Patent Application
20220372788
Embodiments described herein generally relate to securing latches to doors and, for example and without limitation, to apparatus, systems and methods for a door latch block and assembly.
Doors and access panels often include latches to provide for opening and closing. Many doors and access panels are located in visible areas so, when closed, should provide a consistent and uniform surface. There is a need for improved assemblies for providing door latch blocks for ease of mounting, opening and securing doors.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for providing a door latch block and assembly. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a latch block apparatus including a first planar surface configured to mount parallel to and facing away from a first side of an door frame, and a second planar surface configured to mount flush with and facing toward the first side of the door frame. The apparatus further includes a rectangular protrusion extending from the second planar surface, the rectangular protrusion configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame and protrude from a second side of the door frame when the latch block apparatus is mounted to the door frame. The apparatus also includes two or more cylindrical openings extending through the latch block apparatus from the first planar surface through the second planar surface and the rectangular protrusion, the two or more cylindrical openings configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism to a distal end of the protrusion. The latch block apparatus is configured to provide precise alignment of the latching mechanism for securing the door frame to a door in a closed position.
This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject matter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:
The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The present subject matter provides a door latch block for use on many different types of doors, including but not limited to access doors or panels for commercial buildings, metal cabinet doors, medicine cabinet doors, barbeque doors, fire extinguisher cabinet doors, and kitchen cabinet doors. The present door latch block can be used on other types of doors without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
In one embodiment, the present door latch block assembly can be used on an access door. Many commercial buildings include access doors to provide for ingress or egress from the buildings and/or to provide for maintenance access to hidden fixtures and equipment. Hidden hinges or latches are desirable for access doors to provide a desirable appearance. In addition, access doors should open and close properly to provide both ease of access and a consistent and uniform surface with existing walls, floors, or ceilings.
The present subject matter provides a door latch block that secures to the frame of a door and provides for secure and precise connection to a latching mechanism. The present door latch block provides for a sealed frame assembly, excellent tolerance control of a door latch with respect to the door frame, and a clean and finished look for doors and frames. In addition, the door latch block assembly is constructed of durable material, includes a mechanism for attachment to a door frame without additional hardware, and provides for convenient and precise attachment of latch hardware.
The apparatus 100 further provides two or more cylindrical openings 108 extending through the latch block apparatus 100 from the first planar surface 102 through the second planar surface 104 and the rectangular protrusion 106, the two or more cylindrical openings 108 configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism to a distal end of the protrusion. The latch block apparatus 100 is configured to provide precise alignment of the latching mechanism for securing the door frame to a door in a closed position.
In various embodiments, the rectangular protrusion 106 includes engagement teeth 110 on opposite ends of the rectangular protrusion 106 to engage the latch block apparatus 100 to the door frame. For example, the engagement teeth can be compressed inwards when inserting the protrusion through the frame, and fingers holding the engagement teeth are sized to expand and engage the teeth against the opposite side of the frame to secure the latch block apparatus once fitted in the frame. The engagement teeth thereby function to maintain contact between the second planar surface and the surface of the frame, without requiring the use of a separate connector or hardware.
According to various embodiments, the latch block apparatus 100 may be constructed from a number of materials. In some embodiments, the latch block apparatus 100 is constructed from plastic. The latch block apparatus 100 is constructed from a cast nylon material, in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the latch block apparatus 100 is constructed from a glass-filled cast nylon material. The latch block apparatus is constructed from 30% glass-filled nylon 6, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the latch block apparatus is constructed of fire-resistant or heat-resistant material.
In some embodiments, the door includes an access door in a commercial building. Other types of doors can be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with others. Other embodiments may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure, for example, to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) in the United States of America. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. However, the claims may not set forth every feature disclosed herein as embodiments may feature a subset of said features. Further, embodiments may include fewer features than those disclosed in a particular example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with a claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/201,969, filed May 20, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63201969 | May 2021 | US |
