Side-driven action pin latch
View Patent ↗A pin latch including a mounting block having a longitudinal axis, a pin slidably retained within the mounting block and having a pivot-pin, and a sliding plate slidably retained within the mounting block, the plate having a slot and a longitudinal axis extending from first and second ends thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block. The pivot-pin engages the slot of the plate such that movement of the sliding plate along its longitudinal axis induces movement of the pin in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting block. A plurality of pin latches are connected in series by links in a side-by-side fashion or around corners. One link emanating from an actuator is connected to one of the plates that the actuator can actuate the pins of all the pin latches simultaneously.
1. A pin latch, comprising:
a mounting block including a base with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the mounting block further including a longitudinal axis extending from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base, and a pedestal projecting outwardly from the top surface of the base, the pedestal including a jaw located proximate to the rear end of the base, the jaw including a cantilevered-plate and a planar step elevated above the top surface of the base, the cantilevered-plate and the step forming a mouth;
a pin slidably retained within the mounting block, the pin including a first end positioned proximate to the front end of the base of the mounting block, a second end opposite the first end of the pin and positioned proximate to the rear end of the base of the mounting block, and a first pivot-pin located proximate to the second end of the pin, wherein the pin extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the mounting block; and
a sliding plate slidably retained within the mounting block, the sliding plate including a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the sliding plate, and a slot, the sliding plate having a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sliding plate to the second end of the sliding plate, wherein the longitudinal axis of the sliding plate extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block,
wherein the mouth receives slidably the sliding plate, and
wherein the first pivot-pin of the pin engages the slot of the sliding plate, wherein movement of the sliding plate along its longitudinal axis induces movement of the pin in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting block, and wherein the pin is movable between a retracted position, in which the first end of the pin is retracted within the mounting block, and an extended position, in which the first end of the pin extends outwardly from the mounting block.
2. The pin latch of claim 1 , wherein movement of the first end of the sliding plate towards the mounting block induces the pin to move towards its extended position.
3. The pin latch of claim 1 , wherein movement of the first end of the sliding plate towards the mounting block induces the pin to move to its retracted position.
4. The pin latch of claim 1 , wherein the slot of the sliding plate includes a channel that is oriented obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block and the longitudinal axis of the sliding plate.
5. The pin latch of claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered-plate includes a first plurality of holes, and the step includes a second plurality of holes, each of the first plurality of holes of the cantilevered-plate is aligned with a corresponding one of the second plurality of holes of the step, and wherein each pair of the aligned first and second plurality of holes receives a corresponding one of a plurality of second pivot-pins.
6. The pin latch of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of second pivot-pins includes a roller mounted thereon for facilitating movement of the sliding plate.
7. The pin latch of claim 6 , wherein the pedestal includes a hub positioned proximate to the front end of the base of the mounting block, and wherein the hub includes a bore that is sized and shaped to slidably receive the pin.
8. The pin latch of claim 7 , wherein the bore of the hub of the pedestal includes a longitudinal axis that is oriented in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the mounting block.
9. The pin latch of claim 8 , wherein the hub includes a bushing positioned within the bore, and wherein the pin is slidably received within the bushing.
10. The pin latch of claim 8 , wherein the pin includes a groove axially formed within the second end of the pin, and wherein the groove is sized and shaped to receive the sliding plate.
11. The pin latch of claim 10 , wherein the pin includes a pair of aligned holes transversely formed therein proximate to the second end of the pin, and wherein the aligned holes of the pin are sized and shaped to receive the first pivot-pin of the pin.
12. The pin latch of claim 11 , wherein the first pivot-pin of the pin includes a roller.
13. The pin latch of claim 12 , wherein the mounting block includes a plurality of feet projecting from the bottom surface of the base, and wherein each of the plurality of feet includes a hole adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the pin latch to a structure.
14. The pin latch of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second ends of the sliding plate are adapted to connect to a link.