Abstract:
The latch disengagement tools may be used for disengaging a latch of a closure barrier. A tool may be a bar having a tooth and a heel at a latch end. The tooth may have a sloped front edge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to devices that may be used to open latches and locks of doors, gates and other closure barriers. The new latch disengagement tools may facilitate the pushing back of a latch of a locked closure barrier to allow opening of the barrier such as a door. 
   Various locksmith tools may have been in use for unlocking closure barriers such as doors, gates and the like. A tool for use in unlocking doors of automobiles may be commonly referred to as a Slim Jim. The tool may be a flat bar structure formed of spring steel that is thin enough to fit between a window and a car door window opening. The tool may be inserted into the door to engage the door lock mechanism to unlock the lock. This type of tool may not be well suited for use in unlocking mechanisms used for doors on buildings or other structures or for gates. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to tools for disengaging a latch of a closure barrier. A tool may be a bar having a tooth and a heel at a latch end. The tooth may have a sloped front edge. 
   These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a door and a door jamb with a door latch engage by a tool according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a latch disengagement tool  10  may be a thin bar  28  shape formed of a generally rigid material that may be spring steel, composite material or the like. The tool  10  may be approximately 12 inches long, 1¼ inches wide and 0.030 inches thick. Other lengths, widths and thicknesses may be used depending on the type of door  12 , door jamb  14  and latch  16  that may need to be manipulated to open a door. While the term door or gate may be used in the disclosure it should be understood to apply generally to closure barriers, such as, doors and gates, that may use a bolt latching type mechanism an example of which may be illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   The tool  10  may have a tooth  30  or protrusion formed approximately at a corner at a latch end  32 . The tooth  30  may have a sloped front edge  34  at an acute angle relative to a tip  31 . The sloped front edge  34  may terminate opposite the tip  31  at a base end  42  at an elongated edge  44  of a recessed portion  46  of the bar  28 . The recessed portion  46  may be sufficient length to position the tooth  30  behind the latch  16 . In use, the tool  10  may be inserted between a door edge  20  and a door jamb  14  to position the front edge  34  behind the latch  16  on a sloped end  22 . This may also serve to position the tooth  30  behind a latch locking pin  24 . The tool  10  may be rotated at a handle end  38  to engage a heel  36  formed at approximately an opposed corner at the latch end against the door jamb  14 . This may provide leverage to push the latch  16  into the latch mechanism  18  to allow opening of the door  12 . In the event there may not be a door jamb  14  element behind the latch  16 , the tool  10  may be pulled against the latch  16  to force the latch  16  into the latch mechanism  18 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the heel  36  of the tool may be modified in shape to provide a shorter or longer lever arm effect when the tool  10  is rotated against a door jamb  14 . This may also allow the tool  10  to be inserted in various locations where the latch  16  to door jamb  14  clearance space depends on the construction of the door  12  and door jamb  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the tool  10  may have a wedge shape end  40 . This may allow the tool  10  to be inserted with the longitudinal axis generally parallel to a gate or door end to push a latch  16  into the latch mechanism  18 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.