US3239619A

US3239619A - Latching and unlatching direction signal operating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3239619A
Application number: US275015A
Authority: US
Inventors: William L Brown; Ray F Winogrocki
Original assignee: BOYNE PRODUCTS Inc
Current assignee: BOYNE PRODUCTS Inc
Priority date: 1963-04-23
Filing date: 1963-04-23
Publication date: 1966-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-03-08
Also published as: DE1430577C3; DE1430577A1; GB1038802A; DE1430577B2

Description

March 8, 1966 w. L. BROWN ETAL 3,239,619

LATGHING AND UNLATCHING DIRECTION SIGNAL OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l W/'///'am L. Brown BY Ray E W/nogroc/f/ MV-M HTTORNEYS Fig 5 16 INVENTORS.

March 8, 1966 w. BROWN ETAL 3,239,619

LATCHING AND UNLATCHING DIRECTION SIGNAL OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 2 5 n w 5 4 INVENTORS.

WIN/0m L. Bro wn Ray W/nqgroc/r/ HTTORNEYS Mamh 1966 w. L. BROWN ETAL 3,239,519

LATCHING AND UNLATCHING DIRECTION SIGNAL OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m VENTORS. W/'///'am 4.. Brown BY Ray F3 WmogrOc/W United States Patent 3,239,619 LATCHING AND UNLATCHING DIRECTION SIGNAL OPERATING APPARATUS William L. Brown, Dearborn, and Ray F. Winogrocki, East Detroit, Mich., assignors to Boyne Products, Inc., Boyne City, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 275,015 12 Claims. (Cl. 20061.34)

This invention relates to automotive direction signaling apparatus and more particularly to semiautomatic direction signaling apparatus of the kind that may be adjusted manually from a neutral, inactive position to an operating position on either of two sides of the neutral position, and which is automatically returned to its neutral position upon completion of a turn.

Conventional direction signaling apparatus includes a plurality of electrically conductive switch members which may be moved into and out of engagement with one another in response to movement of an actuating member. The actuating member of conventional constructions includes return or canceling means movable with the actuating member into the path of a cam that revolves upon rotation of a steering wheel. Rotation of the steering wheel in the direction that the vehicle is to be turned ordinarily has no effect upon the position of the actuating member, even though the latter may be in such position as to signal a turn. Rotation of the steering wheel in the opposite direction at the conclusion of the turn, however, ordinarily effects engagement between the cam and the projected canceling part. Such engagement between the projected canceling part and the cam enables the latter to exert sufficient force on the actuating member, through the canceling part, to effect restoration of the actuating member to its neutral or inactive position and cancellation of the turn signal.

The actuating member of conventional direction signaling mechanisms must forcibly, but yieldably, be restrained against movement when it is in its neutral or operating positions to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the actuating member from such positions. As a result, the exertion of substantial force may be required between the canceling cam and the projected canceling part to effect automatic return of the actuating member from an operating position to its neutral position.

The necessity of having to effect forcible return of the actuating member may have several undesirable consequences. For example, the force generated by a rapidly rotating cam may be of such magnitude as to effect return movement of the actuating member at a speed to cause it to move from one operating position through the neutral position and into its other operating position. Moreover, the repeated application of high forces on the canceling parts of the direction signaling mechanism may cause fatigue and failure of such parts. Furthermore, the parts of the cancellation mechanism must be sufficiently stiff or rigid to withstand the forces acting upon them, with the result that operation of the signaling apparatus may be excessively noisy. In addition, the necessity of constructing the parts of the direction signal apparatus with sufficient strength to withstand the imposition of relatively high forces results in higher costs than otherwise would be necessary.

The principal object of this invention is to provide direction signaling apparatus which overcomes all of the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional direction signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide direction signaling apparatus wherein the actuating member may be maintained in an operating position by a simple latchinch mechanism which requires the application of rela- 3,239,619 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 tively small force to effect disengagement of the latching means.

A further object of the invention is to provide direction signaling apparatus wherein the actuating member constantly is biased to its neutral or inactive position.

7 Another object of the invention is to provide direction signallng apparatus of the character referred to and wherein the biasing means for the actuator member is operable in response to disengagement of the latching mechanism to effect restoration of the actuating member to its neutral position.

A further object of the invention is to provide direction signaling apparatus that is relatively quiet in operation and which may be less expensive than conventional signaling devices.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description When it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in top plan and partly in section, or direction signaling apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the switch casing and support, the actuating member being removed;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the actuating member;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the actuator member viewed in the direction of the arrows 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating the actuating member in one of its operating positions;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, but illus trating the actuator member in one of its operating positions; and

FIGURE 9 is an end elevational view of the apparatus viewed in the direction of the arrows 99 in FIGURE 7.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a rotatable steering shaft 1 that may be enclosed within a tubular steering column (not shown) and having fixed to its upper end a steering wheel (not shown). In the disclosed embodiments, the steering shaft 1 has a band 2 fixed thereto which is provided with a cam 3 that rotates in an orbital path in response to rotation of the shaft 1. It would be possible, however, to provide one or more cams on the hub of the steering wheel in lieu of mounting the cam on the shaft 1.

The apparatus disclosed in FIGURES 1-6 comprises a base or support member 4 formed of a moldable insulating material such as nylon or the like, and including a generally segment-shaped flange 5 joined to an annular mounting flange 6 having a number of reinforced openings 7 therein for the reception of mounting screws or the like by means of which the support 4 may be secured to a housing (not shown) provided at the upper end of the steering column. The flange 5 is formed with a central depression 8 bounded by side walls 9 and end walls 10 defining a switch housing or casing. Fixed in the casing adjacent one end of the latter is a pair of spaced apart, electrically

conductive contacts

12 and 13. Adjacent the opposite end of the casing is fixed a pair of

companion contacts

12a and 13a. Between the ends of the casing is a generally hourglass-shaped opening 14 in which is rockably mounted a substantially rectangular rock shaft which extends through the casing and is joined beneath the latter to a manually operable handle 16.

Mounted on the support member 4 is molded nylon or the like actuator member 17 comprising an arcuate body 18 terminating at one end in an integral, flexible canceling finger or trigger 19 having a first part 20 which extends beyond the adjacent end of the body 18 along substantially the same are. The finger 19 is bent intermediate its ends as at 21 and terminates in a part 22 that projects toward the cam 3 and is adapted to engage the latter. The terminal end portion of the finger 19 is cut away as at 23 on its under side so as to reduce the height of the end portion of the finger for a purpose presently to be explained. At the opposite end of the actuator body 18 is a similar finger 19a, and similar parts are identified by similar reference characters, followed by the sutfix a.

Mounted on the under surface of the actuator 17 so as to be interposed between the casing 11 and the actuator is a pair of electrically

conductive switch members

24 and 25, the switch member 24 having a pair of

arms

26, 26a adapted to engage the

contacts

13, 13a, respectively. The switch member has a pair of

arms

27, 27a that are adapted to engage the

contacts

12, 12a, respectively. The switch member 24 constantly is in engagement with an electrically conductive post 28 that is supported in the actuator member, and the switch member 25 constantly is in engagement With an electrically conductive post 29 that is also supported in the actuator member. The under surface of the actuator body 18 is provided with a number of abutments 30 and 30a between which the arms of the respective switch members extend so as to be restrained against undue flexing.

The construction and operation of the electrically conductive switch parts of the disclosed apparatus are similar to the construction and operation of the apparatus disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 131,243, now Patent No. 3,171,910, filed August 14, 1961. The electrical circuit disclosed in that application also may be utilized for the construction thus far described.

The actuator member 17 is adapted to overlie the support member 4 and to be mounted on the latter for rocking movements relative thereto. Rocking movements of the actuator are effected by the shaft 15, which extends through a substantially rectangular opening 31 formed in the actuator member between the ends of its body portion 18. The arrangement is such that, when the members.4 and 17 are assembled with one another in the manner indicated in FIGURE 1, movement of the operating handle 16 clockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to the position shown in FIGURE 5 will effect rocking movement of the actuator 1'7 relatively to the support member 4 from the neutral position shown to an operating position. In the operating position of the parts, direction signals at one side of the vehicle will be flashed in the same manner described in the aforementioned application. Movement of the operating handle 16 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIGURE 1 wall cause rocking of the actuator member 17 in a counterclockwise direction so as to fiash the direction signals at the other side of the vehicle.

When the operating handle 16 has been adjusted to either of its direction signal operating positions, it is desirable that the actuator member 17 remain in its operating position until such time as a turn has been completed. Accordingly, latching means is provided for releasably latching the actuating member in either its left hand or its right hand turn signaling position. The latching means for holding the actuating member in one of its turn indicating positions is designated generally by the reference character 32 and comprises an upstanding latch keeper or abutment 33 provided on the support member 4 adjacent the terminal end portion 22 of the trigger finger 19 when the actuator is in its neutral position. The latching means 32 also includes a flexible latch finger 34 forming an integral part of the actuator member 17 and lying between the adjacent end of the body portion 18 and the trigger finger 19. The free end of the latch finger 34 terminates in a substantially cylindrical pin or detent 35.

The height of the latch keeper 33 is such as to permit the latch finger 34 and the trigger finger portion 22 to pass over it without interference, and it is for this reason that the portion 22 is cut away at 23. The pin 35, however, is of such length as to terminate adjacent the upper surface of the support member 4 so as to be engageable with the latch keeper 33. The keeper 33 has a substantially planar cam surface 37 which confronts and lies in the path of movement of the latch pin 35 upon rocking movement of the actuator in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIGURE 1. The cam surface 36 terminates in a substantially planar holding surface 37, the included angle between the

surfaces

36 and 37 being about Associated with the opposite ends of the support member 4 and the actuator member 17 is a similar latching apparatus 32a, similar parts being identified by similar reference characters followed by the sufiix a.

Yieldable means is provided for constantly biasing the actuating member to its neutral position and for returning the actuating member from either of its operating positions to its neutral position. The biasing means comprises a pair of compression springs 38, 38a located adjacent each end of the actuating member. The spring 38 is received in a semicircular recess 39 formed in the support flange 5. The actuator member 17 is provided with a similar recess 40 that overlies the recess 39 and also accommodates the spring 38.

Similar recesses

39a and 40a are provided in the

members

5 and 17 adjacent the opposite ends of the latter. The depth of each

recess

39, 40 and 39a, 40a corresponds to about half the diameter of the associated spring, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 6. Upon assembly of the casing and actuator, therefore, the spring 38 will extend into both of the

recesses

39, 40 and the spring 38a will extend into both of the

recesses

39a, 40a.

The

springs

38, 38a are of such length as to have their opposite ends bear against the opposite ends of the respective recesses in which they are received so as to exert a light but constant force on the actuator member 17 tending to hold the latter in its neutral position. The actuator member is displaceable upon manipulation of the operating handle 16, however, so as to be rocked either clockwise or counterclockwise about the axis of the shaft 15 from the neutral position shown in FIGURE 1.

Upon rocking of the actuator from the neutral position to the operating position shown in FIGURE 5, the latch pin 35 engages the cam surface 36, which causes the latch finger 34 to move inwardly or toward the adjacent end of the actuator body 18, such movement being permitted by the flexibility of the finger 34. As the movement of the actuator continues, the latch post pin will reach the end of the cam surface 36, whereupon the resiliency of the finger 34 will cause the post 35 to engage and bear against the cam surface 37. Simultaneously with the movement of the actuator, the springs 38, 380 will be compressed between opposite ends of the recesses in the support and actuator members, and the compression of the springs will cause the latter to exert a force on the actuator member tending to return it to its neutral position. The actuator, however, will be prevented from such movement by the engagement between the latch pin 35 and the holding surface 37 of the latch keeper 33. Thus, the actuator member releasably will be held in an operating position.

Rocking movement of the actuator member to the operating position shown in FIGURE 5 will cause the terminal end of the latch release finger 22 to move from a position clear of the path of the cam 3 into the path of rotation of the latter, as is indicated in FIGURE 5. In this position of the finger 22, rotation of the steering shaft 1 in a clockwise direction will cause the cam 3 to bear against the adjacent end of the trigger finger and flex the latter way from latch pin 35, as is permitted by the flexibility of the arm 19, without having any effect on the position of the actuator member. Upon counterclockwise rotation of the steering shaft 1, however, the cam 3 will engage the terminal end of the finger 22 and move the latter into engagement with the latch pin 35. Continued counterclockwise rotation of the cam 3 will cause the trigger finger 22 to bear against the latch pin 35 with sufficient force to flex the finger 34 inwardly a distance sufficient to disengage the post 35 from the holding surface 37. Upon disengagement between the

parts

35 and 37, the

springs

38, 38a react between the support 4 and the actuator member to return the latter to its neutral position, where it Will be maintained yieldably by the springs.

It will be understood that operation of the apparatus upon rocking of the actuator member counterclockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 1 is the same as has been described, with the exception that the latching and latch releasing parts at the opposite ends of the support and actuating members are utilized.

In the event the actuating member should be held forcibly in an operating position, and be prevented from returning to its neutral position, the flexibility of the

trigger finger

19 or 19a will enable it to be displaced substantially radially outwardly of the shaft 1 by the cam 3. Accordingly, there is no likelihood of jamming the steering apparatus.

Upon return movement of the actuator 17 toward its neutral position from either operating position, the

springs

38, 38a expand, thereby expending the energy stored in them due to their compression. Thus, when the actuator reaches its neutral position, the springs have the least possible capacity to cause the actuator to move beyond its neutral position. Moreover, any tendency of the ac tuator to move beyond its neutral position would require compression of the biasing springs. These factors combine to assure accurate return of the actuator to its new tral position from either of its operating positions and provide positive restraint against inadvertent movement of the actuator from its neutral position to either of its operating positions.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 7-9 is similar in many respects to the embodiment just described. In the modified embodiment the apparatus includes an arcuate, nylon or similar support or casing member 40 which may be integrally formed with mounting flanges (not shown) similar to the

flanges

5 and 6, and within which are mounted the fixed

contacts

12, 12a and 13, 13a. The support 40 is provided with a central, hourglass-shaped opening 41 through which the rock shaft may pass. Mounted atop the casing 40 is a nylon or similar actuator member 42 having a central opening (not shown) which receives the rock shaft 15 so as to be rockable relatively to the casing 40 in response to rocking of the shaft 15. The actuator 42 includes an arcuate body portion 43 within which .are contained electrically conductive switching elements identical in all respects to the elements 24 and and which are adapted to engage and disengage the fixed contacts supported in the casing.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7-9 includes latching means 44 adjacent one end of the switch casing and comprising an integral, flexible, resilient latch finger 45 extending from the one end of the casing toward the steering shaft 1. Between its ends, the outer surface of the finger 45 is provided with a latching detent or notch 46 of undulating configuration. The latching means 44 also includes a latch pin 47 that is integrally molded on the under surface of the actuator 42 adjacent one end of the body portion 43, the pin 47 being so located as to lie adjacent but out of the notch 46 when the actuator is in its neutral position.

The apparatus includes latching means 44a at the other ends of the casing and actuator members, and similar parts are identified by similar reference characters, followed by the suffix a.

A latch release or trigger finger or arm 48 is integrally molded at one end of the actuator member 42 .and comprises a first portion 49 that is joined to the actuator body portion and forms an extension of the latter along substantially the same arc. The arm 49 is bent inwardly as at 50 to form an intermediate portion 51 terminating in a cam engaging end portion 52. At the opposite end of the actuator member are similar parts.

The casing member 40 is provided with a pair of

semicylindrical recesses

148, 148a adjacent its opposite ends, and the actuator member is provided with overlying recesses 149, 149a, similar to the corresponding recesses in the earlier described embodiment. Received in the

recesses

148, 149 is a compression spring 150, and a similar spring 150a is received in the recesses 148a, 149a, the springs 150 and 150a being similar to the

springs

38, 38a and constantly biasing the actuator 42 to the neutral position indicated in FIGURE 7.

A handle (not shown), similar to the handle 16, is connected to the shaft 15 to rock the latter and the actuator member from a neutral position to an operating position on either of tWo opposite sides of the neutral position. Thus, rocking of the shaft 15 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 7, will effect corresponding rocking of the actuator to the operating position indicated in FIGURE 8. Upon movement of the actuating member to its operating position, the latch pin 47 cams the latch finger 45 inwardly or toward the adjacent end of the switch casing and enters the notch 46. The resiliency of the finger 45 urges the notched portion thereof into latching engagement with the pin 47 to hold the actuator in its operating position. Movement of the actuator to its operating position compresses the springs 150, 150a, but the reaction between the sides of the notch 46 on the latch pin 47 prevents return movement of the actuator member to its neutral position.

As the actuator moves to its operating position, the terminal end portion 52 of the latch release arm 48 moves into the path of rotation of the earn 3. Rotation of the shaft 1 clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 8, will cause the arm 48 to be moved away from the latch arm 45 without having any effect on the position of the actuating member. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, however, will cause the cam 3 to exert a force on the arm 48 to effect movement of the terminal end 52 into engagement wit-h the terminal end of the latch finger 45 and move the latter toward the adjacent end of the switch housing, whereupon the latch pin 47 is released from the latch notch. Upon release of the latch pin 47, the biasing springs 150, 150a restore the actuating member to its neutral position in exactly the same manner as previously was described.

In the event the actuator should be held forcibly in its operating position, engagement between the cam 3 and the latch release finger willcause the latter to be deflected radially outwardly of the shaft 1, as permitted by the flexv bi-lity of the finger. Thus, there is no likelihood of amming the steering mechanism.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of presently preferred forms of the invention, but are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. Direction signal operating apparatus comprising a support member; an actuator member; means mounting said actuator member on said support member for movements from a neutral position to an operating position on either of two sides of said neutral position; cooperable latch means on each of said members engageable with each other in response to movement of said actuator member to either of its operating positions for releasably maintaining said actuator member in either operating position; flexible means carried. by said actuator member operable to engage the latch means on one of said members and release said cooperable latch means; and means reacting between said support member and said actuator member and operable in responseto release of said cooperable latch means to return said actuator member from either operating position to said neutral position.

2. Direction signal operating apparatus comprising a support member; an actuator member; means mounting said actuator member on said support member for movements from a neutral position to an operating position on either of two sides of said neutral position; yieldable means reacting between said members and biasing said actuator member to said neutral position; cooperable latch means on each of said members and engageable with one another to releasably hold said actuator member in either operating position against the bias of said yieldable means; and. flexible means carried by said actuator member engageable with the latch means on one of said members to disengage said cooperable latch means and enable said yieldable means to return said actuator member to said neutral position.

3. Direction signal operating apparatus for use with cam means movable in an orbital path, said apparatus comprising a support member; an actuating member; means mounting said actuator member on said support member for movements relative thereto from a neutral position to an operating position; latch means on said support member engageable with said actuator member in response to movement of the latter into said. operating position; flexible release means carried by said actuator member and movable with the latter into the path of said cam means for engagement therewith, said release means being movable into engagement with said latch means to release the latter from said actuator member in response to engagement between said cam means and said release means; and means reacting between said support member and said actuator member operable to return the latter to said neutral position in response to disengagement of said latch means.

4. Direction signal operating apparatus for use with cam means movable in an orbital path, said apparatus comprising a support member; first latch means supported by said support means; an actuator member; means mounting said actuator member on said support member for movement from a neutral position to an operating position; second latch means supported by said actuator member and. engageable with said first latch means upon movement of said actuator member to said operating position, one of said latch means being flexible; and flexible latch release means carried by said actuator member and movable into the path of said cam means in response to movement of said actuator member to said operating position, said latch release means being engageable with the flexible one of said latch means to release said first and, second latch means in response to engagement between said cam means and said latch release means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch release means is engageable with said first latch means.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch release means is engageable with said second latch means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 including yieldable means reacting between said support member and said actuator member and constantly biasing the latter to said neutral position.

8. Direction signal operating apparatus comprising a support member; an arcuate actuating member having opposite ends; means mounting said actuating member on said support member for rocking movements about an axis from a neutral position to an operating position on either side of said neutral position; cooperable latch means on each of said members operable to releasably latch said actuating member in either operating position; biasing means reacting between said members on opposite sides of said axis and constantly biasing said actuating member to its neutral position; and flexible release means carried by said actuating member at each of its ends for engagement with one of said latch means at the adjacent end to release the associated latch means, whereby said biasing means is operable to return said actuating member from an operating position to said neutral position.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said biasing means comprises apair of compression springs accommodated in recesses formed. in each of said members.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said latch means comprises an abutment on said support member having a cam surface and a holding surface, and a flexible latch finger on said actuating member having a part engageable with said cam surface for deflection by the latter into holding relation with said holding surface.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said latch means comprises a flexible finger on said support member having a notch therein, and a latch part carried by said actuating member for movement into said notch.

12. Direction signal operating apparatus comprising a support member; an actuating member; means mounting said actuator member on said support member for movement from a neutral position to an operating position; yieldable means reacting between said support member and said actuating member and constantly biasing the latter to its neutral position; a first latch part on said support member; a second latch part on said actuating member movable into latching engagement with said first latch part in response to movement of said actuator member to said operating position and operable releasably to maintain said actuating member in said operating position; and flexible latch release means on one of said members engageable with the latch part on the other of said members when said actuating member is in said operating position to disengage said first and second latch parts, whereby said yieldable means is operable to return said actuating member to said neutral position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,902,556 9/1959 Dryer 20061 2,961,503 11/1960 Schmidt 200-61 3,079,476 2/1963 Dyksterhouse 200-61 3,107,551 10/1963 Cline 74-574 3,120,588 2/1964 Brown 200-61 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Examiner.

Claims

4. DIRECTION SIGNAL OPERATING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH CAM MEANS MOVABLE IN AN ORBITAL PATH, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A SUPPORT MEMBER; FIRST LATCH MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORT MEANS; AN ACTUATOR MEMBER; MEANS MOUNTING SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT FROM A NEUTRAL POSITION TO AN OPERTING POSITION; SECOND LATCH MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRST LATCH MEANS UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER TO SAID OPERATING POSITION, ONE OF SAID LATCH MEANS BEING FLEXIBLE; AND FLEXIBLE LATCH RELEASE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER AND MOVABLE INTO THE PATH OF SAID CAM MEANS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER TO SAID OPERATING POSITION, SAID LATCH RELEASE MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FLEXIBLE ONE OF SAID LATCH MEANS TO RELEASE SAID FIRST AND SECOND LATCH MEANS IN RESPONSE TO ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID CAM MEANS AND SAID LATCH RELEASE MEANS.