Latch mechanism

{
  "publication_number": "US3876317A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Latch mechanism",
  "abstract": "A reproduction machine employing a heated roll fuser for fixing the transferred developed image on a support material, the fuser back-up roll being held against the driven, heated roll by a latch mechanism employing a rotatable bolt-handle, rotation of the bolt causing the back-up roll to unlatch and allow the roll to be pivoted out of contact with the heated fuser roll by a lifting force on the bolt handle to provide single handed disengagement and movement of the roll to enable the machine operator to clear jams in the fuser with the free hand.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A latch mechanism for releasably securing a first member to a second member comprising: a rotatable shaft secured to said first member, the end of said shaft being formed at an angle relative to the axis of said shaft to provide an inclined surface thereon; a striker plate secured to said second member, said plate having an opening therein adapted for receiving said shaft and retaining said shaft therein, engagement of the inclined surface of said shaft with said plate causing relative movement therebetween in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, said shaft being adapted for rotation to a first position for engagement of the inclined surface thereof with said striker plate when said first member is moved toward said second member for engagement of said shaft in the opening in said plate and for substantially 180.degree. rotation to a second position when said shaft is engaged in said opening to displace the inclined surface substantially 180.degree. from said first position for subsequent disengagement of said shaft from the opening in said striker plate by movement of said first member away from said second member.",
    "2. A latch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said striker plate is formed of a resilient material, movement of the inclined surface of said shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said plate causing movement of said plate relative to said shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, alignment of said shaft with the opening in said striker plate allowing said plate to move toward said shaft to retain said shaft in said opening.",
    "3. A latch mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said striker plate is provided with a tab thereon in alignment with the opening therein, said tab being disposed at an angle to the plane of said plate corresponding to the angle of the inclined surface on said shaft, engagement of said tab by said shaft causing said shaft to be rotatably urged toward the latching orientation.",
    "4. A latch mechanism for releasably securing a first member to a second member comprising: a rotatable shaft secured to said first member, the end of said member having a surface thereon inclined at an angle relative to the shaft axis; a striker plate secured to said second member, said plate having an opening therein adapted for receiving and retaining said shaft, engagement of the inclined surface of said shaft with said striker plate causing relative movement between said plate and said shaft in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft, alignment of said shaft with the opening in said plate allowing relative movement between said plate and said shaft for engagement of said shaft in the opening of said plate, said shaft being rotated to position the inclined surface thereof toward said second member when said first and second members are to be secured to each other, said shaft being rotated when in the latched position to oppositely orient said inclined surface to allow disengagement of said first and second members.",
    "5. A latch mechanism for securing a first member to a second member including a rotatable shaft mounted on said first member, the ends of said shaft having a surface formed thereon at an angle relative to the axis of said shaft; striker plates affixed to said second member for mating engagement with the ends of said shaft, engagement of said striker plates by the angled surfaces on the shaft causing said plates to be displaced outwardly, said plates having openings therein for receiving the ends of said shaft, alignment of the shaft with said openings allowing said plates to move inwardly to retain said shaft in said openings, said shaft being rotatable within said openings to orient the angled surfaces thereon to a position to force said plates outwardly and allow disengagement of said shaft from said plates."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B41L 21/02",
    "G03G 15/2035",
    "Y10T 29/49822",
    "Y10T 29/49876",
    "Y10T 292/1097",
    "Y10T 403/33",
    "Y10T 403/606"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "XEROX CORP"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1973-09-24",
  "publication_date": "1975-04-08",
  "grant_date": "1975-04-08",
  "priority_date": "1973-09-24",
  "application_number": "US-40044873-A",
  "family_id": "23583658",
  "citations": [
    "US427536A",
    "US629446A",
    "US643356A"
  ]
}