US 12,127,635 B2
Magnetically guided latch
Harry Miller, Boston, MA (US); and Dodd H. Grande, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to Harry Miller Co., LLC, Boston, MA (US)
Filed by Harry Miller Co., LLC, Boston, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/351,106.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/040,752, filed on Jun. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0392856 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. A44B 11/25 (2006.01)
CPC A44B 11/2592 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A latch comprising:
a housing that defines a receiver channel that is configured to receive a latchable member;
a catch that is transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the catch in the open configuration being configured to enable insertion of the latchable member into the receiver channel and to enable removal of the latchable member from the receiver channel, the catch in the closed configuration being configured to at least partially close the receiver channel and preventing removal of the latchable member from the receiver channel;
a trigger that is configured to transition from a retaining configuration to an actuated configuration responsive to the latchable member being received in the receiver channel and moving the trigger, the trigger in the retaining configuration being configured to prevent the catch from transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the trigger in the actuated configuration being configured to permit the catch to transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration; and
a magnet configured to apply an attractive magnetic force to the latchable member toward the trigger when the latchable member is received in the receiver channel, whereby ease of single-handed use of the latch is improved.