Global Patent Index - EP 1693538 A1

EP 1693538 A1 20060823 - Magnetic latch assembly

Title (en)

Magnetic latch assembly

Title (de)

Magnetische Verriegelungsvorrichtung

Title (fr)

Dispositif de verrouillage magnétique

Publication

EP 1693538 A1 20060823 (EN)

Application

EP 05250739 A 20050209

Priority

EP 05250739 A 20050209

Abstract (en)

A magnetic latch assembly includes a latch member (18, 82, 118) movably mounted to a first object (10, 68, 108) such as a door and a container, and a retainer (34, 94, 132) arranged in a second, opposing object (12, 70) such as a door frame and a lid. The latch member (18, 82, 118) includes a latch arm (20, 84, 124), a hook (24, 86, 126) formed on the distal end of the latch arm (20, 84, 124), and a first magnet (26, 92, 130) mounted in the hook (24. 86, 126). The retainer (34, 50, 94, 132) includes a housing (36, 52, 94, 134) with a cavity (40, 54, 96, 138) and a second magnet (42, 64, 100, 142). The cavity (40, 54, 96, 138) includes a first horizontal passage (40a, 54a, 96a, 138a) and a second vertical passage (40b. 54b, 96b, 138b) communicated with the horizontal passage (40a, 54a, 96a, 138a). The second magnet (42, 64, 100, 142) has a magnetic pole of opposite polarity from the magnetic pole of the first magnet (26, 26, 92, 130). When the first and second objects are relatively moved toward each other, the latch member (18, 82, 118) is moved into the first passage (40a, 54a, 96a, 138a) of the cavity (40, 54, 96, 138). When the latch head (24, 86, 126) is completely received in the first passage (40a, 54a, 96a, 138a), the two magnets (26, 42, 64. 92. 100, 130, 142) are operatively associated to cause the latch member (18, 82, 118) to be moved from the horizontal passage (40a, 54a, 96a, 138a) to the vertical passage (40b, 54b, 96b, 138b) and urge the latch member (18, 82, 118) or the latch head (24, 86, 126) into latching engagement with one end of the housing (36, 52, 94, 134) which serves as a retainer.

IPC 8 full level

E05C 19/16 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

E05C 5/00 (2013.01); E05C 19/163 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1693538 A1 20060823

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 05250739 A 20050209