Patent Publication Number: US-9428940-B1

Title: Three-way door latch

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein pertains generally to locking and latching devices, apparatus, systems and methods for retaining a hinged door to a stationary door frame or to another door. More particularly, the invention pertains to a door latch that is configured to simultaneously actuate a plurality of vertically and horizontally oriented sliding latches in response to operation of a single door handle to release the door from an adjacent door frame and/or another door. 
     BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Locking and latching devices, apparatus, systems and methods are known for retaining a generally planar panel, such as a door, window, shutter or the like to a stationary, adjacent frame. In particular, numerous door locks and door latches are known for retaining a hinged door to a stationary door frame or to another door. One type of a known door lock includes a deadbolt that is movable between an extended, or locked, position and a refracted, or unlocked, position. One type of a known door latch includes a conventional sliding latch, also referred to as a striker plate latch. The sliding latch is biased outwardly to engage a recess provided within a door frame or within another door adjacent an edge of the door to maintain the door in a closed configuration. The common door locks and door latches are suitable for ordinary circumstances, but are usually insufficient for installations that require additional resistance against unintentional opening, for example hurricane doors intended to withstand high-force winds and security doors intended to prevent, or at least deter, crime. In those instances, it is desirable to provide one or more additional door locks or door latches that engage the door frame or the other door at an additional location. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,763 issued Jun. 15, 1999, to Quesada discloses a three-point lock mechanism including a central deadbolt for engaging a door jamb of a door frame adjacent a lateral edge of a door, an upper deadbolt for engaging a lintel of the door frame adjacent a top edge of the door, and a lower deadbolt for engaging a threshold, sill or floor adjacent a bottom edge of the door. A conventional deadbolt lock set for the central deadbolt has a circular plate that rotates when the lock is operated to drive upper and lower deadbolt actuation rods that actuate the upper deadbolt and the lower deadbolt, respectively. The upper and lower deadbolt actuation rods are pivotally secured to the circular plate one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°) apart from one another and at a different radius from the center of the plate. In this manner, the upper and lower deadbolt actuation rods move an equal linear travel distance when the circular plate is rotated in response to operation of the lock set. An over-center pivot at the outer end of each of the upper and lower deadbolt actuation rods simultaneously actuates the upper deadbolt and the lower deadbolt, respectively, to move between a retracted, or unlocked, position and an extended, or locked, position. 
     Although generally effective, the three-point lock mechanism taught by Quesada is mechanically complex, and consequently, subject to malfunction, for example jamming, or failure. Furthermore, the over-center pivots and the spatial relationship of the attachment points of the upper and lower actuation rods on the circular plate bias the deadbolts towards the locked position when the lock set is moved to the locked configuration, and conversely, bias the deadbolts towards the unlocked position when the lock set is moved to the unlocked configuration. As a result, the biasing force created by the over-center pivots and the spatial relationship of the attachment points of the actuation rods must be overcome to either lock the door lock or to unlock the door lock. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a locking or latching device, apparatus, system and method that overcomes the problems, deficiencies and shortcomings associated with known locking and latching mechanisms. It is further desirable to provide a locking or latching device, apparatus, system and method that retains a generally planar panel, such as a door, window, shutter or the like, at multiple locations adjacent an edge of the panel. It is still further desirable to provide a three-way door latch that retains a hinged door to a stationary door frame at a central sliding latch, an upper sliding latch and a lower sliding latch, and simultaneously releases the sliding latches of the door in a mechanically simplistic manner that is not susceptible to malfunction or failure. 
     In view of the aforementioned desires, the present invention was conceived and has as an objective to provide an improved locking or latching device, apparatus, system and method for retaining a hinged door to a stationary door frame or to another door adjacent a lateral edge of the door. The invention has as a further objective to provide a three-way door latch including a central sliding latch, an upper sliding latch and a lower sliding latch that retain a hinged door to a door frame and simultaneously release the door from the door frame in response to a single operation utilizing a simplistic mechanism that is not inherently susceptible to malfunction or failure. 
     Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a detailed description of one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention is set forth below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned, as well as other objectives not expressly set forth herein, are realized by providing a latching device, apparatus, system and method for securing a door to a door frame or another door at multiple locations adjacent an edge of the door. Latching devices, apparatus, systems and methods constructed according to the present invention are shown and described by one or more exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. 
     In one aspect, the present invention is embodied by a latching device for retaining a generally planar panel with a stationary frame at a plurality of locations on the stationary frame and adjacent a respective edge of the panel. The latching device includes a central latch that is biased towards an extended position and at least one of an upper latch that is biased towards an extended position and a lower latch that is biased towards an extended position. The latching device further includes a lock set operable for simultaneously moving the central latch and the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch from the extended position to a retracted position. In one embodiment, the lock set includes a rotatable central shaft that is operably coupled with a moveable inner sleeve of the central latch such that movement of the central shaft moves the inner sleeve of the central latch between the extended position and the retracted position. In another embodiment, the lock set further includes a cam that is operably coupled with the central shaft and a connecting arm that is operably coupled with the cam and attached to an actuator rod. Rotation of the central shaft results in movement of the actuator rod that causes a movable inner sleeve of the upper latch or the lower latch to move between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is embodied by a door latch for retaining a door with a stationary door frame, another door or a floor at a plurality of locations adjacent a respective edge of the door. The door latch includes a central latch that is disposed within the door and biased in an extended position relative to a first edge of the door, and at least one of an upper latch that is disposed within the door and biased in an extended position relative to a second edge of the door and a lower latch that is disposed within the door and biased in an extended position relative to a third edge of the door. The door latch further includes a lock set and operation of the lock set causes simultaneous movement of at least two of the central latch, the upper latch and the lower latch from the extended position to a retracted position. In one embodiment, the lock set further includes a rotatable central shaft and rotation of the central shaft results in the simultaneous movement of the at least two of the central latch, the upper latch and the lower latch. The lock set further includes a cam that is rotatably coupled with the central shaft such that rotation of the central shaft causes simultaneous rotation of the cam. The lock set further includes a connecting arm that is operably coupled with the cam and attached to an actuator rod of the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch. Rotation of the cam causes movement of the actuator rod of the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch in an inward direction relative to the door, and thereby releases the door from the door frame. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention is embodied by a method for retaining a generally planar panel with a stationary frame at a plurality of locations on the stationary frame adjacent a respective edge of the panel and for releasing the panel from the stationary frame. The method includes providing a lock set including a rotatable central shaft. The method further includes providing a central latch that is biased in an extended position relative to the panel. The method further includes providing at least one of an upper latch that is biased in an extended position relative to the panel and a lower latch that is biased in an extended position relative to the panel. The method further includes operating the lock set to rotate the central shaft such that at least two of the central latch, the upper latch and the lower latch are simultaneously moved from the extended position to a retracted position relative to the panel. In one embodiment, the lock set further includes a cam operably coupled with the central shaft and a connecting arm operably coupled with the cam and attached to an actuator rod, and rotation of the central shaft by operation of the lock set causes a corresponding movement of the cam and the actuator rod that results in movement of the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch from the extended position to the retracted position. The actuator rod has an inner end attached to the connecting arm and an outer end attached to an inner sleeve of the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch, and the inner sleeve is movably disposed within an outer housing and biased by a biasing element towards the extended position. The lock set further includes a handset, and rotating the handset in a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise direction rotates the central shaft of the lock set and thereby simultaneously moves the at least two of the central latch, the upper latch and the lower latch from the extended position to the retracted position to release the panel from the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aforementioned aspects, objects, features, advantages and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view illustrating a door frame and a left-hand door including a door latch for retaining the door to the door frame in a closed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the door being shown in an opened configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view showing the door latch of  FIG. 1  from an exterior side of the door, with the door being shown in the closed configuration and with the door and the door frame indicated by hidden lines for purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partial elevation view showing a portion of the door latch of  FIG. 1  from an exterior side of the door, with the door being shown in the closed configuration and with the door and the door frame indicated by hidden lines and the exterior handset removed for purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, partial elevation view showing a portion of the door latch of  FIG. 1  from an interior side of the door, with the door being shown in the closed configuration and with the door and the door frame indicated by broken lines and the interior handset removed for purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partial side view showing a portion of the door latch of  FIG. 1  from a hinge-side of the door, with the door frame and the door indicated by hidden lines for purposes of clarity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     For a better understanding of the present invention and its operation, turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a door frame, indicated generally by reference character  10 , and a left-hand door, indicated generally by reference character  20 , with the door shown in an opened configuration. The door  20  includes a three-way door latch, indicated generally by reference character  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The door frame  10  and the door  20  are substantially of a conventional type with the exception of the modifications described herein necessary for operation in conjunction with the improved door latch  30  of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the door frame  10  comprises a latch-side vertical jamb  11  having a striker plate  12  and defining a recess (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) for receiving a conventional sliding latch mounted within the door  20  in a known manner. The sliding latch has a tapered, or beveled, end protruding outwardly from the door  20  and configured for engaging the striker plate  12  on the interior edge of the vertical jamb  11  of the door frame  10  while the door is being moved from the opened configuration to a closed configuration. Accordingly, the sliding latch is also commonly referred to as a striker plate latch. The sliding, or striker plate, latch comprises an inner sleeve that is slidably disposed within a stationary outer housing. The inner sleeve is biased, for example by a linear spring positioned between the inner sleeve and the outer housing, such that the tapered, or beveled, end protrudes outwardly beyond the door  20  unless the inner sleeve is retracted into the outer housing against the biasing force exerted on the movable inner sleeve by the linear spring. The foregoing general description of a conventional sliding, or striker plate, latch and its operation are included for purposes of providing a complete understanding of the three-way door latch of the present invention. However, as will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is contemplated that other mechanisms for engaging a recess defined by a door frame, including by way of example and not limitation a conventional deadbolt, may be suitable for use with the door latch of the present invention. 
     As depicted by the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the recess defined by the vertical jamb  11  of the door frame  10  is configured to receive a biased central latch  32  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the door latch  30  when the door  20  is in the closed configuration. The door frame  10  further comprises a horizontal lintel  13  having a striker plate  14  and defining a recess (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). As depicted by the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the recess defined by the horizontal lintel  13  of the door frame  10  is configured to receive a biased upper latch  34  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the door latch  30  when the door  20  is in the closed configuration. The door frame  10  may further comprise a horizontal threshold, or sill, having a striker plate  16  and defining a recess (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the striker plate  16  may be mounted on a floor  15  defining a recess for the striker plate  16  immediately beneath the striker plate  14  provided on the horizontal lintel  13 . Regardless, as depicted by the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the recess defined by the horizontal threshold or sill, or the floor  15 , is configured to receive a biased lower latch  36  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the door latch  30  when the door  20  is in the closed configuration. Door frame  10  further comprises a hinge-side vertical jamb that is hidden from view behind door  20  in  FIG. 1 . The hinge-side vertical jamb is provided with one or more hinge plates (not shown) operable for cooperating with corresponding hinges (not shown) mounted on the door  20 , such that the door pivots about the hinges relative to the door frame  10  between the opened configuration and the closed configuration in a well-known and conventional manner. 
     Similarly, the door  20  comprises a latch-side vertical edge  21  having a guide plate  22  defining a through opening. As depicted by the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the opening defined by the guide plate  22  is configured to guide the protruding end (or deadbolt)  33  of the central latch  32  between a retracted, or unlatched, position wherein the protruding end does not engage with the door frame  10 , and an extended, or latched, position wherein the protruding end of the central latch frictionally engages with the door frame within the recess defined by the vertical jamb  11 . Door  20  further comprises a horizontal top edge  23  having a guide plate  24  (not visible in  FIG. 1 , see e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) defining a through opening. As depicted by the exemplary embodiments provided herein, the opening defined by the guide plate  24  is configured to guide the protruding end (or deadbolt)  35  of the upper latch  34  between a retracted, or unlatched, position wherein the protruding end does not engage with the door frame  10 , and an extended, or latched, position wherein the protruding end of the upper latch frictionally engages with the door frame within the recess defined by the lintel  13 . Door  20  further comprises a horizontal bottom edge  25  having a guide plate  26  (not visible in  FIG. 1 , see  FIG. 2 ) defining a through opening. As depicted by the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the opening defined by the guide plate  26  is configured to guide the protruding end (or deadbolt)  37  of the lower latch  36  between a retracted, or unlatched, position wherein the protruding end does not engage with the door frame  10 , and an extended, or latched, position wherein the protruding end of the lower latch frictionally engages with the door frame within the recess defined by the threshold or sill, or floor  15 . The door  20  further comprises an exterior handle, or handset,  27 A disposed on an exterior side  28 A of the door, and an interior handle, or handset  27 B disposed on an interior side  28 B of the door  20  that is hidden from view in  FIG. 1 . If desired, the interior handset  27 B may be provided with a lock  29 A that is operable for preventing the exterior handset  27 A from being turned to unlatch the three-way door latch  30  and open the door  20  in a known manner. 
     The exemplary embodiment of the door latch  30  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is depicted in greater detail in  FIGS. 2-5 .  FIG. 2  is an elevation view showing the door latch  30  in a locked or latched configuration as viewed from the exterior side  28 A of the door  20 . As previously mentioned, an exterior handset  27 A is disposed on the exterior side  28 A of the door and an interior handset  27 B is disposed on the interior side  28 B of the door  20 , which is hidden from view in  FIG. 2 . The exterior handset  27 A is provided with a lock  29 A, for example a keyway configured for receiving a conventional mechanical key to lock the exterior handset against rotation in a known manner. Alternatively, the lock  29 A may be configured for use with a magnetic key, a radiofrequency (RF) or an electronic key or other security reader. Regardless, the lock  29 A is operable for preventing a lock set  40  (see  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ) disposed within the door  20  from being actuated by rotation of the exterior handset  27 A. If desired, the interior handset  27 B may likewise include a lock button  29 B (see  FIG. 5 ) operable for preventing the exterior handset  27 A from being rotated to actuate the lock set  40 , and thereby release the plurality of door latches from engaging with the door frame  10  with the door  20  in the closed configuration. 
       FIG. 2  shows the door latch  30  comprises a plurality, and in particular, three separate door latches consisting of a central latch  32 , an upper latch  34  and a lower latch  36 . The door latches  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be any type of door latch having a protruding end (or deadbolt)  33 ,  35 ,  37  that is configured to engage a corresponding recess provided in the door frame  10  in an extended (latched or locked) position, and is capable of being disengaged from the recess in a retracted (unlatched or unlocked) position, such that the door  20  can be moved from a closed configuration to an opened configuration. As shown herein, the protruding ends  33 ,  35 ,  37  of the latches  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be biased towards the extended position, such that the protruding ends of the latches engage the corresponding recesses in the door frame  10  when the door  20  is in the closed configuration. It should be noted that at least the central latch  32  alternatively may engage a recess, opening, slot or the like in another generally planar, hinged panel, for example another door adjacent to the door  20  to form a double door set in a known manner. It should also be noted that lower actuating rod assembly  60  and lower sliding latch  36  are configured essentially identical to and operate in essentially the same manner as upper actuating rod assembly  50  and upper sliding latch  34 . Accordingly, for purposes of brevity, only the configuration and the operation of the upper actuating rod assembly  50  and upper sliding latch  34  will be described in greater detail hereafter, it being understood that the configuration and operation of the lower actuating rod assembly  60  and the lower sliding latch  36  is essentially the same, except as indicated and in the opposing direction relative to lock set  40 . By way of example and not limitation, the latches  32 ,  34 ,  36  in the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein are conventional sliding latches, also commonly referred to as striker plate latches. As previously described, each sliding, or striker plate, latch  32 ,  34 ,  36  comprises an inner sleeve  32 A,  34 A  36 A that is movably, and more particularly, slidably disposed within a stationary outer housing  32 B,  34 B,  36 B. In addition, the inner sleeve is biased outwardly by a biasing element  32 C (dashed line),  34 C, and the biasing element (not shown) of  36 , for example a linear spring, such that the protruding end  33 ,  35 ,  37  extends beyond the corresponding guide plate provided on the door  20  and the corresponding striker plate provided on the door frame  10 , unless and until the inner sleeve is retracted into the outer housing against the biasing force exerted on the inner sleeve by the biasing element. 
     The central sliding latch  32  is operably coupled with a lock set  40  to operate in a conventional manner. More particularly, the lock set  40  comprises a rotatable central shaft  42  that extends transversely through the thickness of the door  20  and is attached to the exterior handset  27 A disposed on the exterior side  28 A of the door and to the interior handset  27 B disposed on the interior side  28 B of the door. The shaft  42  rotates with rotation of either the exterior handset  27 A or the interior handset  27 B, and in particular when either handset is turned. Rotation of the shaft  42  frictionally engages the inner sleeve  32 A of the central sliding latch  32  in a known manner to produce a lateral tension force that is greater than the biasing force exerted on the inner sleeve by the biasing element  32 C. Thus, rotation of the shaft  42  due to turning the exterior handset  27 A or the interior handset  27 B results in a sliding movement of the inner sleeve  32 A relative to the outer housing  32 B, and consequently, movement of the protruding end  33  of the central sliding latch  32  from its biased extended (i.e., latched or locked) position to a retracted (i.e., unlatched or unlocked) position. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , upper sliding latch  34  is coupled to lock set  40  by an upper actuating rod assembly  50  preferably comprising a vertical actuator rod  52 , and lower sliding latch  36  is coupled to lock set  40  by a lower actuating rod assembly  60  preferably comprising a vertical actuator rod  62 . As shown, at least upper actuating rod assembly  50  includes an optional turnbuckle  54  for permitting gross adjustment of the length of actuator rod  52  between the lock set  40  and the upper sliding latch  34  to accommodate for differences in the distance between the medial through opening defined by the door  20  for receiving the lock set and the top edge  23  of the door. If desired, lower actuating rod assembly  60  likewise may be provided with a turnbuckle (not shown) or the like for gross adjustment of the length of actuating rod  62 . Fine adjustment of the position of the actuator rod  52  relative to the upper sliding latch  34  and the position of the actuator rod  62  relative to the corresponding lower sliding latch  36  will be described hereafter with reference to upper actuating rod assembly  50 . It should be noted that lower actuating rod assembly  60  and lower sliding latch  36  are configured essentially identical to and operate in essentially the same manner as upper actuating rod assembly  50  and upper sliding latch  34 . Accordingly, for purposes of brevity, only the configuration and the operation of the upper actuating rod assembly  50  and upper sliding latch  34  will be described in greater detail hereafter, it being understood that the configuration and operation of the lower actuating rod assembly  60  and the lower sliding latch  36  is essentially the same, except as indicated and in the opposing direction relative to lock set  40 . 
     As previously described, turning either exterior handset  27 A or interior handset  27 B causes rotation of the central shaft  42  of lock set  40 . A cam  44  is rotatably attached to the shaft  42  on one side, for example the interior side of the lock set  40 . Thus, rotation of the shaft  42  results in simultaneous complete or incomplete rotation of the cam  44 . Rotation of cam  44  in turn drives a generally L-shaped connecting arm  46  that is rigidly attached to an inner end  51  of the actuator rod  52  of upper actuating rod assembly  50 . By way of example and not limitation, turning exterior handset  27 A in a clockwise direction or turning interior handset  27 B in a counter clockwise direction causes rotation of shaft  42  and cam  44  in a corresponding direction, which in turn drives connecting arm  46  and actuator rod  52  in a vertically downward (or inward) direction relative to the door  20  and door frame  10 . If desired, lock set  40  may be configured such that the reverse operation (i.e., either turning exterior handset  27 A in a counter clockwise direction or turning interior handset  27 B in a clockwise direction) likewise causes cam  44  to drive connecting arm  46  and actuator rod  52  in the vertically downward (or inward) direction. Regardless, operation of the lock set  40 , and specifically rotation of shaft  42 , results in downward vertical movement of actuator rod  52  relative to door  20  and door frame  10 . 
     The opposite, outer end  53  of the actuator rod  52  of upper actuating rod assembly  50  is attached to the movable inner sleeve of the upper sliding latch  34 . For example, the outer end  53  of actuator rod  52  may be provided with a clevis  56  that is pivotally attached to the inner sleeve  34 A of the upper sliding latch  34  by means of a transverse shaft, pin or the like  58 , such as a conventional cotter pin. If desired, fine adjustment of the position of the actuator rod  52  of the actuating rod assembly  50  relative to the position of the inner sleeve of the upper sliding latch  34  may be accommodated by providing a threaded engagement between the outer end  53  of the actuator rod  52  and the clevis  56 . Regardless, the vertically downward (or inward) movement of the actuator rod  52  produces a vertical tension force that is greater than the biasing force exerted on the inner sleeve  34 A by the biasing element  34 C. Thus, rotation of the shaft  42  and cam  44  due to turning the exterior handset  27 A or the interior handset  27 B results in vertically downward (or inward) sliding movement of the inner sleeve  34 A relative to the outer housing  34 B, and consequently, movement of the protruding end  35  of the upper sliding latch  34  from its biased extended (latched or locked) position to a retracted (unlatched or unlocked) position. 
     As previously mentioned, the configuration and operation of the lower actuating rod assembly  60  and the lower sliding latch  36  is essentially the same as that of the upper actuating rod assembly  50  and the upper sliding latch  34 . Accordingly, turning the exterior handset  27 A or the interior handset  27 B causes simultaneous movement of the protruding end  37  of the lower sliding latch  36  from its biased extended (latched or locked) position to a retracted (unlatched or unlocked) position against the biasing force exerted on the inner sleeve  36 A by the biasing element (not shown) at lower sliding latch  36 . As will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art from the detailed disclosure of the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown and described herein, a single mechanical operation of turning the exterior handset  27 A or the interior handset  27 B in a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise direction simultaneously retracts the protruding end (or deadbolt)  33 ,  35 ,  37  of the respective sliding latch  32 ,  34 ,  36  from the corresponding recess formed in the jamb  11  of the door frame  10 , the lintel  13  of the door frame, and the sill of the door frame or the floor  15  so that the door  20  may be moved from the closed configuration to the opened configuration. 
     It should be noted that the exterior handset  27 A and the interior handset  27 B are typically biased, for example by a torsion spring, towards a neutral position in which no inward lateral tension force is exerted on the inner sleeve  32 A of the central sliding latch  32 , and no inward vertical tension force is exerted on the inner sleeve  34 A of the upper sliding latch  34  and/or the inner sleeve  36 A of the lower sliding latch  36 . Thus, the inner sleeve  32 A,  34 A,  36 A of the respective sliding latch  32 ,  34 ,  36  is biased outwardly relative to the outer housing  32 B,  34 B,  36 B by the corresponding biasing element  32 C,  34 C, and the biasing element (not shown) of  36 . As a result, when the door  20  is in the closed configuration, the sliding latches  32 ,  34 ,  36  retain the door in the closed configuration by frictional engagement of the protruding ends  33 ,  35 ,  37  of the respective sliding latches with the corresponding recesses formed in the door frame  10  or the floor  15  and/or by frictional engagement with the corresponding striker plates  12 ,  14 ,  16 . Conversely, when the door  20  is in the opened configuration, the sliding latches  32 ,  34 ,  36  permit the door to be moved to the closed configuration by engagement of the protruding ends  33 ,  35 ,  37  of the respective sliding latches with the corresponding striker plates  12 ,  14 ,  16  to retract the protruding ends against the biasing force until the protruding ends are received within the corresponding recesses formed in the door frame  10  or the floor  15 . 
     The foregoing detailed description of one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention discloses a latching or locking device, apparatus, system and method for retaining a generally planar panel in engagement with a stationary frame. The latching device, apparatus, system and method is exemplified and embodied herein by a door latch for retaining a door to a door frame, another door or a floor at a plurality of locations adjacent a respective edge of the door. The door latch includes a central latch that is biased towards an extended position and at least one of an upper latch that is biased towards an extended position and a lower latch biased that is towards an extended position. The door latch further includes a lock set operable for simultaneously moving the central latch and the at least one of the upper latch and the lower latch from the extended position to a retracted position. However, it should be noted, and will be readily apparent to and understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the drawings, figures, illustrations, examples and embodiments included herewith are intended for the purpose of providing a complete, accurate and enabling disclosure of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the following appended claims in any manner. Accordingly, it is envisioned that other devices, apparatus, systems and methods comprising other mechanisms and movements may be utilized to accomplish the same result without departing from the intended scope of the appended claims. By way of example only and not limitation, the door latch may be provided with a locking element, member or the like configured to prevent turning of the exterior handset and the interior handset to operate the lock set, and thereby simultaneously retract the protruding end of each respective sliding latch to release the door from engagement with the door frame, floor or another door adjacent an edge of the door.