Patent ID: 6116662
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A flush mounted latch for a door, wherein the door has a jamb with a striker plate, an edge facing the striker plate, a front surface, and a back surface that is disposed opposite to the front surface, said latch comprising:a) a housing for mounting in the door and communicating with the edge of the door, the front surface of the door, and the back surface of the door; said housing being hollow and generally rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped, and having:i) an end wall for being flush with the edge of the door;ii) a first wall for being flush with the front surface of the door;iii) a second wall for being flush with the back surface of the door; andiv) a sleeve extending inwardly from said end wall of said housing and guiding a bolt slidably through said end wall of said housing;b) said bolt selectively retractable into said housing, and when extended, engaging in the striker plate of the door preventing the door from being opened, and when retracted, clearing the striker plate of the door allowing the door to be opened;c) first apparatus disposed in said housing and operatively connected to, and moving, said bolt from an extended position to a retracted position and vise versa; said first apparatus comprising:i) a pinion gear having a center and being rotatable mounted in said housing, and being disposed normal to, and between, said first wall of said housing and said second wall of said housing for rotation relative thereto, and being operatively connected to said bolt;ii) a pivot arm being pivotally mounted at one end to, but off said center of, said pinion gear, and being pivotally mounted at another end to said bolt, allowing said bolt to retract when said pinion gear is rotated in one direction;iii) a first rack being operatively connected to a second apparatus and gearingly engaging an edge of said pinion gear, and when caused to move inwardly by said second apparatus, rotating said pinion gear in said one direction and retracting said bolt; andiv) a second rack being operatively connected to said second apparatus and gearingly engaging an opposite edge of said pinion gear, and when caused to move inwardly by said second apparatus, rotating said pinion gear in said one direction and retracting said bolt; said second rack moving opposite to said first rack; andd) said second apparatus for being normally flush with said front surface of said door and said back surface of said door, and operatively connected to said bolt and said first apparatus, and when pushed, activating said first apparatus and opening the door; said second apparatus comprising a first plunger plate for normally mounting flush with the front side of the door, and being connected to said first rack for movement therewith, and when pushed, said first plunger plate causing said first rack to move inwardly and rotating said pinion gear in said one direction and retracting said bolt.