A lever compression latch works on the principle of a simple lever mechanism that compresses a gasket or some sort of sealing material when the latch is engaged. The result is a tight seal, which keeps doors or panels shut while keeping out moisture, dust, or debris. The lever gives a mechanical advantage in applying force for compression, which guarantees a high level of security and environmental protection.
The general design of a lever compression latch includes a lever arm that, while being turned, applies force to the latch mechanism for pulling the door or panel tightly against its frame. Such levers compress a rubber gasket while engaging the latch, usually by 10-20%, depending on the type of latch or gasket material. This type of compression prevents water or air from entering the sensitive compartments and is, therefore, useful for automotive, marine, and aerospace applications.
Lever compression latches may achieve up to 10,000 cycles concerning durability. In other words, one can easily open and close them quite frequently without much wear. This fact makes it very economically viable for high usage applications. For example, on marine vessels, hatches and doors utilize compression latches with levers to seal against saltwater exposure. In fact, according to this, some companies, such as TopSeek Locks, have reported that the use of lever-operated compression latches in marine applications reduced the incidence of water damage by over 30%.
According to a study done by the National Association of Manufacturers, there was a general increase in equipment reliability by 25% in industries where compression latches were used. Among all types of compression latches, lever compression latches are effective in sealing cargo areas. “Lever compression latches are a critical component for any industry reliant upon secure, weather-resistant closures,” says Sarah Williams, an engineer at TopSeek Locks.
Compression lever catches have also become very versatile, particularly for their range in size. They will typically range in length from 2 inches up to 6 inches, though applications vary greatly. Applications involving RV cabinets, for example, use a much smaller size whereas similar levers appear on large industrial machines that open with huge doors. Quite often, in an application like that where performance, both of ease and efficiency regarding a tight seal would be compromised if either of its peers-the turnbolt or rotary-were chosen for installation.
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