Linkage operated latching system Number:7,040,675 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A latching system includes a control unit that houses a remote signal responsive relay and a crank arm that is pivoted by the armature of the relay when the relay is energized to oppositely move a pair of elongate links each of which is connected to a separate latch assembly for moving operating arms of the latch assemblies to unlatched positions for causing the latch assemblies to release their latched engagement with strikers that hold a closure closed.<H latching, operated, Linkage, operate, 7040675.html, Patent, pto, 7040675

Title: Linkage operated latching system

Abstract: A latching system includes a control unit that houses a remote signal responsive relay and a crank arm that is pivoted by the armature of the relay when the relay is energized to oppositely move a pair of elongate links each of which is connected to a separate latch assembly for moving operating arms of the latch assemblies to unlatched positions for causing the latch assemblies to release their latched engagement with strikers that hold a closure closed.

Patent Number: 7,040,675 Issued on 05/09/2006 to Ott, et al.

Inventors: Ott; Brian M. (Huntley, IL); Misner; Michael O. (Lake Villa, IL); Heinrich; Thomas (Streamwood, IL); Laabs; Timothy P. (Palatine, IL)
Assignee: The Eastern Company (Wheeling, IL)

Appl. No.: 772486

Filed: February 5, 2004

Current U.S. Class: 292/216 ; 292/123; 292/125; 292/141; 292/144; 292/201; 292/26; 292/28; 292/36; 292/38; 292/50; 292/53; 292/DIG.36; 292/DIG.43; 296/100.07; 70/279.1

Current International Class: E05C 3/06 (20060101)

Field of Search: 70/283.1,279.1-283 296/100.05,100.07,50,57.1 292/216,26,28,30,36,38,42,48,50,53,54,123,125,128,141,144,145,167,171,175,DIG.11,DIG.29,DIG.36,DIG.43,201

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


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Primary Examiner: Glessner; Brian E.
Assistant Examiner: Lugo; Carlos
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burge; David A.

Parent Case Text

REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/447,153 entitled LINKAGE OPERATED LATCHING SYSTEM filed Feb. 12, 2003 by Brian M. Ott et al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A latching system mountable on a closure for releasably retaining the closure in a closed position by latchingly engaging spaced first and second striker formations stationed near the position of the closure when the closure is in the closed position, comprising: a) first and second latch assemblies mountable on the closure at spaced locations suitable to enable the first latch assembly to latchingly engage the first striker formation when the closure is in the closed position, and to enable the second latch assembly to latchingly engage the second striker formation when the closure is in the closed position; b) a first operating mechanism including a control unit mountable on the closure and including an enclosure that houses a first crank arm for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis between a non-operated position and an operated position, and that houses components of a signal responsive relay mechanism having an armature that is connected to the first crank arm for pivoting the first crank arm about the first pivot axis from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of a signal sent from a location remote to the closure, and wherein at least one opening is defined by the enclosure for providing access from outside the enclosure to the first crank arm; c) a first elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the first latch assembly for being moved along a first path of travel from a normal position of the first elongate link to an actuated position of the first elongate link to operate the first latch assembly to release latched engagement of the first latch assembly with the first striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a first location along a length of the first crank arm; d) a second elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the second latch assembly for being moved along a second path of travel from a normal position of the second elongate link to an actuated position of the second elongate link to operate the second latch assembly to release latched engagement of the second latch assembly with the second striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a second location along a length of the first crank arm; e) whereby, when the first crank arm is pivoted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the first and second links are caused to move along the first and second paths of travel to operate the first and second latch assemblies to substantially concurrently release the latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with the first and second striker formations to permit the closure to move away from the closed position; f) a second operating mechanism connectable to the closure and including interior structure that moves in response to manual operation of an actuator that is accessible from outside the closure; g) a first actuator link connectable to the first latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the first latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator; and, h) a second actuator link connectable to the second latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the second latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator.

2. The latching system of claim 1 wherein the interior structure includes a second crank arm that is pivotal about a second pivot axis from a non-actuated position to an actuated position for moving the first actuator link and the second actuator link to operate the first and second latch assemblies.

3. The latching system of claim 2 wherein the first actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a first site along a length of the second crank arm, and the second actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a second site along the length of the second crank arm.

4. The latching system of claim 3 wherein the second operating mechanism is mountable on the closure at a station located between the first and second latch assemblies, and the first and second sites where the first and second actuator links connect with the second crank arm are situated on substantially opposite sides of the second pivot axis so that, when the second crank arm pivots about the second pivot axis from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the first and second actuator links move in substantially opposite directions to substantially concurrently operate the first and second latch assemblies.

5. The latching system of claim 4 wherein the first latch assembly has a first, one-piece operating arm that connects with the first elongate link and with the first actuator link, and that pivots to operate the first latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the first elongate link and the first actuator link, and wherein the second latch assembly has a second, one-piece operating arm that connects with the second elongate link and with the second actuator link, and that pivots to operate the second latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the second elongate link and the second actuator link.

6. The latching system of claim 5 wherein the first and second latch assemblies 1) each have a rotary latch bolt pivotally connected to a latch housing for movement between an unlatched position wherein a generally cylindrical portion of one an associated one of the first and second striker formations is permitted to move into and out of aligned portions of U-shaped notches defined by the latch housing and by the rotary latch bolt, and a latched position wherein the U-shaped notches of the latch housing and of the rotary latch bolt cooperate to latchingly retain the generally cylindrical portion of the associated one of the first and second striker formations, 2) each have a pawl that is movable between a retention position wherein the pawl engages the bolt to hold the bolt in the latched position, and a release position wherein the pawl permits the rotary latch bolt to pivot to the unlatched position, and 3) each have at least one spring arranged to bias the rotary latch bolt away from the latched position toward the unlatched position, and to bias the pawl away from the release position toward the retention position.

7. A latching system including an operating mechanism mountable on a closure for operating a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly mounted on the closure to release latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with first and second striker formations that retain the closure in a closed position, comprising: a) a control unit mountable on the closure and including an enclosure that houses a first crank arm for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis between a non-operated position and an operated position, and that houses components of a signal responsive relay mechanism having an armature that is connected to the first crank arm for pivoting the first crank arm about the first pivot axis from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of a signal sent from a location remote to the closure, and wherein at least one opening is defined by the enclosure for providing access from outside the enclosure to the first crank arm; b) a first elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the first latch assembly for being moved along a first path of travel from a normal position of the first elongate link to an actuated position of the first elongate link to operate the first latch assembly to release latched engagement of the first latch assembly with the first striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a first location along a length of the first crank arm; c) a second elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the second latch assembly for being moved along a second path of travel from a normal position of the second elongate link to an actuated position of the second elongate link to operate the second latch assembly to release latched engagement of the second latch assembly with the second striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a second location along a length of the first crank arm; d) whereby, when the first crank arm is pivoted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the first and second links are caused to move along the first and second paths of travel to operate the first and second latch assemblies to substantially concurrently release the latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with the first and second striker formations to permit the closure to move away from the closed position; e) wherein the enclosure of the control unit includes a base and a cover that cooperate to protectively house the first crank arm and the signal responsive relay mechanism; and, f) wherein the base is formed primarily from injection molded plastics material, wherein the first crank arm is pivotally connected to the base for pivoting between the non-operated position and the operated position, and the signal responsive relay mechanism is connected to the base.

8. The latching system of claim 7 wherein the signal responsive relay mechanism includes an electrically operated relay and a signal responsive switch mechanism for supplying electricity to the electrically operated relay to operate the relay to move the armature of the relay to pivot the first crank arm from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of said signal.

9. The latching system of claim 7 wherein the cover is formed primarily from injection molded plastics material and provides a mounting location where an electric light assembly can be mounted on the cover for illuminating an area exterior to the enclosure of the control unit.

10. The latching system of claim 9 additionally including an electric light assembly mounted on the cover at said mounting location.

11. A latching system including a first operating mechanism mountable on a closure for operating a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly mounted on the closure to release latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with first and second striker formations that retain the closure in a closed position, comprising: a) a control unit mountable on the closure and including an enclosure that houses a first crank arm for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis between a non-operated position and an operated position, and that houses components of a signal responsive relay mechanism having an armature that is connected to the first crank arm for pivoting the first crank arm about the first pivot axis from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of a signal sent from a location remote to the closure, and wherein at least one opening is defined by the enclosure for providing access from outside the enclosure to the first crank arm; b) a first elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the first latch assembly for being moved along a first path of travel from a normal position of the first elongate link to an actuated position of the first elongate link to operate the first latch assembly to release latched engagement of the first latch assembly with the first striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a first location along a length of the first crank arm; c) a second elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the second latch assembly for being moved along a second path of travel from a normal position of the second elongate link to an actuated position of the second elongate link to operate the second latch assembly to release latched engagement of the second latch assembly with the second striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a second location along a length of the first crank arm; d) whereby, when the first crank arm is pivoted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the first and second links are caused to move along the first and second paths of travel to operate the first and second latch assemblies to substantially concurrently release the latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with the first and second striker formations to permit the closure to move away from the closed position; e) a second operating mechanism connectable to the closure and including interior structure that moves in response to manual operation of an actuator that is accessible from outside the closure; f) a first actuator link connectable to the first latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the first latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator; and, g) a second actuator link connectable to the second latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the second latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator.

12. The latching system of claim 11 wherein the interior structure includes a second crank arm that is pivotal about a second pivot axis from a non-actuated position to an actuated position for moving the first actuator link and the second actuator link to operate the first and second latch assemblies.

13. The latching system of claim 12 wherein the first actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a first site along a length of the second crank arm, and the second actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a second site along the length of the second crank arm.

14. The latching system of claim 13 wherein the second operating mechanism is mountable on the closure at a station located between the first and second latch assemblies, and the first and second sites where the first and second actuator links connect with the second crank arm are situated on substantially opposite sides of the second pivot axis so that, when the second crank arm pivots about the second pivot axis from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the first and second actuator links move in substantially opposite directions to substantially concurrently operate the first and second latch assemblies.

15. The latching system of claim 14 wherein the first latch assembly has a first, one-piece operating arm that connects with the first elongate link and with the first actuator link, and that pivots to operate the first latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the first elongate link and the first actuator link, and wherein the second latch assembly has a second, one-piece operating arm that connects with the second elongate link and with the second actuator link, and that pivots to operate the second latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the second elongate link and the second actuator link.

16. The latching system of claim 15 wherein the first and second latch assemblies 1) each have a rotary latch bolt pivotally connected to a latch housing for movement between an unlatched position wherein a generally cylindrical portion of one an associated one of the first and second striker formations is permitted to move into and out of aligned portions of U-shaped notches defined by the latch housing and by the rotary latch bolt, and a latched position wherein the U-shaped notches of the latch housing and of the rotary latch bolt cooperate to latchingly retain the generally cylindrical portion of the associated one of the first and second striker formations, 2) each have a pawl that is movable between a retention position wherein the pawl engages the bolt to hold the bolt in the latched position, and a release position wherein the pawl permits the rotary latch bolt to pivot to the unlatched position, and 3) each have at least one spring arranged to bias the rotary latch bolt away from the latched position toward the unlatched position, and to bias the pawl away from the release position toward the retention position.

17. A latching system mountable on a closure for latchingly engaging first and second striker formations for holding the closure in a closed position, comprising: a) first and second latch assemblies mountable on the closure to latchingly engage the striker formations when the closure is in the closed position, and functioning, when operated, to release latched engagement with the striker formations; b) a first operating mechanism mountable on the closure being connectable to the first and second latch assemblies for operating the first and second latch assemblies substantially concurrently in response to manual actuation of the first operating mechanism; c) a second operating mechanism mountable on the closure for substantially concurrently operating the first and second latch assemblies in response to receipt of a remotely sent signal, including: i) a control unit mountable on the closure and including an enclosure that houses a first crank arm for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis between a non-operated position and an operated position, and that houses components of a signal responsive relay mechanism having an armature that is connected to the first crank arm for pivoting the first crank arm about the first pivot axis from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of a signal sent from a location remote to the closure, and wherein at least one opening is defined by the enclosure for providing access from outside the enclosure to the first crank arm; ii) a first elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the first latch assembly for being moved along a first path of travel from a normal position of the first elongate link to an actuated position of the first elongate link to operate the first latch assembly to release latched engagement of the first latch assembly with the first striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a first location along a length of the first crank arm; iii) a second elongate link configured to extend through the at least one opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the second latch assembly for being moved along a second path of travel from a normal position of the second elongate link to an actuated position of the second elongate link to operate the second latch assembly to release latched engagement of the second latch assembly with the second striker formation, and 2) to the first crank arm at a second location along a length of the first crank arm; iv) whereby, when the first crank arm is pivoted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the first and second links are caused to move along the first and second paths of travel to operate the first and second latch assemblies to substantially concurrently release the latched engagement of the first and second latch assemblies with the first and second striker formations to permit the closure to move away from the closed position.

18. The latching system of claim 17 wherein the control unit is mountable on the closure at a location between the first and second latch assemblies, the at least one opening defined by the enclosure includes first and second openings located on substantially opposite sides of the enclosure, the first elongate link extends through the first opening, the second elongate link extends through the second opening, and the first and second locations where the first and second elongate links connect with the first crank arm are situated on substantially opposite sides of the first pivot axis so that, when the first crank arm pivots from the non-operated position to the operated position, the first and second elongate links move in substantially opposite directions to substantially concurrently operate the first and second latch assemblies.

19. The latching system of claim 17 wherein the enclosure of the control unit includes a base and a cover that cooperate to protectively house the first crank arm and the signal responsive relay mechanism.

20. The latching system of claim 19 wherein the base is formed primarily from injection molded plastics material, wherein the first crank arm is pivotally connected to the base for pivoting between the non-operated position and the operated position, and the signal responsive relay mechanism is connected to the base.

21. The latching system of claim 20 wherein the signal responsive relay mechanism includes an electrically operated relay and a signal responsive switch mechanism for supplying electricity to the electrically operated relay to operate the relay to move the armature of the relay to pivot the first crank arm from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of said signal.

22. The latching system of claim 20 wherein the cover is formed primarily from injection molded plastics material and provides a mounting location where an electric light assembly can be mounted on the cover for illuminating an area exterior to the enclosure of the control unit.

23. The latching system of claim 22 additionally including an electric light assembly mounted on the cover at said mounting location.

24. The latching system of claim 17 additionally including: a) a second operating mechanism connectable to the closure and including interior structure that moves in response to manual operation of an actuator that is accessible from outside the closure; b) a first actuator link connectable to the first latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the first latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator; and, c) a second actuator link connectable to the second latch assembly and to the interior structure for operating the second latch assembly in response to manual operation of the actuator.

25. The latching system of claim 24 wherein the interior structure includes a second crank arm that is pivotal about a second pivot axis from a non-actuated position to an actuated position for moving the first actuator link and the second actuator link to operate the first and second latch assemblies.

26. The latching system of claim 25 wherein the first actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a first site along a length of the second crank arm, and the second actuator link is connectable to the second crank arm at a second site along the length of the second crank arm.

27. The latching system of claim 26 wherein the second operating mechanism is mountable on the closure at a station located between the first and second latch assemblies, and the first and second sites where the first and second actuator links connect with the second crank arm are situated on substantially opposite sides of the second pivot axis so that, when the second crank arm pivots about the second pivot axis from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the first and second actuator links move in substantially opposite directions to substantially concurrently operate the first and second latch assemblies.

28. The latching system of claim 27 wherein the first latch assembly has a first, one-piece operating arm that connects with the first elongate link and with the first actuator link, and that pivots to operate the first latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the first elongate link and the first actuator link, and wherein the second latch assembly has a second, one-piece operating arm that connects with the second elongate link and with the second actuator link, and that pivots to operate the second latch assembly in response to movement of a selected one of the second elongate link and the second actuator link.

29. The latching system of claim 28 wherein the first and second latch assemblies 1) each have a rotary latch bolt pivotally connected to a latch housing for movement between an unlatched position wherein a generally cylindrical portion of one an associated one of the first and second striker formations is permitted to move into and out of aligned portions of U-shaped notches defined by the latch housing and by the rotary latch bolt, and a latched position wherein the U-shaped notches of the latch housing and of the rotary latch bolt cooperate to latchingly retain the generally cylindrical portion of the associated one of the first and second striker formations, 2) each have a pawl that is movable between a retention position wherein the pawl engages the bolt to hold the bolt in the latched position, and a release position wherein the pawl permits the rotary latch bolt to pivot to the unlatched position, and 3) each have at least one spring arranged to bias the rotary latch bolt away from the latched position toward the unlatched position, and to bias the pawl away from the release position toward the retention position.

Description

REFERENCE TO SUBJECT-MATTER-RELATED APPLICATION

Reference is made to a concurrently-filed application that also claims the benefit of the provisional application identified above, namely application Ser. No. 10/772,486 filed by Brian M. Ott et al entitled DUAL ACTUATOR OPERATED ROTARY LATCH, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to linkage operated latching systems of the type used to releasably retain pivoted closures in closed positions, such as the tonneau covers of pickup trucks and the lids of large tool boxes and storage units that often are carried by pickup trucks or stationed at job sites where construction work is underway, wherein the operating mechanisms employed to effect unlatching of the closures, covers and lids are connected by one or more rigid or flexible links to latch components that must be pivoted or translated to effect unlatching of the latches so the closures, covers and lids can be opened.

Tonneau covers of pickup trucks typically employ hinges located near left and right forward end regions of the covers to pivotally connect the forward end regions to the bodies of pickup trucks, or to rails that are mounted on the bodies to extend along opposite sides of the beds of pickup trucks. The forwardly located hinges permit rearward portions of the tonneau covers to be pivoted between open and closed positions to permit and prevent access to the pickup truck beds. Latch assemblies typically are carried on left and right rearward end regions of the tonneau covers and are configured to engage strikers that either are carried by the left and right rear end regions of the bodies of the pickup trucks, or by the rails that are mounted on the bodies to extend along left and right sides of the pickup truck beds.

Tool boxes and job-site storage units also typically employ closures, covers or lids that are hinged near one side or end region, with the opposed side or end region being releasably held closed by latch assemblies located near left and right portions thereof. In some instances, the latches are carried by the closures and are arranged to engage strikers that are carried by base portions of the tool boxes or storage units. In other instances, the mounting locations of the latches and strikers are reversed, with the latches being carried by the base portions of the tool boxes or storage units, and being arranged to engage strikers that are carried by the closures.

To operate a pair of left and right latch assemblies that are used to releasably hold closed the tonneau cover of a pickup truck or the closure or lid of a tool box or storage unit, it is common to provide an operating mechanism that is situated somewhere between the left and right latch assemblies. The operating mechanism is connected to the left and right latch assemblies by links that extend leftwardly and rightly from the operating mechanism. When the operating mechanism is actuated so as to pull the leftwardly and rightwardly extending links generally toward each other (or, in some instances, to push the links generally away from each other), the resulting oppositely directed movements of the links cause corresponding oppositely directed movements of operating components of the left and right latch assemblies to effect operation or unlatching of the latch assemblies. When the left and right latch assemblies are operated, they release strikers that normally are latchingly retained by the left and right latch assemblies when the closures, covers or lids are closed. When the latch assemblies release the strikers, the closures, covers and lids may be pivoted open without encountering obstruction or interference from the latch assemblies.

To prevent unwanted or unauthorized opening of a tonneau cover, tool box lid or the like, the operating mechanism usually is provided with a key operated lock. In operating mechanisms of the type having one or more handles that are movable relative to a housing that supports the handle or handles to effect unlatching movements of the leftwardly and rightwardly extending links, the key operated lock usually serves, when locked, either 1) to prevent handle movement relative to the housing to thereby prevent the handle or handles from causing any unlatching movements of the links, or 2) to disconnect the handle or handles from the links to ensure that any handle movement that may take place relative to the housing is not transmitted to the links so that handle movements do not cause unlatching movements of the links.

One disclosure of a tonneau cover that employs left and right forwardly located hinge assemblies to pivotally mount the cover, and that employs left and right latch assemblies operated by a centrally located, rearwardly mounted handle and housing assembly that is connected to the latch assemblies by leftwardly and rightwardly extending links is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,500 issued Aug. 6, 2002 entitled LATCH, LOCK AND HINGE SYSTEM FOR USE WITH CLOSURES SUCH AS TONNEAU COVERS, assigned to The Eastern Company, referred to hereinafter as the "Latch, Lock and Hinge System Patent," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The left and right latch assemblies disclosed in the Latch, Lock and Hinge System Patent are of a rotary type. Each employs a latch bolt that defines a recess of generally U-shaped configuration. Each latch bolt can pivot relative to a housing of the latch assembly between unlatched and latched positions. When the latch bolt is in its unlatched position, the U-shaped recess faces toward a striker that can be moved into and out of the recess as the cover is moved toward and away from its fully closed position. When the closure, cover or lid is moved to its fully closed position, the striker moves into the U-shaped recess and causes the latch bolt to pivot to its latched position wherein another component of the latch assembly, typically a spring biased pawl, engages the pivotal latch bolt to retain the latch bolt in its latched position. The latch bolt is retained in its latched position by the spring biased pawl until the latch is operated or unlatched to release its retaining engagement with the striker, which is accomplished by pivoting the pawl to move the pawl out of engagement with the striker. When the pawl releases the latch bolt, the latch bolt pivots toward its unlatched position under the influence of a spring that biases the latch bolt toward its unlatched position.

Other details and features of linkage operated rotary latches of the type described above, and other types of latching systems that employ rotary latches of the general type described above, are disclosed in other patents of The Eastern Company that include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,490,895, 6,471,260, 6,454,320, 5,884,948, 5,595,076, 5,117,665, 5,069,491, 4,917,412, 4,896,906 and 4,703,961, referred to hereinafter as the "Rotary Latch Patents," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Operating mechanisms that can be connected by one or more rigid or flexible links to one or more latch assemblies for operating the latch or latches in response to handle movement, or in some instances, in response to energization of an electrically operated solenoid, are disclosed in patents assigned to The Eastern Company that include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,490,895, 6,454,320, 6,427,500, 5,595,076, 5,117,665, 5,069,491, 4,917,412, 4,896,906, 4,892,338, 4,641,865, 3,333,878, 2,735,706 and 2,729,089, referred to hereinafter as the "Opposed Link Operating Mechanism Patents," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When it has proven necessary for a rotary latch of the type disclosed in the Rotary Latch Patents to be operable (i.e., "unlatchable") in response to movement of one or the other of a pair of links (with each of the links constituting an element of a separate operating mechanism), one approach that has been taken to address this need is disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,665, 5,069,491, 4,917,412 and 4,896,906 (referred to hereinafter as the "Rotary Latch With Dual Operating Arms Patents"). The approach taken in these patents calls for a rotary latch assembly to be provided not with a single operating arm, but rather with a pair of pivotal operating arms arranged side by side, with each of the operating arms being pivotally connected to the housing of the latch for independent movement (i.e., the arms pivot independently so that pivoting of one of the operating arms does not cause pivoting of the other of the arms), and with each of the operating arms being connected to a separate one of the pair of links so that each operating arm pivots in response to movement of a link component of a separate operating mechanism.

While the dual operating arm approach disclosed in the Rotary Latch With Dual Operating Arms Patents has served satisfactorily in the environments disclosed in the Rotary Latch With Dual Operating Arms Patents, this approach tends to be unsuitable for use with tonneau cover latching systems wherein rotary latches often need to be operated (i.e., to be "unlatched") by a pair of links that travel through different distances, by links that move along unaligned paths of travel when they operate the latch, and/or by links that have other characteristics that are not easily accommodated by the dual operating arm approach. A simpler approach that permits the two links to connect with a single operating arm would be preferred (instead of employing a pair of operating arms each connected to a separate operating mechanism link) if a way could be found to permit each of the links to move the single operating arm without causing concurrent movement of the other of the links.

Latching systems that respond to remotely transmitted signals sent from hand held, pocket size, push button actuated transmitters have come into wide use during recent years. As transmitters and receivers have become more sophisticated and secure, and as the cost of this technology has diminished, remote signal responsive latching systems have increasingly been employed in securing passenger doors and trunk compartments of passenger vehicles, tonneau covers, tool box lids and the like.

The character and design of transmitters and receivers that utilize radio signals or infrared light or other modes of signal transmission to operate an electrical switch that completes and electrical circuit to operate an electrical solenoid are well known, are commercially available, and are utilized by, but do not form a part of, the present invention. One commercially available remote signal transmitter and receiver system that is referred to later herein as the "Remote Signal Unit" is sold by Iowa Export-Import, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 and can be specified by ordering part or model number "MULTI-RCU7-IL."

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in linkage operated latching systems of the general type used to releasably retain in closed position the tonneau covers of pickup trucks and other closures such as the lids and covers of large tool boxes, job-site storage containers, and the like--latching systems that employ dual actuators or dual operating mechanisms each connected by its own latch operating link or links to one or more latch assemblies that are operable or "unlatchable" when one or the other of the actuators or operating mechanisms causes its latch operating link or links to execute an unlatching movement.

Tonneau covers and the lids or closures of large tool and storage boxes typically are held in their fully closed positions by left and right latch assemblies that are operated or unlatched by links that connect the left and right latch assemblies to operating mechanisms that are stationed at convenient locations, for example at heights above floor level that are within reach without requiring a person to stoop, and typically at locations centered between the left and right latch assemblies where handles can be grasped with ease, and wherein key slots can be viewed and keys inserted therein with ease when the time is at hand to unlock the operating mechanisms so their handles can be moved operate or unlatch the latches. One aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of latching system components that can be added to linkage operated latching systems of the type just described to enable the left and right latch assemblies to also be operated or unlatched in response to the remote transmission of signals from pocket size, battery operated signal transmitter units that are carried by persons who are authorized to open the closures, covers or lids.

When a tonneau cover, tool box or storage container is provided with a remote signal responsive unlatching capability, the tonneau cover, tool box or storage container can be unlocked quickly and efficiently in response to a remote signal as an authorized person walks toward the tonneau cover, tool box or storage container, hence no time need be wasted fiddling with a ring of keys to find, insert and turn the correctly configured key when one reaches the tonneau cover, tool box or storage container.

One aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a versatile type of remote signal responsive operating mechanism or "control unit" that is well suited for use with a wide variety of linkage operated latching systems. The control unit of the present invention is configured so that it may be used with great versatility to accommodate the use of rigid or flexible links; links that vary widely in configuration in order to be installed in out-of-the-way locations on tonneau covers, tool boxes and storage containers; and arrangements of latches and strikers that may need to differ from one system to the next in order to provide appropriate levels of security and in order to accommodate differently configured vehicles, tool boxes and storage containers, and differently configured closures, covers and lids for use therewith.

In one form of preferred practice, a latching system includes an operating mechanism mountable on a closure for operating a latch assembly mounted on the closure to release latched engagement of the latch assembly with a striker formation that retains the closure in a closed position. The operating mechanism includes a control unit mountable on the closure and including an enclosure that houses a first crank arm for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis between a non-operated position and an operated position, and that houses components of a signal responsive relay mechanism having an armature that is connected to the first crank arm for pivoting the first crank arm about the first pivot axis from the non-operated position to the operated position in response to receipt by the signal responsive relay mechanism of a signal sent from a location remote to the closure, and wherein an opening is defined by the enclosure for providing access from outside the enclosure to the first crank arm; and, an elongate link configured to extend through the opening of the enclosure and being connectable 1) to the latch assembly for being moved along a path of travel from a normal position of the elongate link to an actuated position of the link to operate the latch assembly to release latched engagement of the latch assembly with the striker formation. When the first crank arm is pivoted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the elongate link is caused to move along the path of travel to operate the latch assembly to release the latched engagement of the latch assembly with the striker formation to permit the closure to move away from the closed position.

Other aspects of the invention relate to linkage operated latching system improvements that enable one or more latch assemblies, for example the left and right rotary latch assemblies of a tonneau cover or tool box lid, to be operated in response to dual actuators or dual operating mechanisms. For example, features of the present invention enable an operating arm of a latch assembly to be moved to operate or unlatch the latch assembly not only in response to link movement initiated by a manually actuated operating mechanism such as key controlled handle and housing assembly, but also in response to link movement initiated by a remote signal responsive operating mechanism or control unit of the type described above. In preferred practice, the link that connects an operating arm of a latch assembly with a manually operated actuator or operating mechanism is not caused to move when the operating arm is moved by another link that connects the operating arm with the signal responsive operating mechanism, and vice versa.

Included in the disclosure