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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`European Patent Office
`Office européen des brevets
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`(19) 0
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`(12)
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`16.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/46
`
`(51) |ntCl.7: E05C 19/02
`
`(21) Application number: 05008474.8
`
`(22) Date of filing: 19.04.2005
`
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL BA HR LV MK YU
`
`- Little, Gary R.
`Aurora Illinois 60504 (US)
`0 Bivens, Steven L.
`Kankakee Illinois, 60901 (US)
`0 Olson, William J.
`Big Sky, MT 59716 (US)
`
`(30) Priority: 13.05.2004 us 570955 P
`24.03.2005 US 89077
`
`(71) Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
`Cook County, Illinois 60026-1215 (US)
`
`(74) Representative: Vetter, Ewald Otto et al
`Meissner, Bolte & Partner
`Anwaltssozietat GbR
`Postfach 10 26 05
`86016 Augsburg (DE)
`
`(72) Inventors:
`- Bella, Joseph J.
`Plainfield, Illinois 60544 (US)
`
`(54)
`
`Distortion resistant silent push-push latch
`
`A push-push latch assembly includes opposed
`(57)
`gripper arms (52,54) moved between opened and
`closed positions upon axial activation of a slide (14) in
`a housing (12). The gripper arms (52,54) have pins
`(88,90) disposed in channels (40,42) of the housing
`(12), the channels (40,42) being angularly oriented to
`urge the gripper arms (52,54) to fully closed and fully
`opened positions and for controlling the separation of
`said gripper arms (52,54) for each position of the slide
`
`(14) relative to the housing (12).
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP1596030A2
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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`Description
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0006] What is needed in the art is a push—push latch
`that works easily and reliably for an extended period of
`use.
`
`[0001] The present regular United Sates Patent Ap-
`plication claims the benefits of United States Provisional
`Application Serial No. 60/570,955 filed May 13, 2004.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generallyto latch
`mechanisms, and, more particularly,
`to latch mecha—
`nisms that are both opened and closed with pushing ac—
`tions.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Push-push latch mechanisms are used exten-
`[0003]
`sively in many constructions and assemblies, and have
`received broad acceptance in the automotive industry.
`Push-push latch latches are known for use on container
`holders, glove boxes, ashtrays, sunglass bins and other
`compartments in automobiles. Such mechanisms are
`used also in the electronics industry for stereos, televi—
`sions, video devices and the like which have compart—
`ments and things for which it is convenient and/or de-
`sirable to using a pushing motion for both latching and
`unlatching the device.
`[0004] A push-push latch is operated by pushing the
`drawer, door, tray or other device both to open and close
`the object. For example, a cup holder is released from
`a closed or stored position by pushing it inwardly in its
`mounting. The inward movement of the cup holder re-
`leases the holder from its latching mechanism, allowing
`it to spring outwardly for use. From the extended or ex-
`posed position for use, the holder is returned to a stored
`condition by again pushing the holder inwardly in its
`mounting, causing the latch to engage the holder, re-
`taining it in the stored position.
`[0005]
`Push-push latches have achieved acceptance
`for many uses. In some circumstances however, some
`inadequacies have been realized. An accepted design
`for a push-push latch mechanism includes gripper arms
`that close around similarly shaped striker pieces of the
`object, when the latch is closed. Upon opening, the grip-
`per arms disengage from the striker, which slides past
`the gripper arms. A problem can arise if the arms be-
`come deformed. When the latch remains closed for an
`
`extended period of time, the flexible gripper arms can
`become deformed permanently, to not open completely.
`Such deformation, referred to as "set" is accelerated in
`higher heat environments such as in heat generating
`electronic devices, automobiles during hot weather, etc.
`If the arms do not open completely, the arms may catch
`the striker as it is released from the latch. The result can
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] The present invention provides a push-push
`latch mechanism having gripper arms that are slidingly
`connected to slots in the housing that force the arms to
`fully opened positions each time the mechanism is
`opened.
`In one aspect thereof, the present invention
`[0008]
`provides a push—push latch assembly with a housing
`and a slide axially translatable in the housing. One of
`the housing and the slide defines a circuitous path hav-
`ing first and second pockets for opened and closed po-
`sitions of the latch assembly. A follower is operatively
`associated with the housing and the slide for traversing
`the path and alternately settling in the first and second
`pockets upon successive axial activations of the slide
`relative to the housing. One ofthe housing and the slide
`has a gripper that is alternately opened and closed by
`successive axial activations of the slide relative to the
`
`housing. The other of the housing and the slide defines
`a channel, and a pin on the gripper slides in the channel
`as the gripper is moved between closed and opened po-
`sitions.
`
`In another aspect thereof, the present inven-
`[0009]
`tion provides a push-push latch assemblywith a housing
`and a slide movable relative to the housing between in-
`ward and outward positions. A latch mechanism alter-
`nately captures the slide in the inward and outward po-
`sitions. Opposed first and second gripper arms on the
`slide having closed and opened positions determined
`by the position ofthe slide relative to the housing. A po-
`sitional control between the housing and the gripper
`arms controls separation of the gripper arms for any po—
`sition of the slide relative to the housing.
`[0010]
`In a still further aspect thereof, the present in-
`vention provides a push-push latch assembly with a
`housing and a slide movable relative to the housing be-
`tween inward and outward positions. A latch mechanism
`alternately captures the slide in the inward and outward
`positions. The latch mechanism includes a circuitous
`path defined in one of the slide and the housing. The
`circuitous path has first and second pockets for opened
`and closed positions. A slot is defined in the other ofthe
`housing and the slide. A follower is operatively associ—
`ated with the housing and the slide and includes a pin
`for traversing the path and alternately settling in the first
`and second pockets upon successive axial activations
`of the slide relative to the housing. The follower has a
`portion thereof disposed in the slot; and the slot is de-
`fined partly by a biasing element for squeezing the por-
`tion of the follower in the slot.
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`be noisy operation ofthe latch, a noticeable delay in op-
`eration of the latch, or even a complete failure of the
`latch to open.
`
`In a still further aspect thereof, the present in-
`[0011]
`vention provides a push-push latch assembly with a
`housing having a wall defining a slot and first and sec-
`
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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`4
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`0nd channels. A slide has a body axially translatable in
`the housing. The body has a recessed area defining a
`circuitous path having first and second pockets for
`opened and closed positions of the latch assembly. A
`follower is operatively associated with the housing and
`the slide for traversing the path and alternately settling
`in the first and second pockets upon successive axial
`activations of the slide relative to the housing. The fol-
`lower has portions thereof traversing the circuitous path
`and sliding in the slot upon axial activations ofthe slide
`relative to the housing. First and second opposed grip-
`per arms are connected flexibly to the body. First and
`second pins extend from the first and second gripper
`arms, respectively, and are contained slidably in the first
`and second channels, respectively.
`[0012] Other features and advantages of the inven-
`tion will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`review of the following detailed description, claims and
`drawings in which like numerals are used to designate
`like features.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013]
`
`is a perspective view of a push-push latch
`1
`Fig.
`mechanism of the present invention;
`Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the housing for the
`latch mechanism shown in Fig. 1,
`illustrating the
`housing as manufactured and before assembly;
`Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the housing for the
`latch mechanism shown in Fig. 1
`illustrating sides
`ofthe housing not shown in Fig. 2;
`Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slider mechanism
`for the latch shown in Fig. 1;
`Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slider mechanism
`shown in Fig. 4, illustrating sides of the mechanism
`not shown in Fig. 4;
`Fig. 6 is a plan view of the latch mechanism in an
`open position;
`Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view ofthe latch mecha-
`nism shown in Fig. 6;
`Fig. 8 is a plan view of the latch mechanism in the
`actuated position;
`Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view ofthe latch mecha-
`nism shown in Fig. 8;
`Fig. 10 is a perspective view ofthe latch mechanism
`illustrated in a closed position; and
`Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the latch mech-
`anism shown in Fig. 10.
`
`[0014] Before the embodiments of the invention are
`explained in detail, it is to be understood that the inven-
`tion is not limited in its application to the details of con-
`struction and the arrangements of the components set
`forth in the following description or illustrated in the
`drawings. The invention is capable of other embodi-
`ments and of being practiced or being carried out in var-
`
`it is understood that the phraseology
`ious ways. Also,
`and terminology used herein are for the purpose of de—
`scription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use
`herein of "including", "comprising" and variations there-
`of is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
`equivalents thereof, as well as additional
`items and
`equivalents thereof.
`
`10
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
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`[0015] Referring now more specifically to the draw—
`ings and to Fig.
`1
`in particular, numeral 10 designates
`a push—push latch assembly in accordance with the
`present invention. Latch assembly 10 includes a hous-
`ing 12 and a slide 14 disposed in and axially translatable
`relative to housing 12. Afollower 16 interconnects hous-
`ing 12 and slide 14 and is directed by formations in each
`of housing 12 and slide 14 to form a latch mechanism
`for directing and controlling movement of said slide rel-
`ative to said housing, as will be described more fully
`hereinafter.
`
`Latch assembly 10 can be made ofa variety of
`[0016]
`materials, and various plastics are suitable materials. As
`illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, for manufacturing and han—
`dling efficiency, follower 16 can be molded together with
`housing 12, connected thereto by a thin web that is frac-
`tured when housing 12, slide 14 and follower 16 are as-
`sembled. As will be more fully described hereinafter, fol-
`lower 16 is separate from each housing 12 and slide 14,
`but is directed in movement by structures on each of
`housing 12 and slide 14.
`[0017]
`For ease of description herein, terms such as
`front, back, top, bottom, side and the like will be used
`for describing relationships of the various elements of
`latch assembly 10 with respect to each other. It should
`be understood, however, that latch assembly 10 can
`work in a variety of positions and orientations and need
`not be used only in the orientation shown in Fig. 1. Ac-
`cordingly, terms such as front, back, top, bottom, side
`and the like, and directional descriptions such as up,
`down, right and left are used only with respect to the
`orientation shown in the drawings, and should not be
`understood as limiting the manner in which the present
`invention can be used. For example, latch assembly 10
`can be used in positions inverted 180° from the orien-
`tation shown in Fig. 1 or can be rotated right, left, front
`or back from the orientation shown in Fig. 1.
`[0018] Housing 12 is a partly enclosed structure hav-
`ing multiple walls including a front 18, a back 20 in
`spaced relation thereto and opposed sides 22 and 24
`between front 18 and back 20. Housing 12 further in-
`cludes a bottom 26. A top end 28 of housing 12 is open
`for receiving slide 14 therein. Front 18 defines a slot 30
`formed between a substantially horizontal edge 32 and
`a biasing element 34. Biasing element 34 includes a wall
`36 defining a side ofslot 30 cantilevered on a spring arm
`38 of front 18. Wall 36 is otherwise separate from front
`
`

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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`6
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`18 except for its connection to spring arm 38 from front
`18. Spring arm 38 is an elongated element connected
`at one end to the main extentof front 18 and at the other
`end to wall 36. Front 18 further defines first and second
`
`channels 40, 42, the shape and length of which will be
`described in further detail hereinafter. Back 20 defines
`
`a substantially axially oriented groove 44.
`[0019]
`In the exemplary embodiment shown, housing
`12 also includes a collar 46 near top 28. Collar 46 and
`other structures (not shown) can be used for facilitating
`installation of housing 12 and thereby latch assembly
`10 in a device, mechanism or structure in which it is to
`be used.
`
`Slide 14 includes a main body 50 and first and
`[0020]
`second gripper arms 52, 54, respectively. Gripper arms
`52, 54 are connected to body 50 by thinned hinge-like
`segments 56, 58. Gripper arms 52, 54 can pivot toward
`and away from each other, bending at segments 56, 58.
`Body 50, gripper arms 52, 54 and segments 56, 58 are
`formed as a monolithic body of material.
`[0021] Body 50 is shaped to fit relatively snugly in
`housing 12 while being able to slide axiallytherein. Body
`50 includes a front 60, a back 62 and sides 64, 66 on
`opposite edges of front 60 and back 62. Body 50 is
`shaped to slide smoothly and linearly relative to housing
`12 and includes a projection 68 on back 62 to be re-
`ceived in and directed by groove 44.
`[0022]
`Front 60 includes a recessed area 70 defined
`by a somewhat heart-shaped wall 72. Within recessed
`area 70 a shaped nest 74 is provided. Together with nest
`74, and specifically the outer surface thereof, wall 72
`defines a circuitous path within recessed area 70. Fol-
`lower 16 is operatively associated with the circuitous
`path formed by wall 72 and nest 74, as will be described
`in greater detail hereinafter. Within the circuitous path
`formed on front 60, nest 74 defines a first pocket 76 for
`engaging follower 16 when latch assembly 10 is in a
`closed position. A lower portion ofwall 72 defines a sec-
`ond pocket 78 for confining follower 14 when latch as-
`sembly 10 is in an opened position.
`[0023] Gripper arms 52, 54 have bases 80, 82, re-
`spectively, connected to segments 56, 58, respectively.
`Cap portions 84, 86 ofgripper arms 52,54 define inward
`projections for securing therebetween a striker plate
`(not shown) of the device to be held by latch assembly
`10. On front surfaces thereof, gripper arms 52, 54 have
`pins 88, 90 projecting therefrom. Pins 88, 90 are re-
`ceived in first and second channels 40,42 of housing 12.
`[0024]
`Follower 16 is disposed between front 60 of
`slide 14 and an inner surface of front 18 of housing 12.
`Follower 16 includes a body 92 having a slide bar 94 on
`the front there ofand a pin 96 on the back thereof. Slide
`bar 94 is disposed in slot 30, and pin 94 extends into
`recessed area 70, to traverse the circuitous path formed
`by wall 72 and nest 74. Slot 30 is cut slightly more narrow
`than the width of slide bar 94, so that biasing element
`34 is slightly deflected when slide bar 94 is inserted into
`slot 30. Biasing element 34 thereby urges slide bar 94
`
`against edge 32.
`[0025] Operation of latch assembly 10 is described
`with reference to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, wherein
`Figs. 6, 8 and 10 are front views of latch assembly 10
`in opened, actuated and latched conditions, respective-
`ly. Figs. 7, 9 and 11 are cross-sectional views ofthe latch
`configurations illustrated in Figs. 6, 8 and 10, respec-
`tively.
`Latch assembly 10 is assembled with slide 14
`[0026]
`in housing 12 such that projection 68 is confined in
`groove 44. Follower 16 is disposed between housing 12
`and slide 14 such that slide bar 92 is contained within
`
`slot 30 and protrusion 94 is allowed to traverse the cir—
`cuitous path formed by wall 72 and nest 74. Thus, pro-
`trusion 94 extends into recessed area 70. Pins 88, 90
`ofgripper arms 92, 94 are positioned within first and sec-
`ond channels 40 and 42, respectively. A spring (not
`shown) is provided in housing 12, between bottom 26
`and body 50 of slide 14, to urge slide 14 outwardly from
`housing 12.
`[0027]
`Latch 10 is actuated when force is exerted
`against body 50, as indicated by arrow 98. It should be
`understood that force applied at arrow 98 is from a strik-
`er assembly ofa device to be held in latch assembly 10.
`For example, if assembly 10 is used to hold a door (not
`shown) of a compartment, a striker (not shown) on the
`door is pushed against body 50 when force is applied
`against the door. The door is pushed both when the door
`is being opened and when the door is being closed. The
`start of either action begins with force applied against
`body 50, as indicated by arrow 98.
`[0028] When latch assembly 10 is in an opened posi-
`tion, protrusion 94 is contained within opened pocket 78
`(Fig. 7). As slide 14 is pushed downwardly from the po-
`sition shown in Figs. 6 and 7, wall 72 encounters pro-
`trusion 94 along a segment 100 of wall 72. Segment 100
`is angularly oriented such that follower 16 is directed to
`the left as shown in Fig. 7, until protrusion 94 encounters
`a redirector 102 of wall 72. From the position illustrated
`in Figs. 8 and 9, with protrusion 94 engaged between
`segment 100 and redirector 102, inward force on slide
`14 is terminated, as it will have "bottomed out", not being
`able to be pushed further. Upon release, slide 14 moves
`slightly outward until protrusion 94 settles into pocket 76
`(Figs. 10 and 11). From the position illustrated in Fig.
`11, inward force against slide 14 causes redirector 102
`to engage protrusion 94 on the opposite side from that
`shown in Fig. 9. As slide 14 is released, it moves out—
`wardly with protrusion 94 passing to the left of nest 74,
`engaging against wall 72 and settling in pocket 78 as
`illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
`[0029]
`Pins 88, 90 are contained within first and sec-
`ond Channels 40, 42, and move there along as slide 14
`moves inwardly and outwardly, thereby providing a po-
`sitional control for gripper arms 52, 54 for any position
`of slide 14 with relative to housing 12. Channels 40,42
`are ofappropriate length and orientation such that arms
`52, 54 are moved fully between the closed and opened
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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`positions, with the separation therebetween being con—
`trolled for all positions ofslide 14 relative to housing 12.
`Accordingly, inner ends 110, 112 of channels 40, 42 are
`closer to each other than are outer ends 114, 116 of
`channels 40, 42, respectively. Pins 88, 90 directed in
`channels 40, 42 cause full movement of gripper arms
`52, 54 even after prolonged inactivity when plastic set
`would occur and limit natural movement of the arms.
`
`Since the arms are forced to fully opened or fully closed
`positions with each activation of latch assembly 10,
`hang-up of gripper arms 52, 54 on a striker plate (not
`shown) in a device held by latch assembly 10 does not
`occur. The movement of each gripper arm 52, 54 is di—
`rected by the movement of pins 88, 90 in channels 40,
`42, as shown by the comparative positions of pins 88,
`90 relative to channels 40, 42 illustrated in Figs. 6, 8 and
`10.
`
`[0030] Biasing element 34 pinches slide bar 92 in slot
`30 as slide bar 92 slides back and forth in slot. 30. The
`
`pinching of slide bar 92 in slot 30 is such that follower
`16 does not move if latch assembly 10 is tilted, turned
`or inverted. Thus, protrusion 94 remains in either pocket
`76 or pocket 78, even ifthe item on which latch assembly
`10 is installed isjostled, moved, rotated, inverted or the
`like.
`
`[0031] Variations and modifications of the foregoing
`are within the scope of the present invention. It is un-
`derstood that the invention disclosed and defined herein
`extends to all alternative combinations of two or more
`of the individual features mentioned or evident from the
`
`text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations
`constitute various alternative aspects of the present in-
`vention. The embodiments described herein explain the
`best modes known for practicing the invention and will
`enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.
`The claims are to be construed to include alternative
`
`embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
`[0032] Various features of the invention are set forth
`in the following claims.
`
`Claims
`
`1. A push-push latch assembly comprising:
`
`a housing;
`a slide axially translatable in said housing;
`one of said housing and said slide defining a
`circuitous path having first and second pockets
`for opened and closed positions of said latch
`assembly;
`a follower operatively associated with said
`housing and said slide for traversing said path
`and alternately settling in said first and second
`pockets upon successive axial activations of
`said slide relative to said housing;
`one ofsaid housing and said slide having a grip-
`per that is alternately opened and closed by
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`successive axial activations of said slide rela—
`
`tive to said housing, the other of said housing
`and said slide defining a channel; and
`a pin on said gripper sliding in said channel as
`said gripper is moved between closed and
`opened positions.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 1, said gripper includ-
`ing first and second opposed gripper arms, each
`said gripper arm having a said pin and operating in
`different said channels.
`
`The latch assembly ofclaim 2, said first and second
`gripper arms provided on said slide and said hous-
`ing defining first and second channels receiving
`said first and second pins.
`
`The latch assembly ofclaim 3, said housing defining
`a slot, said slide defining said path, and said follow-
`er being slidably held in said slot while traversing
`said path.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 4, said slot having a
`biasing element for pinching said follower in said
`slot.
`
`The latch assembly ofclaim 1, said housing defining
`a slot, said slide defining said path, and said follow-
`er being slidably held in said slot while traversing
`said path.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 6, said slot having a
`biasing element for pinching said follower in said
`slot.
`
`A push—push latch assembly comprising:
`
`a housing;
`a slide movable relative to said housing be-
`tween inward and outward positions relative to
`said housing;
`a latch mechanism alternately capturing said
`slide in said inward and outward positions;
`opposed first and second gripper arms on said
`slide having closed and opened positions de-
`termined by the position of said slide relative to
`said housing; and
`a positional control between said housing and
`said gripper arms controlling separation of said
`gripper arms for any position of said slide rela-
`tive to said housing.
`
`The push-push latch assembly of claim 8, said po-
`sitional control including first and second channels
`defined in said housing, and first and second pins
`on said first and second gripper arms, respectively,
`said first and second pins being disposed in said
`first and second channels, respectively.
`
`

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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`10
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`10.
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`11.
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`The push—push latch assembly of claim 9; said
`channels each having inner and outer ends; and
`said inner ends being closerto each other than said
`outer ends are to each other.
`
`A push-push latch assembly comprising:
`
`a housing;
`a slide movable relative to said housing be-
`tween inward and outward positions relative to
`said housing;
`a latch mechanism alternately capturing said
`slide in said inward and outward positions;
`said latch mechanism including a circuitous
`path defined in one of said slide and said hous-
`ing; said circuitous path having firstand second
`pockets for opened and closed positions;
`a slot defined in the other of said housing and
`said slide;
`a follower operatively associated with said
`housing and said slide; said follower including
`a pin for traversing said path and alternately
`settling in said first and second pockets upon
`successive axial activations of said slide rela—
`
`tive to said housing; said follower having a por—
`tion thereof disposed in said slot; and
`said slot being partly defined by a biasing ele-
`mentfor squeezing said portion of said follower
`in said slot.
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`housing and said slide for traversing said path
`and alternately settling in said first and second
`pockets upon successive axial activations of
`said slide relative to said housing; said follower
`including portions thereof traversing said circu-
`itous path and sliding in said slot upon axial ac-
`tivations of said slide relative to said housing;
`first and second opposed gripper arms flexibly
`connected to said body; and
`first and second pins extending from said first
`and second gripper arms, respectively, said
`pins being slidably contained in said first and
`second channels, respectively.
`
`The push-push latch assembly of claim 15; said
`channels each having inner and outer ends; and
`said inner ends being closerto each otherthan said
`outer ends are to each other.
`
`The push-push latch assembly ofclaim 16; said slot
`having a wall thereof supported on a spring arm;
`and said follower having a slide bar pinched in said
`slot.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 15; said slot having a
`biasing element for pinching said follower in said
`slot.
`
`The push-push latch assembly of claim 15; said fol-
`lower including a body having a pin projecting from
`one side thereof and a slide bar projecting from an
`opposite side thereof.
`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`14.
`
`The push-push latch assembly of claim 11 ; said slot
`having a portion thereof supported on a spring arm.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 12; said slot disposed
`in said housing; said circuitous path defined in said
`slide and said follower including a body having a
`slide bar on one side thereof disposed in said slot
`and a pin on an opposite side thereof disposed in
`said path.
`
`The latch assembly of claim 11; said slot disposed
`in said housing; said circuitous path defined in said
`slide and said follower including a body having a
`slide bar on one side thereof disposed in said slot
`and a pin on an opposite side thereof disposed in
`said path.
`
`15.
`
`A push—push latch assembly comprising:
`
`a housing having a wall defining a slot and first
`and second channels;
`a slide having a body axiallytranslatable in said
`housing;
`said body having a recessed area defining a cir-
`cuitous path having firstand second pockets for
`opened and closed positions of said latch as-
`sembly;
`a follower operatively associated with said
`
`20.
`
`35
`
`The push-push latch assembly of claim 19, said fol-
`lower being a piece separated from said housing.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`

`

`EP 1 596 030 A2
`
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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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`EP 1 596 030 A2
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