Hinged latch device with elongate strap hinge

Abstract

A latch device comprises a base suitable for attachment to a substrate, a cover, an elongate strap hinge that connects the base and cover, a hinge guide structure and/or a camming structure, and a locking mechanism. The cover is selectively movable about the strap hinge relative to the base between an open position and a closed position. The hinge guide structure includes a curved surface proximal to the elongate strap hinge that assists in distributing forces throughout a significant portion of the entire length of the strap hinge as the cover is moved relative to the base. A camming structure may be included that has a camming surface that biases the cover toward the open position. A slot may be provided in the base and/or cover for holding a substrate therein when the cover is in the closed position. The latch device is useful in a variety of areas, including: tie downs for sail boats, campers, tarps, suit cases, back packs, and other sporting goods.

1 . A latch device comprising: 
 a base suitable for attachment to a substrate;    an elongate strap hinge having a proximal end affixed to the base and a distal end affixed to a cover that is hingedly attached to the base by the elongate strap hinge so that the cover is movable about the strap hinge between an open position and a closed position relative to the base by bending the strap hinge;    a slot in at least one of the base or cover that is spaced apart from the strap hinge so that an object disposed in the slot does not contact the strap hinge when the cover is in the closed position relative to the base;    a hinge guide structure that forms an integral part of the base and/or cover and includes a curved surface around which at least a portion of the elongate strap hinge bends when the cover is selectively closed relative to the base so that the elongate strap hinge bends over a significant portion of its entire length, at least a majority of the strap hinge contacting the hinge guide structure when the cover is in the closed position; and    a locking mechanism that selectively locks and unlocks the cover relative to the base.    
   
   
       2 . A latch device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge guide structure interacts with the elongate strap hinge so as to distribute bending forces along a significant portion of the entire length of the elongate strap hinge when the cover is selectively moved relative to the base.  
   
   
       3 . A latch device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base, cover, and elongate strap hinge are integrally formed together as a single piece.  
   
   
       4 . A latch device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the latch device is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic material so that the base, cover, elongate strap hinge, and hinge guide structure are fused together as a single continuous piece of material.  
   
   
       5 . A latch device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate strap hinge has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thicknesses of the cover and base where the cover and base are attached to the elongate strap hinge.  
   
   
       6 . A latch device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one of a cotter pin, a bolt and nut, a threaded auger screw, a locking pin, or a latch insertable in an eyelet.  
   
   
       7 . A latch device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one of a protrusion in the cover that fits in a corresponding recess of the base or a protrusion in the base that fits in a corresponding recess in the cover.  
   
   
       8 . A latch device comprising: 
 a base suitable for attachment to a substrate;    an elongate strap hinge having a proximal end affixed to the base and a distal end affixed to a cover that is hingedly attached to the base by the elongate strap hinge so that the cover is movable about the strap hinge between an open position and a closed position relative to the base by bending the strap hinge;    a slot in the cover that is spaced apart and separated from the strap hinge by a portion of the base so that an object disposed in the slot during use is prevented from contacting the strap hinge when the cover is in the closed position; and    a camming structure extending from an undersurface of the cover and including a camming surface that interacts with the base so as to bias the cover toward the open position in order for the slot to remain substantially unoccluded by the cover absent application of a force sufficient to move the cover to the closed position, 
 wherein the camming structure further includes a curved surface opposite the camming surface that acts as a hinge guide around which at least a portion of the elongate strap hinge contacts and bends when the cover is selectively moved relative to the base so that the elongate strap hinge bends over a significant portion of its entire length.  
   
   
   
       9 . A latch device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the camming structure fits within and substantially fills a void space that would otherwise exist between the base and the elongate strap hinge when the cover is in the closed position.  
   
   
       10 . A latch device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the curved hinge guide surface of the camming structure interacts with the elongate strap hinge so as to distribute bending forces along a significant portion of the entire length of the elongate strap hinge when the cover is selectively moved relative to the base.  
   
   
       11 . A latch device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the base, cover, and elongate strap hinge are integrally formed together as a single piece.  
   
   
       12 . A latch device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the latch device is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic material so that the base, cover, elongate strap hinge, and camming structure are fused together as a single continuous piece of material.  
   
   
       13 . A latch device as recited in  claim 8 , further including a slot in the base.  
   
   
       14 . A latch device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the elongate strap hinge has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thicknesses of the cover and base where the cover and base are attached to the elongate strap hinge.  
   
   
       15 . A latch device comprising: 
 a base suitable for attachment to a substrate;    a cover that is movable between open and closed positions relative to the base;    an elongate strap hinge having a proximal end affixed to the base and a distal end affixed to the cover so that the cover is hingedly attached to the base by the elongate strap hinge and moves by flexing the strap hinge;    a slot in the base that is spaced apart from the strap hinge so that an object disposed in the slot is prevented from contacting the strap hinge when the cover is in the closed position;    a hinge guide structure that forms an integral part of the base and includes a curved surface around which at least a portion of the elongate strap hinge bends when the cover is selectively closed relative to the base so that the elongate strap hinge bends over a significant portion of its entire length, at least a majority of the strap hinge contacting the hinge guide structure when the cover is in the closed position; and    a locking mechanism that selectively locks and unlocks the cover relative to the base.    
   
   
       16 . A latch device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the hinge guide structure interacts with the elongate strap hinge so as to distribute bending forces along a significant portion of the entire length of the elongate strap hinge when the cover is selectively moved relative to the base.  
   
   
       17 . A latch device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the base, cover, and elongate strap hinge are integrally formed together as a single piece.  
   
   
       18 . A latch device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the latch device is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic material so that the base, cover, elongate strap hinge, and hinge guide structure are fused together as a single continuous piece of material.  
   
   
       19 . A latch device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a slot in the cover.  
   
   
       20 . A latch device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the elongate strap hinge has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thicknesses of the cover and base where the cover and base are attached to the elongate strap hinge.