US3384402A - Catch unit for packing case or the like - Google Patents

Description

y 1968 G. E. SWANSON CATCH UNIT FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1966 R O T N E V m GUNNAR E. SWANSON fiiw gwg'fw i ATTORNEYS.

y 1968 G. E. SWANSON 3,384,402

CATCH UNIT FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Filed July 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 85 j '-9o i 90 ""56 7-74 54 -56 j L,-64 54 I .mumwl-l United States Patent Office Patented May 21, 1968 poration of Connecticut Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 562,556 14 Claims. ('Cl. 292--113) This invention relates to a catch unit for releasably securing together two panels or the like such as found, for example, on a packing case having a main body and a cover upwardly separable therefrom. In the use of such a catch unit, a strike is fixed to one of the panels and the catch unit is attached to the other of the panels adjacent the strike and is releasably engageable therewith to hold together the two panels.

The catch unit of this invention is of the lever operated type, comprising a lever movable about a fixed axis and a multiple part linkage pivotally connected with the lever and engageable with the strike. The relationship of the parts is such that when the linkage is engaged with the strike, the axis about which the linkage is connected with the lever moves overcenter with respect to the fixed lever axis as the lever is moved between opened and closed positions.

The general object of the invention is to provide a catch unit of the aforedescribed type wherein said multiple part linkage when not in use may be moved to and releasably retained in an unobtrusive inactive position relative to the remainder of the parts of the catch unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a catch unit of the foregoing character having a low profile both when said multiple part linkage is in its active strike engaging position and when in its inactive position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a catch unit of the foregoing character which includes a spring for exerting a spring load between the catch unit and the strike when the catch unit is closed and wherein the spring is also used to provide a spring force used to maintain the multiple part linkage in its inactive position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows 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 description 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 front view of a fastening device embodying the present invention, the device being shown mounted on two separable panels and in a closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing the parts of the linkage in position for disengagement from the strike.

FIG. 4 is a view generally similar to FIG. 3, but showing the operating lever in its closed position and the multiple part linkage in an intermediate position.

FIG. 5 is a view generally similar to FIG. 4 but showing the multiple part linkage in its inactive position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of an alternative multiple part linkage used on a catch unit comprising another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the multiple part linkage shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and first particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, these figures illustrate a catch unit 10 embodying the invention and adapted for use on a packing case or the like having a main body A and a cover B upwardly separable from the main body. The catch unit 10 is adapted for use in cooperation with a strike 12 fixed to the case cover B and which includes a dependent portion 14 adapted for engagement with the catch '10. The strike may be variously formed, but preferably and as shown it includes a slot 16 formed in the dependent portion 14 for receiving a hook associated with the catch linkage to be hereinafter further described. The cover B may be hinged to the case body A at one side and when it is so hinged one or more strikes and catch units may be provided at one or more of the other sides. Alternatively, the cover may be without a hinge connection to the body A and held in place solely by a plurality of suitably distributed strikes and catch units.

The catch unit 10 comprises an elongated vertically extending base plate 18 which is preferably blanked and formed from sheet metal and which includes a depressed portion defining a forwardly opening recess 20 surrounded by a forwardly facing flange 22 adapted for attachment to the main body A. The recess 20 is defined by parallel side walls 24, 24 and curved upper and lower end walls 26 and 28, respectively, and has a substantially flat generally forwardly facing bottom surface 30. Elongated vertically extending ribs 32, 32 and 34, 34 project forwardly from the flange 22 immediately adjacent the side walls 24, 24 and serve as guards or bumpers to deflect or guard the other parts of the catch unit from moving objects that might otherwise damage or accidentally release the catch unit. An opening C is provided in the main body A for receiving the depressed base portion so that the flange 22 engages an associated portion of the surface of the base body A and may be secured thereto by suitable fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets.

Support for the operating lever of the catch unit is provided by a plate 36 spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the surface and including a pair of transversely spaced forwardly projecting flanges 38, 38 spaced from the associated side walls 24, 24. Each of the flanges 38, 38 includes a centrally located forwardly opening generally U-shaped recess 39 best shown in FIG. 3.

The operating lever is indicated at 40 and is arranged for movement about a transverse pivot axis fixed relative to the base plate 18 between a downwardly extending closed position as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a forwardly extending open position as viewed in FIG. 3. As viewed in its downwardly extending closed position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever 40 has two parallel transversely spaced and rearwardly projecting side flanges 42, 42 each of which lies adjacent to and laterally outwardly of an associated one of the flanges 38, 38. Connection between the lever 40 and the plate 36 is provided by a pair of pivot pins 44, 44 each of which is staked to a respective one of the side flanges 42, 42 and projects laterally inwardly therefrom into a bearing aperture in the associated flange 38. The lever 40 also includes an operating tab 46 extending between the flanges 42, 42 and located downwardly from the pivot pins 44, 44 as viewed in FIG. 1.

As mentioned previously, a multiple part linkage is pivotally connected with the operating lever 40 and is 3 engageable with the strike 12. The basic parts of this linkage include a first link connected with the operating lever for movement about a first transverse pivot axis relative to the lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end with the first link movement about a second transverse pivot axis relative to the first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the other end of the second link for movement about a third transverse pivot axis relative to the second link. The third link, in turn, has a free end portion provided with a hook or otherwise adapted for engagement with the strike when all of the links are in a generally longitudinally aligned active position. A spring means is preferably included in the catch unit to resist any increase in the distance between the operating lever axis and the strike when the third link is in its strike-engaging position.

The spring means, if provided, may take various different forms, but, preferably and as shown, it is included in the first link and comprises two relatively movable partsa lower part 48 pivotally connected to the lever 40 for movement about the first transverse pivot axis and an upper part 50 telescopically received in the lower part. The part 48 is a rectangular tubular part having laterally spaced side walls 52, 52 located inwardly of and generally adjacent the flanges 3'8, 38 when the linkage is in its active position. The upper end of the part 48 is partially closed by a transversely extending top wall 54 which includes an upwardly facing abutment surface 56 and which terminates inwardly of the side Walls to partially define two upwardly opening and laterally spaced slots each located adjacent a respective one of the side walls and communicating with the interior of the part. Pivotal connection between the part 48 and the lever 40 is provided by a pivot pin 58 which extends transversely of the element 48 through bearing apertures in the side walls and in the lever flanges 42, 42 and which is staked at its end to prevent displacement. When the lever 40 is in its downwardly extending closed position with the element 48 in an upwardly extending active position the pivot pin 58 is spaced downwardly and slightly rearwardly of the lever pivot pins 44, 44 and is received in forwardly opening recesses 39, 39 in the base flanges 38, 38.

The link part 50 has a transverse bottom wall 60 and upright lateral legs 62, '62 which extend upwardly adjacent the side walls 52, 52 and through the slots in the top of the part 48. The spring means, which tends to move the upper part 50 downwardly relative to the lower part 48, comprises a pair of compression springs 64, 64 located within the tubular part 48 between the top wall 54 of the part 48 and the bottom wall 60 of the part 50. Downward movement of the element 50 is limited in a manner hereinafter evident.

The second link, indicated at 66, of the multiple part linkage is generally U-shaped and includes two forwardly projecting side walls 68, 6-8 and a rear wall 70 extending transversely therebetween. The rear wall '70 includes a generally forwardly inclined lower surface portion 72. The side walls 68, 68 receive the upper ends of the legs 62, 62 therebetween, pivotal connection between the first and second links being provided by a pivot pin 74 which extends transversely through bearing apertures in the side walls 68, 68 and in the upper ends of the legs 62, 62. The pivot pin 74 is headed at one end and peened or staked at the other to retain the first and second links in assembled condition.

Received upon the pin 74 is a roller 76 having a bore 78 substantially larger than the diameter of the pin 74 so as to be capable of limited movement relative thereto. The roller 76 is preferably generally cylindrical and includes two laterally spaced annular ribs or bearing surfaces 80', 80, as best shown in FIG. 1, which normally bear against the abutment surface 56 and the inclined surface portion 72.

The third link, indicated generally at 82, of the multiple part linkage is an elongated member adapted for engagement with the strike 12, and for this purpose the upper or free end of the link 82 is turned generally rearwardly and downwardly to form a hook 84 adapted to enter the slot 16 in the strike. The lower end of the link 82 is curled rearwardly and upwardly around a pivot pin 86 which extends transversely through the upper ends of the side walls 68, 6-8 and which is headed at one end and peened or staked at the other. The curled portion at the lower end of the link 82 includes a bearing surface 87 adapted to engage the roller,76. A protuberance or cam surface 88 extends radially outwardly from the bearing surface 78 relative to the pivot pin 86 and is engageable with the surface of the roller 76 between the bearing surfaces 80, 86. At this point it should be noted that when the three links of the multiple part linkage are longitudinally aligned the protuberance 88 is on one side of an axial plane 90 which extends through the pivot pins 74 and 86 and that the surface 72 is on the opposite side of the said plane and inclined relative thereto, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the parts of the catch unit 10 in a closed or active position and firmly holding the cover B in engagement with the body A. To achieve this condition the catch unit parts are first brought to the relative positions shown in FIG. 3, the lever 40 extending generally forwardly and the links which form the multiple part linkage being in a longitudinally aligned or first position so that the hook portion '78 may enter the slot 16 of the strike 12. By means of the tab 46, the lever 40 is then moved counterclockwise from the position of FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As the lever is so moved the link 82 is moved downwardly to press the hook 84 against the bottom edge of the slot 16 and to thus draw the strike 12 and the cover B downwardly. When the cover and the strike have reached their limit of downward movement, the springs 64, 64 are compressed to permit continued movement of the lever and of the lower part 48 of the telescopic link. As will be apparent from FIG. 2, there is an overcenter action obtained by the axis of the pin 58 moving rearwardly beyond the line passing from the axis of the pivot pins 44, 4-4 to the point at which the link 82 engages the strike. This action occurs as the lever 40 approaches its downwardly extending closed position and acts to hold the lever in such closed position. When the cover is to be released the lever 40 is moved clockwise by means of the tab 46 so that the parts are restored to the relative positions shown in FIG. 3. Then the link 82 may be swung forwardly out of engagement with the strike 12.

When the catch is not to be immediately used the three links of the multiple part linkage may be moved to inactive or second positions, as shown in FIG. 9, wherein the lever 40 is in its closed position and the third link 82 lies generally adjacent and parallel to the first link part 48. In these positions the catch parts are displaced from the cover B and are located close to the corresponding side of the case A, so as to project forwardly a minimal extent. Provision is also made for releasably retaining the links in their second positions to prevent undesired movement of the catch parts when the case A is handled separately from the cover.

When the three links of the multiple part linkage are in their active or aligned positions, the spring 64 urges the pin 74 and the associated second link 66 downwardly toward the abutment surface 56 on the first link. The bearing surfaces 80, on the roller are thereby caused to bear against the bearing surface 87 on the third link and the abutment surface 56 on the first link to frictionally retain the links in their relative positions.

Movement of the links from their first or active positions to their second or inactive positons is preferably accomplished by holding the lever 40 in its closed position to prevent any appreciable free movement of the first link, the rear surface of the first link part 48, being held by the lever in generally close parallel relation with the plate 36.

As the second and third links are moved from their first positions toward their second positions the protuberance 88 engages the roller on one side of the plane 90 containing the axes of the pins 74 and 86, and the inclined surface 72 bears against the roller on the other side of the plane 90 and substantially diametrically opposite the protuberance 88, with regard to the roller, the resist movement of the third link relative to the second link. The roller is thereby caused to rotate in frictional engagement with the abutment surface 56 on the first link. The second and third links pivot about the pin 74 in unison relative to the first link to an angular position wherein further movement of the second link is arrested by engagement of the forward edge of the side walls 68, 68 with the forward upper edge of the first link part 48 as shown in FIG. 4. After the links are advanced to the latter angular position it will be noted that the inclined surface 72 is generally above the abutment surface 56 and is inclined generally forwardly and upwardly relative thereto. Thereafter further counterclockwise pivotal movement of the third link 82 about the pin 86 causes the protuberance 88 to urge the roller 76 generally rearwardly to act upon the inclined surface 72, and thereby causes the second link 66 to move upwardly against the action of the springs 64, 64. As the third link 82 is moved to the second position shown in FIG. 9, the protuberance 88 moves from one to the other side of the plane 90 and over the roller so as to releasably retain the third link in its second or inactive position.

When the links are returned from the inactive position to the active position it is preferable that the lever be held in its downwardly extending position. The detent action of the spring loaded roller 76 against the protuberance 88 serves to retain the third link in the angular position relative to the second link shown in FIG. 4 when the linkage is pivoted from the inactive position to the active position. Pivotal movement occurs first about the pivot pin 74. When the second link attains a position of general longitudinal alignment relative to the first link the pivotal movement of the second link is arrested by the engagement of the rear surface 70 thereof with the first link legs 62, 62. Thereafter further pivotal movement of the third link toward the first position causes the protuberance 88 to urge the roller 76 downwardly relative to the pin 74 and relative to the abutment surface 56 against the action of the springs 64, 64. As the third link is moved to the active position the protuberance again moves from one to the other side of the plane 90 and assumes a position in which it is releasably retained in the manner as aforedescribed. It will therefore be obvious that the protuberance 88 cooperates with the roller 76 and with the first and second links to provide a means for causing the second link to pivot about the pin 74 relative to the first link before the third link pivots about the pin 86 relative o the second lnk when he links are moved between their active and inactive positions and for releasably retaining the links in their inactive positions.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show another embodment of the present invention which comprises a multiple part linkage indicated generally at 100 and adapted for use in a catch mechanism which has a base and a lever attached thereto (not shown) generally similar to the base and lever of the aforedescribed embodiment but not necessarily including a spring means for resiliently resisting elongation of the catch unit in its closed condition. Referring to these figures the illustrated linkage comprises a first link and a second link, respectively indicated at 102 and 104, pivotally connected by a transverse pivot pin 106 for pivotal movement relative each to the other. A third link 108 is pivotally connected to the second link 104 by a transverse pivot pin 110 spaced from the pin 106 for pivotal movement relative to the second link.

The first link 102 includes two upright transversely spaced and laterally disposed legs 112, 112 which may, for example, but not necessarily, comprise part of a two-piece telescopically arranged link of the type generally aforedescribed. In the illustrated embodiment the first link has a lower part 113. Each of the legs 112 includes a generally longitudinally disposed and laterally outwardly facing surface 114 surrounding the pivot pin 106. Preferably each of the surfaces 114, 114 are inclined relative to the axis of the pin, and to effect this arrangement the upper end portion'of each leg is twisted slightly about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 6 the legs are twisted so that the surfaces 114, 114 are inclined generally rearwardly and inwardly.

As viewed in FIG. 6, the second link 104, which is preferably generally V-shaped, has two longitudinally extending and forwardly projection side Walls 116, 116 connected by a transversely extending rear wall 117. The lower end portions of the side walls 116, 116 are apertured in a like manner to receive the pin 110. Each side 'wall 116 includes a generally laterally inwardly facing surface 118 surrounding the pivot pins 116 and 110 and preferably generally normal to the axis thereof. The end portions of the pins 106 and 110 are suitably headed or peened to prevent lateral displacement relative to the link 104.

Considering now the third link 108, this link, as shown, preferably comprises an elongated member the lower end of which is curled generally upwardly-around the pivot pin 110 for pivotal connection therewith. The upper end of the link 108 is adapted for engagement with a strike and may, for example, be provided with a strike engaging hook portion as described with reference to the previous embodiment. The link 108 further includes generally longitudinally disposed and laterally outwardly facing surfaces 120, 120 which substantially surround the axis of the pin 110. Preferably, each of the surfaces 120, 120 is inclined relative to the axis of the pin 110 and in the illustrated embodiment is inclined forwardly and inwardly, as best shown in FIG. 6.

Also included in the linkage of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is a means for releasably retaining the first and second links in any relative position to which they are moved. As best shown in FIG. 6 this means comprises a pair of spring members 122, 122 each of which includes an end portion which is located between an associated outwardly facing surface 114 on the first link and an inwardly facing surface 118 on the second link and which resiliently bears on said surfaces to frictionally resist movement of the second link relative to the first link. Preferably, each spring 122 comprises an elongated piece of flat spring metal positioned inwardly of and generally adjacent an associated sidewall 116. Apertures in each of the spring members .122, 122 receive the pivot pins 106 and 1 10 which extend transversely therethrough to support each spring member for pivotal movement in unison with the second link 104. Each spring member 122 is twisted about its longitudinal axis so that the end portions thereof are inclined in generally opposite directions relative each to the other.

Preferably, each spring member 122, is so arranged that the inclined end and portions thereof are in general complementary engagement with the respectively associated inclined surfaces 118, and 120, when the link-s are in a longitudinally aligned or active position as shown in FIG. 6 and by the full lines of FIG. 7. Thus, it will be evident that the spring members cooperate with the links to provide a means for releasably retaining said links in the first position.

The linkage is further preferably provided with a detent means for causing the second link 104 to move about the pin 106 relative to the first link before the third link 108 moves about the pin relative to the second link when the links are moved between their active and inactive positions and for releasably retaining the links in the inactive position. Preferably and as shown the detent means comprises a detent or protrusion 124 struck inwardly on each of the spring members in general radial alignment with the axis of the pin 11%,- and receivable in associated complementary angulariy spaced first and second recesses respectively indicated at 126 and 12S and defined by the associated third link surface 120.

When the links are in the ir active or longitudinally aligned positions of FIG. 6 the protrusion '124 is received within the associated first recess 126 thereby serving to retain the third link against pivotal movement relative to the second link. Pivotal movement of the third link from the first or full line position toward the second or broken line position of FIG. 7 causes the second and third links to move in unison about the pivot pin 1% until further angular movement of the second link is arrested by engagement of the second link with the first link part 1E3. Thereafter further force applied to the third link 108 will cause the detent 124 to be released from the recess 126 and annularly advance to the recess 128 to releasably retain the third link in the second position.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable panels or the like, the combination comprising a base adapted for connection with one of the said panels, a first link, a second link connected with said first link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a first transverse pivot axis, a third link having a strike engaging portion thereon connected with said second link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second transverse pivot axis spaced from said first axis, said second and third links being pivotally movable relative to said first link and relative each to the other between a first state wherein all of the said links are generally longitudinally aligned and a second state wherein said third link lies generally adjacent and parallel to said first link, an operating lever connected with said base for pivotal movement about a third transverse pivot axis fixed relative to said base between an open position and a closed position, said first link being connected with said lever for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth transverse pivot axis spaced from said third axis, and means for releasably retaining said first, second and third links in said first and second states.

2. In a catch, the combination set forth in claim 1 and further including means for causing said second link to move about said first axis relative to said first link before said third link moves about said second axis relative to said second link when said links are moved between said first and said second states by a torque exerted between said firs-t and third links.

3. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 1 and further including a strike adapted for connection with the other one of the said panels, said third link having a free end portion adapted for engagement with said strike, said links and said lever being so related that when said lever is in its open position and said links are in said first state said end portion is freely movable to and from its strike engaging position and beingfurther so related that with said end portion in said strike engaging position movement of said lever toward its closed position serves to effect an over-center movement of said fourth axis relative to a line passing from said third axis to the point of engagement of end portion with said strike as said lever approaches its closed position.

4. A catch as set forth in claim 3 including spring means associated with one of the said links for resisting any increase in the distance between the two of said axes located at opposite ends of said one link.

5. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by said means for releasably retaining said first, second and third links in said tfirst and second states including a pin connecting said first link with said second link, said first link including an abutment surface parallel to said pin, a roller received on said pin, and spring means for urging said pin toward said abutment surface on said first link.

6. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for releasably retaining said first, second and third links in said first and second states further includes a bearing surface on said third link generally parallel to said pin and said roller having a bore substantially larger than the diameter of said pin and being adapted to engage said bearing surface.

7. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for releasably retaining said first, second and third links in said first and second states further includes said roller having a bore substantially larger than the diameter of said pin so as to be capable of limited movement relative to said pin, said second link having an inclined surface thereon engageable with said roller and inclined relative to the plane containing said pin axis and said third link axis, said third link having a protrusion thereon arranged to engage said roller on one side of said plane when said links are in said first state to urge said roller toward said inclined surface as said links are moved toward said second state and to move to the other side of said plane when said links are moved to said second state.

8. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said roller having a pair of transversely spaced coaxial annular bearing surfaces, said protrusion engaging said roller between said bearing surfaces.

9. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said first link including a generally laterally or outwardly facing surface surrounding said first axis, said second link including a generally laterally inwardly facing surface surrounding said first axis said means comprising a spring located between said outwardly facing surface of said first link and said inwardly facing surface of said second link and resiliently bearing against said surfaces to frictionally resist movement of said second link relative to said first link.

10. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said inwardly facing surface being normal to said first axis, said outwardly facing first link surface being inclined relative to said first axis, said spring being supported for movement in unison with said second link and having a portion inclined relative to said first axis and adapted to engage said first link surface.

11. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 9 further including detent means for causing said second link to move about said first axis relative to said first link before said third link moves about said second axis relative to said second link when said links are moved between said first and second states and for releasably retaining said links in said second state.

12. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said third link including an outwardly facing surface generally surrounding said second axis, said spring being supported for movement with said second link and including a portion resiliently hearing against said outwardly facing surface on said third link, said detent means comprising a protrusion on said ortion for engaging a first recess in said third link surface when said links are in said first state and a second recess in said third link surface when said links are in said second state.

13. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable panels or the like and for use with a strike or the like connected with one of said panels, the combination comprising a base adapted for connection with the other of said panels, an operating lever connected with said base for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, about a first transverse axis fixed relative to said base, a three link linkage associated with said operating lever and including a first link connected with said operating lever for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second transverse axis, a second link connected with said first link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a third transverse axis, and a third link connected with said second link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth transverse axis, said third link having a free end portion adapted for engagement with said strike, said three links being movable between an active condition at which said free end portion of said third link is engageable with said strike to exert a closing pressure thereon when said operating lever is in its closed position and an inactive condition at which said third link is in an inobstrusive position relative to the remainder of said catch and out of engagement with said strike when said operating lever is in its closed position, spring means in said first link for resiliently resisting movement of said third axis away from said second axis so as to exert a spring load on said strike when said free end portion of said third link is in engagement with said strike and said operating lever in its closed position, and means utilizing the force of said spring means for releasably holding said first, second and third links in said inactive condition.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 further characterized by said means utilizing said spring means for releasably holding said first, second and third links in their inactive condition comprising a pin pivotally connecting said second link to said first link, a roller received on said pin and having a bore substantially larger than the outer diameter of the pin so as to allow said roller to move radially relative to said pin, means defining a transversely extending surface on said second link which transverse surface is engageable with said roller and inclined generally upwardly and forwardly when said links are in their active position, and a protrusion on said third link which protrusion is located on one side of the plane passing between said third and fourth axes when said links are in their active condition and is located on the other side of said plane when said links are in their inactive condition, said protrusion being engageable with said roller and operating to move said roller relative to said pin against the action of said spring means as it is moved from one side to the other of said plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,374,687 5/1945 Komenak 292247 X 2,953,404 9/1960 Miller et al. 292247 X 3,026,133 3/1962 Swanson 292113 3,125,367 3/1964 Koch 292-247 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

J. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A CATCH FOR RELEASABLY SECURING TOGETHER TWO SEPARABLE PANELS OR THE LIKE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A BASE ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH ONE OF THE SAID PANELS, A FIRST LINK, A SECOND LINK CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST LINK FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT A FIRST TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS, A THIRD LINK HAVING A STRIKE ENGAGING PORTION THEREON CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND LINK FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT A SECOND TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS SPACED FROM SAID FIRST AXIS, SAID SECOND AND THIRD LINKS BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST LINK AND RELATIVE EACH TO THE OTHER BETWEEN A FIRST STATE WHEREIN ALL OF THE SAID LINKS ARE GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED AND A SECOND STATE WHEREIN SAID THIRD LINK LIES GENERALLY ADJACENT AND PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST LINK, AN OPERATING LEVER CONNECTED WITH SAID BASE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A THIRD TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS FIXED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION AND A CLOSED POSITION, SAID FIRST LINK BEING CONNECTED WITH SAID LEVER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT A FOURTH TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS SPACED FROM SAID THIRD AXIS, AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD LINKS IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND STATES.

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