Convertible motorized latch
First Claim
1. A convertible latch configured for selective assembly in either of a slam latch configuration or a dead bolt latch configuration, the convertible latch comprising:
- a housing configured to accept a latch bolt;
a latch bolt mounted at least partially within said housing for one of selected extension from said housing and retraction into said housing;
a drive mechanism configured to selectively retract said latch bolt into said housing, said drive mechanism comprising an electrically operated drive mechanism including an electrically operated motor and an associated drive mechanism output, said drive mechanism output comprising a gear train, an output cam, an output cam pin, a slide engageable with said latch bolt, and a slide tab coupled to said slide, said slide tab configured for engagement with said cam pin, such that operation of said electrically operated drive mechanism permits movement of said cam pin to contact said slide tab to retract said latch bolt; and
at least one electrical switch mounted within said housing and positioned such that said switch is actuated by said latch bolt upon retraction of said latch bolt into said housing;
wherein, when in the slam latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a slam latch bolt having an angled cam surface, and, when in the dead bolt latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a dead latch bolt.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A convertible latch configured for selective assembly in either of a slam latch configuration or a dead bolt latch configuration, the convertible latch comprising:
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a housing configured to accept a latch bolt; a latch bolt mounted at least partially within said housing for one of selected extension from said housing and retraction into said housing; a drive mechanism configured to selectively retract said latch bolt into said housing, said drive mechanism comprising an electrically operated drive mechanism including an electrically operated motor and an associated drive mechanism output, said drive mechanism output comprising a gear train, an output cam, an output cam pin, a slide engageable with said latch bolt, and a slide tab coupled to said slide, said slide tab configured for engagement with said cam pin, such that operation of said electrically operated drive mechanism permits movement of said cam pin to contact said slide tab to retract said latch bolt; and at least one electrical switch mounted within said housing and positioned such that said switch is actuated by said latch bolt upon retraction of said latch bolt into said housing; wherein, when in the slam latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a slam latch bolt having an angled cam surface, and, when in the dead bolt latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a dead latch bolt. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A convertible latch kit including components for selective assembly in either of a slam latch configuration or a dead bolt latch configutation, the convertible latch kit comprising:
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a housing; an electrically operated drive mechanism mounted in said housing and having an associated drive mechanism output, said electrically operated drive mechanism including an electrically operated motor, said drive mechanism output comprising a gear train, an output cam, an output cam pin, a slide, and a slide tab coupled to said slide, said slide tab configured for engagement with said cam pin, such that operation of said electrically operated drive mechanism permits movement of said cam pin; a slam bolt with an angled cam surface, said slam bolt configured to be selectively mounted in said housing in the slam latch configuration, said slam bolt configured to engage the slide of said drive mechanism output in order to be retracted by said drive mechanism output when said slam bolt is mounted in said housing in the slam latch configuration; a spring configured to be cooperatively engageable with said slam bolt to provide a force thereto in the direction of extending said slam bolt from said housing; and a dead bolt configured to be selectively mounted in said housing in the dead bolt latch configuration, said dead bolt latch configured to engage the slide of the drive mechanism output in order to be selectively alternately retracted and extended by said drive mechanism output when said dead bolt is mounted in said housing in the dead bolt latch configuration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch configuration or a dead bolt latch configuration, the convertible motorized latch for use with a cabinet of the type having an alternately openable and closeable door, the convertible motorized latch comprising:
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a latch housing, configured to be supported on the a door of a cabinet, on the inside of such cabinet; a latch bolt associated with said latch housing, said latch bolt configured for alternately assuming retracted and extended positions relative to such housing and configured to operate in either of the slam latch configuration or the dead bolt latch configuration; when in the slam latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a slam latch bolt having an angled cam surface, and, when in the dead bolt latch configuration, said latch bolt selectively comprises a dead latch bolt; an electric motor contained within said latch housing, and operative when actuated to unlock said latch bolt by moving it into a retracted position thereof; a drive mechanism output including a geared output incorporated within said latch housing and associated with said electric motor so as to provide reduced speed and increased torque therefrom said drive output mechanism further including an output cam, an output cam pin, a slide engageable with the latch bolt, and a slide tab coupled to said slide, said slide tab configured for engagement with said cam pin; and an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch bolt retraction. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification