Control roller mechanism-activator

The present invention relates to a latching device for a slide rod system incorporated into a door. The latching device includes a keeper plate engaged to the slide rod, a positioning bracket engaged to a door, and a roller bracket having a roller adapted for engagement to the positioning bracket and the keeper plate. The slide rod and keeper plate are adapted for positioning within a slide channel. The roller bracket is adapted for engagement to a doorframe channel. The positioning bracket includes a slot which receives the roller whereupon the keeper plate is at least partially manipulated vertically to maneuver the keeper to the rear of the roller to accomplish latching of a door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to control mechanism for use with a swing handle and flat rod system to latch a flat or slide rod within a bracket engaged to a door channel, to secure a metal door.

In the past, the known pivot lever bars, flat rods, and/or slide rods were used in conjunction with conventional latching devices where a portion of a slide rod would penetrate into a receiving slot to secure a metal door in a closed position relative to a doorframe.

The engagement of a portion of the slide rod within a receiving slot deterred the opening of the door in the absence of the manipulation of the swing handle. The problem with the known slide rod latching devices involved the lack of reliability and/or performance during prolonged use within a metal door. Use of the known slide rod latching devices frequently resulted in the undesirable bending of the slide rod, which in turn caused the distal end of the slide rod to deviate from alignment with the receiving slot of the latch. The failure of alignment between the distal end of the slide rod and the receiving slot of the latch rendered a door unlatchable relative to a doorframe.

One problem with the known prior art devices involved the rod guide and the latch point being located at different positions along a Y axis for the rod system. The separation of the rod guide from the latch point frequently permitted a door to flex at locations between the rod guide and the latch point. The known rod systems which separated the rod guide from the latch point placed an undesirable load on the rod system causing the rod system to flex during use. The flexing of the door, the placement of load on the rod system, and the flexing of the rod system, frequently caused damage to either the door or the rod system, rendering use of the door and rod latching system inoperative.

Another problem with the rod systems as known involved the difficulty of simultaneous orientation along both the X and Y axis of the rod guide and latch, as well as the door with the doorframe, prior to initiation of force upon the rod system. The lack of proper orientation of the rod guide and latch prior to manipulation of the control or swing handle frequently resulted in damage to either the rod system, the swing handle, and/or the door. In addition, the lack of proper orientation of the rod guide, latch, door and doorframe along the X and Y axis prior to the initiation of force on the rod system increased the wear on the door and rod system, resulting in accelerated maintenance expenses.

The misalignment between the rod guide, latch, door and/or doorframe, also frequently caused an operator to exert excessive force on a control handle, which in turn, may have caused the twisting of the rod system, the latch system, and/or the hinge. Damage to the rod guide, latch, door, hinge, and doorframe, frequently resulted.

Another problem with the rod latching systems as known involved the necessity to manipulate the rod system vertically into a latching position. The failure of a portion of the rod system, or rod control system during use, thereby increased the risk that the rod system would inadvertently descend due to gravity, separating the slide rod system from the engagement slot. A door would then become easily opened due to the loss of the latching mechanism.

These and other drawbacks of the prior art may be overcome by the disclosed invention.

A need therefore exists for a control mechanism for a slide rod device which minimizes misalignment between a keeper/stop and a bracket, to provide improved reliability during use in the latching of a door within a doorframe.

In general, the control mechanism for a door latch may be used with any desired metal door, or wherever a slide rod, pivot lever bar, and/or flat rod is used to engage a door within a doorframe.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention relates to a latching device incorporating a slide rod engaged to a door, a keeper plate having a keeper engaged to the slide rod, a positioning bracket having a slide channel and a roller slot engaged to the door, the slide channel receiving the slide rod, and a roller bracket having a roller engaged to a door channel, where the roller slot receives the roller and the keeper releasably engages the roller during the latching of a door within a door channel.

In general, the rod slide defines a vertical plane where the roller slot engages the roller substantially orthogonally relative to the vertical plane.

In general, the roller as engaged to the roller bracket is disposed substantially orthogonally relative to the vertical plane defined by the slide rod.

The invention may also include a keeper plate which is at least partially disposed in the slide channel of the positioning bracket when the keeper is engaged to the roller.

In general, the keeper of the keeper plate is adapted for positioning rearwardly with respect to the roller, being disposed between the roller and the back wall of the doorframe channel.

The keeper may include opposite ends, where each opposite end includes a beveled edge to facilitate positioning behind the roller during latching of the door.

In general, the keeper may be substantially perpendicular to the keeper plate.

The invention may include a positioning bracket having at least one bridge which forms at least a portion of the roller slot.

In general, the bridge also at least partially defines a keeper channel which is used to facilitate vertical manipulation of the slide rod for positioning of the keeper either proximate or distal to the positioning bracket during the latching or unlatching of a door.

The control mechanism may include a first release position where the keeper is disengaged from the roller.

The control mechanism may also include a latch positioned where the keeper is engaged to the roller.

In general, the roller bracket includes a roller mount which creates a separation distance between the roller and the back wall of the doorframe channel.

The control mechanism may include a slide rod engaged to a door, a keeper plate engaged to the slide rod, and a bracket having a latching member engaged to a door channel where the keeper plate is adapted for releasable engagement to the latching member.

In general, the control mechanism may include a slide rod engaged to a door, a keeper plate engaged to the slide rod, and a latching member engaged to a door channel, where the keeper plate is adapted for releasable engagement to the latching member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of this disclosure, likewise numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

Depicted in the figures are various aspects of the invention. Elements depicted in one figure may be combined with, and/or substituted for, elements depicted in another figure as desired.

In at least one embodiment of the invention the control mechanism for a door latch is referred to by the numeral10. As may be seen inFIG. 1, the control mechanism for door latch10is used in association with a swing handle12as coupled to a swing handle support14. The swing handle12may include a padlock hasp18and/or a lock16. The swing handle12may also be operatively engaged to a flat or slide rod20.

The swing handle12in some embodiments is constructed for pivotal clockwise or counter clockwise rotation to either elevate or descend the flat or slide rod20relative to a door21and doorframe channel24. The swing handle12may be configured for either right or left handed operation at the discretion of a user.

In some embodiments, the control mechanism for door latch10may be engaged to a metal door21and a metal doorframe24. The door21and doorframe channel24may be formed of any material in which a slide or flat rod20system is commonly used.

In some embodiments, the door21is formed of an exterior door surface22and a door edge32. Likewise, in some embodiments the doorframe channel24is formed of a doorframe side wall26, a doorframe back wall28, and an enclosure54.

In some embodiments, the swing handle12is engaged to a cog (not shown). The cog generally includes a plurality of teeth which are operatively engaged to a series of grooves integral to the flat or slide rod20. Rotation of the swing handle12thereby imparts rotation to the cog which translates the motion through the teeth to either elevate or descend the flat or slide rod20.

As may be seen inFIG. 1, in some embodiments the control mechanism for door latch10is formed of a positioning bracket48which is adapted for releasable placement about a roller bracket34. The positioning bracket48may be attached to the exterior surface22of the door21by use of fasteners56which may be bolts and nuts, screws and/or rivets, or other fastening means including mechanical and/or adhesive fasteners. The positioning bracket48may be located adjacent to, but is not required to be in contact with, the interior of the door edge32.

In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 1, the positioning bracket48includes a roller slot50as adjacent to, and positioned between, at least one, and preferably two mounting areas58. An aperture60may traverse each mounting area58. A nut62may engage a fastener56to secure the positioning bracket48to the interior of a door21.

The positioning bracket48in at least one embodiment includes a slide channel64which slideably receives a portion of the slide rod20and the keeper plate44. The positioning bracket48may include a flat top wall or surface66which is preferably adapted for flush engagement to the interior of a door21.

As may be seen inFIG. 1, in some embodiments, the control mechanism for door latch10includes a roller bracket34. The roller bracket34is positioned in a doorframe channel24. The roller bracket34is preferably attached to the back wall28of the doorframe channel24through the use of fasteners56which may be bolts, nuts62, screws, rivets and/or any other mechanical, chemical or adhesive fastening means. The roller bracket34may include at least one mounting area68, which in turn may have an affixation aperture70. (FIG. 2)

In some embodiments, the roller bracket34includes a roller mount36which may include a pin aperture72adapted to receive a roller pin38.

As may be seen inFIG. 1, in some embodiments, the flat or slide rod20includes a plurality of adjacent and regularly spaced positioning slots30which are adapted for the engagement of a keeper plate44to the flat or slide rod20. The flat or slide rod20defines a plane of substantially linear motion identified by reference letter A. The manipulation of the swing handle12imparts movement to either elevate or descend the slide rod20relative to the control mechanism for door latch10, and to thereby either elevate or drop the position of the keeper plate44relative to the positioning bracket48and the roller bracket34along plane A.

As may be seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the keeper plate44, the positioning bracket48, and the roller bracket34are depicted in more detail.

As depicted inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the keeper plate44is substantially flat, for flush engagement to the flat or slide rod20. The keeper plate44may include a substantially perpendicular keeper or stop46. The keeper or stop46may include a pair of opposite edges76, which may be beveled to facilitate positioning behind the first and second rollers40,42of the roller bracket34.

In at least one embodiment, the positioning bracket48as depicted inFIG. 2includes a pair of bracket bridges52. The pair of bracket bridges52, are preferably separated from each other to define a roller slot50therebetween. Each of the bracket bridges52may include a positioning ledge78as separated from a positioning bracket sidewall80. (FIG. 6A) The positioning bracket48additionally may include a base wall82. The space between the positioning bracket sidewall80, the positioning ledges78, the base wall82, and the interior surface of the flat top wall or surface66defines the slide channel64. (FIG. 6A)

In at least one embodiment, the positioning of the flat or slide rod20, and the keeper plate44, within the slide channel64is identified by arrow83ofFIG. 2. The positioning bracket48and the slide channel64support the slideable positioning of the slide rod20and the keeper plate44, relative to the interior surface of the door21and door edge32.

In some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 2, the roller bracket34is securely attached to the doorframe back wall28to position the first and second rollers40,42, for aligned normal insertion within the roller slot50. The roller bracket34and a positioning bracket48are aligned for coupling therebetween during the latching of a door21.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in phantom line inFIG. 2, the slide rod20may be manipulated to elevate the keeper plate44vertically along plane A. The vertical manipulation of the keeper plate44separates the keeper44from a latching position rearwardly of the first and second rollers40,42to a first release position. The door21and a positioning bracket48may then be rotated about a door hinge (not shown) for orthogonal or normal separation of the roller slot50from the first and second rollers40,42. The slide channel64continues to hold the slide rod20and keeper plate44during the opening of the door21and the separation of the positioning bracket48from the roller bracket34.

In at least one embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 2, a keeper plate44may be manipulated into a latching position, from a first release position, as depicted by the position of the keeper plate44shown in phantom line. When the keeper plate44and the slide rod20have been vertically manipulated to the first release position the door may be rotated about a hinge such that the positioning bracket48, and the roller slot50, are proximate to the roller bracket34. The roller slot50is then preferably aligned with the first and second rollers40,42for receipt thereof. Once the positioning bracket48and the rollers50have been orthogonally or normally rotated for surrounding engagement of the first and second rollers40,42, the swing handle12may be rotated to retract or descend the slide rod20, and the keeper plate44, for positioning of the keeper or stop46rearwardly of the first and second rollers40,42. The swing handle12may then be closed or locked to retain the keeper or stop46in a latching position relative to the roller bracket34.

In at least one embodiment, the opposite edges76of the keeper or stop46may be beveled to facilitate the positioning of the keeper46rearwardly adjacent to the first and second rollers40,42.

In some embodiments, the first and second rollers40,42have different diameters to facilitate releasable engagement to the keeper46. The first and second rollers40,42may include bearings to facilitate rotation thereof. The first and second rollers40,42are preferably engaged to a roller pin38which in turn is attached to the roller mount36. The roller pin38may extend perpendicularly outward from the forward face of the roller mount36. The roller pin38is preferably elevated/separated from the doorframe channel back wall28to provide a separation distance to permit the slidable positioning of the keeper46adjacent to the first and second rollers40,42.

In some embodiments, the first and second rollers40,42, and the roller pin38, may be replaced with a pin or rod. The first and second rollers40,42and the roller pin38may alternatively be replaced with a tab or ledge as extending outwardly from bracket34. It should be noted that the roller slot50may be any shape as desired to receive a roller, pin, rod, tab, or ledge of the bracket34. The roller bracket34is therefore not required to include a roller, and a roller slot50is not restricted to the receipt of a roller during alignment and coupling of the positioning bracket48to bracket34.

In at least one embodiment it is anticipated that the keeper46will releaseable engage a pin, rod, or other latching member90including, but not necessarily limited to, a tab or ledge.

In at least one embodiment, the positioning bracket48and the roller bracket34may be modified so that the slide rod20may be manipulated to permit the slideable positioning of the keeper46rearwardly, with respect to a latching member90, to latch a door21relative to a door channel24.

In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 3, the positioning bracket48is shown in the latching position relative to the roller bracket34. The positioning of the keeper46below or rearwardly with respect to the first and second rollers40,42functions to prevent rotation and separation of the positioning bracket48outwardly away from the roller bracket34in an arc of rotation as depicted by arrow B.

In at least one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 3, the roller bracket34is separated from the door channel sidewall26within the doorframe channel24to provide a space therebetween. As depicted inFIG. 3, the mounting bracket side wall80is separated from the door edge32to provide a space therebetween.

In at least one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 3, the separation between the top surface of the base wall82, and the bottom surface of the positioning ledge78, defines the size of the keeper channel74. The keeper channel74is preferably sufficiently large to permit sliding passage of the keeper46therethrough. As depicted inFIG. 3, the separation between the interior surface of the side wall80, and the interior surface of the positioning ledge78, defines the size of the slide channel64. The slide channel64is preferably sufficiently wide to permit sliding passage of the slide rod20and keeper plate44therethrough.

In some embodiments the first roller40and second roller42facilitate the slidable positioning of the keeper46within channel74, for positioning of the keeper46rearward to the first and second rollers40,42. The first roller40and the second roller42may each comprise roller bearings to facilitate positioning of the keeper plate46relative to the roller bracket34. However, the first and second rollers40,42are not required to incorporate bearings and may be rotated about roller pin38.

In at least one embodiment, the roller pin38is fixedly secured to the pin aperture72of the roller mount36. Alternatively, the roller pin38may be rotatably positioned within the pin aperture72of the roller mount36.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 4A, in at least one embodiment the slide rod20includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of, groupings of flat rod positioning slots30. One or more groups of flat rod positioning slots30may be used to secure a keeper plate44to a slide rod20. The rearward face of a keeper plate44preferably includes at least one, or a plurality of, regularly spaced tangs84which are adapted for insertion into individual flat rod positioning slots30. The insertion of individual tangs84into the flat rod positioning slots30frictionally engages the keeper plate44to the flat rod20. The keeper plate44may be fixedly secured and/or releasably attached to the flat or slide rod20as desired. The inclusion of groupings of flat rod positioning slots30assists to provide flexibility to the control mechanism for door latch10, permitting an individual to adjustably engage a keeper plate44at a desired location along the flat rod20. Standardization of the component of the flat or slide rod20may thereby be accomplished.

In at least one embodiment, an exploded view of the roller bracket34is depicted inFIG. 5. A roller pin38may have one or more bearing surfaces86of differing diameter dimensions to facilitate engagement to one or more different types of first and second rollers40,42. The roller pin38may include an end shoulder88which may be used to retain the first and second rollers40,42on the roller pin38. The first and second rollers40,42may be positioned between the interior surface of the roller mount36and the end shoulder88. The roller pin38is also adapted for insertion into the pin aperture72for either fixed or rotational engagement thereto.

In at least one embodiment, a detail front view, and detail end view, of the positioning bracket48is depicted inFIGS. 6 and 6A. The positioning bracket48may be formed of a flat top surface66, a sidewall80, and a base wall82, which in combination are generally U-shaped. The bracket bridge52preferably extends from the interior surface of the top wall66toward the back wall82. The bracket bridge52may also be engaged to the exterior edge of the base wall82extending outwardly therefrom. A lower bridge extension92is generally defined as the section of the bridge bracket52extending between the base wall82and the leading crown94. The bridge bracket52may include wing support sections96which transition into a positioning ledge78. The transition between the leading crown areas94and the positioning ledge78along the wing support sections96may be substantially arcuate.

In at least one embodiment as depicted inFIGS. 6 and 6A, the position relationship with a slide rod20, keeper plate44and keeper46within the slide channel64and keeper channel74is shown in detail.

In at least one embodiment, the engagement of the positioning bracket48to the roller bracket34is shown inFIG. 7. As depicted inFIG. 7, the door21is disposed in the latching position relative to the doorframe channel24. As depicted inFIG. 7, the swing handle12has been manipulated to dispose the keeper46rearwardly with respect to the first and second rollers40,42to latch the positioning bracket48relative to the roller bracket34to securely close and latch a door.

During use, one or a plurality of control mechanisms for door latch10may be disposed above a swing handle12, and one or the plurality of control mechanisms for door latch10may be disposed below a swing handle12to securely latch a door21within a doorframe channel34.

The number of control mechanisms for door latch10utilized will be dependent upon the dimensions for the door and the security desired by an individual.

In one alternative embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8, the roller bracket34has been replaced by a latching bracket98. The latching bracket98includes mounting areas68and affixation apertures70. Latching bracket98is adapted for affixation to the back wall28of the door frame channel24, in a manner substantially identical to the roller bracket34as earlier described. The latching bracket98is substantially rectangular and includes latching member90, extension100, and mounting platform102. The dimensions for the latching bracket98, extension100, and mounting platform102may vary provided that the dimensions selected are sufficient for operative engagement of a keeper46rearwardly of the latching platform102during use of the control mechanism for door latch10.

In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8, the slide rod20having groups of positioning slots30is substantially identical to the embodiments as earlier described. The keeper plate44and keeper46preferably include tangs84as earlier described for adjustable positioning relative to, and engagement with the slide rod20.

In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8, the positioning bracket48includes a top wall104having a central punch out slot106defining a substantially perpendicular positioning frame108. The punch out slot106preferably defines mounting areas58which may include apertures60. The positioning bracket48as depicted inFIG. 8is engaged to the door21as separated from door edge32in a manner as earlier described.

In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8, positioning bracket48includes side wall80and base wall82. The area between the interior of the side wall80, above the base wall82, interior of the positioning frame108and below or interior to the top wall104, defines the slide channel64as earlier described. As depicted inFIG. 8, the area below the positioning frame108and above the base wall82defines the keeper channel74. The positioning frame108preferably includes a shelf110(Shown in Phantom) which may assist in the positioning of the keeper46within the keeper channel74. The keeper channel74may be defined as the area below the positioning frame108and shelf110and above the base wall82.

In some embodiments, the latching member90may be configured as a pin, bar, ledge, tab, roller, and/or any other device for engagement to the keeper46. The roller slot50and/or the central punch out slot106may be of any dimension and/or shape as depended upon the configuration for the latching member90as selected by an individual.

In some embodiments, the latching member90may be the shape of square, oval, rectangular, pin, bar, ledge, and/or may include a roller to facilitate engagement to a keeper46. The extension100may be of any dimension as desired for separation of the mounting platform102from the back wall28for rearward positioning of the keeper46.

In some embodiments, the positioning bracket48and roller bracket34, or the positioning bracket48and latching bracket98, are located at substantially identical, vertical positions along plane A with respect to the door21and door frame channel24. The substantial vertical alignment between the positioning bracket48and the roller bracket34, or latching bracket98, minimizes the flex of a slide rod20and door21during use of the door latch10and the manipulation of the swing handle12. The latching of a door21through the use of the control mechanism10relieves the slide rod20from any load, which in turn eliminates flex.

In some embodiments, the door21is aligned with plane A, and the door21is swung about a hinge (not shown) in a normal or perpendicular arc relative to plane A. The engagement and alignment between a positioning bracket48and the roller bracket34, or latching bracket98, occurs prior to the initiation of any compression forced being applied to the slide rod20through the swing handle12. The engagement and alignment between the positioning bracket48and the roller bracket34, or latching bracket98, permits the door21to engage the door frame channel24, which in some embodiments may include a gasket, without any side load on the slide rod20. This configuration for the latch mechanism10facilitates and reduces the wear on any gasket, hinges, slide rod20, door21, and/or slide frame channel24. The engagement and alignment of the positioning bracket48with the roller bracket34, or latching bracket98, enables an operator to manipulate the swing handle12with less force, which reduces risk of mechanical failure. The above described alignment of the positioning bracket48and roller bracket34, or latching bracket98, also reduces the application of twisting force on the slide rod20, and latching system, as well as the hinge side of the door21.

In some embodiments, the downward movement of the slide rod20occurs as a result of gravity and/or as a result of a combination of gravity and manipulation of a swing handle12. The control mechanism for door latch10in at least one embodiment is designed to utilize gravity in the event of system failure to facilitate the positioning of the keeper46rearwardly with respect to the roller mount36, or a latching member90, thereby facilitating the latching of a door21.

In some embodiments, groups of positioning slots30may be regularly spaced along the slide rod20. The groups of positioning slots30may be spaced at regular 100 mm intervals to facilitate engagement, and adjustable positioning of, a keeper plate44.