Cabinet latch & electromagnetic shielding enclosure including same

4,750,569

07/010,535

February 03, 1987

An electromagnetic shielding cabinet is provided with a unique latch which does not require shielding. The latch includes a rotatable handle connected to a rotatable cam by a link. The rotatable cam includes a slot which engages a roller stud on a door to open and close the door. Conductive gaskets are provided on the cabinet walls and are engaged by wedges on the door, the rotation of the cam assisting in urging the wedge into or out of the space between flexible finger stock pieces. Because the latch is provided in a small recess in the side wall of the cabinet, no significant interior space of the cabinet is utilized.

Flogaus, William S. (Alexandria, VA)

Systematics General Corporation (Sterling, VA)

What is claimed is

1. A latch comprising handle means mounted for rotation about a first axis, cam means mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axis, link means pivotally attached to said handle means and pivotally attached to said cam means for causing rotation of said entire cam means about said second axis upon rotation of said handle means in either direction about said first axis, wherein said cam means includes a slot having a first wall for engaging a stud on a door in a partially open condition when said handle means and said cam means are in respective first rotational positions for moving said door to a closed condition when said handle means and said cam means are moved from said first rotational positions to second rotational positions, and a second wall for engaging said stud and forcing said door to an open position when said handle means and cam means are moved from said second positions to said first positions.

2. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said handle comprises actuating lever means for being grasped by an operator, said actuating lever means overlying said projection when said handle means and cam means are in said second respective rotational positions.

3. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said link means is mounted to said handle means for rotation about a third axis and mounted to said cam means for rotation about a fourth axis, wherein said third and fourth axes are parallel to and between said first and second axes.

4. An electromagnetic shielding enclosure comprising two spaced side walls, a door, an electromagnetic shielding gasket attached to said side walls to cooperate with said side walls and said door to form an electromagnetic shielding volume, and a latch for forcing said door open and forcing said door closed, wherein said latch comprises handle means mounted for rotation about a first axis, cam means mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axis, and link means connecting said handle means and said cam means, said cam means comprising a projection having a slot therein for receiving a stud extending outwardly from said door, said latch being located outside of said volume.

5. An enclosure according to claim 4 further comprising second cam means mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said second axis and connected to said cam means by second link means for causing co-rotation of said cam means and said second cam means, said second cam means having a projection with a slot therein for receiving a second stud attached to said door.

6. An enclosure according to claim 4 wherein one of said walls has a recess therein and said latch is located in said recess.

7. An enclosure according to claim 6 wherein said gasket comprises flexible conductor means attached to said side walls.

8. An enclosure according to claim 7 further comprising wedge means attached to said door for engaging said conductor means when said door is closed.

9. An enclosure according to claim 6 further comprising lever means attached to said handle means for being grasped by an operator, said lever means being elongate and overlying a front wall of said cam means when said latch is in a closed position.

10. An enclosure according to claim 9 further comprising second cam means mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said second axis and having a projection for receiving a second stud attached to said door.

11. An enclosure according to claim 10 further comprising cover means for at least partially covering said latch, said cover means having a front wall with an opening therein for receiving said second cam means, said second cam means having a front wall flush with said front wall of said cover when said second cam means is in a closed position.

12. An enclosure according to claim 11 wherein said second cam means includes a notch for receiving an edge of said cover.

13. An electromagnetic shielding cabinet comprising a side wall, a door, electromagnetic shielding means attached to said side wall and said door for providing an electromagnetic shielding enclosure when said door is in a closed position, and latch means outside of said electromagnetic shielding enclosure for opening and closing said door, said latch means comprising means for forcing said door open and for forcing said door closed, wherein a first part of said latch means is attached to a side of said door and a second part of said latch means is attached to said side wall, and wherein said latch means comprises operating means operable from the front of said door.

174/35MS; 292/48; 292/196; 292DIG65

H05K 900

1554700 September 1925 Anderson
2172467 September 1939 Geddes
2745132 May 1956 Clark et al.
2927812 March 1960 Smith et al.
2978757 April 1961 Ammerman
3145040 August 1964 Phelps
3413025 November 1968 Sperry
3553985 January 1971 Pepp, Jr. et al.
4089435 May 1978 Corompt
4561209 December 1985 Sohlstrom
4571449 February 1986 Lindenberger et al.

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