Patent Publication Number: US-6709030-B2

Title: Water-resistant slam-latch

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to latches for closure members and more particularly to a simple latch, the exterior of which makes the latch water-resistant, adapting it for use in conditions where it will be exposed to water, such as on a boat. 
     The pull-handle of the latch is mounted to a horizontal axle that moves therewith, extending through the sidewalls of the faceplate, moving a lever arm, which in turn opens the latch. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Slam-latch closures are well known in the boating industry and have been in use for an extremely long time. Likewise, latch-type closures for use on boats and/or storage devices are old and well known. However, these devices are not without drawbacks; subjected to water under pressure, the latch mechanisms leak. 
     Prior references known to the inventor include: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,908, granted Jun. 13, 1961 to Pelcin, which discloses a slam-latch type door lock, wherein the latch is moved from its locked to unlocked position via a trigger or lever which extends through the center portion of the face plate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,932 granted to Pastua, Jun. 25, 1968, shows a slam-latch type door lock, wherein the end of the latch extends through the back of the face plate to move the latch member. 
     U.S. Des. Pat. No. 180,260 granted to Adams, et al., May 14, 1957, discloses a sliding door lock wherein the lock is activated by a rotating member. 
     U.S. Des. Pat. No. 324,636 granted to Schlack, et al., Mar. 17, 1992, discloses a slam-latch wherein the latch member extends through the faceplate to activate the latch element. 
     U.S. Des. Pat. No. 357,396 granted to Ziemer, et al., Apr. 18, 1995, discloses a slam-latch without sufficient information as to the mechanism. 
     U.S. Des. Pat. No. 370,620 granted to Ziemer, Jun. 11, 1996, discloses a lockable slam-latch wherein the latch element is operated by an extension of the handle passing through the faceplate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the above-noted summary of the invention, prior art and problems in mind, it an object of the present invention to provide a slam-latch for use in securing closures wherein the slam-latch is highly water-resistant. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a slam-latch for securing closures wherein the latch body extends through the closure and the mechanism is designed such that it provides very little opportunity for water seepage. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide the opening mechanism for a slam-latch that extends through portions of the face of the slam-latch, which are not ordinarily subjected to direct water pressure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the inventive slam-latch. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the inventive slam-latch. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the slam-latch. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the slam-latch. 
     FIG. 5 is another side elevation of the slam-latch. 
     FIG. 6 is a section line along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the slam-latch, including a lock mechanism. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view through the side of the slam-latch. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the cam axle. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     As seen in FIG. 1, the slam-latch of the present invention includes a main body portion  2  which is mounted into a simple, circular hole in the closure extending therethrough and secured in place by a clamp plate  4  which abuts the back of the closure opposite the outwardly extending flange  6  on the main body portion. The main body portion and clamp plate are secured together by screw members  8 . In addition to the radially outwardly extending flange  6 , the main body portion includes an inwardly extending cavity or depressed portion  10  including sides  12  of an irregular profile substantially perpendicular to face portion  14  to receive a pull lever  16  which is substantially co-planar with the exterior of the closure member when the latch is in its closed position. The inwardly extending side walls  12  are unitary with the body element  18 , which includes a further downwardly extending trough  20 , as further defined hereinafter. 
     Reference is now had to FIG. 2 wherein the lower surface (when mounted) of the slam-latch is shown, and it can be seen that the flange  6  extends outwardly from the body  2  to abut the outer portion of the cover and the clamp plate  4  abuts the inner portion of the cover securing the latch in place. The body portion  2  is cylindrical so that the preparation for the mounting of the slam-latch involves no more than placing an appropriately sized bore through the cover. It is to be noted that the latch or slide portion of the slam-latch extends rearwardly of the clamp plate  4  and includes an outwardly extending projection  22 , wherein as explained hereinafter allows opening the latch from the interior of the closure, as well as the latch element itself  24 , which when in the closed position overlaps an appropriate element on the interior surface of the framework surrounding the closure and securing the closure in place. 
     Reference is now had to FIG. 3, wherein similar elements are similarly labeled as viewed from the right side of the latch, and further to be seen in this view is a screw  28  for holding the operating mechanism in position, as well as a better view of the profile of the latch  26 , which is well known in the art. 
     Reference is now had to FIG. 4, which is a top view and more clearly shows the exposed portion of the operating mechanism, and in particular, shows the top of the slide member  30 , which is integral with the latch  26  and thumb operation element  24 . Slide element  30  is urged to its uppermost position as shown by means of a spring, not shown in this figure, mounted beneath the slide element. The slide element  30  is urged against the upper force of the spring  30  by means of a cam  32  rigidly secured to lever arm  34 , which is rigidly secured to the axle extending through the pull lever  16  (not seen in this view), as will be explained hereinafter. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  3  and more clearly depicts the interrelationship between the pull lever  16 , the axle  36  and the cam  32 - 34 , as well as the interrelationship with the slide  30 . Axle  36  is mounted within a bore in pull lever  16  such that the movement of latch pull lever  16  causes axle  36  to rotate, thereby actuating the cam  32 - 34 , moving the slide against its hinge to unlatch the device. As best seen in this view, the only possible way for liquid to pass through the latch is to seep through the bores in the body  2 , where the axle  36  passes through it. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a similar latch as in FIG. 1, however, a lock  38  has been added. 
     FIG. 8, a section through the latch of FIG. 1, again illustrates the interrelationship of the various elements and also discloses the compression spring  38  which urges slide  30  and the latch  34  to the latched position. 
     FIG. 9 depicts the unitary axle cam including the axle  36 , which is secured in place by screw  28  (not shown) of the cam  32 - 34  to again compress spring  38  to unlatch the device. 
     Thus, as can be seen, the present invention discloses a very simple device while securing the closure such as a door on a boat or the like, and yet prevents the in flow of water during high seas or during the scrub down period.