Southco, Inc.

A latch system for remotely monitoring an engaged or disengaged status of a latch cam includes an enclosure having a panel mounted for movement relative to a frame, a latch mounted to the panel or to the frame, and a latch cam sensor mounted to the other one of the panel or the frame. The latch cam sensor detects the engaged status when the latch cam is in an engaged position and the panel is in a closed position and the disengaged status when the latch cam is in a disengaged position and the panel is in an opened position. When the latch cam is in the engaged position, the latch cam is spaced laterally from a facing surface of the latch cam sensor, such that a space or gap is maintained between the facing surface of the latch cam sensor and the latch cam.

A latch system for capturing a striker, the latch system comprising an actuator, a position sensor, or a combination thereof is disclosed. The latch system includes a latch having a latch cam and a trigger; an actuator having a connector and a motor; and a sensor assembly having a sensing arm and a sensor. The latch cam of the latch is configured to capture the striker when in a closed position. The latch cam is retained in the closed position when the trigger of the latch is in the locked position. The trigger of the latch is moved from an unlocked position toward the locked position by the connector of the actuator when it is moved by the motor from the unlocking position toward the locking position. The sensing arm contacts the striker when the striker is captured by the latch system. The sensor is deactivated when the sensing arm is in one of the latched position or the unlatched position and activated when the sensing arm is in the other one of the latched position or the unlatched position.

An electronic latch includes a housing, a motor having an output shaft, a gear arrangement comprising at least one gear that is configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor, a rack coupled to the gear arrangement and configured to move in response to motion of the gear arrangement, and at least one pawl or pawl connector that is connected to the rack. Motion of the rack causes or permits the at least one pawl or pawl connector to move between (i) a withdrawn position and (ii) a deployed position in which the pawl or pawl connector is extended further from the housing as compared with the withdrawn position.

A compression latch for a door includes a driver that is rotatable with respect to the door between an unlocked position and a locked position. The driver is configured to be mounted to one side of the door. A driver shaft is non-rotatably connected to the driver such that the driver shaft rotates along with the driver. In an unlocked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to permit opening of the door, and, in a locked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to prevent opening of the door. The compression latch is configured to translate the pawl closer toward the door upon rotating the driver from the unlocked position to the locked position.

An electronic striker for releasing a door or access panel includes a housing defining an opening and a passageway extending from the opening for receiving a pawl on the door or access panel. A plunger is coupled to the housing and is mounted for movement within the passageway. A motor is configured for moving the plunger between a withdrawn position, in which the plunger is withdrawn within the passageway, and a deployed position, in which the plunger is extended within the passageway relative to the withdrawn position. The plunger is configured to move the pawl out of the passageway upon moving the plunger from the withdrawn position to the deployed position, thereby releasing the door or access panel from the passageway.

An electronic latch includes a housing, a motor having an output shaft, a gear arrangement comprising at least one gear that is configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor, a rack coupled to the gear arrangement and configured to move in response to motion of the gear arrangement, and at least one pawl or pawl connector that is connected to the rack. Motion of the rack causes or permits the at least one pawl or pawl connector to move between (i) a withdrawn position and (ii) a deployed position in which the pawl or pawl connector is extended further from the housing as compared with the withdrawn position.

A compression latch for a door includes a driver that is rotatable with respect to the door between an unlocked position and a locked position. The driver is configured to be mounted to one side of the door. A driver shaft is non-rotatably connected to the driver such that the driver shaft rotates along with the driver. In an unlocked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to permit opening of the door, and, in a locked position of the driver, the pawl is positioned to prevent opening of the door. The compression latch is configured to translate the pawl closer toward the door upon rotating the driver from the unlocked position to the locked position.

A latch for capturing a striker. The latch includes a pawl mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position, the pawl being biased to rotate toward the open position and configured to capture the striker when in the closed position. A trigger is mounted to rotate about a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, the trigger being biased to rotate toward the locked position and selectively positionable to contact the pawl when the pawl is in the closed position, thereby retaining the pawl in the closed position. An input cam is connected to the trigger. An output cam is positioned to contact the input cam, the output cam being mounted to rotate about a second axis and configured to rotate the input cam about the first axis. A motor is coupled for rotating the output cam about the second axis.

An electronic lock for securing a door or access panel. The electronic lock includes a housing and a plunger that is moveably mounted to the housing between a latched position of the electronic lock and an unlatched position of the electronic lock. A rotator is rotatably mounted to the housing between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position of the rotator, the plunger is prevented from moving to the unlatched position, and, in the unlocked position of the rotator, the plunger is permitted to move to the unlatched position. A motor has an output shaft that is configured to rotate the rotator between the locked position and the unlocked position. A spring is configured to resist movement of the output shaft between the locked position and the unlocked position.

A wireless latch assembly comprises a latch for latching a secure space; a display configured to display information; a sensor port for coupling a sensor to the assembly and for receiving a signal corresponding to a condition associated with the secure space; a wireless transceiver for performing wireless communication with one or more wireless components external to the assembly; a processor coupled to the display and to the wireless transceiver for displaying information relating to operation of the assembly and the condition associated with the secure space, receiving a plurality of credentials relating to access to the secure space, detecting a user credential for access to the secure space, comparing the user credential to the plurality of credentials to determine when the user credential is valid, and enable operation of the latch to permit access to the secure space.