Single-Motion Mechanically Leveraged Latch Apparatus for Horse Trailer Stall Divider

Abstract

A latch assembly ( 8 ) for securing and releasing a horse trailer divider ( 100 ), the latch assembly ( 8 ) having a mechanically leveraged handle ( 10 ) coupled to a latchbolt ( 13 ), the handle ( 10 ) and the latchbolt ( 13 ) having a latched position and an unlatched position. In one embodiment, the latch assembly ( 8 ) may be incorporated into a divider ( 100 ) having a first end ( 107 A) hinged to a first wall ( 130 ) of the trailer and a second end ( 107 B) releasably securable to a second wall ( 122 ). The latch assembly ( 8 ) may comprise a handle ( 10 ) operatively coupled to an axle ( 14 ) for being extended to its latched position and retracted to its unlatched position by operation of the handle ( 10 ). The handle may comprise an angled portion ( 10 A) to improve access to the fingers of the user's hand.

1 . A method of or opening a divider within a trailer from a closed position to an open position, where said livestock trailer has a least one wall, and a divider pivotally mounted in said livestock trailer,
 an axle securable to said divider and rotatable about a first axis;   a latchbolt, having a first end and a second end, slidable within a channel in said divider between a withdrawn position and a deployed position; whereby in said deployed position, said latchbolt engages said wall and is in the closed position preventing said divider from pivoting;   a tensile member having a first end directly coupled to a portion of the rotatable axle, and a second end coupled to the first end of the latchbolt;   a spring biasing the latchbolt towards the deployed position; and   a handle coupled to the axle to provide a mechanical advantage for axle rotation;   said method comprising the steps of pulling the handle thereby rotating the axle on its axis to wrap at least a portion of the first end of the tensile member about at least a portion of the axle, whereby said latchbolt moves from the deployed position towards the withdrawn position, and   pivoting said divider sway from said wall to an open position.   
     
     
         2 . A method of releasing a divider within a trailer from a non-pivotable state to a pivotable state, wherein the trailer comprises at least one wall and a pivotable divider
 an axle securable to said divider and rotatable about a first axis;   a latchbolt, positioned on the pivotable divider and slidable between a withdrawn position and a deployed position, whereby in said deployed position, said latchbolt prevents said pivotable divider from pivoting in said trailer, said latchbolt having a first end and a second end;   a tensile member having a first end coupled to the axle at a first location on said tensile member and at a first location on said axle, and a second end coupled to the first end of the latchbolt;   the latchbolt biased towards the deployed position; and   a handle coupled to the axle;   a first portion of the tensile member in contact with said axle   the method comprising the steps of rotating the handle, thereby rotating the axle on its axis, whereby said first end of said tensile member remains coupled to said axis at said first location on said tensile member and at said first location on said axle, said rotation of said handle moves said latchbolt from the deployed position towards the withdrawn position   and pivoting said divider.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said divider is hingedly coupled to a vertical structure in said trailer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the latch apparatus further comprising an aperture in said wall to receive the second end of the latchbolt when in the deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tensile member is a generally flexible tether. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said divider is hingedly coupled to a vertical structure in said trailer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the latch apparatus further comprising an aperture in said wall to receive the second end of the latchbolt when in the deployed position. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tensile member is a flexible tether.