Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a latch assembly that includes an in-line fuse, which prevents damage to the latch assembly and its component parts in the event that a force in excess of a predetermined force is exerted on the latch handle. The latch assembly includes a latch housing and a latch, which is mounted in the latch housing. The latch includes a latch handle having a trigger assembly adapted to retain and release the handle from a locked position. The latch handle in turn causes an arm assembly to cause the movement of a push/pull type cable assembly. The in-line fuse is pivotally mounted to the arm assembly, and positioned in-line with the push/pull cable. The in-line fuse pin includes a sacrificial section that is designed to change in the event that excessive forces are applied to the latch handle. Thus, when a latch assembly operator exerts excessive force in an attempt to move the latch into the locked position, and corrosion or an obstruction are present to prevent the locking mechanism from locking the panel, the in-line fuse pin will fail, thereby preventing damage to the latch mechanism and cable assembly. Once the in-line fuse pin fails, the latch loses resistance, alerting the operator that a problem with the latch mechanism needs to be corrected.

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First Claim