Abstract:
A latch in a door is protected from an unauthorized entry by forming a first bracket that fits around the latch, and a second bracket that is rotatably connected to the first latch. The second bracket covers the latch when rotated to be in a first position, and exposes the latch when rotated to be in a second position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to latches and, more particularly, to a tamper-proof latch cover. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A latch is a fastener that is used to maintain a door in a closed position. A latch typically includes a housing, a core which can be rotated within the housing, and a bar connected to the core that fits into a slot or notch when the core is in a first position, and is removed from the slot or notch when the core is in a second position. 
   A latch commonly requires a key which must be inserted into a key opening in the latch to rotate the core between the first and second positions. Although a key, such as a hex key or a standard key, provides a degree of security when the core is in the first position and the key has been removed, other devices, such as screwdrivers, can be forced into the key opening and used to rotate the core, thereby allowing unauthorized entry. 
   A padlock bracket is a device that fits around a latch which allows the shank of a padlock to be inserted through a pair of openings in the bracket such that the shank of the padlock limits access to the key opening in the latch.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view that illustrates a prior-art padlock bracket  100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , padlock bracket  100  has a flat base member  110 , and sides  112  and  114  that extend away from base member  110 . Base member  110 , in turn, includes a center opening  116  that is formed through base member  110 . In addition, the sides  112  and  114  include padlock openings  120  and  122 , respectively, which are formed through the sides  112  and  114 . 
   In operation, a latch is inserted into center opening  116  of padlock bracket  100 , and then securely attached to a door. When attached to the door, center opening  116  exposes the key opening of the latch. Following this, the core of the latch is placed in the first (closed) position. Next, the shank of a padlock is inserted through the padlock openings  120  and  122 , and the padlock is locked. The shank then limits access to the key opening of the latch. 
   One drawback of padlock bracket  100  is that, although the shank of a padlock provides increased security by restricting access to the key opening of the core, the shank remains spaced apart from the key opening. As a result, it is still possible to force unauthorized devices past the shank and into the key opening to gain unauthorized access. 
   This is particularly the case when the diameter of the shank is substantially less than the diameter of the padlock openings  120  and  122 . Thus, there is a need for a way of preventing an unauthorized device from being forced into the key opening of a latch. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a latch cover that prevents an unauthorized device from being forced into the key opening of the latch. The latch cover includes a first bracket that has a first base member. The first base member has a first edge, a second edge that is spaced apart from the first edge, and a center opening that is formed through the first base member. The center opening lies between the first and second edges. 
   The first bracket also has a first side that extends away from the first edge of the first base member, and a second side that extends away from the second edge of the first base member. The first side includes a first side opening that is formed through the first side, while the second side includes a second side opening that is formed through the second side. The first and second side openings are aligned with each other such that a straight line can pass through the first and second side openings. 
   The present invention also includes a method of installing a latch and a latch cover on a door. The method includes the step of inserting the latch mechanism into the center opening of the first bracket. The present invention further includes a method of opening a door. The door has a latch attached to the door, and a latch cover attached to the door around the latch. The method includes the steps of inserting a key through the center opening of the latch cover into the latch, and turning the key to open the latch. 
   A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention are utilized. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a prior-art padlock bracket  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a latch cover  200  in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view further illustrating latch cover  200  in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 4A–4F  are a series of perspective views illustrating an example of the installation of latch cover  200 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 2  shows a perspective view that illustrates an example of a latch cover  200  in accordance with the present invention. As described in greater detail below, latch cover  200  includes a swing plate that can be rotated into a position that covers the key opening of the core of a latch. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , latch cover  200  includes a first bracket  210  that has a base member  212 . Base member  212 , in turn, includes a first edge  214 , a spaced-apart second edge  216 , and center opening  218  that is formed through base member  212  between the first and second edges  214  and  216 . 
   In addition, first bracket  210  includes a first side  220  that extends away from first edge  214 , and a second side  222  that extends away from second edge  216 . First side  220  has a padlock opening  224  that is formed through first side  220 , while second side  222  has a padlock opening  226  that is formed through second side  222 . The padlock openings  224  and  226  are aligned with each other such that a straight line  228  can pass through the center of both openings  224  and  226 . 
   Further, in accordance with the present invention, the first and second sides  220  and  222  also include first and second retaining openings  230  and  232 , respectively, which are formed through the first and second sides  220  and  222 . In the  FIG. 2  example, the first and second retaining openings  230  and  232  contact base member  212 . In addition, the retaining openings  230  and  232  are aligned with each other such that a straight line  236  can pass through the center of both openings  230  and  232 . 
   In further accordance with the present invention, latch cover  200  includes a second bracket  240  that has a base member  242 . Base member  242 , in turn, includes a third edge  244 , a spaced-apart fourth edge  246 , a first tab  250  that extends away from the third edge  244 , and a second tab  252  that extends away from fourth edge  246 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first and second tabs  250  and  252  lie within, and are held in place by, the first and second retaining openings  230  and  232 , respectively. In addition, in the present example, the first and second tabs  250  and  252  are substantially normal to the first and second sides  220  and  222 , respectively. 
   Second bracket  240  also includes a third side  254  that extends away from third edge  244 , and a fourth side  256  that extends away from fourth edge  246 . Third side  254  has a padlock opening  260  that is formed through third side  254 , while fourth side  256  has a padlock opening  262  that is formed through fourth side  256 . The padlock openings  260  and  262  are aligned with each other such that a straight line  264  can pass through the center of both openings  260  and  262 . 
   As further shown in  FIG. 2 , first base member  210  has an inner width W 1  between the inner surfaces of the first and second sides  220  and  222 . In addition, second base member  240  has an outer width W 2  that runs from the outer surface of the third side  254  to the outer surface of the fourth side  256 . Second base member  240  fits within first base member  210  such that the second width W 2  is less than the first width W 1 . 
   In operation, to open door  254 , second bracket  240  is rotated upward in the direction shown by arrow A to expose center opening  218 . When center opening  218  is exposed, a key can be inserted through opening  218  into the key opening of a latch  266  that is attached to door  254 . Once inserted, the key is rotated which turns the core which, in turn, rotates the bar of latch  266  into an open position which allows door  254  to be opened. 
   To close door  254 , if the key has been removed, second bracket  240  is again rotated upward in the direction shown by arrow A to expose center opening  218 . When center opening  218  is exposed, the key can be inserted through opening  218  into the key opening of latch  266 . 
   Once inserted, the key is rotated which turns the core which, in turn, rotates the bar of the latch into an closed position which allows door  254  to be maintained in a closed position. Following this, the key is removed.  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view that further illustrates latch cover  200  in accordance with the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , after the key has been removed, second bracket  240  is rotated downward in the direction shown by arrow B to cover center opening  218 . Following this, padlock openings  224 / 226  and  260 / 262  are aligned, the shank of a padlock is inserted through openings  224 / 226  and  260 / 262 , and the padlock is locked. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 3 , one of the advantages of the present invention is that base member  242  of second bracket  240  covers the key opening of latch  266 . As a result, the present invention provides a tamper-proof latch cover that prevents an unauthorized device from being forced into the key opening of latch  266 , thereby securing the closed condition of door  254 . 
   Although  FIG. 3  shows base member  242  covering less than all of center opening  218 , the sides can be extended upward so that the location of retaining openings  230  and  232  can be moved upward so that the tabs  250  and  252  can be raised, thereby allowing a larger base member  242  to be used which can cover all of center opening  218 . 
     FIGS. 4A–4F  show a series of perspective views that illustrate an example of the installation of latch cover  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A–4C , to install latch cover  200 , second bracket  240  is positioned over first bracket  210 , and then lowered until the tabs  250  and  252  of second bracket  240  are placed into retaining openings  230  and  232 , respectively, so that second bracket  240  fits within the sides  220  and  222  of first bracket  210 . 
   Following this, as shown in  FIG. 4D , second bracket  240  is rotated upward in the direction shown by arrow A to expose center opening  218 . In addition, a latch mechanism  400  is positioned to be longitudinally aligned with the middle of center opening  218 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 4E , when center opening  218  is exposed, latch mechanism  400  is inserted through opening  218 . 
   Once inserted, as shown in  FIG. 4F , second bracket  240  is rotated downward in the direction shown by arrow B to close center opening  218  and cover a key opening  408  ( FIG. 4C ) of latch mechanism  400 . Following this, latch cover  200  and latch mechanism  400  are inserted into an opening  410  in a door  412 , where latch mechanism  400  is securely attached to door  412 . 
   It should be understood that the above descriptions are examples of the present invention, and that various alternatives of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. Thus, it is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.