Importance

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Abstract

A self latching latch mechanism is disclosed which includes a latch mounted to a first wing and a strike mounted to a second wing or a fixed member. The latch has a latch tongue which can move between a latching position in which the latch tongue can engage the strike to secure the first wing relative to the second wing or fixed member, and a free position which allows relative movement between the first wing and the second wing or fixed member. Latch tongue biasing means are provided to bias the latch tongue towards the latching position. Operating means are also provided to move the latch tongue from the latching position to the free position, and there is a hold back member which can move between a first position in which the latch tongue is prevented from moving to the latching position, and a second position in which the latch tongue can move to the latching position. The hold back member is biased to the first position. There is also a latch magnet associated with the hold back member, and means to prevent the latch tongue from moving from the latching position to the free position otherwise than upon operation of the latch tongue operating means. The strike also has a strike magnet. When the latch is close enough to the strike for the latch tongue to engage the strike the hold back member is caused to move from the first position to the second position by attractive or repulsive magnetic forces between the latch magnet and the strike magnet, thereby allowing the latch tongue to move from the free position to the latching position.

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First Claim