Closure fasteners – Bolts – Sliding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-01-16
Pham, Teri (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Sliding
C292S169000, C292S336300, C292S165000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174005
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to handle and latch assemblies and other closure mechanisms and, in particular, to a latch assembly having a latch bolt and a first handle that may operate the latch bolt by rotating the handle in either the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction with an economy of manufacturing expense and parts. This first handle may operate the latch bolt irrespective of whether a second handle, which may operate the latch from the opposite side of the door or closure, is locked or unlocked.
Typically, door latches may be engaged from the inside and from the outside of the door by handles of various configurations and operation. Some door latches may be engaged by a first handle by rotating the handle in either the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction.
Still other door latches allow for a second handle, an outside handle for instance, that may also operate the door latch but may also be locked and thereby precluded from operating the door latch. In some of these latch configurations, the door latch may still be operated by the first handle, despite the second handle remaining in a locked state.
These various door latch assemblies suffer from intricate configurations and a multiplicity of mechanical parts. The manufacturers of these various door latch assemblies have to produce many internal inter-linking components. Additionally, with this multiplicity of inter-linking components comes the associated multiplicity of points for mechanical failure of the door latch assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a handle and latch assembly or other secure and release closure device. The latch assembly may be operated by either of a first handle or a second handle. The first handle may be a handle, knob, lever, gear device, or other release mechanism which operates a latch bolt contained within the latch assembly by rotating the handle or other release mechanism in either the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction. The first handle or other release mechanism may operate the latch bolt irrespective of whether or not the second handle, knob or release mechanism is locked or otherwise restrained from rotating.
In view of the above-mentioned problems and inconveniences, as well as other such problems that are inherent in such current door latch assemblies, this invention has been devised in order to minimize the expense of manufacturing, the number of components manufactured, and the accompanying number of points for mechanical failure during operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle and latch assembly or other release mechanism that allows for operation by rotating a first handle or other release device in either the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction. It is another object of the present invention to allow for this bidirectional operation of the latch assembly or release mechanism by the first handle irrespective of whether or not a second handle or other release device is locked or otherwise inoperative. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a handle and latch assembly or other release mechanism that is simple in construction, involving an economy of components, manufacture and assembly, and involving ease of repair of the same if necessary. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a handle and latch assembly or release mechanism that allows for ease of interchangeability between the first handle and other handles, knobs, levers, gearing mechanisms, or other release devices depending on the desired aesthetic design or functional outer configuration.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 180239 (1876-07-01), Jennings
patent: 1104460 (1914-07-01), Wesolowski
patent: 1619789 (1927-03-01), Vogt
patent: 1782386 (1930-11-01), Moore et al.
patent: 1858608 (1932-05-01), Wilson
patent: 2307110 (1943-01-01), Chesler
patent: 2382663 (1945-08-01), Quigley et al.
patent: 2615744 (1952-10-01), Colonna
patent: 4982986 (1991-01-01), Gressett, Jr. et al.
patent: 5433495 (1995-07-01), Uffner
patent: 6030008 (2000-02-01), Chang
Cislo & Thomas LLP
Pham Teri
Sierra Pacific Engineering and Products
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