Patent Publication Number: US-7591492-B2

Title: Latch for sliding door

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority of provisional application 60/868,392, filed Dec. 4, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a latch assembly for sliding doors and, more particularly, to an easily releasable latch for positively securing a sliding door in a closed position as required, for example, in recreational vehicles. 
   2. Background 
   Sliding doors are widely used in a variety of applications, such as cabinets, closets and wardrobes. In many instances, it is desirable to secure a sliding door in a closed position. This is particularly true for installations in recreational vehicles, where an unsecured door can pose a safety hazard. While it is important to secure a door in the closed position, it is also desirable to make it convenient to open the door when desired. Thus, a sliding door latch should be easy to operate, preferably with only one hand. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a two-part latch assembly for a sliding door. A latch base has a generally channel-shaped configuration for receiving the stile of a sliding door. A handle is pivotally coupled to the latch base having a lift portion facing outward from the door. When the lift portion is pulled, the door stile is released from the latch base and the door is pushed away from the doorjamb by a tab portion of the handle, both actions occurring substantially simultaneously. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an environment in which the present invention may be utilized. 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed view showing a latch assembly in accordance with the present invention in association with a sliding door. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a latch base used in the latch assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a latch handle used in the latch assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the latch assembly in a “closed” position. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the latch assembly in an “open” position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
     FIG. 1  shows a pair of sliding doors  2 ,  4  such as might be used for a closet or wardrobe. For many applications, the door panels may be mirrors; however, the invention is not limited in this regard and may be used with any type of sliding panel. A latch assembly  10  is installed on each side of the doorframe to secure each of the doors in a closed position. 
     FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view showing latch assembly  10  securing door  2  in a closed position. Latch assembly  10  comprises a latch base  100 , which is secured to doorjamb  20  with screws or other suitable fastening hardware. The latch base includes a catch portion  132  that fits over and retains the protruding lip portion  8  of door stile  6 . Latch assembly  10  further comprises handle  200  with which the latch is released as will be described more fully below. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the latch base  100 . This component may be made of nylon or other suitable resilient material with shape “memory”, including metals and other plastics. The latch base has a generally channel-shaped configuration with a channel bottom portion  110  and channel wall portions  120 ,  130 . Wall portion  130  includes the catch portion  132 . Wall portion  130  also includes pivot bearings  134  and spring member  136 , the functions of which will be described below. Channel bottom portion  110  includes an aperture  112 , the function of which will also be described below. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of handle  200 . This component may be made of aluminum or other suitable metal or be made of a suitable plastic. Handle  200  includes pivot pin  202 , lift portion  204 , bearing surface  206  and tab portion  208 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an assembled latch assembly  10  comprising latch base  100  and handle  200  is shown. To assemble the components, one side of pivot pin  202  is inserted into the corresponding pivot bearing  134  and the handle is slid to the side of the latch base as far as it will go. At this point, the other end of pivot pin  202  can be inserted into the other pivot bearing and the handle can then be centered on the latch base. The handle remains centered on the latch base as a result of the tab portion  208  being disposed within aperture  112 . 
     FIG. 5  shows latch assembly  10  in a “relaxed” or “closed” condition. Wall portions  120  and  130  are angled outwardly to receive the stile of a sliding door. When the door is pushed toward the channel bottom portion  110 , wall portions  120  and  130  spring outward until the protruding portion  8  of the door stile  6  is captured by catch portion  132  with the door stile  6  resting proximate to the doorjamb as shown in  FIG. 2 . Spring member  136  rests against the bearing portion  206  of handle  200 , but remains in a relaxed condition in the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , latch assembly  10  is shown in a “flexed” or “open” condition as a result of applying a lifting force f to the lift portion  204  of handle  200 . This causes the handle to initially rotate about pivot pin  202  causing the bearing surface  206  to deflect spring member  136 . Continued application of the lifting force draws wall portion  130  outward, releasing the door stile from catch portion  132 . At the same time, tab portion  208  rotates and contacts door stile  6  to urge the door stile away from the channel bottom portion  110  so that when lifting pressure on the handle is released, the door stile is free of catch portion  132 . Thus, the catch is released and the door is pushed to an unsecured position by a single operation using one hand. 
   It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.