US 4,900,073 AGranted

Privacy door latch

AssigneeTCI International, Inc.

InventorMartin P. Doolan

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A door latch includes an elongated stationary case and a latch bolt mounted to reciprocate longtudinally in the case between outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions. The latch bolt is driven between the two positions by a driver mechanically connected to the latch bolt and longitudinally movable within the case under control of first and second cams. The rotation of either cam will cause the driver to move against the force of a helical spring in direction to pull the latch bolt to an inwardly retracted position. A pushbutton key is mounted to a sidewall of the case and movable in direction into and out of the case to lock one of the cams against rotation. A pin, integral with and extending radially from said key, is received by a camming means on the other cam whereby rotation of the other cam will move the pin in direction to retract the key from the first mentioned cam. A detent in the case is held in position by the helical spring to frictionally engage the outer surface of the key.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A privacy door latch comprising an elongated case, a latch bolt mounted to reciprocate longitudinally in said case between outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions,

an operator rotatable about an axis extending transversely through said case,
a driver operable to move said latch bolt longitudinally in response to rotation of said operator,
a helical spring having one end engaging said driver,
said operator comprising a first cam and a second cam, each having top and bottom portions engaging said driver to enable said driver by rotation of said operator in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to compress said spring,
a push button key moveably mounted through a sidewall of said case and moveable in direction into and out of said case without engaging said second cam,
said first cam having a portion for receiving at least a part of said push button key for locking said first cam against rotation when said key is in said receiving portion,
said second cam having a camming means formed in a surface of said second cam adjacent said side wall of said case,
said push button key including a pin mounted transversely of the movement of said key and extending beyond an end of said second cam for engagement with said camming means, whereby rotation of said second cam will move said push button key out of said receiving portion of said first cam to enable rotation of said first cam, and
detent means in said case having one end in contact with an opposite end of said spring and an opposite end in contact with said push button key.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/339,947Filed 17 Apr 1989 · continuation
Priority: 15 May 1987
Granted: 13 Feb 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

E05B 63/16
Locks or fastenings with special structural characteristics: with the handles on opposite sides moving independently
E05B 15/0033
Other details of locks; Parts for engagement by bolts of fastening devices: spindles for handles, e.g. square spindles
Y10S 292/26
Closure fasteners: automatic undogging or reconnecting
Y10T 292/099
Plural rollback elements directionally selectively effective: on separate spindles