Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Aye
aye
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO LUGGAGE LATCHING SYSTEMS
SPECIFICATION
1 Background of the Invention
The invention relates to luggage articles such
as attache cases and the like and to latching systems
for such articles.
In recent years, the popularity of attache cases
such as leather or vinyl covered wood-frame cases, for
example, has been on the increase. Such cases commonly
employ a pair of latch assemblies on opposite sides of
a central carrying handle and a trend has developed for
the use of combination locks in conjunction with such
assemblies. Further, with a view toward simplifying
the operation of such cases, there have been previous
proposals involving the use of a single actuator and
locking mechanism for operating the separate latch
assemblies.
Due to the increasing popularity of attache cases
of the above type, and due to the large number of India
-visual case manufacturers, there is a demand for divers-
ligation in the design of the luggage latching and lock-
in system hardware. It is desirable therefore for a
hardware manufacturer to produce hardware which is
adaptable to diverse customer requirements, while at the
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same time being relatively economical to manufacture and
simple to install and operate. The present invention is
more particularly directed towards this end.
summary of the Invention
It is an object of the invention to provide a
form of luggage hardware for attachment to luggage cases
and the like in which latching systems of different con-
figuration, appearance or operating mode can be developed
from the same basic components.
Another object of the invention is to provide
luggage hardware in a form which can be readily assembled
into a complete latching system by the hardware menu-
lecturer and which can then be easily installed on an
article of luggage by the luggage manufacturer.
A further object of the invention is to provide
a novel form of latching console for attachment to a
luggage article including s aced hasp-engageable and
disengage able latches and operating means therefore which
console can be assembled and used in a variety of dip-
fervent modes in conjunction with manual actuating means
and locking means.
The invention may be stated to reside in the
concept of providing luggage hardware in modular form.
In accordance with this concept, an elongate latch console
assembly may be provided which can be attached interiorly
to one section of a luggage article, and which may
include spaced, hasp-engageable and disengage able latches
and operating means therefore the latches being adapted
to cooperate with fixed hasps on a hasp assembly which
can be attached interiorly to another section of the
article. The console may be designed to function with
separate manual actuator and lock assemblies which may
be assembled to the console by a hardware manufacturer
in different configurations to produce latching systems
of different appearance and/or function to meet India
visual customer preferences. Additionally, the console may be designed to operate with a composite actuator and
lock assembly, and the console components themselves may be
designed for assembly within the console in different
operating modes, for example, to adapt the console sol-
actively to left or right-hand operation.
Hardware in accordance with the invention lends
itself to assembly of the console and the lock and act-
atop assemblies in the required configuration by the
hardware manufacturer, and simple installation of the
assembled system onto an otherwise completed luggage
article.
Specific features of the invention will be
apparent from the ensuing description and claims taken
in conjunction with the attached drawings.
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Description of Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an attache case
incorporating a latching system in accordance with the
invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of
certain of the individual assemblies constituting the
latching system, such assemblies being shown in their
relationship to the body section of the attache case;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a
hasp assembly of the system and the lid of the attache
case;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the
latch console assembly of the latching system;
Figure 5 is an elevation Al view of the latch
console assembly with the cover plate removed and with
the console latches shown ion engagement with their
respective hasps;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing
the latches released from the hasps;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an
actuator assembly of the latching system;
Figure 8 is an elevation Al view, partly broken
away, of a lock assembly of the latching system shown in
assembled relation with the latch console and body section
of the attache case;
Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of
Figure 8;
I 5
Figure 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of
Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the lock assembly
similar to Figure 9 but shown in a combination-changing
S position;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a shift member
used in the lock assembly;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a pivotal bolt
of the lock assembly shown with part of a slide rod of
the latch console;
Figure 14 is a composite end view of a combination
dial and a combination sleeve;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of parts of the
latching system and attache case illustrating the manner
of preparing the case for installation of the system;
Figure 16 is an elevation Al view of a latch console
assembly similar to Figure 5 but showing components of
the console arranged in an alternative, reverse con fig-
unction;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the latch
console assembly as shown in Figure 16 with the lock
assembly and actuator assembly attached;
Figure I is a pens active view of the latch
console assembly with a centrally attached composite lock
and actuator assembly; and
Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18 but
showing the composite lock and actuator assembly attached
to the console in an offset position.
I 5
Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown
an attache case 10, which may be of known vinyl or leather
covered wood-frame construction and which includes a
body section 12 and a hinged lid 14. The case is fitted
with a conventional handle 16 mounted on a front wall
aye of the body section, by handle studs lea and 18b, and
a latching system (shown in more detail in Figures 2 and
3) is provided for releasable latching the body section
to the hinged lid. In Figure 1, only exteriorly exposed
parts of the latching system are visible, notably a
latch actuator 20 on one side of handle 16, dials 22 and
a shift member 24 of a combination lock on the other
side of handle 16, and escutcheon plates aye and 26b sun-
rounding the lock parts and actuator respectively. endless 22 are set on combination, the case can be opened
by drawing actuator 20 to the left to release the latch-
in system, as will be described, and when the dials
are off combination, the lock prevents the case from
being opened.
As shown in Figure 2, body section 12 of the case
is equipped with an elongate latch console assembly A
(attached interiorly to wall aye as will be described),
an actuator assembly B, fitting in an opening 34b of
wall aye and incorporating actuator 20, and a lock asset
by C incorporating the combination lock and fitting in
a further opening aye in wall aye.
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Actuator assembly B and lock assembly G are
attached to console A (preferably prior to shipment by
the manufacturer) by means of flanges 36, 38 on the
respective assemblies, which align with corresponding
openings in the console as will be described. Flanges
36, 38 may have openings, as shown, for screwing the
flanges to the console, or alternatively the flanges may
be formed with rearwardly extending shanks for riveting
the flanges to the console.
The latch console A includes longitudinally spaced
pivoting latches aye and 40b, and drive means for open-
cling the latches in unison. In use, actuator 20 is
connected with the drive means for operating the latches
and the combination lock cooperates with the drive means
to selectively prevent it being operated by the actuator.
Escutcheon plates aye and 26b frame openings aye,
34b on the exterior of wall aye and the plates have rear-
warmly projecting shanks aye and 42b extending through
wall aye and attached, as by screws 44 (see Figure 9)
to latch console A through further openings in the con-
sole as will be described.
Mounting brackets aye and 2Sb, which attach to
side walls 12b and 12c of the case body, by screws or
other fastening means, may be provided for supporting
latch console A or the support provided by the escutcheon
plate shanks aye and 42b and screws 44 may be sufficient
to adequately secure the console. As shown in Figure 2,
brackets aye and 28b may have channel-like portions for
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receiving the opposite ends of the latch console while
allowing lengthwise adjustment prior to final fixing.
Latches aye and 40b cooperate with fixed hasps
aye, 48b on a rod 30 forming part of a hasp assembly D
(Figure 3) attached interiorly to the case lid 14 by
mounting brackets aye and 32b which connect to side
walls 14b and 14c of the lid. Brackets aye and 32b also
have channel-like sections receiving the end portions
of rod 30 and providing for lengthwise adjustment
so that the hasps and latches can be accurately aligned.
Hasp assembly 30 and brackets aye, 32b may be plastic
moldings.
The construction of latch console A will now be
described with particular reference to Figures 4 to 6.
The console may include an elongate tray-like base plate
50, the aforementioned latches aye and 40b, drive means
for the latches in the form of an elongate slide rod 52,
latch springs aye and 54b, hasp ejectors aye and 56b,
hasp ejector springs aye and 58b and a cover plate 60.
Conveniently, the base plate, latches and slide rod may
be plastic moldings, and the remaining parts may be made
of metal.
Right-hand latch aye is in the form of a crank
having a mounting section formed with opposed journals
aye, aye' by which the latch is mounted in corresponding
holes aye, Allah in the base plate and cover plate, respect
lively, a hooked hasp-engaging section aye and an act-
cling section aye formed with a cam surface aye. In the
'45
assembled configuration of the console, illustrated in
Figures 5 and 6, latch aye is mounted for counter-
clockwise pivoting movement from a hasp-engaging post-
lion (Figure 5) to a hasp-disengaging position (Figure 6).
An opening aye in latch aye houses spring aye, and the
spring operates against a base plate post aye projecting
into opening aye to provide biasing means urging the
latch towards the hasp-engaging position. An opening aye
in side wall 78 of the base plate provides access to
latch aye for hasp aye.
Similarly, the left-hand latch 40b is also in the
form of a crank having a mounting section formed with
opposed journals 62b, 62b' by which the latch is mounted
in corresponding holes 64b, 64b' in the base plate and
cover plate, respectively, a hooked hasp-engaging section
66b and an actuating section 68b formed with a cam sun-
face 70b. In the assembled configuration of the console,
illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, latch 40b is mounted
for clockwise pivoting movement from a hasp-engaging
position (Figure I to a hasp-disengaging position (Fig-
use 6). An opening 72b in latch 40b houses spring 54b,
and the spring operates against a base plate post 74b
projecting into opening 72b to provide biasing means urge
in the latch towards the hasp-engaging position, An
opening 76b in side wall 78 of the base plate provides
access to latch 40b for hasp 48b.
Hasp ejector aye fits between base plate project
lions aye and Spa, the latter serving as a guide, and
spring aye urges the ejector towards opening aye. When
hasp aye is engaged (Figure 5), spring aye is compressed
and when latch aye releases the hasp, the ejector urges
the hasp upwardly by extension of spring aye to facilitate
opening of the attache case by lifting the lid. Ejector
56b is similarly arranged at the left end of the base plate
between projections 80b and 82b, to act on hasp 48b.
Slide rod 52 is guided for lengthwise movement
in an elongate base plate channel 84 defined between
wall 78 and a land surface 86, and the rod is formed
at its opposite ends with latch-actuating lobes aye, 88b.
Lobe aye has a cam surface aye providing cooperative
gemming means with cam surface aye of latch aye and
lobe 88b has a cam surface 90b providing cooperative
gemming means with cam surface 70b of latch 40b.
when the latches are engaged with the respective
hasps, the slide rod is in a right-hand position with
respect to the base plate figure 5), and when the rod
is moved lengthwise to the left in channel 84 (by means
of actuator 20, as will be described), the cooperative
gemming surfaces effect simultaneous pivoting movement of
the latches, in opposite senses respectively, from their
hasp-engaging positions to their hasp-disengaging post-
lions (Figure 6) accompanied by compression of latch
springs aye, 54b. Then, when the hasps are ejected and
the actuator has been released, springs aye, 54b return
the respective latches to their hasp-engaging positions
and through the cooperative gemming surfaces, also no-
turn the slide rod to its initial position.
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I
Lobe 88b of slide rod 52 is provided with an
opening 96 for receiving a drive member of the actuator
assembly and lobe aye has an opening 98 for receiving
a locking member of the lock assembly. Further, the
slide rod may have centrally disposed mounting recesses
100 to receive a mounting bracket or the like for pro-
voiding similar drive and locking means for the rod if
the console is to be used with a centrally located come
posit lock and actuator assembly in place of the separate
assemblies B and C (see Figure 18).
It may here be noted that when the latches are
in their hasp-engaging positions (figure 5) they are free
to pivot toward their hasp-disengaging positions index
pendently of movement of the slide rod. Thus, when the
hasps are disengaged, they can be reengaged by effecting
a gemming action between hasp surfaces aye and 92b and
complementary latch surfaces aye and 94b. Accordingly,
the latch system incorporates a scramble feature en-
ambling the hasps to be engaged even when the slide rod
is locked in position by the combination lock.
Cover plate 60 (Figure 4) includes an elongate
slot 102 aligned with opening 96 in -the slide rod and
through which the actuator drive member projects into open-
in 96, the slot being of sufficient length to provide the
required travel of the slide rod to release the latches.
A smaller opening 104 at the opposite end of the cover
plate provides access for the locking member into the
slide rod opening 98. The cover plate and base plate
have aligned openings 106, 106' used for assembling the
cover plate to the base plate by means of the screws or
rivet shanks carried by the flanges 36, 38 on actuator
assembly B and lock assembly C. Openings 46 in the
base plate and 46' in the cover plate receive the screws,
such as screws 44 (figure 9), which connect to the
escutcheon plates aye, 26b and fasten the console and
attached lock and actuator assemblies to the attache case.
The cover plate and base plate may also include further
aligned openings 110, if it is required to fasten the
attache case handle 16 through the latch console, and
centrally disposed openings 107, 107' and 47, 47' for
mounting a composite lock and actuator assembly and single
escutcheon plate.
As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the components of the
latch console are assembled for right-to-left movement
of the slide rod to effect opening of the latches and
for receipt of the actuator assembly B at the left end
and lock assembly C at the right end of the console,
respectively. In accordance with the invention, how-
ever, the console components can also be assembled in a
reverse mode, for left-to~right movement of the slide rod
to effect latch opening with the actuator assembly at
the right end of the console and the lock assembly at
the left end. As indicated by the dashed-line arrows in
Figure 4, such reverse assembly may be effected by in-
venting and transposing the latches and by lengthwise
inversion of the slide rod and cover plate relative to
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I
the base plate. The console is shown assembled in the
reverse mode in Figure 16 with the cover plate removed.
actuator assembly B is shown in detail in Figure 7
in conjunction with lobe 88b of slide rod 52. The assembly
includes a body member 112 integrally formed with the
flanges 36 and having a face plate portion 114 wormed with
a central opening 116. As previously indicated, the
flanges may be formed with screw holes 118 for attaching
the assembly to the latch console, or alternatively, the
flanges may have rearwardly extending rivet shanks or the
like. Further, the flanges may have central openings 120
to receive shanks 42b of escutcheon plate 26b (Figure 1).
The manual actuator 20 sits on face plate portion
114 and has an integral block 122 on its back face pro-
jetting through opening 116. An actuator bracket 124 is
attached to block 122, for example by screws 126, the
bracket including a projecting tab 128 adapted to fit
through slot 102 in cover plate 60 of the latch console
into opening 96 in slide rod 52. Tab 128 thus forms a
drive member for moving the slide rod responsive to manual
movement of actuator 20. A spring 130 mounted between
a plug 132 integral with body member 112 and a further
tab 134 on bracket 124 urges the actuator to the right
as illustrated.
With the above arrangement, when actuator assembly
B is attached to latch console A, manual movement of act-
atop 20 to the left against spring 130 draws slide rod 52
to the left thus releasing the latches aye and 40b. When
the actuator is released, latch springs aye and 54b no-
turn the latches and slide rod to their initial positions
and spring 130 returns the actuator to its rest position.
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s
The relative locations of tab 128, slot 102 in
the console cover plate, and opening 96 in slide rod 52
may be such that when the latch console is assembled in
the reverse mode as shown in Figure 16 and the actuator
assembly is swung around and mounted at the right end of
the console, for left-to-right movement of actuator 20
(see Figure 17), tab 28 will still accurately align with
slot 102 and opening 96.
Lock assembly C is shown in detail more paretic-
ularly in Figures 8-14. A main body member 136 of the
lock assembly is integrally formed with the mounting
flanges 38 in like manner to the body member 112 of the
actuator assembly. Flanges 38 also have screw openings
138 (or alternatively may again have rivet shanks) for
attachment of the lock assembly to the latch console and
the screw openings or shanks are preferably on the same
centers as those of the actuator assembly. Openings 140
between flanges 38 provide passage for the escutcheon
plate fastening screws 44.
The outer surface 140 of member 136 forms the
face plate of the combination lock and is provided with
openings 142 for the respective combination dials 22
and a further opening 144 for shift member 24. A
dished cover plate 146 is secured internally to body
member 136 (by suitable fasteners 148) to define with the
body member a lock casing. A shaft 150 is mounted within
the casing on suitable support surfaces of the body
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'7~5
member and cover plate, the shaft having an integral or
fixed collar 152 adjacent one end. Carried on the shaft,
between collar 152 and a coil compression spring 154 are
axially abutting combination sleeves 156, the left ends
of which are formed as cams 158. On the opposite side of
collar 152, shaft 150 carries the shift member 24. Spring
154 acts between a washer 160 and the endemicity sleeve to
urge the assembly of shaft J sleeves, and shift member to
the right.
The sleeves are each encircled in known manner
by one of the dials 22, the sleeves being coupled for no-
station with the dials by means of sleeve teeth 162 en-
gaging openings 164 in the respective dials (see Figure
14). The dials each have a peripheral series of combing
anion indicia with detents 166 there between and a dial
spring 170 on the base of cover plate 146 has pairs of
arms 172 (see Figure 10) for engaging the detents, so
that the dials may be manually rotated in equal increments
between the respective indicia settings.
A bolt 174 (see Figure 13) is pivotal mounted
within the lock casing by means of projecting ears 178
carried in suitable openings snot shown) in opposite end
welts of cover plate 146~ The bolt has cross-bars 180
formed with V-shaped ridges adapted to engage in cores-
pounding V-shaped notches 132 in the cams 158 (see Figures
10 and 14). Slots 184 between the bolt cross-bars accom-
mediate the dials.
I
The bolt is urged upwardly by means of bolt springs
186 on the base of cover plate 146, the springs being
located in bolt bosses 188, so that the ridge portions
of the cross-bars contact the peripheries of the cams 158.
When all thy cams are aligned so that the bolt ridges
are all received in the respective cam notches (the on
combination setting of the lock) the bolt is raised under
the influence of springs 1~6, as shown in Figures 8 and 9
and in full line in Figure 10. Inn, however, any one or
10 more of the cams is rotated by one or more dial-indicium
settings away from the on-~ombination setting the fete-
vent ridge portion of the bolt is moved out of its respect
live notch by a gemming action, so that the bolt is
lowered to the position shown in phantom in Figure 10,
the ridge portion then engaging the circular periphery
of the respective cam, (A more detailed description of
a lock ox this nature is contained in Canadian
Patent 1,126l526 to Remington, granted June 29,
1982 and commonly assigned herewith.
The free edge of the bolt opposite pivots 178 is
bent down and projects through an opening 190 on one
side of the lock casing, A depending tab 192, forming
a locking member for the latch console slide rod, is pro-
voided on the free edge when the lock assembly is suitably
attached on the console cover plate, and the bolt is in
its locked, lowered position (the lock being off combing
anion) 9 tab 192 engages in opening 98 in the console
~.~26~745
slide rod through opening 104 in the cover plate and
prevents the slide rod from being operated by the manual
actuator, so that the attache case can be locked closed.
When the lock dials are moved to the on-combination
S setting, the bolt is allowed to rise, as described above,
to lift tab 192 from within opening 98 and allow the
manual actuator to operate the console slide rod and
latches. The dials thus form control means for tab 192.
In the illustrated embodiment, tab 192 is
asymmetrically located as between the left and right-
hand flanges 38 of body member 136, Accordingly, if the
lock assembly and actuator assembly are to be transposed
into the positions illustrated in Figure 17 (the latch
console being assembled in the Figure 16 mode), a subset-
lute bolt 174 with a repositioned tab 192 may be provided
in order properly to position the tab in relation to
openings 98 and 104.
Shift member 24 may be used to change the set
combination of the lock by uncoupling the sleeves from the
dials when the lock is on-combination, allowing one or
more of the dials to be rotated relative to the assess-
axed sleeve or sleeves. As seen more particularly in
Figure 12, the shift member has a body section 194 de-
fining a transverse slot 196 through which shaft 150
passes when the lock is assembled, and a cam surface 198,
an actuator portion 200 and a blocking portion 202. A
rear section 204 of the body portion 194 fits in a recess
206 in body member 136 of the lock see Figures 9 and 11)
74~i
to locate and guide the shift member for translator move-
mint transversely of the shaft.
When the lock bolt is lowered, the lock being off
combination, an edge surface 208 of the bolt (see Figures
10 and 13) is in blocking relationship to blocking section
202 of the shift member, to prevent the member being moved
transversely. Inn the lock is on combination, however,
and the bolt is raised, surface 208 clears blocking sea- ;
lion 202 and the shift member can be moved transversely
to the right as shown in Figure lo This movement effects
a gemming action between surface lug of the shift member
and shaft collar 152, shifting the shaft and sleeves to
the left as seen in Figure 10, so that the sleeves are
uncoupled from the dials. The shifted position of the
lock is shown in Figure 11. In this position, shaft
collar 152 engages a flat surface 210 of the shift member
to prevent spring 154 from forcing the sleeves and shaft
back into the Figure 9 position Accordingly, the shift
member can be released and the Lucas combination can be
adjusted. It will also be noted that in the shifted post-
lion, blocking section 202 of the shift member sits under
the bolt thereby preventing the bolt from being lowered
and avoiding a possible loss of the set combination.
After the combination has been adjusted, the shift
member can be returned to its initial position, thereby
allowing spring 154 to force the sleeves back into coupling
engagement with the dials d setting the new combination.
'745
As previously indicated, the screw openings or
shanks on flanges 36 and 38 of the actuator and lock asset-
bites are preferably on the same centers, to facilitate
the transposition of these assemblies. Further, the body
members of the respective assemblies may have the same
outer profile, to provide a balanced appearance to the
attache case and to facilitate the mounting of the as-
symboled hardware on the case by allowing openings aye
and 34b in wall aye of the case (see Figures 2 and 16) to
be identical irrespective of the mode in which the hard-
ware is assembled and providing uniformity in the dime-
sons of escutcheon plates aye and 26b.
Figure 15 illustrates a convenient way in which
the hardware may be simply installed on the attache case.
Such assembly may for example be done after the case is
otherwise fully assembled and covered. It is preferred
for console to be supplied to a luggage manufacturer
with the actuator and lock assemblies B and C already in
place. A suitable template or jig arrangement E, diagram-
magically illustrated in Figure 15, may also be supplied for facilitating the formation of openings aye and 34b
in wall aye of the case and also for locating the positions
for forming openings to accept screws or the like for
brackets aye and 28b, (A similar jig or template may be
supplied for forming openings in the case lid for attach-
mint of hasp assembly D, or alternatively, a composite
jig arrangement may be provided for forming the openings
in both the case body member and lid.)
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Sue
After suitably piercing the required openings in
the case body member, it is merely necessary to insert
the lock and actuator assemblies through openings aye,
34b from the interior of the case and secure the hard-
ware by insertion of the escutcheon plates from the ox-
tenor. Where separate lock and actuator assemblies are
provided, as illustrated, it may be possible to dispense
with brackets aye and 28b, with the escutcheon plate
attachments providing the sole support for the hardware.
To provide flush fitting of the latch console against the
interior of wall aye, recesses may be formed in the wall
to accommodate flanges 36, 38 of the actuator and lock
assemblies or alternatively, an insert sheet may be used.
After attachment of the latch console, the hasp
assembly may be attached to the case lid by means of
brackets aye, 32b. horizontal alignment of the latches ¦
and hasps may be checked by closing and opening the case,
and the hasp assembly may then be fixed longitudinally
by driving twist nails, screws or the like, through the
case lid into holes 93 in rod 30 (see Figure 3). The
provision of a single rod 30 incorporating both hasps pro-
vises accurate spacing and alignment of the hasps to relieve
the luggage manufacturer of a hasp aligning operation.
To further increase the versatility of the system
in providing luggage hardware which can be produced from
the same components in a variety of different appearances,
the outer surfaces of, for example, actuator 20 and body
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I 5
members 112 and 136 may be covered with metallic covering
sheets (as for example, sheet 212, see Figures 8 and 9)
selected from a range of such sheets having different
surface finishes.
Figure 18 shows an arrangement wherein the latch
console A, as previously described, is provided with a
composite, centrally located, lock and actuator assembly
F in place of the separate assemblies of the previous
embodiment. In this arrangement, slide 52 is provided
lo with a central bracket, attached to one of the recesses
100 (see Figure 4) to cooperate with assembly and suit-
able openings (not shown) are formed in cover plate 60 to
provide access to the bracket. Lock and actuator assembly
F may be of a type in which an actuator drive member en-
gages an opening in the slide rod bracket and the Lucas a locking member adapted to enter a further opening
in the bracket to lock the slide rod in similar manner
to the individual assemblies previously described. Alterna-
lively, assembly F may be of the type in which a locking
member acts directly on the actuator rather than on the
latch console slide member. A lock of this type is shown,
for example, in US. Patent No. 3,800,571 to Seine, issued
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. (I .
April 2, 1974, and commonly assigned herewith. In this
chase, only a single opening need be provided in the slide
rod.
Figure 19 shows an arrangement in which the
combined lock and actuator assembly is mounted at the
right end of console A, and it will be appreciated that
with this arrangement a suitably located opening is again
provided in the slide rod for the actuator drive member
and a further opening for the locking member, if approp-
rite. The system shown in Figures 18 and 19 may be
installed on a luggage case in a similar manner to the
previously described embodiments and using the latch con-
sole end brackets aye and 28b for stability, since only
a single escutcheon plate will be used.
It will be seen from the foregoing description
that the invention provides a latching hardware system
for luggage articles which is extremely versatile and can
be assembled to provide a variety of configurations,
appearances or operating modes, all using the same basic
latch console components, The latch console can be used
with cases of different width and wall thickness and can
be easily mounted using unsophisticated tools. - The invent
live system provides excellent alignment characteristics
of the latches and hasps, with no rivets being visible
from the top of the case, and provides automatic closure
and smooth operation. Production costs may be made come
putative with the cost of two conventional combination
locks.
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While only preferred embodiments of the invention
have been described herein in detail, the invention is
not limited thereby and modifications can be made within
the scope of the attached claims.
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