SINGLE MOTION UNLATCH AND OPEN LATCH MECHANISM

Abstract

An apparatus includes a base defining a cavity; a lid coupled to the base and movable to close the cavity or open the cavity; and a latch able to be transitioned between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch includes a handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a cam disposed within the cam path. The cam path is structured such that, when the latch is in the unlatched position, the cam is disposed at a position in the cam path such that the latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the latch.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a base defining a cavity; a lid coupled to the base and movable between a first position in which the cavity is enclosed and a second position in which the cavity is exposed; and a latch configured to be transitioned between a latched position that maintains the lid in the first position and an unlatched position that allows the lid to be transitioned to the second position, the latch comprising: a handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a cam disposed within the cam path, wherein the cam path is configured such that, when the latch is in the unlatched position, the cam is disposed at a position in the cam path such that the latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the latch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and the latching member are configured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces the cam to move through the cam path.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handle and the latching member are configured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces at least a portion of the latching member away from the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises a triggering member; and a resilient member, wherein the triggering member is pivotably coupled to the handle and the resilient member is disposed between the triggering member and the handle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the triggering member includes a first protrusion, wherein the guide member includes a second protrusion, and wherein the triggering member and the guide member are configured such that, when the latch is in the latched position, the lid is maintained in the first position based on the first protrusion contacting the second protrusion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the handle and the trigger member are configured such that applying a force to the triggering member towards the handle causes the first protrusion to move away from the second protrusion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a second cam path, and wherein the latching member comprises a second cam disposed within the second cam path.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes the latch.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is a first latch, the apparatus further comprising a second latch, wherein the second latch comprises: a second handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a second guide member pivotably coupled to the second handle, the second guide member including a second cam path; and a second latching member pivotably coupled to the second handle, the second latching member including a second cam disposed within the second cam path, wherein the second cam path is configured such that, when the second latch is in the unlatched position, the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path such that the second latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the second latch.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a hinge portion and is configured such that a surface of the base configured to contact the lid is disposed in a first plane and the hinge portion is disposed in a second plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a hinge portion and is configured such that a surface of the lid configured to contact the base is disposed in a first plane and the hinge portion is disposed in a second plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane.

12. An apparatus comprising: a first member; a second member pivotably coupled to the first member and movable between a first position and a second position; and a latch configured to be transitioned between a latched position that maintains the second member in the first position relative to the first member and an unlatched position that allows the second member to be transitioned to the second position, the latch comprising: a handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a first cam path opposite a second cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a first cam disposed within the first cam path and a second cam disposed within the second cam path, wherein the first and second cam paths are each configured such that, when the latch is in the unlatched position, the first cam is disposed at a position in the first cam path, and the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path, such that the latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the latch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the latching member comprises a first component and a second component extending from the first component, and wherein the first cam and the second cam each extend from the second component.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first component comprises a distal end configured to engage the first member when the latch is in the latched position.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the latching member is configured such that, when the latch is in the latched position, the second member is maintained in the first position based on the latching member contacting the first member.

16. A latch for securing a first component to a second component, the latch comprising: a handle pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a first cam path opposite a second cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a first cam disposed within the first cam path and a second cam disposed within the second cam path, wherein the first and second cam paths are each configured such that, when the handle is in the unlatched position, the first cam is disposed at a position in the first cam path, and the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path, such that the handle is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the handle.

17. The latch of claim 16, wherein the handle and the latching member are configured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces the first cam to move through the first cam path, the second cam to move through the second cam path, and at least a portion of the latching member away from the guide member.

18. The latch of claim 16, wherein the latch further comprises a triggering member; and a resilient member, wherein the triggering member is pivotably coupled to the handle and the resilient member is disposed between the triggering member and the handle.

19. The latch of claim 18, wherein the triggering member includes a first protrusion, wherein the guide member includes a second protrusion, and wherein the triggering member and the guide member are configured such that, when the handle is in the latched position, the handle is maintained in the latched position based on the first protrusion contacting the second protrusion.

20. The latch of claim 19, wherein the handle and the trigger member are configured such that applying a force to the triggering member towards the handle causes the first protrusion to move away from the second protrusion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a top-front-left perspective view of a container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top-rear-right perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom-rear-right perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the container of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4B illustrates a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a base and lid of the container of FIG. 1 separated from one another, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 disposed in a drawer, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 6A at the plane A-A of FIG. 6A, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a front-left perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a latch, according to an aspect of the present disclosure

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the latch of FIG. 8, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10A illustrates an exploded view of the latch of FIG. 8, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of a guide member of the latch of FIG. 8 in relation to a perspective view of a cam, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 with the latch's handle and triggering member removed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 with the latch's handle removed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 in a latched position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 with the latch's triggering member depressed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 between the latched position and an unlatched position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 between the latched position and an unlatched position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 8 in the unlatched position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0030] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the inventive subject matter. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every case.

[0032] A new and innovative apparatus (e.g., container) and latch are provided. The latch can be transitioned between a latched position and an unlatched position to lock and release movement of the container's lid relative to the container's base. The latch includes a handle pivotably coupled to each of a triggering member, a latching member, and a guide member. From a latched position, depressing the triggering member unlocks the handle and enables the handle to be pivoted away from the guide member. The latching member includes cams that are positioned within the guide member's cam paths. Pivoting the handle away from the guide member forces the latching member away from the guide member and thereby forces the cams to track through an inclined portion of the guide member's cam paths. Once the cams reach a declined portion of the cam paths, the latch is thereby locked in the unlatched position and a distal end of the latching member has clearance from a latching portion of the container's base. The lid can then be pivoted away from the base by lifting the handle. In this way, a user may unlock and pivot the handle so that the latch is in the unlatched position, and open the lid by lifting with the handle, all in one fluid motion.

[0033] To close the lid, the lid can simply be released to let the lid slam closed. The latch can then be transitioned to the latched position to lock the lid to the base by applying force to the handle to pivot the handle back towards the guide member. The force applied to the handle pulls the latching member back towards the guide member such that the cams overcome the declined portion of the cam paths and can travel back down the inclined portion of the cam paths until the latch returns to the latched position. As the latching member is pulled back towards the guide member, the distal end of the latching member contacts the latching portion of the container's base and pivots until the latch returns to the latched position. The contact between the latching member of the lid and the latching portion of the base prevents the lid from separating away from the base. In this way, the container can be closed by simply letting the lid fall closed and pushing the latch to the latched position.

[0034] FIGS. 1 to 7 show various view of an example container 100. Container 100 includes a base 102 defining a cavity 700 (FIG. 7). A lid 104 is coupled (e.g., pivotably) to base 102 and movable between a closed position (e.g., first position, see FIG. 1) in which cavity 700 is enclosed by lid 104 and an open position (e.g., second position, see FIG. 7) in which cavity 700 is exposed. In the illustrated aspect, lid 104 is coupled to base 102 by way of hinges 200A, 200B, 200C. In other aspects, lid 104 may be coupled to base 102 in other suitable manners. Container 100 includes a handle 108 pivotably coupled to lid 104. Handle 106 may be used to carry container 100. In some aspects, handle 108 may be disposed on another suitable location of container 100, such as the opposite side of container 100 including hinges 200A, 200B, 200C. In some aspects, handle 106 may be omitted.

[0035] Container 100 includes latches 106A, 106B that can be transitioned between a latched position shown in FIG. 1 and an unlatched position shown in FIG. 7. In this way, latches 106A, 106B can prevent or allow movement of lid 104 relative to base 102 depending on a state of latches 106A, 106B. For instance, latches 106A, 106B in the latched position shown in FIG. 1 may maintain cavity 700 enclosed by lid 104 whereas latches 106A, 106B in the unlatched position shown in FIG. 7 may allow movement of lid 104 relative to base 102. As shown in FIG. 7, base 102 includes latching portions 702A, 702B. When lid 104 is in the closed position and latches 702A, 702B are in the latched position, as shown in FIG. 1, the latching portions 702A, 702B of base 102 prevent lid 104 from opening by contacting latches 106A, 106B. While the illustrated aspect is shown having two latches 106A, 106B, in other aspects, container 100 may include a single latch or more than two latches.

[0036] In various aspects, container 100 is adapted such that container 100 can be stacked on top of another container or another container can be stacked on top of container 100. For example, lid 104 may include a pattern 202, indented into the exterior surface of lid 104, that interfaces with a pattern 300 protruding from an exterior surface of base 102 opposite the exterior surface of lid 104. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a width of pattern 202 and a width of pattern 300 are both equal to a width W. Similarly, a length of pattern 202 and a length of pattern 300 are both equal to a length L. In this way, when container 100 is stacked on top of another container, pattern 300 of container 100 interfacing with pattern 202 of the other container reduces the chance of container 100 sliding off of the other container. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, latches 106A, 106B are at the same level as the indented pattern 202. In some aspects, latches 106A, 106B may be indented more than the indented pattern 202 relative to lid 104. In this way, latches 106A, 106B do not interfere with another container being stacked on top of container 100. In some aspects, the stacking features of base 102 and lid 104 may be omitted from container 100.

[0037] In various aspects, base 102 and lid 104 are each structured such that hinges 200A, 200B, 200C are raised relative to where lid 104 meets base 102 at the side of container 100 that includes latches 106A, 106B. As shown in FIG. 5, lid 104 includes a lip 500 that forms the edge of the base-facing side of lid 104. Lip 500 includes a proximal end 502 on a proximal side of container 100 that includes latches 106A, 106B. Lid 104 may further include a hinge portion 504 at a distal end of lip 500. Base 102 includes a lip 510 that forms the edge of the lid-facing side of base 102. Lip 510 includes a proximal end 512 on a proximal side of container 100 that includes latches 106A, 106B. Base 102 may further include a hinge portion 514 at a distal end of lip 510. A plane 522 extends through hinge portion 504 of lid 104 that is parallel to and spaced apart from a plane 524 that extends through distal end 502 of lip 500. The plane 522 is higher than, or raised relative to, plane 524. A plane 526 extends through hinge portion 514 of base 102 that is parallel to and spaced apart from a plane 528 that extends through distal end 512 of lip 510. The plane 526 is higher than, or raised relative to, plane 528.

[0038] The raised hinges 200A, 200B, 200C contribute to the ease with which lid 104 may be opened relative to base 102 when hinges 200A, 200B, 200C are positioned adjacent a wall or other vertical surface. Only a small portion of lid 104 protrudes above hinge portion 504, and thus when lid 104 is rotated open 900 about hinges 200A, 200B, 200C, relative to lid 104 shown in FIG. 5, only a small portion of lid 104 protrudes to the left of hinges 200A, 200B, 200C where the wall or other vertical surface would be. In this way, container 100 can be positioned near the wall or other vertical surface and still be opened.

[0039] In an example, the raised hinges 200A, 200B, 200C can, additionally or alternatively, be beneficial for an interaction between container 100 and a drawer within which container 100 is disposed. FIG. 6A depicts container 100 disposed within an example drawer 600. FIG. 6B depicts a cross-sectional slice of the container 100 and the drawer 600 along the plane A-A of FIG. 6A. Drawer 600 includes a drawer bottom 602 and sidewalls 604A, 604B. The drawer bottom 602 may include raised portions 614A, 614B. With container 100 positioned in drawer 600, a surface 616 of base 102 contacts raised portions 614A, 614B such that a bottom surface 516 of container 100 is raised relative to a surface 600 of drawer bottom 602. Stated differently, the bottom surface 516 of container 100 does not contact the surface 600 of drawer bottom 602 in this example. A plane 610 extends through hinges 200A, 200B, 200C. A plane 612 includes the surface 616 and is parallel to the plane 610. A height H measured between planes 610, 612 is substantially equal to a height of sidewall 604A measured between a drawer top 608 and a point where sidewall 604A meets surface 606. This arrangement of hinges 200A, 200B, 200C relative to drawer top 608 contributes to the ease with which lid 104 may be opened relative to base 102 when container 100 is positioned in drawer 600.

[0040] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate latch 106A in isolation in the latched position. The following description of latch 106A may apply similarly to latch 106B. Latch 106A includes a handle 800 pivotably coupled to a latching member 820. For example, handle 800 may be pivotably coupled to latching member 820 via a pivot pin 880A. It will be appreciated that any suitable pivoting mechanism other than pivot pins and through holes may be utilized, for any components of latch 106A that pivot relative to one another, that will achieve the same functions of latch 106A. Latching member 820 includes a first component 822 having a distal end 823 that is structured so as to be the component of latch 106A that contacts latching portion 702A of base 102. Latching member 820 further includes a second component 828 (FIG. 10A) that includes a cam 824A. Latch 106A includes a guide member 840 pivotably coupled to handle 800. For example, handle 800 may be pivotably coupled to guide member 840 via a pivot pin 880B. In various aspects, guide member 840 may be fixedly attached to lid 104 when latch 106A is included with lid 104. Guide member 840 includes a sidewall 842A that includes a cam path 844A. Cam 824A may be positioned within cam path 844A such that cam 824 tracks along cam path 844A during transitioning of latch 106A, of which more detailed description will follow. Latch 106A may include a triggering member 860 pivotably coupled to handle 800. For example, triggering member 816 may be pivotably coupled to handle 800 via a pivot pin 880C.

[0041] FIG. 10A illustrates an exploded view of latch 106A showing each of the components of latch 106A, which include handle 800, latching member 820, guide member 840, triggering member 860, pivot pins 880A, 880B, 880C, and a resilient member 890.

[0042] Handle 800 includes a body 802. In the example pivoting mechanism including pivot pins, body 802 may include a plurality of through holes for coupling to other components of latch 106A. For example, body 802 may include legs 804A, 804B that each include a through hole 806A, 806B. A through hole 808 may extend through body 802. And body 102 may include a through hole 810A and an opposing through hole 810B.

[0043] Latching member 820 includes the first component 822 and the second component 828 which extends from the first component 822. In the example pivoting mechanism including pivot pins, the first component 822 includes through holes 826A, 826B. Pivot pin 880A may be positioned to extend through the through holes 808, 826A, and 826B so as to pivotably couple handle 800 and latching member 820. The second component 828 of latching member 820 may include arms 830A, 830B. Cams 824A, 824B may be coupled to arms 830A, 830B. For example, arm 830A may include a threaded opening 832 (e.g., female threading) that accepts threading (e.g., male threading) of cam 824A. In other aspects, cams 824A, 824B may be integral with arms 830A, 830B.

[0044] Guide member 840 includes a base 846. Sidewalls 842A, 842B may each extend from base 846. Each of sidewalls 842A, 842B may include cam paths 844A, 844B. As shown, each of cam paths 844A, 844B includes an inclined portion and a declined portion. Cam 824A of latching member 820 may be positioned within cam path 844A and cam 824B of latching member 820 may be positioned within cam path 844B so as to couple latching member 820 and guide number 840. Guide member 840 may include an extension 848 that extends from body 846. Extension 848 may include a through hole 850. Pivot pin 880B may be positioned to extend through the through holes 806A, 806B, and 850 so as to pivotably couple handle 800 and guide member 840. In various aspects, guide member 840 includes a protrusion 852. Protrusion 852 may extend from body 846.

[0045] Triggering member 860 includes a body 864. A protrusion 866 may extend from body 864. Protrusion 866 may interact with protrusion 852 as part of a locking mechanism of latch 106A, which will be described in greater detail below. Triggering member 860 may include a trigger handle 862 extending from body 864. In the example pivoting mechanism including pivot pins, triggering member 860 includes a through hole 868. Pivot pin 880C be positioned to extend through the through holes 810A, 810B, and 868 so as to pivotably couple handle 800 and triggering member 860.

[0046] Resilient member 890 may be disposed between triggering member 860 and handle 800 so as to bias trigger handle 862 away from handle 800. Resilient member 890 is depicted as a helical compression spring. In other aspects, resilient member 890 may be a machined spring, molded spring, flat spring, other suitable springs, or other suitable resilient, elastic components that can store and release mechanical energy.

[0047] FIG. 10B shows a side view of guide member 840 alongside a perspective view of cam 824A. In at least some aspects, cam paths 844A, 844B include first portions 841A, 841B and second portions 843A, 843B. Each of first portions 841A, 841B has a width Q and each of second portions 843A, 843B has a width W. The width Q is greater than the width W. Additionally, cam 824A, as well as cam 824B, has a transverse dimension Z. Both width Q of first portions 841A, 841B and width W of second portions 843A, 843B are greater than transverse dimension Z of cams 824A, 824B such that cams 824A, 824B fit within both first portions 841A, 841B and second portions 843A, 843B of cam paths 844A, 844B. Width W of second portions 843A, 843B, however, may be only slightly greater than transverse dimension Z such that cams 824A, 824B strictly move along second portions 843A, 843B of cam paths 844A, 844B whereas width Q of first portions 841A, 841B is greater than transverse dimension Z to the extent that space is left between cams 824A, 824B and sidewalls 842A, 842B while cams 824A, 824B are within first portions 841A, 841B of cam paths 844A, 844B, which provides cams 824A, 824B with more room to move within first portions 841A, 841B of cam paths 844A, 844B. The added freedom for the cams 824A, 824B in first portions 841A, 841B of cam paths 844A, 844B allows distal end 823 of latching members 820 to pivot while in contact with latching portion 702A of base 102, and also enables handle 800 and guide member 840 to pivot about pivot pin 880B. Without this widening of cam paths 844A, 844B in first portions 841A, 841B, latch 106A would be over constrained and bind.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows latching member 820 coupled to guide member 840. As shown, latching member 820 is structured such that arms 830A, 830B leave space for protrusion 852 of guide member 840 while cams 824A, 824B are positioned within cam paths 844A, 844B.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows triggering member 860 in space relative to latching member 820 and guide member 840. It will be appreciated that triggering member 860 as depicted is not coupled to any other component, but is depicted as if trigger member 860 is coupled to handle 800 and in a relaxed state of triggering member 860. Handle 800 is omitted so that the interaction of protrusion 852 of guide member 840 and protrusion 866 of triggering member 860 can be observed. As shown, with triggering member 860 in the relaxed state, protrusion 866 contacts protrusion 852. This contact prevents handle 800 and triggering member 860 from being pivoted away from guide member 840. Also shown in FIG. 12 is resilient member 890 disposed relative to triggering member 860.

[0050] FIGS. 13 to 17 are a series of illustrations depicting latch 106A transitioning from a latched position to an unlatched position. Latch 106A is shown in isolation so that the interaction of components of latch 106A may be observed, though the transition will be described as if latch 106A were coupled to or integrated with container 100. Where not mentioned, it can also be assumed that any change to latch 106A during the described transition has occurred for latch 106B as well. FIG. 13 shows a fully constructed latch 106A in the latched position with triggering member 860 in the relaxed state. In this initial state, protrusion 852 of guide member 840 blocks movement of protrusion 866 of triggering member 860 and resilient member 890 biases trigger handle 862 away from handle 800. Handle 800 is therefore locked and prevented from being able to pivot away from guide member 840. Additionally, distal end 822 of latching member 820 is positioned so that latching portion 702A of base 102 prevents lid 104 from pivoting open relative to base 102 by blocking motion of distal end 822.

[0051] FIG. 14 shows triggering member 860 transitioned to a depressed state. In the depressed state, trigger handle 862 is depressed towards handle 800 such that resilient member 890 is compressed. Depressing trigger handle 862 pivots triggering member 860 about pivot pin 880C such that protrusion 866 is moved away from protrusion 852. Protrusion 866 thereby has clearance to move past protrusion 852. Handle 800 is therefore unlocked and free to pivot away from guide member 840.

[0052] FIGS. 15 and 16 show two snapshots of handle 800 being pivoted away from guide member 840 about pivot pin 880B as latch 106A transitions to the unlatched position. Once protrusion 866 of triggering member 860 has cleared protrusion 852, triggering member 860 can be held in the depressed state or can be released into the relaxed state. As seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, pivoting handle 800 about pivot pin 880B forces latching member 820 away from guide member 840. Latching member 820 further pivots about pivot pin 880A as handle 800 is pivoted away from guide member 840. As latching member 820 moves, cams 824A, 824B track through cam paths 844A, 844B.

[0053] FIG. 17 shows latch 106A in the unlatched position. Once cams 824A, 824B reach the declined portion of cam paths 844A, 844B, gravity can no longer force cams 824A, 824B back the other direction through cam paths 844A, 844B. Latch 106A is therefore locked in the unlatched position. Additionally, with latch 106A in the unlatched position, distal end 823 of latching member 820 has enough clearance to move past latching portion 702A of base 102 so that lid 104 can be pivoted open relative to base 102. In this way, a user may unlock and pivot handle 800 so that latch 106A is in the unlatched position, and open lid 104 by lifting with handle 800, all in one fluid motion.

[0054] To close lid 104, the user can simply release lid 104 to let lid 104 slam closed and transition latch 106A to the latched position. Latching portion 702A of base 102 does not interfere with distal end 823 of latch 106A when lid 104 slams closed as latch 106A remains locked in the unlatched position such that distal end 823 has clearance to pass by latching portion 702A. After lid 104 is slammed closed, the user can transition latch 106A to the latched position by applying force to handle 800 to pivot handle 800 about pivot pin 880B back towards guide member 840. The force applied to handle 800 pulls latching member 820 back towards guide member 840, while latching member 820 also pivots about pivot pin 880A, so that cams 824A, 824B overcome the declined portion of cam paths 844A, 844B and can travel back down the inclined portion of cam paths 844A, 844B. Once protrusion 866 of triggering member 860 moves past protrusion 852 of guide member 840 (e.g., with an audible click sound), latch 860 is returned to the latched position. In this way, a user may close container 100 by simply letting lid 104 fall closed and pushing latch 106A to the latched position.

[0055] When considering container 100 with both latch 106A and latch 106B, the user can use two hands to unlatch and lift latches 106A, 106B. When lid 104 is pivoted to the open position, latches 106A and 106B can remain locked in the unlatched position as shown in FIG. 7. The user can also let lid 104 close and push both latches 106A, 106B at the same time to the latched position in order to close container 100.

[0056] In one or more aspects, the present container and latch may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, an apparatus includes a base defining a cavity; a lid coupled to the base and movable between a first position in which the cavity is enclosed and a second position in which the cavity is exposed; and a latch that can be transitioned between a latched position that maintains the lid in the first position and an unlatched position that allows the lid to be transitioned to the second position. The latch includes: a handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a cam disposed within the cam path. The cam path is configured such that, when the latch is in the unlatched position, the cam is disposed at a position in the cam path such that the latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the latch.

[0057] In a second aspect, in combination with the first aspect, the handle and the latching member are configured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces the cam to move through the cam path.

[0058] In a third aspect, in combination with the second aspect, the handle and the latching member are configured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces at least a portion of the latching member away from the base.

[0059] In a fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the third aspect, the latch further includes a triggering member and a resilient member. In the fourth aspect, the triggering member is pivotably coupled to the handle and the resilient member is disposed between the triggering member and the handle.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the triggering member includes a first protrusion, the guide member includes a second protrusion, and the triggering member and the guide member are configured such that, when the latch is in the latched position, the lid is maintained in the first position based on the first protrusion contacting the second protrusion.

[0061] In a sixth aspect, in combination with the fifth aspect, the handle and the trigger member are configured such that applying a force to the triggering member towards the handle causes the first protrusion to move away from the second protrusion.

[0062] In a seventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the sixth aspect, the guide member includes a second cam path, and the latching member includes a second cam disposed within the second cam path.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the seventh aspect, the lid includes the latch.

[0064] In a ninth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eighth aspect, the latch is a first latch and the apparatus further includes a second latch. The second latch includes: a second handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a second guide member pivotably coupled to the second handle, the second guide member including a second cam path; and a second latching member pivotably coupled to the second handle, the second latching member including a second cam disposed within the second cam path. The second cam path is configured such that, when the second latch is in the unlatched position, the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path such that the second latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the second latch.

[0065] In a tenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the ninth aspect, the base includes a hinge portion and is structured such that a surface of the base arranged to contact the lid is disposed in a first plane and the hinge portion is disposed in a second plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane.

[0066] In an eleventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the tenth aspect, the lid includes a hinge portion and is structured such that a surface of the lid arranged to contact the base is disposed in a first plane and the hinge portion is disposed in a second plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane.

[0067] In a twelfth aspect, an apparatus includes a first member; a second member pivotably coupled to the first member and movable between a first position and a second position; and a latch able to be transitioned between a latched position that maintains the second member in the first position relative to the first member and an unlatched position that allows the second member to be transitioned to the second position. The latch includes: a handle pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a first cam path opposite a second cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a first cam disposed within the first cam path and a second cam disposed within the second cam path. The first and second cam paths are each structured such that, when the latch is in the unlatched position, the first cam is disposed at a position in the first cam path, and the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path, such that the latch is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the latch.

[0068] In a thirteenth aspect, in combination with the twelfth aspect, the latching member includes a first component and a second component extending from the first component, and the first cam and the second cam each extend from the second component.

[0069] In a fourteenth aspect, in combination with the thirteenth aspect, the first component includes a distal end configured to engage the second member when the latch is in the latched position.

[0070] In a fifteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fourteenth aspect, the latching member is structured such that, when the latch is in the latched position, the second member is maintained in the first position based on the latching member contacting the first member.

[0071] In a sixteenth aspect, a latch for securing a first component to a second component includes: a handle pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position; a guide member pivotably coupled to the handle, the guide member including a first cam path opposite a second cam path; and a latching member pivotably coupled to the handle, the latching member including a first cam disposed within the first cam path and a second cam disposed within the second cam path. The first and second cam paths are each structured such that, when the handle is in the unlatched position, the first cam is disposed at a position in the first cam path, and the second cam is disposed at a position in the second cam path, such that the handle is maintained in the unlatched position absent a force applied to the handle.

[0072] In a seventeenth aspect, in combination with the sixteenth aspect, the handle and the latching member are structured such that pivoting the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position forces the first cam to move through the first cam path, the second cam to move through the second cam path, and at least a portion of the latching member away from the guide member.

[0073] In an eighteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect through the seventeenth aspect, the latch further includes a triggering member and a resilient member. The triggering member is pivotably coupled to the handle and the resilient member is disposed between the triggering member and the handle.

[0074] In a nineteenth aspect, in combination with the eighteenth aspect, the triggering member includes a first protrusion, the guide member includes a second protrusion, and the triggering member and the guide member are structured such that, when the handle is in the latched position, the handle is maintained in the latched position based on the first protrusion contacting the second protrusion.

[0075] In a twentieth aspect, in combination with the nineteenth aspect, the handle and the trigger member are structured such that applying a force to the triggering member towards the handle causes the first protrusion to move away from the second protrusion.

[0076] As used herein, directional descriptors such as top, bottom, front, rear, right, left, higher, lower, raised, among others are used for convenience in describing the present container and latch and are not intended to limit the orientation of the container or latch. These descriptors may change if the container or latch were to be oriented in a different manner than shown in the figures.

[0077] As used herein, about, approximately and substantially are understood to refer to numbers in a range of numerals, for example the range of 10% to +10% of the referenced number, preferably 5% to +5% of the referenced number, more preferably 1% to +1% of the referenced number, most preferably 0.1% to +0.1% of the referenced number.

[0078] Herein, or is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, A or B means A, B, or both, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, and is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, A and B means A and B, jointly or severally, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

[0079] The above specification provides a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative embodiments of this disclosure. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, the scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover, although this disclosure describes and illustrates respective embodiments herein as including particular components, elements, feature, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may include any combination or permutation of any of the components, elements, features, functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Additionally, although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular embodiments as providing particular advantages, particular embodiments may provide none, some, or all of these advantages.