Fliptop integrated latch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11616352-B2
Application number	US-202217829500-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2022
Priority date	May 1, 2020
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

An integrated latching mechanism includes a slider button. At least one curved elastic arm extends from the slider button and is configured such that in response to an external force urging the slider button in a first direction, the curved elastic arm is distorted such that upon removal of the external force, the curved elastic arm moves the slider button in a direction opposite to the first direction. A locking part is contiguous with the slider button and extends away from the slider button. In response to the external force urging the slider button in the first direction, the locking part moves in the first direction, and upon removal of the external force, the curved elastic arm moves the locking part in the direction opposite to the first direction. The at least one curved elastic arm, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An integrated latching mechanism, comprising:
(a) a slider button;
(b) at least one curved elastic arm that extends from the slider button, the at least one curved elastic arm being configured such that in response to an external force urging the slider button in a first direction, the at least one curved elastic arm is distorted such that upon removal of the external force, the at least one curved elastic arm moves the slider button in a direction opposite to the first direction; and
(d) a locking part contiguous with the slider button and extending away from the slider button, wherein in response to the external force urging the slider button in the first direction, the locking part moves in the first direction, and upon removal of the external force, the at least one curved elastic arm moves the locking part in the direction opposite to the first direction,
(e) the at least one curved elastic arm, the slider button, and the locking part forming a single piece of elastic material.

2. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 1 , wherein
(a) the at least one curved elastic arm includes a portion configured to press against wall portions of a unit in which the integrated latching mechanism is held.

3. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 1 , wherein
(a) the at least one curved elastic arm comprises
(1) first and second curved elastic arms that extend from the slider button, the first and second curved elastic arms being configured such that in response to the external force urging the slider button in the first direction, the first and second curved elastic arms are distorted such that upon removal of the external force, the first and second curved elastic arms move the slider button in the direction opposite to the first direction,

(b) the first and second curved elastic arms, the slider button, and the locking part forming a single piece of elastic material.

4. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 1 , wherein
(a) the locking part includes a flat surface, and an opposing surface that slants toward and intersects with the flat surface at one end.

5. An integrated latching mechanism that is disposed in a fliptop unit between a bezel and an insert of the fliptop unit, the bezel being configured to surround a movable lid of the fliptop unit, the insert being configured to be coupled with the bezel of the fliptop unit, the integrated latching mechanism comprising:
(a) a slider button that extends through an aperture formed in the bezel; and
(b) a locking part formed adjacent to the slider button and extending away from the slider button,
(c) the integrated latching mechanism being configured such that
(1) an external force urging the slider button to move within the aperture moves the locking part in a same direction and releases the movable lid, and
(2) the urging of the slider button distorts the integrated latching mechanism such that upon removal of the external force, the integrated latching mechanism urges the slider button and the locking part in an opposite direction,

(d) the integrated latching mechanism being formed of a single piece of elastic material.

6. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 5 , wherein
(a) the locking part includes a flat surface that is configured to abut against an edge of the movable lid to secure the movable lid to the bezel, and
(b) the urging of the slider button moves the flat surface away from contact with the edge of the lid and releases the lid.

7. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 6 , wherein
(a) the locking part includes an opposing slanted surface that intersects the flat surface at one end, such that
(1) when the edge of the lid is in an unsecured position and moved toward the bezel, the edge of the lid pushes against the slanted surface to distort the integrated latching mechanism, and
(2) upon the edge of the movable lid moving past the slanted surface, the elastic force generated by the distortion of the integrated latching mechanism causes the flat surface to abut against the edge of the movable lid and secure the movable lid to the bezel.

8. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 5 , further comprising
(a) at least one curved elastic arm that extends from the slider button in a first direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the first direction,
(b) wherein
(1) in response to the external force urging the slider button to move within the aperture, the locking part moves in a first direction, and the urging of the slider button distorts the at least one curved elastic arm such that upon removal of the external force, the at least one curved elastic arm moves the slider button and the locking part in a direction opposite to the first direction, and
(2) the at least one curved elastic arm, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material.

9. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 8 , wherein
(a) the at least one curved elastic arm includes a portion configured to press against wall portions formed in a region of the bezel and hold the integrated latching mechanism in place.

10. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 5 , further comprising
(a) first and second curved elastic arms that extend from the slider button in a first direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the first direction,
(b) wherein
(1) in response to an external force urging the slider button to move within the aperture, the locking part moves in a first direction, and the urging of the slider button distorts the first and second curved elastic arms such that upon removal of the external force, the first and second curved elastic arms move the slider button and the locking part in a direction opposite to the first direction, and
(2) the first and second curved elastic arms, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material.

11. The integrated latching mechanism of claim 10 , wherein
(a) each of the first and second curved elastic arms includes a portion configured to press against wall portions formed in a region of the bezel and hold the integrated latching mechanism in place.

12. An integrated latching mechanism disposed in a fliptop unit between a bezel and an insert of the fliptop unit, the bezel being configured to surround a movable lid of the fliptop unit, the insert being configured to be coupled with the bezel, the integrated latching mechanism comprising:
(a) a slider button extending along a first direction through an aperture formed in the bezel;
(b) first and second curved elastic arms that are each substantially U-shaped and which extend from the slider button in a second direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the second direction,
(1) at a base of the U-shape, each of the first and second curved elastic arms includes a portion configured to press against wall portions formed in a region of the bezel and hold the integrated latching mechanism in place,
(2) the ends of the first and second curved elastic arms each including a pad having a post that extends away from the pad and to couple with corresponding openings formed in the insert;

(c) a locking part contiguous with the slider button and extending away from the slider button and the first and second curved elastic arms in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, the locking part including
(1) a flat surface that is parallel to the third direction, and
(2) an opposing surface that slants toward and intersects with the flat surface at one end;

(d) wherein
(1) in response to an external force urging the slider button in a direction opposite to the third direction

Assignees

• Crestron Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Pedoeem Albert
• Sorrentino Gregory
• Paolazzi David

Classifications

• H02G3/081

  Bases, casings or covers · CPC title

• H02G3/14 Primary

  Fastening of cover or lid to box · CPC title

• H02G11/006

  using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring (extensible conductors or cables H01B7/06) · CPC title

• A47B21/06

  characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables · CPC title

• H02G3/185

  Floor outlets and access cups · CPC title