Patent Abstract:
A sliding door latch with a finger pull mechanism is described that fits within a standardized aperture normally utilized for a hinged door latch. Provided is a latch assembly having an extendable latching hook for mounting in a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame and a finger pull mechanism for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework. Included are a housing assembly for fitting within the sliding door, an exposed edge plate mounted to the edge of the sliding door beside the housing assembly, a latching hook for engaging with the strike plate and extendable through the exposed edge plate, and a finger pull mechanism mounted in the edge plate.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/501,335 filed Feb. 9, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,504 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Disclosed is a latching mechanism for a sliding door that includes an extendable hooking means and an edge plate having a finger pull. More specifically, an improved sliding or pocket door latching device is provided that includes a latching mechanism having a single hooking lever adapted with resilient means for engaging a strike plate. To access the sliding door from within the surrounding sliding door framework, a finger pull is fitted into the edge plate, above an aperture for receiving the hooking lever. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Door latches for pocket or sliding doors exist in various forms. A traditional sliding door latch comprises a device that fits into the door within an often rectangular aperture that extends inward from the edge of the door (a type of large “notch” cut into the edge of the door) or by some other “custom” aperture forming procedure. The difficulty with these types of sliding door lock receiving apertures is that most doors are not for use in a pocket door setting, but are configured with apertures designed to receive the standard locking mechanism found in hinged-type or hung doors. Additionally, when a door needs to be cut for receiving a locking assembly in a fashion that is not in a standard configuration, the chance of a door damaging or ruining error is significant. A standard configuration for a hung door comprises a first bore of about 2⅛ inches cut through a face of the door. A second bore of about 1″ enters from the edge of the door and meets the larger bore on its perimeter. An inset rectangular region is formed in the edge of the door about the second bore for holding an edge plate. The subject invention allows this type of door configuration or preparation to be utilized not only for a hung door but for a sliding or pocket door too, thereby standardizing the preparation of doors for both hinged and sliding uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to disclose, for use with a sliding door, an improved latching mechanism having a finger access means included in a hinged-door standardized edge plate that has means for fastening to an edge of the sliding door. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sliding door latch that repeatedly, reliably, and securely holds a sliding door closed against a strike plate mounted in a door frame and provides an integrated handle or finger access means for accessing the door from within a containing pocket mounted in a wall. 
     A further object of the present invention is to disclose an improved simple latching pocket door mechanism having a finger pull that utilizes a guided single latching lever that engages with a receiving strike plate mounted in a door frame. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to describe an improved sliding door mechanism having a retracting finger pull pivotally secured within an end plate and utilizing a single spring associated lever and guiding means for engaging and latching with a receiving strike plate mounted in a door frame. 
     Disclosed is a latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door and engaging with a wall mounted strike plate that comprises a housing assembly that fits within the sliding door, an edge plate having means for affixing to an edge of the sliding door and positioning the edge plate beside the housing assembly, means associated with the housing assembly for coupling with the strike plate, wherein when coupling with the strike plate a portion of the coupling means extends through the edge plate, and a finger pull means associated with the edge plate for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework. The finger pull means comprises a finger pull member having first and second ends, finger grasping means proximate the finger pull member first end, and face plate attachment means proximate the finger pull member second end. 
     More specifically; the subject invention comprises an elongated housing assembly having first and second ends that fits within the sliding door and a rectangular edge plate having a narrower top and bottom borders and wider side borders. The edge plate comprises means for affixing to an edge of the sliding door and positioning the rectangular edge plate proximate the housing assembly second end, an upper finger pull mounting channel, and a lower aperture for receiving a hook member. Included is a hook assembly mounted in the housing assembly for releasably hooking to the strike plate, wherein when releasably hooked with the strike plate a portion of the hook assembly extends through the lower aperture. Also comprising the subject invention is a finger pull associated with the edge plate for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework. The finger pull comprises a finger pull member having first and second ends, finger grasping means at the finger pull member first end, and face plate attachment means hinged to the edge plate top border. 
     The hooking means comprises a hook and means for allowing a user to extend and retract the hook by using a handle. Additionally, the extension and retraction means comprises a handle attachment means, a biased arm member connected to the handle attachment means, means for coupling the biased arm member to the hook, and means for engaging, upon extension, and releasing, upon the retraction, the hook with the strike plate. Two embodiments of the coupling means are included. A first embodiment of the coupling means comprises a bracket fastened from the biased arm member to the hook, pivot means associated with the hook, and means associated with the hook and the housing for partially rotating the hook about the pivot means upon extension and retraction of the hook. 
     The second embodiment of the coupling means comprises an L-shaped coupler fastened from the biased arm member to the hook, pivot means associated with the hook, and means associated with the hook, the housing, and the edge plate for partially rotating the hook about the pivot means upon extension and retraction of the hook. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, when considered in conjunction with the associated drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional drawing taken along lines  3 — 3  in FIG. 2 for the first embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook fully retracted. 
     FIG. 4 b  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook partially extended. 
     FIG. 4 c  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook fully extended. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the positioning of the latching hook, spring and bracket, and hook throwing arm. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook in its retracted position and movement of the finger pull. 
     FIG. 6 b  is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook in its extended position. 
     FIG. 7 is an end view of the first embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 10 a  is a partial top sectional view of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook partially extended, but before the stopping tab encounters the stop. 
     FIG. 10 b  is a partial top sectional view of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook partially extended with the stopping tab hitting the stop. 
     FIG. 10 c  is a partial top sectional view of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook fully extended with the hook rotated into its latching position by means of the stopping tab and stop. 
     FIG. 11 a  is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook in its retracted position and movement of the finger pull. 
     FIG. 11 b  is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the subject invention showing the latching hook in its extended position. 
     FIG. 12 is an end view of a strike plate known in the art. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the subject invention showing the strike plate of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 a  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention similar to FIG. 4 a , showing the latching hook fully retracted and the strike plate taken along section  14 — 14  of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 14 b  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention similar to FIG. 4 b , showing the latching hook partially extended into the strike plate. 
     FIG. 14 c  is a partial top sectional view of the first embodiment of the subject invention similar to FIG. 4 c , showing the latching hook fully extended and hooked about the vertical hook engaging edge of the strike plate. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, there are shown preferred embodiments of the subject invention for use with a sliding or pocket door. The sliding door itself is mounted in a pocket frame or equivalent structure that fits within a wall. When a user desires to close the door, the door is slid out of the pocket. The subject invention provides the user with a means for accessing the door from within its pocket frame and for locking the closed door (slid out of its pocket) against a strike plate mounted on the frame of the door opening. 
     Specifically, a first embodiment of the subject invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7 and comprises a latch assembly  5  having a housing assembly  10  and an edge plate  15 . The housing assembly  10  is positioned next to, beside, or contacting the edge plate  15  and the two may be permanently or reversibly attached to one another by standard means or merely positioned against one another within the door bores and held in place by end plate affixing means that are usually apertures  20  and  25  (see specifically FIGS. 1,  2 , and  7 ) through which securing screws are placed (not shown). A finger pull means is associated with the end plate  15  and usually comprises a finger pull member  30  with a finger grasping tab  35  at one end and a hinge means at the other, wherein the hinge means usually comprises a pin aperture  40  in the finger pull member  30  and a pin  41  that fits within receiving apertures  45  in the top edges of the finger pull opening of the end plate  15 . Additionally, the end plate  15  contains a latch hook aperture  50  positioned below the finger pull member  30  through which a coupling means accesses and latches to the strike plate in the door frame. 
     The housing assembly  10  of the first embodiment of the subject invention has distal  55  and proximal ends  60 , relative to the location of the end plate  15  (see FIGS. 1,  6   a , and  6   b ). The housing assembly comprises two subassemblies: the hook guide assembly  70  and the lever extension and retraction assembly (ER assembly)  75 . Exposed on the outer portion of the housing assembly  10 , specifically on the ER assembly  75 , is a handle socket member  85  for mating with a door latch handle that is user-accessible on the surface of the sliding door. A user rotates the handle to latch and open the door via the subject latch assembly  5 . 
     The components of the ER assembly  75  are best seen in FIGS. 2,  5 , and  6   a-b.  It is stressed that the various components of the ER assembly  75  and for the subject invention in general may be altered to similar or equivalent versions and still be within the realm of this disclosure. Comprising the ER assembly  75  are first  90  and second  95  frame members that give the basic shape and structural integrity to the ER housing  75 . The first  90  and second  95  frame members interconnect to form a box-like container that links with the hook guide assembly  70 , usually by means such as tabs  100  and receiving apertures  105  and  110  in the lower frame  115  (see FIG. 3 for a cross sectional view of the lower frame  115  and FIGS. 4 a-c  for how the hook slides with the lower frame  115  during operation) and upper frame  120  halves of the hook guide assembly  70 . Handle socket apertures  125  and  130  are found the first  90  and second  95  frame members, respectfully, for securing the handle socket member  85  for rotation during usage. 
     Within the ER assembly  75  is the strike plate coupling means having a bracket  135 , a coil spring  140 , a hook throwing arm  145  with slot  146 , a hook  150 , an elongated spring  155  (fits within the first frame member between suitable anchoring points  156  and  157 ), and first  160  and second  165  extensions of the handle socket member  85 . As seen in FIG. 5, the hook throwing arm  145  has a first terminal with opposing flanges  148  and  149  that slide, during movement of the hook  150 , within elongated apertures  191  and  196 , respectively, in the first  90  and second  95  frame members, respectively. The second terminal  147  and the arm  145  fits within a receiving aperture  136  in the bracket  135 . The coil spring  140  is fitted between the second terminal  147  and a securing pin  139 . The hook  150  is pivotally mounted into the bracket  135  by means of interacting pins  151  and  152  and apertures  137  and  138 . Additionally, the hook  150 , has a cam nub  153  that rides over a guide  154  that extends from the second terminal  147 , proximate aperture  137 . 
     Usually, the hook guide assembly  70  has, as noted above, two halves (lower  115  and upper  120 ), but other equivalent configurations are considered possible and within the protected bounds of this disclosure. The retracted and extended positions of the subject latch are illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b , respectively. FIG. 6 a  shows the hook  150  retracted into the housing assembly  10  with the handle socket member first extension  160  pressed against the elongated spring  155  and the handle socket member second extension  165  fitted within the arm slot  146 . When the handle socket member is turned by a user, via the associated handle on the face of the door, the elongated spring, biased against the first extension  160 , distorts and applies resistance that is overcome by continued rotation. The second extension  165  forces the arm  145 , the attached bracket  135 , and hook  150  outward, into an extended position (see FIG. 6 b  for the extended hook position). 
     FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b , and  4   c  illustrate the extension of the hook  150  and how is partially rotates to engage the strike plate. FIG. 4 a  shows the retracted hook  150  connected to the bracket  135  by pin  151  (pin  152  does not show in this view) and fitting completely within the lower frame  115 . In FIG. 4 b  the hook  150  has been partially extended and shows the cam nub  153  hitting a stop  200  formed in the lower frame  115  (see FIG. 3 for a cross sectional end view of the lower frame  115  showing the stop  200 ). As the hook  150  slides by the stop  200  the interaction between the stop  200  and the cam nub  153  swings or partially rotates the hook  150  into a locking position with the cam nub  150  positioned against guide  154 . When the hook  150  is withdrawn the sloping shoulder  205  of the hook  150  swings or partially rotates the hook  150  into its retracted angle. FIG. 3 shows the channels in which the hook  150  travels. 
     Also, specifically, a second embodiment of the subject invention is shown in FIGS. 8-11. It is noted that the components that are equivalent between the first and second embodiments are indicated by a primed number. Comprising the second embodiment of the latch assembly  5 ′ having a housing assembly  10 ′ and an edge plate  15 ′. As in the first embodiment, the housing assembly  10 ′ is positioned next to, beside, or contacting the edge plate  15 ′. 
     The differences between the first and second embodiments are found within the ER assembly  75 ′ and hook guide assembly  70 ′ and comprise the exact elements that extend and retract the hook. Within the ER assembly  75 ′ is the strike plate coupling means having, a coil spring  140 ′, a hook throwing arm  145 ′ with slot  146 ′ proximate a first end and an aperture  300  proximate a second end, a L-shaped coupler  305  with an arm attachment means  310 , a hook  150 ′ with a coupler receiving aperture  315 , an elongated spring  155 ′, and first  160 ′ and second  165 ′ extensions of the handle socket member  85 ′. As seen in FIG. 9, the hook throwing arm  145 ′ has a first terminal with opposing flanges  148 ′ and  149 ′ that slide, during movement of the hook  150 ′, within elongated apertures  191 ′ and  196 ′, respectively, in the first  90 ′ and second  95 ′ frame members, respectively. At one end of the arm  145 ′ is an aperture  300  for receiving one end of the L-shaped coupler  305 . The L-shaped coupler  305  is secured within the aperture  300  by suitable means such as a pin, clip, screw, cap, ring, and other reversible and permanent means. The coil spring  140 ′ is fitted about the L-shaped coupler  305 . The hook  150 ′ is pivotally mounted to one end of the L-shaped coupler  305  by means of an aperture  315 . Additionally, the hook  150 ′ has a ledge  320 . 
     Usually, the hook guide assembly  70 ′ of the second embodiment has, as with the first embodiment, two halves (lower  115 ′ and upper  120 ′). The retracted and extended positions of the subject latch are illustrated in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b,  respectively. FIG. 11 a  shows the hook  150 ′ retracted into the housing assembly  10 ′ with the handle socket member first extension  160 ′ pressed against the elongated spring  155 ′ and the handle socket member second extension  165 ′ fitted within the arm slot  146 ′. When the handle socket member  85 ′ is turned by a user, via the associated handle on the face of the door, the elongated spring, biased against the first extension  160 ′, distorts and applies resistance that is overcome by continued rotation. The second extension  165 ′ forces the arm  145 ′, the L shaped coupler  305 , and hook  150 ′ outward, into an extended position (see FIG. 11 b  for the extended hook position). 
     FIGS. 10 a ,  10   b , and  10   c  illustrate the extension of the hook  150 ′ and how is partially rotates to engage the strike plate. FIG. 10 a  shows the retracted hook  150 ′ fitted completely within the lower frame  115 ′. In FIG. 10 b  the hook  150 ′ has been partially extended and shows the ledge  320  hitting a stop or lip  325  formed at the slightly staggered intersection of the edge plate  15 ′ and the hook guide assembly  70 ′. As the hook  150 ′ slides by the stop or lip  325  the interaction between the stop or lip  325  and the ledge  320  swing or partially rotate the hook  150 ′ into a locking position. 
     When the hook  150 ′ is withdrawn the angle of the hook  150 ′ between the ledge  320  and the L-shaped coupler  305  attachment aperture  315  swings or partially rotates the hook  150 ′ into its retracted angle. Typically, a user employs the subject device by mounting in a suitable sliding door that has been prepared by cutting a first bore (preferably a standard hinge-hung door bore of about 2⅛ inch) through a face of the door and a second bore (preferably a standard hinge-hung door bore of about 1″) enters from the edge of the door and meets the larger first bore on its perimeter. Additionally, an inset rectangular region is formed in the edge of the door about the second bore for holding an edge plate. Specifically, with the subject invention, the door is accessed by a user via lifting the retracting finger pull. The sliding door is then closed so the door edge contacts the door frame. The latch assembly is then utilized to secure the sliding door to the door frame via the hook and strike plate. 
     FIG. 12 shows a typical strike plate  400  known in the art. The strike plate  400  includes a vertical hook engaging edge  405  bordering one edge of an aperture  410 . The aperture  410  has a width “A” which is sized to permit unrestricted displacement of the hook  150  between the retracted and extended positions of the bracket  135 . The aperture  410  also has a height “B” which is sized to permit the hook  150  to slide vertically upward or downward along edge  405  if the door in which the latch assembly  5  is disposed is displaced vertically. In this manner, the latch assembly  5  and specifically the hook  150  remains located in its latched position. 
     FIGS. 14 a ,  14   b , and  14   c  are based on FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b , and  4   c , respectively, and show the hook  150  relative to the strike plate  400 . FIG. 14 a  shows the hook  150  in its fully retracted position. FIG. 14 b  shows the hook  150  partially extended into the strike plate  400  and within the clearance provided as width “A” of the aperture  410 . FIG. 14 c  shows the hook  150  in its fully latched position, contacting the vertical hook engaging edge  405  of the strike plate  400 . 
     The invention has now been explained with reference to specific embodiments. Other embodiments will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the appropriate art upon review of the present specification. Also, although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8