CN-121987012-A - Angle limited rotary latch

Abstract

A rotatable latch system is disclosed that provides controlled angular movement and mechanical retention in multiple planes. The system includes a base structure having a base neck, a base locking cap, and an angle limiting recess, and a latch defining a neck opening, a locking cap opening, and an angle limiting slot. The latch is rotatably coupled to the base structure such that the base neck and locking cap are received and retained within the latch opening, while the angle limiting groove and notch cooperate to define a limited range of rotation. The system resists both in-plane and out-of-plane removal forces and may include a snap-fit joint, adjustable angular limits, or asymmetric rotational ranges. The latch may include a strap slot or alternative coupling feature to enable integration with various mechanical, consumer, or industrial components.

Inventors

• Eric W. Milward
• Scott D, division, Lhasa
• John S. Bondao

Assignees

• 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20251029

Priority Date

20251020

Claims (20)

1. 1. A rotatable latch system comprising: a base structure comprising a base neck, a base locking cap, and an angle limiting tab; A latch comprising a latch body and a locking body, the locking body defining an opening comprising a neck opening sized to receive the base neck and a locking cap opening sized to receive the base locking cap; wherein the latch is rotatably coupled to the base structure, and Wherein the latch further defines an angle limiting slot configured to receive the angle limiting tab, the angle limiting tab configured to constrain rotation of the latch relative to the base structure within a predetermined angular range.
2. 2. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the latch is rotatable about a central axis between a first extreme position at about- α ° relative to a reference line and a second extreme position at about +α ° relative to the reference line.
3. 3. The rotatable latch system of claim 2 wherein α is between about 20 ° and about 60 °.
4. 4. The rotatable latch system of claim 3 wherein α is between about 35 ° and about 45 °.
5. 5. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the angle limiting slot defines an arc length that determines a total range of rotation of the latch.
6. 6. The rotatable latch system of claim 5 wherein increasing the arc length of the angle limiting slot increases the range of rotation angles and decreasing the arc length of the angle limiting slot decreases the range of rotation angles.
7. 7. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the angle limiting slot defines an asymmetric arc configured to permit greater rotation of the latch in one direction relative to another direction.
8. 8. The rotatable latch system of claim 1, further comprising a locking taper positioned between the neck opening and the locking cap opening, the locking taper configured to elastically deform the latch during assembly to allow the base neck to snap into the neck opening.
9. 9. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the base structure further comprises a plurality of snap-fit features.
10. 10. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the latch body defines a strap slot configured to receive a strap.
11. 11. The rotatable latch system of claim 1 wherein the base neck, the base locking cap and the angle limiting tab are integrally formed as part of the base structure.
12. 12. A rotatable latch system comprising: A base structure comprising a base neck and a base locking cap; A latch comprising a latch body, a lock body, and an angle limiting tab, the lock body defining an opening comprising a neck opening sized to receive the base neck and a lock cap opening sized to receive the base lock cap; wherein the latch is rotatably coupled to the base structure, and Wherein the base structure further defines an angle limiting slot configured to receive the angle limiting tab, the angle limiting tab configured to constrain rotation of the latch relative to the base structure within a predetermined angular range.
13. 13. The rotatable latch system of claim 12 wherein the latch is rotatable about a central axis between a first extreme position at about- α ° relative to a reference line and a second extreme position at about +α ° relative to the reference line.
14. 14. The rotatable latch system of claim 13 wherein α is between about 20 ° and about 60 °.
15. 15. The rotatable latch system of claim 13 wherein α is between about 35 ° and about 45 °.
16. 16. The rotatable latch system of claim 12 wherein the angle limiting slot defines an arc length that determines the total range of rotation of the latch.
17. 17. The rotatable latch system of claim 12, further comprising a locking taper positioned between the neck opening and the locking cap opening, the locking taper configured to elastically deform the latch during assembly to allow the base neck to snap into the neck opening.
18. 18. The rotatable latch system of claim 12 wherein the base structure further comprises a plurality of snap-fit features.
19. 19. The rotatable latch system of claim 12 wherein the latch body defines a strap slot configured to receive a strap.
20. 20. The rotatable latch system of claim 12 wherein the base neck and the base locking cap are integrally formed as part of the base structure.

Description

Angle limited rotary latch RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/714,986, entitled "angle limiting rotary latch (ANGLE LIMITING Rotating Latch)" filed on 1/11/2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present application relates generally to mechanical latching systems, and more particularly to a rotatable latching system. Background In a variety of industries including outdoor equipment, tactical equipment, protective apparel, luggage, and personal load bearing systems, it is often desirable to securely attach hardware components (such as straps, webbing, buckles, clips, or adjustment mechanisms) to a flexible fabric panel. These panels may form part of a backpack, vest, pouch, harness or similar product and are typically constructed of a woven material such as a woven fabric, nonwoven fabric or laminated fabric. In some cases, it is desirable to attach a latch mechanism. Conventional latching systems often fail to combine rotational restraint with multidirectional resistance. Systems that allow rotation often lack positive retention features to prevent unintended disassembly when subjected to axial or lateral forces. Thus, there is a need for a rotatable latch system that can be easily assembled, securely retained, and constrained to rotate within a predetermined range of motion while maintaining resistance to both in-plane and out-of-plane dislodging forces. Conventional latch mechanisms often fail to combine rotational limitation with multi-directional resistance. Systems that do provide rotation tend to lack positive retention features that prevent unintended disassembly when subjected to axial or lateral forces. Thus, there is a need for a rotatable latch system that can be easily assembled, securely retained, and constrained to rotate within a predetermined range of motion while maintaining resistance to both in-plane and out-of-plane dislodging forces. Disclosure of Invention The present disclosure relates generally to a two-part multi-way surface mount substantially as shown and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. Drawings The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the devices, systems and methods described herein will be apparent from the following description of particular examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like or similar reference characters refer to the same or similar structures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems and methods described herein. Fig. 1a shows an isometric assembly view of a rotatable latch system having components and a latch assembly comprised of a latch, a base structure and a back plate. Fig. 1b shows an assembled view of the rotatable latch system from an axis, with parts omitted for illustration purposes. Fig. 1c shows an assembled view of a first side of the rotatable latch system, with the opposite side being substantially identical. Fig. 1d shows a second side assembled view of the rotatable latch system, with the opposite side being substantially identical. Fig. 1e shows an assembled top plan view of the latch assembly. Fig. 1f shows an assembled bottom plan view of the latch assembly. Fig. 1g shows a side elevation view of the assembled latch assembly. Fig. 1h shows a side elevation view of the assembled latch assembly. FIG. 1i shows an isometric cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line A-A (FIG. 1 c). FIG. 1j illustrates an isometric cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line B-B (FIG. 1 c). FIG. 1k illustrates a top plan cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line B-B (FIG. 1 c). Fig. 1l shows a top plan cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line A-A (fig. 1 c). FIG. 1m shows an isometric cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line C-C (FIG. 1 e). Fig. 1n shows a side elevation cross-sectional assembly view of the latch assembly taken along cut line C-C (fig. 1 e). Fig. 2a shows a top plan cross-sectional assembly view of the rotatable latch system taken along cut line B-B (fig. 1 c). Fig. 2B shows a top plan cross-sectional assembled view of the rotatable latch system taken along cut line B-B (fig. 1 c). Fig. 3a to 3c show top plan cross-sectional assembled views taken along cut line B-B (fig. 1 c) of the rotatable latch system in a first axial position, a second axial position and a third axial position. Detailed Description Reference to an item in the singular is to be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the context. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to convey any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of contiguous clauses, sente