US3863966A

US3863966A - Catch assembly

Info

Publication number: US3863966A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gunnar E Swanson
Original assignee: Nielsen Hardware Corp
Current assignee: Nielsen Hardware Corp
Priority date: 1973-04-09
Filing date: 1973-04-09
Publication date: 1975-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-04

Abstract

A catch assembly for releasably connecting two separable parts includes a strike unit attached to one of said parts and a catch unit attached to the other of said parts. The catch unit has a body which defines a strike receiving aperture and supports a manually operated latch member normally biased toward a latched position and cammed to an unlatched position by a portion of said strike unit upon passage of said strike through said aperture. The aperture is substantially larger than the leading end of the strike unit and yielding functional alignment between the catch unit and the strike unit is provided in one direction as the two units are brought into engagement or released therefrom. Guide means on the catch unit cooperate with a formed end portion of the strike unit to guide it toward and through the aperture and toward a connected position with the catch unit. The guide means further cooperate with the strike unit to retain it in a substantially fixed position relative to the catch unit body when it is in its connected position and to guide it along said path upon disengagement from the catch unit.

Description

Elite States Patent Swanson Feb.4-, 1975 CATCH ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Gunnar E. Swanson, Middletown,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: The Nielsen Hardware Corporation,

Hartford, Conn.

22 Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 211 App]. No.: 349,264

[52] US. Cl. 292/87 [51] Int. Cl. E05c 19/06 [58] Field of Search 292/87, 89, 76, 341.15,

292/341.13, DIG. 50, 193, DIG. 14

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,108 10/1929 Bienaime 292/193 X FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1,181,268 1/1959 France 292/87 Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcCormick, Paulding & Huber [57] ABSTRACT A catch assembly for releasably connecting two separable parts includes a strike unit attached to one of said parts and a catch unit attached to the other of said parts. The catch unit has a body which defines a strike receiving aperture and supports a manually operated latch member normally biased toward a latched position and cammed to an unlatched position by a portion of said strike unit upon passage of said strike through said aperture. The aperture is substantially larger than the leading end of the strike unit and yielding functional alignment between the catch unit and the strike unit is provided in one direction as the two units are brought into engagement or released therefrom. Guide means on the catch unit cooperate with a formed end portion of the strike unit to guide it toward and through the aperture and toward a connected position with the catch unit. The guide means further cooperate with the strike unit to retain it in a substantially fixed position relative to the catch unit body when it is in its connected position and to guide it along said path upon disengagement from the catch unit.

31 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 4W5 all!!! SHEET 10? 3 PATENTED FEB 41975 SHEET 2 0F 3 PATENIED FEB 75 SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. I

CATCH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a catch assembly for releasably connecting two separable parts and deals more particularly with a catch assembly for connecting parts separable in generally opposite directions and not precisely aligned.

The catch assembly of the present invention is particularly suitable to secure the hood of a vehicle, such as a snow mobile or the like, in closed connected position relative to the body of the vehicle. Vehicles of the aforedescribed general type are subjected to considerable stress in normal operation and may be serviced out-of-doors when adverse weather conditions prevail. Accordingly, it is essential that a catch assembly used to secure the hood of the vehicle engine compartment be of rugged, durable construction, adapted to move readily into and out of engagement even when the hood and associated body portion of the vehicle are not precisely aligned. It is further desirable that the dexterity required to operate the catch assembly be minimal so that the catch assembly may be operated by a person wearing heavy gloves. Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present invention to provide a catch assembly which meets the aforesaid stringent operational requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a catch assembly is provided which includes a catch unit and a strike unit for releasable connection with the catch unit. The catch unit has a body which supports a manually operable latch element, which cooperates with a formed end portion of the strike, and defines s strike receiving aperture substantially larger than the leading end of the strike unit so that alignment between the two separable units is not critical. Guide means associated with said body cooperate with said formed end portion to guide it to and along the generally predetermined path as it moves toward and through said aperture and into connected position with the catch unit. The latter guide means also cooperates with said formed end portion to retain it in substantially fixed position relative to said body in its connected position and to maintain it in said path during disengagement from the catch unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a catch assembly embodying the present invention shown in connected latched position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the catch assembly of FIG. I and shows the catch unit attached to one panel member and the strike unit attached to another panel member.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. I but shows the strike unit entering the strike receiving aperture in the catch unit.

FIG. 4 is generally similar to FIG. 3, but shows the strike unit in a further position of advancement toward connected position with the catch unit.

FIG. 5 is generally similar to FIG. 3, but shows the catch assembly in connected position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of another catch assembly embodying the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the catch assembly of FIG. 6 and shows the strike unit attached to one panel member and the catch unit attached to another panel member.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the catch unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the strike unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view of still another catch assembly embodying the present invention.

FIG. II is a side elevational view of the catch assembly of FIG. 10 and shows the strike unit attached to one panel member and the catch unit attached to another panel member.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view of yet another catch assembly embodying the present invention and shows the strike attached to one panel member and the catch member attached to another panel member.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 13-13 of FIG. I2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, a catch assembly embodying the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 comprises a strike unit generally indicated at 12 and a catch unit designated generally by the numeral 14 for releasable connection therewith. The catch unit has a latch element supported thereon, indicated generally at 15, and movable between latching and releasing position indicated respectively in full and broken lines in FIG. 1. The latch element has an operating portion which may be manually manipulated to release the strike unit for disengagement from the catch unit as will be hereinafter further discussed.

In FIGS. 2-5, the strike and catch units are shown attached to separable panel members which may, for example, comprise body and hood panels of a vehicle, such as a snowmobile or the like. More specifically, the strike unit 12 is secured to a panel member 16 by a mounting bracket 18 welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the latter panel, which comprises a body panel of a vehicle. The catch 14 is fastened to another panel member or hood panel 20. Preferably, and as shown, the catch assembly 10 is mounted on the inner side of the aforementioned panels within the vehicle engine compartment, the operating portion of the latch element 15 being exposed externally of the compartment.

Considering now the catch 10 in further detail, the elongated strike unit 12 is preferably formed from flat metal or like material and has a mounting portion 22 and an elongated shank 24 which projects upwardly from the mounting portion and terminates at an upwardly extending leading end portion 26. A V-shaped latch engaging portion 28 formed on the shank immediately below the end portion 26 has an apex 29, as best shown in FIGS. 35, and defines an upwardly facing cam surface 30 which is downwardly and forwardly inclined from the end portion 26 to the apex 29. The latch engaging portion 28 further defines a generally downwardly facing abutment surface 32 inclined downwardly and rearwardly from the apex 29. Vertically

elongated slots

34, 34 in the mounting portion 22 receive fasteners which secure the strike unit to the bracket 18 and facilitate vertical adjustment of the unit relative to the panel 16 and the catch unit 14.

The body of the catch unit, indicated generally at 36 is preferably cut and formed from sheet metal or of like material and has a base portion which comprises vertically spaced apart upper and

lower base flanges

40 and 42, respectively. A generally V-shaped central portion of the body is formed by transversely disposed

contiguous wall portions

44, 46, 48 and 50 integrally connected to the base flanges. The wall portion 44, inclined forwardly and upwardly from the base flange 42, has an upwardly facing bearing surface 51 and a central strike receiving aperture 52 therethrough. The rear or lower edge of the aperture 52 is defined by an upper edge of the base flange 42. A tab 54 bent downwardly from the aperture 52 generally defines the forward or upper edge of the latter aperture and a guide surface 53. When the strike unit 12 is in connected assembly with the catch unit 14, as best shown in FIG. 5, the tab 54 is generally parallel to the shank 24 and the upper surface 51 is generally parallel to the abutment surface 32. The wall 46 extends rearwardly and upwardly from some distance from the wall 44 and joins the wall 48 which is generally parallel to the base flange 42, but spaced forwardly thereof. The wall 48 and the panel 20 cooperate to define a downwardly opening recess 55 therebetween. Connection between the wall 48 and the base flange 40 is provided by the connecting wall portion 50.

Tabs

56, 56 bent generally downwardly from opposite sides of the wall 46 overlap the ends of corresponding upwardly

bent tabs

58, 58 connected to opposite sides of the wall 44 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The latter tabs and the wall 44 cooperate to define

slots

60, 60 at opposite sides of the body and generally parallel to the wall 44. A transversely disposed slot 61 opens centrally through the body 36 proximate the apex formed by the junction of the

walls

44 and 46. Transversely elongated

slots

62, 62 in the

base flanges

40 and 42 receive fasteners which secure the catch to the panel member 20 to facilitate transverse adjustment of the catch relative to the latter panel and the strike unit 12.

The latch element may take various forms, as will be evident from the additional embodiments of the invention hereinafter described, however, the illustrated latch element or member 15 is formed from a single piece of resilient wire and has a generally U-shape or hairpin-like form. More specifically, it includes two spaced apart generally

parallel legs

62 and 64 integrally joined by a U-shaped connecting portion 66. The

legs

62 and 64 extend transversely of the body 36 and through the

slots

60, 60. An offset portion 68 formed on the leg 62 and received in the slot 61 retains the latch member against transverse movement relative to the body 36. The leg 64 extends for some distance beyond the body 36 and has an operating portion or handle 70 formed at the free end thereof. When the latch member 15 is in its latched or full line position in FIG. 1, the leg 64 extends transversely of the strike receiving aperture 52 to reduce the effective size of the aperture.

Considering now the operation of the catch assembly 10 and referring particularly to FIGS. 35, as previously noted the catch unit 14 is mounted on a hood panel movable relative to the vehicle body panel 16. As the hood of the vehicle is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 26 first enters the space between the free or lower end of the tab 54 and the base flange 40. It will be noted that the end portion 26 is curved slightly forwardly and upwardly toward its terminal end so that it will ride freely over the lower edge of the base flange 40. If the formed end of the strike unit is misaligned with the aperture 52, as it appears in FIG. 3, the lower end portion of the tab 54 will engage the cam surface 30 to cam the panel member 20 and the catch unit 14 toward the right relative to the panel member 16 or toward a position of general vertical alignment with the aperture 52. Thus, the tab 54 cooperates with the formed free end portion of the shank 24 to guide it in the direction of the base flange 42 and further cooperates with the latter base flange to position the shank in a generally predetermined path relative to the body 36 during its movement toward connected position with the catch unit 14. The tab further cooperates with the apex 29 to guide the formed end portion of the strike unit along a generally predetermined path into and through the aperture 52 and along the front surface of the panel 20. As the strike engaging portion 28 enters the aperture 52, the cam surface engages the leg 64 to bias it toward a releasing position. as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the leading end portion 26 enters the recess 55 before the apex 29 moves out of'biasing engagement with the leg 64. Thus, the wall 48 and the panel or wall 20 cooperate with the leading end portion 26 to maintain the shank 24 in its predetermined path as it moves toward its connected position with the catch unit 14. When the strike unit 12 and catch unit 14 attain a connected position, as shown in FIG. 5, the leg 64 is biased to its latching position by the connecting portion 66 wherein it is disposed between the abutment surface 32 and the upwardly facing surface 51 and extends across the aperture 52. When the strike unit 12 is in its connected position, it is positively retained by the catch unit 14 and cannot be dislodged therefrom by application of pulling force in opposite directions on the

panel members

16 and 18. More specifically, the

inclined surfaces

32 and 51 on the strike and catch units cooperate and tend to exert a wedging force between the latch leg 64 and opposing surfaces whereby to resist separation of the

members

16 and 18.

The catch 14 may be released to separate or disengage the strike unit from the catch unit by lifting the operation portion or handle to'move the leg 64 to its releasing or broken line position of FIG. 1. The hood of the vehicle may be simultaneously raised by the same lifting motion of the handle 70. The wall 48 cooperates with the leading end portion 26 to retain the strike in its generally predetermined path relative to the catch unit 14 as it moves toward disengagement therefrom. As the leading end portion 26 moves out of engagement with the wall 48, the apex 29 moves to a position wherein it is engageable with the wall 44 to retain the strike in its generally predetermined path until it moves out of engagement to the catch unit.

The additional embodiments of the invention hereinafter described illustrate modified forms of the present catch assembly wherein other types of latch units are employed to releasably retain catch and strike units in connected position. Parts similar to parts previously described bear the same reference numerals and a letter sufflx and will not be hereinafter described in detail.

Considering now FIGS. 6-9, another latch assembly embodying the present invention and indicated generally at 10a comprises a strike unit and a catch unit indicated generally at 14a. The catch assembly a is similar in many respects to the corresponding catch assembly 10 previously described, but differs therefrom in the construction and arrangement of the latch element indicated generally at a and associated with the catch unit.

The strike unit 120 is substantially identical to the strike unit 12 and the latch element 1421 includes a body 26a similar in most respects to the body of the previously described catch unit. However, the body 140 does not have a slot therein which corresponds to the slot 61. Instead, it is provided with a spring retaining tab 72 struck from and bent downwardly relative to the wall 46a.

The latch element 15a comprises an elongated slide member formed from flat metal which extends transversely of the body 36a through the

slots

60a, 60a and in general engagement with the upwardly facing bearing surface 51a. It has an operating portion or handle 70a at one end thereof and cam surfaces 74, 74 thereon coengageable with cam surfaces defined by the

tabs

58a, 58a as best shown in FIG. 6. Slide member l5a designated by the numeral 76 extends across the aperture 52a when it is in its latching or full line position, as best shown in FIG. 8. A spring 78 received on the tab 72 acts between the body 360 and the slide member 15a to bias the latter member toward its latching position.

Upon relative movement of ths strike unit 12a upwardly toward and through the aperture 52a and toward its connected position as it appears in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tab 54a and the wall 48a cooperate with the formed portions of the shank 24a to guide it to and generally along a predetermined path substantially as aforedescribed. Upon entry of the strike into the cavity within the body 36a, the latch engaging portion 28a engages the part 76 to urge the slide member 15a generally upwardly and to a releasing position indicated in broken lines at 15a in FIG. 8. When the strike unit attains its connected position (FIGS. 6 and 7) the slide member 15a is biased to its latched position by the spring 78. In the latter position, the part 76 is disposed between the upwardly facing surface 51a and the abutment surface 32a to positively retain the strike unit in connected engagement with the catch unit. The slide member l5a may be manually released by moving the operating portion or handle 70a transversely of the body 36a and to the left as shown in FIG. 6. As the handle 70a is moved toward the latter position, the cam surfaces 74, 74 cooperate with the cam surfaces defined by the

tabs

58a, 58a to cam the latch member 15a generally upwardly toward a releasing position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6 and indicated at 15a".

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated and designated generally at 1017 and includes a strike unit 12b and a catch unit 14b which has a latch element or latching lever 15b pivotally mounted thereon for movement relative thereto between latching and releasing positions.

Considering the catch unit 14b in further detail the body 36a has a pair of

ears

80, 80 bent forwardly from opposite sides of the wall 44a. The latch element 15b comprises a pivoted latch lever and has a part 82 which extends transversely of the body 36a above the wall 44a and generally across the aperture 52b when the latch element is in its latched position as it appears in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Integral tabs

84, 84 bent forwardly from the part 22 adjacent the ears and 80 receive a pivot pin 86 which extends transversely through the

tabs

84, 84 and the

ears

80, 80 and through slots formed in the

ears

80, 80. An operating portion or handle 7011 projects rearwardly from the part 82 and beyond the

base flanges

40b and 42b.

Springs

88, 88 act between the body 36b and the latch lever 15b to bias it toward its latching position. When the strike 12a is in its connected position, as it appears in FIG. 11, there is sufficient clearance between the upwardly facing wall 51b and the abutment surface 32b to permit pivotal movement of the part 82 from its position therebetween in response to pivotal movement of the handle 70b upwardly toward its releasing position as it appears in broken lines in FIG. 11.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the latch element comprises a rotary latch member. The illustrated catch assembly designated at 10c includes a strike unit 120 and a catch unit 14c which has a latch element or rotary latch member designated generally at 15c. The latch member 150 has an axially elongated generally cylindrical tubular body supported on the catch body 36c for limited coaxial rotation relative thereto about an axis 90 which extends generally transversely of the catch body. The body 36c'has a generally arcuate forward wall portion 44c, which generally complements the latch body, and

tabs

92, 92 and 94, 94 struck from opposite sides thereof and turned inwardly or torward each other, as best shown in FIG. 13 to retain the latch member 150 in rotatable assembly therewith. A notch 96 formed in the body of the latch member 15c in general alignment with the aperture 520 exposes an axially elongated edge 98 in general transverse alignment with the aperture 52c. The latch element 15c is retained for limited movement relative to the body 36a by a pin 100 which extends diametrically through its body and has an end portion which projects outwardly through a slot 102 in the forward wall 44c. A tortion spring 104 partially received within the cylindrical body of the the latch member acts between the latch member and the catch body 36c to bias the latch member in a counterclockwise direction relative to the catch body as it appears in FIG. 13. An operating portion or handle 70c which is secured to one end of the latch member and extends radially outwardly therefrom may be manually manipulated to turn the latch member 150 in a clockwise direction to its releasing position. The latch unit 140 is also provided with a tab 54c and a wall portion 48c which cooperate with the formed end portion of the strike unit 12c to guide it along its predetermined path into and out of engagement with the catch unit 14c in the manner generally aforedescribed.

Considering now the operation of the catch assembly 10c and referring particularly to FIG. 13 as the hood panel 20c is lowered relative to the body panel 16c the formed end portion of the strike unit is guided into the aperture 520 in the manner generally aforedescribed. When the cam surface 30c engages the edge 98, further relative movement of the strike toward its connected position with the catch unit causes the latch element 15c to rotate in a clockwise direction to a position wherein the edge 98 clears the apex 29c to permit the strike to attain its connected position. Thereafter, the latch member 15c is biased in a counterclockwise direction to its latching position by the spring 104, as it appears in FIG. 13. In its connected position the strike unit 12a is positively retained in connected engagement with the catch until by engagement of the abutment surface 32a with the body of the latch member a as shown in FIG. 13. The catch assembly may be released to disengage the catch unit from the strike unit by rotating the handle 70b to rotate the latch member in a clockwise direction from its position in FIG. 13 and retaining it in its released position until the latch engaging portion 28c has moved downwardly relative to the body 36c and past the edge 98.

In the specification and in the claims, direction terms are employed for convenience of description and refer to the catch assemblies as oriented in the drawings, however, it will be evident that the catch assemblies herein described may be arranged to operate in any required position.

I claim:

1. A catch assembly for releasably connecting two members separable in generally opposite directions and comprising a strike unit, and a catch unit for releasable connection with said strike unit, said strike unit having a mounting portion for attachment to one of said members and an elongated shank upwardly projecting from said mounting portion, said shank having a leading end portion at the upper end thereof and a latch engaging portion below said leading end portion, said latch engaging portion defining a generally upwardly facing cam surface and a generally downwardly facing abutment surface thereon, said catch unit having a body including a base portion for attachment to the other of said members and one wall projecting forwardly of said base portion, said one wall having a generally upwardly facing bearing surface inclined generally forwardly and upwardly from said base portion and a generally downwardly opening aperture therethrough substantially larger than said leading end portion for receiving said shank therethrough when said strike unit is in connected position with said catch unit, a latch clement supported on said body above said one wall for movement relative thereto between latching and releasing positions and including an operating portion for manual manipulation to move said latch element from its latching position to a releasing position, said latch element in its latching position having a part thereof disposed in the path of said cam surface for engagement therewith to move said latch element to a releasing position in response to movement of said shank upwardly into and through said aperture and toward said connected position, said part extending across said aperture between said abutment surface and said bearing surface when said strike unit is in its connected position and said latch element is in its latching position and being engageable with said abutment surface to positively retain said strike unit in connected relation with said catch unit, means for biasing said latch element toward its latching position, first guide means on said body defining a guide surface at the forward end of said aperture extending downwardly for some distance below said forward end for cooperating with one part of said shank to position said shank and maintain it in a generally predetermined path relative to said body during movement thereof upwardly toward and through said aperture and toward said connected position, and second guide means on said body and spaced upwardly from said one wall and said latch element for cooperating with another part of said shank to maintain said shank in substantially fixed position relative to said body in said connected position and to maintain said shank in said predetermined path during movement thereof away from said connected position and toward disengagement from said catch unit.

2. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a tab thereon which projects downwardly from said one defining wall at the forward end of said aperture and said tab comprises said first guide means.

3. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body has another wall above said one wall and said other wall comprises said second guide means.

4. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second guide means comprises means deining a further wall which cooperates with said other wall to define a generally downwardly opening recess spaced upwardly from said bearing surface for receiving said leading end portion in said connected position.

5. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means defining said further wall comprises said other member.

6. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first guide means includes a part of said base portion and said base portion part partially defines said aperture.

7. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one part comprises said latch engaging portion and said other part comprises said leading end portion.

8. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first guide means comprises a tab which projects downwardly from said one wall and defines a portion of said aperture and said one part comprises said latch engaging portion.

9. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch element comprises a single piece of resilient wire.

10. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wire comprises a generally U-shaped piece of wire having two spaced apart, generally parallel legs extending in one direction and integrally connected by a U- shaped connecting part, said portion of said latch element comprises one of said legs, and said connecting portion comprisessaid biasing means.

11. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the free end portion of said one comprises said operating portion.

12. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch element is slidably supported on said body for movement betweeen a latching position and a releasing position and said biasing means comprises a spring acting between said body and said latch element.

13. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said latch element comprises an elongated slide which extends transversely of said body and said operating portion comprises an end portion of said slide.

14. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said slide and said body have coengageable cam surfaces thereon cooperable to urge said slide to a releasing position in response to manual movement of said slide in one transverse direction relative to said body.

15. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch element is supported on said body to pivot about an axis which extends transversely thereof between said latching and releasing positions and said biasing means comprises a spring acting between said body and said latch element.

16. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said axis is disposed forwardly of said one wall.

17. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said operating portion comprises a handle on said latch element which projects rearwardly therefrom through and beyond an opening in said base portion.

18. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch element comprises a rotary member supported on said body for coaxial rotation about an axis extending transversely of said body between said latching and releasing positions.

19. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said biasing means comprises a torsion spring acting between said latch element and said body.

20. A catch assembly as se forth in claim 18 wherein said rotary member comprises a generally cylindrical tubular member having an axially elongated notch therein defining an axially extending edge thereof for engaging said cam surface upon movement of said shank through said aperture and toward said Connected position.

21. A catch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bearing surface comprises a substantially planar surface and said abutment surface comprises a substantially planar surface substantially parallel to said bearing surface in said connected position.

22. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second guide means comprises another wall of said body and means defining a further wall for cooperating with said other wall to define a generally downwardly opening recess spaced upwardly from said bearing surface for receiving said other portion of said shank in said connected position.

23. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said cam surface is forwardly and downwardly inclined from the lower end of said leading end portion and said abutment surface forms an apex with the forward end of said cam surface and is rearwardly and downwardly inclined from said cam surface.

24. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said first guide means comprises a tab extending downwardly from said one wall at the forward end of said aperture and the lower end of said tab cooperates with said cam surface to position said shank relative to said catch unit and said apex cooperates with said first guide surface to guide said shank into said aperture and to and along a generally predetermined path relative to said body during movement of said shank upwardly toward and through said aperture and toward said connected position.

25. A catch assembly for releasably connecting two members separable in generally opposite directions and comprising a strike unit, and a catch unit for releasable connection with said strike unit, said strike unit having a mounting portion for attachment to one of said members and an elongated shank upwardly projecting from said mounting portion, said shank having a leading end portion at the upper end thereof and a latch engaging portion defining a generally upwardly facing cam surface and a generally downwardly facing abutment surface thereon, said catch unit having a body including a base portion for attachment to the other of said member and one wall projecting forwardly of said base portion, said one wall having a generally upwardly facing bearing surface inclined generally forwardly and upwardly from said base portion and a generally downwardly opening aperture therethrough substantially larger than said leading end portion for receiving said shank therethrough when said strike unit is in connected position with said catch unit, said abutment surface being generally parallel to said bearing surface when said strike unit is in its connected position, said body having another wall partially defining a recess above said bearing surface and for cooperating with said leading end portion to maintain said shank in substantially fixed position relative to said body in said connected position and to maintain it in said predetermined path during movement thereof away from said connected position and toward disengagement from said catch unit, said body having a tab thereon projecting downwardly from said one wall forward of said aperture for cooperating with said latch engaging portion to position said shank and maintain it in a generally predetermined path relative to said body during movement thereof upwardly toward and through said aperture and toward said connected position, a latch element supported on said body above said bearing surface for movement relative thereto between latching and releasing positions and including an operating portion for manual manipulation to move said latch element from its latching position to a releasing position, said latch element in its latching position having a part thereof disposed in the path of said cam surface for engagement therewith to move said latch element to a releasing position in response to movement of said strike unit upwardly through said aperture and toward its connected position, said latch element being disposed between said bearing surface and said abutment surface and said part thereof extending across said aperture when said strike unit is in its connected position and said latch element is in its latching position to positively retain said strike unit in connected relation with said catch unit, and means for biasing said latch element toward its latching position.

26. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said leading end portion comprises an upwardly projecting end portion of said strike, said cam surface comprises a substantially planar surface forwardly and downwardly inclined from said lower end of said leading end portion, and said abutment surface comprises a substantially planar surface forming an apex with said cam surface and rearwardly and downwardly inclined therefrom.

27. A catch assembly for releasably connecting two members separable in generally opposite directions and comprising a strike unit, and a catch unit for releasable connection with said strike unit, said strike unit having a mounting portion for attachment to one of said members and an elongated shank upwardly projecting from said mounting portion, said shank having an upwardly projecting leading end portion at the upper end thereof and a latch engaging portion below said leading end portion defining a generally upwardly facing cam surface forwardly and downwardly inclined from said leading end portion and a generally downwardly facing abutment surface cooperating with said cam surface to form an apex at the forward end of said shank and rearwardly and downwardly inclined from said apex, said catch unit having a body including a base portion for attachment to the other of said members and one wall projecting forwardly of said base portion, said wall having a generally upwardly facing bearing surface forwardly and upwardly inclined from said base portion, and a generally downwardly opening aperture therethrough substantially larger than said leading end portion for receiving said shank therethrough when said strke unit is in connected position with said catch unit, said abutment surface being generally parallel to said bearing surface when said strike unit is in its connected position, a latch element supported on said body above said wall for movement relative thereto between latching and releasing positions and including an operating portion for manual manipulation to move said latch element from its latching position to a releasing position, said latch element in its latching position having a part thereof disposed in the path of said cam surface for engagement therewith to move said latch element to a releasing position in response to movement of said shank upwardly through said aperture and toward said connected position, said latch element being disposed between said abutment surface and said bearing surface and said part thereof extending across said aperture when said strike unit is in its connected position and said latch element is in its latching position to positively retain said strike unit in connected relation with said catch unit, means for biasing said latch element toward its latching position, first guide means on said body for cooperating with said latch engaging portion to position and maintain said shank in a generally predetermined path relative to said body during movement thereof upwardly toward and through said aperture and toward said connected position, and second guide means for cooperating with said leading end portion to maintain said shank in substantially fixed position relative to said body in said connected position, and to maintain said shank in said predetermined path during movement thereof away from said connected position and toward disengagement from said catch unit.

28. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said latch element comprises a U-shaped piece of resilient wire.

29. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said latch element comprises an elongated slide supported for transverse sliding movement relative to said body.

30. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said latch element comprises a lever supported to pivot about an axis which extends transversely of said body.

31. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said latch element comprises a rotary member sup ported for rotation about an axis which extends transversely of said body.

UNITED STA"ES PATENT QFFIQE QE'HMCATE @F Patent No. 966 Dated February 4, 1975 Inventor(s) Gunnar E. Swanson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 36, "s" should read --a.

C01. 5, line 29, "ths" should be -the.

C01. 6, line 29, "torward" should be toward.

Col. 7, line 2, "until" should be unit--.

Col. 8, line 8, delete "defining" Col. line l3,"deining" should be --defining.

Col. 8, line 45, after "one" insert -leg-.

Col. 9, line 13, "se" should be --set.

ignt

twenty-second G? July 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

FORM P0-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 6O376-P59 U.5, GOVERNMENY PRINTING OFFICE I569 O-366-334.

Claims

1. A catch assembly for releasably connecting two members separable in generally opposite directions and comprising a strike unit, and a catch unit for releasable connection with said strike unit, said strike unit having a mounting portion for attachment to one of said members and an elongated shank upwardly projecting from said mounting portion, said shank having a leading end portion at the upper end thereof and a latch engaging portion below said leading end portion, said latch engaging portion defining a generally upwardly facing cam surface and a generally downwardly facing abutment surface thereon, said catch unit having a body including a base portion for attachment to the other of said members and one wall projecting forwardly of said base portion, said one wall having a generally upwardly facing bearing surface inclined generally forwardly and upwardly from said base portion and a generally downwardly opening aperture therethrough substantially larger than said leading end portion for receiving said shank therethrough when said strike unit is in connected position with said catch unit, a latch element supported on said body above said one wall for movement relative thereto between latching and releasing positions and including an operating portion for manual manipulation to move said latch element from its latching position to a releasing position, said latch element in its latching position having a part thereof disposed in the path of said cam surface for engagement therewith to move said latch element to a releasing position in response to movement of said shank upwardly into and through said aperture and toward said connected position, said part extending across said aperture between said abutment surface and said bearing surface when said strike unit is in its connected position and said latch element is in its latching position and being engageable with said abutment surface to positively retain said strike unit in connected relation with said catch unit, means for biasing said latch element toward its latching position, first guide means on said body defining a guide surface at the forward end of said aperture extending downwardly for some distance below said forward end for cooperating with one part of said shank to position said shank and maintain it in a generally predetermined path relative to said body during movement thereof upwardly toward and through said aperture and toward said connected position, and second guide means on said body and spaced upwardly from said one wall and said latch element for cooperating with another part of said shank to maintain said shank in substantially fixed position relative to said body in said connected position and to maintain said shank in said predetermined path during movement thereof away from said connected position and toward disengagement from said catch unit.

7. A catch assembly as set forth in claim l wherein said one part comprises said latch engaging portion and said other part comprises said leading end portion.

10. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wire comprises a generally U-shaped piece of wire having two spaced apaRt, generally parallel legs extending in one direction and integrally connected by a U-shaped connecting part, said portion of said latch element comprises one of said legs, and said connecting portion comprises said biasing means.

31. A catch assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said latch element comprises a rotary member supported for rotation about an axis which extends transversely of said body.