FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure is generally related to a latching mechanism, and more particularly related to a latching mechanism that could be utilized for opening windows in construction and off-road vehicles.

BACKGROUND
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
A latching mechanism is generally used as a mechanical fastener for locking or releasing of objects, as desired by an operator. Specifically, latching mechanism is used for closing/ opening large doors and windows of vehicles, such as construction and off-road vehicles. However, several constraints are associated with usage of conventional latches used for opening windows in construction and off-road vehicles. One such constraint includes relying on a large number of moving parts that leads to a considerable level of complexity in the operation, thereby leading to increased operation time. In most cases the latching mechanism and the holding/opening arrangement are different which adds to the difficulty of operating the latch and opening the door, window, etc. A further limitation includes large manual effort needed for operating the conventional latches. For example, US Patent application 20070069525 involves handling of large components for operating the vehicle door latching assembly. Handling of such large components increase operational effort required by humans.
Thus, a robust, easy to use, and efficient latching mechanism is required that integrates latching mechanism with a suitably designed handle, which could be used with windows of construction and off-road vehicles, and simplifying other applications too.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the invention to provide a latching mechanism that could be utilized for closing and opening of large doors and windows, of vehicles, such as construction and off-road vehicles.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a latching mechanism that utilizes least number of components for operation.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a latching mechanism that reduces manual effort needed for its operation.
SUMMARY
In an aspect, a latching mechanism for handle lock is disclosed. The latching mechanism may comprise a button present on front surface of a housing of the latching mechanism. The button may be configured to derive linear motion from force applied by a user. The button may extend into a first rack present inside the housing. A first pinion may be present within the housing and the first pinion may be engaged with the first rack to convert the linear motion of the first rack into a rotary motion of the first pinion. The first pinion may be connected around a first end of a pin and a second pinion may be connected around a second end of the pin. The pin may transfer the rotary motion of the fist pinion to the second pinion. The latching mechanism may further comprise a lever present partially inside and partially outside through a first lateral surface of the housing. An inner portion of the lever may be connected to the second pinion to move the lever inside the housing. The inner portion of the lever may function as a second rack mechanically coupled with the second pinion. A spring may be positioned between an internal end of the lever and a second lateral surface of the housing to bring the first rack and the lever in their original positions while the force applied on the button is released.
In an embodiment, the first end of the pin may rest over a base of an internal surface of the housing. A gear ratio of the first pinion with the second pinion may be changed by varying a Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of one of the first pinion and the second pinion. The second pinion may be rotatably attached in an inner hollow segment of the lever. The housing may be made using one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and a polysynthetic material. In another aspect, a latching mechanism is disclosed. The latching mechanism may comprise a flap present external to a front surface of a housing of the latching mechanism. The flap may be configured to receive a rotational force applied by a user and the flap may extend into a pin present inside the housing. A pinion may be mounted onto the pin for obtaining rotational motion while the flap is rotated by the user. A rack may be coupled to the pinion to derive a linear motion from the rotational motion of the pinion. The rack may extend through a first lateral surface of the housing, into a lever present outside the housing. The rack may bring the lever inside the housing while the flap is rotated.
In an embodiment, the latching mechanism may further comprise a spring positioned between an internal end of the rack and a second lateral surface of the housing to retract the rack and the lever out of the housing while the flap is released by a user. The flap may allow rotation of up to 90°. The housing may be made using one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and a polysynthetic material. The latching mechanism may further comprise a pin, where an internal segment of the pin may be housed within the pinion and an outer segment of the pin may be housed in the lever.
In yet another aspect, a latching mechanism is disclosed. The latching mechanism may comprise a button present on a first lateral surface of a housing of the latching mechanism. The button may be configured to derive linear motion from force applied by a user. The button may extend into a rod present inside the housing. A cam lever may be enclosed within the housing and hinged at centre to transfer the linear motion obtained from the rod resting at a first end of the cam lever to a lever coupled to a second end of the cam lever. The lever may move inside the housing upon obtaining linear motion from the cam lever. The latching mechanism may also comprise a spring attached to the lever to bring the cam lever and the lever in their original positions while the force applied to the button is released.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the latching mechanism may further comprise a circlip to fasten the rod. The latching mechanism may further comprise a second spring present between the button and an internal surface of the housing configured to move the button outside the housing. The housing may be made up of one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and polysynthetic material. The spring may be one of a compression spring and a button spring.
In another aspect, a latching mechanism is disclosed. The latching mechanism may comprise a cam lever hinged around a first lateral surface of housing of the latching mechanism. A first portion of the cam lever may be present outside the housing to receive linear force by a pressing action of a user. A second portion of the cam lever may be configured to move along the hinge and towards a second lateral surface of the housing while the first portion receives the linear force. The second portion upon movement, may push a rod ending into a lever. The lever may be generally present outside a bottom surface of the housing.
In another embodiment, the second portion of the cam lever may be connected to the rod using a circular plate. The latching mechanism may further comprise a compression spring present between the second lateral surface of the housing and the circular plate to bring the lever in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion of the cam lever is released. The latching mechanism may further comprise a second compression spring between the second lateral surface of the housing and an inner portion of the first portion of cam lever to bring the cam lever in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion of the cam lever is released. The housing may be made up of one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and polysynthetic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
Figure 1a illustrates a perspective front view of a latching mechanism [100], in an exemplary embodiment.
[0018] Figure 1b illustrates a perspective back view of the latching mechanism [100], in an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 2a illustrates a perspective front view of a latching mechanism [200], in another exemplary embodiment.
[0020] Figure 2b illustrates a perspective back view of the latching mechanism [200], in another exemplary embodiment.
Figure 3a illustrates a front view of a latching mechanism [300], in yet another exemplary embodiment.
Figure 3b illustrates a back view of the latching mechanism [300], in yet another exemplary embodiment.
Figure 3c illustrates a sectional view of the latching mechanism [300], in an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 4a and Figure 4b illustrate perspective views of a latching mechanism [400], in yet another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0026] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
Figure 1a illustrates a perspective front view of a latching mechanism [100], in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1b illustrates a perspective back view of the latching mechanism [100], in an exemplary embodiment. Referring collectively to Figure 1a and Figure 1b, components of the latching mechanism [100] and their functioning will be explained henceforth. The latching mechanism [100] may comprise a button [102], a housing [104], a first rack [106], a first pinion gear [108], a second rack [118], a pin [110], a second pinion [112], a lever [114], a first lateral surface [116] of the housing [104], a second rack [118], a compression spring [120], and a second lateral surface [122] of the housing [104].
The button [102] may be present on the front surface of the housing [104] of the latching mechanism [100]. A user operating the latching mechanism [100] may press the button [102], and the button [102] may derive linear motion from force applied by the user. Inside the housing [104], the button [102] may extend into the first rack [106]. The housing [104] may be made using one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and a polysynthetic material.
The first pinion gear [108] present within the housing [104] may be engaged with the first rack [106] and may convert the linear motion of the first rack [106] into a rotary motion of the first pinion gear [108]. The first pinion gear [108] may be connected around a first end of the pin [110]. The second pinion [112] may be connected around the second end of the pin [110]. The pin [110] may transfer the rotary motion of the fist pinion gear [108] to the second pinion [112]. A first end of the pin [110] may rest over a base [124] of an internal surface of the housing [104].
The lever [114] may be present partially inside and partially outside through a first lateral surface [116] of the housing [104]. An inner portion of the lever [114] may be connected to the second pinion [112] to move the lever [114] inside the housing [104]. In one case, the second pinion [112] may be rotatably attached in an inner hollow segment of the lever [114]. The inner portion of the lever [114] may function as the second rack [118] mechanically coupled with the second pinion [112]. Further, the spring [120] may be positioned between an internal end of the lever [114] and the second lateral surface [122] of the housing [104] to bring the first rack [106] and the lever [114] in their original positions while the force applied on the button [102] is released.
In one embodiment, the lever [114] and the button [102] may be positioned perpendicular to each other. The lever [114] and the button [102] may be present at relative heights to each other. Due to relative heights, the latching mechanism [100] may transfer motion, perpendicularly, in both vertical and horizontal directions. Between different components of the latching mechanism [100], linear and rotary motion may be interconverted.
[0033] In one embodiment, the latching mechanism [100] may be an auto-turn mechanism as the compression spring [120] may be mounted between the lever [112] and a second lateral surface [122] of the housing [104]. The amount of movement of the lever [114] with respect to the button [102] could be varied by changing a Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of the first pinion gear [108] with respect to the second pinion [112]. The latching mechanism [100], as shown in Figure 1b, would thus require minimal human effort.
Figure 2a illustrates a perspective front view of a latching mechanism [200], in another exemplary embodiment. Figure 2b illustrates a perspective back view of the latching mechanism [200], in another exemplary embodiment. Referring collectively to Figure 2a and Figure 2b, components of the latching mechanism [200] and their functioning will now be described henceforth. The latching mechanism [200] may comprise a flap [202], a pin [203], a housing [204], a pinion gear [206], a rack portion [208], a first lateral surface [210] of the housing [204], a lever [212], a spring [214], and a second lateral surface [216] of the housing [204].
In an exemplary embodiment, operation of the latching mechanism [200] may involve rotation of the flap [202] by a user. The flap [202] may be present external to the front surface of a housing [204] of the latching mechanism [200], to receive a rotational force applied by the user. The flap [202] may be configured to allow rotation of up to 90°.
The flap [202] may extend into a pin [203] present inside the housing [204]. The pinion gear [206] may be mounted onto the pin [203] for obtaining rotational motion while the flap [202] is rotated by the user. The pin [203] may be positioned partly inside the housing [204] and partly outside the housing [204]. The flap [202] may be mounted on an outer segment of the pin [203] positioned outside the housing [204] while an internal segment of the pin [203] may be housed within the pinion gear [206].
[0037] The rack portion [208] may be coupled to the pinion gear [206] to derive a linear motion from the rotational motion of the pinion gear [206]. The lever [212] may extend through a first lateral surface [210] of the housing [204], and the lever [212] may be present outside the housing [204] in a normal condition. The rack portion [208] may bring the lever [212] inside the housing [204] while the flap [202] is rotated. As the flap [202] is rotated, the pinion gear [206] may rotate thereupon.
The lever [212] may be positioned such that the part inside the housing [204] forms the rack portion [208] of the latching mechanism [200]. The lever [212] may extend further and rest on the spring [214]. The spring [214] may be positioned between an internal end of the rack portion [208] and a second lateral surface [216] of the housing [204]. The spring [214] may retract the rack portion [208] and the lever [212] out of the housing while the flap [202] is released by a user.
[0039] The latching mechanism [200] utilizes a lesser number of moving parts and may thus require relatively easy manufacturing and assembly. However, area of the lever [212] resting partially outside the housing [204] may be less due to the rack portion [208].
[0040] Figure 3a illustrates a front view of a latching mechanism [300], in yet another exemplary embodiment. Figure 3b illustrates a bottom view of the latching mechanism [300], in yet another exemplary embodiment. Figure 3c illustrates a sectional view of the latching mechanism [300], in an exemplary embodiment. Referring collectively to Figure 3a, Figure 3b, and Figure 3c, components of the latching mechanism [300] and their functioning may be explained henceforth.
[0041] The latching mechanism [300] may comprise a button [302], a first lateral surface [304], a housing [306], a rod [308], a cam lever [310], a first end [312] of the cam lever [310], a lever [314], a second end [316] of the cam lever [310], a spring [318], a circlip [320], and a second spring [322].
[0042] The latching mechanism [300] utilizes the cam lever [310] mechanism for operation. The button [302] may be present on the first lateral surface [304] of the housing [306] of the latching mechanism [300]. Upon being pressed by a user, the button [302] may derive linear motion from the force applied. The button [302] may extend into the rod [308] present inside the housing [306]. The cam lever [310] enclosed within the housing [306] and hinged at center may be used to translate a pressing action of the button [302] i.e. linear motion of the rod [308] into a linear motion of the lever [314]. The rod [308] may rest at a first end [312] of the cam lever [310] and the lever [314] may be coupled to a second end [316] of the cam lever [310]. Upon obtaining linear motion from rotation of the cam lever [310], the lever [314] may move inside the housing [306].
[0043] The circlip [320] may be utilized to hold the rod [308] in its position. The spring [318] may be attached to the lever [314] to bring the cam lever [310] and the lever [314] in their original positions while the force applied to the button [302] is released. Further, the second spring [322] may be present between the button [302] and an internal surface of the housing [306] to move the button [302] outside the housing [306]. A simple design and lesser number of components used in operation of the latching mechanism [300] would reduce efforts needed.
[0044] Figure 4a and Figure 4b illustrate perspective views of a latching mechanism [400], in yet another exemplary embodiment. Referring collectively to Figure 4a and Figure 4b, components of the latching mechanism [400] and their functioning may be explained henceforth. The latching mechanism [400] may comprise a cam lever [402], a first lateral surface [404], a housing [406], a first portion [408] of the cam lever [402], a second portion [410] of the cam lever [402], a second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406], a rod [412], lever [414], a bottom surface [416] of the housing [406], a circular plate [418], and a compression spring [420].
[0045] In one exemplary embodiment, the cam lever [402] may be directly linked to the lever [414] and may be hinged around a first lateral surface [404] of the housing [406] of the latching mechanism [400]. A first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] which is resiliently energized and present outside the housing [406] may receive linear force by a pressing action of a user. A second portion [410] of the cam lever [402] may move along with and towards a second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] while the first portion [408] receives the linear force. The second portion [410] upon movement, may push a rod [412] ending into a lever [414]. The lever [414] may be generally present outside a bottom surface [416] of the housing [406] and may be retract inside the housing [406] while pressure is applied on the first portion [408].
[0046] The second portion [410] of the cam lever [402] may be connected to the rod [412] using the circular plate [418]. The compression spring [420] may be present between the second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] and the circular plate [418] to bring the lever [414] in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] is released.
[0047] The second compression spring [422] may be present between the second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] and a side portion of the first portion [408] of cam lever [402] to bring the cam lever [402] in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] is released. The housing [406] may be made up of one of a metal, non-metal, polycarbide, and polysynthetic material.
[0048] It is apparent from the above details, that the described latching mechanism relies on a lesser number of moving parts and may thus require relatively easy manufacturing and assembly. Due to reduced dependency on a large number of moving parts, complexity of the latching mechanism is reduced, that further results in reduced operational time. Further, the latching mechanism requires reduced manual effort for its operation. Thus, the latching mechanism could be effectively utilized for opening of windows in construction and off-road vehicles, and will also simplify its implementation pertaining to other applications.
[0049] The foregoing description of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiment herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiment. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiment herein has been described in terms of preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiment herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiment as described herein.

We claim
1. A latching mechanism [100] comprising:
a button [102] present on front surface of a housing [104] of the latching mechanism [100], to derive linear motion from force applied by a user, wherein the button [102] extends into a first rack [106] present inside the housing [104];
a first pinion gear [108] present within the housing [104] and engaged with the first rack [106] to convert the linear motion of the first rack [106] into a rotary motion of the first pinion gear [108], wherein the first pinion gear [108] is connected around a first end of a pin [110] and a second pinion [112] is connected around a second end of the pin [110], and wherein the pin [110] transfers the rotary motion of the fist pinion gear [108] to the second pinion [112];
a lever [114] present partially inside and partially outside through a first lateral surface [116] of the housing [104], wherein an inner portion of the lever [114] is connected to the second pinion [112] to move the lever [114] inside the housing [104], wherein the inner portion of the lever [114] functions as a second rack [118] mechanically coupled with the second pinion [112]; and
a spring [120] positioned between an internal end of the lever [114] and a second lateral surface [122] of the housing [104] to bring the first rack [106] and the lever [114] in their original positions while the force applied on the button [102] is released.
2. The latching mechanism [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the pin [110] rests over a base [124] of an internal surface of the housing [104].
3. The latching mechanism [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gear ratio of the first pinion gear [108] with the second pinion [112] is changed by varying a Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of one of the first pinion gear [108] and the second pinion [112].
4. The latching mechanism [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second pinion [112] is rotatably attached in an inner hollow segment of the lever [114].
5. A latching mechanism [200] comprising:
a flap [202] present external to a front surface of a housing [204] of the latching mechanism [200], to receive a rotational force applied by a user, wherein the flap [202] extends into a pin [203] present inside the housing [204];
a pinion gear [206] mounted onto the pin [203] for obtaining rotational motion while the flap [202] is rotated by the user; and
a lever [212] with a rack portion [208] resiliently energized coupled to the pinion gear[206] to derive a linear motion from the rotational motion of the pinion gear [206], wherein the lever [212]extends through a first lateral surface [210] of the housing [204and the lever [212] being present outside the housing [204] in a normal condition, wherein the rack portion [208] brings the lever [212] inside the housing [204] while the flap [202] is rotated.
6. The latching mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a spring [214] positioned between an internal end of the rack portion [208] and a second lateral surface [216] of the housing [204] to retract the rack portion [208] and the lever [212] out of the housing while the flap [202] is released by a user.
7. The latching mechanism [200] as claimed in claim 6, wherein an internal segment of the pin [203] is housed within the pinion gear [206] and an outer segment of the pin [203] is housed in the flap [202].
8. A latching mechanism [300] comprising:
a button [302] present on a first lateral surface [304] of a housing [306] of the latching mechanism [300], to derive linear motion from force applied by a user, wherein the button [302] extends into a rod [308] present inside the housing [306];
a cam lever [310] enclosed within the housing [306] and hinged at centre to transfer the linear motion obtained from the rod [308] resting at a first end [312] of the cam lever [310] to a lever [314] coupled to a second end [316] of the cam lever [310], wherein the lever [314] moves inside the housing [306] upon obtaining linear motion from rotation of the cam lever [310]; and
a spring [318] attached to the lever [314] to bring the cam lever [310] and the lever [314] in their original positions while the force applied to the button [302] is released.
9. The latching mechanism [300] as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a circlip [320] to hold the rod [308] in its position.
10. The latching mechanism [300] as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a second spring [322] present between the button [302] and an internal surface of the housing [306] to move the button [302] outside the housing [306].
11. A latching mechanism [400] comprising:
a cam lever [402] hinged around a first lateral surface [404] of housing [406] of the latching mechanism [400], wherein a first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] which is resiliently energized and present outside the housing [406] receives linear force by a pressing action of a user and a second portion [410] of the cam lever [402] moves along with and towards a second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] while the first portion [408] receives the linear force,
wherein the second portion [410] upon movement, pushes a rod [412] ending into a lever [414], wherein the lever [414] is generally present outside a bottom surface [416] of the housing [406].
12. The latching mechanism [400] as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second portion [410] of the cam lever [402] is connected to the rod [412] using a circular plate [418].
13. The latching mechanism [400] of as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a compression spring [420] present between the second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] and the circular plate [418] to bring the lever [414] in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] is released.
14. The latching mechanism [400] as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a second compression spring [422] between the second lateral surface [411] of the housing [406] and an inner side of the first portion [408] of cam lever [402] to bring the cam lever [402] in its original position while the linear force applied to the first portion [408] of the cam lever [402] is released.
Date: 19th day of February, 2019

Jyoti Chauhan
of EFFECTUAL LEGAL SERVICES
APPLICANTS’ PATENT AGENT
(IN/PA-1684)