Door lock

• US 7,210,711 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2001
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
• Original Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
• Inventors: Dirnberger, Albert, Spiessl, Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US09/993,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,002 Days
• Field of Search: 292/202, 292/216, 292/59, 292/66, 292/68, 292/220, 292/222, 292/223, 292/DIG.69, 292/DIG.49, 292/DIG.57, 292/120, 292/102, 292/218, 292/203
• US Class Current: 292/68
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4259 Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/42 Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/007 Devices for reducing friction between lock parts E05B17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/24 in the form of a bifurcated member automatic catches with a bifurcated latch E05C19/024; locks with a bifurcated bolt E05B65/0046, E05B85/243
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/57 Anti-friction provisions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0892 Multiple head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1055 Link and lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/70 Operating mechanism

Abstract

The solution according to the invention is based upon the knowledge that the undesirable hysteresis of the force-path function in door locks (1) can be avoided or at least minimised if the (frictional) forces acting during transitions from open positions to closed positions and vice versa are minimised and/or avoided. In this respect, the invention is based upon the starting point of at least reducing (frictional) forces acting in bearings for rotatable components (14, 18, 28) of door locks (1) and/or between surfaces (22, 30) displaceable relative to one another. In this manner, it is attained that forces required for a transition from a closed position to an open position essentially correspond to forces required for a transition from the open position to the closed position.

Claims

1. An appliance door latch for retaining a striker member, the latch comprising:

a latch frame affixable to a portion of the appliance;

a carrier member held by the latch frame to move between first and second positions;

a spring biasing the carrier member toward the second position;

a gripping member supported on the carrier member to move with the carrier member and rotate independently with respect to the carrier member about a rotational axis, the gripping member rotating to capture a portion of the striker member in a capture position when the striker member enters an opening formed in the gripping member and rotating to release the striker member in a release position when the striker member exits the opening;

a stop device cooperating with the gripping member to hold the carrier member in the first position with the spring in a high state of inner tension when the gripping member is in the release position and to release the canier member to the second position with the spring in a lower state of inner tension when the gripping member rotates to the capture position, the stop device providing a contact portion for rolling contact with the gripping member;

wherein the stop device includes one or more wiling contact, bearings to support the contact portion for rotation with respect to the latch frame; and

,

wherein the stop device includes a pin forming the contact portion at its outer circumferential surface and rotatably supported at its ends by rolling contact bearings.