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:
May. 13, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2006
David A. Schmitt, Hastings, MN (US);
Jon E. Leikvold, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Brett Johnson, Roseville, MN (US);
David A. Schmitt, Hastings, MN (US);
Jon E. Leikvold, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Brett Johnson, Roseville, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A latching mechanism for a carrying case includes a latch body pivotally attached to a top cover of the case, a trigger pivotally attached to the latch body, and an actuator that pivots about the same axis as the trigger. The trigger is pivotable between a latching position for keeping the latch body closed, and a release position to allow the case to be opened. The actuator is pivotable toward and away from a nominal actuator position in which a panel of the actuator assumes a predetermined alignment with the latch body. A torsion spring biases the trigger toward the latching position, and through trigger/actuator contact biases the actuator into the nominal position. The trigger can move toward the release position while the actuator is held in the nominal position, to maintain the selected alignment for a more natural, intuitive latching mechanism closure.