Door latch

Abstract

A door latching system for securing an armored door or window includes a latch assembly which is bolted to the interior of an armored door, a handle assembly which is welded to the exterior of the armored door and a strike plate which is welded to a vehicle structure or an armored side plate. The latch functions by moving an interior handle or an exterior handle in a rotary motion, which rotates a square key stock to which a cam is attached that retracts a latch. The latch is spring-loaded which allows the latch to extend to its original position when a handle is released. The springs also move the handles back to their original locations when released. When the door is shut the latch is pushed back by the strike plate, which moves the latch away from the cam, thus allowing the door to close and latch without movement of the handles. The strike plate has a roller mounted on it, which allows the latch to roll on it when the door is closed. An optional locking system allows the latching system to be secured in a latched or locked position such that the door or window to which it attached may only be readily opened from inside the vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.