Abstract:
A lock comprising a spring-latch member rotatably coupled to a sliding block for assuming two fixed positions with respect to the sliding block, the sliding block being controlled by a rotating member provided for restraining a lug extending from the inner face of the block and driven by a lever arm operated by a handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a spring-latch lock, provided with an improved locking system and adapted to be used both for inwardly and outwardly opened doors. 
     As is known, for closing given doors in homes, hotels, transport means and so on there are presently used simple spring-latch locks which can be snap engaged in the related selvage. 
     Also known is the fact that, in the above mentioned locks, the spring-latch member must have its slanted surface facing the closing direction of the door, so as to provide the mentioned snap engaging. 
     Because of this reason, two different types of locks are presently made, to be respectively applied to doors to be closed inwardly and doors to be closed outwardly. 
     On particular types of doors, moreover, there is the requirement of providing a closure locking which negatively affects the construction of the lock, which becomes very complex and of comparatively large size, with a not completely reliable operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a spring-latch door lock which may be advantageously used both on inwardly and outwardly opened doors. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a spring-latch door lock which is provided with an improved locking member for locking the door in its closed condition. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a spring-latch door lock which is very simple construction-wise and which, moreover, is very reliable in operation. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention the above mentioned objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a spring-latch door lock, provided with an improved locking system and adapted to be used both for inwardly and outwardly opened doors, characterized in that said lock is provided with a spring-latch member rotatably coupled to a sliding block and able of assuming two fixed positions with respect to said block, the sliding of said block depending on the position of a rotating member able of restraining the movement of a shaped lug extending from the inner face of said block and driven by a lever arm in turn adapted to be driven by a handle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the spring-latch door lock according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, being illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the inner mechanism of the subject lock, in its condition locking the spring-latch member; 
     FIG. 2 represent the same mechanism with the locking member in its spring-latch member disengaged condition; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective expolded view illustrating the spring-latch member and related sliding block; 
     FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the two positions which may be assumed by the spring-latch member, with respect to the mentioned sliding block; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating locking member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the door lock according to the present invention comprises a spring-latch member 1, mounted on a cylindrical rod 2 provided with a blind radial hole 3 and including, at its free end, at least a circumferential slot 4. 
     This slot is adapted to house a resilient ring member 5 whereas, in the mentioned blind hole, there is housed a small spring 6 biassing a pin 7. 
     The cylindrical rod is rotatably coupled to a small block 8, effective to slide along the box-like body 9 including the operating mechanism of the door lock. 
     More specifically, the rod 2 may engage in a corresponding throughgoing hole 10 axially formed of said small block and provided, in turn, with a pair of radially extending holes 11, diametrically opposite to one another, in one of which there are housed the mentioned pin and spring. 
     Thus, owing to the providion of the mentioned type of coupling, it will be possible (as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b) to arrange the slanted surface 1&#39; of the spring-latch member in the closing direction of the door thereon the subject door lock will be assembled. 
     In order to carry out this reversal of orientation, it will be sufficient to disengage the cylindrical rod from the sliding block 8, by pressing, by means of a pointed member, the pin 7 through the hole 11 and rotating said rod so as to cause said pin to engage in the diametrically opposite hole. 
     It should be apparent that the block 8, which is preferably made of fiber reinforced nylon material, or any other autolubricating material, extends, in particular starting from its inner face, with a shaped lug, indicated overally by the reference number 12. 
     More specifically, the mentioned lug 12 is provided with a cantilever side portion 13 and a rear extension 14 ending with a portion 14&#39; tapering at the bottom. 
     The rectilinear displacement of the mentioned block is obtained by partially rotating a lever arm 15, pivoted, by a pivot pin 16, to the two main walls of the box-like body 9. 
     The rotary movement of the lever arm, in particular, is performed by a hook-like member 17 which radialyy projects with respect to a substantially ring like structure 18. 
     This ring structure, in particular, is effective to define the impression of a square member 8, or walnut member 19, and extends, also radially, with a further portion 20 which is substantially opposite to said hook member. 
     This portion defines, in turn, an abutment 20&#39; adapted to engage with a biassing spring 21 and supports, cantilever-wise, on both faces, a peg 22 engaging in corresponding circle are slots (not shown) provided in the walls of the box-like body 9. 
     With the extension of the mentioned shaped lug a member cooperates which is able of rotating, and indicated overally at the reference number 23, said member being provided with a throughgoing hole 24 having preferably a square cross-section. 
     The rotating member has a cylindrical overall shape, with two coaxial end collars 25 adapted to provide a rotary coupling of said rotating member with the two walls of the box-like body including the door lock. 
     More specifically, said rotary member is provided, at one end thereof, with a reduced cross-section portion, indicated overally at 26, tangentially thereto a projecting portion 27 extends. 
     The remaining part of the rotary body or member is in turn provided with a projecting tangential portion 28 through the thickness of which there is longitudinally formed a blind hole 29. 
     In said hole a biassing spring 30 is engaged, therewith a small ball 31 engages effective to be received in one of two holes (not specifically shown) formed on the corresponding wall of the mentioned box-like body 19. 
     It should moreover be pointed out that the sliding block 8 is resiliently counterbiassed by a coil spring 32, coupled to a cross member 33 arranged between the two walls of the mentioned box-like body. 
     In particular, as the rotary member 23 is arranged in the position of FIG. 1, it will operate as a locking member for the extension 14 of the block 8, thereby preventing the latter from sliding and without any possibility of disengaging the spring-latch member 1 from the related selvage. 
     As the rotary member is arranged in the position of FIG. 2, vice versa, the block 8 will be able of inwardly sliding thereby the spring-latch member can be disengaged from the selvage. 
     In this connection it should be mentioned that the rotary movement of the mentioned locking member is obtained by using a suitable tool to be engaged with the member 24 and that the small ball 31 is able of acoustically signalling, by snap engaging in one or the other restraining holes, the variation of the position of said locking member. 
     From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended objects. 
     While the door lock of the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.