Patent Application
20060186673
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a latch assembly for locking a door and more particularly, to such a latch assembly, which is practical for use in any of a variety of doors.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most cities, public security is one of the greatest concerns to the residents. In order to protect the house against intruders, people may add an additional lock to the door panel to reinforce the locking security of the door. When a conventional lock, either a tubular lock or an advanced electronic chip lock, has a keyway at the outer side for the insertion of the key to unlock the lock. However, a thief can unlock a lock having a keyway exposed to the outside by inserting a tool into the keyway to move the internal locking mechanism. A thief can unlock an electronic chip lock by means of the use of a computer to decode the code and a tool for inserting into the keyway to move the internal locking mechanism of the electronic chip lock. Therefore, these conventional locks are still not highly reliable.
Further, if a lock is stuck in the door when locked, the resident will be unable to open the door with the key. In this case, the resident must hire a locksmith to detach the lock from the door or directly destruct the lock with a tool. Therefore, if a lock is damaged or fails during its use, it will cause a trouble to the resident.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a latch assembly, which does not have a keyway exposed to the outside, thereby providing a reliable security.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch assembly, which can be equipped with different type or number of driving members to fit different requirements so that when one driving member failed the other driving member works to substitute for the damaged one, keeping normal functioning of the latch assembly.
To achieve these objects of the present invention, the latch assembly comprises a casing having an accommodating chamber and a sliding track communicating to the outside of the casing, a latch bolt moveably mounted in the sliding track and having a flange, a driving device, which is mounted in the accommodating chamber of the casing and has an actuating portion connectable to the flange of the latch bolt for moving the latch bolt, and a spring member provided between the latch bolt and the driving device for returning the latch bolt to an initial position.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving device is comprised of two electromagnets, each having a reciprocating rod provided with a pin for hooking on the flange of the latch bolt for moving the latch bolt. When one electromagnet failed, the other electromagnet is still workable, keeping normal functioning of the latch assembly.
Referring to
The casing 11 has an accommodating chamber 12, a sliding track 14 in communication with the outside, and a sliding slot 16 cut through the sliding track 14.
The latch bolt 21 is axially movably mounted in the sliding track 14, having a rear flange 22 and a locating hole 24 corresponding to the sliding slot 16 of the casing 11.
The driving device 31 is a pull rod, having an actuating portion, i.e. the end portion, connected to the rear flange 22 of the latch bolt 21. When imparting a pull force to the driving device 31, the latch bolt 21 will be moved with the driving device 31.
The spring member 41 is mounted on the latch bolt 21 and the driving device 31. When the applied pull force to the driving device 31 disappeared, the spring member 41 immediately returns the latch bolt 21 to its initial position, namely, the locking position.
The dead bolt 51 is provided at one side of the casing 11 for mounting in a door panel 60. A connecting rod 52 is inserted through the sliding slot 16 and press-fitted into the locating hole 24 to connect the dead bolt 51 to the latch bolt 21 for enabling the dead bolt 51 to be moved with the latch bolt 21 synchronously. Therefore, when pulling the pull rod 31, the dead bolt 51 will be moved with the latch bolt 21.
The casing 11 has an accommodating chamber 12, a sliding track 14 in communication with the outside, and a sliding slot 16 cut through the sliding track 14.
The latch bolt 21 is axially movably mounted in the sliding track 14, having a rear flange 22 and a locating hole 24 corresponding to the sliding slot 16 of the casing 1.
The driving device 31 is comprised of a first electromagnet 32 and a second electromagnet 34. The first electromagnet 32 and the second electromagnet 34 are arranged in parallel inside the accommodating chamber 12 of the casing 11, each having a reciprocating rod 35 or 36 and a respective pin 37 or 38 fastened to the front end of the respective reciprocating rod 35 or 36 and hooked on the rear flange 22 of the latch bolt 21. Thus, each of the electromagnets 32 and 34 can move the latch bolt 21 in one direction. As shown in
The spring member 41 is stopped between the electromagnets 32 and 34 and the rear flange 22 of the latch bolt 21. When the electromagnets 32 and 34 are off, the spring member 41 immediately returns the latch bolt 21 to its former position, namely, the locking position.
The dead bolt 51 is provided at one side of the casing 11 for mounting in a door panel 60. A connecting rod 52 is inserted through the sliding slot 16 and press-fitted into the locating hole 24 to connect the dead bolt 51 to the latch bolt 21 for enabling the dead bolt 51 to be moved with the latch bolt 21 synchronously. Therefore, when the electromagnets 32 and 34 are in action to pull the latch bolt 21, the dead bolt 51 will be moved with the latch bolt 21. Because the dead bolt 51 is mounted in the door panel 60, the locking action is reliable.
Referring to
Further, the first and second electromagnets 32 and 34 are controllable by a remote controller or electronic means (such as chip induction, fingerprint scanner or any of a variety of wireless transmission techniques). As stated, the latch assembly 10 uses two electromagnets 32 and 34 for selectively moving the latch bolt 21. When one electromagnet 32 or 34 failed, the other electromagnet 34 or 32 can still work, keeping normal functioning of the latch assembly 10.
Referring to
Further, subject to different requirements, different type or number of the driving device 31 may be attached. For example,
As indicated above, the invention has the following advantages:
1. A remote controller or any of a variety of electronic identification means can be designed for use with the latch assembly to control the operation of the electromagnet(s) and to further lock/unlock the door. Because no keyway is provided, the security of the present invention is enhanced.
2. The invention provides a spare electric driving device for emergency use. When the main electric driving device failed, the latch assembly can still function well.
3. The invention is practical for use in any of a variety of door structures, therefore the invention has an industrial value.
4. Different types or number of the driving device may be selectively used to fit different requirements.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
