Patent ID: 6257030
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A thumb-operated multilatch door lock attachable to a door, the thumb-operated multilatch door lock comprising:an extendable and retractable central latch;a central latch driving mechanism;at least one extendable and retractable remote latch;at least one remote latch driving mechanism,the at least one remote latch driving mechanism including at least one extendable and retractable action bar to communicate movements of the central latch driving mechanism to the at least one remote latch driving mechanism,the central latch driving mechanism having a rotatable spindle upon rotation of which in alternate directions the central latch driving mechanism retracts and extends the central latch and the at least one action bar of the at least one remote latch driving mechanism;a movable thumb-operated latch lever adapted to be exposed on the door;a handle adapted to be exposed on the exterior surface of the door and positioned to facilitate actuating the movable thumb-operated latch lever with a thumb while grasping, pushing and pulling the handle to open and close the door;a rack responsive to the thumb-operated latch lever for movement in an upward direction when the thumb-operated latch lever is moved in a downward direction;a rack spring resiliently biasing the rack in a downward direction; anda sector pinion connected to the spindle and engaging the rack for rotating the spindle, the rack when reciprocating in one direction rotating the spindle to extend the central latch and the at least one action bar, and the rack when reciprocating in another direction rotating the spindle to retract the central latch and the at least one action bar.