Pressure-release latch with tension calibration

A pressure-release latch comprising:

• a base configured to be mounted to panel that is hingedly coupled to a frame;
• first and second brackets extending from a side of the base, the first and second brackets each having opposed first and second planar surfaces and an edge surface extending between the first and second planar surfaces, the first and second brackets each including:
• a capture slot extending through from the first and second planar surfaces;
• and
• a threaded bore extending from the edge surface to the capture slot;
• a latch bolt coupled to the base and being movable between a first position, in which the latch bolt is configured to lock the in position relative to the frame, and a second position, in which the latch bolt is configured to allow the door panel to be move relative to the frame;
• a torsion spring that is configured to bias the latch bolt toward the first position and to automatically move the latch bolt from the first position to the second position when an opening force is applied to the latch bolt;
• and
• a calibration mechanism that calibrates a magnitude of the opening force, the calibration mechanism including:
• a calibration screw extendable into and retractable from the capture slot via the threaded bore, the calibration screw having an end abutting a portion of the torsion spring received by the capture slot such that movement of the calibration screw within the capture slot when the pressure-release latch is in the first position changes a biasing force of the torsion spring.

A pressure-release latch comprising:

• a base configured to be mounted to a panel that is hingedly coupled to a frame;
• a bracket extending from a side of the base, the bracket having opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed top and bottom edges, the bottom edge being coupled to the base, the bracket including:
• a capture slot extending through the first and second side surfaces of the bracket, and
• a threaded bore extending from the top edge of the bracket to the capture slot;
• a latch bolt mounted on the base and movable between a first position, in which the latch bolt is configured to lock the panel in position relative to the frame, and a second position, in which the latch bolt is configured to allow the panel to move relative to the frame;
• a spring-biased, toggle-linkage tensioner connected to the base and the latch bolt and configured to exert a lock force on the latch bolt to maintain the latch bolt in the first position and to automatically move the latch bolt to the second position when an opposed force in excess of the lock force is exerted on the latch bolt, the spring-biased toggle-linkage tensioner having a first end pivotally coupled to the base and a second end pivotably coupled to the latch bolt, the spring-biased toggle-linkage tensioner including:
• a restraining arm pivotally coupled to the latch bolt by a first linkage pin;
• a lever arm having a proximal end pivotally connected to the restraining arm by a second linkage pin and a distal end pivotally mounted to the base by a pivot pin;
• and
• a torsion spring that biases the lever arm and the restraining arm to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, the torsion spring being wound around the pivot pin and having first and second radiating legs, the first radiating leg contacting at least one of the first and second linkage pins when the latch bolt is in the first position, the second radiating leg being received by the capture slot;
• and
• a calibration screw extendable into and retractable from the capture slot via the threaded bore, the calibration screw having an end abutting a portion of the second radiating leg disposed within the capture slot such that movement of the calibration screw within the capture slot when the pressure-release latch is in the first position changes a biasing force of the torsion spring.