending some distance longitudinally of said control lever and which second stop surface is movable into and out of longitudinally overlapped relationship with said first stop surface as a result of longitudinal movement of said control lever between locked and unlocked positions respectively relative to said main lever to prevent or permit movement of said main lever to its released position when said main lever is in its closed position, biasing means between said main lever and said control lever for urging said control lever longitudinally toward its locked position and also for urging the same angularly toward said first angular position, and means for moving said control lever longitudinally of said main lever toward said unlocked position in response to a force applied to said control lever tending to move the same angularly relative to said main lever toward said second angular position.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 further characterized by said control lever and said means for moving the same being so constructed and arranged that said rear portion of said control lever extends generally parallel to said panel when said main lever is in its closed position and said control lever is in its first angular position relative to said main lever and that said rear portion of said control lever is moved away from said panel as said control lever is moved angularly of said main lever toward said second angular position with the result that said rear control lever portion is moved away from said panel as the control lever is moved longitudinally to its unlocked position.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 further characterized by said control lever having an exposed forward portion, said means for moving said control lever longitudinally of said main lever being additionally responsive to a depressing force applied to said forward portion to effect movement of said control lever to its unlocked position.

9. The combination defined in claim 6 further characterized by coengageable means on said control lever and on said body for moving said control lever relative to said main lever to permit said stop surfaces to return to overlapped relationship as said main lever is returned toward its closed position by a closing force applied to said rear portion of said control lever.

10. The combination defined in claim 6 further characterized by said means for removing said control lever longitudinally including a pair of laterally spaced side flanges on said control lever, a pair of laterally spaced side flanges on said main lever, a transverse pin carried by and fixed to one of said pairs of flanges, the other pair of said flanges being provided with openings which receive portions of said transverse pin and which openings are considerably longer than said pin portions, said openings defining generally inclined cam surfaces which en gage said pin and move said control lever longitudinally of said main lever as a force is applied to said control lever tending to move the same angularly relative to said main lever toward said second angular position.

11. In a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels or the like one of which includes a strike, the combination comprising a body adapted for attachment to the other of said panels and including two laterally spaced side flanges defining at their rear ends two upwardly and rearwardly inclined end faces, a main lever pivotally secured at its forward end to said body for movement between closed and released positions relative to said body about a fixed transverse axis and having two laterally spaced side flanges received between said body flanges, a member adapted to engage said strike and pivotally connected with said main lever, a control lever located between the rear end portions of said main lever flanges, means connecting said control lever to said main lever for movement of said control lever longitudinally of said main lever toward and away from a normal longitudinal position and also angularly about a transverse pivot axis toward and away from a normal angular position, biasing means for urging said control lever longitudinally and angularly toward said normal positions rela tive to said main lever and for resisting movement of said control lever in the opposite directions, a pair of oppositely laterally extending inclined ears on said control lever which ears respectively engage said inclined end faces of said body flanges to restrain said main lever against movement from its closed position when said main lever is in its closed position and said control lever in its normal longitudinal and angular positions and means for moving said control lever longitudinally against the force of said biasing means to disengage said ears from said inclined end faces in response to movement of said control lever angularly away from said normal position.

12. The combination defined in claim 11 further characterized by said means connecting said control lever to said main lever including a pair of laterally spaced side flanges on said control lever located adjacent said pair of side flanges on said main lever, a transverse pin carried by and fixed to one of said latter pairs of side flanges, and the other of said latter pairs of side flanges having triangular shaped openings therein which openings receive portions of said transverse pin and are considerably larger than said pin portions, each of said triangular shaped openings including one generally longitudinally extending surface and one surface inclined in substantially the same direction as the ears on said control lever.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 further characterized by said transverse pin being carried by and fixed to said main lever flanges, and said biasing means comprising a spring received on said transverse pin and including parts which engage said main lever and said central lever to exert a force between said main lever and said control lever tending to move the same about the axis of said pin and another force between said transverse pin and said control lever tending to move the control lever longitudinally of said main lever.

14. The combination defined in claim 12 further cha acterized by said transverse pin being carried by and fixed .to said main lever flanges, and said biasing means comprising a spring received on said transverse pin and including two coil portions joined by a forwardly extending U- shaped portion which engages said main lever and two arms which extend forwardly and transversely from either end of the spring and which engage said control lever, said U-shaped portion and said arms being held in torsion between said main level and said control lever and said arms being held in compression between said control lever and said main lever and arranged to urge said control lever longitudinally of said main lever.

15. The combination defined in claim 12 further characterized by a second transverse pin carried by and fixed to said one pair of side flanges, the other of said pairs of side flanges being provided with elongated generally longitudinal slots which receive portions of said second pin, and said biasing means including a spring for urging said control lever longitudinally relative to said main lever.

16. In a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels or the like one of which includes a st ike, the combination comprising a body adapted for attachment to the other of said panels and including two laterally spaced side flanges, a transverse bar carried by and extending between the rear end portions of said side flanges, a main lever pivotally secured at its forward end to said body for movement between closed and released position relative to said body about a fixed transverse axis and having two laterally spaced side flanges received between said body flanges, a member adapted to engage said strike and pivotally connected with said main lever a control lever located between the rear end portions of said main lever flanges, means connecting said control lever to said main lever for movement of said control lever longitudinally of said main lever toward and away from a normal longitudinal position and also anvularly about a transverse pivot axis toward and away from a normal angular position, biasing means for urging said control lever longitudinally and angularly toward normal positions relative to said main lever and for resisting move ment of said control lever in the opposite directions, means defining notches in the rear end portions of said control lever side flanges for receiving said transverse bar and defining generally longitudinally extending surfaces engageable with said bar to restrain said main lever against movement from its closed position when said main lever is in its closed position and said control lever is in its normal longitudinal and angular positions, and means for moving said control lever longitudinally against the force of said biasing means to remove said bar from said notches in response to movement of said control lever angularly away from said normal position.

17. in a catch for use in releasably securing together two separable panels or the like one of which includes a strike, the combination comprising a body adapted for attachment to the other of said panels and including two laterally spaced side flanges defining at their rear ends two inclined end faces, a main lever pivotally secured at its forward end to said body for movement between closed and released positions relative to said body about a fixed transverse axis and having two laterally spaced side flanges respectively adjacent said body flanges, a member adapted to engage said strike and pivotally connected with said main lever, a control lever located between the rear end portions of said main lever flanges and including a rear portion freely accessible to a user, said control lever also including a pair of laterally spaced side flanges disposed respectively adjacent said main lever side flanges, said control lever side flanges including two inclined surfaces engageable with said inclined end faces of said body, means connecting said control lever to said main lever for movement of said control lever between first and second positions relative to said main lever when said main lever is in its closed position, said control lever surfaces overlapping said two end faces of said body when said control lever is in its first position and being free of said two end faces when in its second position, biasing means between said main lever and said control lever for urging said control lever toward its first position relative to said main lever, means for moving said control lever to its second position in response to a force applied to the rear portion of said control lever and in the direction corresponding to movement of said main lever toward its released position.

18. The combination defined in claim 17 further characterized by said connecting means including a transverse pin carried by and extending between said main lever side flanges, and said control lever side flanges being provided with openings which receive portions of said transverse pin and which openings are considerably larger than said transverse pin portions and define inclined cam surfaces for cooperation with said pin portions.

19. The combination defined in claim 18 further characterized by said openings being triangular in shape.

20-. The combination defined in claim 17 further characterized by said connecting means including a transverse pin carried by and extending between said control lever side flanges, and said main lever being provided With open ings which receive that portion of said transverse pin and which openings are considerably larger than said transverse pin portions and define inclined cam surfaces for cooperation with said pin portions.

21. The combination defined in claim 20 further characterized by said openings being triangular in shape.

22. The combination defined in claim 17 further charcterized by each of said spaced side flanges and each of said body flanges having an opening therethrough, said openings in said main lever flanges being located forwardly of said control lever and said openings in said body flanges being arranged to register with said openings in said main lever flanges when said main lever is in its closed position to permit the application of a seal Wire through said openings.

23. The combination defined in claim 17 further characterized by said control lever including a laterally outwardly extending ear on each of its side flanges and which two cars define said tWo inclined surfaces, and two additional inclined surfaces on the rear ends of said body side ilang s which latter two surfaces are engageable with said ears so as to move said control lever relative to said main lever to permit said ears to return to overlapped relationship with respect to the first mentioned surfaces on said body flanges as said main lever is returned to its closed position.

Swanson Sept. 6, 1960 Swanson Dec. 25, 1962