Abstract A latch and release mechanism for predetermined, timed separating movement of a plurality of plate members relative to each other, which includes a longitudinal latch bar secured to one plate member and lockingly engagable by a rotatable detent which is spring biased in locking position; and a longitudinal release bar secured to another plate member which is movable relative to the one plate member; both bars are arranged in parallel overlying alignment and said release bar is provided with at least one cam surface adapted to move said rotatable detent member out of engagement with said latch bar when said another plate member is moved away from said one plate member; the rotatable detent is supported within a third plate member; the arrangement is such that in one position of said latch and release mechanism independent movement of said another plate member relative to said one and said third plate member is permitted and in the release position of said latch and release mechanism the third plate member is caused to move conjointly with said another plate member relative to said one plate member by means of a lost-motion connection between said another plate member and said third plate member and which has a magnitude of lost-motion movement corresponding to the distance of free movement of the longitudinal release bar relative to the longitudinal latch bar until the cam surface engages the rotatable detent thereby moving the detent out of locking engagement to release said third plate member from said one plate member.
An automatic, positive lock and release mechanism to successively lock and release a plurality of plate members adapted for individual separating movement relative to one another in superimposed relationship along a common axis; said positive lock and release mechanism comprising: at least one latch housing secured to a first of said members; said latch housing supporting a spring loaded detent member; a latch bar extending into said latch housing in a longitudinal direction and provided with cam means engageable by said detent member to normally lock said latch bar in said latch housing; said latch bar being secured to a second of said plate members adapted for movement relative to one another in timed sequence; a release bar longitudinally disposed in said at least one latch housing in superimposed parallel relationship with said latch bar; being provided with at least one cam formation formed thereon normally out of engagement with said detent member and adapted to move said detent member out of locking engagement with said latch bar upon separating movement of said release bar relative to said latch bar; said release bar being operably secured to a third of said plate members; the arrangement being such that, upon movement of said third plate member away from said first plate member, said release bar, after a predetermined distance of movement between said third and said first plate member, causing movement of said detent member out of locking engagement with said latch bar for continuous conjoint movement of said first and said third plate member relative to said second plate member in predetermined timed sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
An automatic, positive lock and release mechanism to successively lock and release a plurality of plate members adapted for individual separating movement relative to one another in superimposed relationship along a common axis; said positive lock and release mechanism comprising: at least one latch housing secured to a first of said members; said latch housing supporting a spring loaded detent member; a latch bar extending into said latch housing in a longitudinal direction and provided with cam means engageable by said detent member to normally lock said latch bar in said latch housing; said latch bar being secured to a second of said plate members adapted for movement relative to one another in timed sequence; a release bar longitudinally disposed in said at least one latch housing in superimposed parallel relationship with said latch bar; being provided with at least one cam formation formed thereon normally out of engagement with said detent member and adapted to move said detent member out of locking engagement with said latch bar upon separating movement of said release bar relative to said latch bar; said release bar being operably secured to a third of said plate members; the arrangement being such that, upon movement of said third plate member away from said first plate member, said release bar, after a predetermined distance of movement between said third and said first plate member, causing movement of said detent member out of locking engagement with said latch bar for continuous conjoint movement of said first and said third plate member relative to said second plate member in predetermined timed sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the lock and release mechanism as defined in claim 1, said latch bar being attached to a plurality of said plate members and said release bar being rigidly attached to a stationary plate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
In the lock and release mechanism of claim 1, said latch bar being attached to a movable first plate member; said release bar being attached to another plate member and the latch housing being securely attached to a third plate member movable relatively to this plate member to which said latch bar is attached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a positive self-locking release mechanism as defined in claim 1, there being a first and second latch housing, the first latch housing being secured to a first plate member and the second latch housing secured to another plate member movable relative to the first plate member; a latch bar secured to a stationary plate member and extended in to the first and second latch housings, and a release bar attached to a stationary plate member opposite the first stationary plate member to which said latch bar is secured and adapted to extend into said latch housings and overlying and longitudinally aligned with said latch bar; said release bar having two spaced cam portions adapted to successively release said locking engagement of the latch bar with the first and the second housing to permit successive timed movement of said first and second plate members to which first and second said latch housings are attached to one another and in the respect to said first and second stationary plate member.