Patent GB-804227-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to latching mechanism
IPC: E05B55/00
Filed: 1956-02-10
Abstract: 804,227. Latches. LOCKWOOD HARDWARE MFG. CO. Feb. 10, 1956 [Feb. 11, 1955], No. 4269056. Class 44. In a door latching mechanism comprising a bolt 9 movable in a casing 8, a spindle 1 movable within a supporting structure that is independent from the casing 8, and mounting means retaining the casing and spindle located transversely with respect to each other, retracting means is mounted on the supporting structure independently of and exteriorly to the casing 8, the retracting means including a portion engaging the bolt, and means being provided for actuation by the spindle for operating the retracting means to retract the bolt. First embodiment. Two independently rotatable spindles 1, 2 are mounted in frame sections 3, 4 which are joined one to the other by means of telescopic tubular members 6 and screws 7. One of the tubular member 6 extends through an opening 11 intermediate the ends of the casing 8, and another is engaged in a notch 12 at the inner end of the casing. Knobs 13, 14 are detachably mounted on the spindles 1, 2 by spring detents 15 which snap into openings 16 formed in the tubular hub portions 17 of the knobs. Removal of the knobs 13, 14 is 'effected by depressing the detents 15 from engagement with the openings 16, access to the detents being had through openings in the tubular portions 18 of members 19 and in the hub portions 23 of rosettes 21. The bolt retracting means includes a pair of platelike levers 26, 27 having laterally extending pintles pivotally mounted between a flat annular member 20 and flanges 30, 32 on an open ended cylindrical shell 28. The free ends of the levers 26, 27 engage shoulders 35, 36 on the upper and lower edges respectively of the latch bolt 9 so that rocking of either lever in one direction will retract the bolt against the pressure of a spring 47. A pair of axially extending arms 38, 39 are provided on the spindle 1, and a similar pair of arms 40, 41 on the spindle 2 to effect rocking of the levers 26, 27. Upon turning either of the knobs 13, 14 in either direction one of the levers 26, 27 will be swung in the direction for retracting the bolt 9. The latch bolt 9 includes a bolt head 49 and a drawbar 50, the latter comprising a pair of elongated flat sections 51 mounted in abutting sideby-side relation to reciprocate with the bolt head 49 in the casing 8. The head 49 is hollow and provided with slots 54 on upper and lower sides adapted to receive lugs 55 on the sections 51. These lugs 55 limit outward movement of the bolt 9 by engagement with a plate 61 screwed to the edge of the door. Second embodiment (Fig. 8). Depression of a push-button 68 on the inner door knob 64 locks the outer knob 65 against turning. This lock is automatically released on closing of the door, and an emergency release is also provided. The push-button 68 is mounted in an, opening 66 in the inner knob 64 for actuation of a spring-loaded locking bar 69 extending from the bore of the spindle 1<SP>1</SP> into the bore of the spindle 2<SP>1</SP> carrying the outer knob 65. Movement of the bar 69 to the left in Fig. 8 results also in lateral movement thereof by engagement of a cam portion 87 of the bar 69 with the edge of a spring-urged latch member 91 which is pivotally mounted as seen in Fig. 12 (not shown). This lateral movement of the bar 69 moves a locking lug 76 on a locking member 75, Fig. 14 (not shown), against the action of a spring 85 into engagement with an opening 79 in a flange 80 on the adjacent frame member 20<SP>1</SP>. The lug 76 also extends through an opening 78 in the spindle 2<SP>1</SP> so that when it is moved into the opening 79 the knob 65 is locked against turning. When the knob 65 is locked the spring-urged latch member 91 is engaged behind a shoulder 88 on the bar 69, thereby locking the bar against being retracted by a spring 70. The locked outer knob 65 may be released by any one of three operations, viz. (1) by turning the inner knob 64 to retract the bolt 9<SP>1</SP> so that the drawbar 50' strikes an arm 94 projecting 'from the pivoted latch member 91, thereby moving this latch member away from the shoulder 88 on the bar 69 so that the spring 70 will retract the bar 69, and the spring 85 retracts the lug 76; (2) by closing the door, whereby the bolt is pushed inwardly and strikes the arm 94 as before; (3) by inserting a nail or the like through an opening 67 in the outer knob 65 and moving the bar 69 laterally sufficiently to remove the shoulder 88 from contact with the latch member 91. The bar 69 extends through an opening 72 in a plate 42<SP>1</SP> carried by the spindle 1<SP>1</SP>, the opening 72 being narrow and preventing relative turning between the spindle and locking bar. Third embodiment (Figs. 16, 17, 17a, not shown). This embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 8 but provision is made for locking and releasing the door from the inner side only. Release of the locking bar is effected by turning the inner door knob in either direction, so as to move the shoulder on the bar in an arc and out of engagement with a fixed latch plate. No opening is provided in the outer door knob. for releasing the locking bar. Fourth embodiment (Figs. 18, 19, not shown). This embodiment is similar to that in Figs. 16, 17, but a key-operated lock is mounted in the outer knob for releasing the push-button operated locking bar.