Closure fasteners – Bolts – Sliding
Patent
1993-04-27
1994-11-08
Lindsey, Rodney M.
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Sliding
2922515, 292DIG62, E05C 106
Patent
active
053621166
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to latches suitable for use on gates, doors, cupboards and the like and may be applied in a wide variety of installations. The present invention will be exemplified with reference to the particular problem of hinged swimming pool gates, which requires secure automatic latching on closure, but it is to be understood that the invention extends to embodiments intended for other applications including sliding doors and other structures.
BACKGROUND ART
To prevent young children from entering a pool area without supervision, safety pool fences are usually required by law. These safety pool fences include a self latching device which is arranged to operate automatically on closing of the gate of the fence and prevents the gate from being reopened without manual releasing of the mechanism. Usually a self closing mechanism such as spring hinges is also provided on the gate to bias the gate to a closed position.
A typical latch device for a pool gate incorporates a latch bolt which is arranged to strike a rotatable notched disc located in a recess in the adjacent fence post. Striking of the disc by the latch bolt causes the disc to rotate and capture the latch. A problem exists with this type of self latching device in that a certain amount of force is required by the latch bolt to rotate the disc. In the past, it has been found that these self latching devices sometimes do not operate properly when the gate is released just off its closed position. In these instances, as the gate moves under the influence of the self closer towards its closed position the latch bolt does not strike the rotatable disc with sufficient force to cause rotation of the disc. Consequently, the self latching device does not engage properly and although the gate appears closed it is not latched.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention aims to ameliorate the above problem by providing a self latching device which is positively biased to operate when required. In the present invention the biasing force is provided by a magnetic field.
Accordingly the present invention provides a self latching device for latching, in a predetermined position, two members which are otherwise moveable relative to one another, the device comprising a latch arm and a retaining element which in use provides a latching shoulder for the latch arm to prevent relative movement of the members, at least one of the latch arm and the retaining element providing a strong magnetic field and the other having magnetic properties, the latch arm being arranged to be displaceably mounted on a first of said members and the retaining element being arranged to be associated with the second of said members, the latch arm being such that, only when the members are in the predetermined position and the latch arm and retaining element are axially aligned, under the influence of the magnetic field will the latch arm and retaining element undergo relative movement into a latching position wherein any substantial relative movement of the two members is prevented by the latch arm and latching shoulder interengaging, and the latch arm being displaceable under substantial manual force away from the retaining element to a retracted position so that the members may be moved apart, the device comprising a biasing means which biases the latch arm to the retracted position with a force less than an opposing force imparted on the latch arm by the magnetic field, the latch arm being moveable in a vertical direction between the latching position and the retracted position and including a first portion displaceably mounted within a through passage in a housing, a first end of the first portion extending from a first end of the through passage and engaging with the latching shoulder in the latching position, a sleeve connected to a second opposite end of the first portion which extends from a second end of the through passage and a second portion mounted substantially above and in line with the first portion and having a first end connected to
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Doyle David
Dunne Neil
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