Patent Publication Number: US-2018038130-A1

Title: Door Hardware and Method of Installation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This US continuation application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/800,957 filed Jul. 16, 2015 which claims priority to New Zealand Patent Application No. 627522 filed 17 Jul. 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to improved door hardware and the installation thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to door hardware with an improved aesthetic appearance while being easier and quicker to install. More particularly, the invention relates to a flanged housing for door hardware mounting plates that incorporates a built in drilling/screw positioning guide, and the installation method thereof. 
     Swing doors are often hinged along a vertical edge to a door jamb, and have a latch assembly installed in the edge of the door opposite the hinges which engages with a strike plate installed in the door frame. 
     A latch bolt is a part of the latch assembly mounted in a hole bored into the door and having a head which fits into a shallow rebate in the surface of the door edge. The latch bolt is able to move in and out of a hole in the head of the latch assembly. Often the latch bolt is spring loaded to urge it to protrude outwards from the edge of the door. The assembly often includes a mechanism that allows someone to retract the latch bolt back into the edge of the door, for example by turning a door handle. Often the end of the latch bolt has an angled or contoured profile on the side that the door closes towards, to allow it to be smoothly pushed back into the door when engaging with the strike plate. 
     The strike plate fits into a rebate in the door jamb in a position adjacent the latch bolt when the door is closed. The strike plate often has a hole, which when installed is positioned over a hole in the jamb that receives the latch bolt when the door is closed. The strike plate often has a curved lip protruding from its side towards the opening side of the door,—the lip providing a contoured contact surface to smoothly push the latch bolt backwards into the door, allowing the door to shut. The latch bolt can then protrude from the door edge into the hole in the strike plate, preventing the door from opening again, unless the latch bolt is pulled backwards, for example by someone turning a door handle connected to the latch assembly. 
     Another bolt, independent of the latch bolt is sometimes installed in a door in order to provide a locking mechanism independent of the latch and door handle assembly, for example a dead bolt. A dead bolt is often part of an assembly having a faceplate mounted within the door, and also having a corresponding strike plate, which may be the same strike plate as is associated with the latch bolt, although in such a case the strike plate will have two holes, one for the latch bolt and one for the dead bolt. A dead bolt may not spring loaded and may need to be deliberately moved between the extended position in which it is used to lock the door, and a retracted position in which it is within the door. For this reason the strike plate corresponding to a dead bolt may not have a contoured lip. 
     Sliding doors often also have latch bolt type assemblies with heads and corresponding strike plates that fit into recesses in the door. Bolts on sliding doors may have a hooked end to prevent the sliding door being opened unless the bolt is disengaged. 
     When the door and/or jamb are wooden, it can be time consuming and difficult to install this conventional and widely used hardware because of the need to cut the rebates in the door and door jamb to house the latch head and the strike, respectively. 
     In particular, where a builder needs to cut the recesses in a door and jamb on the building site, they often only have basic hand tools, and therefore crudely chisel out the recess, which can be a time consuming process and can leave an untidy appearance around the edges of the strike plate. 
     Latch assemblies and strikes are currently available with heads and strike plates that have curved ends rather than being a rectangular shape. However, to prepare the rebates in the door edge and jamb for a plate with curved ends, more complicated tools are typically required, such as a router and template jig. Such tools are expensive, difficult to transport and use on site and therefore may often not be carried by door installers. 
     It would be advantageous if door hardware existed that was quicker and easier to install while leaving a tidier finish. 
     It would also be advantageous if hardware and/or methods existed that enabled quick preparation of a door edge or jamb for use with a latch faceplate and/or strike plate with curved edges, while only requiring basic tools. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved door hardware. 
     Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to address at least one of the foregoing problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice. 
     According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a template member for use in mounting a strike or latch assembly to a door or door jamb, the template member comprising:
         a body comprising a central portion adapted to fit within a latch hole in a door edge or door jamb, and a planar portion extending from the central portion, the planar portion being configured to be positioned against the surface of the door edge/jamb surrounding the latch hole when the central portion is fitted in the latch hole;   wherein the planar portion comprises at least one outwardly projecting portion on at least one side of the central portion, such that the planar portion comprises two semi-circular sides connected by two straight sides;   wherein each outwardly projecting portion comprises a guide hole substantially concentric with the centre of the respective semi-circular side.       

     Preferably, the planar portion projects outwardly from an end of the central portion perpendicularly away from the central portion. 
     Preferably, the planar portion comprises two outwardly projecting portions on opposing sides of the central portion. 
     Preferably, the planar portion comprises a length and a width, the length being between two and three times larger than the width. 
     Preferably, the central portion comprises a central hole through at least a portion thereof, the central hole having an opening at the end of the central portion from which the planar portion projects, the central hole configured to receive a latch bolt therein. More preferably, the central hole is closed on the other side of the central portion. 
     Preferably, the template member comprises a magnet positioned in the central hole, the magnet configured to attract a latch bolt in use. 
     Preferably, the template member comprises a protective covering over the magnet. 
     Preferably, the template member is formed from a plastics material. 
     According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of creating a recess in a door or a jamb, comprising:
         a) drilling a first hole into the door or the jamb, as the case may be;   b) drilling a second hole having a centre offset from the centre of the first hole;   c) widening the second hole to substantially the same diameter as the first hole, to at least a portion of the depth of the first hole;   d) removing material from the door or jamb, as the case may be, to form a recess comprising two substantially straight sides, each straight side substantially tangent to each of the previously drilled holes.       

     Preferably the method comprises, before step d),
         drilling a third hole proximate one of the previously drilled holes, the third hole substantially positioned on the line intersecting the centres of both the first and second holes; and   widening the third hole to substantially the same diameter as the first hole, to at least a portion of the depth of the first hole.       

     When the method comprises the preferable step of drilling the third hole proximate one of the previously drilled holes, step d) of the method would therefore involve removing material to form a recess comprising two substantially straight sides each substantially tangent to each of the three previously drilled holes. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, after step a), inserting the central portion of a template member according to the first embodiment of the invention into the first hole, and drilling the second hole and the third hole each at the location of a guide hole of the template member. 
     Preferably, the method comprises marking the position of the second and/or third holes through first and/or second guide holes in the template member prior to drilling the second and/or third holes. 
     In some embodiments, the recess is configured to receive a latch assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the recess is configured to receive a strike assembly. 
     According to a third embodiment of the invention there is provided a receiving member for a latch assembly or strike assembly, the receiving member comprising:
         a plate member having a hole therein, the hole being configured to allow a latch to pass therethrough;   a wall around the perimeter of the plate member, the wall extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the plate member; and   a flange extending outwardly from the perimeter of the wall distal from the plate member,   wherein the receiving member is configured to be mounted in a recess in a door jamb or door edge such that the flange abuts a surface of the door jamb or door edge, as the case may be, and substantially conceals the edge of the recess.       

     Preferably, the plate member comprises a shape having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. More preferably, the length is between two and three times greater than the width. 
     Preferably, the hole configured to allow a latch to pass therethrough is located substantially in the middle of the length of the plate member. 
     Preferably, the hole is circular and has a diameter substantially equal to the width of the plate member. 
     Preferably, the plate member comprises two semi-circular sides connected by two straight sides. 
     Preferably, the plate member comprises two fastener holes each substantially concentric with the centre of one of the semi-circular sides. 
     Preferably, the plate member is formed from sheet metal. 
     Preferably, the receiving member is configured to receive one or more further components of a latch assembly or a strike assembly, within the space between the wall and the plate member. 
     Preferably, the receiving member is configured to receive a template member according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     Preferably, the receiving member is configured to fit into a recess formed by a method according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     According to a fourth embodiment of the invention there is provided a strike assembly for a door jamb, comprising a receiving member as described in the third embodiment of the invention. 
     Preferably, the strike assembly comprises a template member according to the first embodiment of the invention, the template member being received by the receiving member. 
     Preferably, the strike assembly comprises a plate of substantially the same shape and size as the planar portion of the template member. 
     Preferably, the plate comprises a central hole configured to receive a latch bolt, the hole in the plate being positioned over the hole in the central portion of the template member when the strike assembly is assembled. 
     Preferably, the plate comprises two tabs each extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate and configured to be received in the central hole in the central portion of the template member when the strike assembly is assembled. More preferably the tabs are located on opposite sides of the central hole and are both located substantially at the middle of the length of the plate. 
     Preferably, the plate comprises two fastener holes aligned with the guide holes of the template member and the fastener holes of the receiving member. 
     Preferably, the plate is formed from sheet metal. 
     Preferably, the strike assembly comprises a cover having a shape and size substantially corresponding to the plate member and having a central hole corresponding to the central hole in the plate member, the cover adhered to the plate member when the strike assembly is assembled. 
     Preferably, the strike assembly is configured to fit within a recess formed by the method according to the second aspect of the invention. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a latch assembly for a door edge, comprising a receiving member as described in the first embodiment of the invention. 
     Preferably, the latch assembly comprises a latch having a latch head configured to be received by the receiving member. More preferably, the head of the latch is of substantially a corresponding shape size to the space between the wall and plate member of the receiving member. 
     Preferably, the latch head comprises two fastener holes aligned with the fastener holes of the receiving member. 
     Preferably, the latch assembly further comprises a cover having a shape and size corresponding to the latch head and having a central hole configured to allow a latch bolt to extend from the latch head therethrough, the cover being adhered to the latch head when the latch assembly is assembled. 
     Preferably, the latch bolt is magnetic, and is biased towards a retracted position. 
     Preferably, the latch assembly is configured to fit within a recess formed by a method according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     According to a sixth embodiment of the invention there is provided a kit for a door closure system, comprising one or both of:
         a strike assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; and   a latch assembly according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.       

     Preferably, the kit further comprises a template member according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of a receiving member according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustration of a latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustration of a template member according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view illustration of one of the steps required in a method according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view illustration of another of the steps required in the method according to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view illustration of another of the steps required in the method according to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustration of a strike assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention provide for apparatus and methods that allow for easy to install and aesthetically pleasing door hardware—for example a latch assembly in a door edge or a strike assembly in a door jamb. 
     Receiving Member 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustration of a receiving member  10  for a latch or strike assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The receiving member  10  comprises plate member  11  in the form of a substantially planar body portion, with a hole  12  in the middle thereof with substantially the same diameter as the width of the plate member  11 . In other embodiments the diameter of the hole may be less than the width of the plate member. The hole  12  is of sufficient size to allow the latch or bolt of a door latch mechanism to pass therethrough. The hole may be only slightly bigger than the width of the latch. 
     The plate member  11  has semi-circular ends distal from the hole  12 , and a straight side on either side of the hole  12  tangent to the semi-circular ends. Around the perimeter of the plate member  11  is wall  13  extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the plate member  11 . The wall therefore comprises the same outer shape as the plate member  11 . At the top of the wall  13  is a flange  14 , which extends outwardly around the perimeter of the wall on the opposite side of the wall to the plate member, i.e. distal from the plate member  11 . The flange  14  is substantially parallel to the plate member  11 . Concentric with each semi-circular end of the plate member  11  are fastener holes  15 . 
     In this embodiment the length of plate member is between two and three times greater than the width. 
     A purpose of the receiving member  10  is to fit within an appropriately sized recess formed in the edge of a door or in a door jamb, and to receive other parts which may be used in the edge of a door or in a door jamb, such as a latch assembly or a strike assembly. The receiving member may be alternatively known as a strikeplate, faceplate or forend. An appropriately sized recess would therefore be a recess with sides and ends corresponding to the shape and size of the sides and ends of the wall  13  of the receiving member  10 , and the recess would therefore be at least as deep as the height of the wall  13 , such that when installed the flange  14  extends around and over the edge of the recess. This provides the advantage that the edge of the recess is concealed, which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance, especially when the edge of the recess is untidy, for example resulting from chiselling or cutting techniques. Further advantages of the shape and size of the receiving member  10  will become apparent in the description below. 
     In preferred embodiments the receiving member is formed of a thin yet resilient material such as steel sheet having a thickness of less than 1 mm, such as 0.25 mm. A thin flange extended around the edge of the recess minimises the possibility of the door contacting the receiving member when opening/closing. 
     Latch Assembly 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view illustration of a latch assembly  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The latch assembly  100  comprises a receiving member  10  as has been previously described with reference to  FIG. 1 , a latch  20 , and a cover  30 . The latch  20  comprises a latch body  21  which houses the mechanism for allowing and controlling movement of a latch bolt  22  relative to the latch body  21 . The latch  20  comprises a latch head  23  at the end of the latch  20  from which the latch bolt  22  extends. 
     The latch head  23  has a size and shape such that it is configured to fit within the space between the plate member  11  and the wall  13  of the receiving member  10 . The receiving member  10  can therefore receive and locate the latch  20 , by receiving the latch body  21  through the hole  12 , and can receive the latch head  23  within the space formed between the plate member  11  and the wall  13 . The latch head  23  has a thickness sized such that when latch  20  and receiving member  10  are assembled and the surface of the latch head  23  on the same side as the latch body  21  is in abutment with the plate member  11 , the top surface of the flange  14  is flush with or proud of the latch head  23 . In this embodiment the top surface of the flange  14  is proud of the latch head  23  to allow for a cover  30  to be placed over the surface of the latch head  23  opposite the latch body  21 . The cover  30  is a substantially planar member sized and shaped to fit inside the walls of receiving member  10  and having a central hole  31  that allows the latch bolt  22  to extend therethrough. 
     The latch head  23  comprises two fastener holes  24  which are positioned to correspond to fastener holes  15  in the receiving member  10 . Fasteners such as screws can therefore be used to mount the latch  20  and receiving member  10  together in the edge of a door, via fastener holes  24  and  15 . The cover  30  can then be adhered to the outer surface of the latch head  23  to conceal the screws, which may improve the aesthetic appearance of the latch assembly  100 . 
     In this preferred embodiment shown in the Figures the latch  20  is a magnetic style latch. The latch bolt  22  is biased, for example spring-loaded, towards a retracted position in which the latch bolt  22  is substantially flush with the surface of the latch head  23 . There is a magnet in the latch bolt  22  configured such that the latch bolt  22  can be attracted to a magnet configured appropriately in a strike mounted in a door jamb, for example. This way, when the door in which the latch  20  is installed is open, the bias mechanism urges the latch bolt  22  to the retracted position, allowing the door to be closed. When the door is closed such that the latch  20  is adjacent a strike assembly, a latch bolt  22  can then be attracted to a magnet in the strike assembly, pulling the latch bolt  22  into the extended position such that it is received by the strike assembly, preventing the door from opening. The latch body  21  comprises any mechanism that allows the latch bolt  22  to be retracted when the door is to be opened—for example the latch body  21  may comprise a mechanism connected to a door handle adapted to pull back the latch bolt  22  when the door handle is turned, as is known in the art. 
     Template Member 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view illustration of a template member  40 . Template member  40  is used to mount a strike or latch assembly, such as has been described with reference to  FIG. 1 , to a door or door jamb. Template member  40  comprises a body having a central portion  41  and a planar portion  42 . Planar portion  42  extends perpendicularly from the central portion  41  on two opposing sides thereof. In the embodiment shown the planar portion  42  extends from one end of the central portion  41  such that the corresponding end of the template member is substantially flat. The shape of planar portion  42  is therefore formed by two straight sides and two semi-circular ends, the straight sides each being tangent to both semi-circular ends. There is a central hole  43  formed through the planar portion  42  and into the central portion  41 . On each opposing side of the planar portion  42  is a guide hole  44 . Each guide hole  44  has a centre substantially aligned with the centre of the semi-circular end. In this embodiment the guide holes  44  are advantageously formed in a plus shape with an enlarged centre. The enlarged centre provides a guide for drilling a small pilot hole, for example of around 3 mm diameter. A larger screw is then able to be installed through the template member  40  (as will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 ) while the template member  40  is still in place, because the corners of the plus shape are able to freely bend away as the larger screw passes through the template member  40 , without causing structural damage to the template member, as in preferred embodiments the template member is formed from a soft plastics material. 
     The size and shape of the planar portion  42  of the template member  40  corresponds to the size and shape of the area enclosed within wall  13  of the receiving member  10 . Similarly, when the template member  40  is positioned within wall  13  of receiving member  10 , each guide hole  44  of the template member  40  is aligned with one of the fastener holes  15  of the receiving member  10 . Furthermore, the central portion  41  comprises substantially the same diameter as the hole  12  in the receiving member  10 . The thickness of the planar portion  42  of the template member  40  is less than the height of the wall  13 , the reasons for which will become apparent after reading the explanation of the use of template member  40  below. 
     Method of Forming a Recess 
     The template member  40  assists in installing a latch assembly. It is especially useful in preparing a recess into which the receiving member  10  as previously described can be installed. A method in which template member  40  can be used to do so is now described with reference to installing the latch assembly  100 , as described with reference to  FIG. 2 , into the edge of a door—in this preferred embodiment, a wooden door. 
     A deep hole can first be drilled in the edge of the door at the desired height of the latch bolt  22 . This hole forms the cavity in the door which receives the latch body  21  of the latch  20 . The diameter of the hole is greater than the size of the latch body  21  proximate the latch head  23 , but preferably only slightly greater so that the latch body  21  can be held in place securely within the hole. Similarly the diameter of the hole corresponds to the width between the two side walls of the receiving member  10 . ‘Deep’ in the context of this hole means that it is sufficiently deep so as to be able to fully receive latch body  21 . 
     The central portion  41  of the template member  40  can then be inserted into the hole drilled into the edge of the door, far enough into the hole such that the planar portion  42  abuts the surface of the edge of the door around the hole. In preferred embodiments the template member  40  is oriented vertically such that the two pilot holes  44  and the central hole  43  (and therefore the hole drilled in the edge of the door) are all located on a substantially vertical line. 
     The guide holes  44  in the template member  40  can then be used as guides to drill (or mark for drilling) two further holes in the edge of the door above and below the deep hole already drilled.  FIG. 4  shows a front view illustration of the result of the method steps already described, with the template member  40  removed from the edge of the door.  FIG. 4  shows a central hole  61  that has been drilled deep into the door to house the latch body  21 , and pilot holes  62  that have been drilled above and below the central hole  61  using the guide holes  44  as guides to ensure their correct locations. 
     With the template member  40  removed from the door edge, the pilot holes  62  can be widened to a diameter of substantially the same diameter as the central hole  61 , however in this embodiment they are drilled only as deep or slightly deeper than is required to eventually receive the receiving member  10  such that the flange  14  of the receiving member  10  fits against the surface of the door edge. Therefore, the pilot holes  62  must be deepened to a depth at least as deep as the wall  13  of the receiving member  10  when the receiving member  10  is, eventually, received in the door. One way of widening and deepening the pilot holes  62  is using a spade drill bit. The depth to which the pilot holes  62  are widened can be greater than the height of the wall, because the flange  14  will prevent the receiving member  10  from being installed too deep into the door, as the flange  14  is wider than the diameter of the holes being drilled—this positions the latch  20  at the correct depth in the door, even if the recess is formed slightly too deep. 
       FIG. 5  shows a front view illustration of the recess after the above steps have been performed. Pilot holes  62  are still visible on either side of central hole  61 , and widened holes  63  are also now visible. The pilot holes  62  are, in this embodiment, still visible because they have been drilled deeper than the intended depth of the widened holes  63 . In this embodiment the pilot holes  62  will eventually be used to receive screws, so they may be drilled to a depth at least as deep as the screws will penetrate into the door when installed. 
     Finally, as there is still wood that has not been removed from the space between the widened holes  63  and the central hole  61 , the next step in the method of forming a recess is to remove this remaining material, for example by using a chisel. In this preferred embodiment a downward chiselling action is used, which, depending on the nature of the door, may advantageously mean that the only chiselling required is chiselling “with” the grain of the wood—i.e. chiselling parallel to the direction of the grain of the wood, which makes it much easier to form straight sides that have a neat appearance by chiselling. Other cutting techniques may also be used. 
       FIG. 6  shows a front view illustration of the end result of the above described method steps—recess  60 . Central hole  61 , which receives the latch body  21  and also corresponds to the hole  12  in the receiving member  10 , is visible in the centre of the recess  60 , and is substantially the same width as the sides of the recess. The pilot holes  62  are also visible as they may be drilled deeper than the widened holes  63 . The ends of the recess  60 , which are semi-circular are therefore formed by the widened holes  63 . 
     Using the template member  40 , the recess  60  has been formed using only basic tools, to a size in which the receiving member  10  can be installed. The rest of the latch assembly can then be installed in the arrangement described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The latch  20  can be inserted through the hole  12  in the receiving member  10  and into the central hole  61  in the door edge, and pushed inwards until the latch head  23  abuts the plate member  11  of the receiving member  10 . Screws or other fasteners can then be used, one each through fastener holes  24  and  15  into the pilot hole  62 , to secure the latch  20  and receiving member  10  together into the door. 
     The cover  30  is then adhered to the exposed surface of the latch head  23  to cover the screw heads to improve the aesthetic appearance of the installed latch assembly  100 . 
     Strike Assembly 
     The recess  60  has been described above with reference to installing a latch assembly in the edge of a door, however the recess  60  can also be formed in a door jamb, in order to provide a recess in which a strike assembly could be installed. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exploded perspective view of a strike assembly  200 , comprising receiving member  10 , template member  40  and a plate  50 . The strike assembly  200  can be installed in a recess of a door jamb, for example a recess similar to recess  60  as described above except formed in a door jamb rather than a door edge. 
     As the size and shape of the planar portion  42  and central portion  41  of the template member  40  correspond to the internal size and shape of the receiving member  10 , as has previously been described, the template member can therefore be received by the receiving member, with the guide holes  44  and fastener holes  15  being aligned. 
     As has been previously described, the thickness of the planar portion  42  of the template member is less than the height of the wall  13  of the receiving member. This allows for the plate  50  to be placed over the template member  40  when assembled with the receiving member  10 , without the plate  50  standing proud of the flange  14  of the receiving member  10 . 
     In preferred embodiments, when the template member  40  forms part of the strike assembly  200 , a magnet is secured within the central portion  41  of the template member, for example inside hole  43  in the side of central portion  41  with an opening co-planar with planar portions  42 . The magnet is configured such that its position and orientation attracts a magnetic latch bolt, for example latch bolt  22 , to provide the function and associated advantages described above with reference to the magnet in the latch bolt  22 . The magnet in the template member  40  may have a protective covering over the surface towards which the latch bolt  22  extends, allowing the end of the latch bolt to contact that protective covering without damaging the magnet. The protective covering in preferred embodiments is a foam or foam like material. The depth of the surface of the magnet or protective covering within hole  43  may be varied by some means, for example by placing a spacer member into hole  43  under the magnet or covering. 
     The plate  50  is in this embodiment a planar member of the same shape and size as the planar portion  42  of the template member  40 , however is preferably formed from steel sheet having a thickness of 1 mm or 1.2 mm or similar. The plate  50 , which when aligned with the planar portion  42 , has a central hole  51  aligned with hole  43  of the template member  40 , and two fastener holes  52  aligned with the guide holes  44  of the template member  40 . The central hole  51  has straight sides which, when the plate  50  is assembled with the template member  40 , are parallel with the straight sides of the template member  40 . On the inside of the straight sides of the hole  51  of the plate  50  are two tabs  53  which extend perpendicular to the planar body of the plate  50 , in a direction such that they extend into the hole  43  of the template member  40  when the plate  50  and template member  40  are assembled. These tabs  53  aid in locating the plate  50  during installation, and can be bent as required to reduce any freedom of the latch bolt  22  to move or rattle (i.e. reduce or eliminate play) within the strike  200 . 
     As was described with reference to  FIG. 3 , the planar portion  42  has a thickness sized such that, when the template member  40  and receiving member  10  are assembled and the planar portion  42  is in abutment with the plate member  11 , the top surface of the flange  14  is flush with or proud of the planar portion  42 . In this embodiment the top surface of the flange  14  is proud of the planar portion  42  to allow for the plate  50  to be placed over the surface of the planar portion  42 , such that the flange  14  remains proud of the exposed surface of the plate  50 , at least to allow for a cover  30  to be placed over plate  50 . 
     After the strike assembly  200  has been installed in a door jamb and secured with screws, a cover, which may be a cover  30  as was described with reference to  FIG. 2 , can then be adhered to the outer surface of the plate  50  to conceal the screws, which may improve the aesthetic appearance of the strike assembly  200 . 
     Door Closure Kit and Method of Installing Same 
     As has been described with reference to the figures, in preferred embodiments of the invention there are various parts that can together form a door closure kit for a door closure system—that is, a kit of parts able to be used to install a door closure system in a door and jamb. 
     Such a kit may comprise:
         a latch assembly  100  (which itself may comprise a receiving member  10 , a latch  20  and a cover  30 );   a strike assembly  200  (which itself may comprise a receiving member  10 , a plate  50  and a cover  30 );   a template member  40 , which in some embodiments forms part of the strike assembly  200 ;   any other components which may be required for a door closure system yet are known in the art—for example fasteners, door handles etc.       

     A door closure system could be installed using the above kit with a method including the steps of:
         drilling a hole in the edge of the door at the desired height of the latch bolt  22 ;   using the template member  40  to drill pilot holes  62  on either side of the already drilled central hole  61  in the door edge;   forming the recess  60  in the door edge;   inserting the receiving member  10  and latch  20  into the recess  60  in the door edge, securing with screws and adhering the cover  30  to the exposed surface of the latch head  23 ;   drilling a hole in the door jamb at the desired height of the hole  51  to receive the latch bolt  22 ;   using template member  40  to drill pilot holes  62  on either side of the already drilled central hole  61  in the door jamb;   forming the recess  60  in the door jamb;   inserting the receiving member  10 , template member  40  and plate  50  into the recess  60  in the door jamb, securing with screws and adhering the cover  30  to the exposed surface of the plate  50 .       

     Other steps may be included as may be apparent to those skilled in the art and would be required to install a door closure system, either before, after or in between performing the above steps—one non-limiting example of a step not mentioned above is installing door handles. 
     Alternative Embodiments 
     Many features of the latch assembly and strike assembly described above with reference to the Figures are features specific to only some of the possible embodiments of the invention. 
     The latch may be any suitable type of latch. For example, rather than being a magnetic style latch it may be of the more common variety in which the latch bolt is springloaded into the extended position and it has a contoured or angled surface to allow it to be pushed back into the latch body as it passes the door jamb while the door is closed. In such an embodiment the plate forming part of the strike assembly may have a contoured lip to assist in smoothly pushing the latch bolt back into the latch body. In such an embodiment the flange of the receiving member may not extend all the way around the wall of the receiving member, in order to leave space for the lip to extend out from the side. In some embodiments the lip may be integrally formed with the flange. 
     The receiving member and associated methods of installing the receiving member as part of a latch or strike assembly may not be limited to latches in swinging doors, but rather may be used with other types of tubular latch bolts, for example privacy bolts, dead bolts, sliding door latches. 
     Not all the various parts of embodiments of the invention described above need to be used in all installations. For example, a receiving member may be used as part of a latch assembly, but the strike or strike assembly may be of a conventional type, or vice versa. Furthermore, the method of forming a recess could be used to form a recess for a conventional latch or strike with straight sides and semi-circular ends similar to the latch/strike described above. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. 
     The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. 
     Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. 
     The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. 
     Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.