Abstract:
A dual handled latch device or spindle-free and cylinder-free lockset is provided for opening and closing a door from either side of the door. The latch device comprises an angled lever located on each side of the door, one end of each lever acting as a manipulatable handle and the other end lying under and perpendicular to a latch arm located on the surface of one side of the door. When the handle end of either lever is pulled, the lever pivots about a fulcrum point at the lever angle, lifting and releasing the latch arm so the door can be opened. In a preferred embodiment, the latch lifting ends of the two levers are mutually opposing with one latch lifting leg end is superposed on the other. The latch arm also can be locked in its latched, closed position.

Description:
FIELD OF USE 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present disclosure find applicability in the field of door latching mechanisms. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Two-way door latching mechanisms are well known in the art. Typically doors are opened and closed today by means of a lockset which includes both a manipulatable handle or knob for moving the door and also for engaging a latching mechanism. A lockset generally includes an interior knob (or handle) and an exterior knob (or handle) which are connected by a spindle. Rotating either knob rotates the spindle, allowing it to catch and engage a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a cylinder perpendicular to the spindle, and turning a knob pulls the cylinder in the direction of the turn. The free end of the cylinder is the latch, extending out from the door&#39;s edge and into an opening in the opposing door frame or door jamb. When the door is closed the latch is engaged with the opposing door frame and the door cannot be opened. Rotating the knob, spindle and cylinder retracts the latch from its position in the door frame opening, allowing the door to be opened. Where the knob is a handle, the handle itself may rotate, or it can include a levering means, typically a depressable lever, that rotates the attached spindle. 
         [0003]    Another well-characterized two-way door latching mechanism involves a liftable latch arm and latch keep on the surface of the inside side of the door, and a means for lifting the latch arm on the surface of the outside side of the door. Traditionally the outside lifting means is an elongated bar, called a thumb lever, that passes through the door and on which the latch arm rests. When one end of the thumb lever bar is depressed on the outside of the door, the other end of the bar is lifted, lifting the latch arm with it, past the latch keep, and allowing the door to open. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter on its own, nor is it intended to be used on its own as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure relates, in one embodiment, to a two-way latch device for a door having an inside and an outside face. The latch device also can be considered a spindle-free and cylinder-free lockset. The device comprises a latch arm, an inside lever having an angled pivot or fulcrum point, an outside lever having an angled pivot or fulcrum point, means for attaching the inside lever to the inside door face, and means for attaching the outside lever to the outside door face, each lever being attached at its angled pivot point. The latch arm preferably is an elongated bar having a pivot end and a latch keep end, secured to the door at the latch arm&#39;s pivot end and positioned substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the door. Each angled lever can have a handle end and a latch lifting end and be attached to its respective door face by an attachment means such that the handle end is substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the door and the latch lifting end extends into the door face substantially perpendicular to the latch arm and below it. When either lever&#39;s handle end is pulled away from its door face, the lever pivots about its angled pivot or fulcrum point raising its latch lifting end up such that the latch arm is contacted and lifted. In another embodiment the angled levers are substantially “L-shaped,” having a handle leg and a latch lifting leg, and the pivot point occurs at the angle between the legs of the “L.” 
         [0006]    In another embodiment the latch device further includes a latch keep attached to the opposing door jamb, dimensioned and positioned to receive the keep end of the latch arm when the door is in the closed and latched position. The inside and outside levers are dimensioned such that when either lever handle is pulled, its latch lifting end is competent to lift the latch arm up and free of the latch keep, unlatching the door and allowing it to open. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the inside and outside levers are positioned on their respective door faces such that they directly oppose each other. In this embodiment, the latching lifting ends of the levers terminate below the latch arm such that they are mutually opposing, with one latch lifting end positioned on top of, or superposed on, the other. In this embodiment, when the handle end of the “lower” lever is pulled, its rising latch lifting end also lifts the latch lifting end of the “upper” lever above it, which contacts and lifts the latch arm. When the “upper” lever handle end is pulled, the “lower” lever is not impacted. In one embodiment the inside lever can be positioned as the ‘lower” lever, raising the outside lever&#39;s lifting end together with its own when its handle end is pulled. In another embodiment, the outside lever can be positioned as the “lower” lever. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the inside and outside levers can be positioned on their respective door faces such that the levers are offset laterally and each lever&#39;s latch lifting end contacts the latch arm directly when its handle end is pulled. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the latch arm is positioned on the surface of the inside door face. In this embodiment, the latch lifting leg of the outside lever has a length sufficient to pass through the door body and terminate below the latch arm. Preferably, the outside latch lifting leg passes through a substantially hollow channel in the door body dimensioned to both receive the latch lifting leg and allow it to rise sufficiently to lift the latch arm. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the latch arm could be placed within the door body itself, in an opening dimensioned to allow vertical movement of the arm. In this embodiment both the inside and outside lever latch lifting ends extend into the door body, preferably through a channel. 
         [0011]    In still another embodiment, the lever attachment means comprises a rigid component, an extension or projection extending out from the door face surface and attached to the lever&#39;s pivot point. In one embodiment the component is a bar extending out perpendicularly from an escutcheon plate attached to the door surface and parallel to the lever latch lifting leg. In still another embodiment the attachment means attaches to the lever angled pivot point by means of a bolt or pin. In still another embodiment the attachment means comprises a hollow sleeve that the latch lifting leg passes through. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the lever handle end can be partially surrounded by a rigid housing comprising a recess into which the handle end can move when the handle end is pulled. The housing can be decorative and can provide a backstop limiting the degree to which the handle end can be pulled, preventing unnecessary wear or over-extension of the lever. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the latch device disclosed herein can include a lock. In one embodiment, the lock can comprise means for retaining the latch arm in its latch keep and preventing it from being lifted when either lever handle end is pulled. In another embodiment, the lock can comprises a pivotable block located on the inside door surface above the latch arm. In another embodiment, the block has a contact surface that touches the latch arm and prevents its upward movement when the lock is in the locked position. In still another embodiment the contact surface can be pivoted out of position, allowing the latch arm to lift, when the lock is in the unlocked position. In still another embodiment, the lock can be positioned above the latch keep end of the latch arm. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the block can be of any shape. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like-numbered parts reference like-membered components and wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latch device in the closed position according to the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latch device in the open position according to the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of a latch device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of one embodiment of a latching mechanism in the closed position according to the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of one embodiment of a latching mechanism opened from the outside according to the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section of one embodiment of a latching mechanism opened from the inside according to the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latch device and lock according to the present disclosure, in a closed and locked position; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latch device and lock according to the present disclosure, in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide locksets, latch devices, components, and methods of use of these. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a two-way latch device for use on a door or other movable barrier to an opening or portal in an otherwise fixed wall or barrier. In one preferred embodiment, the moveable barrier is a hinged door that provides an opening between rooms or in and out of a building. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the latch device disclosed herein also may be used to advantage on a gate or other similar structure, and where the fixed wall is a fence or other barrier. 
         [0024]    Terms and Definitions 
         [0025]    As used herein “lockset” is understood to mean the components that make up a locking or latching mechanism that can usually be found on a door. “Lockset” and “latch device” are used interchangeably herein. “Door” is understood to mean any moveable barrier to an opening or portal in a wall or other fixed barrier, particularly a moveable barrier that can be attached to the fixed barrier by a hinge or sliding mechanism, and can also be latched to the fixed barrier or wall. Examples of useful moveable barriers include doors, gates, hatches, window covers and the like. A “latch,” also referred to in the literature and herein as a “latch bar,” “latch arm” or “drop bar” is understood to mean a bar or similarly shaped device located in or on a door or gate that can fall or slide into a groove, catch or hole on or in a door jamb or gate jamb to keep the door or gate closed. When the latch bar is located on a door or gate surface, the groove that catches the latch bar is referred to in the literature and herein as the latch “keep” or “catch.” 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of a latch device of the present disclosure on an inside door face is depicted, with  FIG. 1  showing the latch device in the closed position and  FIG. 2  showing the latch device in the open position. In the figures latch arm  22  is positioned on the surface of door  34 ′s inside face. Latch arm  22  can comprise a bolt end  56 , for attaching latch arm  22  to door  34 , for example by means of bolt  54  and bolt plate  58 . Latch arm  22  also can comprise a latch keep end  28 , which can rest on a latch keep  50 . Typically, latch keep  50  is attached to a door jamb  13 , for example by means of a bolt  52  through latch keep plate  51 . Door  34  further can include a handle  70  for moving the door into an open or closed position, as by pulling or pushing. Handle  70  can be attached to door  34  by means of an escutcheon or rosette  32 . Escutcheon  32  illustrated in the figure is exemplary only, and escutcheons and rosettes having other shapes, decorative elements and attachment means to handle  70  are contemplated. The handle  70  illustrated in the figures includes one or more projections or spacers  72  for placing handle  70  at a desired distance from the door. Handle  70  and its spacers  72  can be attached to door  34  or escutcheon  32  by any standard attachment means, including bolting. 
         [0027]    In the closed position, the latch keep end  28  of latch arm  22  rests in latch keep  50 , preventing door  34  from being pulled open by handle  70 . In the open position, latch arm  22  is pivoted up about latch bolt  54  and latch keep end  28  is free of latch keep  50 , allowing door  34  to be pulled or pushed opened, for example by manipulating handle  70 . 
         [0028]    Generally, latch arm  22  can be positioned on the inside of a door, also known as the side of the door where control over latch movement and door opening is desired—into a room from a hall, for example, or into a building from outside. In addition, latch arm  22  typically can be positioned on the outer surface of the inside face of door  34 . If desired however, alterations to these general applications can be made without undue experimentation, including placing latch arm  22  inside the body of door  34 , in a channel or cavity made therein, rather than on the door face. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the latch device embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating one embodiment of a latch device of the present disclosure and its associated door handles  70 . Together with  FIGS. 4-6 , which show latch device  10  in cross-section, the figures illustrate an embodiment where handles  70  are diametrically opposed to one another as are inside latch lever  12  and outside latch lever  14 , both components of latch device  10 . Each latch lever  12  and  14  can comprise an angle, which provides a pivot point  23  and two legs. One leg can comprise the handle end of the lever, illustrated as handle end  19  for inside lever  12 , and handle end  20  for outside lever  14 . The second leg can comprise the latch lifting leg of the lever, illustrated as leg  26  for inside lever  12  and leg  24  for outside lever  14 . As illustrated, levers  12  and  14  can be substantially “L-shaped.” In the device, levers  12  and  14  can be positioned with pivot point  23  located on handle  70  such that the lever handle leg extends vertically and parallel both to handle  70  and the vertical plane of door  34 , and the latch lifting leg extends into the surface of door  34  through opening  44 , perpendicular to handle  70  and the vertical plane of door  34 . If desired, the latch lifting legs can extend into the door surface through an opening in escutcheon  32 , which opening can provide both a rest for the lever leg and a means for protecting the door surface from wear. 
         [0030]    In the figures, levers  12  and  14  are diametrically opposed to one another, with outside latch lifting leg  24  passing through a channel  42  in door  34 , its end or tip  25  opposing and resting on top of inside latch lifting leg end  27 . It will appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that, if desired, levers  12  and  14  can be configured such that inside latch lifting leg end  27  rests on outside lever leg end  25  such that the leg ends are mutually opposing and overlap, with one leg end superposed on the other. It also will be appreciated that handles  70  and levers  12  and  14  can be offset on door  34  such that latch lifting leg ends  25  and  27  lie adjacent one another and not on top of one another. It also will be appreciated that channel  42  can be substantially hollow and dimensioned to provide an opening through door  34  for lever leg  24 , channel  42  having an interior height and width sufficient to allow lever leg  24  to lift latch arm  22  clear of the latch keep when lever  14  is pivoted about pivot point  23 . As also will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, latch lifting ends  25  and  27  of legs  24  and  26 , respectively, can be the same thickness as the legs or, as illustrated in the figures, tips  25  and  27  can be thinner. Thinner latch lifting ends can reduce lever weight for ease of manipulation, for example, provided sufficient stability is provided to lift latch arm  22 . 
         [0031]    Extensions  41  can provide means for attaching levers  12  and  14  to door  34  at lever pivot points  23 . It will be appreciated that any useful attachment means is contemplated that allows pivoting, such as for example, by bolting at pivot point  23 . In the figures, extensions  41  comprise sleeves defining substantially hollow channels  40  extending from escutcheon  32  and surrounding door surface openings  44 . Lever legs  24  and  26  pass through channels  40 , and at least a portion of legs  24  and  26  can rest on, and be supported by, the bottom interior surface of channels  40 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that extensions  41  can be any rigid component to which levers  12  and  14  can be attached at pivot point  23 . Where extension  41  is a bar, it advantageously can be placed next to or adjacent the lever leg. It also can be positioned underneath the lever leg, thereby providing additional support for the leg. Where extension means  41  provides a support means for the latch lifting lever leg, it also can provide means for supporting the latch arm resting on the lever leg, particularly when the door is in the closed, latched position, and the levers are in their resting positions (see below). Where extension  41  is a sleeve, as illustrated, or a bar adjacent or adjoining the lever leg, the inside extension  41  upper surface can be contoured or truncated to accommodate latch arm  22  in the latched position. 
         [0032]    The method of action of latch device  10  allows latch arm  22  to be lifted by pulling on either lever handle end  19  or  20 . Pulling on the desired lever handle end pivots that lever about pivot point  23 , which raises the latch lifting leg of the lever, thereby contacting latch arm  22  and lifting its latch keep end up and out of the latch keep. This allows door  34  to be opened, for example by pulling or pushing on the door itself or a handle  70 . When the lever is released, the latch arm is released to its horizontal resting position on the lever latch lifting ends. If door  34  has been pulled away from door jamb  32 , latch keep end  28  of latch arm  22  is free. If door  24  is opposing door jamb  32  when the lever is released, latch keep end  28  of latch arm  22  rests in latch keep  50 . In the figures, inside extension sleeve  41  is contoured to allow latch arm  22  to pass through its upper surface and rest on the lever ends. 
         [0033]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it can be advantageous, though not required, to provide a backstop for lever handle ends  19  and  20 . An exemplary backstop  36  is depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 , wherein the backstop makes up part of handle  70 . Backstop  36  includes a recess  38  into which the lever handle end moves when it is pulled. Backstop  36  can provide means for limiting wear on pivot attachment point  23  or other components of latch device  10  by limiting the distance the lever legs travel during operation. In the latch device illustrated herein, the lever angle is less than 90°, and the handle leg is pitched forward somewhat from vertical when the lever is in the resting position. When gripped and maneuvered against the backstop the lever handle leg moves into a substantially perpendicular position. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lever shape can vary, as can the lever angle, without undue experimentation. For example, the lever angle could be 90°, and a backstop and recess fabricated to accommodate it, and/or the lever leg could be curved with similar accommodation built into recess  38 , and/or backstop  36 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows latch device  10  in the closed and resting position. In  FIG. 5 , outside lever handle end  20  has been pulled into outside backstop recess  38 , pivoting outside lever  14  about its lever pivot point  23 , raising outside lever latch lifting leg  24  such that latch lifting end  25  lifts latch arm  22 . In  FIG. 6  inside lever handle end  19  has been pulled into inside backstop recess  38 , pivoting inside lever  12  about its lever pivot point  23 , raising inside lever latch lifting leg  26  such that latch lifting end  27  lifts both outside latching lifting end  25  and latch arm  22 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an embodiment that includes means for locking latch device  10  in the closed and latched position. Illustrated in the figures is a rigid, pivotable block  80  dimensioned and positioned above latch arm  22  such that it can contact and prevent upward movement of latch arm  22  when either handle is pulled. Lock  80  can include a pivot point  82  opposite the latch arm contact point, and pivot point  82  also can provide means for attaching lock  80  to door jamb  13 . Rotating lock  80  about pivot point  82  moves the lock up and away from latch keep end  28 , allowing the door to be opened when a handle is pulled. The pivot mechanism can be loose, in which case lock  80  will naturally return to the down and locked position by force of gravity unless it is manually or physically held up; or the pivot mechanism can be tight, so that lock  80  remains in the up and unlocked position unless manually pivoted back into the down and locked position. In the figures, lock  80  is near latch arm end  28  on door jamb  13 . In particular, in the example illustrated, lock  80  occurs on keep plate  51  and lock attachment means/pivot point  82  is also keep plate bolt  52 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that lock  80  also can be located at other positions along latch arm  22 , including positions on door  32 . 
         [0036]    Latch device  10  and its related components, including handle  70  and lock  80 , can be made of any useful durable and sufficiently rigid materials, including metal, plastic, stone and/or wood. Choices of materials and component dimensions selected will depend on the size and thickness of door chosen, dimensions of desired latch device and handle, and aesthetic and decorative choices made, including handle shape, latch arm shape, and the like. For example, the exemplary latch device and door illustrated in the figures could be considered to be of a medieval revival or rustic style, with strong angles, studs and finials, and decorative cuts in the escutcheon. Other evocative styles can be selected including, for example, roman, victorian, oriental, or modern, any of which would vary the decorative components of the device and handle, including the choice of escutcheon or rosette. Similarly, lock  80 , latch arm bolt  54 , latch arm bolt end  56  and latch arm bolt plate  58 , all have a particular shape, in this case an octagon. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these components could have a range of shapes and do not all have to have the same shape in a single latch device. 
         [0037]    Embodiments of this disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.