Patent ID: 12209443

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present subject matter provides a door latch block for use on many different types of doors, including but not limited to access doors or panels for commercial buildings, metal cabinet doors, medicine cabinet doors, barbeque doors, fire extinguisher cabinet doors, and kitchen cabinet doors. The present door latch block can be used on other types of doors without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

In one embodiment, the present door latch block assembly can be used on an access door. Many commercial buildings include access doors to provide for ingress or egress from the buildings and/or to provide for maintenance access to hidden fixtures and equipment. Hidden hinges or latches are desirable for access doors to provide a desirable appearance. In addition, access doors should open and close properly to provide both ease of access and a consistent and uniform surface with existing walls, floors, or ceilings.

The present subject matter provides a door latch block that secures to the frame of a door and provides for secure and precise connection to a latching mechanism. The present door latch block provides for a sealed frame assembly, excellent tolerance control of a door latch with respect to the door frame, and a clean and finished look for doors and frames. In addition, the door latch block assembly is constructed of durable material, includes a mechanism for attachment to a door frame without additional hardware, and provides for convenient and precise attachment of latch hardware.

FIGS.1A-1Dillustrate various views of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus.FIG.1Aillustrates a perspective view of a door latch block apparatus100for use with doors,FIG.1Billustrates a bottom view of the door latch block apparatus100,FIG.1Cillustrates a side view of the door latch block apparatus100, andFIG.1Dillustrates a top view of the door latch block assembly apparatus. The door latch block apparatus100includes a first planar surface102configured to mount parallel to and facing away from a first side of a door frame for a construction surface, and a second planar surface104configured to mount flush with and facing toward the first side of the door frame. The apparatus100also includes a rectangular protrusion106extending from the second planar surface104, the rectangular protrusion106configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame and protrude from a second side of the door frame when the latch block apparatus100is mounted to the door frame.

The apparatus100further provides two or more cylindrical openings108extending through the latch block apparatus100from the first planar surface102through the second planar surface104and the rectangular protrusion106, the two or more cylindrical openings108configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism to a distal end of the protrusion. The latch block apparatus100is configured to provide precise alignment of the latching mechanism for securing the door frame to a door in a closed position.

In various embodiments, the rectangular protrusion106includes engagement teeth110on opposite ends of the rectangular protrusion106to engage the latch block apparatus100to the door frame. For example, the engagement teeth can be compressed inwards when inserting the protrusion through the frame, and fingers holding the engagement teeth are sized to expand and engage the teeth against the opposite side of the frame to secure the latch block apparatus once fitted in the frame. The engagement teeth thereby function to maintain contact between the second planar surface and the surface of the frame, without requiring the use of a separate connector or hardware.

According to various embodiments, the latch block apparatus100may be constructed from a number of materials. In some embodiments, the latch block apparatus100is constructed from plastic. The latch block apparatus100is constructed from a cast nylon material, in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the latch block apparatus100is constructed from a glass-filled cast nylon material. The latch block apparatus is constructed from 30% glass-filled nylon 6, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the latch block apparatus is constructed of fire-resistant or heat-resistant material.

FIG.2illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100. The latch block apparatus100includes a first planar surface102having recessed portions120of the two or more cylindrical openings108having a hexagonal shape and configured to secure a head portion of the hardware.

FIG.3illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100and latch300. The apparatus100includes a rectangular protrusion106configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame200and protrude from a second side202of the door frame200when the latch block apparatus100is mounted to the door frame200. The latching mechanism or latch300is shown connected to a distal end of the protrusion106.

FIG.4illustrates a lateral view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100and latch300. The door latch block apparatus100includes a first planar surface102configured to mount parallel to and facing away from a first side of a door frame200, and a second planar surface104configured to mount flush with and facing toward the first side of the door frame200. The apparatus100also includes a rectangular protrusion106extending from the second planar surface104, the rectangular protrusion106configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame200and protrude from a second side of the door frame200when the latch block apparatus100is mounted to the door frame200. The latching mechanism or latch300is shown connected to a distal end of the protrusion106.

FIG.5illustrates a lateral view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100, latch300, and door frame200. The rectangular protrusion106is configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame200and protrude from a second side of the door frame200when the latch block apparatus100is mounted to the door frame200. The latching mechanism or latch300is shown connected to a distal end of the protrusion106.

FIG.6illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100, latch300, and door frame200. The door latch block apparatus100includes a first planar surface102configured to mount parallel to and facing away from a first side of a door frame for a construction surface. The apparatus100further provides two or more cylindrical openings108extending through the latch block apparatus100from the first planar surface102, the two or more cylindrical openings108configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism or latch300.

FIG.7illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100. The door latch block apparatus100includes a second planar surface104configured to mount flush with and facing toward the first side of the door frame. The apparatus100also includes a rectangular protrusion106extending from the second planar surface104, the rectangular protrusion106configured to extend through an aperture in the door frame and protrude from a second side of the door frame when the latch block apparatus100is mounted to the door frame. The apparatus100further provides two or more cylindrical openings108extending through the latch block apparatus100through the second planar surface104and the rectangular protrusion106, the two or more cylindrical openings108configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism to a distal end of the protrusion106.

FIG.8illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus100. The door latch block apparatus100includes a first planar surface102configured to mount parallel to and facing away from a first side of a door frame for a construction surface. The apparatus100further provides two or more cylindrical openings108extending through the latch block apparatus100, the two or more cylindrical openings108configured to receive hardware for affixing a latching mechanism.FIG.9illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly.FIG.10illustrates a lateral view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly.FIG.11illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly. In the depicted embodiments ofFIGS.9-11, hardware400is shown installed through one of the cylindrical openings108.

In some embodiments, the door includes an access door in a commercial building. Other types of doors can be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.FIGS.12A-12Dillustrate schematic diagrams of an example embodiment of a door latch block assembly or apparatus7, latch6, access door frame1,2,3,4, and access door or door panel5. The door latch block apparatus7extends through the access door frame1,2,3,4and connects to the latch6, in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the access door frame1,2,3,4and the access door panel5are constructed of steel. In some embodiments, the access door frame1,2,3,4is constructed of 18 gauge galvannealed satin coat steel. The access door panel5is constructed of 20 gauge galvannealed satin coat steel, in some embodiments.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with others. Other embodiments may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure, for example, to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) in the United States of America. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. However, the claims may not set forth every feature disclosed herein as embodiments may feature a subset of said features. Further, embodiments may include fewer features than those disclosed in a particular example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with a claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.