Latch assembly for doors

• US 5,092,637 A
• Filed: 08/24/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kermit G. Miller
• Original Assignee: Kermit G. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Kermit G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JAYNE, DARNELL M
• Application Number:
  US07/572,720
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 292/150, 292/333, 292/173, 292/DIG. 72, 292/DIG. 4, 292/332, 292/179, 74/2
• US Class Current: 292/173
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0037 Spring-operated
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0052 Locks mounted on the "frame" cooperating with means on the "wing" E05B47/0046, E05B65/0829, E05B65/0847, E05B65/0882 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/20 released automatically when the wing is closed for panic door locks of the vertical rod type E05B65/1013
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/06 with operating handle or equivalent member moving otherwise than rigidly with the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/72 Starters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0994 Lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1028 Sliding catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/546 Sliding detent

Abstract

A latch assembly for a door movably mounted on a frame is disclosed together with its method of operation, the assembly including a housing mounted on the frame adjacent an opening for receiving the door, a first pin mounted in a first passageway of the housing with a spring biasing the first pin into extended locking engagement with the door, a second pin being mounted in a second passageway intersecting with the first passageway, a spring biasing the second pin into extension for opening the door from the frame, retainers being interconnected with the first and second pins for securing each pin in a retracted position when the other pin is extended so that the first pin positively locks the door in a closed position retracting the second pin and the second pin positively opens the door when the first pin is retracted by the actuator.

Claims

1. A latch assembly for a door movably mounted on a frame, the latch assembly being adapted for mounting on either the door or frame, comprising

a latch assembly housing,

a first pin movably mounted in a first passageway formed by the housing and open at one end, the first pin having spring means biasing it to extend outwardly from the open end of the first passageway,

a second pin movably mounted in a second passageway formed by the housing and open at one end, the second pin having spring means biasing it to extend outwardly from the open end of the second passageway,

the second passageway being perpendicular to and intersecting the first passageway,

the first pin having a recess formed along its length so that, when the first pin is substantially retracted in the first passageway, its recess completes the second passageway for the second pin,

the second pin having a recess formed along its length so that, when the second pin is substantially retracted in the second passageway, its recess completes the first passageway for the first pin,

whereby each of the pins is urged into outward extension through the open end of its passageway when the other pin is in a substantially retracted position, the latch assembly thereby being adapted for positively locking the door in a closed position and positively opening the door when the latch assembly is unlocked.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly is mounted on one of the door and frame, an engagement means mounted on the other of the door and frame being a bracket with an arm extending toward the latch assembly and defining an opening for receiving the first pin.

3. The latch assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second pins are elongated pins mounted for movement respectively in first and second elongated passageways formed by the housing, the latch assembly being mounted on one of the door and frame with an open end of the second passageway extending into facing relation with the other of the door and frame.

4. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein the spring means for the first and second pins are arranged in the housing respectively adjacent the first and second passageways for interaction between the housing and the respective pins.