Southco, Inc.

Robert Benson Speers, Jr

Gregory Gilbert Garneau

Eric Carabalona

Kevin A McCloskey

Robin Talukdar

Robin Talkudar

A latch with dual rotary magnets is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Magnetic latch mechanism

An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, PA, United States of America

Robert Benson Speers, Jr