Carrying case with locking latch mechanism

Abstract

A carrying case includes a top case shell hinged to a bottom case shell which may be maintained in a closed position by a double throw, triple action latch mechanism comprising a latch body pivotally mounted to the bottom case shell, a latch locking element pivotally mounted to the latch body and a latch release coupled to the latch body. With the case in the closed position, the latch locking element engages a seat formed in the top case shell and clamps the two shells together. After moving the latch release to a release position, the latch body may be pivoted relative to the bottom case shell to permit disengagement of the latch locking mechanism from the top shell allowing the case to be opened.

1 . A case, comprising:
 a first case shell and a second case shell pivotally connected to one another and movable between an open position and a closed position;   a latch mechanism connected between said first and second case shells, said latch mechanism comprising:
 (i) a latch body pivotally mounted to one of said first and second case shells, said latch body being movable between a first position and a second position; 
 (ii) a latch locking element pivotally mounted to said latch body, said latch locking element being movable between a locked position in contact with the other of said first and second case shells when said latch body is in said first position and an unlocked position when said latch body is in said second position; 
 (iii) a latch release acting on said latch body, said latch release being effective to retain said latch body in said first position except upon movement of said latch release from a locked position to a release position. 
   
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  in which said latch body includes a top wall, a bottom wall and opposed inner side walls collectively forming a cavity, said latch release being mounted within said cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 2  in which said latch release includes a top wall, a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall, a projection extending outwardly from said bottom wall, said projection being coupled to a spring retained in a holder which rests atop said bottom wall of said latch body. 
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 3  in which one of said first and second case shells has a front wall formed with a ledge, said top wall of said latch release being formed with a recess and an outwardly extending locking member, said locking member engaging said ledge with said latch release in said locked position. 
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 4  in which said spring exerts a force in a direction to urge said latch release into said locked position with said locking member in engagement with said ledge, said latch release being movable in a direction against the force applied by said spring so that said locking member disengages said ledge thus allowing said latch body to pivot to said second position. 
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 2  in which said latch body further includes opposed outer side walls each spaced from one of said inner side walls, a first bearing surface being formed between one of said inner and outer side wall pairs and a second bearing surface being formed between the other of said inner and outer side wall pairs. 
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 6  in which said latch locking element includes a first pivot arm spaced from a second pivot arm, and a hook member extending between said first and second pivot arms. 
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 7  in which said first and second pivot arms are pivotally connected to said latch body so that said first and second pivot arms each rest against one of said first and second bearing surfaces of said latch body. 
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 7  in which said one of said first and second case shells has a front wall formed with a seat, said hook element being engageable with said seat when said latch locking element is in said locked position. 
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 8  in which said first and second pivot arms of said latch locking member, and said latch release, are coupled to said latch body. 
   
   
       11 . A case, comprising:
 a top case shell having a front wall formed with a seat, a bottom case shell having a front wall formed with a ledge, said top and bottom case shells being pivotally connected to one another and movable between an open position and a closed position;   a latch mechanism comprising:
 (i) a latch body pivotally mounted to said bottom case shell, said latch body being movable between a first position located along said front wall of said bottom case shell and a second position; 
 (ii) a latch locking element formed with a hook member, said latch locking element being pivotally mounted to said latch body and movable between a locked position wherein said hook member engages said seat of said top case shell and an unlocked position wherein said hook member disengages said seat, said latch locking element being retained in said locked position except upon movement of said latch body to said second position; 
 (iii) a latch release coupled to said latch body and being movable between a locked position and a release position, said latch release having a locking member which engages said ledge of said bottom case shell when in said locked position thus preventing said latch body from moving to said second position, said locking member disengaging said ledge upon movement of said latch release to said release position. 
   
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 11  in which said latch body includes a top wall, a bottom wall and opposed inner side walls collectively forming a cavity, said latch release being mounted within said cavity. 
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 12  in which said latch release includes a top wall, a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall, a projection extending outwardly from said bottom wall, said projection being coupled to a spring retained in a holder which rests atop said bottom wall of said latch body. 
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 13  in which said top wall of said latch release is formed with a recess and said outwardly extending locking member. 
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 14  in which said spring exerts a force in a direction to urge said latch release into said locked position with said locking member in engagement with said ledge, said latch release being movable in a direction against the force applied by said spring so that said locking member disengages said ledge thus allowing said latch body to pivot relative to said bottom case shell to said second position. 
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 12  in which said latch body further includes opposed outer side walls each spaced from one of said inner side walls, a first bearing surface being formed between one of said inner and outer side wall pairs and a second bearing surface being formed between the other of said inner and outer side wall pairs. 
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 16  in which said latch locking element includes a first pivot arm spaced from a second pivot arm, said hook member extending between said first and second pivot arms. 
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 17  in which said first and second pivot arms are pivotally connected to said latch body so that said first and second pivot arms each rest against one of said first and second bearing surfaces of said latch body.