Reversible latchbolt
AssigneeASSA ABLOY Access and Egress Hardware Group, Inc.
InventorDaniel W. Riley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch bolt with a bolt head that is removably mounted on a latch tail through the use of a bolt head adjustment mechanism. The bolt head adjustment mechanism may comprise one or more locking members (e.g., within the bolt head, the latch tail, and/or independent from the other components of the latch bolt) that allow the bolt head to be removed, rotated, and reassembled while the latch bolt is located within the case of the mortise lock. The bolt head may comprise an anti-friction latch that is configured to pivot within the flanges of the bolt head in a way that maintains contact between the anti-friction lock and the strike plate.
Claims19
A latch bolt comprising:
- a latch tail;
- a bolt head operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- a tail plate operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- and
- a bolt head adjustment mechanism operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- wherein the bolt head and the latch tail allow for reciprocating motion between an extended position and a retracted position;
- and
- wherein the bolt head adjustment mechanism allows for reversible assembly of the bolt head to the latch tail without removal of the latch bolt from a case in which the latch bolt is located;
- and
- wherein the latch bolt is mounted in the case in one of two positions by a retaining member on opposing sides of the case.
A mortise lock comprising:
- a case;
- a retaining member;
- and
- a latch bolt comprising:
- a latch tail:
- a bolt head operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- a tail plate operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- and
- a bolt head adjustment mechanism operatively coupled to the latch tail;
- wherein the latch bolt is operatively coupled at least partially within the case by the retaining member in one of two positions on opposing sides of the case;
- wherein the bolt head and the latch tail allow for reciprocating motion between an extended position and a retracted position;
- and
- wherein the bolt head adjustment mechanism allows for reversible assembly of the bolt head to the latch tail without removal of the latch bolt from the case.
A method of reversing a bolt head on a latch bolt within a case of a mortise lock, the method comprising:
- removing a retaining member from a first side of the case;
- disengaging the bolt head from a latch tail using a bolt head adjustment mechanism;
- removing the bolt head from the case;
- rotating the bolt head;
- reinserting the bolt head into the case;
- engaging the bolt head adjustment mechanism to operatively coupled the latch tail to the bolt head;
- and
- reassembling the retaining member to a second side of the case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.