Abstract:
A child resistant latch system for minimizing a child&#39;s access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items includes a spring loaded biasing assembly for biasing a handle that is operationally coupled to a latch that is positioned proximate a stop plate. Optionally, a latch receiving plate assembly may be attached to a frame of the cabinet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to locks and latches and more particularly pertains to a new child resistant latch system for minimizing a child&#39;s access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of locks and latches is known in the prior art. More specifically, locks and latches heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,618; U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,628; U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,792; U.S. Pat. No. 2,233,699; U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,001; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 338,150. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new child resistant latch system. The inventive device includes a spring loaded biasing assembly for biasing a handle that is operationally coupled to a latch positioned proximate a stop plate. 
     In these respects, the child resistant latch system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of minimizing a child&#39;s access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of locks and latches now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new child resistant latch system construction wherein the same can be utilized for minimizing a child&#39;s access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new child resistant latch system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the locks and latches mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new child resistant latch system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art locks and latches, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a spring loaded biasing assembly for biasing a handle that is operationally coupled to a latch positioned proximate a stop plate. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There arc additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new child resistant latch system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the locks and latches mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new child resistant latch system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art locks and latches, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new child resistant latch system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new child resistant latch system that is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such child resistant latch system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system for minimizing a child&#39;s access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system which includes a spring loaded biasing assembly for biasing a handle that is operationally coupled to a latch positioned proximate a stop plate. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system that is usable with standard cabinet handles available without modification to the handle. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new child resistant latch system that has substantially the same appearance of a standard conventional cabinet handle. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a child resistant latch system that requires special manipulation of a cabinet handle to release the latch from a stop plate in order to lock and unlock a cabinet. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new child resistant latch system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the latch receiving plate assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the latch of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new child resistant latch system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the child resistant latch system  10  for minimizing a child&#39;s ability to open a door  2  generally comprises a latch member  20 , a handle  30  operationally coupled to the latch member, a stop plate  40  having a latch stop  42 , and a biasing assembly  50  for biasing the latch such that the latch stop engages the latch member to selectively prevent rotation of the latch member. 
     The stop plate  40  is designed for coupling to the door and includes a latch stop  42  that extends outwardly from an edge of the stop plate at substantially a right angle. The latch stop is positioned to engage a distal end of the latch member whereby the latch member is prevented from rotating. 
     The latch member is further designed to be manipulated into a locked position defined by the latch member extending outwardly from a perimeter edge  44  of the stop plate to engage a frame  4  of the door. Optionally, the latch may engage a latch receiving assembly  70  attached to the frame. Thus, the latch member is designed for preventing opening of the door when the door is closed and the latch member extends outwardly from the perimeter of the stop plate. The latch member can also be manipulated into an unlocked position defined by the latch member being positioned such that the door is free to move between an open and a closed position without the latch member engaging the frame of the door. 
     The biasing assembly includes a spring member  52  and a main member  60 . 
     The main member is generally cylindrical and is designed for insertion into and through a circular hole in the door. The main member is further structured to have a spring chamber  62  for receiving an end of the spring member therein. 
     The main member also includes a connecting portion  66  extending outwardly from a first end  64  of the main member. The connecting portion is for inserting through the stop plate and a connection hole  22  in the latch. The connection hole is preferably non-circular such that rotation of the connecting portion results in a rotational force on the latch. 
     In use, the spring member is partially compressed between the stop plate and the main member. The stop plate is fixed to the door such that the spring member biases the handle outwardly from the stop plate and the latch to abut against the stop plate. 
     The connecting portion includes a lip  68  for abutting against the latch so that the latch is urged outwardly into a spaced relationship from the stop plate when the handle is urged towards the stop plate. The space provided between the stop plate and the latch is sufficient that the latch may now be rotated to clear the latch stop, thus permitting the latch to be rotated between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     The main member includes a duct  69  extending fully through the main member and through the connecting portion. A bolt  36  is inserted fully through the duct in the main member and is attached to the handle. The bolt includes a bearing surface  37  for abutting the latch to hold the latch in position relative to the main member. Optionally, a washer  38  may be used between the bearing surface and the latch. 
     Optionally, a latch receiving plate assembly  70  may be installed on a door frame not structured to naturally engage the latch when the latch is in the locking, position. The receiving plate  70  includes a latch abutment plate  79 , a frame connection plate  74  disposed from the latch abutment plate at substantially a right angle, and a support web  76  extending between edges of the abutment plate  72  and the connection plate  74 . Optionally, the web plate also functions to prevent excessive rotation of the latch into the locked position. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.