Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-07-10
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S109000, C070S143000, C292S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257030
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to door lock assemblies having a plurality of latches disposed at separate locations and that is retractable from a single location by a thumb lever.
BACKGROUND ART
Door lock assemblies for use on doors having a hinged edge and an opposite, swingable free edges have been known for some time. The need for security and improved sealing qualities led to the development of door lock sets having more than one independently operated latches, and these have also become well known. While the independently operated latches represent an improvement, they also exhibit some disadvantages. For example, persons in a hurry may not notice all the latches. Even if they do, they might not want to take the extra time required to set them all. Worn or damaged latches might suffer the same fate when persons feel they do not have time to make them work or to repair them. Whatever the reasons, the security and/or integrity sought will be, to some extent, compromised.
Addressing these problems are door lock assemblies having more than one latch, each latch being retractable by manually operating a centrally located mechanism. These lock assemblies have become relatively common as well, but common problems attend them in that they can be difficult to assemble and install in a cost-effective manner. A remaining problem is the fact that, while many persons want door lock assemblies that match period or otherwise unique building or room designs, assemblies having thumb-operated multilatch door locks are reportedly not available for this application.
While the prior techniques function with a certain degree of efficiency, none discloses the advantage of the improved thumb-operated multilatch door lock of the present invention as is hereinafter more fully described.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a multilatch door lock for securing a door at a plurality of locations with latches that are all retractable from one location by a thumb-operated latch lever.
Another object is to provide a thumb-operated multilatch door lock that is easy to assemble and install.
An advantage of the present invention is that its assembly and installation are cost effective.
A feature of the present invention is that it uses a popular and distinctive hardware element not previously associated with multilatch door locks.
In realizing the aforementioned and other objects, advantages and features, the multilatch door lock includes a central latch that is slidable between retracted and extended positions. At least one remote latch is spaced apart from the central latch and is also slidable between retracted and extended positions. A thumboperated operated latch lever is operably connected to the central latch and to the at least one remote latch to force each respective latch into its retracted position in response to a downward movement of the thumb-operated latch lever.
A central latch driving mechanism is operably connected to the thumb-operated latch lever and to the central latch to force the central latch into its retracted position in response to a downward movement of the thumb-operated latch lever. A remote latch driving mechanism is operably connected to the at least one remote latch. An action bar operably connects the central latch driving mechanism to the at least one remote latch driving mechanism to communicate movement of the thumb-operated latch lever to the at least one remote latch driving mechanism. Each of the central and remote latches is resiliently biased toward its extended position.
The at least one remote latch includes an upper and a lower remote latch. The at least one remote latch driving mechanism includes an upper remote latch driving mechanism and a lower remote latch driving mechanism. At least one of the latches includes a trigger mechanism to provide an additional latch extension when the latch trigger engages a strike.
The objects and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 460191 (1891-09-01), Adams et al.
patent: 1203965 (1916-11-01), Bogenberger
patent: 1277174 (1918-08-01), Bakst
patent: 1346143 (1920-07-01), Teich
patent: 1596992 (1926-08-01), Ognowicz
patent: 1646674 (1927-10-01), Angelillo
patent: 2406459 (1946-08-01), Gibson
patent: 2584088 (1952-01-01), Floyd
patent: 2594253 (1952-04-01), Vander Veer
patent: 2743126 (1956-04-01), Carsley et al.
patent: 2932536 (1960-04-01), Pyknen
patent: 3933016 (1976-01-01), Nolin
patent: 4156541 (1979-05-01), Babb, Jr. et al.
patent: 4962653 (1990-10-01), Kaup
patent: 5077992 (1992-01-01), Su
patent: 5265920 (1993-11-01), Kaup et al.
patent: 5290077 (1994-03-01), Fleming
patent: 5373716 (1994-12-01), MacNeil et al.
patent: 5495731 (1996-03-01), Riznik
patent: 5498038 (1996-03-01), Simon et al.
patent: 5782114 (1998-07-01), Zeus et al.
patent: 5878606 (1999-03-01), Chaput et al.
patent: 174031 (1935-03-01), None
patent: 73602 (1944-09-01), None
patent: 0021820 (1981-01-01), None
patent: 2540170 (1984-08-01), None
patent: 2122244 (1984-01-01), None
patent: 2225052 (1990-05-01), None
Davis, III Eugene R.
Riechmann Mark E.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Gall Lloyd A.
Therma-Tru Corporation
LandOfFree
Thumb-operated multilatch door lock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thumb-operated multilatch door lock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thumb-operated multilatch door lock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2537433