Panels, such as doors, windows, signage, shutters, chalkboards, partitions, etc., are available in a wide variety of configurations and are often movable (i.e., slidable). In particular, one type of door, known as a “barn door,” is typically slidable along a track or rail to block or allow access through a doorway. Some slidable panels include features that enable the panels to be latched or locked in a given position, such as latching a door in a closed position, to prevent unwanted movement of the panel from the position.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only. The terms are not intended to be limiting unless specified as such.
The present disclosure is drawn to a sliding panel latch system that can be utilized by a variety of different panel types, such as doors, windows, signage, shutters, chalkboards, partitions, etc. in which releasable latching of panels is desired. The sliding panel latch system can enable latching of a panel in a predetermined position (e.g., a closed or open position). In one aspect, the sliding panel latch system can enable locking the panel once the panel has been latched. The sliding panel latch system can comprise a striker, a sliding panel movable relative to the striker, and a latch rotatably coupled to the panel. The latch can have a striker interface to engage the striker. The striker interface can at least partially define a striker opening to receive the striker. The latch can be rotatable to a latch position to secure the striker in the striker opening and to a receive/release position to receive the striker in the striker opening or release the striker from the striker opening.
In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for releasably latching a sliding panel. The method can comprise providing a striker at a structure such that a sliding panel is movable relative to the striker. For example, this step can include coupling the striker to the structure. The method can also comprise rotatably coupling a latch to the sliding panel, the latch having a striker interface to engage the striker, the striker interface at least partially defining a striker opening to receive the striker, wherein the latch is rotatable to a latch position to secure the striker in the striker opening and to a receive/release position to receive the striker in the striker opening or release the striker from the striker opening. The method can further comprise moving the sliding panel toward the striker with the latch in the receive/release position until the striker engages the striker interface of the latch causing the latch to move to the latch position where the striker is secured in the striker opening of the latch. Additionally, the method can comprise causing the latch to move to the receive/release position facilitating release of the striker from the striker opening of the latch.
One example of sliding panel structures is shown in
The sliding panel latch system 100 can also include a striker 110. The panel 102 can be movable relative to the striker 110, such as in directions 107a, 107b along the track 103. For example, the striker 110 can be fixedly coupled to the support structure 105 (e.g., a wall), as shown in
With continued reference to
The sliding panel latch system 100 can also include a latch body 130 in support of the latch 120. The latch can be rotatably coupled to the latch body, such as by a pivot pin 131. The latch body 130 can be coupled to the panel 102 in any suitable manner. For example, the latch body 130 can be coupled to the panel by a mounting bracket 132, which is shown in
With continued reference to
The latch 120 can include a latch lock opening 124 that defines the latch position and the receive/release position. The latch lock 140 can have a latch protrusion 141 (e.g., a pin) disposed in the latch lock opening 124. The position of the latch protrusion 141 relative to the latch lock opening 124 can establish a position of the latch 120 in the latch position or the receive/release position. For example, the latch lock opening 124 can include a detent 125, which is operable with the latch lock 140 to position and maintain the latch 120 in the latch position. Thus, when the latch 120 is moved to the latch position and the latch lock 140 is moved in direction 108a to cause the latch protrusion 141 to be located in the detent 125, the latch 120 can be positioned in the latch position, as shown in
The latch protrusion 141 and a pin 144 can be received in guide slots 135a, 135b in the latch body 130 to constrain the latch lock 140 to bi-directional movement in a translational degree of freedom. The latch lock 140 can be biased to the latch lock position (e.g., in direction 108a) by a spring 142. In this case, the spring 142 is placed in tension and connected to the latch lock 140 by a pin 143 and to the latch body 130 by a pin 133. In addition, the spring 123 that biases the latch 120 to the receive/release position can be coupled to the latch 120 by a recess 127 and to the latch body 130 by a recess 134.
In operation, the latch 120 can move toward the striker 110 in direction 107a while biased toward the receive/release position, as schematically illustrated in
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
To prevent unwanted release of the latch 120, the panel lock can include a lock protrusion 151 (extending into the arced opening 152) that mechanically interferes with movement of the latch lock 140 when in the panel lock position. For example, in the panel lock position, the lock protrusion 151 of the panel lock 150 can be configured to interface with the plate 146 at 153 to mechanically interfere with movement of the latch lock 140 in direction 108b, which would release the latch 120. The panel lock 150 can be bi-directionally movable in a rotational degree of freedom to the panel lock position (e.g., in direction 154a) and to the panel unlock position (e.g., in direction 154b). Such movement can be accomplished by including a panel lock user interface 155a, 155b, which can facilitate movement of the panel lock 150 to the panel lock position and to the panel unlock position by a user.
The latch lock user interface 170 and the panel lock user interface 155a can have any suitable configuration, such as a lever, a handle, a knob, etc. In one aspect, the panel lock user interface 155b can include security features, such as tumblers, and therefore may be movable with a key. The latch lock user interface 170 can be located in a recess opening 173 in order to be recessed within the panel 102 and avoid or minimize the latch lock user interface 170 protruding from the panel. With the latch lock user interface 170 recessed in the recess opening 173, the panel 102 can maintain its profile, which may aid in movement of the panel in a tight space without interference from the latch lock user interface 170.
Notably, with respect to
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for releasably latching a sliding panel is also disclosed. The method can comprise coupling a striker to a structure such that a sliding panel is movable relative to the striker. The method can also comprise rotatably coupling a latch to the sliding panel, the latch having a striker interface to engage the striker, the striker interface at least partially defining a striker opening to receive the striker, wherein the latch is rotatable to a latch position to secure the striker in the striker opening and to a receive/release position to receive the striker in the striker opening or release the striker from the striker opening. The method can further comprise moving the sliding panel toward the striker with the latch in the receive/release position until the striker engages the striker interface of the latch causing the latch to move to the latch position where the striker is secured in the striker opening of the latch. Additionally, the method can comprise causing the latch to move to the receive/release position facilitating release of the striker from the striker opening of the latch. It is noted that no specific order is required in this method, though generally in one embodiment, these method steps can be carried out sequentially.
In one aspect of the method, the sliding panel is movable along a track. In one aspect of the method, the track is straight such that the sliding panel is movable linearly along the track when the latch receives and releases the striker. In one aspect of the method, coupling the striker to the structure comprises coupling the striker to the track. In one aspect of the method, coupling the striker to the structure such that the sliding panel is movable relative to the striker comprises coupling the track and the striker to a support structure. In one aspect of the method, the support structure comprises a wall. In one aspect of the method, the panel is a door. In one aspect of the method, rotatably coupling the latch to the panel comprises coupling a latch body to the panel, wherein the latch is supported by, and rotatably coupled to, the latch body. In one aspect of the method, the striker includes a curved latch interface surface to engage the striker interface of the latch. In one aspect of the method, the striker interface comprises a curved surface to engage the curved latch interface surface. In one aspect of the method, the latch is biased to the receive/release position. In one aspect, the method further comprises coupling a latch lock to the panel to maintain the latch in the latch position. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock is movable to a latch lock position such that the latch is maintained in the latch position, and to a latch release position such that the latch is free to move between the latch and receive/release positions. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock is biased to the latch lock position. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock is bi-directionally movable in a translational degree of freedom. In one aspect of the method, the latch comprises a latch lock opening that defines the latch position and the receive/release position, and the latch lock comprises a latch protrusion disposed in the latch lock opening, and wherein the position of the latch protrusion relative to the latch lock opening establishes a position of the latch in the latch position or the receive/release position. In one aspect, the method further comprises coupling a latch lock user interface to the panel to facilitate movement of the latch lock from the latch lock position to the latch release position by a user. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock user interface is recessed within the panel. In one aspect, the method further comprises coupling a panel lock to the panel to prevent the latch lock from moving out of the latch lock position. In one aspect of the method, the panel lock is movable to a panel lock position such that the latch lock is prevented from moving out of the latch lock position and a panel unlock position such that the latch lock is free to move between the latch lock and latch release positions. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock comprises an extension portion to couple with the panel lock. In one aspect of the method, the panel lock comprises a lock protrusion that mechanically interferes with movement of the latch lock when in the panel lock position. In one aspect of the method, the latch lock comprises a slidable plate, and the lock protrusion of the panel lock is configured to interface with the plate to mechanically interfere with movement of the latch lock when in the panel lock position. In one aspect of the method, the panel lock is bi-directionally movable in a rotational degree of freedom to the panel lock position and the panel unlock position. In one aspect, the method further comprises coupling a panel lock user interface to the panel to facilitate movement of the panel lock to the panel lock position and to the panel unlock position by a user. In one aspect of the method, the panel lock user interface is movable with a key.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
In describing embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to “first” or “second” as they relate to spacer threaded portions, for example. It is noted that these are merely relative terms, and a spacer threaded portion described or shown as a “first” threaded portion could just as easily be referred to a “second” threaded portion, and such description is implicitly included herein.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.