US3897966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chain door latch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-27
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A combination door latch and safety chain assembly utilizes a single chain which functions as both a safety chain and latch. The chain is formed of a plurality of links serially interconnected for flexible movement by pivot means which restrict flexing of the chain to one plane. The pivot pins lie in a second plane perpendicular to said one plane. The chain is extendable from a barrel mounted to the door for engagement with a receiver on the door jamb and is manually rotatable for orientation with respect to the plane of the door. When the bolt disc on the end of the chain is engaged with the receiver and the chain is oriented with the plane of the pins substantially parallel to the door, the chain is flexible to door movement to function as a safety chain. And when the chain is oriented with the common plane of the pins substantially perpendicular to the door, the chain is inflexible so as to function as a lock or latch. The end of the chain opposite the bolt disc is secured to a spring inside the barrel so that the chain automatically retracts when the chain is disengaged from the receiver, or when the door is closed in the safety chain mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Sr Harry C Draughon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:17
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05C; E05C17/00; E05C17/02; E05C17/04; E05C17/36; E05C17/365; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0863; Y10T292/0866; Y10T292/28; Y10T292/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A combination door latch and safety chain assembly comprising: chain means having a plurality of links serially interconnected with pivot means so as to be flexible in only one plane, said one plane being perpendicular to a second plane passing through said pivot means; support means for positioning said chain means with respect to a door; receiver means securable to a door jamb to engage said chain means, said chain means being extendable between said door and said jamb; and selector means for selectively orienting said chain means with respect to said door, whereby said chain means when engaged with said receiver means is flexible in said one plane to allow movement of said door, said movement being when said chain is oriented with the second plane of said pivot means thereof aligned substantially parallel to said door, and said chain means being inflexible in said one plane to prevent movement of said door when said chain is oriented with the second plane of said pivot means substantially perpendicular to said door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A combination door latch and safety chain assembly comprising: chain means having a plurality of links serially interconnected with pivot means so as to be flexible in only one plane, said one plane being perpendicular to a second plane passing through said pivot means; support means for positioning said chain means with respect to a door; receiver means securable to a door jamb to engage said chain means, said chain means being extendable between said door and said jamb; and selector means for selectively orienting said chain means with respect to said door, whereby said chain means when engaged with said receiver means is flexible in said one plane to allow movement of said door, said movement being when said chain is oriented with the second plane of said pivot means thereof aligned substantially parallel to said door, and said chain means being inflexible in said one plane to prevent movement of said door when said chain is oriented with the second plane of said pivot means substantially perpendicular to said door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support means includes a barrel for housing said chain means, said chain means being restricted to move along the longitudinal axis of said barrel and extendable therefrom to engage said receiver means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said support means further includes spring means inside said barrel for biasing said chain means to retract into said barrel along the axis thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said selector means includes chain guide means located inside said barrel and rotatable for orienting said chain with respect to said door, and means external to said barrel for rotating said chain guide means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said chain guide means includes a pair of fingers embracing said chain means and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said barrel; and said rotating means includes a selector knob extending through a slot in said barrel and connected to said chain guide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 5 including a drum freely mounted inside said barrel, said fingers secured to said drum and said selector knob fastened to said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 including a bolt disc secured to one end of said chain means, and said receiver means containing a slot for receiving said bolt disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A combination door latch and safety chain assembly comprising: a chain having pivot means making the same flexible in only one plane, said chain positioned along the axis of a barrel, said barrel being mountable to a door; a receiver mountable to a door jamb to engage one end of said chain; and a chain guide located inside said barrel for orienting the rotational position of said chain along said axis, said chain guide having: a first rotational position for orienting said chain to be flexible to opening movement of said door; a second rotational position for orienting said chain to be inflexible to opening movement of said door; and a third rotational position for selectively engaging and disengaging said one end of said chain from said receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A combination door latch and safety chain assembly comprising: a chain having pivot means making the same flexible in only one plane, said chain positioned along the axis of a barrel, said barrel being mountable to a door; a receiver mountable to a door jamb to engage one end of said chain; and a chain guide located inside said barrel for orienting the rotational position of said chain along said axis, said chain guide having: a first rotational position for orienting said chain to be flexible to opening movement of said door; a second rotational position for orienting said chain to be inflexible to opening movement of said door; and a third rotational position for selectively engaging and disengaging said one end of said chain from said receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 8 including spring means for automatically retracting said chain into said barrel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 9 including a selector knob accessible externally to said barrel and secured to said chain guide through a slot in said barrel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 8 including a bolt disc secured to said one end of said chain, and wherein said receiver contains a slot for receiving said bolt disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein said bolt disC is oblong having a first diameter and a second diameter, and said receiver slot includes a first portion for receiving said bolt disc and a second portion for locking said bolt disc to said receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |