US4492396A — One-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installati…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 314 words

A one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation in an orifice provided in a pivotal door for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having keeper means extending from the inner side of said door frame, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door; a second portion extending outward from said first portion for insertion through said orifice, said second portion being in integral attachment with one side of said first portion; a third portion in integral engagement with said second portion and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed; means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door; and a fourth portion integrally attached to one end of said first portion opposite the end that said second and third portions are attached to, said fourth portion extending angularly outward from said first portion away from said second portion, said fourth portion having sufficient dimensions to allow at least one finger of a latch operator to be placed between said door and said fourth portion when said second portion is inserted through said orifice, said second portion having a camming surface extending from one end of said second portion opposite the end of said second portion attached to said first portion, said camming surface extending angularly toward said fourth portion, said camming surface being provided to contact said keeper means of said door frame to cause said flexible thin-walled section of said third portion to deform as said door is closed when said second portion is inserted through said orifice, said thin-walled section being provided with an angular nib for prevention of excessive deformation of said thin-walled section.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 314 words

A one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation in an orifice provided in a pivotal door for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having keeper means extending from the inner side of said door frame, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door; a second portion extending outward from said first portion for insertion through said orifice, said second portion being in integral attachment with one side of said first portion; a third portion in integral engagement with said second portion and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed; means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door; and a fourth portion integrally attached to one end of said first portion opposite the end that said second and third portions are attached to, said fourth portion extending angularly outward from said first portion away from said second portion, said fourth portion having sufficient dimensions to allow at least one finger of a latch operator to be placed between said door and said fourth portion when said second portion is inserted through said orifice, said second portion having a camming surface extending from one end of said second portion opposite the end of said second portion attached to said first portion, said camming surface extending angularly toward said fourth portion, said camming surface being provided to contact said keeper means of said door frame to cause said flexible thin-walled section of said third portion to deform as said door is closed when said second portion is inserted through said orifice, said thin-walled section being provided with an angular nib for prevention of excessive deformation of said thin-walled section.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The latch as recited in claim 1, wherein said camming surface extends angularly from said second portion at an angle of 45° .

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 153 words

An electric panelboard having a one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation and an orifice provided in a pivotal door on said panelboard for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having a keeper means extending from the inner side of said door, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door, a second portion extending outward from said first portion for insertion through said orifice, said second portion being in integral attachment with one side of said first portion; a third portion in integral engagement with said second portion and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed; and means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 153 words

An electric panelboard having a one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation and an orifice provided in a pivotal door on said panelboard for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having a keeper means extending from the inner side of said door, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door, a second portion extending outward from said first portion for insertion through said orifice, said second portion being in integral attachment with one side of said first portion; a third portion in integral engagement with said second portion and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed; and means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 198 words

A one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation in an orifice provided in a pivotal door for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having keeper means extending from the inner side of said door frame, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door; a second portion extending from said first portion for insertion through said orifice and engaging said keeper means in the installed position on the closed door; a third portion in integral engagement with said first and second portions and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed, said second portion moving out of engagement with the keeper means in response to deformation of the third portion; means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door; and a leaf spring integrally attached to said second portion toward said first portion to prevent removal of said second portion from said orifice once said second portion has been inserted in said orifice.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 198 words

A one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation in an orifice provided in a pivotal door for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having keeper means extending from the inner side of said door frame, comprising: a first portion for placement on an outer surface of said door; a second portion extending from said first portion for insertion through said orifice and engaging said keeper means in the installed position on the closed door; a third portion in integral engagement with said first and second portions and substantially coplanar with the first portion, said third portion having a thin-walled section being sufficiently flexible to allow said third portion to be deformed, said second portion moving out of engagement with the keeper means in response to deformation of the third portion; means on said second portion, cooperating with said keeper means for increasing resistance against pivotal movement of said door with increases in pressure on the inside of the door; and a leaf spring integrally attached to said second portion toward said first portion to prevent removal of said second portion from said orifice once said second portion has been inserted in said orifice.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 41 words

The latch as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for increasing resistance against pivoting of said door includes means for interlocking engagement with said keeper means having two indentations, each indentation being diposed on opposite sides of said second portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 37 words

The latch as recited in claim 5, wherein said indentations are angularly disposed to cause engagement with said keeper means to increase when said door is exposed to explosive forces on the inner side of said door.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 96 words

The latch as recited in claim 4, wherein said second portion is further provided with a camming surface extending from one end of said second portion opposite an end of said second portion attached to said first portion, said camming surface being provided to contact said keeper means of said door frame to cause said flexible thin-walled section of said third portion to deform as said door is closed when said second portion is inserted through said orifice, said thin-walled section being provided with an angular nib for prevention of excessive deformation of said thin-walled section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The latch as recited in claim 4, wherein the latch is formed of Zytel 101L.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

The latch as described in claim 4, wherein said first portion is substantially planar and parallel to the outer surface of said door, and wherein said second portion extends substantially normally outward from said first portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The latch as recited in claim 4, wherein said fourth portion extends angularly outward from said first portion at an angle of 60° .

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 48 words

The latch as recited in claim 10, wherein said fourth portion further includes a normally extending generally triangular protrusion disposed midway along one side of said fourth portion from the end of said fourth portion attached to said first portion and the opposite end of said fourth portion.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The latch as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for increasing resistance against pivoting of said door includes means for interlocking engagement with said keeper means having two indentations, each indentation being disposed on opposite sides of said second portion.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 37 words

The latch as recited in claim 12, wherein said indentations are angularly disposed to cause engagement with said keeper means to increase when said door is exposed to explosive forces on the inner side of said door.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-01-08	1988-07-09	1989-01-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-01-08	1992-07-09	1993-01-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-01-08	1996-07-09	1997-01-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

One-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation

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