Latching device

Abstract

A latching device for luggage or the like cooperable with a hasp is constted so that a manually operable latch member is pivotally connected to a projection on a mounting plate for allowing the latch member to be rotated with respect thereto. A leaf spring biases the latch member into contact with the top surface of the projection. The projection includes stop surfaces for limiting rotation of the latch member in a first direction to a closed position wherein the latch member substantially overlies the mounting plate and for limiting rotation of the latch member in the opposite direction to an open position wherein the latch member is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate. The leaf spring also biases a detent ball into contact with a surface of the latch member for releasably maintaining the latch member in the open and closed positions.

We claim: .[.1. A latching device cooperable with a hasp, the latching device comprising: 
     
        cover plate by the leaf spring..]. .[.8.  A latching device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the latch member comprises a top wall having two spaced side walls, the projection having limiting means cooperable with each of the side walls for limiting rotation of the latch member in said one direction to the closed position and in said opposite direction to the open position, one of the side walls being cooperable with a hasp for drawing the hasp toward the frame as the latch member is rotated in said one direction to the closed position..]. .[.9. A latching device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the leaf spring is held between the frame and a washer connected to the end of the boss..]. .[.10. A latching device cooperable with a hasp, the latching device comprising: a frame having a base portion and a projection on the base portion;   a manually operable latch member pivotally mounted on the projection, the latch member being adapted to engage a hasp and draw the hasp toward the frame as the latch member is rotated in one direction to a closed position wherein the latch member substantially overlies the frame and the latch member being adapted to release the hasp as the latch member is rotated in the opposite direction to an open position wherein the latch member is substantially perpendicular to the frame; and   1imiting means provided by the projection and cooperable with the latch member for limiting rotation of the latch member in said first direction to the closed position and for limiting rotation of the latch member in said opposite direction to the open position..]. .[.11. A latching device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the latch member comprises a top wall which abuts the projection for rotatably supporting the latch member thereon and a pair of spaced side walls extending from the top wall, the side walls being cooperable with the limiting means on the projection for limiting rotation of the latch member in one direction to the closed position and in the opposite direction to the open position..]. .[.12. A latching device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the latch member is adapted to receive a hasp between the side walls when the latch member is in the open position, and wherein one of the side walls is adapted to engage the hasp and draw the hasp toward the frame as the latch member is rotated in said one direction to the closed position..]. .[.13. A latching device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said limiting means comprises means extending outwardly from the projection on the hasp side of the frame, and wherein the outwardly extending means is cooperable with the one side wall of the latch member for guiding the hasp into its latched position when the latch member has engaged the hasp and is manually rotated in said first direction toward the closed position..]. .[.14. A latching device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a bolt cover plate attached to the latch member for slidably supporting a locking bolt in the latch member, the locking bolt being cooperable with means provided by the projection for releasably locking the latch member in closed position..]. .[.15. A latching device as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a detent ball resiliently supported in an opening in the frame by the leaf spring and cooperable with the bolt cover plate for releasably maintaining the latch member in either one of the open and closed positions..]. .Iadd. 16. A latching device cooperable with a hasp, the latching device comprising a frame having a projection integral therewith, the projection having an opening therethrough, a rotatable latch member, the latch member including a boss extending through said opening to provide a pivotal mounting for the latch member, the latch member being adapted to engage the hasp and draw the hasp toward the frame as the latch is rotated in one direction to a closed position wherein the latch member substantially overlies the frame and to release the hasp as the latch member is rotated in the opposite direction to an open position, wherein the latch member is substantially perpendicular to the frame, the latch member having a top wall and two spaced side walls, the projection having respective means cooperable with each of the side walls for limiting rotation of the latch member in said one direction to the closed position and in said opposite direction to the open position, and a leaf spring cooperable with means provided by the frame and with means provided by the latch member to bias the latch member against said projection, the leaf spring having an opening through which the boss extends. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A latching device as set forth in claim 16, wherein one of the side walls is cooperable with the hasp for drawing the hasp toward the frame as the latch member is rotated in said one direction to the closed position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. A latching device as set forth in claim 16, including a detent ball positioned in an opening in the frame, and wherein the leaf spring biases the detent ball into contact with the latch member for releasably maintaining the latch member in either one of the open and closed positions. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. A latching device as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a bolt cover plate attached to the latch member for slidably supporting a locking bolt in the latch member, the locking bolt being cooperable with means provided by the projection for releasably locking the latch member in closed position. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. A latching device as set forth in claim 19, including a detent ball positioned in an opening in the frame, and wherein the bolt cover plate is cooperable with the detent ball for releasably maintaining the latch member in either one of open and closed positions, the detent ball being biased into contact with bolt cover plate by the leaf spring. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. A latching device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the leaf spring is held between the frame and a washer connected to the end of the boss. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. A latching device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said respective means are surfaces on means extending outwardly from the projection on the hasp side of the frame, and wherein the outwardly extending means is cooperable with the one side wall of the latch member for guiding the hasp into its latched position when the latch member has engaged the hasp and is manually rotated in said one direction toward the closed position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. A latching device as set forth in claim 22, further comprising a bolt cover plate attached to the latch member for slidably supporting a locking bolt in the latch member, the locking bolt being cooperable with the projection for releasably locking the latch member in closed position. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 24. A latching device as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a detent ball resiliently supported in an opening in the frame by the leaf spring and cooperable with the bolt cover plate for releasably maintaining the latch member in either one of the open and closed positions. .Iaddend.