Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6322113
-
Patent Number
6,322,113
-
Date Filed
Friday, August 13, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 27, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 292 3363
- 292 224
- 292 226
- 292 DIG 61
- 292 223
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A latch apparatus for a door having a first face and a second face includes a housing adapted for mounting on the first face of the door. The bolt member pivotally mounts to the housing and extends and retracts in and out from the housing and is urged toward an extended position by a return spring. A first push type handle mounts to the housing and retracts the bolt when pushed toward the door. A spindle extends through the door from a second latch pivotally mounted to the second face of the door. The spring back engages the spindle and provides for retracting the bolt upon rotation of the spindle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a latch for mounting to an interior face of a door and in particular to a push-type handle with a spring pack module mounted on the interior face of the door.
2. Prior Art
Storm doors and other similar doors are well-known and typically open outward so that pulling on an outer handle is required while the door can be pushed open from the inside. Therefor, a storm door does not normally need to be pulled from the inside. Typical storm door latches have both inside and outside handles rotationally mounted about an axis with a spindle extending through the door. The spindle typically connects both the inside and outside latch on solid cored doors so that they rotate together. Although this configuration does an adequate job of actuating the door bolt, there are problems with such a design. Often, the operator's fingers can be pinched between the handle and the strike plate upon opening, as the handle is rotated toward the door jamb. If a push handle or similar mechanism could be utilized to replace the rotational handle, such pinching may be avoided.
As the there is often an inner door, the exterior of the storm door is typically more readily seen than the inner face of the storm door, its appearance is of greater concern than the inner face of the door. Since a more pleasing exterior is emphasized, the return mechanism for an exterior handle is preferably positioned on the interior of the door. However, such an arrangement may presents design complications with respect to the interior latch handle and its return mechanism.
In addition to mounting design considerations, the packaging of such handle is a consideration for layout and positioning of elements. Former handles typically are packaged by mounting to a backing such as cardboard and then have a shrink wrap applied around the backing and the latch components. Such packaging is easier and more aesthetically pleasing if the latch element is near the backing. Sharp portions extending outward from the backing can more easily pierce the shrink wrap. Moreover, since the packages are often hung off of hooks, it is preferable that the elements be aligned in a narrower linear fashion for more compact presentation at the point of sale. In addition, latches are often part of the original equipment of the door manufacturer. The boxes for doors are typically only slightly thicker than the door. Therefor, the latches should fit in packaging that fits into the door box for shipping. This presents design challenges, as the latch is typically much wider than the thickness of the door box when the latch is installed.
To accommodate linearity for packaging, it is easier if the elements of the latch may be aligned to a linear configuration for shipping and packing and then reconfigured to a use position when assembled. In addition, a modular configuration providing for separation of elements prior to installation to a door, yet providing for self-alignment and assembling with simple tools or without tools, installation may be easily accomplished by the purchaser.
It can seen that a new and improved storm door latch is needed. Such a latch should provide a push-type interior handle that does not create problems for the operator with regarding to fingers being pinched or otherwise hurt. Such a latch should also provide a for mounting of a return mechanism for the outside handle on the interior of the door. In addition, the latch should provide for improved packaging and shipping configurations accommodating shrink wrap type packaging and packaging no thicker than the thickness of a typical door box. The present invention addresses these problems, as well as others associated with storm door latches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a latch apparatus for storm doors. The latch apparatus includes a pivotal handle mounted to a first side of the door and a push type latching handle on the opposing face of the door. A latch bolt pivotally mounts to the housing and extends and retracts to be received in the door jamb for retaining the door in a locked position. An inner latch mechanism includes a spring pack assembly mounted within the housing receiving a spindle through the door to return the rotatable handle to its at rest position.
The inner latch mechanism includes a housing including an open side receiving a pivotally mounted bolt. A return spring engages the rear face of the bolt to turn it towards its extended position. The push handle includes a lip engaging an underside of the bolt for moving the bolt to a retracted position.
The housing includes a bracket receiving a spring pack that includes a cylindrical hub with flange type camming surfaces extending outward from the hub portion. The hub receives a spindle extending to an exterior handle and rotates with the spindle. The camming surfaces extending from the hub engage inner flange portions at the inside of the rear surface of the bolt so that upon rotation of the spindle, the spring pack is rotated and the bolt is retracted.
The bolt includes an extended lock portion having an angled surface for engaging a corresponding receiver. The bolt pivots on the housing and has rear spring engagement surface with a inner flanges for engaging the spring pack camming surfaces. A lip of the inner push-type handle engages an underside of the upper portion of the bolt to retract the bolt.
The outer handle connects to the spindle, but does not have any return mechanism on its face of the door. A grip rotatably mounts to the escutcheon plate. The outer handle may also include a lock cylinder actuating a dead bolt for additional securement.
These features of novelty and various other advantages which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a fer part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views:
FIG. 1
shows a perspective view of a latch apparatus according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2
shows a horizontal sectional view of the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
shows a vertical sectional view of the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
FIG. 4
shows a sectional perspective view of the inner latch mechanism and spindle for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
shows an exploded view of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6
shows an exploded view of the spring pack for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 7
shows a perspective view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
with the latch bolt extended;
FIG. 8
shows a perspective view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
with the latch bolt extended and showing engagement of the spring pack with the latch bolt;
FIG. 9
shows a perspective view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
with the spring pack rotated and the latch bolt retracted;
FIG. 10
shows a side view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
with the latch bolt extended;
FIG. 11
shows a side view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
with the push handle actuated and the latch bolt retracted; and
FIG. 12
shows a side view with portions removed of the inner latch mechanism for the latch apparatus shown if
FIG. 1
with the spring pack removed and the push handle in a shipping position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIG. 1
, there is shown a latch, generally designated
20
. The latch
20
has an inner latch mechanism
22
and an outer latch handle
24
for mounting on the inner and outer faces of the door, respectively. The inner latch mechanism
22
and outer latch handle
24
are connected by a spindle
26
that extends through the door. The inner latch mechanism
22
and outer latch handle
24
actuate a bolt
36
of the inner latch mechanism
22
and extends into a receiver in the doorjamb, which often has a strike plate for engaging the bolt
36
. The extended bolt
36
in engagement with a receiver in the doorjamb maintains the door in a closed position.
The outer door handle
24
includes a grip portion
42
that receives the spindle
26
. The grip portion
42
rotatably mounts to an escutcheon plate
44
that is mounted to the outer surface of the door and may include a key cylinder lock
46
providing for additional retention of the door. The escutcheon
44
of the present invention mounts essentially flat against the outer face of the door and give a very low profile. The present invention provides for both actuation and return positioning of the grip
42
on the interior of the door. This configuration provides for a sleeker more appealing surface on the outside face of the door.
Turning now to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the latch portion
22
receives the spindle
26
through a substantially rectangular orifice. The outer handle
24
includes a similar rectangular opening that receives the spindle
26
. The outer handle
24
connects the spindle
26
by tightening a set screw
48
, as shown in FIG.
2
. In this manner, as the outer rotatable handle grip
42
turns relative to the escutcheon plate
44
, and spindle
26
rotates with the outer handle
24
and actuates the bolt
36
at the inner latch mechanism
22
. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, a spring pack
50
is positioned within a housing
30
of the inner latch mechanism
22
completely on the inner face of the door.
Turning now to
FIG. 5
, the inner latch mechanism
22
includes a handle
32
pivotally mounted to the inner latch housing
30
. The handle
32
includes a push portion
70
extending from a lip
72
and camming surface
74
for actuating the bolt
36
, as explained hereinafter. In addition, the handle
32
is an orifice
76
extending therethrough for mounting on a rivet
34
secured to the housing
30
. The housing
30
has a base mounting portion
96
and orifices therethrough for receiving mounting hardware. The housing
30
has an open side
92
from which the bolt
36
extends and retracts. A bracket
94
receives the spring pack
50
, and receives and aligns the spring pack
50
. The bracket
94
defines a circular opening providing for rotation of the spring pack
50
within the housing
30
. A slot
90
opposite the open side
92
receives the handle
32
.
The bolt
36
is substantially hollow and includes an extended lock portion
80
which engages a retainer of the door jamb for maintaining the door in a closed position. An orifice
84
extending through the bolt receives one of the rivets
34
for pivotally mounting to the housing
30
. A leaf type spring
38
inserts intermediate the housing
30
and the bolt
36
to bias the bolt
36
toward an extended position. A bearing plate
40
is at the base of the housing
30
against the door and retains the spring pack
50
and other components. The bearing plate
40
includes orifices for receiving the mounting hardware in spindle
26
.
The bolt's lock portion
80
projects from the housing
30
, as shown in
FIGS. 4
,
7
and
8
,
10
and
12
, at its extended position. The bolt
36
has a profile that includes an arcing portion extending to an angled edge of the lock portion
80
. Spring engagement surfaces
82
on the inner edge of bolt
36
is shown in
FIGS. 5
,
9
,
11
and
12
. The bolt
36
is open intermediate the two spring engaging surfaces
82
to receive the spring pack
50
, as explained hereinafter. A flange
86
, shown most clearly in FIGS.
8
,
9
and
12
, engages the camming portion of the spring pack so that upon rotation of the spindle from an at rest position, the bolt
36
is retracted.
Referring now to
FIG. 6
, the spring pack
50
includes a hub
54
with the cylindrical upper portion having flange type camming portions
60
extending laterally from one edge of the hub. The bottom of the hub
54
extends toward a bracket with a spring stop
64
. A torsion spring
52
slides onto the hub
54
and engages the stop
64
. Alignment members
62
project axially from the hub
54
into alignment orifices
66
in a cap
58
. The cap
58
also includes a rectangular or square central orifice
60
that receives the spindle
26
. A set screw
56
threads into the hub
54
and attaches the spring pack
50
to the spindle
26
, as shown most clearly in
FIGS. 2 and 4
.
The bolt
36
of the present invention can be actuated by either rotation of the outer handle
24
or pushing the inner handle
32
toward the face of the door. In either mode of operation, the return spring
38
engages the inner surface
82
of the bolt
36
to urge it back to its extended position. The return spring
38
also acts as the return for the inner handle
32
, as the retraction of the bolt
36
pushes the handle
32
back to its at rest position, shown in FIG.
10
. The spring pack
50
includes a torsion spring
52
which returns the outer handle grip
42
back to its at rest position.
Referring to
FIGS. 7 through 11
, the operation of each of the modes of actuation will be explained. In
FIGS. 7 and 8
, the bolt
80
is extended beyond the housing
30
. A camming portion
60
of the hub
54
abuts the inner flange
86
of the bolt
36
. The hub
54
is connected to the spindle
26
, so that when the outer handle
24
is rotated, the camming portion
60
of the hub
54
pushes against an associated flange
86
of the bolt
36
. This motion retracts the bolt
36
, as shown in FIG.
9
. In this position, bolt
36
is retracted in the housing
30
from its at rest position. When the end of handle
24
is released, the return spring
38
presses against the inner surface
82
as shown in
FIG. 9
, pressure from the spring
38
returns the bolt
36
to the position shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8
. This movement of the bolt
36
also pushes the hub
54
back to its at rest position and the torsion spring helps to realign the outer handle
24
to the non-actuated position.
Shown in
FIGS. 7 and 10
in the at rest position, the push portion
70
extends substantially parallel to the bearing plate
40
and the inner face of the door. Camming surface
74
abuts the top of the hub
54
. The lip
72
engages the engagement surface
88
of the bolt
36
. The grip portion
70
extends away from the edge of the door so that the operator's fingers and knuckles are not pinched or scraped.
To retract the bolt
36
, the grip portion
70
is pushed toward the face door, as shown in FIG.
11
. Rotation occurs about the axis extending through mounting hole
76
. This pivots the lip
72
outward from the hub
54
, thereby pushing the door engaging surface
88
of the bolt
36
. This motion rotates the bolt
36
about the rivet
34
extending through orifice
84
and causes the bolt
36
to retract to the position shown in FIG.
11
. When the push portion
70
is released, the inner spring
38
pushes against the rear surface
82
of the bolt
36
to urge it back to the position shown in FIG.
10
. The underside surface
88
of the bolt
36
pushes the lip
72
downward until the cam portion
74
engages the top of the hub
54
. This engagement helps to position the handle
32
with the grip portion
70
extending parallel to the door, as shown in FIG.
10
.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides for the return mechanism and actuation of the bolt
36
from both the inner latch mechanism
22
and outer handle
24
on the inner face of the door. Only the spindle
26
extends through the door for a simple mounting and reliable actuation.
As the spring pack
50
has its own modular assembly, it can be easily inserted by an unskilled person without use of special tools. Therefore, the latch
20
may be better configured prior to installation during shipping and for display at the point of sale. Referring now to
FIG. 12
, when the spring pack
50
is removed from the housing
30
, the grip portion
70
of the handle
32
may be moved to a third position whereat it extends substantially perpendicular to its at rest position shown in FIG.
10
. In the position shown in
FIG. 12
, the grip portion
70
is substantially in alignment with the housing
30
so that the latch
20
may be placed against a flat mounting surface and provide for easier inexpensive packaging, such as shrink wrap. Assembly is easily accomplished as the handle
32
may be pushed to the position shown at FIG.
10
and the spring pack
50
inserted into the bottom of the housing
30
. Prior to assembly, the other components such as the spindle
26
, outer handle
24
and escutcheon plate
44
may also be placed flat against a backing for more compact packaging.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims
- 1. A latch apparatus for a door, the door having a first face, a second face and an edge, the latch apparatus comprising:a housing adapted for mounting on the first face of the door; a bolt member pivotally mounted to the housing and adapted for extending and retracting beyond the edge of the door; a return spring engaging the bolt member and biasing the bolt member toward an extended position; a first latch handle pivotally mounted to the housing and engaging the bolt member, wherein the first latch handle is adapted for pivoting toward and away from the first face, and wherein upon pushing the first handle toward the first face of the door, the bolt retracts; a second latch handle adapted for rotatably mounting to the second face of the door and having a spindle adapted to extend through the door; and a spring pack mounted in the housing and engaging the bolt and the spindle for rotationally positioning the second latch handle.
- 2. A latch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bolt member includes a flange and the spring pack includes a cam portion engaging the flange.
- 3. A latch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a pivot for the first latch handle.
- 4. A latch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first handle includes a camming surface engaging the bolt member.
- 5. A latch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring pack includes a torsion spring.
- 6. A latch apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the spring pack includes a camming member engaging the bolt member.
- 7. A latch apparatus according to claim 5, wherein rotation of the spring pack retracts the bolt member.
- 8. A latch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring pack comprises a module adapted for being retained intermediate the first face of the door and the housing.
- 9. A latch apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the spring pack module comprises a torsion spring having an axis and a camming member axially aligned with the torsion spring.
- 10. A latch apparatus for mounting to a door having a first face, an edge, and a second face, the latch apparatus comprising;a housing adapted for mounting on the first face of the door; a bolt member pivotally mounted to the housing and adapted for extending and retracting beyond the edge of the door; a first latch handle pivotally mounted to the housing and engaging the bolt member, wherein the first latch handle is adapted for pivoting toward and away from the first face, and wherein upon pushing the first handle toward the first face of the door, the bolt retracts; a spring pack removably mounted in the housing and engaging the bolt and adapted for receiving a spindle; wherein the first handle is movable in a limited range between a first position and a second position when the spring pack is inserted in the housing, and wherein the handle is movable to a third position beyond the limited range and substantially transverse to the first position when the spring pack is removed.
- 11. A latch apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a return spring biasing the bolt toward an extended position.
- 12. A latch apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second latch handle having the spindle and adapted for rotatably mounting to the second face of the door, wherein the spindle is adapted to extend through the door.
- 13. A latch system adapted for mounting to a door having a first face, an edge, and a second face, the latch apparatus comprising;a housing having a mounting plane and adapted for mounting to a first face of the door, a bolt pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a push handle pivotally mounted to the housing and pivoting between a first position, a second position and a third position; a spring pack module adapted for being retained intermediate the housing and the first face of the door when assembled, wherein the spring pack module comprises a torsion spring having an axis and a camming member axially aligned with the torsion spring.
- 14. A latch system according to claim 13, wherein the handle is pivoted to the first position for shipping and wherein the spring pack module is removed from the housing in a shipping configuration.
- 15. A latch system according to claim 13, wherein the spring pack module comprises a torsion spring having an axis and a camming member axially aligned with the torsion spring.
- 16. A latch system adapted for mounting to a door having a first face, an edge, and a second face, the latch apparatus comprising;a housing having a mounting plane and adapted for mounting to a first face of the door; a bolt pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a push handle pivotally mounted to the housing and pivoting between a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein at the first position, the handle extends away from the mounting plane, at the third position, the handle extends toward the mounting plane and at the second position the handle is intermediate the first and third positions; and a spring pack module adapted for being retained intermediate the housing and the first face of the door when assembled; wherein the handle is movable between the first, second and third positions prior to insertion of the spring pack and wherein the handle is restrained between the second and third position when the spring pack is inserted.
- 17. A latch system according to claim 16 wherein the handle is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane in the first position.
- 18. A latch apparatus for a door, the door having an outer face, an inner face and an edge, the latch apparatus comprising:a housing adapted for mounting to the inner face of the door; a bolt member pivotally pivotally mounted to the housing and adapted for extending and retracting beyond the edge of the door; an inner latch handle pivotally mounting to the housing and engaging the bolt member, wherein the inner latch handle is adapted for pivoting toward and away from the inner face, and wherein upon pushing the inner handle toward the inner face of the door, the bolt retracts; an outer latch handle adapted for rotatably mounting on the outer face of the door and having a spindle adapted to extend through the door; and a spring pack adapted for mounting on the inner face of the door and engaging the spindle for rotationally positioning the outer latch handle and for retracting the bolt member when the outer latch handle is rotated in a first direction.
- 19. A latch apparatus for a door, the door having a first face, a second face and an edge, the latch apparatus comprising:a housing adapted for mounting to the first face of the door; a bolt member pivotally mounted to the housing and adapted for extending and retracting beyond the edge of the door; a first latch handle adapted for pivotally mounting to the housing and engaging the bolt member, wherein the first latch handle is adapted for pivoting toward and away from the first face, and wherein upon pushing the first handle toward the first face of the door, the bolt retracts; a second latch handle adapted for rotatably mounting to the second face of the door and having a spindle adapted to extend through the door; and a spring pack adapted for mounting on the first face of the door and engaging the bolt and the spindle for rotationally positioning the second latch handle.
- 20. A latch apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the spring pack is adapted for mounting on the first face of the door and for retracting the bolt member when the second latch handle is rotated in a first direction.
- 21. A latch system adapted for mounting to a door having a first face, an edge, and a second face, the latch apparatus comprising;a housing having a mounting plane and adapted for mounting to a first face of the door; a bolt pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a first handle pivotally mounted to the housing and pivoting between a first position and a second position, wherein at the first position, the handle extends away from the mounting plane and at the second position, the handle extends toward the mounting plane; a second latch handle adapted for rotatably mounting on the outer face of the door and having a spindle adapted to extend through the door; a spring pack module adapted for being retained intermediate the housing and the first face of the door when assembled and engaging the spindle for rotationally positioning the outer latch handle and for retracting the bolt member when the outer latch handle is rotated in a first direction.
- 22. A latch apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the spring pack module is adapted for mounting on the first face of the door and for retracting the bolt member when the second latch handle is rotated in a first direction.
US Referenced Citations (6)