Latch with adjustable handle
View Patent ↗A latch includes a body having first end and a second end, a trigger-catch-pin, and a pin adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body. The latch includes a handle having a first end and a second end, an exterior surface, and a trigger. The second end of the handle is attached pivotally to the body such that the handle is moveable between a closed position, in which the trigger of the handle is releasably engaged with the trigger-catch-pin, and an open position, in which the trigger of the handle is disengaged from the trigger-catch-pin. The pin adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body and, in turn, the position of the first end of the handle relative to the body, so that the exterior surface of the handle may be positioned flush with an exterior surface of an external structure.
1. A latch, comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a trigger-catch-pin, and a pin adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body, the pin adjustment mechanism including an adjustable screw threadedly attached to the body, the adjustable screw including a head having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a concave side surface formed within a periphery of the head between the top and bottom portions, wherein the trigger-catch-pin of the body is retained against the concave side surface; and
a handle having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the handle, an exterior surface, and a trigger,
wherein the second end of the handle is attached pivotally to the body such that the handle is moveable between a closed position, in which the trigger of the handle is releasably engaged with the trigger-catch-pin of the body, and an open position, in which the trigger of the handle is disengaged from the trigger-catch-pin of the body,
wherein when the handle is in its closed position, the pin adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of the trigger-catch-pin within the body and, in turn, the position of the first end of the handle relative to the body, such that when the adjustable screw is rotated threadedly in a first direction, the first end of the handle is urged towards the body, and wherein when the adjustable screw is rotated threadedly in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first end of the handle travels away from the body.
2. The latch of claim 1 , wherein the latch is adapted to be mounted to a structure, and wherein the pin adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the handle so that the exterior surface of the handle is flush with an external surface of the structure.
3. The latch of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a hook member extending from the second end of the body.
4. The latch of claim 3 , wherein the hook member includes a threaded shaft attached threadedly to the second end of the body.
5. The latch of claim 4 , wherein the body includes a hook adjustment mechanism for movably adjusting the hook member between an extended position and a retracted position.
6. The latch of claim 1 , wherein the trigger of the handle includes a top portion having an access hole formed therein for providing external access to the adjustable screw.
7. The latch of claim 6 , wherein the trigger of the handle includes a detent that releasably engages the trigger-catch-pin of the body.
8. The latch of claim 2 , wherein the body includes a mounting bolt for mounting the latch to the structure.
9. The latch of claim 1 , further comprising a link for attaching pivotally the second end of the handle to the first end body.
10. The latch of claim 9 , wherein the link includes at least one pivot pin.
11. The latch of claim 10 , further comprising a torsion spring engaged with the body and the handle for maintaining the handle in its open position.