Multi-point latching system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11619080-B2
Application number	US-201816772525-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2018
Priority date	Dec 15, 2017
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

A latching system for securing a door to a panel includes a pawl having a first end that is configured to releasably engage a striker on the panel, and a second end opposite the first end having a connector. A pawl connector is connected to the connector on the second end of the pawl. The pawl connector includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a revolved outer side wall extending about the longitudinal axis, an open end through which the connector of the pawl is positioned, an opening defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body, and a deformable portion formed on the revolved outer side wall. The deformable portion extends between the open end and the opening. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform upon inserting the connector through the open end until the connector is non-removably seated within the opening.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A latching system, the latching system comprising:
a pawl having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end and having a connector;
a pawl connector that is connected to the connector on the second end of the pawl, wherein the pawl connector includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a revolved outer side wall extending about the longitudinal axis, an open end through which the connector of the pawl is positioned, an opening defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body, and a deformable portion formed on the revolved outer side wall, the deformable portion extending between the open end and the opening, the deformable portion being configured to elastically deform upon inserting the connector through the open end until the connector is non-removably seated within the opening,
wherein the deformable portion is a portion of the sidewall of the pawl connector that extends from the open end to the opening and is formed continuously and without gaps about the longitudinal axis, and wherein an interior diameter of the sidewall decreases in a direction from the open end to the opening.

2. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring for biasing the pawl connector.

3. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion intersects the opening and is spaced from the open end.

4. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising a second opening defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body and positioned radially opposite said opening on the revolved side wall, wherein the connector is also non-removably seated in the second opening.

5. The latching system of claim 4 , further comprising a second deformable portion formed on the revolved outer side wall and positioned radially opposite said opening on the revolved side wall, wherein the second deformable portion extending between the open end and the second opening.

6. The latching system of claim 5 , wherein a straight line distance between the deformable portions is less than an interior diameter at the open end of the pawl connector.

7. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion is angled toward the longitudinal axis as viewed in a direction from the open end toward the opening.

8. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion extends across a portion of an outer perimeter of the pawl connector.

9. The latching system of claim 1 further comprising a housing defining an interior region in which at least a portion of the pawl connector is positioned.

10. The latching system of claim 9 , wherein the pawl connector includes a first end that is positioned within the housing and configured to transfer motion from the pawl to another pawl of the latching system, a second end configured to be connected to the pawl, and a flange positioned between the first end and the second end of the pawl connector for preventing the pawl connector from becoming detached from the housing, wherein the pawl connector is a unitary component.

11. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a barb connector.

12. A latching system, the latching system comprising:
two pawls each having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end and having a connector;
two pawl connectors each being connected to the connector of one of the two pawls, wherein the pawl connectors are either directly or indirectly connected to one another such that motion of one of the two pawls causes motion of the other of the two pawls;
wherein each pawl connector includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a revolved outer side wall extending about the longitudinal axis, an open end through which the connector of one of the two pawls is positioned, at least two openings defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body, and at least two deformable portions formed on the revolved outer side wall, each deformable portion extending between the open end and one of the at least two openings, each deformable portion being configured to elastically deform upon inserting the connector of said one of the two pawls through the open end until the connector of said one of the two pawls is non-removably seated within the two openings,
wherein the deformable portion is a portion of the sidewall of each pawl connector extending from the open end to the openings and is formed continuously and without gaps about the longitudinal axis, and wherein an interior diameter of the sidewall decreases in a direction from the open end to the opening.

13. The latching system of claim 12 further comprising a housing defining an interior region in which at least a portion of each pawl connector is positioned.

14. The latching system of claim 13 , wherein each pawl connector includes a first end that is positioned within the housing and configured to transfer motion from said one of the two pawls to the other pawl, a second end connected to one of the two pawls, and a flange positioned between the first end and the second end of the pawl connector for preventing the pawl connector from becoming detached from the housing, wherein the pawl connector is a unitary component.

15. The latching system of claim 14 , wherein the flange is circular.

16. The latching system of claim 12 , wherein each connector is a barb connector.

17. The latch assembly of claim 1 , the latch system further comprising:
a housing defining an interior space and an interior wall facing the interior space, wherein
the pawl connector is positioned at least partially within the interior space of the housing, the pawl connector having a first end that is positioned within the housing and configured to transfer motion from the pawl to another pawl of the latch assembly, a second end configured to be connected to the pawl, and a flange positioned between the first end and the second end of the pawl connector for preventing the pawl connector from becoming detached from the housing, wherein the pawl connector is a unitary component,
wherein the flange is configured to limit audible noise upon movement of the pawl connector to a latched position.

18. The latch assembly of claim 17 , wherein the flange is circular.

19. The latch assembly of claim 17 , wherein the pawl connector is composed of plastic.

20. The latch assembly of claim 17 , wherein the flange extends about an entire perimeter of the pawl connector.

21. The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion constitutes a reduced thickness portion of the pawl connector.

22. The latching system of claim 12 , wherein each deformable portion constitutes a reduced thickness portion of the respective pawl connector.

23. The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein upon inserting the connector through the open end, the deformable portion moves in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, and once the connector enters the opening, the deformable portion moves in a direction toward the longitudinal axis.

24. The latching system of claim 12 , wherein the deformable portion moves in a direction away from the longitudinal axis upon inserting the connector through the open end, and the deformable portion moves in a direction toward the longitudinal axis once the connector enters the opening.

Assignees

• Southco

Inventors

• Minnich David A

Classifications

• E05B85/22

  Rectilinearly moving bolts · CPC title

• E05C1/006

  parallel to the wing edge · CPC title

• E05C9/046 Primary

  with two interconnected mechanisms each driving one rod · CPC title

• E05C9/20

  Coupling means for sliding bars, rods, or cables {(connecting means between actuating rods for vehicle door locks E05B79/14)} · CPC title

• E05Y2900/538

  Interior lids · CPC title