Squeeze trigger latch

A latch assembly comprises an exterior housing, a door latch, a plunger, a resilient member, and an external lever pivotally mounted on an outer face of the exterior housing. The external lever comprises a first leg, a second leg disposed at an angle relative to the first leg, and a pivot mount disposed between the first leg and the second leg. The plunger is maintained in the latched position when the external lever is in a latched position by the resilient member, whereby an entry door cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position. The plunger is displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position when the external lever is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position by the second leg bearing against the plunger, whereby the entry door is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to latch assemblies for movable closures and the like, and, in particular, to a latch assembly for a recreational vehicle that can be manually actuated by an external lever pivotally mounted on the outer face of the exterior housing.

Latch assemblies are generally well-known in the art, and may be flush mounted on an associated closure, such as a door, to facilitate selectively shifting the closure between an open unlocked position and a closed locked position. Paddle handle assemblies are used widely on entry doors as latch assemblies for recreational vehicles, motor homes, and the like, and in such applications require that the latch mechanism be accessible and operable from both the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Typically, such paddle handle assemblies include a deadbolt lock for added security.

Heretofore, while paddle handle assemblies have proven generally effective, they experience certain drawbacks. For example, it is sometimes difficult for a user to obtain a positive grip with certain paddle handle assemblies, particularly in the case of a left-handed person operating a paddle handle assembly mounted on the left side of the door exterior or a right-handed person operating a paddle handle assembly mounted on the right side of the door exterior, where the paddle handle is extending in the direction opposite that of the user's favored hand. Also, some prior art paddle handle assemblies experience a problem in maintaining the alignment between the deadbolt and the associated strike. Further, it is sometimes difficult to lock a paddle handle assembly from the exterior. In addition, many prior art paddle handle assemblies have a rather complicated construction, which is expensive to manufacture and difficult to repair. Hence, a latch assembly that overcomes these drawbacks would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a latch assembly adapted for mounting adjacent an associated closure of the type that can be shifted between an open position and a closed position. The latch assembly comprises an exterior housing having an inner face and an outer face, and a door latch disposed proximate a side edge of the exterior housing and adapted to engage a jamb section of a door opening, the door latch having a door open position and a door closed position. A plunger is operably connected with the door latch and is slidingly received within a plunger recess operably coupled with the inner face of the exterior housing, wherein the plunger has a latched position and an unlatched position within the plunger recess, and a resilient member is operably coupled with the plunger and urges the plunger to the latched position. An external lever is pivotally mounted on the outer face of the exterior housing for rotation between a latched position and an unlatched position, the external lever comprising a first leg, a second leg disposed at an angle relative to the first leg, and a pivot mount disposed between the first leg and the second leg, the second leg of the external lever being operably coupled with the plunger. The plunger is maintained in the latched position by the resilient member when the external lever is in the latched position, whereby the closure cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position, and wherein the plunger is displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position by the second leg of the external lever when the external lever is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position, whereby the closure is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG.1, reference numeral8generally designates a recreational vehicle travel trailer particularly adapted for being towed by a motor vehicle (not shown). However, other recreational vehicle8configurations may advantageously employ the benefits of the present disclosure, such as and including motor coaches and so-called fifth wheel travel trailers. In the embodiment contemplated herein, the recreational vehicle8generally comprises a body10that is primarily supported by a pair of axles14, each comprising an axle assembly16and at least one pair of opposed road wheels18, and a trailer tongue22by which the recreational vehicle8be attached to the tow vehicle. As is typical, the recreational vehicle8has a closure or entry door20for ingress and leakage and a plurality of windows22arranged on side walls24of the body10. A roof portion12is provided to enclose the body10. Propane tanks30mounted to the trailer tongue22may also be included. Also, optionally, an air conditioning unit32can be mounted on the roof portion12.

The reference numeral40in the Figures generally designates a latch assembly40embodying a first embodiment of the present invention. Latch assembly40may be mounted on associated closure20and, more particularly, where the closure20is an entry door for a recreational vehicle8, as shown, as well as on a motor home, trailer, shed, or the like, wherein the closure20can be pivotally shifted between open and closed positions along a substantially vertical hinge axis. For purposes of the present disclosure, the closure20will be referred to as the entry door20. However, it is to be understood that the closure20can also include closures for other applications, and closures other than doors, such as hatches and the like.

As shown inFIG.2, closure or entry door20selectively engages a door frame42having a jamb section44that defines an associated door opening46and in which a door strike48is mounted. The door strike48includes a horizontally extending recess50extending into the jamb section44into which an associated portion of a door latch52(such as a spring bolt54) and deadbolt56(if equipped, as shown inFIGS.15-28) engages and disengages, respectively, to selectively retain the entry door20in the fully closed position, as described in greater detail hereinafter. Of course, door strike recess50can be a single recess or may be separate recesses where a separate deadbolt56is utilized.

As best illustrated inFIGS.2-13, the latch assembly40generally comprises a two-part construction, including an exterior housing60and an interior housing62. A left-hand version of the latch assembly40is shown inFIGS.2-9, while the right-hand version is shown inFIGS.10-13. Otherwise, both versions include the same components.

As shown in theFIGS.2,3,5, and10-12, the exterior housing60has an inner face64and an outer face66. Similarly, the interior housing62has having an inner face68and an outer face70, as shown inFIGS.4,8,9, and13. The interior housing62may be attached to the exterior housing60by fasteners72extending through a plurality of openings74extending through and disposed about the margin76of the interior housing62and attached to a plurality of bosses78disposed about the margin80of the exterior housing60. Thus, the latch assembly40, as installed, may be disposed on either side of the entry door20and received within a through-cavity (as best depicted inFIG.2) in the entry door20, where the latch assembly40may be accessed from both the exterior and interior of the recreational vehicle8, as further described below.

An external lever handle82is mounted to the outer face66of the exterior housing60and has a first end84and a second end86, wherein the first end84is operably coupled with the door latch52and the second end86is pivotally mounted on the outer face66of the exterior housing60for rotation of the external lever handle82between a retracted position and an extended position.

The illustrated exterior housing60includes a centrally disposed, bowl-shaped external lever recess88located directly behind the external lever handle82, which provides finger access to facilitate actuation of the external lever handle82between the retracted and extended position. Similarly, the illustrated interior housing62includes a centrally disposed, bowl-shaped interior recess90directly behind an interior door release control92, which provides finger access to facilitate rotation of the interior door release control92between a latched and unlatched position. It should be understood that for each of the embodiments described below, the interior door release control92may be used to pull the closure20closed. Further, the interior door release control92may be replaced with an interior door release control of a paddle type, but the the lever style shown is considered easier to actuate. The inner face68of the interior housing62further may comprise an integrally formed hook94disposed proximate the margin76thereof adapted to engage and capture a screen door lever (not shown) of a recreational vehicle, as is known in the art.

The marginal upper portion96of the exterior housing60also includes a lock aperture98in which an external lock cylinder100is mounted. The door latch52is disposed proximate a side of the exterior housing60and interior housing62and is adapted to engage the jamb section44of the door opening46, the door latch52having a door open position and a door closed position.

A plunger102is slidingly received within a plunger recess104disposed proximate the inner face64of the exterior housing60and operably connected with the latch assembly40. The plunger recess104may be integrally formed on the inner face64of the exterior housing60. The plunger102is adapted to slide and thereby shift between a latched position and an unlatched position within the plunger recess104and is provided with a longitudinal slot106within which a plunger cam surface108is disposed. An inside plate110may be mounted to the inner face64of the exterior housing60, wherein the plunger102is disposed between the exterior housing60and the inside plate110and is restrained within the plunger recess104.

A resilient member112is operably coupled with the plunger102and urges the plunger102to the latched position. The resilient member112may be a compression spring having a first end114received within a cylindrical cavity116disposed within a first end118of the plunger102and a second end120abutting a terminal wall122of the plunger recess104opposite the first end118of the plunger102.

A handle cam124is operably coupled with the first end84of the external lever handle82and is received within the longitudinal slot106of the plunger102. The handle cam124is provided with a cam surface126juxtaposed against and in sliding relation with the plunger cam surface108. The longitudinal slot106may be wider than handle cam124in order to allow the handle cam124to move transverse to the longitudinal slot106, as the external lever handle82is rotated from the retracted position to the extended position.

The plunger102is maintained in the latched position when the external lever handle is in the retracted position by the resilient member112, whereby the entry door20cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position. The resilient member112that is operably coupled with the plunger102also simultaneously acts on the handle cam124by urging the plunger102to its latched position, thereby retracting the external lever handle82to its retracted position. To open the entry door20, the plunger102may be displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position as the external lever handle82is displaced from the retracted position to the extended position, whereupon the cam surface126of the handle cam124bears against the plunger cam surface108, causing the door latch52to shift to the door open position, whereby the entry door20is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position.

The latch assembly40may be provided with the interior door release control92mounted proximate to the outer face70of the interior housing62. The interior door release control92may be a rotatable lever operably coupled with an inside lever cam128, where a square opening130in the inside lever cam128may be operably coupled with a rotating square shaft132of the interior door release control92. An interior plunger arm134may be operably coupled with the plunger102. The interior plunger arm134may be integrally formed with the plunger102and depends therefrom in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the longitudinal slot106, as shown inFIGS.5and10-12. In operation, rotation of the interior door release control92from the unlatched to the latched position urges the inside lever cam128against the interior plunger arm134to displace the plunger102from the latched position and an unlatched position, thereby moving the latch assembly40to the door open position. During this operation, the longitudinal sliding plunger may be provided with sufficient relief to allow the plunger102to slide to the unlatched position without contacting the handle cam124, as shown in, for example,FIGS.5-7.

The outer face66of the exterior housing60further may also include a lower recess136within which the second end86of the external lever handle82is received. This lower recess136may be continuous with the bowl-shaped external lever recess88. A hinge pin138may be inserted within openings140provided in the lower recess and an opening142in the second end86of the external lever handle82, whereby the hinge pin138extends across the lower recess136and through the opening142in the second end86of the external lever handle82to pivotally mount the second end86of the external lever handle82to the outer face66of the exterior housing60for rotation of the external lever handle82between the retracted position and an extended position. Optionally, as handle hinge spring144may be disposed about the hinge pin138and adapted to urge the external lever handle82to the retracted position. If so provided, the handle hinge spring144may be a torsion spring.

The lock aperture98may be provided through the exterior housing60through which the external lock cylinder100extends from the outer face66. The external lock cylinder100has a locked condition and an unlocked condition, as further discussed below.

In operation, the entry door20can be shifted from the closed to the open position from the exterior of the recreational vehicle8in the following manner. With the latch assembly40in the unlocked position, the external lever handle82may be rotated outwardly from the retracted position to the extended position. Rotation of the external lever handle82from the retracted position to the extended position displaces the handle cam124outwardly, which, in turn, shifts the plunger102laterally inwardly. The lateral inward shifting of the plunger102causes the door latch52to shift to the unlatched position. The door latch52thereby disengages from the door strike recess50and permits the user to shift the entry door20from the closed position to the open position.

Entry door20can be similarly shifted from the closed position to the open position from the interior of the entry door20in the following manner. With the external lock cylinder100in the unlocked position, the interior door release control92may be actuated, which may be by rotation of a rotatable lever which displaces the interior plunger arm134laterally and moves the plunger102inwardly, which causes the door latch52to shift to the unlatched position. The door latch52thereby disengages from the door strike recess50and permits the user to shift the entry door20from the closed position to the open position.

In order to return the entry door20to the closed and latched position from either the exterior or interior of the entry door20, the user simply swings the entry door20to the closed position, which causes the door latch52(here, a spring bolt54) to strike the door strike48and engage the door strike recess50. When the entry door20is in the fully closed and latched position, the same can be positively locked in place by rotation of the external lock cylinder100. More specifically, a matching key is inserted into the key slot in the external lock cylinder100, and the same are then rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, as further discussed below.

According to a first embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, the door latch52includes a spring bolt54integrated with the plunger102. That is, the plunger recess104and longitudinal slot106are perpendicular with the jamb section44and the spring bolt54integrated with the plunger102slides in a direction perpendicular with the jamb section44of the door opening46.

The spring bolt54has an outer end148that extends exterior of the exterior housing60for engagement with the associated door strike48having a door strike recess50and an inner end150thereof which extends interior of the exterior housing60and is integral with the plunger102. The outer end148of the spring bolt54may have a first inclined surface152that faces the door strike recess50on the door strike48when the entry door20is in the open position and a second inclined surface154that engages the door strike recess50when the entry door20is in the closed position, the second inclined surface154extending outwardly toward the exterior of the housing.

Thus, in accordance with the first embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, in order to return the entry door20to the closed and latched position from either the exterior or interior of the closure20, the user simply shifts the entry door20to the closed position, which causes the first inclined surface152on the spring bolt54to strike the door strike48and thereby push the spring bolt54into the interior of the latch assembly40. When the spring bolt54comes into registry with the door strike recess50, the spring bolt54is urged back to the latched position by virtue of the spring biasing force exerted by the resilient member112, thereby preventing the entry door20from being inadvertently shifted from the closed position to the open position.

The second inclined surface154at the outer end148of the spring bolt54also may have a slightly inclined surface relative its longitudinal length that replaces the normally flat surface opposite the first inclined surface152. It has been found that such a second inclined surface154, which extends outwardly toward the marginal edge of the latch assembly40at about 4° relative the longitudinal length of the spring bolt, provides a greater resistance to inadvertent opening of the entry door20and more reliable engagement with the door strike recess50, particularly when the latch assembly40is applied to a recreational vehicle8or other mobile application subject to significant vibrations during transit.

In addition, according to the first embodiment of the latch assembly40, the handle cam124has a distal end156proximate the cam surface126and the first end84of the external lever handle82is operably coupled to the handle cam124by a threaded fastener158extending through an orifice160in the handle cam124and threadingly received within a threaded opening162in the first end84of the external lever handle82. The orifice160in the handle cam124may be provided with a shoulder164upon which a head166of the threaded fastener158is disposed.

As a further feature of the first embodiment of the latch assembly disclosed herein, a lock bolt rack168may be operably coupled with a cam gear170and slidably retained within a rack slot172transverse to the plunger recess104within which plunger102is slidably received. A deadbolt clutch174may be operably and rotatably coupled with the external lock cylinder100, while the cam gear170may be operably and rotatably coupled with the deadbolt clutch174.

Rotation of the external lock cylinder100from the unlocked condition to the locked condition also rotates the cam gear170. Since the cam gear170is in engagement with the lock bolt rack168, rotary motion is converted to linear motion, and the lock bolt rack168is shifted to a locked position within the rack slot172. When in the locked position within the rack slot172, the lock bolt rack168engages a notch176in the plunger102to prevent shifting of the plunger102from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown inFIGS.5and12. Conversely, rotation of the external lock cylinder100from the locked condition to the unlocked condition rotates the cam gear170in the opposite direction and slides the lock bolt rack168to an unlocked position, whereby the lock bolt rack168is disengaged from the notch176in the plunger102to allow shifting of the plunger102from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown inFIG.11.

A deadbolt clutch spring178may be disposed between the inside plate110mounted to the inner face64of the exterior housing60and the cam gear170. The inside plate110is provided with an opening180through which the cam gear170extends and a plurality of symmetrically arranged radial slots182that engage opposed radial detents184disposed on the deadbolt clutch spring178, in order to maintain the selected position of the lock bolt rack168, as described above.

In addition, deadbolt knob186may be mounted proximate to the outer face70of the interior housing62. The deadbolt knob186has a locked position and an unlocked position and may be operably and rotatably coupled with the external lock cylinder100, wherein operation of deadbolt knob186from the unlocked position to the locked position slides the lock bolt rack168to the locked position within the rack slot172, whereby the lock bolt rack168engages the notch176in the plunger102to prevent shifting of the plunger102from the latched position to the unlatched position. Conversely, rotation of the deadbolt knob186from the locked condition to the unlocked condition slides the lock bolt rack168to an unlocked position, whereby the lock bolt rack168is disengaged from the notch176in the plunger102to allow shifting of the plunger102from the latched position to the unlatched position. The deadbolt knob186further includes a stop188that is received within a recess190of a deadbolt clutch174to allow independent rotation of the deadbolt knob186relative the external lock cylinder100.

As a further feature of the first embodiment of the latch assembly disclosed herein, the plunger102may be provided with an inwardly extending tab194disposed on the plunger102proximate the inner face68of the interior housing62. An arcuate slot196extends through the interior housing62, where the arcuate slot196has a first end198aligned with the plunger recess104and plunger102and a second end200that is not aligned with the plunger recess104and plunger102. A night lock knob202extends through and is shiftingly restrained in the arcuate slot196. The night lock knob202has a locked position and an unlocked position, whereby shifting the night lock knob202to the locked position engages the night lock knob202with the inwardly extending tab194disposed on the plunger102, thus preventing the plunger102from shifting from the latched position to the unlatched position. Conversely, shifting the night lock knob202to the unlocked position disengages the night lock knob202from the inwardly extending tab194disposed on the plunger102to allow shifting of the plunger102from the latched position to the unlatched position. The night lock knob202may be slidably restrained in the arcuate slot by lock washer204.

Thus, the first embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein may be locked by an external lock cylinder100, an inside deadbolt knob186, or a night lock knob202. The external lock cylinder100and deadbolt knob186each separately controls a cam gear170that extends or retracts a lock bolt rack168. This lock bolt rack168, in turn, engages the plunger102in the latched position and prevents the plunger102and door latch52(here, spring bolt54) from moving. The night lock knob202may be advantageous for users concerned about the external lock cylinder100being picked and can be shifted into a locked position to prevent motion of the plunger102independent of the external lock cylinder100or inside deadbolt knob186. By engaging the tab194on the plunger102to prevent motion, the night lock knob202prevents the entry door20from being opened externally.

According to a second embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, shown inFIGS.14-22, a deadbolt56separate from the plunger102and door latch52(here, spring bolt54) is provided. Additionally, the external lock cylinder100may be disposed proximate the first end84of the external lever handle82in order to operate the deadbolt56, and may be master keyed for dealership use. The inwardly extending tab194and the night lock knob202is omitted in favor of the separate deadbolt56.

According to the second embodiment of the latch assembly40of the present disclosure, the latch assembly40similarly includes the lock aperture98through the exterior housing60through which the external lock cylinder100extends from the outer face66. A deadbolt56having an outer end206and an inner end208, a lock deadbolt cam210, and a first link212are added, whereby rotation of external lock cylinder100rotates the deadbolt lock cam210mounted to the inner face64of the exterior housing60, above the first end84of the external lever handle82. The deadbolt56may have a cross-sectional lateral thickness that is narrower than a cross-sectional lateral thickness of the spring bolt54. In addition, the outer end206of the deadbolt56is may be tapered.

Rotation of the deadbolt lock cam210, by either the external lock cylinder100or the deadbolt knob186, contemporaneously shifts a crank arm214of the deadbolt lock cam210, to which is pivotally attached a first end216of the first link212. A second end218of the first link212is in turn pivotally connected with the inner end208of the deadbolt56, whereby the second end218of the first link212longitudinally shifts the deadbolt56from the unlocked position to the locked position. In the unlocked position, the outer end206of the deadbolt56is fully withdrawn into the interior of the latch assembly40, as perhaps best shown inFIG.20. In the locked position, the outer end206of the deadbolt56engages door strike recess50in the door strike48, and positively prevents opening of the entry door20. The deadbolt56is unlocked by rotating external lock cylinder100or deadbolt knob186in the opposite direction. Thus, the deadbolt56may be movably shifted between a locked position, wherein the entry door20is positively retained in the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the entry door20is free to be shifted between the open and closed positions.

Also, according to the second embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, the outer face66of the exterior housing60may be provided with an upper recess220within which the first end84of the external lever handle82is received. This upper recess220may similarly be continuous with the bowl-shaped external lever recess88. The upper recess220further includes an elongated slot222, while the first end84of the external lever handle82includes a lever lock bolt224having a locked position and an unlocked position, the lever lock bolt224being received within the elongated slot222when in the unlocked position and being retained within the elongated slot222when in the locked position, as shown inFIGS.17,19,20, and22. The locked position of the lever lock bolt224may be rotationally 90° relative the unlocked position of the lever lock bolt224.

The first end84of the external lever handle82further may include an aperture226through the first end84of the external lever handle82through which a handle lock cylinder228extends, the handle lock cylinder228having a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A clutch230may be disposed on an exterior end232of the lever lock bolt224that may be operably and rotatably coupled with the handle lock cylinder228, through which the handle lock cylinder228is operably coupled with the lever lock bolt224. A clutch holder234may be provided by which the lever lock bolt224is mounted to the first end84of the external lever handle82. The handle lock cylinder228may also be master keyed for dealership convenience.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, the external lever handle82is coupled to the handle cam124via an alternative structure. That is, the handle cam124is still provided with a distal end156proximate the cam surface126. However, the first end84of the external lever handle82is operably coupled to the handle cam124by a handle shaft236fixedly mounted in the first end84of the external lever handle82and extending through and fixed within an orifice160in the handle cam124. The handle shaft236further may comprise a notch238disposed at a distal end240thereof and is fixed within the orifice160in the handle cam124by a C-clamp242resiliently received and secured in the notch238. As further described below, the external lever handle82may be injection molded and the handle shaft236may be fixedly mounted in the first end84of the external lever handle82during the molding process.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, a rotary latch assembly244is employed as the door latch52, as shown inFIGS.22-28. In this embodiment, the rotary latch assembly244has a locked position and an unlocked position. A door striker246may be disposed on the jamb section44of the door opening46for engagement with the rotary latch assembly244.

A rotary latch cam248may be pivotably mounted at a pivot250at a first end252to the inner face64of the exterior housing60proximate the rotary latch assembly244. A second link254having a first end256thereof may be pivotally operably coupled with the plunger102and a second end258thereof may be pivotally connected with a second end260of the rotary latch cam248. The first end256of the second link254may be operably coupled with the interior plunger arm134.

The rotary latch assembly244may comprise a frame262attached to the margin80of the exterior housing60, a lock pawl264rotatably mounted to the frame262and having a locked position in engagement with the door striker246and an unlocked position, and a trigger266rotatably mounted to the frame262and operably coupled with the rotary latch cam248and a detent268on the lock pawl to264. The trigger266has a locked position and an unlocked position. The rotary latch cam248rotates the trigger266from the locked position to the unlocked position as the plunger102shifts from the latched position to the unlatched position, thus bringing the trigger266out of engagement with a detent268and releasing the lock pawl264to the unlocked position. Thus, shifting the plunger102to the unlatched position rotates the rotary latch cam248to shift the rotary latch assembly244between the locked and unlocked positions.

The rotary latch assembly244may also include a first torsion spring270that urges the lock pawl264to the unlocked position and a second torsion spring272that urges the trigger266to the locked position, as shown inFIG.26. Shifting the entry door20from the open position to the closed position causes the lock pawl264to engage the door striker246, which rotates the lock pawl264to the locked position against the urging of the first torsion spring270and allows the trigger266to reengage the detent268on the lock pawl264under the urging of the second torsion spring272, thereby maintaining the lock pawl in the locked position.

In accordance with the third embodiment of the latch assembly40of the present disclosure, the use of a rotary latch assembly244has been found to be advantageous in that replacement of the spring bolt54utilized with the first and second embodiments described above with a rotary latch assembly244allows use of many common components to lower tooling and production costs. This interchangeability also provides the option to the door manufacturer and subsequent OEM to offer two different latching systems (a spring bolt54or a rotary latch assembly244) that otherwise look identical from the exterior or interior of the entry door20. Once the plunger102is actuated either by shifting of the external lever handle82from the retracted to the extended position or by rotation of the interior door release control92, the rotary latch cam248rotates and moves the trigger266to release the lock pawl264.

Furthermore, a latch assembly40having a door latch52configured as spring bolt54may be desired for lower cost applications, while the rotary latch assembly244may be desired for motorized applications. That is, a feature of the use of the rotary latch assembly244is the second link254from the interior plunger arm134to the rotary latch cam248. While the rotary latch assembly244of the third embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated as attached to the latch assembly40by installing a different link, the rotary latch assembly244may be remotely activated for doors in which the latch assembly40is installed further inboard of the door edge.

As applied to any of the foregoing embodiments, it has been determined that water control is important to the continued function and durability of the latch assembly40. More particularly, it has been found desirable to provide features to provide such water control to minimize infiltration of water into the interior of the latch assembly40.

Water control may be obtained by the use of water diversion provided on the outer face66of the exterior housing60. An upper portion of the outer face66of the exterior housing60may comprise a raised portion274to divert water around the exterior housing60. The water diversion also includes the inner edges276of the external lever handle82having parallel grooves278disposed therein and the outer face66of the exterior housing60proximate the first end84of the external lever handle82having a pair of outwardly facing walls280that engage the grooves278disposed on the external lever handle82when the external lever handle82is in the retracted position. Further, the lock aperture98through the exterior housing60through which the external lock cylinder100extends may be disposed above the external lever handle82and may include a raised portion282to divert water around the exterior housing60and away from the external lever handle82. Finally, ribs284may be disposed about the upper recess220within which the first end84of the external lever handle82is received to divert water from the latch assembly40.

In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the latch assembly40of the present disclosure, shown inFIGS.29-41, the latch assembly40similarly comprises an exterior housing60having an inner face64and an outer face66and a separate interior housing62having in inner face68and an outer face70. The interior housing62may be attached to the exterior housing60by fasteners72extending through a plurality of openings74that in turn extend through and are disposed about the margin76of the interior housing62via a plurality of assembly bosses78disposed about the margin80of the exterior housing60. Thus, the latch assembly40, as installed, may be deposed on either side of the entry door20and received within a through-cavity (as again depicted inFIG.2) in the entry door20, where the latch assembly40may be accessed from both the exterior and interior of the recreational vehicle8, as further described below. A particularly advantageous feature of this arrangement is that the latch assembly40may be designed to fit within a standard through-cavity for the closure20for most recreational vehicles8and, thus, may be provided as a retrofit replacement for OEM latch assemblies that do not share the features of presently disclosed latch assembly40.

A door latch52, similar to that described above, is similarly operably coupled with a plunger102slidingly received within a plunger recess104disposed proximate the inner face64of the exterior housing60and operably connected with the latch assembly40. The plunger recess104may be integrally formed on the inner face64of the exterior housing60and the plunger102may be adapted to slide and thereby shift between a latched position and an unlatched position within the plunger recess104. As shown inFIGS.37-38, the plunger102is maintained in the latched position, when an external lever300is in the latched position, by the resilient member112, as discussed below, whereby the closure20cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position. As in the first embodiment, an inside plate110may be mounted to the inner face64of the exterior housing60, wherein the plunger102is disposed between the exterior housing60and the inside plate110and is restrained within the plunger recess104.

A resilient member112is operably coupled with the plunger102and urges the plunger102to the latched position. The resilient member112may be comprised of a compression spring received within the plunger recess104and having a first end114abutting a first end118of the plunger102and a second end120abutting a terminal wall122of the plunger recess104opposite the first end118of the plunger102. The resilient member112is operably coupled with the plunger102and urges the plunger102to the latched position, as shown inFIG.37.

As perhaps best shown inFIGS.37and38, the external lever300is pivotally mounted on the outer face66of the exterior housing60for rotation between a latched position and an unlatched position. The external lever300comprises a first leg302, a second leg304disposed at an angle relative to the first leg302, and a pivot mount306disposed between the first leg302and the second leg304. As shown, the second leg304of the external lever300is operably coupled with the plunger102and the first leg302and the second leg304of the external lever300may be fixedly disposed substantially orthogonally one to the other.

The exterior housing60may further comprise a fixed external handle308, such that the first leg of the external lever is disposed proximate the fixed external handle308, thereby providing an ergonomically improved operation that may be used to reduce pressure on the latch52and the closure20seals (not shown) during operation. The fixed external handle308, which may be generously sized, further may include a recess310within an interior surface312thereof and the first leg302of the external lever300may be pivotably received within the recess310of the fixed external handle308as the external lever300is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position. An interior surface314of the first leg302of the external lever300may comprise a substantially continuous surface, again to improve ergonomics, that remains outside of the recess310of the fixed external handle308as the external lever300is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position to provide a more comfortable tactile experience as the latch assembly40is operated. In essence, the latch assembly40is actuated by merely squeezing the external lever300and fixed external handle308together, providing a highly ergonomic device. The exterior housing60shown inFIGS.29-40may also include a centrally disposed, bowl-shaped external lever recess88located proximate the external lever300, which provides finger access to facilitate actuation of the external lever300between the latched and unlatched position.

The exterior housing60and the fixed external handle308may be injection molded as separate components and the fixed external handle308may be fixedly mounted to the exterior housing60. To effect this construction, the fixed external handle308has a first end316and a second end318and is attached as a separate component to the outer face66of the exterior housing60. As shown inFIGS.37,38, and40, the first end316of the fixed external handle308may be provided with a slot320adapted to receive and engage a protuberance322formed on the outer face66of the exterior housing60proximate the first end316of the fixed external handle308to secure the first end316of the fixed external handle308to the exterior housing60.

Further, the second end318of the fixed external handle308comprises a pair of opposed cavities324that fittingly receive an integrally formed pair of opposed bosses326formed on the outer face66of the exterior housing60proximate the second end318of the fixed external handle308and between which a fastener boss328and a pair of fasteners329extend through the exterior housing60. The fasteners329thus extend into the second end318of the fixed external handle308to secure the second end318of the fixed external handle308to the exterior housing60.

The fixed external handle308may also include a pair of opposed pivot bosses330, such that the pivot mount306is disposed within the recess310of the fixed external handle308in alignment with and between the pair of opposed pivot bosses330. A pivot pin332extends through the pair of opposed pivot bosses330to define the pivot mount306and thereby pivotally mount the external lever300on the outer face66of the exterior housing60for rotation of the external lever300between the latched position and the unlatched position.

An integrally formed sleeve334may be formed on the outer face66of the exterior housing60proximate the first end316of the fixed external handle308through which the second leg304of the external lever300extends and over which the recess310of the fixed external handle308is disposed. The integrally formed sleeve334formed on outer face66of the exterior housing60is intended to limit leakage of water into the latch assembly40. A lower portion336of the integrally formed sleeve334may include an outwardly extending tab338that is juxtaposed against the second leg304of the external lever300when the external lever300is in the latched position, as shown inFIG.37, to limit leakage of water into the latch assembly40.

In addition, the first leg302of the external lever300may include a trigger tab340disposed proximate the pivot mount306and an upper portion342of the integrally formed sleeve334may include an upper edge344. As shown inFIG.37, the trigger tab340of the first leg302of the external lever300is juxtaposed against the upper edge344of the integrally formed sleeve334when the external lever300is in the latched position to further limit leakage of water into the latch assembly40.

The plunger102may further comprise a longitudinal slot106within which a plunger cam surface108is disposed at a distal end thereof, the plunger cam surface108being operably coupled with a distal end346of the second leg304of the external lever300, as best shown inFIGS.33-36and37-38. The longitudinal slot106may be wider than the distal end346of the second leg304of the external lever300. The plunger102may be is displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position by the distal end346of the second leg304of the external lever300bearing against the plunger cam surface108when the external lever300is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position, as perhaps best seen inFIG.37.

The plunger102may also be provided with an interior plunger arm134extending therefrom in a substantially perpendicular direction, as shown inFIGS.33-36. The interior plunger arm134may include an angled cam surface348operable coupled with an inside lever cam128fixedly coupled with an interior door release control92, where a square opening130(perhaps best shown in the embodiment depicted inFIG.5, as well as inFIGS.35and36) in the inside lever cam128may be operably coupled with a rotating square shaft132of the interior door release control92. The interior door release control92also has a latched position and an unlatched position and is mounted proximate the outer face70of the interior housing62, such that the inside lever cam128is operably coupled with the angled cam surface348of the interior plunger arm134. The plunger102may also be displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position by the inside lever cam128bearing against the angled cam surface348of the interior plunger arm134when the interior door release control92is operated from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown inFIGS.33and34. The interior door release control92may be a rotatable lever.

Thus, the plunger102may be displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position from the exterior of the recreational vehicle8when the external lever300is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position by a distal end346the second leg304of the external lever300bearing against the plunger cam surface108of the plunger102. Alternatively, the plunger102may be displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position from the interior of the recreational vehicle8when the interior door release control92is operated from the latched position to the unlatched position and the inside lever cam128is brought to bear against the angled cam surface348of the interior plunger arm134, whereby in both instances the closure20is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position.

Alternatively, the latch assembly40may be configured such that the plunger102is displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position by the distal end346of the second leg304of the external lever300bearing against the angled cam surface348of the interior plunger arm134, instead of against the plunger cam surface108of the plunger102, when the external lever300is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position. In such case, the longitudinal slot106and plunger cam surface108may be omitted.

As shown inFIGS.37and38, an aperture350extends through the second end318of the fixed external handle308through which a lock cylinder352, the lock cylinder352having a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A lock cam354may be operably and rotatably coupled with the lock cylinder352and adapted to selectively engage a distal end356the first leg302of the external lever300, wherein rotation of the lock cylinder352from the unlocked condition to the locked condition selectively rotates the lock cam354into engagement with the distal end356of the first leg302of the external lever300to prevent rotation of the external lever300from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown inFIG.41. Conversely, rotation of the lock cylinder352from the locked condition to the unlocked condition rotates the lock cam354out of engagement with the distal end356of the first leg302of the external lever300to allow rotation of the external lever300from the latched position to the unlatched position. The aperture350through the exterior housing60through which the lock cylinder352extends disposed above the fixed external handle308may include a raised portion358to divert water around the aperture350and away from the fixed external handle308. The lock cylinder352may be master keyed for dealer convenience.

The distal end356of the first leg302of the external lever300may also include a notch360, as shown inFIGS.38-39and41. Rotation of the lock cylinder352from the unlocked condition to the locked condition rotates the lock cam354into engagement with the notch360in the distal end356of the first leg302of the external lever300to prevent rotation of the external lever300from the latched position to the unlatched position. Conversely, rotation of the lock cylinder352from the locked condition to the unlocked condition rotates the lock cam354out of engagement with the notch360in the distal end356of the first leg302of the external lever300to allow rotation of the external lever300from the latched position to the unlatched position.

As a further feature of the fourth embodiment of the latch assembly40disclosed herein, a deadbolt56separate from the plunger102and door latch52may also be movably mounted to the exterior housing60for shifting between a locked position, wherein the closure20is positively retained in the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the closure20is free to be shifted between the open and closed positions. The deadbolt56may be slidably mounted to the exterior housing60with an outer end206thereof that extends exterior of the exterior housing60for engagement with an associated strike adjacent the closure20and an inner end208thereof which extends interior of the exterior housing60.

According to the fourth embodiment of the latch assembly40of the present disclosure, the latch assembly40similarly includes a deadbolt lock aperture362through the exterior housing60through which an external deadbolt lock cylinder364extends from the outer face66. As in the second embodiment, the deadbolt56may have an outer end206and an inner end208, and a deadbolt lock cam210to which is pivotally attached a first end216of a first link212. A second end218of the first link212is in turn pivotally connected with the inner end208of the deadbolt56, whereby the second end218of the first link212longitudinally shifts the deadbolt56from the unlocked position to the locked position. The deadbolt56may have a cross-sectional lateral thickness that is narrower than a cross-sectional lateral thickness of the plunger102. In addition, the outer end206of the deadbolt56may be tapered. The deadbolt lock cam210may be operably and rotatably coupled with the external deadbolt lock cylinder364, such that actuation of the external deadbolt lock cylinder364between the locked and unlocked positions longitudinally shifts the deadbolt56between the locked and unlocked positions.

An interior deadbolt control186having a locked position and an unlocked position may be mounted proximate the outer face70of the interior housing62. A deadbolt shaft366may be fixedly coupled with the interior deadbolt control186and operably coupled with the deadbolt lock cam210. The deadbolt56may be similarly displaced between the locked and unlocked positions by actuation of the interior deadbolt control186between the locked and unlocked positions of the interior deadbolt control186. As shown inFIGS.35and36, the interior deadbolt control186is actuated by rotation between the locked and unlocked positions of the interior deadbolt control186.

A deadbolt clutch spring178may disposed between and inside the inside plate110mounted to the inner face64of the exterior housing60, the inside plate110further comprising an opening180through which the deadbolt shaft366extends and a plurality of symmetrically arranged radial slots182that engage opposed radial detents184disposed on the deadbolt clutch spring178to retain the deadbolt56in the locked position, as discussed above in relation to the second embodiment and shown inFIG.10. The deadbolt clutch spring178thereby allows independent rotation of the interior deadbolt control186relative the deadbolt lock cylinder364.

Thus, rotation of the deadbolt lock cam210, by either the external lock cylinder100or the interior deadbolt control186, contemporaneously shifts the crank arm214of the deadbolt lock cam210, pivotally attached to the first end216of the first link212. The second end218of the first link212is in turn pivotally connected with the inner end208of the deadbolt56, whereby the second end218of the first link212longitudinally shifts the deadbolt56from the unlocked position to the locked position. In the unlocked position, the outer end206of the deadbolt56is fully withdrawn into the interior of the latch assembly40, as perhaps best shown inFIG.35. In the locked position, the outer end206of the deadbolt56engages door strike recess50in the door strike48, and positively prevents opening of the entry door20. The deadbolt56is unlocked by rotating either the external lock cylinder100or the interior deadbolt control186in the opposite direction. Thus, the deadbolt56may be movably shifted between a locked position, wherein the entry door20is positively retained in the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the entry door20is free to be shifted between the open and closed positions.

Finally, the latch assembly40as described in any of the foregoing embodiments may be constructed of injection molded components. In particular, the exterior housing60, interior housing62, external lever handle82, interior door release control92, deadbolt knob186, night lock knob202, and fixed external handle308may be advantageously constructed of injection molding resins. Such resins can include polymers, such as glass filled nylon.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.