Closure fasteners – Trippers – Sliding detent
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-07
2001-07-03
Estremsky, Gary W. (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Trippers
Sliding detent
C292S160000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254149
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to latching systems for live bolts.
BACKGROUND
Live bolt systems for doors can be damaged when an operator tries to close the door with the live bolts extended. In safes, this can occur after the safe door has been opened and the handle of the safe is accidentally bumped or turned, extending the live bolts. In some cases, damage is done to other components of the door or even to the safe itself. Repair or replacement of the damaged parts can be costly and may result in a period during which the safe cannot be used. Thus, there is a need for a live bolt system that will not extend the live bolts as a result of accidental bumping or unintentional turning of a safe door handle.
Latching systems exist in the prior art, but suffer from disadvantages that need to be overcome. Many systems, such as gravity-biased live bolt systems, involve a long series of cams, bars, and levers, creating a relatively high risk of failure as a result of the large number of parts involved. In addition, the large number of parts increases the cost of such systems. A need therefore exists for a lower cost latching system with fewer parts to reduce the risk of failure.
Other systems, such as some spring-biased systems, are simpler, but have other problems. While fewer parts are used, these systems still use more parts than necessary, resulting in higher system cost and complexity. Additionally, accidental latch release is likely as a result of actuator placement and design. If the actuator is changed to prevent accidental release, then the door becomes difficult to close. Therefore, a need exists for a simpler, lower cost latching system that is more secure against accidental release, but does not inhibit closing of the door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Our live bolt latching system provides automatic retention and release of live bolts with fewer parts than prior art systems. Our system is also more secure against accidental release of the live bolts. A spring biases a live bolt link into a latch that prevents live bolt extension. A cam preferably mounted in the hinge side of the door actuates a link lifter that moves the link out of the latch when the door is closed, allowing the bolts to extend. In the preferred embodiment of our invention, springs bias the live bolts for automatic extension of the live bolts upon closure of the door. Because of the design and placement of the cam, accidental release of our latching system is much less likely than in prior art systems. Further, our latching system is less likely to fail because it uses fewer parts than prior art latching systems.
REFERENCES:
patent: 228323 (1880-06-01), Crandal
patent: 393449 (1888-11-01), Prescott
patent: 609416 (1898-08-01), Damon
patent: 812044 (1906-02-01), Kasselman
patent: 1037302 (1912-09-01), Parent
patent: 1107736 (1914-08-01), Wilkinson
patent: 1198862 (1916-09-01), McCormack
patent: 1302873 (1919-05-01), Stiff
patent: 1330693 (1920-02-01), Fisher
patent: 1340398 (1920-05-01), O'Brien
patent: 2597056 (1952-05-01), Beder
patent: 3621686 (1971-11-01), Klein
patent: 4154070 (1979-05-01), Bahry
patent: 5603534 (1997-02-01), Fuller
patent: 398941 (1933-09-01), None
Emery Leland E.
Shaffer Douglas E.
Estremsky Gary W.
Eugene Stephens & Associates
John D. Bush & Co., Inc.
LandOfFree
Live bolt latching and releasing system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Live bolt latching and releasing system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Live bolt latching and releasing system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2552688