Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MAGNETIC LATCH ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to locking
devices and more particularly to, a magnetic latch assembly
for selectively locking and unlocking doors, lids or other
similar closures.
Various magnetic latches have heretofore been
proposed and implemented to secure doors, container lids,
cabinets in a closed position. For example, United States
Patent No. 2,673,111 discloses a magnetic door catch
adapted for use on cabinet doors of the blind panel type.
The magnetic door catch includes a magnetically permeable
metal or armature plate secured to the inner surface of a
door and a magnet unit pivotably mounted to a door jamb
opposing the door. The magnet unit has an elongated frame
in which a magnet is mounted. When the door is in its open
position, the magnet unit hangs on a straight slant with
the bottom end of the housing disposed inwardly from the
front face of the door jamb. When the door is moved to its
closed position, the magnetic attraction between the
armature plate and the magnet causes the entire magnet unit
to pivot to a substantially vertical position. In that
position, the armature plate and the magnet are attracted
to one another to hold the door in its closed position. To
open the door, the door is pushed inwardly until the
armature plate comes into contact with the door jamb. This
causes the magnet to be dislodged from the armature plate.
A spring is disposed in the magnet unit and is adapted to
be deflected or compressed rearwardly when the armature
plate is positioned in contact with the door jamb. When
the pressure on the door is abruptly released, the spring
urges the door toward its open position.
United States Patent No. 5,035,451 discloses a
magnetic latch which includes a latch arm pivotably mounted
to a door and having a hook at its one end and a spring leg
at its other end. A flat magnet and a retainer in the form
of a hook are attached to a cabinet. In the event of a
disturbance such as an earthquake, the latch arm is
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pivotably moved in an upward direction and attracted to the
magnet. If the door is moved further in an outward
direction, the latch arm is brought into latching
engagement with the retainer to prevent the slippage of the
contents of the cabinet.
Many of conventional latch assemblies are complicate
in structure and have various moving parts.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a magnetic latch assembly which is simple in
structure and can smoothly and effectively latch two
relatively movable objects.
SU1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing object, the present
invention provides a magnetic latch assembly which includes
a first latch means and a second latch means operatively
associated with the first latch means to selectively latch
and unlatch two relatively movable first and second objects
such as a combination of a door and a door frame and a
combination of a container and a closure lid.
The first latch means is arranged in the first object,
and the second latch means is in the form of a retainer
arranged in the second object. The first latch means
includes a latch member movably mounted to the first object,
and a first magnet arranged in the latch member. The
retainer has a housing within which a cavity is defined to
receive at least part of the latch member when the first
and second objects are moved toward one another. The
cavity has a first passage and a second passage extending
in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first
passage. A second magnet is mounted in the housing and has
a magnetic pole of opposite polarity from the first
magnetic pole of the first magnet. The latch member is
moved into the first passage of the cavity when the first
and second objects are relatively moved toward each other.
The first magnet and the second magnet are then operatively
associated to cause the latch member to be moved from the
first passage to the second passage. Advantageously, when
the latch member reaches the second passage, the attractive
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force between the first and second magnets urges the latch
member into latching engagement with one end of the housing
which serves as a hook or retainer.
In a preferred embodiment, the latch member includes
an elongated latch arm with a hook formed at its distal end.
The first magnet is mounted in the hook.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a through
aperture communicated with the cavity so that the latch
member is accessible through the aperture. When the first
and second objects are held in their latched position, the
latch member is manually pressed down with sufficient force
to disengage the first magnet from the second magnet. As a
result, the latch member is moved toward the first passage
of the cavity to allow removal of the latch member from the
cavity or housing. As an alternative, a discrete release
member may be inserted through the aperture. The release
member may be engaged with the latch member when the first
and second objects are held in their latched position. The
release member may be manually pushed down with sufficient
force to disengage the first magnet from the second magnet.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a bore
communicated with the cavity. A release member is inserted
into the bore. The second magnet is mounted in the release
member. When the two objects are held in their latched
position, one end of the release member extends out of the
housing and the other end of the release member is
substantially flush with the cavity. When the release
member is pulled in a direction away from the cavity, the
second magnet is disengaged from the first magnet. As a
result, the latch member is moved from the second passage
to the first passage of the cavity. This allows removal of
the latch member from the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description of preferred embodiments when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic latch
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assembly according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, with a door in its open or unlatched position;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but with
the door in its closed or latched position;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly wherein a latch member is
contained within the door;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly wherein the latch member is
pivotably moved out of the door;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly wherein the latch member is
partly inserted into a retainer as the door is moved toward
a door frame;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly wherein the latch member is
fully engaged with the retainer to lock the door;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a magnetic latch
assembly according to a second embodiment of the present
invention, with a door in its closed or latched position;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7, but with
the door in its open or unlatched position;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the magnetic latch
assembly shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is sectional view of the magnetic latch
assembly shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a magnetic latch
assembly according to a third embodiment of the present
invention, with a container lid in its unlatched position;
Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, but with the
lid in its latched position;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
the magnetic latch assembly shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a magnetic latch
assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention, with an attach case in its open or unlatched
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position;
Fig. 16 is a view similar to that of Fig. 15, but
with the attach case in its closed or latched position;
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the magnetic latch
assembly shown in Fig. 15; and
Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the magnetic latch
assembly shown in Fig. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the figures, where like
reference numerals indicate identical or functionally
similar elements.
Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a door 10 is
hingedly connected at its one lateral edge (not shown) to a
door jamb or frame 12 to swing about a vertical axis. The
door 10 is provided with a first latch means as generally
designed by reference numeral 14. The first latch means 14
includes an elongated vertical recess 16 defined in the
upper left corner of the inside surface of the door 10 and
a movable latch member 18 contained within the recess 16
when the door 10 is in an open or unlatched position as
shown in Fig. 3.
Referring to Figs. 3 to 6, the latch member 18 has an
elongated latch arm 20, a pair of lateral pivot pins 22
(only one in shown in Figs, 3 to 6) extending outwardly
from opposite sides of the proximal end of the latch arm 20,
and a generally rectangular hook 24 formed on the distal
end of the latch arm 20. A rectangular magnet 26 is
embedded in the hook 24 and has, for example, a north
magnetic pole. The outer end of the magnet 26 is
substantially flush with or slightly outwardly extends from
the outer end of the hook 24. As shown, the hook 24 has
taper outer edges. A horizontal guide groove 28 is defined
in the door 10 behind the recess 16 and communicated with
the recess 16. The proximal end of the latch arm 20 is
received in the horizontal guide groove 28 when the latch
arm 20 is in its horizontal orientation as shown best in
Fig. 5. Also, a pair of vertical guide grooves 30 (only
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one is shown in Figs. 3 to 6) are defined within the door
and located at opposite sides of the recess 16.
Referring back to Figs. 1 and 2, the door frame 12 is
provided with a second latch means 32 in the form of a
5 retainer 34. The retainer 34 includes a substantially
rectangular housing 36 secured to the door frame 12 by any
securing means such as screws and adhesives (not shown).
Specifically, the housing 36 has a vertical front wall 36a
(see Figs. 3 to 6), a horizontal top and bottom walls, 36b,
10 36c, a vertical inner wall (not shown) fixedly mounted onto
the inside surface of the door frame 12, and an outer wall
36d, and a rear wall 36e. As shown, the outer wall 36d and
the rear wall 36e of the housing 36 collectively form a
curved corner therebetween. A rectangular front opening or
open mouth 38 is defined in the front wall 36a of the
housing 36 to receive the latch member 18. To facilitate
insertion of the latch member 18 into the housing 36, the
open mouth 38 has a taper peripheral edge. As shown in
Figs. 3 to 6, the housing 36 has a L-shaped cavity 40
communicated with the opening 38. The cavity 40 has a
first, horizontal passage 40a and a second, vertical
passage 40b connected to the horizontal passage 40a and
extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
horizontal passage 40a. A rectangular magnet 42 is
horizontally embedded in the housing 36 and opens to the
cavity 40. The magnet 42 has, for example, a south
magnetic pole. To allow the passage of the hook 24 of the
latch member 18 into cavity 40, the horizontal passage 40a
has a cross sectional area slightly greater than that of
the hook 24 of the latch member 18. Also, the vertical
passage 40b has a cross sectional area slightly greater
than that of the hook 24 so as to receive the hook 24 when
the door 10 is in its latched position as shown in Fig. 6.
The top wall 36b of the housing 36 is formed with a through
aperture 44. A release member 46 is partly inserted into
the cavity 40 through the circular aperture 44 and
supported by the top wall 36b of the housing 36. More
specifically, the release member 46 has a cylindrical shank
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46a extending through the aperture 44, a semispherical head
46b secured to the upper end of the shank 46a and adapted
to rest on the top wall 36b of the housing 36 when the door
is in its unlatch position as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, and
5 an annular flange 46c extending around the lower end of the
shank 46a. The top wall 36b of the housing 36 is formed at
its bottom surface with an annular recess 48. The annular
recess 48 has a diameter greater than that of the through
aperture 44 and also, slightly greater than that of the
10 annular flange 46c. The depth of the annular recess 48 is
substantially equal to the thickness of the annular flange
46c of the release member 46. The annular flange 46c and
the semispherical head 46b collectively prevent removal of
the release member 46 from the top wall 36b of the housing
36.
To lock the door I0 from the position shown in Fig. 3,
the latch member 18 is pulled out of the recess 16 manually
by the index or other fingers of a user. Then, the latch
member 18 is upwardly pivoted about the pivot pins 22 as
shown in Fig. 4. At this time, the pivot pins 22 are
located in the lower end of the vertical guide grooves 30.
The latch member 18 is rotated in a clockwise direction in
Fig. 4 until the latch arm 18 is horizontally aligned with
the horizontal guide groove 28. The latch arm 18 is
inserted into the horizontal guide groove 28 until the
proximal end of the latch arm 20 makes contact with the
rear or bottom end of the horizontal guide groove 28. With
the latch member 18 in its horizontal orientation, the door
10 is moved toward the door frame 12, as shown in Fig. 5.
This causes the latch member 18 to be inserted into the
retainer housing 36 through the opening or open mouth 38.
The latch member 18 is slidably moved on the bottom of the
cavity 40 until the outer end of the hook 24 makes contact
with the rear wall of the cavity 40 or the horizontal
passage 40a. As mentioned earlier, the magnet 42 has a
magnetic pole of opposite polarity from the magnetic pole
of the magnet 26. The resulting attractive force between
the magnets 26, 42 causes upward movement of the latch
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member 18 within the cavity 40. At this time, the pivot
pins 22 are moved along the respective vertical guide
grooves 30. When the hook 24 of the latch member 18 is
fully received within the vertical passage 40b of the
cavity 40 as shown in Fig. 6, the magnets 26, 42 are
attracted to one another to aid in holding the latch member
18 in that position. The hook 24 is hingedly engaged with
the upper or retaining end of the front wall 36a of the
housing 36 so as to securely latch or lock the door 10. At
this time, the annular flange 46c of the release member 46
is retracted or received within the recess 48 of the top
wall 36b of the housing 36, and the semispherical head 44b
is upwardly moved and disengaged from the top wall 36a of
the housing 36.
To unlatch the door 10 from the position shown in
Fig. 6, the released member 46 is manually pressed down
with sufficient force to overcome the attractive force
between the magnets 26, 42. As a result, the magnet 26 is
separated from the magnet 42 to allow downward movement of
the latch member 18 within the cavity 40 while the pivot
pins 22 of the latch member 18 are moved downwardly along
the respective vertical guide grooves 30. With the latch
arm 20 in contact with the bottom of the cavity 40, the
door 10 is pivoted toward its open position. This causes
the latch member 18 to be moved out of the cavity 40. As
soon as the latch member 18 is separated from the retainer
housing 36, the latch member 18 is downwardly pivoted about
the pivot pins 22. The latch member 18 is thereafter
received within the elongated recess 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic latch
assembly, preferably as an auxiliary security lock, is
mounted on near the upper end of the door. As an
alternative, the magnetic latch assembly may be mounted on
near the bottom end of the door. Still alternatively, two
magnetic latch assemblies may be mounted on both the upper
and bottom ends of the door for improved security. Also,
it is to be understood that the hook may be made of a
magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic metal such as iron
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and steel. This arrangement eliminates the use of the
magnet.
Referring next to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown a
magnetic latch assembly according to a second embodiment of
the present invention. The latch member of this embodiment
is identical in structure to that of the previous
embodiment and therefore, will not be described herein. As
in the previous embodiment, a retainer 50 as a second latch
means is mounted on the door frame 12. The retainer 50
includes a rectangular housing 52 with vertical front and
rear walls 52a, 52b, horizontal top and bottom walls 52c,
52d, a vertical inner wall (not shown) secured on the
inside surface of the door frame 12, and an outer side wall
52e. '
As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the housing 52 has a L-
shaped cavity 54 composed of a relatively long horizontal
passage 54a and a relatively short vertical passage 54b
extending upwardly from the inner end of the horizontal
passage 54a, as in the first embodiment. A front opening
56 is defined in the front wall 52a of the housing 52 and
communicated with the horizontal passage 54a of the cavity
54. A horizontal through bore 58 is defined in the rear
wall 52b of the housing 52 to receive a release member 60.
The horizontal bore 58 has a rectangular cross section and
is composed of a large diameter section 58a communicated
directly with the cavity 54 and a small diameter section
58b communicated with the large diameter section 58a. A
shoulder or step 62 is formed between the large and small
diameter sections 58a, 58b. The release member 60 includes
a rectangular shank 60a with an enlarged front end 60b.
The enlarged end 60b of the shank 60a has a cross sectional
area slightly less than that of the large diameter section
58a of the bore 58, and the remaining part of the shank 60a
has a cross sectional area slightly less than that of the
small diameter section 58b of the horizontal bore 58. An
apertured tab or knob 60c is secured to the rear end of the
shank 60a and has a rectangular flange 60d. A magnet 64 is
contained in the shank 60a and opens to the cavity 54. The
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shank 60a of the release member 60 is completely contained
within the through bore 58 during latching of the door 10.
As shown in Fig. 9, the flange 60d is held in contact with
the rear wall 52b of the housing 52 so that the front end
of the shank 60a is substantially flush with the front end
of the through bore 58 in order not to prevent vertical
movement of the latch member 18 within the cavity 54.
In use, the latch member 18 is operated in a manner
identical to that of the first embodiment during latching
of the door 10. To unlatch the door 10, with the knob 60c
grabbed by the user, the release member 60 is pulled toward
the user with sufficient force to overcome the attractive
force between the magnets 26, 64, as shown in Fig. 10.
This causes immediate drop of the latch member 18 within
the cavity 54. As in the previous embodiment, the latch
member 18 is slid out of the cavity 54 while the door 10 is
pivoted toward its open position. As soon as the latch
member 18 is separated from the retainer 50 , the latch
member 18 is downwardly pivoted about the pivot pins 22. As
a result, the latch member 18 is received within the recess
16.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown a
magnetic latch assembly according to a third embodiment of
the present invention, as applied to a container 66. The
container 66 includes a rectangular container body 68 and
an associated closure lid 70 slidably movable on the
container body 68 to selectively open and close the
container. Specifically, the container body 68 has
opposite longitudinal side walls 68a, opposite lateral side
walls 68b (only one is shown), a bottom wall 68c connected
to the four side walls, and an open top 68d. As shown
better in Fig. 11, a pair of semicircular guide grooves 72
(only one is shown) are defined in the longitudinal side
walls 68a of the container body 68 adjacent to the open top
68d. The closure lid 70 is formed on its longitudinal side
edges with a corresponding pair of semicircular projections
74. The opposite projections 74 are slidably received
within the respective guide grooves 72 so that the closure
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lid 70 is selectively moved between an open or unlatched
position (see Fig. 11) and a closed or latched position
(see Fig. 12). One of the lateral side walls 68b is lower
than the other side wall so that the closure lid 70 is
inserted from the lower side wall of the container body 68.
The difference in height between the two lateral side walls
68b is substantially equal to the thickness of the closure
lid 70.
As shown better in Figs. 13 and 14, a first latch
means 76 is arranged in one of the side walls 68b of the
container body 68, and a second latch means 78 is arranged
in the closure lid 70. It is to be understood that the
first latch means may be arranged in the closure lid,
whereas the second latch means may be arranged in the
container body. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
latch means 76 includes a vertical recess 80 defined in the
inner surface of the side wall 68b of the container body 68,
and a movable latch member 82 mounted to the side wall 68b
of the container body 68 and vertically movable along the
vertical recess 80. The latch member 82 includes an
elongated latch arm 84, a hook 86 formed on the distal end
of the latch arm 84, and a pair of opposite ellipsoidal
elements or holders 88 extending downwardly from the
proximal end of the latch arm 84. A pair of ellipsoidal
guide grooves 90 are defined within the side wall 68b of
the container body 68 and located at opposite sides of the
recess 80. The ellipsoidal elements 88 are received within
the respective guide grooves 90 so that the latch member 82
is constantly held in a horizontal orientation. As in the
previous embodiments, a rectangular magnet 92 is embedded
in the hook 86 of the latch member 82 and has an outer end
substantially flush with or slightly extending outwardly
from the distal end of the latch arm 84. As shown, the
hook 86 has taper outer edges.
The second latch means 78 is in the form of a housing
or retainer 94 arranged in one of the lateral sides of the
closure lid 70 adjacent to the latch member 82. As shown
in Figs. 13 and 14, the second latch means 78 is
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substantially identical in structure to that used in the
first embodiment. However, the second latch means used in
this embodiment is slidably moved toward the first latch
means, whereas in the first embodiment, the first latch
means is pivotably moved toward the second latch means.
More specifically, the retainer 94 includes a L-shaped
cavity 96 defined in the lateral end of the lid 70 and
composed of a horizontal passage 96a and a vertical passage
96b extending upwardly from the inner end of the horizontal
passage 96a. The front edge of the closure lid 70 is
formed with a front opening or mouth 98 to receive the
latch member 82 and is communicated with the cavity 96. A
magnet 100 is embedded in the closure lid 70 behind the
cavity 96. The outer end of the magnet 100 is
substantially flush with the rear wall of the cavity 96. A
circular through aperture 102 is defined in the lid 70
above the cavity 96 and communicated with the cavity 96. A
release member 104 is inserted through the circular
aperture 102 and includes a cylindrical shank 104a, a
semispherical head 104b secured to the upper end of the
shank 104a, and an annular flange 104c extending around the
lower end of the shank 104a.
To close or latch the closure lid 70, the lid 70 is
slidably moved toward the latch member 82 as shown in Fig.
11. Further movement causes the latch member 82 to be
inserted into the cavity 96 through the front opening 98 of
the lid 70. Once the latch member 82 makes contact with
the rear wall of the cavity 96, the attractive force
between the magnets 92, 100 causes upward movement of the
latch member 82 along the vertical passage 96b of the
cavity 96. As a result, the hook 86 of the latch member 82
is brought into contact with the top wall of the cavity 96.
At this time, the magnets 92, 100 are attracted to one
another, and the hook 86 is engaged with the front or
retaining edge of the closure lid 70. Also, the head 104b
of the release member 104 is disengaged from the upper
surface of the closure lid 70, as shown in Fig. 14.
To open or unlatch the closure lid 70 from the
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position shown in Fig. 14, the release member 104 is
manually press down with sufficient force to overcome the
attractive force between the magnets 92, 100. As a result,
the magnet 92 is disengaged from the magnet 100, and the
latch member 82 is downwardly moved until the latch member
82 makes contact with the bottom wall of the cavity 96.
This allows the closure lid 70 to be slidably moved away
from the latch member 82.
Referring now to Figs. 15 and 16, there is shown a
magnetic latch assembly according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention, as applied to an attach case 106.
The attach case 106 has a rectangular shape and includes a
lid shell 108 and a base shell 110 connected to the lid
shell 108 by conventional hinges (not shown). In the
illustrated embodiment, the lid shell 108 is provided with
a first latch means 112, and the base shell 110 is provided
with a second latch means 114. The base shell 110 is
provided with a handle (not shown) between the first and
second latch means.
The first latch means 112 includes a latch mount 116
secured to the top surface of the lid shell 108, and a
movable latch member 118 partly extending out of the latch
mount 116. The latch mount 116 includes a vertical front
wall 116a, a bottom wall 116b secured to the top surface of
the lid shell 108, upstanding opposite side walls 116c(only
one is shown in Figs. 15 and 16), and a top wall 116d, and
a round rear wall 116e. A front recess 120 is defined in
the front wall 116a of the latch mount 116. A pair of
vertical guide grooves 122 are defined in the latch mount
116 and located at opposite sides of the front recess 120.
The latch member 118 includes an elongated latch arm 124, a
rectangular hook 126 arranged on the distal end of the
latch arm 124, and opposite ellipsoidal elements or holders
128 extending upwardly from the proximal end of the latch
member 118 and movably disposed within the respective guide
grooves 122. The ellipsoidal elements 128 serve to
constantly hold the latch member 118 in a horizontal
orientation and prevent removal of the latch member 118
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from the latch mount 116. A rectangular magnet 130 is
embedded in the hook 126.
The second latch means 114 is in the form of a
retainer 132. The retainer 132 includes a housing 134
secured to the top surface of the base shell 110 and partly
extending outwardly from the front edge of the base shell
110. The retainer 132 is formed at its front end with a
front opening 136 which is shaped to receive the latch
member 118. The retainer 132 also includes a L-shaped
cavity 138 composed of a horizontal passage 138a
communicated with the opening 136 and a vertical passage
138b extending vertically upwardly from the inner end of
the horizontal passage 138a. An access aperture 140 is
defined in the top surface of the housing 134 and
communicated with the vertical passage 138b. The top
aperture 140 allows the user to gain access to the hook I26
of the latch member 118 when the attachL case is in its
latched position as shown in Figs. 16 and 18. A
rectangular magnet 142 is horizontally embedded in the
retainer 132 behind the cavity 138 and has a magnetic pole
of opposite polarity from the magnetic pole of the magnet
130.
To latch the attach6 case from the position shown in
Figs. 15 and 17, the lid shell 108 is moved toward the base
shell 110. Further movement of the lid shell 108 causes
the latch member 118 to be inserted into the cavity 138
through the front opening 136 of the retainer 132. Once
the distal end of the latch member 118 makes contact with
the rear wall of the cavity 138, the attractive force
between the magnets 130, 142 causes upward movement of the
latch member 118 within the cavity 138. With the attach
case in its latched position shown in Figs. 16 and 18, the
magnets 130, 142 are attracted to each other, and the hook
126 of the latch member 118 is engaged with the front wall
or retaining end of the retainer. In this position, the
top surface of the hook 126 is substantially flush with the
top surface of the retainer housing 134.
To unlatch the attach case, the top surface of the
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hook 126 is manually pushed down with sufficient force to
disengage the magnet 130 from the magnet 142. This causes
downward movement of the latch member 118 within the cavity
138 until the bottom of the latch arm 124 is brought into
contact with the bottom surface of the cavity 138. This
allows the latch member 118 to be moved away from the
cavity 138. As the lid shell 108 is pivoted away from the
base shell 110, the latch member 118 is slid out of the
cavity 138 through the front opening 136.
Although the present invention has been described
with respect its preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that various changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
