Orientation sensitive luggage latch

Claim 2

A latch mechanism for releasably securing luggage case sections together, comprising: gravity actuated member pivotally mounted onto one of said case sections, one end of said member having a hook at its terminus; means carried by said one luggage case section including walls defining an opening therein for receiving the hook of said member therein when the luggage case sections are brought together; said member being pivotable from a first position where said hook engages one of said walls defining said opening and locking the luggage case sections together to a second position where said hook is free from the walls defining said opening and permitting said luggage case sections to be separated.

Claim 3

In a luggage case having a pair of sections pivotally joined together along an edge with at least one handoperated release and locking actuator carried by one of said sections, the improvement comprising: an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted to said actuator and having a hook end extending therefrom for receipt within an opening defined by walls in said one luggage case section; the walls defining the opening in said case section having parts which cooperate with the hooked end of said lever at one extreme of its pivotal movement to secure the case sections to one another.

Claim 4

In a luggage case having a pair of sections pivotally joined together along an edge with at least one handoperated release and locking actuator carried by one of said sections, the improvement comprising: an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted to said actuator and having a hook end extending therefrom for receipt within an opening defined by walls in said one luggage case section; the walls defining the opening in said case section having parts which cooperate with the hooked end of said lever at one extreme of its pivotal movement to secure the case sections to one another.

Claim 5

In a luggage case having first and second case sections pivotally related to each other along an edge, said first section being the upper section when the case is properly oriented for opening, at least one actuator arm carried by one of said sections which is transferable from a first position locking the case sections to one another to a second position releasing said case sections, the improvement comprising: a lever; a pin passing through said lever and secured thereto with its ends extending outwardly of said lever; means pivotally mounting the ends of said pin to said actuator; one end of said lever being formed into a hook which is received within an opening defined by walls of said lower case section, said lever being pivotable from a first position that is free from the walls defining said opening to a second position engaging the walls of said opening and preventing release of the actuator and opening of the case.

Claim 6

In a luggage case having first and second case sections pivotally related to each other along an edge, said first section being the upper section when the case is properly oriented for opening, at least one actuator arm carried by one of said sections which is transferable from a first position locking the case sections to one another to a second position releasing said case sections, the improvement comprising: a lever; a pin passing through said lever and secured thereto with its ends extending outwardly of said lever; means pivotally mounting the ends of said pin to said actuator; one end of said lever being formed into a hook which is received within an opening defined by walls of said lower case section, said lever being pivotable from a first position that is free from the walls defining said opening to a second position engaging the walls of said opening and preventing release of the actuator and opening of the case.

Claim 7

In a luggage case having a pair of case sections pivotally joined together along an edge, one of said case sections being for upward disposition and the other for lower dIsposition when the case is open, handle means connected to one of said sections on the side opposite said edge at which said sections are joined together, latch means releasably interconnecting said case sections on the side carrying the handle means, said latch means being actuated to release said case sections by movement of an actuator arm, the improvement comprising: a lever arm pivotally mounted to said actuator arm; portions of the lower case section forming an opening within which one end of the lever arm is received; said lever arm being so pivotally mounted that gravity moves the arm end received within said opening into obstructing relation with said portions defining said opening preventing case opening when said section for lower disposition is oriented to the upper position.

Claim 8

In a luggage case having a pair of case sections pivotally joined together along an edge, one of said case sections being for upward disposition and the other for lower dIsposition when the case is open, handle means connected to one of said sections on the side opposite said edge at which said sections are joined together, latch means releasably interconnecting said case sections on the side carrying the handle means, said latch means being actuated to release said case sections by movement of an actuator arm, the improvement comprising: a lever arm pivotally mounted to said actuator arm; portions of the lower case section forming an opening within which one end of the lever arm is received; said lever arm being so pivotally mounted that gravity moves the arm end received within said opening into obstructing relation with said portions defining said opening preventing case opening when said section for lower disposition is oriented to the upper position.

Claim 9

In a luggage case having first and second case sections pivotally related along an edge to bring another edge into contact, said first section being disposed above said second section when the case is properly oriented for opening, comprising: at least one actuator arm carried by one of said sections adjacent said another edge thereof which is transferable when said another section edges are in contact from a first position locking the case sections together to a second position releasing said case sections; a gravity actuated member pivotally mounted on said actuator arm, an end of said member having a hook thereon; and means carried by said one case section for cooperation with said hook locking said case sections together when the first section is below the second section and releasing said case sections when the first section is above the second section.

Claim 10

In a luggage case having first and second case sections pivotally related along an edge to bring another edge into contact, said first section being disposed above said second section when the case is properly oriented for opening, comprising: at least one actuator arm carried by one of said sections adjacent said another edge thereof which is transferable when said another section edges are in contact from a first position locking the case sections together to a second position releasing said case sections; a gravity actuated member pivotally mounted on said actuator arm, an end of said member having a hook thereon; and means carried by said one case section for cooperation with said hook locking said case sections together when the first section is below the second section and releasing said case sections when the first section is above the second section.