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:
Jan. 22, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2004
Matthew L. Hidding, Elma, IA (US);
Gene C. Light, Denver, IA (US);
Tyler G. Larsen, Sumner, IA (US);
Kelly F. Mishak, Alta Visa, IA (US);
Matthew L. Hidding, Elma, IA (US);
Gene C. Light, Denver, IA (US);
Tyler G. Larsen, Sumner, IA (US);
Kelly F. Mishak, Alta Visa, IA (US);
Tri/Mark Corporation, New Hampton, IA (US);
Abstract
A latch assembly having a housing and a catch assembly on the housing and having first and second states. The catch assembly has a rotor that is movable selectively relative to the housing between first and second positions. The rotor has a mounting portion and a receiving portion. The receiving portion has a U-shaped opening between spaced first and second legs. The U-shaped opening is configured to receive a strike element. The latch assembly further has a strike plate with a strike surface that projects across the U-shaped opening to block a strike element in the U-shaped opening with the rotor in the first position and the catch assembly in the first state. The U-shaped opening is bounded by an edge with a portion of the edge defined by the first leg against which a strike element within the U-shaped opening bears under a force tending to separate the latch assembly from the strike element. A portion of the edge has a first substantially straight length that extends to adjacent the strike surface with the rotor in the first position. The rotor is in the second position with the catch assembly in the second state to allow a strike element in the U-shaped opening, with the latch assembly in the first state, to be separated form the latch assembly.