LATCH MECHANISM FOR REFRIGERATORS FREEZERS AND THE LIKE

• US 3,678,716 A
• Filed: 03/11/1971
• Issued: 07/25/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William R. Cobb
• Original Assignee: William R. Cobb
• Inventors: Cobb, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Craig, Jr., Albert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/123,307
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 70/92,125,139 292/63,67,69,92,179
• US Class Current: 70/92
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0053 with safety release from inside by releasing the striker E05B63/246; similar means for safe doors E05B65/0078
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0891 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0893 Spring retracted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1001 Sliding catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5159 Emergency exit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5301 Sliding and swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5363 Key operable only

Abstract

The invention provides a latching mechanism intimately associated with a locking body so that the movement of the latching mechanism in a swinging direction as actuated by unlocking of the locking body by a key permits opening of a freezer or refrigerator door, while a release is also provided for the latching mechanism which is available within the refrigerator or freezer that causes sliding, telescoping movement of the latch bolt to permit opening of the refrigerator or freezer door from interiorly of the compartment thereof.

Claims

1. A latch and safety release arrangement for a closure including:

a. a latch bolt having an end portion adapted to effect latching of said closure in one position and to release said latching in another position;

b. means mounting said bolt to accommodate both axial movement of said bolt and turning movement of said bolt about a transverse axis;

c. means for effecting turning movement of said bolt from the outside of said closure;

d. means biasing said bolt toward an axial position in which said end portion is removed from said one position;

e. means for holding said bolt in an axial position in which said end portion is extended to permit latching and releasable from inside of said closure so that said biasing means moves said bolt to said axial position in which latching is released;

f. whereby a person trapped inside can escape from said closure when it has been latched from outside.

2. The combination set out in claim 1 wherein:

a. said means mounting said bolt includes lock means; and

b. said lock means, when in unlocked condition, permitting said means for effecting turning movement to be effective.

3. The combination set out in claim 2 wherein:

a. said lock means includes an unlockable pintle; and

b. said unlocked pintle carries said bolt.

4. The combination set out in claim 3 wherein:

a. said latch bolt is axially movable relative to said pintle.

5. The combination set out in claim 3 wherein:

a. said unlockable pintle is attached to said bolt; and

b. said attachment is formed by guide means.

6. The combination set out in claim 5 wherein:

a. said bolt is disposed in said guide means for said axial positioning.

7. The combination set out in claim 1 wherein:

a. said biasing means is formed by a resilient means.

8. The combination set out in claim 1 wherein:

a. said means for holding said bolt includes a movable stop means; and

b. said movable stop means includes easily accessible means for actuation by a trapped person.

9. A latch mechanism for a cabinet including a closure wherein:

a. a strike member is fixedly attached to one of said cabinet and closure;

b. a latch member is movably attached to one of said cabinet and closure;

c. said latch member is swingable relative to said cabinet and closure for disengagement of said latch member from said strike member, and d. said latch member is linearly movable by spring biasing means for disengagement of said latch member from said strike member.