US5690372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Latch mechanism
Assignee: JADO Bathroom and Hardware Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1996-02-20
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Granted: 1997-11-25
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Expires: 2016-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A latch mechanism includes a housing containing a force transfer member. At one end of the force transfer member, a first cam mechanism is provided which is intended to be rotated by an actuator handle. At the other end of the force transfer member, a second cam mechanism is pivotably mounted to the housing and is pivoted through movements of the force transfer member responsive to rotations of the first Cam mechanism. The second cam mechanism is coupled to a latch bolt so that rotations of the first cam mechanism will result in movements of the latch bolt. The improved latch mechanism is designed to permit complete retraction of the latch bolt through rotation of the first cam mechanism by less than one-twelfth of a revolution, in either direction of rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Werner Jans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:42
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B63/00; E05B63/0017; E05B63/0021; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/60; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/096; Y10T292/0969; Y10T292/097; Y10T292/0977; Y10T292/1097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An improved latch mechanism, comprising: a) a housing containing a force transfer mechanism biased by biasing means and said force transfer mechanism being constrained to linearly reciprocate within said housing; b) a first cam mechanism coupled to said force transfer mechanism whereby rotation of said first cam mechanism about a first axis of rotation causes reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism against force exerted by said biasing means; c) a second cam mechanism coupled to said force transfer mechanism whereby reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism causes rotation of said second cam mechanism about a second axis of rotation spaced from said first axis of rotation; d) said second cam mechanism being coupled to a latch bolt whereby rotation of said second cam mechanism causes reciprocation of said latch bolt; e) whereby rotation of said first cam mechanism results in reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism, rotation of said second cam mechanism and reciprocation of said latch bolt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An improved latch mechanism, comprising: a) a housing containing a force transfer mechanism biased by biasing means and said force transfer mechanism being constrained to linearly reciprocate within said housing; b) a first cam mechanism coupled to said force transfer mechanism whereby rotation of said first cam mechanism about a first axis of rotation causes reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism against force exerted by said biasing means; c) a second cam mechanism coupled to said force transfer mechanism whereby reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism causes rotation of said second cam mechanism about a second axis of rotation spaced from said first axis of rotation; d) said second cam mechanism being coupled to a latch bolt whereby rotation of said second cam mechanism causes reciprocation of said latch bolt; e) whereby rotation of said first cam mechanism results in reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism, rotation of said second cam mechanism and reciprocation of said latch bolt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said housing is generally rectangular cubic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said force transfer mechanism is generally U-shaped having a first open end and a second end closed by a wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring interposed between said housing and a spring stop mounted on said first end of said force transfer mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first cam mechanism includes a generally cylindrical body rotatably disposed in said housing and a double cam member protruding through opposed slots in said force transfer mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanism of claim 5, wherein said opposed slots terminate in respective rearward tabs engageable by said double cam member whereby rotation of said body in either direction causes reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said wall has a rear surface engaging a cam surface of said second cam mechanism whereby rearward reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism causes rotation of said second cam mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 7, wherein said second cam mechanism is coupled to said latch bolt via a finger laterally protruding from said second cam mechanism and engaging a recess in a fitting mounted to said latch bolt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said second cam mechanism is rotatably coupled to said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said latch bolt is biased in a direction away from said force transfer mechanism by further biasing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism of claim 1, including a lever coupled to said first cam mechanism, rotation of said lever less than 30° resulting in complete retraction of said latch bolt within said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein when said first cam mechanism is rotated about said first axis, said latch bolt reciprocates a further distance than a distance of reciprocation of said force transfer mechanism.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-26 | 2001-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-05-26 | 2005-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-24 | 2009-05-26 | 2009-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |