Abstract:
Plastic window and doors are effectively latched to surrounding plastic frames by a distributed series of latches pins that are carried on a common carrier opposite and coaxial with a like series of apertures for simultaneous shifting between latched and unlatched conditions from a single point. A series of latch pins mates with an opposing series of cammed apertures that engage the pins when relatively shifted by a single turn of one actuator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 10/002,530, filed Nov. 15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,784, issued Oct. 28, 2003, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/325,845, filed Sep. 27, 2001. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to latches and more particularly to latches for door and window openings. In accordance with the invention distributed multiple latches are singly actuated to better and more easily close longitudinally extended openings, particularly those where the movable door or window panel and the surrounding frame are made of plastic that tends to yield locally under prying entry force at a point spaced from the typical single latch connection. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Numerous latches are known. The problem of fixing doors and windows that have extended lengths to their surrounding frames has been addressed by using multiple latches at spaced locations along the door length. This is unsightly and costly, as well as inconvenient to the user, as the latch mechanisms are replicated and must be actuated over and over each time window or door access is needed. Plastic frame windows and ors tend to be more flexible than their metal and wood counterparts and to yield more easily to unwanted entry along their lengths in the absence of multiple latching. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized in a latch assembly for closing a door or window opening to a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along the extent with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, the keeper being mounted to one side of the opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with the apertures and a carrier shifting guide, the latch structure being mounted to the other side of the opening in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting the carrier and latch pins along the carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures. 
   In this and like embodiments, typically, the keeper comprises a keeper bar mountable to the opening one side, the keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to the opening one side, the apertures being formed in the keeper center section to receive the latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, the apertures being cam-shaped to receive and retain the latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures, the latch structure comprises a latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to the opening other side, the latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each the latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins, the latch structure comprises a latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, the center section defining opposed interior flanges, the interior flanges forming a guideway within the center section that receives the carrier in sliding relation, the carrier is spring biased against latch pin engagement with the apertures, the actuator locking the latch pins into aperture engagement against the spring bias, the latch structure further comprises a plurality of guide pins, the keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between the apertures for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window, and the actuator comprises a lever and a lever operated tongue that engages with the carrier in latch pin shifting relation. 
   The invention further provides the combination of the foregoing latch assembly and a window or door in the frame, such as one made of wood, metal or plastic. 
   In a further embodiment, the invention provides a latch assembly for closing a movable plastic door or window panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a frame in an opening having a fixed side defined by the frame and a movable side defined by the plastic window or door panel at multiple locations distributed along the frame and panel longitudinal extents with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended metal keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, the keeper being mounted to the movable side of the opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended metal latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable metal carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed metal latch pins selectively engageable with the apertures and a metal carrier shifting guide, the latch structure being mounted to the opening fixed side in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting the carrier and latch pins along the carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures. 
   In this and like embodiments, typically, the keeper comprises a metal keeper bar mountable to the opening one side, the keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to the opening one side, the apertures being formed in the keeper center section to receive the metal latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, the apertures being keyhole-shaped to receive and retain the latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures, the latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to the opening other side, the latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each the metal latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins, the latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, the center section defining opposed interior flanges, the interior flanges forming a guideway within the center section that receives the carrier in sliding relation, the latch structure further includes a spring mount adjacent the carrier and within said latch bar center section, and a biasing spring anchored by the spring mount and arranged for biasing the carrier against latch pin engagement with the apertures, the actuator having a tongue passing through the latch bar center section, and engaging the latch bar against the spring bias in the locked condition of the latch assembly, and, the latch metal latch pins are headed pins, and in which the latch structure further comprises a plurality of nonheaded guide pins, the keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between the apertures for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window. 
   In a further embodiment, the invention provides a latch assembly for closing a door or window opening at multiple locations with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having in longitudinally spaced array more than two multiple apertures adapted to keep a like array of latch pins in positionally adjusted relation, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch having in registered relation with the apertures and in longitudinally spaced array multiple latch pins, a latch housing opposing the keeper and receiving the latch in positionally adjustable relation, the keeper and latch defining more than two cooperating pairs of pins and apertures, and a hand operated actuator for simultaneously engaging each the pair of pins and apertures positionally adjusting the latch and keeper relative to the housing and keeper for keeping the latch pins simultaneously in the apertures with a single hand operation, the actuator being free of any locking engagement between the keeper and latch in the locked condition of the latch and the keeper. 
   In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a distributed closure system for window or door openings that comprise a frame and a movable panel that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, the closure system including an elongated keeper bar, the keeper bar defining a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers along the length of the opening, and a latch bar disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar in the closed condition of the opening, the latch bar defining a series of at least three projecting latch members generally opposite respective ones of the keepers, the keepers being adapted to selectively engage or not engage the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to simultaneous longitudinal shifting of the keepers and latch members, and an actuator acting to effect the simultaneous longitudinal shifting freely of any movement of the frame or panel. 
   In its method aspects, the invention contemplates a method of distributively latching window or door openings that comprise a frame and a movable panel that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, including maintaining an elongated keeper bar at one side of the opening to provide a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers along the length of the opening, maintaining a latch bar disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar in the closed condition of the opening to provide a series of at least three projecting latch members generally opposite respective ones of the keepers, and selectively engaging the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to simultaneous longitudinal shifting of the keepers and latch members, and an actuator acting to effect the simultaneous longitudinal shifting freely of any movement of the frame of panel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be further described in conjunction with the attached drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a window or door assembly having singly-actuated multiple latch points according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the invention latch assembly in combination with a door or window movable panel and a frame; 
       FIG. 2A  is a detail view in longitudinal section thereof depicting the latching function; 
       FIG. 3A  is a view taken on line  3 A— 3 A in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a view taken on line  3 B— 3 B in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view taken on line  4 — 4  in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of the carrier biasing structure in a retracted position; and, 
       FIG. 6  is a view like  FIG. 5  of the biasing structure in an extended position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference now to the drawings in detail, in  FIGS. 1-4  the invention latch  8  comprises latch assembly  10  arranged and adapted for closing a door or window opening  12  by closing movable panel  14  to a fixed frame  16 . Leading edge  18  of the panel  14  has a longitudinal extent  24 ; frame  16  has an opposing longitudinal extent  26 . A number of individual latch assemblies  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,  etc. are provided, separated to be at multiple locations, e.g.  28 ,  32 ,  34  or more depending on the lengths of longitudinal extents  24 ,  26 , and the number of latches needed for the degree of security desired. The invention allows for a virtually limitless number of latch assemblies  10   a, b, c . . . ,  and however many there are, they are all actuated from a single point. 
   That is, the assemblies  10   a, b, c . . .  are distributed to locations such as  28 ,  32  and  34  spaced along the opposed extents  24 ,  26  all for operation with a single latching movement as will be described. 
   Latch assembly  10  includes a longitudinally extended keeper  36  and a latch structure  46 . Keeper  36  has at least three and preferably four or more apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  45  distributed in a generally regular or nonregularly patterned longitudinally spaced array  38 , as shown. Keeper  36  is mounted to one side of the opening  12 , e.g. to side  40  defined by the leading edge  18  of the movable panel  14 . Keeper  36  can be mounted to side  68  of the frame  16  in other embodiments. 
   Cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure  46  opposes the keeper  36 . Latch structure  46  comprises a longitudinally shiftable carrier  58  carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  distributed in a generally regular or nonregularly patterned longitudinal array  48  that matches the aperture array  38  so as to register apertures  42 , etc. and pins  52  etc., as shown. Latch pins  52 ,  53   54  and  55  are arranged to selectively latchingly interengage with the keeper apertures  42 , etc. and are suitably headed pins having a shank  62  and an enlarged head  64 . Latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54 , and  55  are selectively engageable with the apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  45  with the pin heads  64  passing through the apertures  42 , etc. at the lower enlarged portions  421 ,  423 ,  425 , etc. of the apertures in the unengaged condition and engaging when the heads  64  are behind the upper, narrowed portions  422 ,  424 ,  426 , etc. of the apertures  42 ,  43  and  44 . Latch structure  46  further comprises a carrier shifting guide  66  and spring biasing structure  85  for purposes to appear. 
   Latch structure  46  is mounted to the other side  68  of the opening  12  defined by the frame  16  in keeper opposed relation, and can be mounted to the panel leading edge  18  in other embodiments. 
   A hand-operable actuator  72  comprised of a thumb turn lever  74  of latch  76  actuates the latch tongue  78  to shift longitudinally, up and down, in the slot  82 , as is known. In the invention the latch tongue purpose is not to itself latch, but to shift other pin components  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  of latches  10   a, b, c, . . .  relative to apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45  that effect latching by shifting the pin heads  64  behind the upper, narrower aperture portions  422 ,  424 ,  426 , while the latch tongue simply serves the lifting and locking function. Thus, tongue  78  is used to shift the latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  and in the preferred embodiment shown has no hook and no latching function in and of itself. The absence of any hook or cam feature on the tongue  78  will be noted, as its function is to provide the shifting of the latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55 , rather that itself latching. Tongue  78  engages carrier  58  at recess  84  for purposes of shifting the carrier longitudinally. Carrier recess  84  is opposed to and offset from slot  82  to permit the required shifting by engagement of carrier shoulder  83  with tongue  78 , as best shown in FIG.  2 A. Shifting carrier  58  shifts the latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  by sliding the carrier  58  within the carrier guide  66  between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45 . 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  the top  59  of the carrier  58  engages a biasing spring structure  85  comprising a compression spring  86  seated at  87  against a block  661  fixed to the carrier guide  66 , Spring structure  85  biases a slide  88  engaged with the carrier  58  and shiftable in track  89  to push the carrier downward so that heads  64  of pins  52 , etc. will be opposed only by the lower, larger portions  421 ,  423 ,  425  of the apertures  42 ,  43  and  44  and thus will be separable for unlatching purposes. 
   Typically, keeper  36  comprises a keeper bar  92  mountable to the opening one side  40 . Keeper bar  92  is longitudinally dished to have a raised center section  94  flanked by flanges  96  that that are screwed or otherwise attached to the opening one side  40 . Apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45  are formed in the keeper center section  94  to receive the latch pins  52 , etc. in keeper center section passing relation. Generally, the apertures  42 ,  43 .  44  and  45  are cam-shaped slots, e.g. keyhole-shaped slots as shown, to receive and retain the latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures by shifting carrier  58 . 
   Latch structure  46  typically comprises latch bar  97  mountable to the opening other side  68 . Latch bar  97  has a raised center section  98  flanked by exterior flanges  102  that are screwed or otherwise attached to the opening other side  68 . Latch structure center section  98  defines the cam slots  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  45  opposite respectively latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  to accommodate longitudinal movement of the latch pins relative to the center section. 
   Latch bar  97  further defines opposed interior flanges  104  that form a guideway  106  within the center section  98  that receives the carrier  58  in sliding relation to provide for longitudinal shifting of the carrier and its pins  52 ,  53 ,  54 , and  55 . Carrier  58  is spring biased against entry of latch pins  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  into and engagement with the smaller parts  422 ,  424 , and  426  of the apertures  42 ,  43  and  44 . Actuator  72  is typically of the over-center type so that once turned leverage is reversed and there is great resistance to unlatching under the force of the carrier  58  on the latch tongue  78 , making unwanted door or window entry by reversing the latch action nearly impossible. 
   Latch structure  46  further comprises a plurality of cylindrical, non-headed guide pins  112  with the keeper  36  defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers  114  distributed on the mating keeper and latch structure  36 ,  46 , apart from the apertures  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45  for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window. Guide pins  112  are not attached to the carrier  58  but only to the latch structure center section  98 , unless the center section  98  is slotted to accommodate their movement. 
   All latching parts discussed are preferably formed from metal or engineering plastic. 
   In its method aspects, the invention contemplates a method of distributively latching closed window or door openings  12  that comprise a frame  16  and a movable panel  14  that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, including maintaining an elongated keeper bar  92  at one side  40  of the opening to provide a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers e.g.  42 ,  44  and  45  along the length of the opening, maintaining a latch bar  97  disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar  92  in the closed condition of the opening  12  to provide a series of projecting latch members  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  generally opposite respective ones of the keepers  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  45  selectively engaging the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to simultaneous longitudinal shifting of the keepers and latch members, and an actuator  72  acting to effect the simultaneous longitudinal shifting freely of any corresponding movement of the frame  16  or panel  14 . 
   The invention thus provides an improved latching system for door and window openings having distributed latching for longitudinally extended doors and windows that is operable by a single hand operation. The invention latching system provides a better plastic door or window and frame combination in which prying apart of the locked door and window and frame is precluded by having a distributed series of latches and keepers that are all actuated from a single point. 
   The foregoing objects are thus met.