US 12,378,802 B2
Rotary latch assembly with multiple striker engagements
James Gerard Guthlein, Malvern, PA (US); and Andrew James Thornton, Worcester (GB)
Assigned to Southco, Inc., Concordville, PA (US)
Appl. No. 17/642,394
Filed by Southco, Inc., Concordville, PA (US)
PCT Filed Sep. 4, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/049345
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 11, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/050372, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/899,427, filed on Sep. 12, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0333416 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. E05C 17/50 (2006.01); E05C 3/24 (2006.01); E05C 19/02 (2006.01)
CPC E05C 17/50 (2013.01) [E05C 3/24 (2013.01); E05C 19/024 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotary latch assembly comprising:
a latch release having a detent;
a pawl that is rotatable relative to the latch release about a pivot axis, the pawl comprising three catches, wherein each catch is configured for individually engaging the detent to releasably hold the pawl in a fixed orientation;
at least two contact surfaces offset from the pivot axis; and
at least one spring mounted to the pawl;
the pawl being rotatable relative to the latch release between a neutral orientation and at least two non-neutral orientations;
the at least one spring accumulating a stored energy during rotation of the pawl toward the at least two non-neutral orientations in response to force applied to one of the at least two contact surfaces;
the spring releasing the stored energy when force is removed from said one of the at least two contact surfaces to rotate the pawl toward the neutral orientation;
wherein the pawl defines an axis of symmetry extending between a third catch of the three catches and a pivot center aligned with the pivot axis, such that the at least two contact surfaces are arranged symmetrically about the axis of symmetry and second and first catches of the three catches are also arranged symmetrically about the axis of symmetry; and
wherein the at least one spring mounted to the pawl comprises a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring.