U.S. patent number 3,756,639 [Application Number 05/193,110] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-04 for orientation sensitive luggage latch.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsonite Corporation. Invention is credited to John R. Wilkinson.
United States Patent |
3,756,639 |
Wilkinson |
September 4, 1973 |
ORIENTATION SENSITIVE LUGGAGE LATCH
Abstract
A luggage case latch mechanism has a gravity operated detent
mechanism which operates when the case is wrongside-up to prevent
unlatching.
Inventors: |
Wilkinson; John R. (Aurora,
CO) |
Assignee: |
Samsonite Corporation (Denver,
CO)
|
Family
ID: |
22712313 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/193,110 |
Filed: |
October 27, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
292/179; 70/67;
70/70; 292/139; 70/289; 292/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
65/5292 (20130101); Y10T 292/1028 (20150401); Y10T
70/7169 (20150401); Y10T 292/1001 (20150401); Y10T
70/5049 (20150401); Y10T 292/1015 (20150401); Y10T
70/5062 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/00 (20060101); E05B 65/52 (20060101); E05b
065/52 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/64,67,70,276,289
;292/139,150,179,DIG.31,DIG.48 ;46/2,11 ;190/41R,56 ;206/1.5
;220/55.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Craig, Jr.; Albert G.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A luggage case which can only be opened when it is disposed in a
prescribed orientation, comprising:
upper and lower luggage wall members pivotally related along an
edge;
a latch mechanism releasably interconnecting the wall members at
another edge; and
a locking pin slidably received within the latch mechanism which
moves into obstructing relation with said latch mechanism when said
luggage case is oriented with the upper wall member down thereby
preventing releasing of the latch mechanism and opening of the case
while said luggage case maintains said orientation;
in which said latch mechanism includes a drawbolt slide which is
substantially horizontally disposed when said luggage case rests on
a horizontal surface on either the upper or lower wall members,
said drawbolt slide being movable from an engaged position securing
the upper and lower wall members together to a disengaged position
releasing said wall members from one another;
said locking pin including an elongated member received within an
oversize opening in the drawbolt slide extending transversely
thereof, said locking pin moving outwardly of the drawbolt slide
opening when the upper wall member is down, the outwardly extending
portion of said pin contacting means carried by one of said wall
members thereby preventing movement of the drawbolt slide to the
disengaged position.
2. An orientation-sensitive latch mechanism for releasably securing
luggage case parts together, comprising:
a clasp mounted onto one of said case parts;
a housing mounted on said other case part and including an opening
for receiving said clasp therein when the case halves are closed on
one another;
elongated bolt means slidably received within said housing and
including a transverse opening therein;
a hook carried by said bolt means, engageable with the clasp when
said clasp is received through the housing opening;
an actuator pivotally connected to said bolt means, said actuator
being manipulable to move said hook into and out of engagement with
said clasp;
a pin slidably received within the bolt means opening and free to
move under the action of gravity alone from a first position fully
received within the bolt means to a second position where part of
said pin extends outwardly of the bolt means; and
means on said housing for intercepting said pin when it extends
outwardly of said bolt means to prevent movement of said bolt means
and hook by said actuator to release the clasp.
3. A latch mechanism for releasably securing luggage case sections
together, comprising:
a clasp carried by one of said case sections;
a housing mounted on said other case section and including an
opening for receiving said clasp therein when the case sections are
fitted together;
an elongated drawbolt slidably contained within said housing and
including a transverse opening therein;
a hook carried by said drawbolt lockingly engaging the clasp when
said clasp is received through the housing opening;
a hand operated actuator pivotally connected to said bolt means and
manipulable to move said hook into and out of engagement with said
clasp;
a pin slidably received within the drawbolt opening and free to
move under the action of gravity alone from a first position fully
received within the opening to a second position where part of said
pin extends outwardly of the opening; and
means on said housing for intercepting said pin when it extends
outwardly of said bolt means to prevent movement of said drawbolt
and hook by said actuator to release the clasp.
4. An orientation-sensitive latch mechanism for releasably securing
luggage case parts together, comprising:
a clasp mounted onto one of said case parts;
means mounted on said other case part and including an opening for
receiving said clasp therein when the case halves are closed on one
another;
bolt means slidably received within said means mounted on said
other case part and including a transverse opening therein;
means carried by said bolt means and engageable with the clasp when
said clasp is received through the first recited means opening;
an actuator connected to said bolt means and manipulable to
selectively move said means carried by said bolt means into and out
of engagement with said clasp;
a pin slidably received within the bolt means opening and free to
move solely under the action of gravity from a first position fully
received within the bolt means to a second position where part of
said pin extends outwardly of the bolt means; and
means on said first recited means for intercepting said pin when it
extends outwardly of said bolt means to prevent release of the
clasp.
5. A luggage case which can only be opened when it is disposed in a
prescribed orientation, comprising:
first and second luggage sections;
a latch mechanism releasably interconnecting the luggage sections
together; and
a locking pin received within an opening in said latch mechanism
and free to slide in said opening solely under the effect of
gravity, said locking pin moving outwardly of said latch mechanism
opening when the first luggage section is oriented to face
downwardly, the outwardly extending portion of said locking pin
contacting a portion of one of said luggage sections thereby
preventing release of the latch mechanism.
Description
The present invention relates generally to luggage latch
mechanisms, and, more particularly, to such a latch mechanism that
is orientation sensitive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A not infrequent occurrence in the handling of luggage,
particularly luggage pieces having an external symmetrical
appearance, is to open it and find the contents wrongside up. That
is, it is customary to pack luggage, valises, attache cases and the
like in such manner that the materials contained therein have an
"up" or "top" and to have the materials correctly presented the
luggage must be properly oriented on opening.
This wrongside-up problem is especially acute with valises or
attache cases which typically open into symmetrical halves.
Attempts in the past to solve this problem have been directed to
providing identifying markings, e.g., owner's initials, that can
only be properly read when the case is correctly oriented, or the
manufacturer's name is applied to the case such that it can only be
read when the case is rightside-up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the practice of the present invention the
luggage latch mechanism includes a gravity positioned detent. When
the luggage is properly oriented the detent slides to a position
permitting normal latch opening. With the luggage wrongside-up, the
detent engages the latch preventing opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a properly oriented attache case opened.
FIG. 2 shows the case of FIG. 1 opened when improperly
oriented.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the case of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown
closed.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational, partially sectional view of the
luggage case latch mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a sectional, elevational view of the luggage latch
mechanism in closed relation.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the latch mechanism
open.
FIG. 7 is an elevational, partially sectional view of the latch
mechanism of FIG. 5 taken at 90.degree. thereto.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the latch mechanism
disengaged.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the luggage case
wrongside-up, depicting the latch disengagement preventing aspects
of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1-3, the
luggage case of the invention is enumerated generally as at 10. As
shown there, the case includes a pair of substantially identically
appearing open-shell halves or parts 11 and 12 pivotally connected
together along an edge 13. Typically, a pair of edges 14 and 15 of
the respective parts 11 and 12 are secured together by a latch
mechanism 16 which is selectively engaged and disengaged by hand
operated actuators 17 and 17'.
In the usual situation, materials are stacked in the case in a
preferred arrangement, intending that when the case is opened the
materials will be presented for removal in the same order. However,
as shown in FIG. 2, when the case is opened wrongside-up, the
materials 18 tend to fall out in disarray, or, at the least, are
presented upside down, requiring closing of the case, reorientation
of the case and then reopening. Although this problem can arise in
a wide variety of luggage styles, the probability of such an
occurrence is increased where the luggage case has a bilateral
symmetry as seen best in FIG. 3. That is, as shown there, the
valise halves or parts 11 and 12, latch mechanism 16 and placement
of the handle 19 are such that, unless special means are adopted,
correct orientation of the luggage is impossible or at least very
difficult to determine by visual inspection alone. Initials "F"
have been added to the various figures of the drawing for ease of
presentation herein, in that the luggage case orientation shown in
the different views may be ascertained and thereby an understanding
of the operational condition of the latch mechanism of this
invention in the associated views is obtained. Where the initial
"F" is properly oriented to be read easily, the case is properly
oriented with its rightside up.
Referring now to both FIGS. 5 and 6, the latch mechanism 16 is
shown in section viewing in plan as the luggage case is illustrated
in FIG. 1. Actually, there are typically two such latching
mechanisms for the case referenced in FIG. 1, one at the right and
one at the left, which are individually operable. However, since
the construction is identical for the latch mechanisms, except that
the component parts of each have a mirror image relation to the
other, only that mechanism associated with the actuator 17 will be
described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the latch mechanism includes a channel
20, generally L-shaped in cross-section, affixed to the outer
surface of the central portion edge 15 of the luggage case part 12.
The actuator 17 is a generally elongate member pivotally connected
at approximately its midpoint 21 with one end of a toggle link 22,
the other end of which link pivotally connects to an upstanding arm
of a yoke 23 integral with the inner wall surface of the L-shaped
channel 20. The inwardly directed end of the actuator is pivotally
related to the outer end of a latch bolt 24 slidably received
within a housing 25 secured within the L-shaped channel 20 inwardly
of the yoke 23. Typically, the outer end of the actuator 17
includes a key operated locking means 26 which cooperated with the
channel 20 in a conventional manner.
As will be more fully described, when the luggage case 10 is
properly oriented as in FIG. 1, the actuator 17, with the locking
means unlocked, may be transferred from the closed or latched
position shown in FIG. 5 to the open position depicted in FIG. 6.
It is to be noted that when the actuator is in the closed position
(FIG. 5), it is parallel with the channel 20 and thereby maintains
the latch bolt at its leftmost position. When the actuator is moved
to the open position (FIG. 6), it is then angularly disposed to the
channel 20 and this movement serves to transfer the latch bolt 24
to the right a distance d which, as will be shown, disengages the
latch mechanism and permits the luggage case to be opened.
Also, as will be more particularly described, in the event the
luggage is oriented wrongside-up, the actuator 17 is prevented from
being transferred from the closed to the open position and,
therefore, the luggage case cannot be opened.
The latch bolt or drawbolt slide 24 is of generally platelike
construction having a substantially constant thickness t as viewed
in FIGS. 5 and 6. The right end of the drawbolt slide is bifurcated
as shown in FIG. 7 with the actuator 17 end being received between
the arms 27 and pivotally related therewith by pin 28. A portion of
the drawbolt slide body is removed forming an elongated slotlike
cavity 29, with a part of the walls defining the cavity being
shaped into a hook 30 which extends into the cavity.
A further elongated slot or cavity 31 is formed in the drawbolt
slide body along the edge opposite that including the cavity 29. A
compression coil spring 32 has one end bearing against a shoulder
33 of the slot 31 and its other end engaging an upstanding
stanchion 34 affixed to the wall of housing 25. That is, as
depicted in FIG. 7, the spring tends to urge the drawbolt toward
the right.
Secured to the edge 14 of the luggage case half 11 is a clasp or
hook which extends through an opening 36 in the housing 25 for
receipt within the cavity 29 when the case is closed. More
particularly, in the closed position the clasp 35 lockingly engages
the hook 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, preventing opening of
the case.
The lateral dimensions of the drawbolt slide 24 are such relative
to the housing 25 that the slide can be readily moved within the
housing between the open and closed positions shown in FIGS. 8 and
7, respectively. Specifically, the outer edge of the arm 26 of the
bifurcated bolt end (FIG. 7) slidingly abuts against a housing wall
member 37.
The member 37 terminates short of the opening 36, providing a space
38 between the outer bolt edge, the stop shoulder 39 and the
opposed inner housing wall surfaces. That is, when the drawbolt
slide is fully open as in FIG. 8, the shoulder 39 on the back of
the hook 30 bears against the inner edge of 37 and the immediately
adjacent drawbolt upper edge is in flush contacting relation with
wall member 37. When the drawbolt slide is shifted to the closed
position, the shoulder 39 is moved away from the wall member 37,
positioning the adjacent drawbolt edge facing the cavity 38.
The drawbolt slide body includes a cylindrical opening 40 extending
transversely of the slide as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and opening out
at the edge facing the cavity 38. A cylindrical pin 41 having a
diameter slightly less than that of the opening 40 is received
within the opening. The pin 41 has a length such that when fully
recieved within the opening 40 (FIGS. 7 and 8) the outer pin end is
recessed from the drawbolt slide edge, and therefore, will not
impede movement of the bolt slide from closed to open positions. On
the other hand, the pin is sufficiently long that it can be
extended outwardly of the opening 40, as in FIG. 9, to contact the
inner housing wall surface 25 while a substantial portion of the
pin still remains in the opening.
For the following description of the invention operation assume the
luggage case 10 initially to be closed with the clasp 35 engaged
with the associated hook 30 (FIG. 7) and the case resting on the
major outer surface of the case half 12 as in FIG. 3. In this
orientation, i.e., rightside-up, the pin 41 is gravity seated
within the opening 40 and operation of the actuator 17 from the
FIG. 5 position transferring the drawbolt slide to the open
position shown in FIG. 8 can be accomplished.
If, however, the closed luggage case is inverted from the
orientation shown in FIG. 3, i.e., wrongside-up, the latch
mechanism is now disposed as in FIG. 9. In this position gravity
withdraws the pin from the opening 40, causing the lower end of the
pin to contact the inner housing wall. On attempting to manipulate
the actuator 17 from the closed position (FIG. 5) to the open
position (FIG. 6) the projecting pin end engages the edge of wall
member 37, preventing sufficient movement of the drawbolt slide to
disengage the hook 30 and clasp 35. Inverting the case once more to
the FIG. 3 orientation returns the locking pin 41 within its
opening to permit opening.
* * * * *