Temporary door hardware system and door

A temporary door hardware system includes a latch assembly securable between a first side component and a second side component when the first and second side component are installed in the door. The latch assembly is dimensioned for integration with an opening in an door frame. The latch assembly includes first assembled position relative to the first and second side components. The latch assembly includes a second assembled position relative to the first and second side components. The latch assembly in the first assembled position extends from the first and second side components a greater distance than the latch assembly in the second position. Further disclosed is a door utilizing the latch assembly.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to door hardware systems such as handles, knobs, locks, stops, and the like. More particularly, the subject matter relates to a door hardware system that may be temporarily attached to a door and removed prior to installation of a permanent hardware system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the construction industry, temporary door hardware such as locks, stops or handles are typically placed on the doors of buildings that are undergoing construction. This temporary door hardware is configured to prevent the door from opening and closing in the wind, causing potential damage to the door and to the interior of the building being constructed. Further, in some instances, temporary door hardware may prevent unwanted people from entering into the building being constructed at night. In large construction buildings, such as multi-floor apartment buildings or commercial office buildings, there are hundreds or even thousands of doors that require temporary hardware. This hardware is often expensive and made of metal. Due to the expense, contractors must generally find a place to store the hardware until the next construction project.

Thus, it would be well received in the art to have less costly door hardware that is specifically configured to be temporary and/or disposable after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a temporary door hardware system comprises: a latch assembly securable between a first side component and a second side component when the first and second side component are installed in the door, wherein the latch assembly is dimensioned for integration with an opening in an door frame, wherein the latch assembly includes first assembled position relative to the first and second side components, wherein the latch assembly includes a second assembled position relative to the first and second side components, wherein the latch assembly in the first assembled position extends from the first and second side components a greater distance than the latch assembly in the second position.

According to another embodiment, a temporary door hardware system comprises: a latch assembly dimensioned for integration with an opening in a door, wherein the latch assembly includes a main body including a first portion proximate a first end and a second portion proximate a second end, the first portion including a first stop located proximate the first end and a second stop located proximate the second portion relative to the first stop, wherein the first and second stops have a larger outer perimeter than an outer perimeter of the first portion.

According to another embodiment, a door comprises: a first side having a first surface; a second side having a second surface; an opening extending through the first side to the second side; a door hardware system comprising: a first side component exposed from the first side of the door; a second side component attached to the first side component and exposed from a second side of the door; a latch assembly securable between the first and second side component when the first and second side component are installed in the door, wherein the latch assembly is dimensioned for integration with the opening, wherein the latch assembly includes first assembled position relative to the first and second side components, wherein the latch assembly includes a second assembled position relative to the first and second side components, wherein the latch assembly in the first assembled position extends from the first and second side components a greater distance than the latch assembly in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a temporary door hardware system10is shown. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the temporary door hardware system10is attached to a door12. The temporary door hardware system10is shown having a first side component14and a second side component16. The first side component14may be exposed from a first side18, face or surface of the door12when the temporary door hardware system10is installed in the door12. Likewise, the second side component16may be exposed from a second side, face or surface19of the door12when the temporary door hardware system10is installed in the door12. It should be understood thatFIG. 2shows one side face or surface18of the door12with the temporary door hardware system10and that a similar side, face or surface19may be found on the opposite side of the door12, as shown inFIG. 3. The first side component14may further include a main body15which may be circumferential or cylindrical in shape. Likewise, the second side component16may include a main body17which may also be circumferential or cylindrical in shape. The main bodies15,17may be dimensioned with similar dimensions and may each be configured to fit into a circular opening found in the standard doors which are configured to receive standard door hardware, knobs, handles and the like. These main bodies16,17may each include a ridge21for accommodation the dimensions of the standard door opening.

The temporary door hardware system10may further include a latch assembly20. The latch assembly20may also be referred to as a plunger device, fastener or the like, and may be configured to retain the door12in a closed state with respect to an outer door frame26. The latch assembly20may be securable between the first and second side components14,16when the first and second side components14,16are installed in the door12as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The latch assembly20may include a first end22which is dimensioned for integration with an opening24in the door frame26. The opening24may be directly integrated into the door frame26or may be accommodated with an additional strike plate component27which may be included in the temporary door hardware system10and installed into the door frame26. The latch assembly20may include a spring28or other form of spring biasing element configured to extend the first end22of the latch assembly20into the opening24and retract the first end22of the latch assembly20from the opening24. The spring28may allow the first end22of the latch assembly20to retract from the opening24when a threshold force is exerted on the door12. In other words, the spring constant of the spring28may be particularly fashioned to require specific threshold force to retract the latch assembly20. The threshold force exerted on the door12may also be considered a force that is exerted on the latch assembly20in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of extension and retraction of the latch assembly20. This is because the latch assembly20, of course, is a component of the temporary door hardware system10, and thereby a force exerted on the door12will result in the same or similar force on the latch assembly20. Thus, the latch assembly20may be configured to extend and retract in a direction which is parallel to the door12, while the force may be applied perpendicular to both the door12and the direction of extension and retraction of the latch assembly20.

In order to achieve a low-cost and temporary door hardware system10, it should be understood that the major components of the temporary door hardware system10may be made of non-metallic low cost components. For example, each of the first side component14, the second side component16, and the latch assembly20may be made from plastic, wood, rubber, a composite or the like. Each of these components14,16,20may, for example, not be made of metal in direct contrast to permanent hardware fixtures. As such, in one embodiment, the temporary door hardware system10may not be configured to prevent unwanted entry through the door12or prevent the door from being opened by unwanted individuals. This is because the temporary door hardware system10may be utilized on construction sites rather than in finished buildings, where trespass and break-ins are less of a problem. In other embodiments, a version of the temporary door hardware system10may include lock system (not shown) as for the deterrence of trespassers.

The first and second side components14,16of the temporary door hardware system10may minimally extend from the surfaces18,19of the door12. In other words, the first and second side components14,16may not include a handle at all, but may simply include flat surfaces30,32which are adjacent to the surfaces18,19of the door12. In one embodiment, no component of the first and second side components14,16, including these flat surfaces30,32, when installed in the door12, may extend more than 0.5 inches from the surfaces18,19, respectively, of the door12. In other embodiments, the first and second side components14,16may extend less than 0.25 inches from the door surfaces18,19when installed in the door12. In still other embodiments, the first and second side components14,16may extend less than one inch from the door surfaces18,19when installed in the door12. These flat surfaces30,32may extend from the main bodies15,17, respectively. The flat surfaces18,19, may extend beyond the bounds of the outer dimensions of the main bodies15,17on one side of the main body15,17. The flat surfaces18,19may be configured to stop the temporary door hardware system10from being insertable into the opening of the door12and removed therefrom.

The fact that the temporary door hardware system10may not include traditional handles, knobs or the like may reduce the overall width of the temporary door hardware system10. This reduced width may allow the temporary door hardware system10to be installed on the door12during the manufacturing stages of the door12without increasing the thickness dimensions of the door12unnecessarily. This may reduce transportation and storage cost and may increase the desirability of the temporary door hardware system10to be integrated into the door12at the manufacturing stage. While the first and second side components14,16are shown including surfaces30,32that are directly adjacent to the surface of the door, this may be difficult for people to grip to pull the door open. Thus, the latch assembly20may be configured to retract from the opening24when a relatively low amount of threshold force is applied by a person on the door12. For example, the threshold force may be large enough to prevent the latch assembly20from being removed from the opening24when wind forces are exerted on the door. However, the threshold force may be small enough to allow the plunger to be removed from the opening when a person exerts a direct pushing force on the door, or pulling force on one of the surfaces30,32.

In one embodiment, the first and second side components14,16may include a storing state and an in-use state. In the storing state, the surfaces30,32of the first and second side components14,16may be located immediately adjacent to the surfaces18,19of the door12, as shown inFIGS. 2-3. However, the first and second side components14,16may include one or more locking hinges or the like (not shown) that may enable the surfaces30,32to be switched to the in-use state. In the in-use state, the surfaces30,32may be unsnapped, unlocked, unhinged, or the like in order to switch the first and second side components14,16from the storing state, where the surfaces30,32immediately adjacent to the surfaces18,19of the door12, to the in-use state, where the surfaces30,32are pulled from the surfaces18,19of the door12for ease of gripping. The surfaces30,32may thus be locked, snapped or otherwise retained into place farther from the surfaces18,19of the door12during the in-use state. The surfaces30,32may be configured to switch between the in-use state and the storing state. Other handles that may be switched between a storing state and an in-use state are contemplated. For example, the temporary door hardware system10may include a separate handle portion (not shown) attachable to either the main body15,17or the surface30,32. The separate handle portion may be configured to rest immediately adjacent to the surface18,19of the door12when in a storing and transportation state, and may be extendable to provide a handle after installation of the door12.

Furthermore, the surfaces30,32may be replaced by a standard dimensioned handle or knob (not shown) which may allow for a person to grip and pull on the temporary door hardware system10and open the door12. In this case, the handle or knob may not be configured to interact with the latch assembly20. In other words, if the temporary door hardware system10includes a handle or knob, the handle or knob may not be configured to turn, and may only be functional to the extent that the handle or knob provides a component to grip and pull the door12.

Referring now toFIGS. 4-17, several views of the first and second side components14,16of the temporary door hardware system10are shown. The first side component14is shown including a male connecting section34. The male connecting section34may extend from a bottom surface35of the main body15and may include a square shaped cross section, for example, as shown in the perspective views ofFIGS. 4 and 5and the bottom view inFIG. 10. The male connecting section34may include at least one locking tab36a,36b. The male connecting section34may be insertable into a female connecting section38of the second side component16. The female connecting section38may extend from a bottom surface37of the main body17of the second side component16. The female connecting section38may also include a square shaped cross section, as shown in the perspective views ofFIGS. 11 and 12and the bottom view inFIG. 17. Thus, the male connecting section34may be dimensioned slightly smaller than the female connecting section38to allow the male connecting section34to slide into the female connecting section38. The female connecting section38may include at least one channel40a,40bcorresponding with and configured to receive each of the locking tabs36a,36bof the male connecting section34. Thus, when the male connecting section34is inserted into the female connecting section38, the locking tabs are configured to engage with the channels40a,40bin order to lockably attach the male connecting section34to the female connecting section38. In operation, the locking tabs36a,36bmay be configured to temporarily bend inwardly from the contact with a locking tab biasing portion42of the female connecting section38. Then, once the locking tabs36a,36bclear from the locking tab biasing portion42and emerge into the channels40a,40bof the female connecting section38, the locking tabs36a,36bmay be configured to unbend outwardly and remain affixed in the channels40a,40b, preventing separation of the first side component14and the second side component16.

Once locked or affixed together, the first and second side components14,16may be configured to remain in a locked-together state. In the embodiment shown, the mechanism for locking the first and second side components14,16together (i.e. at least one of the male connecting section34, the female connecting section38, the locking tabs36a,36b, the channels40a,40b, and the locking tab biasing portion42) may not be unattached without permanent destruction. For example, the permanent destruction of one or more components of the mechanism may be required to remove the first side component14from the second side component16. In the embodiment shown, the second side component16may include an opening44that is adjacent to the surface32. The opening44may be a channel, hole, slot, bore, or the like. The opening44may be configured to receive an elongated device, such as a screwdriver (not shown) which may be configured to destroy one or both of the locking tabs36a,36b. In the embodiment shown, the opening44extends across the entirety of the width of the female connecting section38, allowing the elongated device to be extended therein. By bashing, hitting, protruding, hammering, or striking the plastic locking tabs36a,36bwith a metal or otherwise reinforced or durable elongated device, the locking tabs36a,36bmay be destroyed, and the temporary door hardware system10may be configured to be removed from the door12for reinstallation of a permanent door hardware system (not shown). In one embodiment, the locking tabs36a,36bmay be particularly constructed such that they are mechanically weak from force coming from the direction of the opening44. As such, the locking tabs36a,36b, which may be strong in preventing the male and female connecting sections34,38from being taken apart, may be very weak and break easily when prodded with an elongated device through the opening44. This may facilitate ease of removal of the temporary door hardware system10.

In another embodiment, the male connecting section34may include only a single locking tab rather than two locking tabs. This locking tab may be found on one of the “sides” of the square shaped cross section of the male connecting section34. Likewise, the female connecting section38may include a single corresponding channel. In this embodiment, the opening44may be narrower than the embodiment shown in the Figures, such that it would be more difficult for a person who protrudes the elongated device into the opening44to miss hitting the locking tab. In another embodiment, the opening44in the face of the second side component16may actually be divided into two separate openings, each corresponding to and directly in front each of two locking tabs36a,36bextending within the male connecting section34. If destruction of the attachment mechanism is desirable, it should be understood that the means for destruction of the attachment mechanism are not limited to the embodiments shown or described herein.

While the temporary door hardware system10may include a mechanism for attaching the first and second side components14,16together such that unattachment of the first and second side components14,16requires permanent destruction of the mechanism, other embodiments may not include this feature. For example, nondestructive mechanisms for unattaching the first and second side components14,16are contemplated. In one embodiment, the temporary door hardware system10may include an opening, such as the opening44, for inserting an unlocking device. The unlocking device may be configured to integrate with the attachment mechanism. For example, the unlocking device may be directly configured to bend inwardly one or more locking tabs, such as the locking tabs36a,36bin order to release the locking tabs36a,36bfrom the channel40a,40b.

As described hereinabove, the temporary door handle10may include the latch assembly20. The latch assembly20is shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. The latch assembly20may operate in conjunction with the opening24found in the strike plate27or otherwise integrated into the outer frame26of the door12. The latch assembly34may extend between the first end22and a second end23. The second end23may be located within the male connecting section34of the first side component14and the female connecting section38of the second side component16. The first end22may be located outside of the male connecting section34and the female connecting section38and may be dimensioned for integration with the opening24of the strike plate27or door frame26.

The first end22of the latch assembly20may be an enlarged knob portion46having a half spherical end48. The half spherical end48may be the particular portion of the latch assembly20partially insertable into the opening24. Thus, due to the curvature of the first end22of the latch assembly20, the latch assembly may rest in the opening24such that a horizontal force F on the latch assembly20will actually result in movement of the latch assembly20to retract along the vertical direction D, as shown inFIG. 1.

The latch assembly20may include a narrower portion50extending from the enlarged knob portion46to the second end23. The enlarged knob portion46and the narrower portion50may each have a circular cross section. A spring28may be configured to extend between the back surface of the enlarged knob portion46. The spring28may extend between the enlarged knob portion46and the outer surface of the female connecting section38. The spring28may have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the enlarged knob portion46such that the spring28is retained therebetween. In one embodiment, the spring28found in the latch assembly20may be the only metallic component in one embodiment.

Additionally, the second end23of the narrow portion50may include one or more circumferential channels52extending circumferentially around the entirety of the narrow portion50. These channels52may each be configured to receive a C-Clip (not shown). The C-Clip may be configured to retain the second end23of the narrow portion50within the confines of the male and female connecting sections34,38.

Located in the male connecting section34may be a first U-shaped opening54and a second U-shaped opening56. Likewise, in the female connecting plate38may have a third U-shaped opening58which corresponds to the first U-shaped opening54, and a fourth U-shaped opening60which corresponds to the second U-shaped opening56. These U-shaped opening pairs54,58and56,60may each converge to form a corresponding circular shaped opening when the male connecting section34is inserted into the female connecting section38. These two circular shaped openings may be configured to receive the narrow portion50of the latch assembly20. In one embodiment, only a single U-shaped opening pair54,58or56,60may exist in the male connecting section34and the female connecting section38. This may allow only a single configuration of the latch assembly20extending in a single direction. In other embodiments, both opening pairs54,58and56,60may exist to allow the temporary door hardware system10to be installed in multiple arrangements with the latch assembly20extending from either direction.

The latch assembly20may thereby be retained in place within this opening between the spring28and the C-Clip, in the manner shown inFIG. 1. Held into place in this manner within the male and female connecting sections34,38of the first and second side components14,16, the latch assembly20may be configured to extend and retract with respect to the first and second side components14,16. The two circumferential channels52found at different lengths of the narrow portion50may be configured to extend the first end22of the latch assembly20from the first and second side components14,16at different amounts, depending on which circumferential channel the C-Clip is placed in. In this manner, the latch assembly20may configured for doors having different dimensions. For example, some doors require a longer latch assembly20than others, and the C-Clip and circumferential channel combination may provide the temporary door hardware system10to be customizable for various door systems.

As will be apparent, a door may be sold and manufactured with the temporary door hardware system10described herein already installed. These pre-installed doors may be transportable with the same or similar dimensions as doors without hardware installed, due to the narrow features of the temporary door hardware system10and the fact that the system may not include protruding components which would increase the transportation and storage dimensions of the system significantly. Thus, in one embodiment, an installer may simply need to install a strike plate or otherwise fashion the opening24in the door frame26, and then install the door12having the temporary hardware system10pre-installed. The door12may be sold with the elongated elements (not shown) that allow for removal of the handle. Alternately, directions may be provided for the user to insert a screwdriver or other elongated element into the opening44in order to allow the first and second side components14,16to be pulled apart and the temporary door hardware system10to be removed. Then, when an installer needs to install the permanent hardware, the temporary door hardware system10may be removed and disposed of, or (if no destruction of parts is required for removal) stored for later use.

Still further, a method of providing a door hardware system is also contemplated. The method may include attaching a temporary door hardware system to a door. This step may be performable in a factory during the manufacturing of the door, or prior to the purchase of the door by the consumer, or after the purchase of the door by a consumer. The method may further include attaching the male connecting section34with the female connecting section38by locking the locking tabs36a,36binto the channels40a,40b. The method may include securing the latch assembly20between the first and second side components14,16and biasing the latch assembly20, including extending the latch assembly20into the opening24and retracting the latch assembly20from the opening24. The biasing may be accomplished with the spring28. The method may include exerting a force on the door12which thereby causes the latch assembly to retract from the opening24. The method may further include preventing the latch assembly20from being removed from the opening24when wind forces are exerted on the door12, and allowing the latch assembly20to be removed from the opening24when a person exerts a direct pushing force on the door12. This preventing and allowing the latching assembly20to be moved may be accomplished by the engineering tolerances and spring constant of the spring28. Still further, the method may include permanently destroying one or both of the locking tabs36a,36bby inserting a device into the opening44found in a front face of the second side component16to break one or both of the locking tabs36a,36b. The method may further include replacing the temporary door hardware system10with a permanent door hardware system, and disposing of the replaced temporary door hardware system10.

Referring now toFIGS. 20-21, another latch assembly100is shown in accordance with one embodiment. The latch assembly100includes a main body110, a cap112, and a latch interface114. The main body110extends between a first end116and a second end118. The main body110includes a first portion120proximate the first end116and a second portion122proximate the second end118. The first portion120may be thinner dimensionally and have a smaller perimeter than the second portion122. In the embodiment shown, the first portion120may have a square shaped cross section. The second portion122may have a circular cross section. The first portion120may have a first length124. The second portion122may include a second length126. The first portion120may further include a first stop128located proximate the first end116and a second stop130proximate the second portion122relative to the first stop128.

The first portion120, is shown having a square cross section. This cross section may facilitate in the first portion120resting firmly within the U-shaped openings56,60of the first and second side components14,16described hereinabove. Thus, the U-shaped openings56,60may include a flat base portion that is keyed to the square cross section of the first portion120. In other embodiments, the U-shaped openings56,60may include a rounded bottom or base. In this embodiment, the first portion120may include a circular or rounded cross section rather than a square one. However, the square or non-circular cross section of the first portion120(i.e. the square cross section) may ensure that the latch interface114is flush with the door.

The latch assembly100, like the other components of the temporary door hardware system10described hereinabove, may be made from plastic, wood, rubber, a composite or the like. Thus, the latch assembly100may be at least substantially formed from a nonmetallic material. This may reduce the cost of the latch assembly100in the event that the device is configured to be disposable after use when final hardware is installed on the door. In other embodiments, certain components of the latch assembly100may be made from more robust materials other than plastic. For example, in one embodiment, the latch interface114may be made from metal, while the rest of the latch assembly100(other than the internal spring described hereinbelow), along with the first and second side components14,16, may be made from plastic. Other components that are determined to be prone to failure, for example, the attachment location between the cap112and the second portion122of the main body110may also be made from a more robust metallic or composite material if necessary. However, in light of the temporary nature of the latch assembly100and the hardware system10, the amount of metallic components may be kept at a minimum.

The latch assembly100may be assembled from four components in the embodiment shown: the main body110, the cap112, the latch interface114and an internal spring (not shown) that may be housed within the second portion122of the main body. The internal spring may be configured to exert an outward force in a direction D. The latch interface114may be configured to be received in an opening, such as the opening24shown inFIG. 3, of a latch strike, such as the latch strike27shown inFIG. 3. The latch interface114may be pushed inwardly and moved into the cap112in an opposite direction to the direction D when the latch interface contacts the latch strike. The internal spring may have a spring constant that allows the internal spring to compress as a result of the inward pushing force on the latch interface114by the latch strike.

The internal spring may allow the latch interface114of the latch assembly100to retract from the opening of the latch strike when a threshold force is exerted on the door. In other words, the spring constant of the internal spring, like the spring28, may be particularly fashioned to require specific threshold force to retract the latch assembly100. The threshold force exerted on the door may also be considered a force that is exerted on the latch assembly100, and in particular the latch interface114, in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of extension and retraction of the latch assembly latch interface114. This is because the latch assembly100may a component of a temporary door hardware system200(shown inFIGS. 25-27), and thereby a force exerted on the door to which the temporary door hardware system200is applied will result in the same or similar force on the latch assembly100. Thus, the latch assembly100may be configured to extend and retract in a direction which is parallel to the door while the force may be applied perpendicular to both the door and the direction of extension and refraction of the latch assembly100.

The second portion122may be hollow or bored in order to accommodate the internal spring. Thus, the spring may extend from a base of the bored section proximate the first portion120, to the second end118at the cap112. The bore or hollow portion may only partially extend the length of the second length126of the second portion122. The, the internal spring may have a length that corresponds to the length of the internal bore within the second portion122. This may allow the internal spring to maintain a spring bias pressure against the latch interface114located within the cap112. The second portion122may be open at the second end118. This opening at the second end118may be configured to receive the cap112.

The cap112may include an opening132configured to receive the latch interface114. In the embodiment shown, the opening may be square in shape to accommodate the square cross section of the latch interface114. The latch interface114may narrow to a tip134. The base of the latch interface114(not shown) may widen to an even larger dimension than the portion that is exposed outside of the opening132. This wide base of the latch interface114located within the cap112may have a square cross section. The bore or hallow of the second portion122may be square as well, and may include a seat for accommodating the square base of the latch interface114. The seat may prevent the latch interface114from being compressed further into the cap112and the second portion122. The seat may be located within the second portion122at a distance such that the tip134of the latch interface114may be fully retracted within the cap112prior to the latch interface114being stopped by the seat. Thus, the seat may not prevent the latch interface114from being contracted to a minimum point, but it may prevent the latch interface114from becoming stuck inside the cap112and the second portion122if a person tried to push the latch interface114even further beyond the minimum point where the tip134becomes retracted into the cap112. The bore or hollow spring opening may be located below this latch interface seat. This bore may be circular to accommodate a circular internal spring.

The wide base of the latch interface114keep the latch interface114within the cap112. The internal spring within the second portion122may press the widened base of the latch interface114against the opening132. As shown inFIG. 21, the latch interface114may include a rounded side136and a ramped side138. The ramped side138may be configured to be pressed against by the latch strike when the latch interface114strikes the latch strike when the door is closed. The ramped side138may allow the latch interface114to contract into the cap112no matter where the latch strike strikes the ramped side138. In other words, if the ramped side138is struck close to the base near the opening132, the latch interface114will still contract into the cap112. Similarly, if the ramped side138is struck close to the tip134, the latch interface114will still contract into the cap112as well, albeit to a lesser amount. The ramped side138and the rounded side136may retain the latch interface114within the opening of the latch strike, but still allow for the latch interface114to be removed from the latch strike opening when a person pushes the door open and exerts a horizontal force on the latch interface114with respect to the latch strike opening. The latch interface114may not include a ramped side138and a rounded side136. In other embodiments, both sides may be ramped like the ramped side138. Alternatively, both sides may be rounded like the rounded side136.

The latch interface114may not be configured to retract or expand in conjunction with the turning, pushing, or other activation by a door handle. Instead, as shown in Figures, the latch interface114may be configured to be located between the first side component14and the second side component16. As described hereinabove, the first side component14and the second side component16may not include a handle and may not be configured to actuate contraction or expansion of the latch interface114with respect to the side components14,16. Instead, the main body110and the cap112may always remain stationary with respect to the first and second side components14,16, while the latch interface114may move slightly from the force of the latch strike against the latch interface114. Likewise, the opening and closing of the door may not require moving any components of the first and second side components. No handle may be included. Instead, a user simply may apply force on the door to pull or push the latch interface114from the opening of a latch strike. Thus, due to the curvature of the latch interface114, the latch assembly100may rest in the opening of a latch strike such that a horizontal force on the latch assembly100will result in movement of the latch assembly100to retract in a direction opposite the direction D, as shown inFIG. 20.

Referring now toFIGS. 22-24, the latch assembly100is shown inserted into the second side component16(described in more detail hereinabove). In particular, the latch assembly100may be inserted into the U-shaped openings56,60, also described hereinabove. As shown specifically inFIG. 23, the first portion120of the latch assembly100may be insertable into the U-shaped openings56,60. In the embodiment shown, the square cross section of the first portion120may have sides having the same width as the width of the U-shaped openings56,60and may slide into the openings56,60. In one embodiment, the first portion120may slide into the U-shaped openings56,60with an interference fit. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 22-24, the latch assembly100is inserted into the side component16in a first position. In the first position, the second portion122of the main body110may abut the outer housing of the female connection section38.

The first portion120of the main body110may further include a first section140located between the second portion122and the second stop130. When the male connection section34of the first side component14is inserted into the female connection section38at a gap142located between the female connection section38and the second stop130, the first portion120may be firmly held into the first position. In the first position, the first end116of the first portion120may extend outside the female connection section38a distance144. Thus, the first position may place the second portion122of the latch assembly100closer to the first and second side components14,16. This may be useful for doors having a shorter distance between the middle of the hardware installation in the door, and the strike plate.

Other dimensions of the first portion120may be contemplated in order to accommodate differently dimensioned connecting sections38,34. For example, if the male and female connecting sections34,38were dimensionally smaller than the embodiment shown in the Figures, the location of the stops of the first portion120may be adjusted to ensure that the first portion120is retainable between the first and second side components14,16in two positions. It should further be understood that there may be embodiments where the attachment of the first and second side components14,16is accomplished through other means than the male and female connecting sections34,38described hereinabove. In these embodiments, the latch assembly100may include structural stops such as the stops128,130, for retaining the latch assembly100in two or more positions between the first and second side components14,16.

Referring now toFIGS. 25-27, the entire temporary door hardware system200is shown having the latch assembly100, and both of the first and second side components14,16. The latch assembly100is shown inserted into the second side component16and the first side component14, like the embodiment shown inFIGS. 22-24. In particular, the latch assembly100may be inserted into the U-shaped openings54,56,58,60of each of the first and second side components14,16also described hereinabove. Unlike the embodiment described hereinabove inFIGS. 22-24, however, the latch assembly100is inserted into the first and second side components14,16in a second position. In the second position, the second portion122of the main body110may extend the distance144from the side of the outer housing of the female connection section38proximate the latch interface114. In the second position, the first and second stops128,130may be abutting opposing outer walls of the female connection section38. This abutting position may hold the first portion into place between the first and second side components14,16. In the second position, the second position may place the second portion122of the latch assembly100farther from the first and second side components14,16. This may be useful for doors having a larger distance between the middle of the hardware installation in the door, and the strike plate.

Having the option of both the first and second positions may allow the same temporary door hardware components to fit within all types of doors. Other embodiments are contemplated having additional stops in addition to the first and second stops128,130. For example, a third stop or fourth stop may be provided along the length of the first portion120of the main body110. The stops128,130may have a circular cross section, as shown in the Figures. However, in other embodiments, the stops128,130may have a square, rectangular, or polygonal cross section, or the like. Whatever the embodiment, the stops128,130may have a larger perimeter, diameter, or the like, compared to the first portion120of the main body110.

Still further, while the stops128,130are shown having a relatively thin thickness, larger sections of the length124of the first portion120may have larger dimensions. Rather than having stops, it is contemplated that the entirety of the second portion may have a larger dimension with the exception of lesser dimensional channels located where the U-shaped openings54,56,58,60are inserted in order to allow the latch assembly100to be held between the first and second side components14,16in two locations.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.