The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 04, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1999
Matthew Allen Butterbaugh, Rochester, MN (US);
James Larry Peacock, Rochester, MN (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A panel latch,includes at least one flexible latch member,having a base portion,, a first leg,, and a second leg,attached to the first leg via the base portion. The flexible latch member,further has a latch portion,and a stop member,disposed on the first leg,. The latch portion,is separated from the stop member,to accommodate therebetween at least two separate parts,that are to be latched together. The legs,of the flexible latch member can be flexed so as to shift the latch portion,and the stop member,in a direction toward the second leg,to allow the two parts,to be unlatched from each other. A generally U-shaped, rigid latch retaining member,is provided that has a first leg,with free end. A second leg,of the latch retaining member,is connected to the flexible latch member,. The first leg,of the latch retaining member has a catch portion,and a stop member,disposed thereon in a region of the free end to accommodate and hold therebetween only one,of the at least two separate parts that are to be latched together.