CA2055360C - Tension latch - Google Patents
Tension latch Download PDFInfo
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- CA2055360C CA2055360C CA 2055360 CA2055360A CA2055360C CA 2055360 C CA2055360 C CA 2055360C CA 2055360 CA2055360 CA 2055360 CA 2055360 A CA2055360 A CA 2055360A CA 2055360 C CA2055360 C CA 2055360C
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- latch
- strike
- case
- lever
- side flanges
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Abstract
A latch incorporates a latch member in the form of a leaf spring which is connected by an overcenter operating lever mechanism to a case mounted to a door for latching engagement with a strike member mounted to another door or frame member. The strike member incorporates guide rails for guiding the latch member into engagement with the strike, and the case includes flanges which cover the shackle of a padlock used to lock the operating lever to the case in a latching position.
Description
TENSION LATCH
The present invention relates in general to latches of the type used to lock doors or the like to associated frames or to other doors, and it :relates in particular to a new and improved latch which incorporates a leaf spring and an over center mechanism for locking the latch assembly to a strike.
BACKGROUN D OF THE INVENTION
Hasps of the type used for latching swinging gates to adjacent frame members and for latching two doors or gates to o:ne another are well known in the prior art. Also, it is well known to use padlocks to lock such hasps to the associated strikes. One problem with the prior art hasps has been the ease with which t:he shackles of the padlocks can be cut or broken and then removed to unlock the associate door.
Also, it has not been difficult to pry the prior art type of h~~sps away from the strikes using heavy screwdrivers or crowbars .
Another problem with many of the hasps now on the market is the difficulty of align ng the hasps with the associated strikes when the door or gate is to be locked. This is particularly true after the door or gate has been in use for some time and the door or ~~ate has sagged such that the hasp 'and the strike are no longer perfectly aligned with one another .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved latch which is sturdy in construction and which incorporates an over center latching mechanism which includes an imperforate leaf spring which in the locking position covers both the operating mechanism of the latch and the fasteners which are used to mount the latch and the strike to the members to be locked together. In this manner surreptitious disassembly of the latch from the associated strike and from the door and frame is prevented.
The leaf spring is in the form of an arcuate plate which while in the latched position covers a portion of the operating mechanism of the latch assembly as well as the mounting fasteners for the strike. The remainder of the operating mechanism is covered by an imperforate handle which is a part of a lever which is used to operate the latch.
According to one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member comprising a relatively elongated latch sub-assembly and a strike, said latch sub-assembly being adapted to be mounted on one member and said strike on the other member in longitudinally aligned relation, said latch sub-assembly having a proximal end adapted to be positioned adjacent said strike and a distal end remote therefrom; said latch sub-assembly including in nested relation a case, a lever and a latch, each of said base and lever being U-shaped in transverse section, said lever having a handle bight and two side flanges depending therefrom, pintle means pivotally mounting said lever in said case adjacent the proximal end thereof with the lever side flanges being within the case flanges, a longitudinally arcuate leaf spring latch having a pair of sides, a hook adjacent the proximal end thereof and a pivot mounting adjacent the distal end thereof, pin means pivotally mounting said latch in said lever intermediate the ends thereof, said handle bight extending from the lever distal end to a position adjacent said pin means, said strike also having upstanding side flanges, the lever side flanges having proximal ends adjacent the distal ends of said strike side flanges, said strike flanges and lever flanges being in covering relation to said latch sides, and lock means adjacent the distal end of said case for releasably locking said case and lever together in nested relation and for preventing pry bar use by an intruder.
According to another broad aspect, the invention relates to a latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member, comprising in combination a case adapted to be mounted to said first member, said case including a base portion and two upstanding side flanges, a strike adapted to be mounted to said second member, a lever pivotally mounted on said case and disposed between said side flanges, a latch in the form of a leaf spring, and means pivotally mounting said latch to said lever, said latch having a hooked end portion for selective engagement with said strike to latch said first and second members together, fastener means attaching said strike to said second member, said latch covering said fastener means when said latch is engaged with said strike, said latch and said lever being pivotally mounted for respective pivotal movement about mutually parallel axes, an upstanding part of 1 S said case having an opening there through for receiving the shackle of a padlock, and an opening in said lever for receiving said shackle when said latch is in the latching condition, and said upstanding part of said case being generally planar, located midway between said case side flanges and lying in a plane perpendicular to said case side flanges.
General Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the present invention may be had from a reading of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a latch and associated strike in the latched position;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the latch and strike of Fig.
taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the case of the latch shown in Fig. 1;
-2a-Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line n-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an end view of the case taken from the right ;side of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the operating handle of the :Latch shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a bottom v:Cew of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken ayong the line Z3-8 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line !3-9 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the spring latch member used :in the latch mechanism 10;
Fig. 11 is an elevataonal view taken from the bottom of 'the latch member as it is illustrated in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the strike shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :13-13 of Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :1~1-14 of Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the spring latch member oshown in Fig. 10;
Fig. 16 is an isometo~ic view of another embodiment of 'the invention; and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :17-17 of Fig. 16.
. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a :Latch mechanism 10 which includes a latch assembly 12 and a atrike member 14. The latch assembly is affixed to the face of a member 16 by means of a plurality of mounting fasteners ;?0, and the strike 14 is affixed to the face of a member 18 by means of a plurality of mounting fasteners 19. One or moth of the members 16 and 18 may be a door or gate which is adapted to be locked to the other member by the latch mechanism 10. It will be seen that the faces of the members .l6 and 18 to which the strike 14 and the latch assembly 12 are respectively mounted are in substantially coplaner z~elationship. A padlock 21 is used to lock the latch ~issembly 12 in the latching position.
The latch assembly la? comprises a unitary case member 22 having a planer base portj_on 24 and a pair of upstanding side flanges 26 and 28. The case is shown in its entirety in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 and may be seen to include a plurality of suitable holes 30 provided in the base portion 24 to accommodate the fasteners 20. Four such holes are provided and three of them are elongated to facilitate adjustment of t;he position of the latch assembly on the member 16 and the fourth is circular to lock the case in the adjusted position.
A latching lever 32, which is shown in its entirety in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, includes a relatively flat operating riandle 34 permanently atta~hed to a pair of lever arms 35 and ~;6 which are disposed in proximity to the inner faces of the ~~ide flanges of the case 22. The arms 35 and 36 are provided with mutually aligned holes 38 which freely receive a pintle 4D mounted at its ends in 'the flanges 26 and 28. A pair of embossments 42 and 43 on the arms 35 and 36 are provided with ,central holes 45 and 46 wh:Lch receive a pivot pin 48, best shown in Fig. 2, on which a spring latch member 50 is pivotally mounted.
The latch member 50 is shown in its entirety in Figs.
and 11 and may be seen t;o be a generally arcuate plate mE~mber which is rolled at t;he end 52 thereof to define a cylindrical transverse hole 54 through which the pivot pin 48 i:> adapted to freely extend. The other end 55 of the latch member is partially curled back upon itself to provide a hook which is adapted to engage and grasp the strike 14. The latch member 50 is formed of an elastomeric material such as steel and thus constitutes a leaf spring. Near the curled end 52 the member 50 has a reduced width so as to clear the embossments 42 and 43 on the arms 35 and 36. As explained me>re fully hereinafter, the end portion 55 of the latch member 50 also has a reduced width for facilitating the alignment of the latch member 50 with the strike 14. The side edges 56 and 57 of the member 50 are inwardly tapered to engage the sides of the strike 14 to cam the latch member into alignment with the strike if the associated door or gate ha.s sagged .
The strike member 14 is shown in its entirety in Figs.
lc, 13, and 14, and it is shown in combination with the latch assembly 12 in Figs. 1 and 2. As there shown, the strike member 14 comprises a generally planer base portion 58 and a 20553gp pair of upstanding side flanges 60 and 61. A pair of elongated mounting holes 62 are provided in the base portion ,58 to receive the mounting fasteners 19. At the end of the base portion 58 remote from the latch assembly the base is reversely bent to provide a hook-like strike 6~4 over which the hook at the end of the latch member 50 is adapted, to be engaged as shown in Fig. 2. The side flanges 60 and 61 are reversely bent at the locations adjacent to the strike 6~I to provide guide rails 66 and 68 for directing the hooked end of the latch member 50 into engagement with the strike 64 when the latch is operated to engage the strike. The front ends 69 of the side flanges 60 and 61 curved to match the adjacent side edges of the latch member 50.
As thus far described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the latch member 50 and the operating handle 3~4 cover all of the mounting fasteners 19 and 20 to prevent access thereto when the latch is in the locked position.
In order to accommodate the padlock 21 for locking the latch mechanism in the latched position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the base 24 of the case 22 is provided with an upstanding tab 70 at the end thereof remote from the strike.
An opening 72 is provided in the tab 70 and aligned openings 76 and 78 are provided in the side flanges 26 and 28 of the case 22 and in the arms 35 and 36 of the latching lever 32 to receive the shackle of the padlock 21. In addition, a pair of slots 79 are provided in the rearward ends of the side ~°langes 26 and 28 for receiving the shackle of the padlock a?1 and for guiding the shackle of the padlock into position.
~~n order to inhibit sawing or other destruction of the ~;~hackle of the padlack, the flanges 26 and 28 of the case 22 :.ncorporate outward exten:>ions 80 and 82 extend outwardly j'rom the upper edges of tree flanges 26 and 28 and which completely overlie the shackle of the padlock when the padlock is in a locking position. Inasmuch as the case 22 is formed of a strong durable' material, such, for example, as ~~teel, and completely cove°rs the shackle, access to the ~~hackle of the padlock is inhibited.
Operation In use, the strike member 1~1 and the latch assembly 12 ~~re mounted respectively t:a the coplaner surfaces of the pair of the members 16 and 18 t;o be latched together so that the latch member 50 fits between the guide rails 66 and 68 of the ~;trike member 14. To unlatch the latch assembly from the ~~trike member, the handle 34 is pulled away from the base causing the lever 32 to pj.vot about the axis of the pintle 40 and to push the hooked encl of the latch member 50 away from t:he strike 64. The latch member can then be lifted away from t;he strike, and the member's 16 and 18 can be moved away from one another.
In order to latch the members 16 and 18 together, the members 16 and 18 are moved into substantially abutting relationship, and the latching lever 32 is lifted away from t;he base of the case therEyby positioning the hooked end of t:he latch member 50 adjacent to the strike 64 and against the ~o553so face of the member 18 to which the strike member 14 is mounted. The lever is then pivoted to the latching position 'by moving it toward the base 22. The hooked end of the latch member 50 is thus pulled under the strike 64, and because of the elasticity of the latch member 50, any small changes in the relative positions of the members 16 and 18 does not prevent movement of the latching lever into the fully latched positioned. Moreover, if the members 16 and 18 are not in actual abutment when the latching lever is moved into the latched position, the latch member 50 pulls the members 16 and 18 together as the latching lever 32 is pivoted into the latching position. The padlock can then be attached to the latch mechanism by inserting the shackle through the openings 72, 76, and 78 and thereafter locking it in place in the case of the padlock to lock the latch in the latched position.
Lnasmuch as the latching handle 34 extends a substantial distance beyond the tab 70, as best shown in Fig. 2, irrespective of the position of the body or case of the padlock, the shackle is entirely covered and protected by the latch assembly, thereby assuring that unauthorized access to t:he shackle is inhibited.
It will be understood that the flanges 80 and 82 prevent access to the shackle of the padlock with a saw or bolt cutter. The close proximity of the strike 14 and the case 12 make it difficult if not impossible to insert a prybar or the like between the two, and the close proximity of the sides of the strike member and the edges of the latching member 50 also make it difficult if not impossible to insert a prybar or the like therebetween. In addition, the upper edges of l~he side walls of the stroke member 14 have a radius which is i;he same as the face of the latch member making access to the space between the strike and the latch member difficult.
~~lso the shackle of the padlock extends through the tab 70 and the sides of both the latching lever 32 and the case 22 making it extremely difficult to break the latch itself to remove the padlock therefrom. The hole i.n the tab is only :lightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the :>hackles of the padlocks with which the latch assembly is designed to be used to prevent substantial movement of the padlock relative to the latch assembly to facilitate the use c>f a prybar or shackle cutter.
Referring to Figs. 16 and 17 wherein is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar in c,onstruct;ion to the latch shown in Figs. ~_ and 2 and described above. In Figs. 16 and 17 like parts have been identified by the same references numbers used in Figs. 1 and c'. The Gase member 22a is similar in construction to the case member 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that no openings a.re provided in the sides thereof for receiving the shackle of a padlock. A key lock 84 is mounted in a circular hole 86 in the handle 34 and includes a retractable bolt 88 which extends through the opening 72 in the tab 70 when in the locked position as shown in Fig. 17.
When the key lock 8~I is unlocked, the bolt 86 is axially withdrawn from the opening 72 in the tab 70 to permit lifting of the handle 34 and release of the latch.
While the present invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make many changes and modifications thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of t:he invention. Therefore, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications whj.ch come within the true spirit and scope of t:~ne present invention.
The present invention relates in general to latches of the type used to lock doors or the like to associated frames or to other doors, and it :relates in particular to a new and improved latch which incorporates a leaf spring and an over center mechanism for locking the latch assembly to a strike.
BACKGROUN D OF THE INVENTION
Hasps of the type used for latching swinging gates to adjacent frame members and for latching two doors or gates to o:ne another are well known in the prior art. Also, it is well known to use padlocks to lock such hasps to the associated strikes. One problem with the prior art hasps has been the ease with which t:he shackles of the padlocks can be cut or broken and then removed to unlock the associate door.
Also, it has not been difficult to pry the prior art type of h~~sps away from the strikes using heavy screwdrivers or crowbars .
Another problem with many of the hasps now on the market is the difficulty of align ng the hasps with the associated strikes when the door or gate is to be locked. This is particularly true after the door or gate has been in use for some time and the door or ~~ate has sagged such that the hasp 'and the strike are no longer perfectly aligned with one another .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved latch which is sturdy in construction and which incorporates an over center latching mechanism which includes an imperforate leaf spring which in the locking position covers both the operating mechanism of the latch and the fasteners which are used to mount the latch and the strike to the members to be locked together. In this manner surreptitious disassembly of the latch from the associated strike and from the door and frame is prevented.
The leaf spring is in the form of an arcuate plate which while in the latched position covers a portion of the operating mechanism of the latch assembly as well as the mounting fasteners for the strike. The remainder of the operating mechanism is covered by an imperforate handle which is a part of a lever which is used to operate the latch.
According to one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member comprising a relatively elongated latch sub-assembly and a strike, said latch sub-assembly being adapted to be mounted on one member and said strike on the other member in longitudinally aligned relation, said latch sub-assembly having a proximal end adapted to be positioned adjacent said strike and a distal end remote therefrom; said latch sub-assembly including in nested relation a case, a lever and a latch, each of said base and lever being U-shaped in transverse section, said lever having a handle bight and two side flanges depending therefrom, pintle means pivotally mounting said lever in said case adjacent the proximal end thereof with the lever side flanges being within the case flanges, a longitudinally arcuate leaf spring latch having a pair of sides, a hook adjacent the proximal end thereof and a pivot mounting adjacent the distal end thereof, pin means pivotally mounting said latch in said lever intermediate the ends thereof, said handle bight extending from the lever distal end to a position adjacent said pin means, said strike also having upstanding side flanges, the lever side flanges having proximal ends adjacent the distal ends of said strike side flanges, said strike flanges and lever flanges being in covering relation to said latch sides, and lock means adjacent the distal end of said case for releasably locking said case and lever together in nested relation and for preventing pry bar use by an intruder.
According to another broad aspect, the invention relates to a latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member, comprising in combination a case adapted to be mounted to said first member, said case including a base portion and two upstanding side flanges, a strike adapted to be mounted to said second member, a lever pivotally mounted on said case and disposed between said side flanges, a latch in the form of a leaf spring, and means pivotally mounting said latch to said lever, said latch having a hooked end portion for selective engagement with said strike to latch said first and second members together, fastener means attaching said strike to said second member, said latch covering said fastener means when said latch is engaged with said strike, said latch and said lever being pivotally mounted for respective pivotal movement about mutually parallel axes, an upstanding part of 1 S said case having an opening there through for receiving the shackle of a padlock, and an opening in said lever for receiving said shackle when said latch is in the latching condition, and said upstanding part of said case being generally planar, located midway between said case side flanges and lying in a plane perpendicular to said case side flanges.
General Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the present invention may be had from a reading of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a latch and associated strike in the latched position;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the latch and strike of Fig.
taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the case of the latch shown in Fig. 1;
-2a-Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line n-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an end view of the case taken from the right ;side of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the operating handle of the :Latch shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a bottom v:Cew of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken ayong the line Z3-8 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line !3-9 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the spring latch member used :in the latch mechanism 10;
Fig. 11 is an elevataonal view taken from the bottom of 'the latch member as it is illustrated in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the strike shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :13-13 of Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :1~1-14 of Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the spring latch member oshown in Fig. 10;
Fig. 16 is an isometo~ic view of another embodiment of 'the invention; and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line :17-17 of Fig. 16.
. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a :Latch mechanism 10 which includes a latch assembly 12 and a atrike member 14. The latch assembly is affixed to the face of a member 16 by means of a plurality of mounting fasteners ;?0, and the strike 14 is affixed to the face of a member 18 by means of a plurality of mounting fasteners 19. One or moth of the members 16 and 18 may be a door or gate which is adapted to be locked to the other member by the latch mechanism 10. It will be seen that the faces of the members .l6 and 18 to which the strike 14 and the latch assembly 12 are respectively mounted are in substantially coplaner z~elationship. A padlock 21 is used to lock the latch ~issembly 12 in the latching position.
The latch assembly la? comprises a unitary case member 22 having a planer base portj_on 24 and a pair of upstanding side flanges 26 and 28. The case is shown in its entirety in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 and may be seen to include a plurality of suitable holes 30 provided in the base portion 24 to accommodate the fasteners 20. Four such holes are provided and three of them are elongated to facilitate adjustment of t;he position of the latch assembly on the member 16 and the fourth is circular to lock the case in the adjusted position.
A latching lever 32, which is shown in its entirety in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, includes a relatively flat operating riandle 34 permanently atta~hed to a pair of lever arms 35 and ~;6 which are disposed in proximity to the inner faces of the ~~ide flanges of the case 22. The arms 35 and 36 are provided with mutually aligned holes 38 which freely receive a pintle 4D mounted at its ends in 'the flanges 26 and 28. A pair of embossments 42 and 43 on the arms 35 and 36 are provided with ,central holes 45 and 46 wh:Lch receive a pivot pin 48, best shown in Fig. 2, on which a spring latch member 50 is pivotally mounted.
The latch member 50 is shown in its entirety in Figs.
and 11 and may be seen t;o be a generally arcuate plate mE~mber which is rolled at t;he end 52 thereof to define a cylindrical transverse hole 54 through which the pivot pin 48 i:> adapted to freely extend. The other end 55 of the latch member is partially curled back upon itself to provide a hook which is adapted to engage and grasp the strike 14. The latch member 50 is formed of an elastomeric material such as steel and thus constitutes a leaf spring. Near the curled end 52 the member 50 has a reduced width so as to clear the embossments 42 and 43 on the arms 35 and 36. As explained me>re fully hereinafter, the end portion 55 of the latch member 50 also has a reduced width for facilitating the alignment of the latch member 50 with the strike 14. The side edges 56 and 57 of the member 50 are inwardly tapered to engage the sides of the strike 14 to cam the latch member into alignment with the strike if the associated door or gate ha.s sagged .
The strike member 14 is shown in its entirety in Figs.
lc, 13, and 14, and it is shown in combination with the latch assembly 12 in Figs. 1 and 2. As there shown, the strike member 14 comprises a generally planer base portion 58 and a 20553gp pair of upstanding side flanges 60 and 61. A pair of elongated mounting holes 62 are provided in the base portion ,58 to receive the mounting fasteners 19. At the end of the base portion 58 remote from the latch assembly the base is reversely bent to provide a hook-like strike 6~4 over which the hook at the end of the latch member 50 is adapted, to be engaged as shown in Fig. 2. The side flanges 60 and 61 are reversely bent at the locations adjacent to the strike 6~I to provide guide rails 66 and 68 for directing the hooked end of the latch member 50 into engagement with the strike 64 when the latch is operated to engage the strike. The front ends 69 of the side flanges 60 and 61 curved to match the adjacent side edges of the latch member 50.
As thus far described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the latch member 50 and the operating handle 3~4 cover all of the mounting fasteners 19 and 20 to prevent access thereto when the latch is in the locked position.
In order to accommodate the padlock 21 for locking the latch mechanism in the latched position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the base 24 of the case 22 is provided with an upstanding tab 70 at the end thereof remote from the strike.
An opening 72 is provided in the tab 70 and aligned openings 76 and 78 are provided in the side flanges 26 and 28 of the case 22 and in the arms 35 and 36 of the latching lever 32 to receive the shackle of the padlock 21. In addition, a pair of slots 79 are provided in the rearward ends of the side ~°langes 26 and 28 for receiving the shackle of the padlock a?1 and for guiding the shackle of the padlock into position.
~~n order to inhibit sawing or other destruction of the ~;~hackle of the padlack, the flanges 26 and 28 of the case 22 :.ncorporate outward exten:>ions 80 and 82 extend outwardly j'rom the upper edges of tree flanges 26 and 28 and which completely overlie the shackle of the padlock when the padlock is in a locking position. Inasmuch as the case 22 is formed of a strong durable' material, such, for example, as ~~teel, and completely cove°rs the shackle, access to the ~~hackle of the padlock is inhibited.
Operation In use, the strike member 1~1 and the latch assembly 12 ~~re mounted respectively t:a the coplaner surfaces of the pair of the members 16 and 18 t;o be latched together so that the latch member 50 fits between the guide rails 66 and 68 of the ~;trike member 14. To unlatch the latch assembly from the ~~trike member, the handle 34 is pulled away from the base causing the lever 32 to pj.vot about the axis of the pintle 40 and to push the hooked encl of the latch member 50 away from t:he strike 64. The latch member can then be lifted away from t;he strike, and the member's 16 and 18 can be moved away from one another.
In order to latch the members 16 and 18 together, the members 16 and 18 are moved into substantially abutting relationship, and the latching lever 32 is lifted away from t;he base of the case therEyby positioning the hooked end of t:he latch member 50 adjacent to the strike 64 and against the ~o553so face of the member 18 to which the strike member 14 is mounted. The lever is then pivoted to the latching position 'by moving it toward the base 22. The hooked end of the latch member 50 is thus pulled under the strike 64, and because of the elasticity of the latch member 50, any small changes in the relative positions of the members 16 and 18 does not prevent movement of the latching lever into the fully latched positioned. Moreover, if the members 16 and 18 are not in actual abutment when the latching lever is moved into the latched position, the latch member 50 pulls the members 16 and 18 together as the latching lever 32 is pivoted into the latching position. The padlock can then be attached to the latch mechanism by inserting the shackle through the openings 72, 76, and 78 and thereafter locking it in place in the case of the padlock to lock the latch in the latched position.
Lnasmuch as the latching handle 34 extends a substantial distance beyond the tab 70, as best shown in Fig. 2, irrespective of the position of the body or case of the padlock, the shackle is entirely covered and protected by the latch assembly, thereby assuring that unauthorized access to t:he shackle is inhibited.
It will be understood that the flanges 80 and 82 prevent access to the shackle of the padlock with a saw or bolt cutter. The close proximity of the strike 14 and the case 12 make it difficult if not impossible to insert a prybar or the like between the two, and the close proximity of the sides of the strike member and the edges of the latching member 50 also make it difficult if not impossible to insert a prybar or the like therebetween. In addition, the upper edges of l~he side walls of the stroke member 14 have a radius which is i;he same as the face of the latch member making access to the space between the strike and the latch member difficult.
~~lso the shackle of the padlock extends through the tab 70 and the sides of both the latching lever 32 and the case 22 making it extremely difficult to break the latch itself to remove the padlock therefrom. The hole i.n the tab is only :lightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the :>hackles of the padlocks with which the latch assembly is designed to be used to prevent substantial movement of the padlock relative to the latch assembly to facilitate the use c>f a prybar or shackle cutter.
Referring to Figs. 16 and 17 wherein is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar in c,onstruct;ion to the latch shown in Figs. ~_ and 2 and described above. In Figs. 16 and 17 like parts have been identified by the same references numbers used in Figs. 1 and c'. The Gase member 22a is similar in construction to the case member 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that no openings a.re provided in the sides thereof for receiving the shackle of a padlock. A key lock 84 is mounted in a circular hole 86 in the handle 34 and includes a retractable bolt 88 which extends through the opening 72 in the tab 70 when in the locked position as shown in Fig. 17.
When the key lock 8~I is unlocked, the bolt 86 is axially withdrawn from the opening 72 in the tab 70 to permit lifting of the handle 34 and release of the latch.
While the present invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make many changes and modifications thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of t:he invention. Therefore, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications whj.ch come within the true spirit and scope of t:~ne present invention.
Claims (4)
1. A latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member comprising a relatively elongated latch sub-assembly and a strike, said latch sub-assembly being adapted to be mounted on one member and said strike on the other member in longitudinally aligned relation, said latch sub-assembly having a proximal end adapted to be positioned adjacent said strike and a distal end remote therefrom, said latch sub-assembly including in nested relation a case, a lever and a latch, each of said base and lever being U-shaped in transverse section, said lever having a handle bight and two side flanges depending therefrom, pintle means pivotally mounting said lever in said case adjacent the proximal end thereof with the lever side flanges being within the case flanges, a longitudinally arcuate leaf spring latch having a pair of sides, a hook adjacent the proximal end thereof and a pivot mounting adjacent the distal end thereof, pin means pivotally mounting said latch in said lever intermediate the ends thereof, said handle bight extending from the lever distal end to a position adjacent said pin means, said strike also having upstanding side flanges, the lever side flanges having proximal ends adjacent the distal ends of said strike side flanges, said strike flanges and lever flanges being in covering relation to said latch sides, and lock means adjacent the distal end of said case for releasably locking said case and lever together in nested relation and for preventing pry bar use by an intruder.
2. The latch assembly according to claim 1 in which said strike adjacent the proximal end thereof has longitudinally straight side flanges upstanding from a bight and in which the side edges of said latch adjacent said hook are longitudinally tapered for engaging said strike said flanges to guide said latch into latching position between said strike side flanges.
3. A latch assembly for latching a first member to a second member, comprising in combination:
a case adapted to be mounted to said first member, said case including a base portion and two upstanding side flanges, a strike adapted to be mounted to said second member, a lever pivotally mounted on said case and disposed between said side flanges, a latch in the form of a leaf spring, and means pivotally mounting said latch to said lever, said latch having a hooked end portion for selective engagement with said strike to latch said first and second members together, fastener means attaching said strike to said second member, said latch covering said fastener means when said latch is engaged with said strike, said latch and said lever being pivotally mounted for respective pivotal movement about mutually parallel axes, an upstanding part of said case having an opening there through for receiving the shackle of a padlock, and an opening in said lever for receiving said shackle when said latch is in the latching condition, and said upstanding part of said case being generally planar, located midway between said case side flanges and lying in a plane perpendicular to said case side flanges.
a case adapted to be mounted to said first member, said case including a base portion and two upstanding side flanges, a strike adapted to be mounted to said second member, a lever pivotally mounted on said case and disposed between said side flanges, a latch in the form of a leaf spring, and means pivotally mounting said latch to said lever, said latch having a hooked end portion for selective engagement with said strike to latch said first and second members together, fastener means attaching said strike to said second member, said latch covering said fastener means when said latch is engaged with said strike, said latch and said lever being pivotally mounted for respective pivotal movement about mutually parallel axes, an upstanding part of said case having an opening there through for receiving the shackle of a padlock, and an opening in said lever for receiving said shackle when said latch is in the latching condition, and said upstanding part of said case being generally planar, located midway between said case side flanges and lying in a plane perpendicular to said case side flanges.
4. The latch assembly of claim 3 in which said case has a distal end remote from said strike, said case upstanding side flanges being equipped with notches at the distal ends thereof for receipt of said shackle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US71245291A | 1991-06-10 | 1991-06-10 | |
| US712,452 | 1991-06-10 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2055360A1 CA2055360A1 (en) | 1992-12-11 |
| CA2055360C true CA2055360C (en) | 2002-08-27 |
Family
ID=24862177
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2055360 Expired - Fee Related CA2055360C (en) | 1991-06-10 | 1991-11-13 | Tension latch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2055360C (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-11-13 CA CA 2055360 patent/CA2055360C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2055360A1 (en) | 1992-12-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |